Well, today is the last day of winter break, and overall, I can say it’s been a good one. We had a good Christmas, we had some down time, and I did spend a good chunk of time getting our house somewhat in order.
The Christmas tree and decorations finally got put up yesterday. Since I did spend a bit of time purging and organizing, today I’m sharing a few organizational things that my family utilizes.
Starting off strong with something very cute. I saw these little scallop trays on a Mark and Graham ad back in November, and I thought one would be perfect for Hadley.
When she opened it on Christmas morning, she said, “how cute!” …and it is. She tends to collect things on her bedside table, so I thought this would be a good spot for her to put her bracelets, car keys (one day…still looking for a used car!), and other odds and ends.
Also, since her vanity only has one drawer, she tends to have her hair tools everywhere (which drives me crazy). I got her this hair tools travel bag, so she can keep her hair tools in it that she’s not using, but she can also use it for travel. It’s a win/win! This bag was one of her Christmas gifts, and I put some new makeup brushes in it which was something that she needed too.
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When we went to KC for Thanksgiving, Hayden just threw his golf shoes in the car, and when I saw this on Amazon, I thought it would be a good way for him to store his shoes and transport them when needed. There are pockets for golf balls and tees too.
Two years ago, I got Trav this trunk organizer for his car, and he’s gotten such good use out of it.
This year, I got him this hat organizer for one of this presents (who says love is dead?!)…honestly though, every year, I get him some kind of “practical/organizational” gift, and he appreciates it. Anyway, this is a set of two, and they stack on each other. He ended up using one, and I used the other for my hats.
I’ve had the same pillow storage bags for years, and one of the zippers broke, so I bought a set of these moving/storage bags, and they are perfect. I like that they are longer and the handles make for easy transporting.
One other area I tidied over break was my bathroom closet, vanity drawers, and skincare. I’ve had this skincare/makeup organizer for a couple of years, and I re-organized it and prioritized it with products I use daily.
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We’re still using these little clear (plastic) jars in our bathrooms to hold Q-tips, cotton balls and shower steamers.
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We have a few of these medium size Bright room baskets from Target, and I picked up a couple more this weekend. They are perfect for under the sink in the kitchen, holding papers in our office cabinet, storage for Homer’s dog food and treats and more. I have a couple of large ones in my hall closet that hold my off season sweaters. Target has a small size too.
For me, the purging and organizing can sometimes feel overwhelming since it’s a “it has to get messy before it gets better” situation, but once things are put in their place, my type A brain can relax.
My first Saturday of posting in quite some time…but I’m going to try to post as many days as possible in January.
I saw this meme…
…which made me LOL!…but also inspired me to keep up with my blogging goal.
January has always been a favorite month of mine. It’s a fresh start and typically a much slower pace than November and December. To me, January is like exhaling on the deep breath I’ve been holding over the past couple of months.
How cute is this graphic? So cute and cozy.
In January, we have a bit more downtime, the house is reset back to normal, it’s my birthday month, and typically we have some chances for snow days!
This graphic is what I’m talking about:
This one is so cute too:
A few of my favorite points:
Starting a new hobby: You all–it might sound silly, but I’ve really enjoyed cross stitching these little ornaments over the past couple of weeks. I remember my mom cross stitching, and I would do little projects as a kid. It’s been a nice relaxing release.
First page of the 2026 calendar- It’s always hard going back to school after a couple of weeks off, but I do actually look forward to Monday, which is a teacher work day, to reset my classroom and turn the page on my desk calendar.
Lazy days, reading, tv- I’ve actually had a bit of those things over the past week, once Christmas was over…and I hope to continue those things in January and February.
Home decor refresh – Once all the Christmas decor is put up, it’s nice to get the “regular” decor back out and situation. That being said, we’ve lived in this house ten years, and I’m kind of “itching” to refresh a few things. I went to Home Goods yesterday and purchased a new paper towel holder and canisters for the kitchen. I also purchased new pillow covers for the couch…because Homer likes to put his head on a pillow, I tend to wash, but then refresh those slip covers a couple times a year. I honestly want to rearrange a few things too if it makes sense to do so…we’ll see.
Self-care: I will continue my monthly facials and my basement workouts. I enjoy walking and want to commit to going on walks during warmer weather days in December. I also want to try a few new workout classes, and my mom gave me a subscription to Headspace, and I will try to incorporate that into my daily routine.
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I enjoy following @parentingteensandtweens on Instagram, and I thought this was a good reminder for my teens:
I was lucky to get a “like” in the family group text, but maybe, just maybe, they read it!
How was your New Year’s Eve? We hung out with friends and actually stayed up until midnight, but overall, it was a low-key evening.
A few years ago, I participated in “Bloganuary” that WordPress hosted with topics every day. While I don’t think they host this anymore, I think I might challenge myself to blog every day in January. What I remember liking about Bloganuary is it was an opportunity to write about topics big and small. Sometimes, last year I felt like I had “writer’s block,” and I’d like to start the year strong.
I plan on sharing my regular content, but I hope to sprinkle in some random topics even if it provides for a short post. Now, once I get back to school, we’ll see if I can keep this up, but I’m going to try.
Last night, we had more of an informal New Year’s Eve. I’ve shared in the past that a few friends, who all live within a few houses of each other, started a progressive dinner years ago. Well, they expanded the invite to a few other couples, including us, a couple of years ago, and that’s been lots of fun.
This year, they/we decided to scale back and just host at one house an informal game night with pizza for people to come and go as they please.
We had lots of fun watching football, playing a few games, enjoying apps and pizza and just letting the kids come and go as well.
One thing that didn’t change was that one friend still organized the “words of the year” that we pull from a pretty jar. After we draw our words, we all go around and share them.
Here are my words for 2026:
Boundaries: I think I’m pretty good at setting boundaries…I feel like this is something that’s easier to do as we get older. If a situation or relationship isn’t serving me, I’m ok with saying no or letting that go.
Encourage:One thing about me is that I’m a pretty loyal person, and I think I do a good job encouraging my people. I’m in the “thick” of raising two teens, and I’m going to keep encouraging them through the ups and downs of life…and honestly, I’m going to keep encouraging myself to do things for myself and give myself grace.
Celebrate: Low-key celebrating, ok? I’m too old for much more than that. haha (That being said, my birthday is a couple of weeks away, and I’ve already started receiving birthday emails from my school district and places like Ulta, etc…I ‘ve got birthday coupons to spend, apparently!)
I always keep the three words in my bedside table every year, and it’s fun to look back on them and reflect on the year.
Well, we survived the first day back. It was a good one, but we were all hungry and tired by the time we got home from school. It’s good to get back in a routine…at least that’s what I’m telling myself.
I saw this, and after a long day back to work, I had to laugh…
Anyway, I’m continuing on with the Bloganuary challenge…
…with this prompt today:
Before I jump into this post, I want to say, when I saw this prompt, I kind of rolled my eyes.
Last year, when I did the Bloganuary challenge, I felt like WordPress posed lots of great prompts.
I haven’t felt that way this year…but I’ve liked the “challenge” of posting every day, so I’ve shared my regular content as well as other prompts and some WordPress suggested ones.
So, I’m just going to roll with it because who doesn’t want to read about this sweet face?!
Also, I realized there hasn’t been much Homer content lately because, well, apparently when you are almost five years old, you behave…š
No more stories of him running off (although, he still will if the front door isn’t shut all the way by accident), no more stories about him eating an entire cookie cake off the counter (but if there are crumbs on the counter, he will find them), and no more stories of him ruining pillows or shoe laces (but he will still snag a random item out of the trash can!)
Anyway, back to today’s prompt:
If we could make Homer understand one thing maybe it would be that we love him more than whatās probably normal? Actually, I think he probably knows that. We have so many nicknames for him, we all tell him goodbye when we leave, and of course he gets lots of cuddles…especially from Hadley.
So, really, I think Iād love for him to understand how helpful it would be for him to close the door when he comes inside. He asks to go out often, and then as soon as I sit down, whether it’s been three minutes or thirty, he comes inside only for me (or one of us) to have to go shut the back door. I guess we could probably teach him to nudge it closed…but it still wouldn’t be shut all the way.
Just a little dog owner “pet” peeve, I guess.
That minor inconvenience is worth it though! Just look at that face:
We feel lucky to have found Homer and have him as ours.
Well, the days have started to run together this week, but it is the end of the weekend…and I have another Bloganuary post.
It’s no secret that reading is one of my favorite hobbies. Today, I’m sharing a few fun book graphics and my answers to an “All About Books” prompt.
I like to think that I’m “lives in the book shop/library” and “the bookworm.”
Pinterest/ @idotdoodle
Via Pinterest, I found this “All About Books” prompt…and here are my answers:
C/o Pinterest @glammtemplates
Favorite book: I remember everyone talking about Where the CrawdadsSing, and for whatever reason, I put off reading it. Once I started to read it on vacation a few summers ago, I couldn’t put it down. I wish I hadn’t waited so long to read it. I think the movie is pretty amazing too.
Book I regret reading: Travis asked me once if I ever start a book and don’t finish it…and I told him I used to never quit a book, but now I do if needed. There are so many books that I want to read, so I try not to feel like I “have” to read a book. Anyway, Block Party was a “hot” book this summer, and I trudged through it. I should have stopped reading when I wasn’t enjoying it, but since it was pretty popular, I kept reading…and I wasted time I could have spent on a good book.
Currently reading: I’ve had All the Light We Cannot See on my list for a while, but I finally made it a priority to read because I also want to watch it on Netflix! I’m enjoying, but it’s a long book…so I hope I can finish it soon.
Books I recommend: This varies based on the person or situation…but the Class Mom series is so funny, and Elin Hilderbrand is the queen of beach reads!
A book I can always reread:To Kill a Mockingbird is one that I could read over and over…and do thanks to my job! haha You would think that I would have read this book in high school, but I never did. The first time I read it was right before I taught the unit my first year teaching. Now, over twenty years later, I can say that I’ve read it at least 12-15 times. The past few years, the students I’ve worked with have read the graphic novel version.
Favorite genre:I used to like chick lit and light, easy reads. A few years ago, I really started enjoying historical fiction.
Least favorite genre: I do not like sci-fi or fantasy…books or movies.
Buy or borrow books? It’s pretty rare for me to buy a book. Again, since there are so many I’d like to read, I’m ok with being on the wait list at the library until it’s my turn to read a book. I do love buying books from time to time though.
Write a book someday? I don’t think that’s something I desire to do. I like being the author of Show Me and Sweet Tea. š
Pinterest @becauseallthebooks
What’s the best book you’ve ever read?
I will post this template from @glammtemplates on Instagram today. I’d love to know your answers…and don’t forget to tag me in your responses.
How is your weekend going? We had a busy day yesterday, but we don’t have much on tap today. I’m ready for a bit of downtime.
I’m continuing with my Bloganuary posts…
…and sharing about…
When I was little, I loved my Madeline doll based on the Madeline children’s book. The main character lives in an all girls boarding school in Paris, France.
The first pic I found of me with my Madeline doll is at my second birthday party.
I carried that doll everywhere…so much so that I think my mom had to “repair” it at some point by sewing a few parts back on…an eye or arm, maybe? Then, eventually, I even got a new one to replace the original.
Madeline and I logged a lot of time together and many memories.
When the kids were little, I got the Madeline book for Hadley and read it to her often.
I wrote this Let’s Lookpost a couple of years ago about Love Languages.
“Acts of service” continues to be the best gift I can receive…especially from my immediate household. haha
I still really appreciateāhelp picking up, doing the laundry, unloading the dishwasher, etc.
Taking things off my plate is definitely the best gift I could receive.
As far as other gifts…
To be clear, I have everything I need. I don’t need material things. Of course, I appreciate the gesture and thoughtfulness of receiving a gift, but I tend to buy what I need.
That being said, I love cards. I’ve always appreciated a card, a written note, a sticky note saying “Have a great day” and more.
Travis is known for his “bubble letters” which I love.
I don’t get flowers very often, but I do love them!
Kind of like with the cards, I appreciate sentimental gifts…
Sorry to mention it again, but these pics of the kids were my favorite Christmas gift this year. They were such a lovely surprise, and they were perfect!
A few years ago, Travis gave me this burlap print with our address and the year we moved into this house. It’s not anything I would have asked for, but it’s an example of something thoughtful that I see every day and love.
I also really love traditions like receiving two hanging ferns for the front porch as my Motherās Day gift.
We went to Julep Farm because Trav gave me a gift card to the restaurant there. An āexperienceā is always a thoughtful gift.
The gift of self-care is always nice.
Years ago, Travis gave me a gift card to the med spa where I now go monthly for my facials. I appreciate having that 45 minutes to an hour every month to take care of myself.
He’s also given me gift cards for manicures/pedicures which I can always use.
Last year for my birthday, Travis gave me a gift card for a massage. Again, that’s not something I typically buy for myself, so I appreciate him “forcing” me to take a break and relax.
This year for Christmas another one of my gifts came in a cute gift bag…gift cards for a massage, dinner out, and a night at a hotel. It was all very thoughtful and unexpected.
Travis and the kids taking the time to think about me and tell me I can take a break and have some time for myself is beyond thoughtful.
So, the gift of self-care really is appreciated!
What’s the greatest gift you could receive?
I will have another post tomorrow — I’m sharing my recent Amazon purchases…buckle up!
Today I’m sharing my first “Bloganuary” post. Yesterday’s WordPress topic was “what colleges have you attended?”
At first I thought this topic might be boring, but then I realized that I had a journey/story for each part of my college career.
University of Missouri:
University of Missouri (KC):
When I graduated high school, I was really uncertain about where I wanted to go or if I even wanted to leave home.
My “homebody” tendencies started early, and I wasn’t much of a “risk taker.” I was really comfortable living at home, working part-time at a dentist office, and sticking with my surroundings. Ultimately, I decided to stay home and attend UMKC which is a smaller branch of the University of Missouri system. Looking back, I still think this was the right decision for me. I was able to ease into college while being in the comfort of what I already knew at home and work.
That being said, I had always liked the idea of going to a bigger college, and in the spring of my freshman year, I applied to University of Missouri-Columbia. (MIZZOU).
University of Missouri (Columbia):
My sophomore-senior years were spent at MIZZOU. Again, the timing really worked well for me. I’m glad I waited to go until my sophomore year. I lived in the dorm that year, so I was able to experience that. I do wonder if I’d gone to MU my freshman year if I would have joined a sorority, but I did make some great friends living in Jones Hall!
I always knew I wanted to be a teacher. My mom was a middle school Language Arts teacher for over 30 years. Also, I loved to read and always had great English teachers. So, I never once changed my major. I was always going to be a high school English teacher. I couldn’t wrap my brain around working with elementary aged kids (they seem so needy…haha), and I just felt like older kids would be a great fit.
I graduated in four years with a B.S. Secondary Education: English (grades 9-12) in May 2002. I feel very fortunate that I entered adulthood debt free thanks to my parents paying for college (and I helped a bit financially by staying home the first year, earning a few college credits while in high school, and even managing the front desk of my dorm as a junior to have free room and board).
I loved CoMo, and stuck around one more year for my first year of teaching.
Rank 2: University of Missouri
I moved to Kentucky after my second year of teaching and started my first Master’s degree after teaching for three years. In Kentucky, the pay scale is by rank. So, teachers earn more every year with experience, but they also move on the pay scale with their rank. With a B.S., it’s Rank 3 pay. One Master’s degree is Rank 2, and then an additional Master’s gets Rank 1 pay. In my district, there is also Rank 1.2 (PhD).
Anyway, I knew I wanted to start on my Rank 2 before we had kids. I was living in Lexington, but the University of Missouri had an online Master’s with a focus in literacy. Literacy had always been something I was interested in. I also knew that having that focus could be of benefit to me as I grew as a professional. I started that program in the fall of 2005.
All of the courses were online, but I really enjoyed having the flexibility of the program and there was no commute! I think I typically took two classes each semester, but maybe I took three one summer?
In May 2008, I earned my M. Ed., Curriculum and Instruction, Focus: Literacy which got me my Rank 2.
I’m so thankful for that degree because right after that, I took a job as a Literacy Coach in my school building and really enjoyed that work.
Rank 1: University of Louisville
The Literacy Coach position came about because the district I was in was a part of a federal grant called Striving Readers. It was a three year grant with partners at the Collaborative for Teaching and Learning in Louisville and the University of Louisville.
As a part of the grant, I had the opportunity to earn a reading specialist degree which would give me my Rank 1. I delayed the start of this work because Travis and I had just had the kids.
Then, my school was able to add an additional year with the grant. Knowing that it was “now or never” and this degree would be paid for, I realized I should go ahead and take advantage of this opportunity. I started working on the degree when the kids were about a year old…I think!
That time period is a blur, and it was a lot of work…but much like my Rank 2, all the courses were online, and I had such great support from my mentors at CTL and U of L.
I enjoyed working on the courses and completing each Capstone. I’d much rather write a twenty page paper than take a test!
In May of 2012, I earned my M. Ed., Reading Specialist, May, 2012, Rank 1 through U of L.
Again, that degree is one of the main reasons I’m able to work as an interventionist today. Both of my Master’s degrees have really led me to wonderful opportunities, and I appreciate that I’ve been able to work in my school in a capacity besides as a traditional classroom teacher.
I know college isn’t for everyone, but I always say that no one can take away your education. Also, through the years, these degrees have enhanced my knowledge and expertise as well as allowed me to better support my family and my future.
So–those are the colleges I attended.
I’m still a big MIZZOU fan, but I can’t cheer for the U of L Cards in my house…haha
I will cheer for the CATS with the rest of the fam.
Hello and happy Sunday! Well, we went from cold temps to temps in the 50’s yesterday…and then this upcoming week looks a little messy. Yep. It’s definitely the end of January.
Yesterday’s Bloganuary topic was: describe your perfect birthday cake.
Well, we are cookie cake people, and we are also Bundt cake people.
I did not grow up eating cookie cakes for my birthday, but now I think everyone knows that’s the expectation. I’m sure I’d had a cookie cake before, but I think we started buying cookie cakes for celebrations in the summer of 2010. My brother was with me at Sam’s Club and saw the double decker cookie cake. He said we should get one because it was June and his birthday combined with Father’s Day for Travis…like we needed a reason to justify it. haha
For years, we just bought them at Kroger, but then for quite a few years now, we’ve gotten them at Great American Cookie.
We are so lucky because we have a friend who makes cookies and cookie cakes too. They are delish.
This year, Travis got my cookie cake from Insomnia Cookie. It was so good…and I liked how small it was because I have zero will power when it comes to cookie cake! Plus, it was the right amount of icing.
See…we are big cookie cake people!
Love a cookie cake.
So, this prompt got me thinking about the kids’ birthday cakes through the years. For their first couple of birthdays, I had a Lexington and then KC party since we were in KC for Thanksgiving. Then, from the ages of 4-10, we always had two parties: one for their friends and one for family. I know it may sound crazy, but I just didn’t want to force family to come to Chuck E Cheese or have tons of kids running around our house since they have a November birthday.
The year they turned 11 was Covid 2020, and I had already told them that around that age they were getting older and too busy to keep having two parties. So, we’ve naturally just gone back to one party with friends…and who knows how much longer that will last.
Anyway, there were quite a few years that I made their cakes…and while I would consider myself novice and cake decorating, it was always fun.
1.
When the kids turned one, we had family over. My friend’s sister decorated cakes on the side, and she made their smash cake and cupcakes that were laid out in the shape of a one.
When we went to KC for Thanksgiving, my mom made them big cupcakes as smash cakes too.
2.
My mother-in-law decorated cakes for years and years when Travis was growing up. So, when the kids turned two and we had a “Oh TWO-dles” party (Mickey Mouse Clubhouse), she made their Mickey and Minnie cakes for their party.
Again, when we went to KC, my mom tried her hand at fondant, and made a cute Mickey cake. We also did cupcakes with Oreo Mickeys.
3.
When the kids turned three, my mother-in-law made their cakes again. The kids were very into the Sprout Channel and all of those shows. She made Chica from that channel as well as Calliou for their cakes.
4.
When the kids turned 4, I was inspired by my friend’s sister who made the one year cupcakes and smash cake. Also, thanks to Pinterest, I made a Curious George and a Hello Kitty cake for the family party.
For the friends party at Chuck E Cheese, I made the Thomas the Train and Elmo cake. These were some of my favorites that I made.
5.
When the kids turned five, I made Frozen cupcakes and dirt cupcakes for their indoor pool party with friends. For the family party, I made a Frozen cake and construction cake. Props helped make the cake even better! When I was looking through photos, I found this one with brownies that I guess I made on the day of their actual birthday. So many sweets in November!
6.
When they turned six, I made this football cake for Hayden and Power Rangers for Hadley.
7.
For the kids 7th birthday, they had their friends party at a tumbling place, so I made cupcakes and then bought the cupcake toppers off Etsy. For the family party, I ordered this gymnast made out of fondant for Hadley’s cake, and then made a football/baseball/basketball cake for Hayden.
8.
When the kids turned 8, they actually had an outside birthday party with friends. It was a mild early-November weekend, so we made dirt cups instead of cupcakes. Then, closer to their birthday, for the family party, I made a volleyball cake for Hadley and KC Royals (#8 Mike Moustakas) cake for Hayden.
9.
For their 9th birthday, the kids requested ice cream cake from Baskin Robbins, so that’s what we got for their (bowling) party with their friends.
This was the year that life caught up with me, and I realized it would be easier to let them pick out cookie cakes for family parties. It was fun seeing what designs they chose. Of course, Hayden loves basketball, and what girl doesn’t dream of going to Paris and seeing the Eiffel Tower?
10.
For their 10th birthday, they talked me into a slumber party (girls upstairs, boys in the basement!) We went to an indoor place for them to run around and play soccer and volleyball. Then, we came home for pizza and cookie cake before movies and bedtime.
Hadley’s slumber party cookie cake was perfect, and Hayden wanted Homer on his cake!
This was the kids’ last year having a family party, and I was going to order a Bundt cake. That being said, we had quite a bit of cookie cake left, so I just bought the kids each a mini cake then we had the leftover cookie cake with family.
11.
November of 2020 Covid was still rampant. We took advantage of online learning and had an outside birthday one Friday afternoon in November. Again, I picked up mini Bundt cakes, so they wouldn’t spread their germs (which honestly seems like it should always be that way…haha)
Then, I just picked up one cookie cake after realizing two cakes were too much the previous year.
12.
After going to a trampoline place with their friends, we got pizza and had cookie cake. Then, on their birthday, my brother and his family came over for Bundt cake.
13.
This year was much the same as last year. They went to Activate Games with friends and then we got pizza and had cookie cake.
On their actual birthday, we had a nice dinner out, and then stopped by my brother’s house to share the Bundt cake.
That was a fun walk down memory lane. I’m big on birthdays and always want my family, kids, and friends to feel celebrated!
I noticed on my WordPress home page, they have “daily writing prompts” — I don’t think this is the same as Bloganuary because these are different than the daily suggested topic emails.
Anyway, one of them was: write about your first name: its meaning, significance, etymology, etc., so that’s what I’m doing today!
I know a bit about my name, but for a “refresher,” I hit up babynames.com
My dad chose both my name and my brother’s name.
Well, “Jennifer” is currently #493 in U.S. births. Guess what number it was in 1980? …#1. (and for few years after that) When I was younger, I would occasionally wish my name wasn’t Jennifer since there were always a few in class with me. My dad would say, “Well, how was I supposed to know in January of 1980, it would be #1 for the year!” š
He chose my brother’s name, Connor, after reading the book Trinity. At least Connor was a more uncommon name. It didn’t become more popular until later.
In 21 years teaching, I’m pretty sure I’ve never had a Jennifer in class, so clearly it has fallen off in popularity.
In high school, my friends started calling me Jen, and that kind of stuck with most. A few family members still call me Jennifer and so do people I don’t know. And…I’m Jen with one ‘n.’ I figured if I was going to shorten it, might has well have the one ‘n.’
some other facts:
Origin: English
Meaning: fair, soft
Jennifer is originally a Cornish version of Gwynhwyfar
**I just learned that the name became more popular after the main character in the novel and movie Love Story in 1970.
Famous Jennifers: Jennifer Lopez, Jennifer Garner, Jennifer Aniston
While Iām talking names…
*update* after reading this post, my dad called to provide a few edits š Apparently, he liked the Celtic version of Jennifer which means: white wave. *My bad.
Naming your kids can be difficult and even more so when you are a teacher. There are definitely names that Travis suggested that were an immediate “no” because of a kid I had in class.
Honestly, I didn’t really have a list of names I liked before I got pregnant. The only name I really thought we might use was Harper. I love that name, and it’s a nod to the great Harper Lee. Travis said, “no.” I was annoyed.
Once we found out we were having twins, I did have a few combos in mind: Cooper and Carter if we had two boys, but I also liked the name Hayden…and liked the combo of Hayden and Cooper. Travis loved the name Addison, and I liked Ainsley. He was kind of iffy about Ainsley, but I think he would have gone with it. (As you can see, Travis almost had stronger opinions than I did about names!)
At around 14 weeks, we found out the twins were boy/girl and for a couple of months, we really thought we were going to go with Cooper and Addison. I remember that people had opinions which surprised me. I’ve never really thought twice about what others name their kids.
Anyway, the summer of 2009, I started watching a reality show called “Southern Belles Louisville,” and there was a girl on there named Hadley. I’d never heard that name before, and she was a sweet girl. I just mean if she was an antagonist on the show, I probably wouldn’t have liked the name. I mentioned that name to Travis and he liked it but wasn’t all in. I told him to watch the show for a bit, and he ended up liking it.
Then, we decided to double down on the H’s…and go with Hayden and Hadley. Again, I remember people wondering about the name “Hadley,” but I really liked it.
The kids’ middle names were easy…we used both of our dads’ middle names. Hayden is Hayden Joseph after my dad, and Hadley is Hadley Rae after Trav’s dad.
So that’s how their names came to be!
I can’t imagine them being anything other than Hayden and Hadley now.
Anyway, I just thought that was an interesting topic to share…and now I have a little history on my name and the story of their names to look back on with this post.
What’s the meaning behind your name? Did you like your name when you were a kid?
showmeandsweettea.com 