It’s good to be Meg Willardson

Fall colors are here!! Every drive is a canopy of oranges yellow, and red. It’s so beautiful here. 

Ryan and I grabbed bagels to go and kayaked at jimmie and Kasey’s after school drop off on Thursday morning. The water was still and the fish were jumping. We paddled the full length to the dam, watched otters on the shore, two herons fish for their breakfast. I’m going to miss my adventure buddy when he leaves in January. He’s a kindred spirit and these outings are now just worked into the schedule on his days off and it’s my fave. 

Lake Rayburn was glass and the colorful trees and blue sky clouds reflecting was a scene to behold. And to be rafted up in the middle of the lake in late October getting drenched in warm sun rays was amazing. I felt lucky to take it all in.

I’ve been playing Chinese mahjong with the ladies for months and Jenny decided this week we are finally ready to learn to keep score. 

So basically I do not know how to play mahjong. I’m not kidding, I feel like I learned a whole new game this week. What am I doing? No idea, but it’s fun to visit with these wonderful ladies. (Missing Lily and Lisa H this week) Cristina and Lily speak Spanish with me (well..they start everything with Spanish, and repeat in English when I don’t respond fast enough or stare blankly at them because no comprendo lol) and it’s so helpful. And they introduced me to a friend Malu in our Lift class, and told her to only speak Spanish with me so it’s good practice for sure! Na teaches us Vietnamese words and Helen and Jenny are Chinese and help us read the characters on the mahjong tiles. It’s a fun hour of my week and it works my brain.

SBO needs to raise massive funds for the spring NYC trip. As an experiment, we decided to sell flowers at the fall concerts. I started with just 25 bouquets and they all sold with no advertising in advance, I am still fighting illness and felt like garbage the day I made these. Ryan prepped stems and I arranged flowers and we knocked it out, but it was still time consuming. Esme helped me wrap and transport them, carefully asking how to do each task. She is such a sponge and a very intentional learner. This gift of hers reminds me to be a better example for my shadow.

I bought the flowers from Sam’s Club and we sold the bouquets for $15 making a $7.50 profit for SBO on each one. A few of the girls from chamber and camerata sent me Instagram messages and texts that they loved them, so that was a fun thing, too. 

I think we have a border in the cupboard under the stairs again. The electric blanket is the key indicator for which one of my Littles moved in. 

I tried to take a sick day on Monday. Well I did on Monday morning. The afternoon was a total hullabaloo.  

What I said: “you guys I’m really unwell. I’m going back to bed. Make grilled cheese for dinner and entertain yourselves for an hour.” 

What they heard: “you should hook up the hose.” 

I lay in bed and I kept hearing water running. When I finally pulled myself from the crypt, I found a shaving cream and blood situation upstairs. 

The little girls decided today was the day they were going to start shaving their legs. 

The water was still running though. 

Never have I ever bathed a chicken, but avoiding college essay edits will drive a 17 year old to do wild stuff. Corbin pressure washed the hen house. And the hens. 

I grabbed my blanket and a pair of sweatpants and drove myself up the street. My parents are in Arizona, so I kindly checked myself into primrose hotel for the evening. Aaron dropped off chick fil a soup and a slice of Kasey’s bread said, “just so you know, I fully support this.” 

Heck Yeah you do! The day before, Aaron disappeared for 3.5 hours after church to hotel primrose for a nap and to watch a football game and NO ONE BATTED AN EYE. 

Seriously. No questions. No requests.

He handed me medicine and looked at the tv with a raised eyebrow. 

I don’t know how to work it, so I’m just staring at the network program guide. 

“Do you want to watch the World Series?” 

No I do not. 

He set up a movie on my phone, kissed my forehead and said, “they don’t deserve you.”  And left me to my peace. 

I watched Life of Pi, then went home to where my wild things are. The wild rumpus mess had been tidied up and everyone was asleep. There were more meds placed on the counter with my water bottle, a note from one child asking me to make them a costume for red ribbon week, another with a request to launder a Jersey, and a thank you note from Corbin. “We need you mom. We didn’t last one hour without you.” Bless. 

I took the girls with me to a carnicería in Rogers for some carne asada. Every female in the store came out of the corners to talk to Esme. The photo looks like Sloane was in a mood but she was totally happy and both girls asked how to say things in Spanish. These abuelitas absolutely gushed over Esme though. The girls picked out a game of Lotería to play and we got all the ingredients for a fun Sunday dinner. 

I helped Reese cut Logan’s hair over face time. It was an experiment! Logan is a good sport. 

Speaking of haircuts, Corbin brought his buddy Cole from orchestra over for a haircut and Cole showed up with these pretty flowers for me! I spent hours in hospitality at all region with Cole’s mom and she sent these pretty mums. So nice, I love them! Coke sat down at the piano and started playing LALALand during Corbin’s trim. Corbin turned to me and we both quoted Ammon at the same time. That was the song he played every time he came over. It was fun to hear it on our keys again and I sent a little video to Tiffany. 

 

Goblin Run

 Soren signed up for the Goblin Run in Bentonville with a bunch of XC buddies this morning, and finished a 5k in 20:54! A 5k PR for him and wearing a Top Gun suit to boot! Go Soren Go! 

The one with the black eye

Poor bear had a playground collision with a friend’s forehead on Thursday. The CT shows no broken bones and no signs of concussion. But that hematoma on his eye is so sad! Bear is one tough kid. He hasn’t complained a bit. He just says “it’s so weird to be able to see your own face with your face.” Sweet boy, I hope it heals quickly! 

 

If your kid runs Cross Country, you run cross country too.

Ever see anyone bring a lawn chair to an XC meet? That’s because cross country spectators are also on the run. The course is like the outer track, and all the parents zig zag around on the inner course, trying to catch a glimpse of their kid as they whiz by. It’s a workout, really, this cheering business. 

What a great season! Soren wrapped up 8th grade XC with an invitation to race at the conference meet, where he finished strong with a nice PR! 11:55! That’s a 5:57 minute mile. I could never. He came in 6th for WJHS and 34th out of 357 boys.  Soren was excited to run this race again. Last year it was pouring rain and the course was a cold, flooded, muddy mess. WJHS took third place (for boys, girls took first) out of 18 schools and only 20 of the team members qualified to race. Great work, Soren! It is so fun to watch him run. I hope he stays with this sport. 

The boys are lucky to have Trail on their team. His parents are Ali and Mike Rush, the GOATS of running coaches. Mike has been training these guys all season and I’m happy for Soren that he gets to learn from talented athletic leadership to help him love and succeed in the sport. 

 

Wee Willy Weekend

Today’s post is coming at you from pajamas. It’s been a hot minute since I’ve been sick. Tis the season though to get slammed with a sinus infection or whatever evil virus this is that blitzed me overnight. I look and feel pitiful. Bless up to Aaron for taking children to school this morning. It’s noon and I am still rotting in bed. The rest of this week is stuffed to the muff with Halloween, fall orchestra concerts, SBO flower sales, 4 haircuts, parent teacher conferences, and XC conference meet on top of the normal routine, so it’s a blessing to have a morning to stay in laid up sorry. 

I received this photo via text from girls in Metfield Ward, stating “Corbin is coming with us to Sunday school. He wants more church”  we slipped into Metfield sacrament meeting to hear Tate G give his farewell talk, and I guess Corbin found friends to stay with. 

Congrats to Nephew Garrett and his beautiful bride, Michelle. We made a last minute decision not to leave town this weekend, and I am sad to have missed celebrating this wonderful new family! 

Squeezed in a post-All Region run on the Hog. 

Kasey, Corbin, his friend James, Soren, Ryan, and the twins all had an autumn lake day. James tried wake surfing for the first time, Ryan had a solid run with some Led Zeppelin, I got up on the bigger board and also had a good turn. Soren, Bear, Ryan, Esme and I all rotated in trying out the 3 man seated tube and got wiped. It’s so much fun. Captain Aaron wins for being fun dad and driving everyone around, and Esme is the cutest surfer girl there ever was. Core memories here for sure. 

Of major importance, the BYU game was streamed between all the turns. The final minutes gave a tough loss. Kasey took this pic of everyone totally locked on the game. 

Other adventures from the evening included a car key in the bottom of the lake, a tow truck, and 10pm emotional recovery pancakes at IHOP. 

My primary buddies all found me at the ward party on Saturday night and I made their week when I doubled up on candy distribution to their little buckets. I felt like a celebrity! What a gift children have to love and adore people so easily. These kids are the best though. 

I was in the hall with a rogue wiggler for a moment during sharing time and we happened upon 3 members of my senior Sunday school class. Technically, 2 of the three are assigned to attend a younger class anyway. I’m pleased to know Corbin started going to that class when our roster of last years seniors dissolved, but I don’t love that my reassignment leaves 3 kids not attending any class at all. Two will be gone on a mission or at cheer practice by the time I’m back in January. I think this is a tough thing about calling changes. I think missionaries experience the same thing at transfers and move on to the next assignment hoping someone is still tending to the flock of friends they leave behind. Above anything else, I hope they feel seen.  From these squirrely little boys with zero impulse control to the squirrely big boys with equally short attention spans and big needs for peer connection, I just want them all to feel welcomed and wanted at church. 

Heres one of my little faves, keeping the sabbath day headless. 😂  I heard every word of truth to “Gethsemane, Jesus loves me” ringing through the sweater on the floor. 

No real trophies to display, but I feel the satisfaction that came with this win because I’ve just crossed into a level where every Spanish lesson is new information and an actual challenge. It’s not just consistency now, it’s actual work. What for? Don’t know yet, but I’ve got motion and imma ride the momentum. 

Willy Girl Cousins, Mattisse, Audran, Madeline, and Sophia (not pictured here) are all together in London. Madeline is there for a study abroad and the others all traveled (along with Jared and the rest of Steve and Janae’s family,m ) to visit for Mattisse’s birthday. 

Speaking of Willardson girl cousins, welcome home Ella! She served faithfully in Toronto, Canada speaking Chinese. well done, Sister! (L-R: cousin Abby, uncle John, Ella, Aunt Julia, cousin Claire, Cousin Hannah) Ella gave her homecoming talk this weekend.

Corbin was fitted for contacts this week. I love the glasses and will actually miss this accessory on his adorable face. But Corbin will enjoy playing basketball without worrying about his face or vision. 

The starter died on the van last week. I’ve been driving my parents Honda pilot all week while they’re out of town.  Even though the van has been fixed for a week, I can’t bring myself to drive it when I have access to such a fun, smaller car. 

Halloween. The ward party was Friday. The twins chose to go to the football game, and Corbin disappeared last minute to fill in for Noah for a quartet at the high school. He came to the party late, and everyone thought he was in costume because he was dressed so sharp. 

Soren won funniest costume in the costume contest he was “Little Debbie”. He had a box of oatmeal cream pies, and we threw lace on a hat and he wore a dress from my closet. Sloane was going to be a Christmas tree snack cake, but cello lessons ran late and we didn’t have time to finish making it. She was hermoine instead and Soren was a great stand alone Little Debbie. He was so funny. Anytime someone called him “Lil’ Debbie” he would correct them in with feigned seriousness  “it’s LITTLE Debbie. Not LIL’” 😂😂 his red curls were perfect puffing out of the bonnet hat. 

(Benson R, Titus G, Tanner and Mason F, Tommy and Bruce B, Lucas A and Soren) 

Sloane was easily sold on Hermoine because they came with fake glasses. 

 

Jill and Danielle take an annual “fun moms” pic and gather ladies who dressed up. I was Mr. Krabs from the Krusty Krab this year. (Me, Ardis R, Tashya P, Maddi D, Mattie, Marianne H, Danielle P, Jill S, Keeley D, Lauren L) 

The 12th Man pulls of a W

All Region Auditions took over our Saturday. This year, Soren auditioned for Concert Orchestra and was up against 9th graders. After working so hard and stressing last year and not making it, he did not worry a whole lot this year. Soren reported that his audition was not his best, but he’s glad he tried. Corbin auditioned for the Symphonic orchestra (graded 10-12). Out of hundreds kids in blind auditions for their respective orchestras, Corbin drew card #2 and Soren was card #10. The lore is that getting too early of an audition in the game historically means a lower score. I was getting room monitors situated and turned a corner to find Corbin in the 8-9th grade hallway, outside the audition room hyping Soren up, chant whispering and like karate chop patting him down with “Don’t be nervous. You’re the greatest. You are ready. No nerves. Just skill. You’ve got this.” 

It was the sweetest brother thing I’ve ever seen. 

I had to shift into supervisor mode and kick Corbin out of the hallway (he had sneaked in to support Soren) but witnessing that quiet little exchange was just precious. He is a good egg, that Corbin. And such a good cheerleader. 

Only two 8th graders in the region made all region and Soren was not one of them. He was not disappointed in the least. He ran around with buddies all day, and was included by the big boys to hang out with them the orchestra locker room. He is a lucky brother. Neal also came by the school to hang out with his boys and they found their buddy Bruce from basketball to join their crew. 

I ran the hospitality room for judges, teachers, bus drivers, and volunteers. Every time I walked by the locker room where Corbin (and sometimes Soren) hunkered, Corbin was  helping someone out. With their scales, to find something, with homework, getting them food, or just hyping them up. I admired his leadership so much on Saturday, that I felt like it didn’t matter if he made all region. He is totally winning. 

Noah and James always have silly cello section antics. 

Soren went to the school early with me and hauled coolers and food. My SBO assignment was also to pick up the catering and deliver lunches to judges. These two funny kids asked for my autograph and cheered when I was the first adult to indulge in their shenanigans. Hours later, they found me to show both arms covered and one with a forehead signature. Way to self entertain, guys. Happy to help get that ball rolling. 

Lucas A, Henry B, Soren, and ? Orchestra and XC buds of Soren’s. 

More locker room fun with Richard, Cole, Corbin and Bruce. And maybe Rhett in the back there. 

This isn’t even the busiest the south commons got. The north commons also was full with as many students. A long busy and noisy day! 

As soon as Soren and I got home in the afternoon, we got out on the lake. Corbin called asking to bring his friend James to cheer him up since he didn’t make it. We said yes of course! You have results already?  9 of the 12 cellos are from BHS Chamber orchestra. Corbin rattled of names of all his section and how proud he is of each of them. After 8 friends he said, oh and me. But celebrate later cuz I’m bringing a friend to the lake. 

They credit a lot of wins in football to “the 12th man”. 11 players on the field, and sometimes the 12th man, the fans who just keep showing up carry the team to a victory. 

Corbin was seated dead last chair in chamber last week, and came home kind of disappointed. He felt like his efforts aren’t adding up anywhere and came to resolution that last chair is still part of the orchestra so he’s going to choose to be grateful for the seat. He’s going to do his best and cheer others on. He’s the loyal fan. The 12th man. 

The scores were CLOSE. Only .12 points between 8-12 chair, and only like 30 points between first and last. 

Corbin got 12th chair. 

Truly a 12th man. He is so so happy. 

I’m really just proud of them for trying. 

Nice work, Corbin and Soren!