Soren is Seven!

Every year, at back to school night, I thank my children’s teachers for dedicating their lives to education, and then I tell them how lucky they are that they get to spend the day with my kid.  I’m not trying to sound, pretentious. I genuinely believe it to be true: children are awesome, and teachers are SO lucky to have these precious hours with them. 

This year, Soren’s teacher called me after school one day. She said, “I had to call you and say that you were right! He IS the most delightful child and I am so lucky! He’s just a joy!”  

We are sure Soren has mortal faults, but none of us have discovered them, yet. He’s just really a special human being and we are lucky to be his family.  He is a super silly Mr Saunchy, and he takes his self appointed role as peace giver very seriously. Soren is naturally organized, persevering, very creative, compassionate, forgiving, hard working, kind, helpful, joyful, and obedient.  He writes and leaves little lists for himself everywhere. He writes affirmations and puts them on our pillows and mirrors. He is our never ever forgotten middle child because no one in this family would operate as well without our little light and everyone wants to be around him, all of the time. He loves comics and art and riding his bike and giving advice. Soren is a listener, a thinker, and most importantly, a doer. This kid is next level and will solve the worlds problems.  It is his birthday today, and he woke up and said, “Whew! I finally made it to 7!” 🙌🏻❤️🎉 We are so glad. 😂 We are ready to celebrate this awesome, beautiful boy! 

First Day of School 2019

Oh the first day of school. I had such high hopes for you! We all did. I haven’t learned that it is impossible to iron out all the wrinkles in the road for my children. They just have to bump along the rocky stretch sometimes. Zero/6 Willardsons had a happy first day of school and 1/1 Willardson loved being home alone with Mom and donuts to herself. We then met up with some friends for brunch. The lot was full, so I parked in a space at a church parking lot behind the building and walked over. After breakfast, I met with the director at the church asking about their preschool program for Sloane....and then noticed my van was gone. 🤦🏻‍♀️ I’m surprised the conversation with the school wasn’t more awkward. Or include the sentence, “Oh by the way, we just had your van towed.” 🤷🏻‍♀️. Thanks @jdsmallwood01 for coming to our rescue! Sorry for the $200 breakfast, Aaron 😬. 

I feel like someone stole my car, then charged me to get it back. 


The day got more awesome from there.  My friend, Eunice, generously brought my boys “home” to Our rental from their bus stop in our Bella Vista neighborhood. They rolled into the driveway and I peeked into the car to say hello, and Soren projectile vomited ALL OVER Eunice’s car!  It was so bad. Like  it hit the back of the drivers head rest in front of him. And I just watched, paralyzed with horror like it was happening in slow mo. 

And then as I was cleaning it up, a tap on my shoulder.  Amy! Quincy’s beehive advisor, dropping by to say hello. 

Quincy! 

The puke drama has distracted us from going to pick her up, and school let out in 2 minutes! 

I sent Amy to do pickup, which she happily and generously did, thankfully. Eunice’s car needed to “air out” so she volunteered to stay at the house with Soea. And Sloane while I picked up Reese. 

Soren is back in action, now, and after a week no one else has fallen ill. Fingers crossed!! What. A. Day. 

Back to school feast 2019: It is Better to Look UP

My children love traditions, so I made new decorations and the back to school fairy decorated the rental house. We are ready for our annual back to school charcuterie and FHE tonight. We used to have a vintage hot air balloon print hanging in our loft that once belonged to my friend Sue Moon. She was full of cheer and optimism. Our family theme is Be a Light, and as I thought about that print and Sue, who attended a few of our back to school feasts, I decided that this year we will focus on how it is better to look UP. Hot air balloons need heat to rise to a better place. Our fire and all of the trials we encounter can be a force for whatever direction we choose to let them carry us. We will choose to be lifted like a balloon to a higher perspective.  This year, we will let go of things holding us down, we will look up not around, and through our Savior-our greatest source of light, we will fly.  Look up, and live. 🎈

Edited to add: I found a pic of the balloon print! 

Edited again to add: the balloon print was saved! It was severely damaged, but we had the restoration company peel away what the could from behind the glass (the frame and edges were scorched) cut several inches off all around, and I got it reframed. Things are “looking up” around here!