Sunday breakfast with the Rybergs

One Sunday, about 3 months ago, I had a really rough time in sacrament meeting. My children were struggling to get along, we were 10 minutes late in spite of all of my efforts to get us there early, and a tone moment, Corbin and Quincy began arguing right as Soren had become loudly upset with Reese. As I attempted to break up 2 arguments at once, Sloane fell off the pew and hit her head. I carried 3 crying children out of the chapel in my arms and left two on the pew to argue. I overheard the speaker giving a talk about serving others and laughed audibly at the irony that I had just crawled past 100 members of our congregation with overloaded arms, and somehow remained invisible. I pulled a handful of hair from my angry child's grasp and wondered how I was going to do this. And how I would do it joyfully. Raising children is not a burden and I don't want my children to ever feel like they are a burden to me. But as several anxiety triggers fired off that morning, I began to doubt the promise that the Lord always provides a way for me to do His will. And I knew that His will is for me to bring my children to church.  

I know that my doubts and anxiety were perpetuated by my own self pity, and I'm thankful the Lord still offered blessings in my state of pride. I received a text from Ardis a few weeks later. She offered to pick up my boys an hour before church a few times a month. Then, she would spoil them with a delicious bacon or donut type breakfast and I would be able to take a shower with no one crying outside the bathroom door.  I accepted the offer and as promised, she picked up my boys an hour before church. 

This is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me.

I don't say that lightly. I've received some wonderful service through the years, but this one saved my Sundays and helped them to be so much more peaceful. Not because the boys were gone and not because of the shower. Because someone saw me.  Me. Not the same as the "you'll get through it" and "been there" comments. No rude comments about the children. Not a judgement about the lingering postpartum anxiety that only triggers at church and makes me want to bolt to my car and be alone, but I know I need to stay so instead I sweat through meetings. Just a loving over to serve my family. That's it. She didn't point out to my children that I'm struggling (which happens) she didn't make me feel guilty for not having it all together or for admitting that this is hard for me (I wish it wasn't. I swore I would never be the wife who didn't support her spouse's calling 250%, and then I had a hard baby and anxiety and Satan found his angle: shame aka mom guilt. Not enough-ness.  I'm almost completely over that now, but still have my moments when people say hurtful things and I pridefully let it get to me. 

Anyway, I let pride go and accepted the offer from Ardis and felt the Savior's love through the charitable service given to my family by the Rybergs. 

Stewart plays with the boys. Sometimes Quincy would go instead of Soren and Scott would paint her nails before church. They sat with me during church and pulled wiggly bodies onto their laps. Scott is one of the first people ever that Sloane willingly let hold her, and the only time she has ever stayed in nursery without Aaron or I is when Scott stayed in there with her.  

This service has made the sabbath a delight. Corbin gets up at 5:30 or 6 on Sundays  and showers and gets himself dressed, then reads while he waits for Ardis to arrive at 9. On the weeks he didn't go, he was grumpy, but hey, at least he was already dressed and clean! 

This photo was texted to me one Sunday after the dreadful outcome of the BYU v Utah holy war. Sloane slept in and Reese went to see what all the hype was about. She saw Scott's hat and thought up this funny pic. Aaron calls it blasphemy. Hahaha.  

Now that my parents have moved here, the kids will walk up to their house for cereal and Sunday shenanigans before church. I'm nervous about the boys and this transition, but so grateful to have my wonderful parents live nearby. 

Thanks for helping me breathe and recognize joy in the sabbath day again, Rybergs. I'm forever grateful that you saw me and recognized an opportunity to serve.

Reese on the Run

Reese and Quincy are both participating in Girls on the Run at their schools this year. I love this program and am thrilled that they have it available to them and that my daughters are willing to do it. Laura sent me this pic from the middle school Twitter feed the other day. Look how happy Reese and Emma are! Just radiant. Good job, Runner Girls! 

A Bike Ride Date with Quincy

Saturday was Quincy's turn for a date. She chose a bike ride at lake Bella Vista and what a great idea it was! We rode over 5 miles, and stopped along the way to collect Bella Vista Rocks that we spotted. Together, we found TEN! We rehid all but one, and later, Reese and Corbin joined in hiding our own painted rocks. The kids have me checking the fb page constantly to see if anyone has found the "bacon" rock yet. 

I loved our time together, Quincybee! 

"YooHoo Big Summer Blowout"

Aaron bought kayaks for the kids on a end of summer clearance sale. Corbin asked if it was a "big summa blowout" (a quote from the movie Frozen. Haha) 

When you live 2-5 minutes from 3 lakes, why not get some kayaks? We live in such a beautiful place. Thanks Aaron for being such a fun Dad! 

Running (or trying to, at least!)

On Memorial Day I schlepoed out a hot humid and slow 10K. I'd say it was "fun", but it really was more of the got, humid, and slow variety!  I am, however, thankful for a body that can run, and I did very much enjoy the hour and 9 minutes of running time to be alone in my own head. 

Our house is a September whirlwind of activity right now. Lady and grandpa arrive tomorrow. With the help of a few friends, I finished painting her house on Wednesday night. I'm headed over there today to clean it because vacant houses plus super disgusting tenants (dogs, smokers) really left the home in a  state of filth. It's looking pretty good now though, other than some deep cleaning---which will be done today.

Our own kitchen is also almost finished! I grouted and painted this week and am trying to get light fixtures up today or tomorrow.  

There is a youth temple trip tomorrow, but there are also soccer pics and a game and my parents arriving, and our final home inspection with DHS is coming up on Tuesday, so we are going to divide and conquer. Aaron will spend the day in OKC and the kids and I will stay here and  knock out the rest of the to do's. 

I woke up with a headache and infected sinuses. It's par for the course for this time of year. Once big kids were off to school I crawled back into bed, but I hear little Sloane awake and beckoning me now and even though I think I might rather close my eyes and drift off to a hundred hours of uninterrupted sleep, I know I'm the leading lady in this crazy gproduction and have a role to play. The show must go on!  

As I think about all the plates we're jiggling right now, I can count a few we've dropped (again and again and again) but all the ones that truly matter are still spinning. Running isn't my main focus, but I'm fortunate to be able to pick it up once or, if I'm lucky, twice a week. It's a good act and a good life, and today will be a good one!  

Happy Friday morning! Do something good. 

Sister LOVE

My mom's two sisters are visiting her for the next two days, helping her get the last of the house packed and the moving truck loaded. Today, they took a break and spent he day on cannery row in Monterey. That is such a happy place for me and I am really happy my mom got to have a "last hurrah" there before she moves...even if I am jealous that I'm not there with her. I asked them to take lots of pics together and they texted me these (on the right). How fun! Seeing these pics makes me ache a little bit for the sweet and salty wharf air, and for laughing with my own sisters. We took these pics (left) 6 years ago and I still love them because I vividly remember how happy I felt at that time.  We were together for my grandma's funeral, and typical for my family, we used the funeral as an excuse to be joyful and funny. We do know how to be serious, too, but humor and spontaneity brings us together like nothing else can. I laughed until

My face and stomach muscles ached  that weekend, and looking at today's pics of my mom with her sisters and the old-ish pics of me with mine has me nostalgic and really craving some carefree girl time, away to laugh with some grown ups. Or maybe just time away. Or maybe just grown ups. Or probably just care free time and some laughing. I need a sitter and a Friday adventure. Or to just lighten up. Sisters, let's not wait 6 more years before we get together to laugh and take selfies!

Young Learners back to school! My Name

Books:Chrysabthemum, Tikki Tikki Tembo, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, Pete the Cat's New Shoes

The first week of school went beautifully. We talked about our names, shared photos from home, practiced taking turns and waiting in a line. 

Math: shape match and counting the letters in my name. Who has the longest name in our class? Who has the shortest name? 

Art:  watercolor resistance magic names 

Before school, I wrote each of the children's names on card stock with a white crayon. They created freely with watercolors and watched their names "magically" appear.

Pre-Literacy: magnet names. Who can find all the letters for their name? Who can put the magnets in the correct order? 

Music and movement: name games!

Share: pictures of my family

First Day of PreK

Soren and I had our first day of preschool today. He is the first of my children (so far) to not go to another school other than my own.  He is such a treasure and I loved being his teacher today. 

After school, my friend Jill texted that she was taking her twin to ride their bikes at he lake. It was naptime but I couldn't resist the opportunity to play with friends. I've turned into a recluse since school started. I make time each day to read to my littles and play with them with no distractions, but outside of those moments I feel like I am in a constant state of drowning in housework, projects, and to do lists. None of that today. We loaded up the bike and stroller and happily spent an hour moving and sweating snd exploring on the lake trail with our pals.  Soren was so very happy. He asked me on the way home if we could do that again sometime. I will make it a priority. I really reallg loved mothering, today. I secretly felt bad for the moms who dropped off their awesome kids at my house for school today because I got to see all of their cute faces and play with them. I loved sharing Soren's classroom experience with him. He will thrive this year. 

Sloane liked throwing rocks :) 

Soren loves his balance bike. I brought it indoors a couple weeks ago and he zooms around all over the house. It's adorable. He loved having a mile of open road ahead of him at the lake. We need to go back soon. (I should probably pack his helmet next time. Oops!)  

Earthquake

I'm buried in projects and getting behind on posts, but had to document the little earthquake that shook our house, this morning! 

5.6! Didn't feel like a 5.6, but we are 190 miles away from the epicenter. 

What an exciting way to start our morning. This will be a great 3 day weekend! 

Arizona weekend

The Willies left their mark in the Tulsa airport early last Saturday morning when we made a quick trip to Mesa, Arizona over the weekend. 

Sloane was very happy to have a direct flight. 

President and Sister Parry were Aaron's Mission Presidents during Aaron's mission to Guatemala. They keep in touch via social media and phone calls and have come to visit us, and we were grateful for an invitation to bring our family to visit them at their home in Mesa, Arizona.

The desert landscape is a stark contrast to the lush Ozark Forest we live in. The kids couldn't get over the limited color palate and lack of vegetation.  They did love playing on the Parry's turf lawn and gorgeous (and insect free) patio! 

. Susan got everyone up close to feel the saguaros. 

We drove down to the river bottoms of the Tonto National Forest and put our feet in the cool water. The big kids collected beautiful river rocks, found crawdads, and Sloane splashed and got soaked. 

On Sunday, we went to church in the Parrys' daughter, Cassie's, ward, to hear Cassie speak. Some of my kids were angry with me for having them go to unfamiliar primary classes with total strangers, but they lived to tell about it. Later Sunday afternoon we had a quick visit with Aaron's uncle Steve, and cousins Christie & Mike, Laura, and James, and their kids. We also took a drive over to the Mesa Temple.  

The longer we spent in the desert, the more I craved to return to our colorful, humid Arkansas. It's true you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone". I'm usually found complaining about the extreme humidity in August, but in Arizona I felt as dry as a fish out of water. My skin and soul felt parched and every sip of water felt like a dried out sponge trying to wipe up a wet countertop. 

One of the perks of Arizona is legit Mexican food! We made a pit stop at Señor Taco on the way to the airport Monday morning and stuffed our faces with carne asada and green sauce. President (who the kids affectionately call El Guapo) coaxed Reese into eating a Serrano pepper, and Soren and Quincy tried ceviche.

I like to tease Aaron that not every wife would be up for packing 5 kids to Arizona for a spontaneous visit with a family she has only met a few times, and chasing kids around while her hubby catches up with a dear friend and mentor.  I would like to say our children were perfect angels as guests in someone's home, but the reality is a little different. Our favorite "kid moment" was when Corbin was asked to offer the blessing on the food and he prayed, "please bless us to not break anything in this really nice house." Haha Amen, Corbin! Amen. They came close a couple of times and my teeth stopped sweating once we were finally home in Ar.  Aaron was grateful to have hours and hours to reminisce about his mission days and time he served in the mission office Witt the Parrys. We was given of couple blessings, one being a testimony and list of long term goals that he wrote at the end of his mission. Aaron loves reading this paper time capsule to our family on Sunday night. The Spirit was felt strongly by everyone in the room and I was again reminded what a wonderful man I married. He is so good to create these opportunities for the Spirit to testify truth to our children, even if it is an ordeal involving missing school and cross country 6am flights.  He gets a prompting and doesn't quit until he's seen it come to fruition.  All in all, our Arizona weekend  was a great, exciting adventure and adventure is something I love about being married to my Aaron. He's always up for excitement so there's rarely a dull moment when you're a Willardson!