It’s Good to be Meg Willardson

1) parties

The orchestra parties were a success. Corbin almost had a ukulele secured to bring home from the white elephant, but it was stolen and he brought home a bunch of Mountain Dew at the last minute. I know Corbin still wishes daily that he was playing full symphonic music in Chamber this year, but it is nice to see him take on a leadership position in Camerata. It’s also nice that he has Ammon and Hyrum and Richard to hang out with. These boys are so funny. 

2) shopping

I have not started Christmas shopping. It honestly all feels a  overwhelming. This week of December always has all of us in a funny odd mood. We think about the house fire and suddenly none of us want to buy any “stuff”.  The dullness goes away after a few days, but everyone gets either anxious or just sort of languishes in a cloud of grief that drifts in every year and catches us all by foggy surprise. Reese’s engagement was truly perfect timing to lift everyone out of it. 

I am now finding joyful entertainment in slowly ordering things for Quincy’s mission. We’ve curated a good selection, but Reese says to get her more because she is going to get sick of wearing the same thing each day. I’m not so sure. Quincy loves clothes, but keeps a very small and eclectic closet. What she will miss is rotating new(to her) items in and out.  She’s suddenly worried about everything. Especially about not having anything packed, yet. It was admittedly much easier with Reese going to LA, where we could Amazon ship her needs as they came up. We hear she is to receive NO packages in her mission. She called me stressing the other day on her way to class, “Mom, what about socks?! Missionaries are supposed to wear dressy socks and I have NO cute socks! I need socks. I don’t even know how to SAY socks in Korean.” 

I’m trying to stay very calm about all the things and let her realize that she is spiritually prepared and is going to be just fine. I did go buy her some cute socks though. 😂 I couldn’t bring myself to start Christmas shopping yet. Perhaps I have “keep calmed” myself out of productivity. This was a good start. 

3) volunteer 

a few weeks ago I told SHP I would bring the kids to their charity highlight night at the giving machines. She asked if maybe the kids could perform a musical piece. Sure! I figure they can pull together a carol from the kaleidoscope books. I laughed out loud when I saw us listed with a 30 minute time slot for entertainments as “Willardson String Quartet” 

Hahaha 

Also um…uh oh 

4) run

I am unfortunately brewing up an autoimmune spell and my lymph glands have been freaking out. My underarms have been so swollen, and I’m as stiff as a little old arthritic lady some mornings. I bravely forced myself outdoors for a run in the wicked cold the other day to loosen up my lymphatic system. It was a slow and honestly painful start but when I prayed for relief, I told myself I would do my part and just move my body for 1 mile. Just before I hit 1 mile, my extremities warmed up. The pain melted away and I found smoother mobility. I smiled and kept going.  After a very mellow 5k and very long, scalding hot shower, I had full range of motion in both arms the rest of the day. I’m feeling really thankful for strong legs and lungs to carry me along when my other parts are inflamed. 

Fast or slow, alone or with a friend, it’s all happy. I love to run.

5) snap 

the cold weather did a number on all the string instruments in the house. Corbin’s C string burst while tuning for ward orchestra practice. He pinched in as conductor for one song so Cami could play and help the violins out. This endeavor was WAY out of his comfort zone. The kids were supportive. I love our youth. Good job, guys!

6) snuggle society

my mama had a total knee replacement surgery a few days ago. I spend some time visiting her in the hospital and go up to visit each day. On Sunday night, aaron took the twins and Corbin to the stake Noel, and Soren and Sloane and I took our snuggle skills up to heal Grammie. Sloane is the successor to Quincy’s arm rest throne on Grammies chair. We watched a hallmark movie and ate holiday cookies from Tiffany and Colleen. My mom is an amazing patient. Knee surgery is big league. I know she’s in a lot of pain, but she’s in great spirits. This has given me good excuse to make extra yummy dinners. We’ve enjoyed a ham and honey whipped sweet potatoes and some of my mom’s favorite soups, this week. My mom is all smiles and happy for cozy holiday company. 

7) David Gate writes so lovely poetry about hearth and home. I liked this thought he shared 

8) officially in the oh no phase 😂😂

9) precious cargo

On Sunday, I moved Esme’s little backpack down the pew and it felt like a bag of bricks! She usually packs little stuffies to play with or a notepad and pencils. I unzipped to see what she had brought. Scriptures for her and a set to share. Sweetest 

10) Go Tell it on the Mountain 

The triple threat took the stage Sunday. Ok not really, but they sang the first verse of Go Tell it on the Mountain and then the primary chimed in for the chorus. They sang out loudly and it was super adorable! 

11) In the lane, trees be glistening 

Know who else is feeling that holiday spirit? Primrose lane. We welcomed lady home from the hospital by zip tying an old tree to her mailbox. Bear and I found ugly tinsel penguins and streamer for extra razzle dazzle and Bear and Soren trimmed it out. It’s so tacky. I love it. The tinsel on the mailbox sends me. Corbin said it looks like Venca from stranger things attacked it and now it’s a mailbox from The Upside down. 💀💀💀

The little guy at the top? I’m dead. Hahaha 

You’re welcome Grammie! If you can’t beat em, join em. We are full send on operation tacky holiday road over here. It’s only a matter of time before another garage wrap goes up. Here for it! 

12) one of the boys in the family we minister to was baptized recently. Bear and I made him a candy gram and delivered it Sunday. He was sooo cute reading it and gasped with delight when he got to fun dip and realized the candies were little play on words. Congrats Cutler! 

13) temple crew

Corbin helped assemble a group of kids to go to the temple twice a month. Once for an afternoon/early evening session, and once for 7am on a Saturday where they gather for breakfast after for breakfast at Georgias. 

7am is a sacrifice for kids who get up for 6am seminary on weekdays. They’re all so happy to be there. Proud of Corbin for being the guy gatherer for these temple dates. 

Ryker H, Georgia S, Brooklyn H, Gabe L, Roman M, Richard A, Corbin, Sydney G, Logan B, Avery P

14) I defy you to find something with more specified holiday well wishes than a Facebook messenger Christmas countdown e-card from my dad. 😂 this is  classic