Ten on Tuesday...it is Tuesday, right?

no time for pictures today, but here's an update on our lives:

1) My preschool started back up again today. I don't have words to express my excitement over it. I really really REALLY love teaching. A lot.


2) Soccer season has begun! We went to the kickoff party and there were fun inflatable slides and obstacle courses, etc. The girls are both on "pink" teams, and they love it! Reese had her first little scrimmage at practice and she scored her first goal of the season. She came home on cloud nine. The girls practice at different times, which means we are in Bentonville 3 days a week. By the end of soccer season, Corbin will be an all-star from all the time he gets to spend cheering for his sisters.

3) Run for a Child was this weekend. Since I am totally out of shape and only ran a handful of times this summer, I opted to do the 5K instead of the 10K this year. I am so glad I did. I got a crappy time for the 5K (32:30) and STILL felt like garbage when I finished! It was fun, though, and it supports the local NWA Children's Shelter, so at least I am sore today for a wonderful cause! The friends of mine that ran the 10K did really well. I'm so proud of them!


4) We're now getting 3 or 4 eggs every day. It is wonderful. Just when we use them all up for a big breakfast-for-dinner, 3 days go by, and we have almost a full dozen again! Do you know how awesome it is to be able to put off going to the grocery store for one more day? I can do that now, 'cuz we can always just have eggs. Last week, I had a horrible sinus cold and Aaron offered to make lunch. He set a plate of scrambled cheese eggs in front of me. I was suddenly back in Gilroy in the house I grew up in, with my blankie in my lap. My mom always made me cheese eggs when I stayed home sick from school. I've never really realized eggs are a comfort food for me until they were prepared for me. Love.


5) The other fab thing that we did on Labor Day weekend was go to my friend, Jocelyn's house. She has an incredible home on Windsor lake, and every labor day and memorial day they invite like 50-100 people over for hot dogs and potluck sides and we all swim and play in the lake. A few people always bring their boats and take groups out tubing and wake boarding. I took each of my kids out on a kayak. Corbin lasted the longest. He loved every minute as long as I let him hold onto the paddle.


6) Overnight, the temps have dripped like 25 degrees and there is a cool crisp breeze. It is absolutely beautiful outside. Arkansas, I forgive you for this summer. But don't think I have forgotten. I'll threaten to move if you ever pull that kind of crap on me again.
I'm ready to decorate for fall,wear jeans, bake bread, and eat soup and bread every day for the rest of my life.


7) We took the boat out again on Saturday night, and this time, brought the kids.
I won't be getting on our boat again. ever.


8) I'm so grateful for Primary teachers who are dedicated to their calling. Reese loves going to primary. Her teacher is always happy to see the kids, prepares good lessons, and genuinely looks like she is pleased to see the kids. This makes such a difference in the tiny world of a child. Can you imagine going to a job where your boss acted like he hated his job, was irritated by you, couldn't wait to get the heck out of there at the end of the day, and checked out mentally as soon as he arrived because he still can't believe his boss would have the audacity to put him in charge of you? Now imagine sending your child into that kind of environment. It makes me sad anf frustrated to see this happen occasionally at school and church. Luckily, all three of my children are very blessed to have teachers that take their callings seriously, prepare creative lessons, and teach them with love and affection. Ifeel happy knowing that my children are given the opportunity to feel and recognize the presence of the Holy Spirit outside of our home, every week, when they go to primary.


9) We started reading our Dave Ramsey book again. I love the motivation it gives us to stick to our budget and save more. I don't love re-training my brain to spend less. One problem that I have with this book is that it focuses heavily on saving money specifically to get out of debt. But our only debt is our home mortgage, so I feel like we need a book that begins on the next step: building better savings, retirement, and paying off our home quickly. The book is the right style of writing to inspire me, which is why I go back to it when I need a reminder, but I feel like it needs a sequel. Anyone have book suggestions? I want something that speaks real English, not a book written for finance and accounting scholars. (duh, have we met?) Don't recommend something that is going to talk about stock market trends or give doomsday predictions. I like reading success stories, and enjoy reminders that small sacrifices now produce great rewards later.


10) Our babysitter called the other night with an interesting request. Her bff is a finalist in the upcoming Miss BHS Pageant. (Yup. We are definitely in the south! They have high school pageants here and they. are. a. big. deal. Qualifying rounds, preliminary rounds, and finally the actual pageant, which is attended by the masses.) Anyway, the pageant is sponsored by the school district for a scholarship, so rather than the girls have a male be their pageant escort, they are encouraged to find a little girl to participate in the pageant by their side.

Enter my adorable daughter and a request for Reese to be Hannah's "Little Miss" partner.


We've decided to let her do it. I didn't think she would be into it, but Reese is really excited to participate. (which basically involves getting dressed up in a pretty dress, having her little bio read to the audience, and holding Hannah's hand when she is on stage, oh and wearing lipgloss---that was Reese's one and only request, for now anyway.) So yeah, stay tuned for tales of our little "Future Miss Bentonville High School". Oh the hilarity. No need for Toddlers and Tiaras, we have our very own little southern debutante right here in the Willy house.

{Cuz I'm Keepin' it Real}

1) I mopped the kitchen floor for the first time in a month.

2) When Gwyneth Paltrow named her baby Apple, I thought it was totally cute.

3) No matter how stuffed we are from dinner, Aaron and I both eat a bowl of cereal the minute all the kids are in bed. The cereal of choice? For a LONG time it was Golden Grahams, but we're comin' up on a year with Great Value Shredded Mini Wheats (mine with blueberries). Every night.

4) I desperately need a haircut, but it JUST started to fit into a ponytail...so now, rather than looking nice with a new hairstyle, I'd rather just look lousy and have the convenience of a ponytail.

5) I noticed a dent on the back bumper of the van today and Reese said, "Yeah Daddy did that with the boat."

6) Using a pair of fancy red tweezers, I extracted a huge chunk of blueberry waffle from Reese's nose this morning. Yes. Really. What's wrong with my kids?

7) I spoke with several people about Reese's primary situation, and yesterday I parked myself outside of Reese's primary class for over an hour to supervise through the window. She went to class. She sat in her chair. She listened to the
lesson. She sang songs. She had a GREAT time. Problem solved for now. I hope.

8) I am SO SO SO excited that we do not have to travel anywhere for the holidays. I know you should "never say never" but really...I hope we NEVER have to travel during the holidays again...unless that place has sunshine, 70* temps, an In-N-Out Burger, one of those fresh fruit and frozen yogurt huts, and an ocean.

9) Is it wrong to befriend a Hispanic person with the hopes that they can cook you some killer awesome food? I haven't been to California in a year and a half and I am D-Y-I-N-G for some real Mexican food. If your last name is Garcia, Sanchez, Perez, or Lopez...and you can cook, please be my BFF.

10) I only have 5 days left until the Baby Guy is 6 months old. He is growing, and it is not fair at all.