Snowmageddon 2026: Day 1

 We woke up to a winter wonderland outside. Don’t be deceived, this is not the fluffy play time snow. It’s not sticky. It’s like a bad snow substitute. It is an icy, low carb, sugar free, gluten free diet version of snow that no one likes. And it’s -2 outside. 

Corbin was feeling jealous that his Bentonville boys had all managed to gather at one house to play. They called to invite, not realizing the impossibility of Corbin driving out of our street today. He moped around until neighbor Finley K and Metfield Ward friend Reagan N knocked on the door. They went four wheeling in the woods and Corbin’s day felt much more exciting. 

The Grows picked up our other kids on a tube pulled by their pickup up and down the lane. 

The tube took a spill in a ditch and popped on a culvert, but it was fun while it lasted. We FaceTimed with Jamae for a long time today! Aaron and I kept the fire going and good food coming. I did laundry, made homemade toasted coconut almond granola, puzzled. Blogged, mopped snow puddled, and roasted gloves in front of the fire to dry them out, and researched hotels and catering options for Reese’s wedding. We are supposed to get 12 more inches of snow tonight! I hope it’s the good stuff!  

Corbin, Reagan N, Finley K

Willardson Jamae: “it’s the fam!”

One of the greatest tender mercies at the MTC has been the arrival of her cousin, Steven. Elder Oelrich is headed to Baltimore in a week, but 2 weeks in the MTC with her first cousin and friend had been a highlight for Jamae. Today was her Pday, and they both happened to be at the temple for the same sealing session. Fun fact, Steven is adopted and I attended his sealing to Amy and Josh. Quincy’s heart for sealings of children to parents is also special for Q, who has her own memories of being sealed to her adopted sealings. It was special for them to be in the temple together, doing proxy work for siblings being sealed to parents today. 

Another family coincidence, my dad’s sister, Aunt Michelle, and her new husband, Glen, have been called to serve on the military base in the Seoul South mission! They are in the MTC for a very short time and found Willardson Jamae, today. She said, well I’ve never met Michelle, but I looked up and saw this lady calling my name who looks EXACTLY like grandpa, so I figured it must be her! 

A cousin and a great aunt in the MTC together! To quote what about bob, “heeeeeey….it’s the Fam!” 

 

Willy Christmas House 2025

Perhaps because woke up to a blanket of snow and negative temperatures today, but I just remembered that I never posted our Christmas house. And now I realize I didn’t take a single photo of the basement. The Star Wars and fireman trees were set up down there. My view from my late night post propped by the fire filled me with all the cozy holiday feels while I waited up for Corbin to get home. 

The addition of a tree in the music room is our favorite thing this year. I had a lot of fun making the mini records and collecting tiny instruments, record players, and music stands. Carly has these multi color felted balls on one of her trees and I love it so much, I finally got a few strands for my house.  I was also influenced by the internet and bought a strand of Moroccan star lights. I paid too much for them, but they do add a lot of fun to the room. 

 

Esme and Sloane decorated the tree in their bedroom. I love having little girls to fill our world with pink and glitter and rainbows and ballet and stars and unicorns. 

Over Thanksgiving break, Reese and Quincy put the Harry Potter tree up together after its 2024 hiatus and it brought a magical glow to the loft all month. 

My children sleeping under the tree is my favorite Christmas decoration of all time. No contest. 

I added this origami fun paper accordion tree collar thing this year. It folds flat like a book. Paper craft people are amazingly creative.  My mom gave me the paper ornaments she decided against, and some surplus orange garlands from her tree. I added some popcorn stands and red felt ball garland and little clip on led candles  just made me love my tree all over again. 

I’m planning to paint or wallpaper this wall in the summer anyway, so I went ahead and used some 3m sticky tabs to put up a fun Christmas collage on the wall. It’s still up as a reminder to make a decision about what to do with that wall. It’s full of pics from Christmases past, plus one from the August when Reese got her wisdom teeth removed and thought it was Christmas, so Bradley came over in a Santa suit haha. Corbin and Q playing a cello duet of Gesu Bambino in church on Christmas Day, lots of babies crying with Santa, lots of Christmas Eve nativities, Reese kissing my belly in the snow the day before Quincy was born, all the kids feeling my belly the night before Sloane was born, Esme’s dollhouse, the twins first snowfall, Quincy as Mary delivering the baby Jesus, and our Christmas in the rental house after the fire. Not sure where I will

Put it next year, but this wallbrought us lots of joy in 2026.  These memories are precious and I’m happy to keep adding to our Christmas wall over the years. 

Esme’s Advice: Be Kind Kids

 Esme brought home a writing assignment she did at school. The prompt was to give advice to children as if you were the parent. I thought it was good insight to some of our baby’s core beliefs. 

I am starting to see how Esme has so many traits like Reese. She is more social, but is definitely my little shadow. Esme would literally follow me around 24/7 attached at my hip doing daily tasks if I didn’t remind and encourage her to discover her own joys and creative activities. I think she will love being a homemaker. She is nurturing and responsible by nature. If anyone is at our home, she  gravitates toward them. I used to think she had some kind of radar to stalk our guests because she often sort of quietly hovers around them in a sometimes smothering way. We had new sister missionaries over for dinner last week and she carried her plate around until they sat and she could choose a seat next to them. Last night, I cut Noah H’d hair and she pulled up a chair directly facing him and watched. This is not uncommon behavior for her and it is juuuust socially atypical enough that I’ve been trying to understand it for a while. Eventually, she asks questions, but she takes her time. Lately I can see that she is quietly taking inventory of our guests needs and yearns to offer them hospitality. She is quiet but the spray bottle and cape for the haircut appeared on the counter out of no where. The sister missionaries each were given a glass of water from the cabinet and napkins from the pantry. When I mentioned that my sister was coming over, she instinctively told Bear to get his bike off the front porch and called Sloane to help her pick up their shoes and jackets from the entry way. “Don’t leave anything on the ground for Auntie to trip on!” She knows that my HolleeAnn is an unsteady walker, and falls a lot without support. Esme is an observer. She notices and takes everything in. I love her to the core! 

Honors Orchestra 2026

Corbin auditioned and secured a seat in the district Honors Orchestra. This is a 2 day intensive clinic with a concert at the end. Due to a wild winter storm that’s rolling in tonight, the clinic was shortened and moved up a day and a half. Their performance was incredible. 

Corbin was asked to introduce the clinician, who happened to be none other than Soon Hee Newbold! Soon Hee is a well known and respected composer. When Corbin met her in rehearsal, he told her she is “the LeBron of music composition”.  Oh boy 😂.   I sure hope she  is high praise from a 16 year old boy.  But really, he is correct.  She’s a genius, and these kids are super fortunate to have her here to work with them.  Corbin must have made a lasting impression, because right before their performance, he was invited to introduce her, and the last song, to the audience.  See the video I shared of this.  

Noah H with all the kids from Sugar Creek Ward who made the 10-12 grade Honors Orchestra. (Shout out to fellow creekers Benson R, Tommy B, and Lucas A, who made the Jr High  orchestra, and Zara G, who made the 6th grade orchestra) Noah, Richard A, Corbin, Lyndia B, Mary Jane H, Cami A, Dan H, Luke G, Bethany S. Gisele G not pictured but also played. Way to represent, Sugar Creek! 

Rim Reapers/cellists: Noah, Richard, Corbin

From the program about Soon Hee Newbold: 

“Soon Hee Newbold is an internationally acclaimed

composer known for her captivating compositions which blend classical and modern elements. Her innovative approach and diverse

influences make her a highly sought-after contributor to the evolving landscape of orchestral repertoire and music education.

Newbold's works are played by groups ranging from professional symphonies to beginning elementary ensembles. Notable commissions include Atlanta Symphony's Merian Ensemble, the Brevard Symphony Orchestra, and youth orchestras for the Columbus Symphony. She has a distinctive style that resonates with audiences and is one of the most prolific and performed string orchestra composers in the world.” 

 Oooooh they sounded good! Even with rehearsal time with Soon Hee cut half a day short. Excellent work, kids. Just Amazing. 

 

Rim Reapers 2-0

Promo video courtesy of Corbin’s friend, Brooklyn H. 

So fun! 

Game 2 for the Rim Reapers sets a new record for Wins and Corbin went to bed very happy about it. This was a very physical game. A few technicals, Noah took a face slap, Hyrum was fouled out, Logan’s mom and I were flipped off and cursed at, and Ariana D’s speaker was thrown by an angry player. Corbin jumped between two players and separated them as punches were thrown at Hyrum. Neal strategically rebounded his own rim shot for his 2nd free throw in order to hold the ball for the remaining 2 seconds and secure our win by 2 points, but a foul was called there because apparently it’s illegal and the ball turned over. Fortunately, they didn’t score and we won. There was so much trash n bash on our boys that this win brought an extreme dose of vindicated satisfaction and celebration. Last year’s game vs the jammers was brutal. 

This game, Corbin played two 7 minute stretches, had a lot of assists and sunk a 3 pointer. He said, “this one felt not just like a win, but a victory over all the opps.” Proof that last week wasn’t just a fluke, and hard work has paid off. He loved how many friends and family came to support. He is just floating on cloud 9 right now. 

 Also noteworthy is Aaron’s support. He is the most calm coach I’ve ever seen. Ammon is coaching the team, but Aaron is his “co-coach” and offers support with subs and playing time management. But yesterday, when the jammers got physical, he was off the bench and pivoted from time keeper to peacekeeper. Corbin is not naturally mellow like Aaron. He is unfortunately hot tempered like me. Aaron is doing an excellent job setting an example and I can see Corbin watching him and following suit by staying calm and level headed in conflict. It’s the best thing. 

MLK Day Heart Hike

It was “feels like” 13* outside, but we set out on a hike to break up a slow and bitter cold day off school. The kids were extra happy to catch Jimmie in town. We plan to do the same hike in the spring and compare the difference.