Spring Break 2026: Balboa Island

 

What’s a trip to Newport Beach without a day on balboa island? We walked the cute street and wandered into the shops, then got a famous balboa bar or frozen banana at Dad’s. Random strangers kept approaching me with silky jokes or stories. Corbin found this fascinating and asked Aaron, “why is mom such a freak magnet?” 

I don’t know, brother. But I make friends wherever we go. In fact, Aaron just created a new family rule that bans the use of Facebook marketplace, because I sold a bed on there yesterday and now I know the complete family history of some woman named Dymond. I see nothing wrong with this. Aaron sees everything wrong with this and is certain I will be murdered by a stranger one day.  Anyway, here’s Bob. What a funny guy Bob is. Another person RAN out of a restaurant to compliment my outfit. 

The  “outfit”: nothing special. 

Gotta catch Luka and LeBron

I think I have an old photo of little Reese and Q and maybe Madeline on that horse! 

Meg Runs: Bentonville Half Marathon

 I did it! 

13.1 miles 

This course. What a doozy! I feel like I should try another half just smart just to see how I would do without that awful climb the last mile. I still feel SO proud of what I accomplished. I didn’t PR, but I ran the entire race, no stops or walking. Just a good playlist, lots of friendly faces to visit with along the way, and pretty steady 10 minute miles.

I felt FANTASTIC after I finished. Really SO good. So maybe I wasn’t any faster than the past few years, but I sure felt better. Great actually! 

Brock w’s first half! 

Bestie walked the course and then did the rest of a training hike (Kasey is prepping to hike her way through the Coswolts next month!). She put her medal on Chris’s marker in the cemetery with the word FINISHER showing. We sure miss our running partner! I think about her positive influence every day and try to be more like her. I’m so lucky to have her influence in my life. 

Ali my body blast class buddy. Great job, friend! 

Corbin was at the last bend before the home stretch and took this pic. I was locked in! 

Masses at mile 2. 

Training group Buddy Stephen Ko. It seems like out of the thousands of runners, I end up chasing his pacing group every year!  My people! 

Bella Irlenborn. I ran an 11 miler with her this year. She did great! 

Starting line and rain delay excitement! 

Overall a great race! Maybe (probably) will do it again next year. Cuz why not?

Easter 2026

Happy Easter from the Willy family! This photo was taken on Palm Sunday, because we had General Conference on Easter this year, we spent the day snuggled down with blankets and notepads. Very mellow day. 

We don’t really do the Easter basket thing any more. I’m so over candy and I knew the kids would get enough little tricker toys from my maximalist sister to last a year (they did!).  Usually there is a family gift of some kind on the table. This year, aaron suggested picking up somehing each of them needs, so there was a new summer outfit and a pair of goggles for each of the little kids, some athletic gear and gum for Soren, a new water bottle and socks for Corbin, and the new Harry Styles vinyl and some Dots pretzels for the family. 

I made fruit pizza sugar cookie bars and we went over to Paul and HolleeAnn’s for dinner. 

HolleeAnn had cute bunny gift boxes labeled for each of the kids, including our friend Josh (whom I call “Cap”), who joined our family for Easter, this year. 

HolleeAnn set up a “hop shop” for the kids to use their eggs as currency to shop from. The kids LOVED it and came home with squishies and pens and little toys and sensory spinners and fuzzy socks. I swear my sister is one part Elf on the Shelf. She thrives in Santa’s Workshop 😍🤣

Soren, Aaron, Kasey, Me, Capra, Grandpa, Esme, Gigi, Sloane, Ollie, Kevin, (Lily and Lochlan were with their dad), Corbin, Nico, Paul, HolleeAnn, Lady, and Mattie. 

We gave HolleeAnn a “birthday glaze” of compliments, and then played Bandle and Imposter. 

Dolly the dog knows exactly who does not appreciate her presence and she made herself comfy in Grammies lap. 

Cap was totally into the doggos and spoiled Poppy with affection.

We got a FaceTime from Q, who shared her testimony in Korean and then in English with Capra. That was a cool experience for her.  The little kids don’t grasp the concept of time zone difference, and are of the mindset that their sister is calling from the future lol.  Willardson Jamae let us know we are in good hands, “Monday is looking great, everyone!”  She was on her way to feed some bears, which our Bear thought was the coolest thing ever. She passed her phone around to a few very elders and sisters she is serving with, who were eager to meet us. These missionaries come from all over the world. They all said the same thing to us, that Willardson Jamae is a very hard working missionary, that her Korean is good, and that she is a very kind friend.  I think they are so lucky to get to spend time with her. I am missing my bestie a lot lately. 

 I love Easter! I love the hope and renewal and abundance of love we can feel and celebrate. Christ Lives! Because of Him, all things are possible. 

Qingming

My dear sister-friend Chris’ birthday is next week. I normally would take Ryan to Chipotle for this day, but he is in Utah. Since this weekend was a combo of general conference, Easter, and the Chinese Qingming  “tomb sweeping” festival, I decided Chris needed a basket. I took myself to Sam’s Club and these bright yellow spider mums and spray roses selected themselves with their vibrant beauty. I stopped at my mom’s house, asked for a basket (which she had because she is Mary Poppins) and visited with my mama while I created a beautiful basket for my beautiful friend. She would have totally loved these. 

I also stopped over to Nicholas’ plot and left him a little bouquet and the cleaned off his headstone. I sat for a long while by Chris just taking in the sunshine and the peace in the cemetery. I’m so grateful for Easter season and have hope in the resurrection. He lives! 

 

Let’s get ready to Crumbl!

 Corbin came home with a poster board and an adorable idea to ask a friend to go to prom, and the request, “Mother. Please make this poster for me cute”. 

Done.  

He texted me today. “Beautiful. Thanks mom.” 

2026 Prom date secured. 

General Conference 2026

 We had a mellow general conference weekend. I missed the solemn assembly on Saturday morning because a rain delay for the half marathon, but the family made it home just in time. I found them gathered on the floor, playing games between speakers and sessions and during musical numbers. 

We encouraged the kids to prepare questions and listen for answers during conference. I’d like to change one of my questions to, “how is Bear so flexible?” 

I legitimately cannot do this pose. He is Gumby.

Seriously though, the hours to slow down and ponder are always appreciated this time of year.  The snuggles from my Velcro kids are a bonus. I can’t wait to get the transcripts and dive a little deeper.  Quincy’s mission will gather to listen once the Korean voiceover translations are done. Resend Logan went to a mission reunion Saturday night and had a handful of friends over to mark and Melinda’s on Sunday for crepes and conference.

My favorite talk was easily Elder Renlunds. I loved all the   beautiful, applicable, and simple truths he spoke: 

Not all matters are of equal value 

Jesus has the power to do for us what we can’t do for ourselves 

He can and will declare guiltless all who repent and believe in his name.

All means everyone. If everyone, than anyone. If anyone, then even one. If even one, than even you. 

Because of Jesus Christ there is no scar. 

Our sins are nailed, in entirety, to the cross. After we repent we are made clean and He remembers them no more. 

He will consecrate our afflictions for our gain. 

He will dependably and consistently make us whole. 

Soren Pole Vaults

 

Soren pole vaulted in the track meet in Fayetteville yesterday. He cleared 5.5, 6, and 6.5 feet easily, but caught a shoe on one and an arm on 7 feet. He’ll get there! There were only 3 boys selected to vault at this meet and Soren was really excited to be one of them. He is really loving trying out this new sport! 

Soren with 8th grade buddy, Kellan W.