The one with the black eye

Poor bear had a playground collision with a friend’s forehead on Thursday. The CT shows no broken bones and no signs of concussion. But that hematoma on his eye is so sad! Bear is one tough kid. He hasn’t complained a bit. He just says “it’s so weird to be able to see your own face with your face.” Sweet boy, I hope it heals quickly! 

 

If your kid runs Cross Country, you run cross country too.

Ever see anyone bring a lawn chair to an XC meet? That’s because cross country spectators are also on the run. The course is like the outer track, and all the parents zig zag around on the inner course, trying to catch a glimpse of their kid as they whiz by. It’s a workout, really, this cheering business. 

What a great season! Soren wrapped up 8th grade XC with an invitation to race at the conference meet, where he finished strong with a nice PR! 11:55! That’s a 5:57 minute mile. I could never. He came in 6th for WJHS and 34th out of 357 boys.  Soren was excited to run this race again. Last year it was pouring rain and the course was a cold, flooded, muddy mess. WJHS took third place (for boys, girls took first) out of 18 schools and only 20 of the team members qualified to race. Great work, Soren! It is so fun to watch him run. I hope he stays with this sport. 

The boys are lucky to have Trail on their team. His parents are Ali and Mike Rush, the GOATS of running coaches. Mike has been training these guys all season and I’m happy for Soren that he gets to learn from talented athletic leadership to help him love and succeed in the sport. 

 

Wee Willy Weekend

Today’s post is coming at you from pajamas. It’s been a hot minute since I’ve been sick. Tis the season though to get slammed with a sinus infection or whatever evil virus this is that blitzed me overnight. I look and feel pitiful. Bless up to Aaron for taking children to school this morning. It’s noon and I am still rotting in bed. The rest of this week is stuffed to the muff with Halloween, fall orchestra concerts, SBO flower sales, 4 haircuts, parent teacher conferences, and XC conference meet on top of the normal routine, so it’s a blessing to have a morning to stay in laid up sorry. 

I received this photo via text from girls in Metfield Ward, stating “Corbin is coming with us to Sunday school. He wants more church”  we slipped into Metfield sacrament meeting to hear Tate G give his farewell talk, and I guess Corbin found friends to stay with. 

Congrats to Nephew Garrett and his beautiful bride, Michelle. We made a last minute decision not to leave town this weekend, and I am sad to have missed celebrating this wonderful new family! 

Squeezed in a post-All Region run on the Hog. 

Kasey, Corbin, his friend James, Soren, Ryan, and the twins all had an autumn lake day. James tried wake surfing for the first time, Ryan had a solid run with some Led Zeppelin, I got up on the bigger board and also had a good turn. Soren, Bear, Ryan, Esme and I all rotated in trying out the 3 man seated tube and got wiped. It’s so much fun. Captain Aaron wins for being fun dad and driving everyone around, and Esme is the cutest surfer girl there ever was. Core memories here for sure. 

Of major importance, the BYU game was streamed between all the turns. The final minutes gave a tough loss. Kasey took this pic of everyone totally locked on the game. 

Other adventures from the evening included a car key in the bottom of the lake, a tow truck, and 10pm emotional recovery pancakes at IHOP. 

My primary buddies all found me at the ward party on Saturday night and I made their week when I doubled up on candy distribution to their little buckets. I felt like a celebrity! What a gift children have to love and adore people so easily. These kids are the best though. 

I was in the hall with a rogue wiggler for a moment during sharing time and we happened upon 3 members of my senior Sunday school class. Technically, 2 of the three are assigned to attend a younger class anyway. I’m pleased to know Corbin started going to that class when our roster of last years seniors dissolved, but I don’t love that my reassignment leaves 3 kids not attending any class at all. Two will be gone on a mission or at cheer practice by the time I’m back in January. I think this is a tough thing about calling changes. I think missionaries experience the same thing at transfers and move on to the next assignment hoping someone is still tending to the flock of friends they leave behind. Above anything else, I hope they feel seen.  From these squirrely little boys with zero impulse control to the squirrely big boys with equally short attention spans and big needs for peer connection, I just want them all to feel welcomed and wanted at church. 

Heres one of my little faves, keeping the sabbath day headless. 😂  I heard every word of truth to “Gethsemane, Jesus loves me” ringing through the sweater on the floor. 

No real trophies to display, but I feel the satisfaction that came with this win because I’ve just crossed into a level where every Spanish lesson is new information and an actual challenge. It’s not just consistency now, it’s actual work. What for? Don’t know yet, but I’ve got motion and imma ride the momentum. 

Willy Girl Cousins, Mattisse, Audran, Madeline, and Sophia (not pictured here) are all together in London. Madeline is there for a study abroad and the others all traveled (along with Jared and the rest of Steve and Janae’s family,m ) to visit for Mattisse’s birthday. 

Speaking of Willardson girl cousins, welcome home Ella! She served faithfully in Toronto, Canada speaking Chinese. well done, Sister! (L-R: cousin Abby, uncle John, Ella, Aunt Julia, cousin Claire, Cousin Hannah) Ella gave her homecoming talk this weekend.

Corbin was fitted for contacts this week. I love the glasses and will actually miss this accessory on his adorable face. But Corbin will enjoy playing basketball without worrying about his face or vision. 

The starter died on the van last week. I’ve been driving my parents Honda pilot all week while they’re out of town.  Even though the van has been fixed for a week, I can’t bring myself to drive it when I have access to such a fun, smaller car. 

Halloween. The ward party was Friday. The twins chose to go to the football game, and Corbin disappeared last minute to fill in for Noah for a quartet at the high school. He came to the party late, and everyone thought he was in costume because he was dressed so sharp. 

Soren won funniest costume in the costume contest he was “Little Debbie”. He had a box of oatmeal cream pies, and we threw lace on a hat and he wore a dress from my closet. Sloane was going to be a Christmas tree snack cake, but cello lessons ran late and we didn’t have time to finish making it. She was hermoine instead and Soren was a great stand alone Little Debbie. He was so funny. Anytime someone called him “Lil’ Debbie” he would correct them in with feigned seriousness  “it’s LITTLE Debbie. Not LIL’” 😂😂 his red curls were perfect puffing out of the bonnet hat. 

(Benson R, Titus G, Tanner and Mason F, Tommy and Bruce B, Lucas A and Soren) 

Sloane was easily sold on Hermoine because they came with fake glasses. 

 

Jill and Danielle take an annual “fun moms” pic and gather ladies who dressed up. I was Mr. Krabs from the Krusty Krab this year. (Me, Ardis R, Tashya P, Maddi D, Mattie, Marianne H, Danielle P, Jill S, Keeley D, Lauren L) 

The 12th Man pulls of a W

All Region Auditions took over our Saturday. This year, Soren auditioned for Concert Orchestra and was up against 9th graders. After working so hard and stressing last year and not making it, he did not worry a whole lot this year. Soren reported that his audition was not his best, but he’s glad he tried. Corbin auditioned for the Symphonic orchestra (graded 10-12). Out of hundreds kids in blind auditions for their respective orchestras, Corbin drew card #2 and Soren was card #10. The lore is that getting too early of an audition in the game historically means a lower score. I was getting room monitors situated and turned a corner to find Corbin in the 8-9th grade hallway, outside the audition room hyping Soren up, chant whispering and like karate chop patting him down with “Don’t be nervous. You’re the greatest. You are ready. No nerves. Just skill. You’ve got this.” 

It was the sweetest brother thing I’ve ever seen. 

I had to shift into supervisor mode and kick Corbin out of the hallway (he had sneaked in to support Soren) but witnessing that quiet little exchange was just precious. He is a good egg, that Corbin. And such a good cheerleader. 

Only two 8th graders in the region made all region and Soren was not one of them. He was not disappointed in the least. He ran around with buddies all day, and was included by the big boys to hang out with them the orchestra locker room. He is a lucky brother. Neal also came by the school to hang out with his boys and they found their buddy Bruce from basketball to join their crew. 

I ran the hospitality room for judges, teachers, bus drivers, and volunteers. Every time I walked by the locker room where Corbin (and sometimes Soren) hunkered, Corbin was  helping someone out. With their scales, to find something, with homework, getting them food, or just hyping them up. I admired his leadership so much on Saturday, that I felt like it didn’t matter if he made all region. He is totally winning. 

Noah and James always have silly cello section antics. 

Soren went to the school early with me and hauled coolers and food. My SBO assignment was also to pick up the catering and deliver lunches to judges. These two funny kids asked for my autograph and cheered when I was the first adult to indulge in their shenanigans. Hours later, they found me to show both arms covered and one with a forehead signature. Way to self entertain, guys. Happy to help get that ball rolling. 

Lucas A, Henry B, Soren, and ? Orchestra and XC buds of Soren’s. 

More locker room fun with Richard, Cole, Corbin and Bruce. And maybe Rhett in the back there. 

This isn’t even the busiest the south commons got. The north commons also was full with as many students. A long busy and noisy day! 

As soon as Soren and I got home in the afternoon, we got out on the lake. Corbin called asking to bring his friend James to cheer him up since he didn’t make it. We said yes of course! You have results already?  9 of the 12 cellos are from BHS Chamber orchestra. Corbin rattled of names of all his section and how proud he is of each of them. After 8 friends he said, oh and me. But celebrate later cuz I’m bringing a friend to the lake. 

They credit a lot of wins in football to “the 12th man”. 11 players on the field, and sometimes the 12th man, the fans who just keep showing up carry the team to a victory. 

Corbin was seated dead last chair in chamber last week, and came home kind of disappointed. He felt like his efforts aren’t adding up anywhere and came to resolution that last chair is still part of the orchestra so he’s going to choose to be grateful for the seat. He’s going to do his best and cheer others on. He’s the loyal fan. The 12th man. 

The scores were CLOSE. Only .12 points between 8-12 chair, and only like 30 points between first and last. 

Corbin got 12th chair. 

Truly a 12th man. He is so so happy. 

I’m really just proud of them for trying. 

Nice work, Corbin and Soren! 

Ozark Adventure Day: Yellow Rock trail

Heavenly Father gave Meg Willardson a love letter in the form of sunny 78 degrees on Friday. When the morning air was still a little crisp, Blud and I drove to Devils Den and set out to hike the Yellow Rock Trail to see fall colors. The leaves are only beginning to turn and probably won’t peak until late next week, but it was too nice of a day and the Ryan’s work schedule aligned too perfectly with school hours to not take advantage of an opportunity to go have an Ozark bucket list adventure. Ryan is such a great side kick and I love these days so much. 

At one of the big scenic overlooks, we shared these rocks with a lady who asked us to take a dozen photos of her. She was so proud to have accomplished the hike solo and wanted to text her husband all these pics. She kept saying “he will NEVER believe I did this whole thing alone” as if we had all just conquered Everest. We thought it was so odd to celebrate such an accomplishment. It was not a long or difficult hike. I think it was shock that she would risk. It having people to talk to. She yapped and yammered incessantly for a solid 20 minutes sitting on the rocks with us. She was kind though and we were happy to engage in funny conversation with her. The experience also made me really appreciate 1) the quiet in that peaceful grand space after she left 2) that I had someone there to share the quiet with. We listened to music and favorite comedians and chatted on the drive, and continued talking on the trail while we hiked. But this was a nice place to rest and just listen and be. 

She thoughtfully shared photos she took of us looking out at the Lee Creek valley below. 

She also snapped, “he’s not participating!” In a mom to mom shout whisper sort of way to me. And I wondered if this woman was a girl mom. Because hiking and “participating” might look really different to a girl mom, from conversation topics to posing. Not to mention the increased frequency of times I panic and say “ahh too close! Back away from that edge” 

But I was happy to be a boy mom today. 

 

Gosh it was pretty. I didn’t even take pics of the sandstone bluffs or the big boulders we scaled and clammh After the loop, we grabbed lunch at the Old Cabin. Move over in n out burger with your 3x3…this place had a 4x4. Pepperjack. Tots. A pickle. Perfect. Worth a return trip. In fact, I’d repeat this whole adventure a second time. 

Except the stray cat that jumped up on our picnic table at lunch. Cats are gross. 

I took a bunch of photos of the little cabin at the lunch place because it looks just like the cabin described in Little House on the Prairie. I showed the kids the pics after school and they imagined having a bed up on the upstairs rafters, cooking in the fireplace stove, fetching water from a well, etc. 

The Ozarks are full of surprises. A top tier day. 

On the banks of [Coler] creek

 The trips and I are working our way through the Little House on the Prairie Books. We love this delightful series!  We are currently reading On the Banks of Plum Creek, and are almost finished. 

 We are having such a warm and dry autumn. No humidity, no complaints from me. 

On Wednesday, Ryan and I discovered a new tiny donut shop in rogers. I brought home a an assorted box for the family and it was so irresistibly wonderful outside after school, we went to play on the creek banks at Coler. The kids took their shoes off and said they felt like Laura and Mary as they waded in the creek. I sprawled out on a big towel on the rocky shore and grounded myself. We were there less than a hour before we jumped back into the rush of life with activity days, dinner preparation (I grilled some killer spicy lime chicken), and then rushingr back into Bentonville for activities at a zillion different houses. The rush to drop off and pick everyone back up is something I despise. This simple, slow afternoon hour playing on the banks of Coler Creek was just what we needed before facing the back and forth rat race and crossing 72E.