I have no idea what the secret was

Aaron turns 40

Aaron firmly said, "no party!" for his 40th. 

Instead, we ended up with a semi-spontaneous bonfire with the neighbors. Laura-the-great made an incredible Italian Cream Cake (it's the stuff they eat in heaven!) and we sat around and visited while all the kids ran wild through the cul de sac with the glow sticks Miss JJ bought for them.  Reese and I made cupcakes so there would be a non-pecan (non delicious) option for the kids.

 

Since 40 seems like a thing to celebrate, but Aaron requested no gifts, I got a little creative and enrolled him in a sock of the month club for a few months. The kids found it hysterical and he happily sported his new socks to work on Monday. New, funny patterned socks in the mail once a month? What will the next pair be? The suspense is killing us. ;) 

Sloane watched the fire all evening and even relaxed enough to let other people hold her for a bit. She said "JJ" and it was sooo cute! 

On Saturdat night, I arranged a sitter and we went to dinner at Fred's Hickory Inn (thanks for the gift card, Hal and Lynn!) since we've lived here 10 years and have never been. We drove past it last week and Aaron said, "We should really go there sometime. Everyone says it's good." It was incredible. Aaron had ribs and I had the best steak of my life. Yum. Then we saw the last movie in the Divergent series. Don't waste your money, folks. It was ridiculously violent and more guns than plot. Sad. 

Back to the birthday boy, Aaron is rocking 40 like a boss. (People who are 40 are wise and probably don't say "like a boss" ;) but I'm 33 so I'm gonna go for it.)

He is humble, capable, hardworking, tireless, faithful, dedicated, fun, compassionate, generous beyond description, and a perfect companion. We love him fiercely. 

Happy Birthday Aaron! 

We went to the spark cafe and filled a chocolate pie shell with a cutie scoops of every flavor (except the diet vanilla because let's be honest, that isn't ice cream) and a jar of hot fudge and gave Aaron his traditional "turtle cake" the day before his actual birthday. The kids loved it so much they're all requesting the same for their own birthdays, now. 

Spring Break Destin Day 7

Our last day in Destin was a rainy one, but it was still so relaxing to listen to the rain and ignore the inevitable return to reality. So we stayed an extra night. 

I took the girls outlet shopping to pick out Easter dresses ($12 clearance, baby!) and Aaron took the boys to bass pro shops. 

We had fun ;)

We watched Master of Disguise with popcorn as a family on the hide-a-bed and took our last walk on the beach. 

That night, we went out to dinner at Johnny Rockets where Sloane discovered "dip" and Corbin doubled his soda power.

Spring Break Destin Emerald Coast Science Center

A severe thunderstorm swept the Florida gulf this afternoon so we hibernated at the Emerald Coast Science Center. Because of the storm and traffic, the 20 minute drive from Destin took over an hour and we arrived at 4 pm instead of 3. No worries, I figured, since the website advertised they were open until 6pm. I started to worry when we arrived to see everyone leaving. Evidently, the museum closes at 4, Bd there would be a planetarium demo from 5-6. 

The greeter took one look at our soaked bunch and said, "bring everyone inside. The exhibits are self guided, so make yourself comfortable and enjoy the museum to yourself until the planetarium is set up and ready for you. We are just excited to have guests for the demo tonight, we have a guest astronomer to share his expertise with us, this evening." 

So our disappointment turned out to be a totally awesome private party in the science center! The employees were all hanging around late for the special guest, so they'd randomly call the kids over to show them how the robotic arm exhibit works, or challenge one of them to create a bubble dome in the bubble room. Really cool stuff. Even the bathroom was decorated with posters of women in math and science bios.  Sloane blew out of her diaper, Soren only lasted for half of the planetarium lecture before I took him and the baby to the reptile room to wiggle, but the whole experience was really very wonderful. Oh and it was FREE thanks to our Amazeum membership! Score! 

This baby daredevil makes me sweat!

I snapped this pic of the ceiling inside the inflatable planetarium dome while one of the employees told the children some fun stories behind the constellations. It will be fun to help them search for Orion's Belt on a clear night, this summer. 

This red rat snake looks similar to the baby snake our chickens caught in our backyard, this week! 

Bentonville Half Marathon

I was pretty nervous the day before the race. Not because I wasn't confident I could do it. I knew I could do it, I was just wishing I had more time to get stronger and be faster. 

I finally realized that I already had accomplished everything I set out to do when I signed up for this: a) get back into a semi-regular running routine and b) finish. I knew I would finish, and the training group helped me get back into running early Saturday mornings.  All those mornings when I cursed my alarm clock and was put the door before sunrise were worth it. I'm back in the habit. Goal accomplished. 

The day before the race I left several notes of encouragement along various parts of the race course with sidewalk chalk for friends and running partners.

 The course runs right past the bentonville stake center so Kasey and I took turns dodging cars and wrote a huge list out in the middle of the road of all the church members names that we knew were running. 

I really wanted to come in close to 2:38, which was the time for my first half (different course), and since this was all about starting over, that time stuck around like a dark cloud in my head as a "time to beat", but I knew with that crazy hill in the last mile of this race it would be a challenge. 

Miles 1-3 were great! Miles 4-6 were comfortable and steady. My friend, Michelle, also ran and her daughter, Jaclynn took this photo. I don't know why I think it is so hilarious but it just cracks me up. I look like I'm floating away, not running. Someone should photoshop a balloon to my hand, or a jet pack on my back. Or a cape! Hahahaha 

Miles 7-10 were my fastest and definitely the best part of the race. So much downhill, I was cruising at and clocked 3 straight 9 and a half minute miles! Katie G was cheering at mile 9, and Aaron and the kids were waiting right before the 10 mile marker and it was super helpful to see them there (in 30 degree weather, no less) to support me.  

The chalk drawing was fun idea---and definitely a stupid idea because I hurt my hamstring doing it! I could hardly lift my left leg in the morning and had to stretch a lot just to get moving again. Not great for before a race.  My legs hurt for most of the run, and were screaming by the time I hit the big hill. 

I fueled every 45 minutes and carried my own water and didn't stop for a short walking break until mile 11, which was a really emotional one because the entire mile was decorated with signs and photos of Jennifer, our training teammate who was tragically hit by a car a few months ago. After a full minute of walking and sobbing it was time to pull it together and #runforjennifer. It was beautiful, all uphill, and really really hard, but my good time, pretty pics of lovely Jennifer, notes of love and encouragement written on the course, and the thought of being almost done kept me going strong :) 

And then the 220 foot climb hit. Buh bye amazing race time! That hill is a killer! My hams were done with one mile left!  It didn't matter how many times I have done it before, or how many hill repeats we did in training. I was hurting and had to walk a quarter mile up the steepest part. It ate up my time like candy. 

I hobbled the rest of the way up up up until I caught up to a friend from the training group who was struggling. We gave each other some motivation and resolved to gut it out that last half mile. I picked up stride and somehow booked it to the finish line and it wasn't until minutes after it was over that it sank in that I was done! I did it! 

My friends Kristi C and Kristen B were  working as volunteers at the finish line and I was very emotional after I crossed through the chute and stopped to hug Kristi. 

I am so happy I did this. Not just the race, but the training. All the late late nights running with Chris and Kasey until 9 or 10pm with headlamps and reflective vests and flashing lights and pepper spray and hats and gloves and ear warmers and tights and windbreakers and this showers that burned the skin because we were frozen to the bones from running in 15 degree weather were all worth it. Someone said, "that's amazing that you have time to do this!" I processed those words a lot and decided that I really didn't "have time" to do this, but was able to do it only because I sacrificed a lot of other things (sleep) to to run 2-3 times a week.  Those hours were precious, and took help and commitment from Aaron as well. I relied s log on my running partners because 90% of our training was done in the black of night and I don't run alone in the dark. Because of great people and great sacrifices I was able to do it. 

AND I managed to do it in under 2 1/2 hours! 

My time for 13.1 miles was 2 hours 29 minutes. 

I can't believe it. 

Not my personal best, but way faster time than I dreamed I could accomplish even a few weeks ago. It was a huge confidence boost that I'll find my pace and be able get back to it, someday. For now? Hooray for today. 

Kasey just sent me a text. Her flight is booked. Looks like we are running the Provo half when I'm in Utah next month. 

Spring Break Day 4 Destin Baytowne Wharf

More white sand and blue green ocean pics? You betcha. That's what we drove there for, after all! Salty air and warm sand in between my toes. Lovely lovely.  It was windy this day and the surf picked up a bit so the kids did a lot of wave jumping and I lounged on the shore wrapped in a blanket and just watched, ate a million pounds of pistachios, read the same 3 sentence in a book I am getting nowhere in, collected new freckles, and breathed in warm air. Aaron brought Sloane down and when she was done, we tag teamed and swapped places. 

Sloane cut two new teeth and just like a Sunny Bouledaire from A Series of Unfortunate Events, she was most happy hanging out on my lap with something to bite. She did love the sand though. 

That evening we went to the wharf to walk along the boardwalk trails under giant oaks dripping with Spanish moss. We took a "3 years later" photo. My babies! 

Dinner was an adventure. Everywhere we ate in Florida, a 18% "large party" gratuity was automatically added to our bill for having more than 6 people in our family. Lame-o. We also got the "lots of kids tax" in the form of "I'll bring a side of ranch for each child" and we said "awesome!" Until we got the bill and were charged $3 for each one! $12 for ranch. Hahaha. I'm so thankful to be married to Mr. Goodsport. Her he is all smiles after modeling Soren's hat after forking out $3 a pop for each kid to have their own bottled waters. I think it ended up being the most expensive meal we've ever eaten. And it was pizza. At least it was good pizza!

The children remembered splitting into boys and girls dates last time, and so we did the same again, after dinner. The girls and I stopped back into the candy shop for frozen bananas snd the boys drove the remote control boats. 

We watched the sunset from the boardwalk under the moss covered oaks.  My favorite! The kids loved the tree houses.

Quincy spotted a raccoon scavenging underfoot and warned it, "run, Chester! My mom is mean to raccoons!" 

And last but not least, the carousel. A magical moment of pure bliss with this sweet little family of mine. I soaked up every bit of Soren's elated carousel joy until he grew sick of me recording him and said crossly, "Stop lookin' at me!" 

10 on a Thursday

1) 

I got my hair done and like always, wonder why I waited 6 months to make an appointment. I haven't had bangs in 3, almost 4 years. Feels good to have them back. Yay for change. Now that my hair is done I almost feel like I should go put on some makeup and cuter clothes. Almost. 

2) 

There is a mouse in my kitchen. He is small and has light brown patches, is not afraid of us at all, and looks like a house pet. Except he is not a pet. He is disgusting and I'm wearing shoes everywhere, bleaching my floors, carrying the baby (because crawling baby on mouse-touched floors = ew.) and setting a million traps. Excuse me while I burn down my house and throw everything away. Gross. 

Update: got him! 4am was an exciting hour in the Willardson kitchen! Be gone, pest!  

3) 

Aaron turned 40 yesterday! (More on that later). He is traveling with several coworkers in Virginia this week and didn't even tell them it's his birthday. He said, "oh I hate the attention, Meg." 

I love birthday attention. I want a huge party for my 40th with everyone I love having a fun time together, but true to Aaron's selfless fashion, he told no one, and requested zero presents (we still got him some), and no party. Instead, he bought the new Star Wars movie for the kids and told them "happy birthday to your dad! Here's a present!" I am so lucky to be lived by him. 

4) I got hit with a 6 hour stomach bug or food poisoning or something yesterday morning during preschool. It was awful and embarrassing and I had to text the parents to come pick up their kids early because I couldn't even leave the bathroom. My neighbors brought the kids home from school for me and Reese and Quincy babysat after school while I lived on my bathroom floor for hours. Whyyyyy why when Aaron is out of town?  I had even made arrangements for someone to come stay at the house with the boys and baby after bedtime so I could go with the girls to their mother daughter activity days event and maybe even slip in to hear 15 minutes of the Loveland's youth fireside. The girls were disappointed when I had to cancel and keep them home. This is one time when it stinks to not live in a subdivision right near the church, or I might have sent them in a carpool with peers. Probably better that I kept them home, though, just in case anyone else was getting sick. (Update: No one else got it! Lucky me!) I never used to get this kind of garbage and it's happened twice in 3 months. Yuck yuck.  Glad it was fast, whatever it was. I feel great today. What a blessing! 

5) 

 Spring is here. Hallelujah. Bring on simple, grilled meals, and warm afternoons on the porch swing. We made it, you guys. 

6) 

What is it about tulips that make any space so much prettier? I need to buckle down in that happy space and do my taxes. But but sunshine...porch.... 

7) I have a new church calling. Young Women personal progress. Super stoked to be with the youth again. I really love those girls. It will be a pleasure to serve them.

8) 

Because the romper is just too cute.

9) 

A slingshot in his pants, whistle in his mouth, pajamas and a fireman hat. Being 3 is a good life. 

10) I need to find a way to clone myself to be in 2 places at once.  Working on it! 

I had so much more time when Reese and Quincy were the ages Soren and Sloane are. I'm still trying to accept that the days of 2 or 3 hour naptime in the middle of the day to work on projects are long gone. Kids go to sleep, other kids come home 30 minutes later. Homework and piano lessons and soccer practice and then we are on to the next thing. I truly cherish moments I can just rock Sloane in the sunshine and watch the children play. Soren and Corbin are covered in scabs from taking spills off of bikes and scooters and I've been playing mother nurse to many road rashes and head bonks lately. Soren has a fat "goose egg" hematoma right in the middle of his forehead that I iced with him on my lap a couple nights ago.  I'm busier than ever before, but so grateful to live in a part of the country where family time is still valued. I want more quiet hours to do everything that needs to be done, but I sure love my sidekicks.