Silver Dollar City

Casey's teacher gave us tickets to go and enjoy Silver Dollar City in Branson before the end of the year. So, the kids skipped school on Friday and we braved the freezing cold temps. Sam was a great sport. He rode with Jill or Casey most of the day acting as the adult. Zach loved Wildfire because it is "awesome." Maggie just thought everything was "so tinsel." (Have you seen Prep and Landing?) Casey was braver than I have ever seen him and let Sam and Zach drag him on any ride he was big enough for. And, Jill just wanted to ride. Sadly, there are not many choices for her, but she did love the frogs. Me, I was just happy the kids helped out so much and decided next time I am wearing warmer socks. The Christmas lights were amazing, but we all decided we wanted to go again in the summer with Ron. Thanks again, Mrs. Cawvey!!

Dear Dad

With a friend like Casey, "SAMTA" will have plenty of cookies.

Freezing

my house shivered and I don't like it
25 degrees and feels like 11
missing my warm AZ sun

Smiles because of Jill

Yesterday, Jill climbed up on my lap and said, "Mommmm, you're my best friend," and then gave me a huge hug. Loved it - sooo many thanks to my BFF Jillie.

So GReat!!

I have no pictures because Bree was the official photo taker. But my weekend in AZ was the greatest. Of course, it revolved around food: Mango's, Grimaldi's, and Sprinkles! Loved seeing Mina and the new parents, Greg and Sue, Nana and Papa, the Peels, Red Mountain Ward, and the New Moon crew. Thanks to everyone for a great weekend. It was a lot of traveling, but well worth it. Jill was a great companion and we missed those we left at home, kind of. Ron was great and I appreciate he and Sam holding down the fort. Can't wait for the next visit!

The good, the bad, and the hillbillies

I've had several people ask me lately how MO is going and what it is like. So, here, to help me remember, is another list.

1. I realllly miss good food. Ron and I save a lot of money by not eating out because we are not tempted at all. The locals all love "El Charro" - the mexican food place in town. We tried it and I think I may have been eating tomato sauce instead of salsa. The pride of the town is the new Ruby Tuesday's. It's fine, but no Mango's, Rosa's, Pei Wei (which is another story), Cafe Rio, Grimaldi's, or any other one of our regulars back in AZ. It has forced me to be a lot more prepared in making dinner, which has been a good thing. We were desperate and made Denny's salsa Saturday. It really saved our taste buds.

2. Church is a big change. And, I really do not like change. I hate to say that, but some of my struggles definitely come because of changes from a ward I felt was my home, to a ward where I knew nobody. I am just grateful that the important things are still a part of my life and that I am still able to enjoy the blessings of the gospel. However, there are things that make for difficulties living in a ward/stake that covers a ton of miles. For instance . . .
a. Sam and Ron had to travel 2 hours each direction today to attend a stake fireside.
b. My young women live in 4 different small towns and as beehives, they really don't even know each other.
c. EVERTHING - big and little scouts, YW, YM, achievement days, institute, etc. all take place at 7 on Wednesday. It makes it difficult as a mom to attend pack meeting, court of honor, and YW. But, I understand that they don't want to ask people to drive up to 45 minutes to the church more than twice a week.
d. The temple is not as convenient as it was. Ron works M-S and we were hoping to be able to sneak to a late temple session in St. Louis - 3 hours away- on Saturday evenings, but the last session is at 2:30 on Saturday. So, I really do appreciate the temple more than ever.

3. Shopping. I miss shopping. As much as I try, Walmart does not satisfy me. I miss the hustle and bustle of the holiday season at the mall. I miss seeing all of the holiday window displays and the fun, creative ideas that come from just wandering a major mall. So, Thursday morning, I woke up and decided to take a trip to St. Louis. Ron was supportive because I think he could see the bright, desperate gleam in my eye. Sam wanted nothing to do with 6-7 hours in the car so he opted out. Zach was having a substitute and wasn't excited about going to school, so he promised to be help and was soon seated in the car. Maggie heard shopping and that was all she needed. Casey was bribed with a Star Wars toy so I wouldn't have to worry about an 11:15 pick-up, and Jill doesn't have a choice yet. So, the four of them piled in the car and we made a trip to the mall in St. Louis. We had a fabulous time. We spent lots of time in Pottery Barn Kids looking at all of the toys, they loved Border's and all of the books, H&M was a pleasant surprise for me, I used my 30% off at Old Navy and Gap, and as mentioned before, Pei Wei was had. So, as long as the drive was, it was well worth satisfying that incessant need to shop and find the best deals on the clearance rack at Old Navy.

4. I'm starting to sound a little whiny, so here is one for the good. It has been fun to meet and get to know people with such different backgrounds. A group of ladies get together to walk three days a week and I do enjoy listening and learning from them. They have been so supportive in our move and have adopted me as their project. Michele is constantly making sure I am not pining for AZ too much, and makes sure we are always taken care of on holidays.

5. Sports for Sam. He has loved it. It has been a great to see him enjoy getting to play competitive sports through school. Plus, everything is so cheap. No more sign-up fees. Hooray.

6. We love the house and the yard. The kids spend most Saturdays just exploring and menacing outside. It is great. Just as long as they don't get chiggers or ticks.

6. Culture Shock. Two conversations with Maggie sum it all up.
a. The other morning she said, "I'm fixin' to . . .." I turned immediately around and told her that fixing means that something is broken and needs to be fixed, not that you are going to do something. She said that her teacher says it all the time. Hooray. I told her that her teacher is allowed to say that because she grew up in MO, but that she is not allowed to. Then Ron says, "Wouldn't it be funny if Maggie picked up the accent." That really wasn't funny.
b. On the way home from St. Louis on Thursday, Maggie said, "Mom, I just have one question. Why did we move where there are so many hillbillies?" All I could do was laugh.

Anyway, there are a few little glimpses into life in southern Missouri. There is the good, the bad, and as Maggie says, the hillbillies. But, besides missing friends and family, we are all doing just great.

Jill

Jill is at one of my favorite ages. She is talking, which means she can tell you what she wants instead of screaming, pointing, or grunting. She is walking, which means I don't have to carry her everywhere. She likes to color, draw, watch Charlie Brown, and do whatever the other kids are doing, which means I don't have to entertain her every minute of the day. She loves princesses, especially Cinderella and Snow White, which means we are both itching for a Disney vacation. She loves her dollar store doll that she calls Jilly Jilly, which makes us all laugh. She likes to play outside, can count with mishaps up to 15, knows her colors, knows where her elbow is, and I can see potty training around the corner. However, with all of that, there is the bit of independence that comes. She takes off her shoes whenever possible, I have stopped trying hair-do's except for church because they are almost immediately taken out, and she can be a bit bossy. But, I just love it. She is almost two and mine, which makes me one lucky mom.

A little bit of press

Sam made the newspaper with the cross country team's first place finish. I've never seen Sam work so hard as he did in that race.

Yuck

Teddy had a tick this morning. That is all I have to say.

Halloween

It was getting late, we hadn't taken any pictures, we couldn't find Jill's witch costume she wore to trunk-or-treat, the dessert we needed to take to the Cawvey's was still hot and too gooey, and we had very anxious kids. So, with the moon as our brightest light,
here are pictures of Halloween for Nana.

Why is Halloween always so hectic? After the mad dash out the door, we went to a nearby neighborhood and satisfied the sweet tooth in the kids. Then, we went to Grandma Cawvey's for chili and warmth. It was a perfect Halloween night in atmosphere, if not in routine. A nearly full moon, a little chill in the air, and a warm cozy house to return to for food. The Cawvey's have been so good to us and hopefully they know how much their generosity has helped an Arizona family feel a little bit at home in the Ozarks.
By the way, thank you to JoAnn and Nana! I only had to spend $5 on brown pants for Casey and $2 for face paint. I LOVED the hand me down Halloween this year.

A little bit of fall

Visit from Grandpa

Thanks for the great visit. Definitely a benefit of living in the mid-west.
Hopefully we will get to see him again soon.

cross country? and FOOTBALL!

running?

FOOTBALL!

There is no question which one Sam likes better.

Sam's 12

We had a great day with Sam turning 12. A list to help us remember the day.
1. A party with friends filled with lots of football
2. A large sub sandwich
3. A little basketball
4. A surprise in mom's inbox from the Porter's
5. The football cake tutored by Sister Beatty
6. The long awaited air soft gun
7. Finally graduating from Primary
8. An awesome experience of getting the Priesthood
9. Grandpa Jensen
10. Roast and potatoes for birthday dinner
11. Cards and calls from family far away
12. And, zeppole to top it all off
Happy Birthday, Sam.

P.S. Nothing to do with the birthday, but Sam informed us that he does not want to go to high school here in West Plains. Why? Not because of anything academic, but rather, he thinks it will be harder to be recruited to play football in college. I guess there is nothing wrong with planning for the future.

Conversations with Casey

Casey is really quite a reserved little guy - that is until he deems you one of his faves. Then, he can talk for 30 minutes to Thelissa on the phone about everything, pester his preschool teacher at church, and for me, it means lots and lots of conversations.
Today as we drove home from Sam's cross country meet, Casey asked if he could PLEASE have a birthday party with like, some real people next year. I guess he doesn't think family counts. I told him that next year he does get a birthday party with friends because he will turn an even number. I explained to him that he will get one year on with friends, then one year off from friends for birthday parties. Then he says, "Is that what the Prophet says to do?" Smile, smile, smile. No, Casey, but I sure am lucky to be one of your faves.

Birthdays

Casey turns 5!

Maggie turns 7

Pumpkin patch

McWilliam's Pumpkin Patch 2009

Maggie didn't appreciate the "peanut" covered pumpkins, but Zach loved the walnut launcher.

Jill would not be denied a turn looking through the scarecrow.

Toothless

Last Sunday, a collision occurred. Casey came running around the corner and Maggie's mouth was in the way. The result was two more lost teeth for Maggie. Four across the top makes for a gummy smile.
P.S. After blood, tears, and crying, you can see the smile finally reappeared.

Lexi in Jail

My niece Lexi has come to Missouri to bail Ron out. Because script volume is going up with the increase of winter sicknesses and the update to the 1986 computer is taking time to learn and transfer, Ron was looking for someone to come in and do things in the pharmacy that he doesn't have to. So, Lexi was recruited and we have actually all put her to work. I really have been impressed with how unselfish she has been playing with the kids. She has played Littlest Pet Shop, sardines, Tiddlywinks, kitchen, dress-up, and anything else the kids have dreamed up for her to do.
But, Monday it was time for her to get ready to be a pill counter. So, Lexi, Casey, Jill and I went to the Howell County Jail to get fingerprints done and were blessed to sit on the vinyl sofas to wait and wait. After 45 minutes, I asked the front guard how much longer. He told me that at lunch time it takes time making sure the prisoners are fed and taken care of. OK. About 15 minutes later, a sheriff came to tell me that he cannot do fingerprints anymore, we have to go to Ozark Works and make an appointment. Ugghhhh. Well, it was an experience for all and hopefully after the appointment tomorrow, Lexi will be a full fledged pill counter. I am not sure what will drive her crazy first - the jail experience, or counting endless pills in the pharmacy.

Fun with Photoshop

I love October!
October is serious birthday month at our house and for the Willis household. Nana and Papa have a birthday to celebrate every 3 days and two on the 25th. Good Luck!! I have always loved October because the weather starts cooling off, there are fun things to look at in the stores, and general conference weekend comes. Ron was asking what I needed for my own birthday treat and I longed for Sprinkles. I'll have to make do with homemade strawberry Sprinkles from a recipe off a Martha Stewart episode, or Billy's Bakery vanilla/vanilla cupcakes. Speaking of Billy's, I was promised a trip to NY for my 34th, but it looks like that will have to wait. I'm trying not to make Ron feel too bad since it's not really an option to leave the pharmacy right now. Anyway, as you can see, rambling and whining is going on, so we had a little fun before Conference this morning. After a massive dress-up/trying to figure out Halloween costumes occurred, this is what they came up with. They all made me laugh and we'll see if any of the chosen costumes reappear in a few weeks. I seriously doubt it.


Oh, and Lexi got in on the fun. For some reason, Tinkerbell and the sumo costume didn't tempt her. Luckily, she had brought her own pirate costume for Halloween. I promised I would post the picture for her mom to enjoy.

Missourism #3

I have gotten in the bad habit of leaving my garage door open during the day which surpises me because in AZ I had serious paranoia. I definitely used to make the rounds to ensure that all doors and windows were locked. But, the thought has come to me that it maybe isn't such a good idea here either because I may end up with an unwanted critter in my garage. I really don't want to walk out to an unexpected visitor sniffing the garbage cans. Well, today I was downstairs and heard some noise upstairs. Figuring it was Teddy, I didn't worry about it. But, when I walked out to the garage, there at the door into the house was a package and my mail. Another Missouri surprise. I never even thought to close the garage door to keep the mailman out. It's nice to have mail delivered to the door - I just wish it was the front door.

Sported out

I have spent hours and hours lately at sporting event for the kids. Poor Casey and Jill have had to traipse around and entertain themselves on the blue blanket far too much lately. Luckily, Casey started soccer Saturday, so some of those hours include his own games. I was worried about how he would like soccer, but the smile says it all. He absolutely loves when it is his turn. I guess he feels some sort of redemption for all of the times he has had to sit and watch. Maggie is loving soccer and can't wait to be in the game. I love watching the pigtails bounce.

Yesterday, 4.5 hours were spent at the high school for Sam's baseball tournament. Surprisingly, they won their first game and made it to the championship game to take second. His team was super excited. After playing catcher all day, Sam had a sunburned nose and sore quads. We both sighed a HUGE sigh of relief that baseball is over and now he only has cross country and football. Well, that is until basketball tryouts on Thursday. Yes, that is definitely a Missourism. Sports rules the land here. But, I will save that for another post.
I was proud of all the kids this weekend - both the participators and non-participators. We made it through two football games on Thursday, the last regular season baseball game on Friday, three soccer games on Saturday, the baseball tournament on Monday, and soccer again Monday night. After eating dinner at 8:00 last night, we all fell into bed sleeping and dreaming of anything but sports.