Anna Rose Hall

This Bend mom of three added a recent addition to the family: a restaurant.

Family comes first.

All families are unique. Tell us about yours.

We’re a family in a bit of a split-screen phase, with two teenagers moving into adulthood and a 7-year-old who is growing quickly. Chris and I run a business together, so our family life and work life are pretty intertwined. We live a few miles east of town and care for a dog, two horses, two sheep, 20 chickens, a duck and a llama.

When did you know you wanted to be a mom?

Becoming a mom always felt like a fact of my future, never something that I questioned, but I didn’t romanticize it either. When I was first married in my early twenties, I remember telling my husband that we should have kids soon, before we became selfish about our lives. It just felt like a practical decision at the time. I liked the idea of becoming a mom in my early twenties, then having raised my kids by the time I was in my mid-forties. I loved that I had two boys and got to witness the closeness that brothers can share.

But then I met Chris, and we had Izzy together and having a baby in my late thirties was this wonderful surprise. I get to parent with the wisdom of having navigated these trails already, but in a fresh context too, with a different partner and being in a different place in life.

Tell us about one of your proudest mom moments.

Aw sheesh, my kids make me so proud all the time. Isaac has been a ballet dancer for about ten years. He started out going to the same ballet school I danced at when I was growing up. It has been so incredible to watch him grow into a strong and graceful human with the influence of dance. It is so cool seeing my child grow and thrive way beyond the level that I was ever able to achieve with dance. This past December, the ballet school invited him to dance the role of Snow King in the Nutcracker pro-

duction. Watching him perform onstage is always a very proud moment for me.

What is something you swore you would never do before kids that you now do (skip showers, go to a drive through coffee in your pjs, etc.)?

With Isaac and Elliot, I made their individual lunches to take to school every day for a lot of years. I wasn’t really into the school lunch thing. When Izzy started kindergarten, she was really interested in hot lunch, so we just let her go for it and it has been a good fit for her.

In what way are your children like you? How are they different?

As a mom who loves to cook, I have shared a lot of kitchen skills with the kiddos. They are all great cooks in their own ways. Isaac has awesome knife skills and is a master of flavors. Elliot is a wizard bread baker. Izzy picks up cooking techniques with incredible ease.

You know you’re a mom when you hear yourself say…

You look like you need a glass of water. Did you eat?

What are you enjoying the most about parenting right now?

Witnessing who each child is becoming: their expressions of autonomy and their individual gifts. These days, Izzy loves to cook pancakes for herself, pick out outfits and hairstyles, and work on a million craft projects. I was never really a “sports mom,” but Elliot started playing water polo a few years ago and I am all in. It is so fun to go to his games and cheer like crazy for him and his team. Isaac has grown into this wonderful adult, and I am happy that we enjoy one another’s company so much. It’s always a treat to go out to eat with him because we always end up trying something new and fun together. It’s ex-

citing to see my sons dreaming about their futures and taking steps to make their dreams a reality.

No one works harder than mom.

Tell us about your work or volunteerism outside

of the home.

Chris and I took over ownership of Jackson’s Corner in early 2024. This has revealed itself to be the most massive, absorbing position I’ve ever held. The responsibilities are huge and there has just been so much to do to move this business into a healthy, thriving state. It’s been about creating systems, establishing a high-level, sustainable work culture and nurturing sourcing relationships, all while keeping the doors open 14 hours a day, seven days a week. I love to work, but the imbalance that we have been in during this time is really hard on home life. We are moving towards a place of more balance, which feels very important.

I often tell myself that taking over the restaurant was like having another newborn child: it takes endless hands-on attention in the beginning, but the crazy 24-hour-a-day, on-demand breastfeeding doesn’t last forever and neither should this thing we are doing. I’m giving it loads of good attention right now so that it can be a healthy, strong business that can run with autonomy in the not-too-distant future.

Tell us about a recent achievement you’re proud of.

At Jackson’s Corner, I just brought the bakery back to life after a period of dormancy. After a year of getting things going, I am so proud of the systems we’ve created and the beautiful, delicious breads and treats that are being produced everyday.

If mom’s not happy, nobody’s happy.

Where did you grow up, and how did it influence you?

I was born and raised in Bend. I am part of this place, and it is part of me. My mom is here, and my siblings have families that they are bringing up here, too. I love this place and am glad to have a role in enriching the community both economically and socially.

What do you think is the most important life skill or value your parents taught you? My dad ran his own fence building business for the first 12 years of my life. From him, I learned the value of being able to fix something with your own two hands, and if you slow down and have a look at a problem, there isn’t much that patience and a good toolbox can’t take care of.

My mom’s career was in social work and I would say that I always admired her selfless leadership style: never taking anything too personally and always communicating with others with clarity and respect. Her world also offered me a window into the many ways that families exist and that there isn’t a formula that fits for everyone.

What is one thing you never had that you want for your kids?

When I was a kid, I was pretty quiet. I didn’t really learn to use my voice until many years into adulthood. I have been very intentional about encouraging each of my kiddos to use their voices from a young age. I ask them questions. I try to make space for them to speak up, and keep topics of conversation very open — no taboos. It’s a space where feelings are welcome, you will be heard, and you’ll be given feedback or guidance or just have space held for you.

What is the quality you like most about yourself?

I’ve got a big ol’ open heart and love to connect with others.

If you could instantly have one new skill (i.e. foreign language, musical talent, eyes in the back of your head, etc.), what would it be?

Horsemanship. Izzy has been taking riding lessons since she was three years old and it’s amazing how comfortable she is riding and how much she can do on her own now. Every time I watch her ride, I wish I could do the same.

If you could turn any activity into an Olympic sport, in which event would you win a gold medal?

I am absolutely a gold-medalist in finding the lost things that no one else in the house can find.

Tell us something about you that would surprise people who don’t know you.

I think I come across as a free-flowing person, but I actually move through life very carefully and with a lot of structure.

It’s Saturday afternoon and you suddenly find yourself at home alone for a few hours (we know, it never happens). What do you do?

This time of year, I’d put on a podcast and pull weeds.

What keeps you sane?

I am always looking for a little beauty, a little extra deliciousness and a little fun in everything I do. My friend calls it a whimsy budget.

What is your least/most favorite household chore?

I like doing all the ranch chores at our house more than the house chores, and collecting eggs from the chickens is my favorite. I always think this should be a kid job, but it’s so fun, I keep it all to myself. It’s basically an easter egg hunt every day.

What is your greatest extravagance?

My unlimited subscription to the Surf Thru Carwash.

They say that everyone has a book in them. What’s the title of your book?

Difficult Beauty: Poems and Essays from the Kitchen

Listen to mom.

Is motherhood what you expected? What surprised you the most?

Motherhood has been what I expected. Taking a second lap at it with Izzy has been a great surprise and added such a neat sibling dynamic with her brothers. I think the thing that caught me off-guard was how tricky it can be to nurture a partnership and be raising kids at the same time. Even in a house full of people that love each other and get along great, there are so many different needs to be met, and sometimes those needs are in conflict.

Who and what has influenced the mother you are today?

My mom and the family I was raised in have to be the biggest influence, though I can look back on my childhood and teen years and identify many other women who I was taking notes from, particularly at school and at church. The influence of my mom is very strong — there are elements that I have held onto dearly, and other elements that I have intentionally set free and tried to give my kids a different message about.

What advice would you give your younger mom self? What do you wish you knew then that you know now?

You know what is best for your kiddos. Advocate for that, to anyone who needs standing up to. Take the opportunities to rest when they come. Doing things the hard way isn’t always the best way. Be assertive about getting the space you need to reset and replenish yourself. Raising Izzy is a second go-round for me, and I find myself choosing simplicity and softness where I would have taken the idealistic, more difficult way in the past. I can appreciate my previous choices, and it feels good to try something different too.

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MOM’s favorite…

Tell us about your favorite…

…family game: Scavenger hunts

…place to find some peace & quiet: Twin Bridges

…binge-worthy podcast: Moth Radio Hour

…way to get out of making dinner: We own a restaurant, so eating there happens often and no one is mad about it.

MOMs love local…

We love locally owned businesses, restaurants, places and organizations. Share your favorite…

…shop to pick up a gift for a friend: The Workhouse

…coffee spot: Café des Chutes, Lone Pine Eastside

…spot to get a good workout: Yoga Shala Bend

…hair salon: Badlands Hair Studio

…restaurant to take the kids: Jackson’s Corner

…restaurants for a date night: Bar RBC, Kusshi

…take-out, food truck or quick bite: Cotto, Spork

…meetup spot for happy hour: Yokocho Izakaya

…boutique to find a new shirt or home décor item: Howl Attire

…local park where kids can let off steam: Shevlin Park

…event in your community: Downtown Farmers’ Market

…any other local places you love: Mrs. Marcelle’s School of Dance, Central Oregon School of Ballet