Grandma Penrod

Jason's Grandma, Beulah Penrod, passed away on December 31, 2012. Just a few weeks before that, she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and at the time, we were all sick so we didn't go see her. The week after, Jason drove to Taylor for a night to say goodbye to her, even though at that point, she was not conscious. When we got word that she finally let go and left this earth, I cried for happiness for her. I can only imagine the reunion with her husband that died 45 (I think?) years earlier, her 10 brothers and sisters that have passed away, her parents, her son and many others that she has said goodbye too. She was 95 years old and I know she's been ready to go for a while. Not long ago, we got to visit with her and take a few pictures of her. She was very alert and aware and was just ready to go. I think she needed to be around for others to heal the all-too-recent death of her son. As a young widow, she might have been the only one that really knew a lot of the feelings her daughter-in-law was experiencing. But alas, it was time. The funeral was enjoyable and she was buried in Vernon. The sun decided to shine on us for a bit and it really wasn't as cold as I had feared. You have to cover the grave yourself at the cemetery and I really enjoyed watching her sons and grandsons shovel dirt in their white shirts, ties and sometimes suits. Such a respectable lady deserved no less honor than that.

After the funeral, we had the luncheon. I was a bit overwhelmed at the thought of the people that organized lunch for hundreds of people. Being the recipient of Christlike service strengthens my testimony every time. One funny event at the luncheon: Hazel told us at the funeral she needed to go potty. Then she told us at the cemetery she needed to go. And then we got to the church and forgot to take her. Apparently she figured she'd asked enough and just went, on Jason, while he was holding her.

Beulah's kids: Randel, Rodney, Delbert (aka Kim), Venla and Floyd. One daughter chose not to go to the cemetery and one son beat her to Heaven.

I love this tree.

 

After the luncheon, I went and played in the snow with the girls. Jason sat in the car (every party has a pooper...). Hazel petered out after about 30 minutes, but I had to bribe Clara to be done after at least an hour and a half. It was a lot of fun and I love watching my kids explore and experience new things. Her favorite thing was definitely making snow angels. I bent down to help her out of one and noticed something dark in the snow. I thought maybe it was a stick or a rock and turned to walk away. I decided to check anyway and good thing I did because it was my phone. When I bent over to help Clara up, it must have slipped out of my pocket. Glad I found it! :)

 

Clara carried this chunk of snow around so she could nibble on it.

And Hazel didn't stop eating the snow either.

 

Clara took this picture of me and said, "I kind of cut your head off." Um, yeah.

We made giant letters in the snow and took turns guessing what letter it was.

Pretty sure she had a grand old time.

I love the changing scenery driving to the White Mountains. Especially in the winter. 

Liar!

I forgot about my biggest accomplishment in December: I finally made AND SENT Christmas cards. Every single year since we've been married, I've written a letter. We usually get a family picture too. But not once have I ever sent anything out. Ever! Until this year. I finally did it, even after my bout with strep. They weren't perfect and I doubt anyone got them before Christmas (I told Jason they were holiday cards so it didn't matter), but I am so happy I finally got it done. I hope I never miss another year.

The Rest of the {December} Story

After recapping the highlights (and low lights) of December, there are still so many little things that I want to record about December.

Actually, let's start with a few November pictures. Hazel using Jason's head as a pillow (he was totally asleep).

Jason tries really hard to be home on Monday night for FHE, but that doesn't always work out. This particular night, we had popcorn and green smoothies for dinner while watching Planet Earth. My girls loved it.

This simple, silly moment is what makes life so great. Hazel thought me taking licks of her lollipop was the funniest thing ever. Her little giggle was priceless.

I took Margo to Costco with us. Everyone thought her and Hazel were twins. No, in fact, they are nearly 15 months apart. Margo screamed a lot (thanks to an undetected poopy diaper) and at one point, her pacifier fell down and rolled under one of the food pallets. You can imagine what a site I was on my hands and knees trying to get it (don't worry Angela, I sucked the dirt off). Once I finally got checked out, I loaded everything into my car and pulled it to the front to load some tables and chairs I'd bought. When I opened the back of my car, my tomatoes fell out and every single one rolled out of the container. And, I spent my record (by a long shot) on that trip. It was kind of eventful and I was pretty happy with myself for not crying.

We went to see the lights at the temple the Saturday after Thanksgiving. I don't think I've ever gone that early in the year and while it was still pretty crowded, it was so nice not to be freezing cold. I love lights. I think I always will. They make everything more magical. I also thought about being there two years ago while I was in labor with Hazel.

Since Jason shredded our sheets with his feet, I've been on the hunt for the perfect sheets. Perfect means super, super soft for super, super cheap. I found some at Marshall's after staring at the sheets for about 30 minutes. As I was walking to the checkout, I noticed a tiny little slice in the plastic package and a tiny little slice in the sheet, the obvious damage of a box cutter. I put them back on the shelf and left, frustrated that I wasted all that time. I kept looking and several weeks later, I found some at Costco (not their brand - that's what we had last time and they didn't last very long) and bought them. I took them home and threw the fitted sheet on the bed, only to find this:

Are you serious?? The chances. Fortunately, Costco still had some in stock so I was able to exchange them.


We got our tree up right at the beginning of December. Hazel loved helping decorate. She'd find a chosen spot on the tree and deposit every single ornament there.

I hate setting my tree up. I bought it for $5 at a garage sale from a lady in my old ward. I think we've had it for 5 years and when I bought it, she said it was about 25 years old. In the middle of setting it up this year, I marched into our bedroom and told Jason he better go set it up fast before I go buy a new one. I have been planning on buying a new one for years. The problem is, I think I'm going to wait until after Christmas and get a really good deal, and then they are gone by that point. Our tree really isn't too bad, but it sheds like a real tree and it's super short and really fat. I need a nice, tall slender one for this house. Let's see if I chicken out again next year, but I really hope this is the last year we have that tree.

Just a random note to my mom from Clara (I love (!!) seeing how she spells things.

Der gram I hav Bin vre good this wer I lov you vre meth (for anyone that can't read a 5 year old's writing: Dear Grandma, I have been very good this year. I love you very much.).

We are kind of lazy on Sunday morning. We hang out in bed as a family for a really long time. I love hearing the kids giggle from Jason. Pure happiness.

We got our first two 3-D movies in December.

These birds line the wires this time of year for hundreds, possibly thousands, of feet. And I also want to point out the beautiful sky. Thank you, Arizona.

Where are the fashion police when you need them?

We, like everyone else, have been so sick this winter. Like sicker than ever, no exaggeration. One night Hazel had a fever and absolutely refused to go in her crib. She's never done that before and I couldn't resist her with her rosy, hot cheeks. I was up until 5am working and staring at her in all her preciousness.

Clara learned to shoot a bow (and was quite proud of herself).

Clara went to a birthday party.

I started a new client in December - Jack-in-the-Box. It's really close to my dad, so him and Dave have met me for lunch a few times. It's pretty fun, even when they are acting like teenage boys and staring at their phones while we're having a conversation.

Daniel and Ashley came for a visit

And lots of other girls attacked Daniel

I took Clara to see the Nutcracker. She loved it and it was better than I expected, although next year it would be fun to splurge and see a professional production.

I can't really remember what led up to this, but one night Lilly turned into a donkey and Clara turned into Mary. 

We went to Bass Pro Shop to see Santa and I was reminded how much Hazel hates looking at the camera.

See? Every single picture.

One morning I took my kids to Wal Mart in their pajamas and bought McDonald's for them to eat in the shopping cart. I posted it on Instagram and my dad said: That awkward moment when you realize YOU are the people of Wal Mart.

And Hazel stamped her upper lip over and over and over.

We delivered Martinelli's for neighbor gifts and Clara took every single one to the door. She asked me what she should say and I said, "Sing, 'We wish you a Merry Christmas, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy new Year'". So she did. To every single house. Then she followed it up with, "Love the Penrods!" We ran out of time our first night and then our bout of strep throat came just two days later, so we never did finish handing out the Martinelli's. The extra bottles are still sitting on my kitchen counter.

Now that February has begun, I hope this is my last post about events in 2012. It's about time I move on.