Catching Up... kind of

For weeks I've been telling myself 'when I get more time, I'll post that picture and tell about that'. With my schedule as of late, all of the thats just keep piling up because I'm always forcing people to cooperate with me for lots of picture taking. Farewell my Sunday and Monday night slumbers, I've got to get these pictures and memories recorded.

Last Sunday (the 30th), Kiri, Aaron, Adalyn and Jacob were in town. We've missed them these last few months and it was fun to see them again and get caught up on the things Adalyn is learning that are well beyond her years. Sunday night at my mom's was quite the party. Thank goodness Kiri lives in Utah so she had an extra coat for Clara to borrow. We're just not used to having to wear coats just yet.Roller coaster rides (not sure if Jack won't smile because he's having too much fun or if he's sad he was the only boy around)My parent's neighbor across the street has a beautiful home and property. He puts plenty of lights up for Christmas and plays his Christmas music over an outdoor speaker. I'm pretty sure it gets louder every year but I absolutely LOVE leaving my parent's at night during this time of year to hear it. It's awesome. Clara and Lucy enjoyed dancing to the music. Clara also got her first teeter-totter ride. And I promise she's not flipping the camera off. She has something in her hand, but notice the tree behind her. That's cool. Another thing that regularly happens on Sunday evenings are visits to Dr. Lily. She checks out the little ones and wraps up arms, legs and sometimes even heads. They love it. A little later, Amy came over. Of course I wouldn't feel complete without attempting a cousin picture. Not too shabby... getting six two year old toddlers to look at the camera. At one point, angel Clara appeared. Oh Kiri, when are you going to move back to Arizona? You know you want to so you don't have to live without us anymore. :) Now it's confession time. Well, I've already confessed to this, so perhaps a reminder: I AM NOT INTO DOGS. Never have been. They stink, they're loud, they tear things up, they are big. I just get grossed out. Until Lady Bug came along. This is Daniel's dog and she's the cutest little Daschund puppy. For the last two Sundays, I've let her sleep in my lap as we've visited. Yup, I like this dog so much I even took pictures with it. Clara likes her too... only a little too much at times.Fast forward... the night Clara stayed at my mom's, I took some pictures of her first spend the night with Grandma. She just walked out the door and turned to wave and say goodbye. Angela asked me if it made me sad that she didn't even care she was leaving. It doesn't. It actually makes me feel good and it puts me at ease knowing she's having lots of fun and gets to be with someone that loves her dearly. While Jason was gone, we put up the tree. I thought this was going to be the year that he helped me put it up. And then he went out of town. I guess he gets clean up duty. Clara helped me put ornaments on and loved it. However, she's been having a very difficult time leaving the candy canes alone. If I'm not nearby, she'll steal one (or two) and then try to hide it behind her back. If I try to get it from her, she'll lean/lay with her hands behind her back so I can't grab it without moving her. Little {cute} turkey.Clara loved talking to Jason while he was gone. She'd hold the phone and walk around the house, babbling non-stop. Thursday night Angela came over to bake cookies. I had written on this bag for something that I didn't use. Every time I'd get a cookie to eat, I'd laugh about what the bag said. Saturday afternoon was lovely. The weather was beautiful and I sat on my back porch for at least an hour reading while Clara kept herself entertained. She had a wipe and would soak up water with it, then "clean" anything she could find (the little plastic table, the cement, the window, her arm pits (don't ask), etc.). Obviously her wipe was brown with dirt and the water wasn't clean, but she had fun. And I enjoyed many things that make me happy all at once: watching Clara entertain herself in our awesome backyard, being outside in basically perfect weather and reading a good book. Yup, it was warm enough in December for her to play outside in her undies. Have I mentioned that scrawny little girls in undies and shoes are completely darling?

FOF - Almost

Jason was almost a criminal. At the airport Wednesday, he kept beeping when he walked through security. So they put him in the window room and searched his entire bag.

I almost found out what it was like to be a single working mom. I kind of know what it's like to be a single mom (while Jason was in school... now that he's done and always around and helping, I'm realizing how little he was around. I did everything husbandless: cleaning, pulling weeds, cooking, cleaning, shopping, vacations, getting oil changes, etc., etc. Please, however, don't think I'm saying I know what it's like completely. I still had him around every now and then). I also know what it's like to be a working mom (okay, not FT, but on the days I work, I get a glimpse). With Jason gone, I was going to have to wake up at about 5am to get myself ready, get Clara up and ready and packed in the car before 6am to make it to work on time. Then my lovely mother called and asked if I wanted her to pick Clara up so she could just sleep at her house. Why, yes, I think I would like that very much. It was a wonderful surprise. Even with the help, it was still exhausting. I don't know how those single mothers do it, especially when they're working full time and have more kids.

I almost got lonely the last two nights. But my mom and Lily were here Wednesday night and Angela was here Wednesday and Thursday night.

I almost got my tree put up and decorated this week. However, things have been a little chaotic. I put my decorations up, but the tree still lies in the box in the garage. Soon enough my little garage sale jewel.

I almost made dinner every night this week (first time in like three or four weeks because of my birthday, vacation and being sick).

Here's what we had...

M: mini penne w/ spinach cream sauce, cooked baby carrots and clementines (baby oranges)... wow, everything on the menu Monday was small.
T: fried bean and cheese burritos ("fried" = tortilla folded in half and cooked in a pan w/ a little butter), raw vegetables dipped in ranch (except Clara, she had raw vegetables and fingers dipped in ranch)
W: sweet potatoes, seasoned rice (kind of like homemade rice-o-roni that was WAY too salty) & steamed broccoli
R: my mom's :)
F: potato soup, steamed carrots & salad

The pasta I made on Monday was pretty good but it wasn't until I was cleaning up and doing the dishes after dinner that I realized how EASY it was and how few dishes I used. Here's what I used:

1 onion, chopped
4 tsp garlic (I use Christopher's Ranch when I don't have fresh)
thyme (1/2 tsp?)
basil (1 tsp or so if dried, 1/2 c. or so if fresh)
2 T olive oil
4 tsp flour
3-4 c. 1/2 & 1/2
1/2 c. Parmesan cheese
5 c. (approx) fresh spinach, stems removed
salt & pepper to taste
1 box pasta (I'd use penne or rotini, something like that)


Here's what I did:
Combine onion, garlic, oil, thyme and basil (if using fresh basil, wait until the end to add) in pan and saute until onion is tender. Add flour and let the oil absorb it. Add 1/2 & 1/2 and cheese. Heat until thickened. Add spinach, salt and pepper and basil (if using fresh). Cook until spinach is wilted. Pour over cooked pasta.


I have yet to not be amazed when I witness just how much spinach cooks down. When I threw the spinach in, I couldn't even see the sauce and envisioned cooked spinach with an occasional pasta noodle. But after the spinach cooked down, I was wishing I had added about 3 more cups. I also intended on adding mushrooms, but that idea went in the trash (literally) when I realized my mushrooms smelled like rotten fish. That can't be good. So next time, I'll use less onion and add sauteed mushrooms and more spinach.

Precious Moment Defined

Tonight Jason gave Clara a bath, got her ready for bed and then brought her to me for kisses goodnight. She's been so happy today and I didn't really want her to go to bed, not after the cute things she has done today. Knowing she needed to, I decided she could just fall asleep in our bed. The three of us laid in bed for about 20 minutes (before I consented to what I knew from the beginning: she'd never go to sleep in our bed), during which Clara would go back and forth on who she'd snuggle with. I'd open my eyes and see her big eyes and contagious smile inches from my face. She knew it'd make me laugh. And of course me laughing made her laugh. At one point she inch-wormed from Jason to me, then across me towards the computer, hoping I wouldn't notice her intention. She would wrap a little arm around us or would rub her baby's back and hum songs. She didn't stop moving for more than a minute or so.

Then, she laid on her belly, put one arm around Jason's neck and the other around mine and just sat there, squeezing. We kissed her cheeks and she just grinned. I wished someone was there to take a picture of Clara's little arms wrapped around us, cementing our little family. At that moment I sincerely wondered how life could possibly get better. Of course, I know the answer: it rarely does.

And it's days like this that the indention in my bottom lip gets more defined because Clara is so cute I can't stand it. So I bite down on my lip.
(Obviously I didn't take this picture, but Angela sure did.)

Thanksgiving Dinner, Shopping & Friends

We had a lovely Thanksgiving dinner at my mom's. Her cooking never disappoints. The funny thing is, we had less people there for Thanksgiving dinner than we do every week for Sunday dinner. Which is probably why I didn't take a single picture all day. Shame on me.

Friday morning I woke up early (not crazy early) to get some shopping done. I got everything I set out to get, mostly Clara's birthday and Christmas gifts. I'm already debating on taking some of the things back. I'm so indecisive it's exhausting.

That night we had some of my high school friends over since Rob was in town. It was a little last minute and I didn't have much energy so we just had casual food (i.e. wings, veggie tray, dips and desserts... some of which my lovely guests brought) and hung out. Each time I am around my friends from HS I am reminded of how fortunate I was to be surrounded by such a good group of people. All of them have done much with their lives. Those that have married have found wonderful people. And all of them are good, genuine individuals. Lucky me.

Obviously we're missing a few... maybe someday we'll all get together again. Maybe.
We were all in my front room and even the floor was covered with people. It was great. I took a picture and noticed I was the only one in the room that didn't have a body part in the picture. So I retook it with my foot sneaking in.

Ryan and Clara rode the horse together and it was awesome. Kids are so funny.

Landon (or is it Braden??) show me your funny face.

Clara, show me your funny face.

Or your belly will work. She sure thought she was funny flashing everyone when we told her to show us her funny face.

Happy Thanksgiving!

This year, the Penrod {Jason, Anna, Clara & Len} home is thankful for...

My school*House*Fish*Family*Sunflower seeds*Cookie dough ice cream*Food*My friends* Toys*The Savior*My job*Gummy worms*Jobs*Mom & dad*Anna's Alfredo sauce *Prayers*My family's health*Chocolate milk*The scriptures*Taco Bell*Temples*Barro's* Puppies*My house* Health*My family*The Gospel*Grandma*ESPN*Ramen noodles*Dead animals on a grill*The NFL*My job*The Savior*Propane*Temples*Families

I'll let you decide who contributed what. :) Apparently jobs and family are important to all of us these days...

Many Moms

Allow me to introduce...

Mister Mom - Takes Clara to grandma's one day a week and stays home with her all day on a second day of the week. Also makes spaghetti with meat sauce for dinner. Not beef, chicken or turkey, but ELK meat sauce. It tastes a lot like beef, but when you know it's elk, it weirds out your taste buds.

Grand Mom - Watches Clara one day a week. Wasn't informed that Clara isn't nap time potty-trained but doesn't complain when she finds out. (Meaning Clara pooped in her panties during her nap). Doesn't get mad at Clara when she paints her fingernails, or maybe her entire hand, with bright blue nail polish.

Working Mom - Ooh, ooh, that's me. An opportunity arose and I accepted. I got a new "temporary" client thanks to a beloved friend. It's two days a week in Glendale and I haven't quite figured this life out. I sit at work and think, this is what life was like before Clara... and now it's like I have merged my current life and my previous life. It feels rather strange, but it's kind of fun.

I think it's ironic that the answer to my prayers came in such a form. But truthfully, I'd be terribly ungrateful if I were to complain about the circumstances. First and foremost, it's a blessed blessing to have this extra income. For us to be able to make ends meet is a monthly miracle. We're not bad with our money, but just when things seem to get "stable", we get another surprise, the latest being the biggest and best of all. So while it's apparently not time to remove the money sucking house from my life, blessings have been delivered on the other end: providing a way to make ends meet. Back to my 'job'... it's only two days a week, it's only for about six weeks, Clara gets a day with Grand Mom and a day with Mister Mom. I really couldn't ask for better circumstances considering the situation now, could I?

Picture compliments of Angela. Thing poking out of my cheek compliments of candy. Apron compliments of loving friend (thanks loving friend, I love it, especially that scalloped little edge). Pose compliments of Rachel. She says you've gotta always be moving to capture great poses. I argue not. This pose is great.

FOF - Drivers

I was making progress on my road rage, until I drove in rush hour traffic several times this week. In honor of awesome drivers, here are five that are completely to blame for my heightened road rage as of late.

1. Mr. Cut & Slow - I get it. Sometimes, the grass is greener in the other lane. So come on over. But if you're going to cut me off because you think it's your only opportunity to get in the grassy lane, don't slow down after you do it.

2. Mrs. Mergey Pergey - I know it's a little scary merging onto a freeway going 50 mph, but you can do it. Trust me, it will be a lot scarier if you get hit because you decide instead of merging (i.e. speed up/slow down and MERGE into flowing traffic), you'll just go ahead and nearly stop in the lane until there's a gap big enough for you to pull out three times.

3. Mr. Ultra Cautious - In case you're wondering, it's okay to go the posted speed limit UNTIL the speed limit drops. I promise, you won't get a ticket for going the posted speed limit two miles before the speed limit actually changes.

4. Mr. Not Newton - I don't know where you went to school, so maybe you were never privileged to learn about a man we call Newton. I will simplify things for you. If the freeway you're driving on has a hill, you have to press your gas pedal harder in order to maintain your current speed. Otherwise, you'll quickly find yourself driving 10mph slower than you were before.

5. Mr. Mazda Miata Man - Your wee little car might be zippy, but seriously, you're not in a high performance racing vehicle. Regardless of reality, you drive your Miata like you are in an M3, switching back and forth between my lane and the middle lane at least four times in a mile stretch, only to be in the exact same place in the line of traffic where you began. And on top of it, you look like a dork. (Four points in Scattegories, sweet).

Reassurance

Sometimes (very rarely, ha ha) I worry about money. But each time I reconcile my bank statement, and see that $0.12 in interest I've earned for the month, I'm suddenly reassured that everything will be just fine.

5: DI, "the house", Gardener Village, dinner w/ spewing & the REASON

On Monday, Angela wanted to go to DI. We went and were rather surprised to see people lining up at the door waiting for it to open. We laughed, joked about taking a picture of it and then laughed harder when the girl that pulled up next to us did take a picture of it.

We also visited my lovely house. I met the neighbors. I decided I'll take a pictures on the steps every time I go. You know, like the recurring pictures you take in the same spot every year? The home is still beautiful. And still for sale.
Later we went to Gardener Village. Clara loved the ducks. I loved the candy store. They had divinity fudge which was awesome. I'm not a big fan of fudge, but this was so tasty.
Clara also found this little guy and affectionately referred to him as "daddy". Angela got an awesome picture of Clara pointing at it... to come.

Monday night, Ryan took Rachel, Angela, Clara and I out to dinner. We were missing Emily, who couldn't make it at the last minute (I hate you Corporate America!). Although the restaurant wasn't what we had in mind, we were having a good time. The pictures don't lie.

And then about a minute after the waiter brought our food, Clara looked over at me and started spewing. She was just sitting with her mouth open and vomit was shooting out. Sorry Clara, we felt bad, but we were laughing so hard. Oh wow, there was a lot. All over the table, on the floor, everywhere. Needless to say, our meal was just a tiny bit spoiled. :) But ask us about it now, and we can't really help but laugh. It was disgustingly hilarious, in every sense of the phrase.

Then we were off to visit Steven (puke-smelling Clara and all) in rehab, which is why we all chose this weekend to congregate in Utah. Just the thought of walking in and giving him a big hug was enough to make me cry, but I held it together pretty well. I was really hesitant to share this and when I asked Steven if it was okay, he said, "It's fine, I'm not ashamed anymore." And how can I be ashamed of a little brother that has made such great strides in the last six weeks? There were so many feelings and so many thoughts. But mostly, thoughts of happiness and hope. It was refreshing to see in him have hope in himself. His confidence was renewed.

We took much better pictures with Angela's camera so just like all those other pictures, they'll be here soon (maybe). Until then... We played ping pong, visited and had a grand old time.

Everyone couldn't get over how much Steven and Ryan look alike. One person asked him if it was his twin. Another said she thought they were the same person. Ha ha. As kids, I don't think any of us looked a whole lot alike, but it seems as we get older, there are more and more similarities.

3 & 4: SLC, exploring, University Streets, the Canyon, dancing, cookies

Saturday Rachel, Emma, Angela, Clara and I went to SLC. We ate at the Beehive Tea Room and it was awesome. The food was great and the atmosphere was so unique. In the room we sat, there were four fancy chairs around a little table, the exact setting you'd imagine if you had a tea party at your own fancy house. It was a little much having Clara there because she just wanted to run around and it was not a place for kids to run around. After lunch, we headed to Sam Weller's, a giant (like GIANT) bookstore. They had new, used, rare, everything. I could've spent all day in there... if Clara wasn't with me. It was nice to have Emma around so she had a little playmate. But Clara didn't want to sit still and read a book like Emma.

Then we walked over to Temple Square. It was freezing. I was dressed like I am from Arizona. I didn't take any pictures. But Angela did, and someday I'll get them and show you. We also went to the Green Ant, a retro antique store. They had an awesome chair there. Pictures to come. The owner was much nicer than our last antique store owner. He laughed when we told him why we asked if we could take a picture of Clara and Emma in the chair.

Somewhere near downtown is a place called University Street (I think). It is a neighborhood, with streets named after Ivy League schools, that has the most amazing houses I've seen. They aren't huge. They aren't really modern, either. There are just streets and streets of beautiful brick homes on grass lots lined with trees and everything lovely. The windows and doors were clearly originals in some of the homes. I might just move to Utah if I could live in one of those.

Next was a bakery that I'd decided was the best around (based on something I read). Strike one for Anna. It was okay, but it wasn't great. I wouldn't go back, that's for sure. Emma didn't mind it. In fact, when Rachel asked if she could have a bite, Emma cleverly replied, "No, it's gross."

On Sunday we drove up American Fork Canyon. In between the Fall and full-fledged Winter, Utah is pretty much dead. The mountains were still beautiful from afar, but in the Canyon, everything was just dead. We did stop at a reservoir that had insanely green water. I couldn't decide if the vibrant green was disgusting or awesome. But first, lovely little Angela. Sometimes I wonder how we can look so vastly different.
The water...

Clara had some awesome hair days while we were there. This one, happened to look like the guy on Scooby Doo. Ha ha.

After Church, going to the airport to get Ryan and dinner, the kids danced in the kitchen again (a sequel to Saturday night). Emma obviously has more moves than the average Melzer. It was a picture perfect moment, but a picture didn't quite capture all the joy. Once the kids were in bed, we made sugar cookies. My favorite.