Penrod News

A Happy Day

Just wanted to write some Mother's Day thoughts down real quick. Happy Mother's Day to all you women out there! I had a fantastic day spent with my two favorite boys and lots of family.

I'm so grateful for a mother who is the most Christ-like person I know. I seriously don't know if I'll ever measure up to the person she is- so patient, thoughtful, self-less, caring, spiritual, and loving. She has taught me more than any other person in my life. I owe so much to her and my Dad.

I'm grateful for a mother who continues to be faithful in the gospel no matter what her circumstances,
 who follows the Lord in ALL things not just what she thinks is right but what we've been taught in the scriptures and by the Prophet. She is the definition of a Mother. I love her so much and am so grateful for the things she has taught me and continues to teach me. Raising 15 kids is no easy task, I have one child and I'm burnt out most days because of the handful he is, so I have a huge appreciation for the homemade school lunches, getting up at 4 am to bake us bread; read us scriptures and make us a hot breakfast. Always making sure we attended church even when camping, not doing things like watching TV or doing laundry on Sunday, and not drinking caffeinated beverages. Helping us strive to get good grades, our Young Women Medallions, and gain a Testimony. Making sure we were careful with dating in our teenage years and staying up late waiting for us to get home from dates or out with friends, just to make sure we got home safe. Reminding us to Pray Pray Pray. She was/is always in tune to hear the Holy Ghost. Has always been a great example of one who attends the temple. She is an avid reader who tried to instill that in us, always having us do our "job charts" in the Summer along with school work and reading during those 3 months off. The grand kids love their "Cita" and so do we.

 

 

 

 

 

Mom and her 9 girls.

Gotta give a shout-out to my new niece baby Ivory. Keith's brother Brandon and his wife just had a baby girl today! What a perfect day to become a new Mother!

Hot Springin'

It's only Wednesday and this week has already been jam packed with fun since Carson's cousins from Utah decided to surprise us on Monday with a visit. This past three days have included hockey games, kneaders all you can eat french toast, park and cousin time, Delsa's hamburgers and ice cream, swimming/hot tubbing at the Boise Hotel, sonic shakes, exploring in Cita and Grandpa's backyard, RoyStone Hot Springs, pizza night, and Frozen. Whew! And the next few days are full of sleepovers, more cousins, and the Kids Fun Fest! Here's to a great week!

Easter Weekend!

Easter was so much fun this year! Friday we gave in and let Carson have his Easter basket early because he was so excited about it. His little basket contained; silly putty, candy, sidewalk chalk and the movie Frozen. He was most excited about Frozen and of course immediately wanted to watch it.

Saturday we headed to the park for lunch with the family and an Easter egg hunt. The kids loved collecting all the eggs and Keith even found the egg hidden for adults with money in it. Carson sure gobbled up a lot of his candy before I could regulate but it's Easter right? He had fun playing with his cousins and enjoying the beautiful weather. Afterwards I went with my sister-in-law and brother to hit up some sales on kids clothes. I scored some pretty sweet deals and was happy with how much I got for how little I spent. Later that evening Keith and I went on a date to the West Side Drive-In. This place has been featured on the Food Network show Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. I love the old time drive-in atmosphere complete with 1950s-60s music and cars. The chef who owns it is apparently a pretty well known chef who has won numerous awards for his food presentations and recipes. We ordered a yummy Philly Cheesesteak and fries. We decided that next time we come back we'll have to order the prime rib meal and the potato ice cream. Afterwards we walked downtown a bit and enjoyed the evening.

source: google.com

Ice Cream Potato....only in Idaho.

source: cheflou.com

Sunday we enjoyed a beautiful day and wonderful Church meetings. It was nice to think about the real meaning of Easter and our Savior who sacrificed all for us. Afterwards we headed over to my Uncle M's and Aunt J's for a delicious dinner with the family. Afterwards we had to take a nice walk since it was so beautiful out and since we ate so much.

The only thing we didn't do was dye eggs, things got so hectic and it just never got done. Oh well, next year I guess.

Success!

Ah, I love the word success! We reached success in the potty training world. It took a few days for Carson to catch on and not have so many accidents, and about a week for him to be fully trained! Yes!! Yes! Yes! Seriously, the things you get excited about as a parent! I would say there were five crucial things that helped Carson on his potty training journey--the three P's and two R's. 

1. Persistence 

2. Patience

3. Prayer

4. Ready (on the child's part)

5. Rewards

I had tried a couple times last summer to start the potty training but wasn't persistent because Carson kept on having so many accidents and it was tough to have patience through it all, but I also realized he wasn't ready and I wasn't going to force him. Patience is key because there WILL BE ACCIDENTS! I thought I could do this all on my own, but seriously after a couple days I was so discouraged so I said a sincere prayer for help in this endeavor. After I said that prayer Carson started to get the hang of things. I am so grateful for prayer. 

Waiting until Carson was ready was key, you can't force a child otherwise they just won't do it and both of you will be frustrated. Having rewards for him going #1 and #2 were very very key in getting C to actually use the potty. I gave him goldfish for going #1 since we don't buy them a lot and he loves them and M&Ms for going #2 since those are his favorite candy (and I didn't want him having too much candy since he goes #1 a lot more) Anyway don't know if this is TMI but these are the things I found helpful in potty training a little one. 

On to other things....APRIL APRIL APRIL has been absolutely beautiful! It was 78 degrees today and is going to be in the 70s all week! Yes! Today we had Carson's cousin Brielle over and did Easter crafts--they made an Easter Bunny out of marshmallows and painted an Easter egg with pom poms. We're getting so excited for our family's annual Easter egg hunt with all the cousins in Boise, Easter dinner on the Sabbath, and giving Carson his Easter basket full of goodies. He's so excited for the Easter Bunny to bring him "Frozen." Guess we'll see what he gets! Love this Easter Season and the reason we celebrate it-- Our Savior Jesus Christ. So grateful for him and the gift of the Atonement.

Downata!

Last Monday Keith, Carson, my brother Kirk and my Mom all took a trip over to Eastern Idaho for a little get together on my Mom's side that's been a tradition over Spring Break for awhile. We all meet up and rent out Downata Hot Springs for the evening and then have a huge dinner complete with burgers, fries, homemade root beer and tons of sides and desserts. It was such a fun night and it was Carson's first time at this hot springs. That night we slept at my Aunt's house in Shelley. Tuesday morning we took a trip up to Rexburg to drop my sister Misti back off at school since she came down to swim with us. We also met up with Keith's brother and his wife and we had a BBQ at the park. I was surprised that it was actually warm in Rexburg in March! It was a quick trip but a super fun one! We might be going back in May for a baby blessing and July for Misti's graduation!!!

This thing was soo fun! The middle part where we were standing rolled so you had to try to keep your balance and stay on!

Right before the splash!

Sure love Hot Springs...so glad there's tons of them in Idaho! 

Spring Time!

It's been so nice here in Boise so we've been spending a lot of time outside. Winter is definitely gone and Spring is here! Thursday we went to a couple parks downtown and I had my sister take some 3 year old shots of Carson. I like to get his pictures every year- I usually go to JcPenny around his birthday but decided we'd do it outside this year since it was so nice out. Afterwards we all fed the ducks at Ann Morrison Park. Man, trying to get this little guy to look at the camera, be serious and smile is a tough task! He showed his funny little personality in a lot of the pics but there were so many I can't post them all. Here are some.

He sure loves books and balls.

He did this pose all on his own.

Some candid ones....

Cousin Brielle and Carson love to play.

I've been loving the perfect outdoor weather. Yesterday we had fun at the park with my dad and two of my sisters and their families. We played Badminton and Ultimate Frisbee while eating Lunch at Sunset Park--one of my favorite Boise parks, we grew up going to that park so I have a lot of good memories there. 

We've also been spending a lot of time with my parents since they've been back. Keith and I usually stay up too late talking to my mom every night. Carson has had fun spending time with Cita and Grandpa Lewis too. Playtime at Burger King, with the cousins, & at the park-- shopping, birthday parties and he especially loves it when Cita (my mom) reads to him.

 

At the MK Nature Center Downtown



Royalty

I've also done a little crafting with my sis-in-law Holly. She made a Spring wreath and I made an Easter wreath. They both turned out really cute.

 

I'm ready for Easter now...