Mother's Day

Jarom told me since our baby's legs are kicking then it's my first Mother's Day. He bought me a cupcake that he knew I'd love and that he could promise he wouldn't take a bite. I know I'm not Jarom's mom but he's excited for us to be parents. So am I.




Happy Mother's Day to all women.
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Baby Aston

Meet Baby Aston! Finally after 1.5 years and with the help of an eight dollar pill called Clomid...we are pregnant!
I didn't think it would work. I google the chances and it only increased the chances of pregnancy by 29% instead of 24%. I thought well I did that for nothing! I waited and waited and had signs that I wasn't pregnant. I was so upset and didn't think I could deal with whatever the next step would be. The next morning I went to the gym and ran my usual 3 miles. Afterwards I decided to go to the dollar store and buy some more pregnancy test cause I was going need them for who knows how many more months. I got home to shower and go to my hair appointment. I decided to take a test. I have no idea why. Maybe cause it would be 1 dollar wasted. Then...immediately a faint, faint faint line popped up. My sister Stephenie called me right then and I told her and started to tear up. I told her I had to call Jarom. I sent him the picture but he didn't believe it. I told him a line is a line and it means positive. I know cause I ran at least 5 test a day x 3 days per week x 5 years. I know what a line is. I told Jarom I'd go pay for a digital test.
Three hours later after my hair was finished I went and bought a pack of 3 digital test to find out for sure. I came home and read the directions on this fancy test. I tested and.... ERROR! What?! I had just emptied my bladder. "I can't wait another 20 min to go again"! So I made myself go with pure determination. Success! 5 min later.....



I sent Jarom the picture and called him. We couldn't believe it. I found out 1.5 weeks after implantation. We had been in the mode of "when we get pregnant" for so long that it was weird to change our new conversations to "when the babies born".
I am now 14 weeks. I have had only a little nausea but not enough to make me vomit. I've dry heaved maybe 5 times. One episode was my fault cause I waited too long after breakfast to take my prenatals. My biggest complaint is being exhausted but I'm doing much better now. Also I've gained 10lbs! Ahh! Everyone else vomits a loses but not me. I am grateful pregnancy hasn't been bad so far. I've had a few other pregnancy symptoms but I'll spare the details.
I've had to also do a lot of praying with this pregnancy and my nerves. I don't know if it's cause I'm an ER nurse but anything can happen. I've seen a lot of anythings. I was so afraid I wouldn't get through this first trimester cause I want this baby so bad. With a lot of prayer and truly trying to understand that I have no control over anything in this life, I've managed to let go and try to enjoy this period in my life. I guess I worry a lot. Poor Jarom.
I feel very blessed I was even able to get pregnant in the first place cause I just didn't know if that was possible. Jarom and I are both very excited for the next step in our lives.

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Yum!

For April Fools we were lucky enough to get to participate at my sister's house. She made cinnamon roll except she put breakfast sausage and cheese inside. Instead of frosting she used gravy. So yummy. I ate 2.5. Her little 1.5 year old ate 2 also. They were yummy. Of coarse later she made real cinnamon rolls. They were amazing. Yum!



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And We Moved (in March)

Jarom switched jobs in November so he had quite the commute for 5 months till our lease ended. He drove 1 hour and 10 min to get to work each day. I would have died with all the traffic but he didn't complain much. Now we live on the outskirts of downtown. It only takes Jarom 29 min now. It cut my commute in half also. We like our place. We unpacked everything the day we moved in. We still need to hang pictures.
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My Birthday

Lately I've started to like owls. For my birthday Jarom decided to get me this ring. He waited till I fell asleep and slipped it on my finger. He said a min later I got up and went to the bathroom, took the ring off, and went back to bed. The next morning on my birthday I was walking out of my room to go to work when Jarom asked me what was on the nightstand. He is normally asleep at this time so I thought this was unusual. In the dim light from the neighboring gas station I saw my ring. I love it. Thanks Jarom. I felt bad his idea of me waking up with a ring on my finger was ruined.
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Kayaking on Lake Conroe

I've been wanting to kayak for a while. We finally had an opportunity and took it. It was harder than it looks or I'm weak. The owner gave me the fast boat since I told him I work out. He kept bringing up Jarom's lack of athleticism. When out excursion ended the guy brought up how I was so far behind Jarom the whole time. It was work for sure. Jarom is strong. I am weak.
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What's up with that?

This is what Jarom wore to church on Sunday! He has been trying to wear these to church since he got them for Christmas. He thinks since we are in a new ward he can get away with it. Also he chose not to shave that morning. His grandma would have been proud to see this. J/k that's a whole different story. As soon as we walked in to the building he was asked to say the closing prayer. I was happy he would get his opportunity to display himself. I really did think it was funny. Plus he was introduced as Brother Ben Ashton. We had a good time. Jarom makes me laugh.


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Galveston Island

My in-laws took us sailing. So fun. We were lucky enough to see dolphins. Jarom loves water.

We also went to Moody Gardens. Look how pretty my mother-in-law is. Cute picture.

That is a little waterfall in the background.

Jellyfish that we could see from the dock. So scary. I think my niece was stung at Galveston. Ahh! We saw several.

Playing at the beach.

Oil Rig Museum

Texas State Capital

Jarom and I looking at the ceiling. Jarom's face is funny in this picture.

My favorite mother-in-law!

My in-laws! Funny!

Austin Texas

Keeping Austin Weird! I saw several shirts that said "Keeping Austin Weird". This guy walks the streets dressed like this. So funny. My mother-in-law was crazy enough to sneak and take a picture of him for me. Thanks Sharon!

BYU vs Texas Longhorns. It was so fun to go to Austin and watch the football game. My in-laws came to Texas to visit Jarom and I. It has been a full years since we've seen them. Miss them a lot.

It was so so hot at that game. I think the stadium holds 101,000 people and it was full. I thought we were going to get beat up for wearing BYU shirts but actually everyone was really nice. We had a good time. Thanks Jay and Sharon for taking us!

Me and my husband. We all wore matching BYU shirts (Sharon, Jay, Jarom and I) cause we are cool like that.

Jarom is obsessed with BBQ. He googled places in Austin with great BBQ and found this place, Franklin's. The local guy in the picture below told us to also try this place. He said you have to show up at 9:30 am to get a good place in line. We thought this was ridiculous. Nope, he was right. We showed up at 10:50 and had to wait 1.5 hrs for delicious BBQ. Once they sell out they are out. It was so good. I have never seen my mother-in-law eat that much. So that should tell you something. It was worth the wait. The line was wrapped around the side of the building.

Jarom really wanted to try the bacon dipped in chololate. It didn't taste like bacon. It was basically just mixing sweet and salty together which most people like.

I don't know these people!! Hehe Glad I know these people! Love ya!!

Summer of Seals 2011

My sister Stephenie talked Dorias and I into doing a "Summer of Seals". We had to train for 3 months to swim 500 meters swim, 1.5 mile run, and as many push-ups, pull-ups, and sit-ups in 2 minuets each. I had no idea how hard it would be. It was hard work. I don't like doing push-ups, pull-ups, or sit-ups. I like to run and swim with little effort, you just go. The strength part takes a lot of mind over matter. Luckily Jarom would watch me and tell me I could do more. He was right, I could. I am not very good at pushing myself. Evan and Mark joined Dorias and Stephenie in the competition. Jarom said he was doing the "Slumber of Seals". Maybe next year he'll join in.

He I am with my cool sisters! Go Dorias and Stephenie!

In this picture I am leaving this guy in the dust. Not really...I think he passed me up. :-)

I've been training all summer for the pull-ups because I knew they'd be my greatest challenge...and they were. I was happy with my 8 but had been able to do more in my practices. Next year!

I don't like push-ups. I was able to meet my goal but geese it was tough.

No pictures of me doing sit-ups. Jarom was holding my feet for me. Jarom was my own personal cheer leader throughout the summer and on the compitition day. Thanks Jarom, I love ya!

Sit-ups were also difficult. For those of you who know me well, you know I have a weird tailbone. It sticks out funny. It is genetics, not my BMI. I think I took the skin off my tailbone at least 4 times during training. Fun times!

Jarom wasn't able to get a running shot of my finish cause my camera isn't as fast as me! Haha. I finished at the time I had practiced. I have no idea why but I absolutely don't have the ability to sprint at the end of a run like other people can. I was happy with my run.

I was surprised I placed at this Summer of Seals event. It was so fun! I enjoyed the challenge this summer. It gave me something to focus on other than work.

Here I am with my awesome sister's and my mom. I am so grateful I live closer to my sisters so I can get to know them and their families a little better. It was fun to have a goal to work towards with part of my family.

I just liked this picture.

Dinner and a Movie

For our date night we checked out this dinner and a movie place. They have long tables in front of every chair. It's set up so no one is trapped in. You order your food before the movie starts and they bring it during the movie. We heard the food is gross so our expectations weren't high. I ordered a greasy pizza. I liked it. It was something different to try. Jarom saw that they have a cold cereal day where they play old school cartoons. I'd go if they had lucky charms.
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Nothing to do

Fun at Toys R Us. As Jarom said we took ourselves on a self guided tour. We had a good time.
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When there is no flour in the house.

It's a bad habit but Sunday are all about going to church, spending quality time with my husband and..... eating everything I don't let myself eat during the week. What this creates is a crazy sugar/ carb overload day. Well one Sunday I really wanted cookies, but no flour. This meant no to several other options. I remember at Christmas time Stephenie taught me how to make yummy easy toffee. I also saw we had pretzels and a little melting chocolate. This is what Jarom and I came up with. Yum! I'll eat better next week. ;-)
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Smoker/ Grill

Jarom has been talking about getting a smoker since Memorial Day weekend when my brother, Robbie, smoked some brisket. Jarom wasn't sure what kind he wanted. He just bought a bottom of the line smoker/ grill. It works okay. We'll invest in something better down the road. This is Jarom's first attempt. Ribs! I love ribs!! Not these ribs. For some reason they tasted like a big ham steak with bones. Once I told Jarom he realized they were not good unless they were coated with BBQ sauce. Do you like BBQ sauce on your ham steak? Try again babe, love ya!
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Jarom turns 31!

My niece, Camie, sent Jarom on a treasure hunt to find his birthday banner. She was so excited. It was so sweet how she took the time to be creative and give Jarom a nice birthday gift. Every time we go to my sisters Jarom is always playing games on my phone. Camie is very observant and drew all the characters from the games on the birthday banner. Thanks Camie!


Jarom loves confetti cake. The top layer of our wedding cake was also confetti cake. He was worried that we wouldn't have enough cake for 15 people at his birthday dinner. We did! He was a little embarrassed he made so much when it was all put together. We actually did eat most of it. So good.


Happy Birthday Jarom! Love ya! :-)

Now...which one would you buy?

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Salsa Bowl

Jarom has been eyeing this salsa or guacamole or whatever bowl sold a Kroger for a while. Not sure why. It went on sale for 0.79 cents so he bought it. I took this creepy picture of myself just to show him that I was the first to get to eat out of it. I text him this picture while he was at work to rub it in.





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Astros Baseball Game

Jarom and I feel like we need to get a better feel of what goes on here in Houston. We are not sure if we like it. So to figure this out we probably need to get out of our house occasionally. With his busy work schedule it kind of makes in a challenge. Here we are at our 1st Astros game. We really went for the food. I actually enjoyed the whole game without getting board. The Astros lost in the end. I had fun and it was a great date night with my husband.



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The Bell Family...Everyone

It was a quick crazy weekend and I loved being around all the family. I wish we could visit more often.

The originals. What's up with my hair?

This is all the grand kids including Autumn. Actually Evangeline (Robbie's dog) is missing and 2 are still in the oven. Not in my oven. :-)