Naps and Vinegar

That is the best way to describe me lately. Vinegar! It sounds SO good all the time. Salt and vinegar chips, cucumbers in vinegar, vinegar poured on my sandwich, french fries in vinegar, you name it. It's hard to describe the intensity of a craving to someone who has never been pregnant. Like the other day at the movies, I REALLY wanted popcorn, but it's so expensive so I told myself no. But the entire movie all I thought about was the popcorn, and didn't really enjoy the movie. And I was angry with anyone I heard eating it, it's really intense. On top of my love of vinegar, my second love is naps. Saturday night I slept for 9 hours, took a 2 hour nap on Sunday, and still was exhausted by 9 o'clock Sunday night. Oh the joys of pregnancy! On a happy note look at that bump! Not much, I know, but hey this momma is feeling pretty proud. Other then I had to wear a skirt to school on Thursday unzipped. Not my proudest moment, but I covered it up with a cardigan. I guess it's time to go SHOPPING, who's coming with me?

This picture doesn't do it justice, it's way bigger than that!

The nausea is also finally gone gone gone! Ugh, that was a doozy, but I feel fortunate that it only lasted about a month. It comes back occasionally (I did throw up the other day while taking out the garbage), but other then that I'm feeling pretty good. Did I mention vinegar gives me nasty heartburn, shoot. Fulfill the cravings or feel the burn, pretty sure the burn is worth the joy vinegar brings me, and I just pop a couple Zantac.

I get to go to the doctor again on Wednesday, oh wait that means giving more blood. Scratch that, I have to go to the doctor on Wednesday. I'm pretty excited to hear the heartbeat again though, there is nothing in the world that compares to hearing another persons heart beat inside your belly.

I started my FINAL semester in the teaching program on the 29th, student teaching baby. It has been really fun so far, also very hard, but I knew it would be. The kids are the dang cutest things I've ever seen, but they are tough. The school is 70% Hispanic, and in my class there are just 7 white kids. That creates a lot of language barriers we are trying to break through, but I'm remembering some of my Spanish from high school and my little second graders are helping me out, it's pretty cute.

Grant is running our business like a champ. For a week there he was the only employee we had. Between 1 tech being let go, 1 tech moving away, and me starting school he was the lone man standing. Fortunately, we've hired 2 techs and today is their last day of training so Grant just has to man the office.

Oh, and I can't forget the happiness news of all, today the high was 83. It hasn't been 83 here since like May, and that is including night time. This morning I even went for a walk... outside! It was incredible. Don't worry it's only been over 100, 63 times this year. 63! Is that a joke? Oh Texas I promise I will love you again when you are beautiful in the winter.

Time to go drink some vinegar!

Still Suprised

Sometimes I catch myself still in a state of shock when I remember I am pregnant. As most of you know, that is exactly what I am, pregnant! There was a time when I was seriously doubting whether or not I would be able to get pregnant, and that is the reason for this post. I never want to forget the miracle of this little baby.

From fairly soon into dating Grant and I had discussed how many children we thought we would want and how soon we would want them. Once we were engaged we talked about it more seriously and thought 2 years of marriage would be a good amount of time, but we both knew I should finish school as well. In January of 2010 I started feeling a little antsy about having children, I kept having a feeling like maybe it was time to start trying. Although, both of us knew there would be no way for me to finish school if we did have a baby so we held off, but I never stopped thinking about it. In April I went off birth control because I wanted it out of my system in case we did decide it was time (and I hated being on it). I still remember my first pregnancy "scare," I guess you could call it. It was 2 months since I'd been off the pill and I still hadn't had a period. My sister in law Christy gave me a pregnancy test to take and I remember being SO excited and SO nervous to take it, I knew it would be a huge life changer. Then I remember the let down when it was negative. It felt like I was opening up a birthday present only to find an empty box. My periods finally came back, but never super regular.

Grant and I both felt very strongly that we should start trying, or at least stop preventing in August of 2010. I never tracked my periods, or ovulation, I just figured it would happen. But then it didn't just happen, and continued to not happen. By the time December rolled around I was getting a little worried about it. I went to a doctor's appointment in January for a UTI, and she asked if I was pregnant. I told her I could be and that my husband and I were trying. She asked how long and I told her 5 almost 6 months. And then she gave me this look as if she was saying something is not right with you then. Apparently at BYU the whole "wait a year" thing isn't the norm. She told me to wait until the end of the month and then she would refer me to the fertility guy. That was the pointed I started to panic a little bit. A month later I went to a dermatologist appointment and she informed me that she thought I had PCOS, or Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. Why would a dermatologist know anything about this? She didn't, nor should she have even said that. But, the seed was planted and I knew from ALL my research on infertility that PCOS was a HUGE factor in a lot of women being unable to get pregnant. At that point I became terrified. I called Grant on my way home and just started bawling and after he consoled me I called my mom and bawled some more. I was devastated. My hopes of getting pregnant were dashed right then.

Did I mention the entire would was getting pregnant during these months. I swear everyone I knew was announcing their pregnancies and as happy as I was for them, a part of me wanted to yell at them for being so insensitive to my problem (ridiculous right)?

The next few months consisted of more pregnancy tests and more throwing of pregnancy tests at the wall. I finally went to the Temple, duh Zaundra why didn't you go months ago right? In the Celestial room I just had the feeling of calm down, everything will work out and you will be happy. I felt peace about the situation. In April I was finally reunited with my husband after seeing each other once or twice a month for 4 months. My positive attitude was still intact. Then I started my period at the end of the month and all that positivity was out the window.

By the time June rolled around I was beginning to think we would be adopting our children and I was trying to come to terms with that. Grant and I decided that if we weren't pregnant by September we would see a fertility doctor. On July 9th Grant and I were grocery shopping and I was 6 weeks late, so I went to get a pregnancy test. Grant, trying to protect me told me not to worry about it, he didn't want to see me disappointed. But I told him "for some reason I can't give up hope, I'll just take it tomorrow and then at least I'll know," because not knowing was driving me crazy! Sunday morning I woke up knowing it was time to pee on my hundredth stick. I was just waiting for no line to appear, but then it did. I read the ENTIRE instruction manual to make sure I did everything right, I really thought it was a mistake. After a few minutes I went out to Grant in a daze and mumbled, "I think I'm pregnant." His response was really? I sat on his lap and cried for a moment and then we went to church and I couldn't stop thinking about it. I took 3 more pregnancy tests in the next day, all of them coming up as a clear positive. I WAS PREGNANT! It actually happened! The next week the nausea kicked in and I knew this was the real deal.

During this time I felt like I was the only person who couldn't get pregnant and it was super easy to put blame on myself and wonder what was wrong with me? But recently I've known a number of people who didn't have an easy road to pregnancy. It really is normal to take a while for everything to align just right, but if it's meant to it will, and the wait will be worth it. I realize a year really isn't that long compared to a lot of people who struggle much longer, but when you are wanting a sweet little baby, even a month feels like forever! I'm so grateful to be carrying this little babe and the amazing blessing and miracle that it is.

We're here... just busy.

So apparently starting a company takes a lot of time. I guess I should have known that. In between the work we've managed to squeeze in lots of family time. We love Texas, it's hot... real hot, but it's been good to us. Happy summer, maybe I'll be back to the blog world in full swing in August.

The Last 4 Years

Today I received my grades from my last semester at BYU. And while I was secretly terrified that somehow I was going to fail a class and not graduate, my fears were unnecessary. GPA: 3.9, my highest yet. I couldn't help but think back to my first semester at BYU. Winter 2008 GPA= 1.66. Woof. Not my proudest moment, but look where I've come!
Fall 2008: 3.0
Winter 2009: 3.5
Fall 2009: 3.6
Winter 2010: 3.81
Fall 2010: 3.86
Winter 2011: 3.91

So I'm not proud of the 1.66, but I am sure proud of the progression.

The grades aren't what I'm most proud of though. I'm proud of the friends I made, the husband I met, the life-skills I learned, and the hard work I put it. I'm done with college classes, my time at BYU and in Provo is done. I get teary eyed just thinking about it because I really did love my time there. So many amazing, life-changing things happened in that little town.

Lived with my best friends. We only got in a few fights and we're still friends, hallelujah.

Met a cute boy.

That cute boy became my first love.

Then we got married.

I made the most amazing new friends.

Became a teacher.

Met a family that will be in my life forever.

Utah was good to me. I have so many great memories of my time there. As I took my last walk across BYU's campus I couldn't stop crying. I'm so happy I got to do all that I did and experience all I did. Those 5 years will always bring a smile to my face.

Now I get to start a new chapter in Texas. I'm so happy to be back with my husband and continue our life together and make new amazing memories here.

Inspiration for Me

This semester has been interesting. Grant is in Texas and I am here. It's tough I won't lie, but I feel like I am learning and growing so much as a person. Let's just say when it rains it pours, for some reason trials in my life come in packages, is it that way for everyone? This quote just seems to tie it all together for me. Things really do fall into place, Heavenly Father really does have a plan for us, and He really does love us. I guess tonight I am just overwhelmingly grateful that I've finally come to the point of gratitude instead of sadness for having to go through the struggles in my life right now.

Thanksgiving

We went to Idaho for Thanksgiving this year.

We cooked:

I was in charge of pies, pecan, caramel pecan, and butterscotch custard. YUM

We ate:
My brothers long hair inspired me to dress him up. Once a big sister, always a big sister I suppose. And look how cooperative he was!

We played games:
Killer Bunnies is always a big hit!

We relaxed:

And we tried to open a massive jar of pickles:
Who would have thought this was the only way to open them. Dad, Brian , Jaron, and Grant all tried and couldn't get the dang thing open.

And we saw friends:
Bests friends for life!

H-Dance Force (minus a few). Sarah (far left) and I talked about everything together, Hailey (the red head) was my dance teacher for 12 years, Mikianna and I have danced together since we were 6, and CoCo my amazing sister who was the only reason I started dance in the first place!

And then we drove home:
A normal 6 hour drive took us 10. Thank you winter snow storms.

Last Teacher Post For A While

Monday was my last day with my adorable 3rd graders at Orchard Hills Elementary. I cried to say the least. They were all giving me sad pouty faces all day long telling me they wished I didn't have to leave. I felt so loved. They surprised me with a book of notes they each wrote to me. I wanted to share a few.

Dear Mrs. Romney
thank you for the fun seince (science) you taught us. Thank you for helping and teach us. Thank you for coming will you come again. Thank you for being my friend. I hope you have fun playing at BYU. Ther's one more thing I want to say. you rock.
your best friend,
Hunter

Dear Mrs. Romney
Thank you for every thing you have taught me so far. I really hope you teach here. You are one of the nicest people I know. I hope your class next year will listen to your lessons. Remember your beautiful.
Sincerley,
Isabelle

dear Mrs. Roumy
I love the sience progecs that you had us do they wer so fun... I want to do it again I ber that you will be a good teacher. I bet evry one in the class likes you even me. You are so nice and you wil always be. You are ready to be a techer.
Love
Amber

Dear Mrs. Romney
Thank you for everything and teaching the class science. And helping me with everything I needed help on ever ciencs (since) you bin hear. Your my best friend forever. I love you and I allways will. Forever I will always cepe (keep) you in my heart I will never forget you threw (through) all my heart. I now (know) I can allways ceme (keep) a seacret with you allways I never had a best friend like you. I like you forever.
Love,
Autumn

Here they are

Pretty adorable right? Man I will miss them.

Grant and I are sitting at home trying to wait out the crazy blizzard that is supposed to be heading this way, worst one in 7 years they're saying. But really we just want to be driving home for Thanksgiving. Dang it snow. Anyways wish us luck, 7 am tomorrow we're braving it! Until then we'll probably just read Harry Potter, our newest obsession.