One Dream, for Another

Since I was little I always, always, ALWAYS wanted to be a mom. I was one of those weird little girls that would put ballons or basketballs in my shirt anytime I could. I always loved having baby dolls and pretending I was a mom. When I was 12 I literally said in a YW interview I wanted to have a honeymoon baby. Like who says that? Anyways when I was Jr. High I took a a personality test that determined what kind of job I would want. (Cause you HAVE to know what your career is by the age of 14?) And in this test, I got either a nurse and a teacher. It was literally then that I decided being a nurse was exactly what I wanted to do. I know it sounds crazy, but i knew then!

Fast forward to my senior year of High School. I found out there was a CNA class that I could take during school and it would count towards my credits. I figured now would be the best time to figure out if nursing was for me! That class was incredible, and I have been a CNA for four years now and I LOVE it!

When I met Jake, wasn't planning on getting married young, so it kinda changed my plans for nursing school. I also said I wanted to wait till I graduated nursing school till we had kids. Well as we all know, I started trying to get pregnant, just 6 months after we had been married. I am glad it didn't happen as soon as we started trying but obviously we know its been a struggle since. I still was going to go to school until we had a baby and then I would take just one semester off.

Well 2 and half years later we got Ashton. I finished up the semester I was in once I got him, and I went on maternity leave so I wasn't about to be enrolled in School. I tried to go back in the Fall, but there was a confusion about my classes and what credits I needed so I ended up going the first day and then dropping out.

Now, as were trying to get pregnant again, I have decided to put school on hold. At first I was sad, but it didn't last long, because what I am doing instead is much greater. I LOVE being a mom. I literally know this is my calling and exactly what I am supposed to be doing! I am however determined to go back just as soon as I can. But for now, I will be happy and content to enjoy being a stay at home momma and raise our little boy!

V-day Crafts

Oh I love crafts. I wish I had all the money to make the crafts I want. But alas, I do not! Anywho, I was able to make 3 crafts for this upcoming Valentines and I'm obsessed!

First: 3 new Valentines Canvas'.
I wrote a post about how to make these canvas earlier, you can find it here! I had both the glitter and paint, so I only had to buy the canvas'. However the stripped one is a little different from the glitter, but it was simply putting black paint on stripes and hot gluing red buttons on, I still have to fill it in with more red buttons, but the craft store has been out! :(

Second: I once again had everything to make this craft so it was free and that's how I got away with making three crafts! 

You need: Burlap (any kind; you can cut it however you want)

Twine

Paint

So simple and can be so cute. I literally just painted little hearts on my square of burlap and hot glued twine to the back! Simple and cute!

Third: This was my most favorite craft! I literally may make one for every holiday, so easy and turned out so flipping cute! 

Distressed Mason Jars

You need: Mason Jars (i did pint size, you can do any)

Acrylic paint (any color)

Acrylic sealer (right next to the acrylic paint at hobby lobby)

and the last secret weapon - A NAIL FILE

I didn't take a picture by picture cause this is so easy, a caveman could do it. hehe Okay literally paint any color of your choosing and let dry ( I ended up doing 3 coats) then paint the sealer so you don't have chips and it has a nice sheen. Let dry. Then this is the fun part take the nail file and shave on all the letters and anything that is sticking out of the mason jar. I even distressed some holes in it to make it look real. You can use anything to sand it, but I found the nail file doesn't take chunks off and it is easier to use to manipulate. 

This is what it turned out like:

Can you say pure heaven? And did I mention how easy? Ah I love it!

3 Years Later...

On January 11 of this year Jake and I celebrated 3 years of Marriage together. As you all know who have been reading my blog since the beginning its been a long road. But really who else would I do it with? Jake has been my rock through everything, and when I look at the hard things we went through, are going through, and have yet to go through we have been so blessed. I was just telling him the other day "We are SO rich. Not money rich, but our life is so full of amazing things!" So for that I am grateful!

We were going to go overnight somewhere but everything was expensive and things came up. So we ended up just going up to SLC to eat at the Roof and walk around temple Square. K, The Roof is UH-MAZING! It's a Buffet and its $40 a plate. But WELL worth it! Then after we walked around and looked at the temple and the statues and it was beautiful!

Jake, your still my everything. I am reminded everyday that I made the BEST choice in picking you to be mine! Your my best friend and I know everyone says "I love you more everyday" but its true! I love you Mr. Frahm I am the lucky one that gets to spend eternity with you!

New Years Shebang!

For New Year's we didn't have a lot of ideas of what we were going to do. (Ah the joys of being married with children haha) In the last couple of years we had spent the holiday with my family, so I told Jake we could spend it with his. But after majority of the people he wanted to hang out with from his family had plans we were stumped. So I told him to ask his parents, kinda as a last resort (sad but true) they were so excited and were glad we were coming! So there ya go! We decided to play games and have an all you can eat fest with them! It actually was lots of fun, we ended up watching a movie too that was fabulous. It was quiet and simple and it was actually good enough for all of us!

Here are our 13 highlights of 2013 (most consist of Ashton haha):

1. Adopting Ashton

2. Being Sealed to Ashton

3. Jake got a major raise

4. I turned 21 

5. Ashton turned 1

6. Ashton being placed in our home

7. 2 year Anniversary

8. Bahama's cruise

9. Sent a brother and best friend on a mission

10. Got a new niece, Aniston

11. Became Parents

12. Went to the Zoo for the first time

13. Had one of the best years of my life!

Birth Mom Letter

Today I was at Mark and Leslee's when she told me that Ashton's Birth mom had written me a letter. I was kinda nervous when I heard that, but I am so glad she did. It was short, sweet, and perfect. I cry every time I read it. It's personal but I feel comfortable enough to share it on the blog as part of our adoption journal.

12-20-13

Ashton's Parents,

Let me start by saying, I have written many letters to try and express my feelings and gratitude to you, so I hope this is the best context. I don't know if you truly understand how grateful I am for the both of you. I have so much love and respect for you and I have no idea who you are!

In the beginning I was so heart broken and angry, with myself of course, but with time, everyday it gets a little easier. Don't get me wrong, I still cry at the thought of him and his pictures, but I'm content knowing he is loving home, with two amazing parents who can do meet his every needs.

When Ashton was first born I was in a program and we had to write a list of 100 things we wanted to do before we died. A bucket list. On that list I had written that I wanted to give a family the gift of a child. I honestly feel I can cross that off my list, although it was not how I pictured, its happened.

I do not know what the future holds, if he'll ever know who I am, but I can only hope that I can stay in contact with you as he gets older and progresses in life. You are both two amazing people, you'll always have a place in my heart. I couldn't have asked for better people. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. I am very grateful for you. I know he is doing well. Will you hug and kiss him for me? I love him. Happy Holidays! Thank you again.

Christmas 2013

This years Christmas was too good to us! We were all EXTREMELY spoiled! Especially Ashton! I still don't know where to put all the crap he got!  We celebrated with Jake's family on the 23 and it was so fun! We had Hawaiian Haystacks. We did a white elephant and sibling exchange. Lucky for us, what we got was actually quite perfect. We got a Children's X-mas book and a popcorn bowl! Uhm, score? For the sibling exchange I got a hand sander. Like a actually power tool! And I am SO excited about it! I am trying to think of what to use it on! Can't wait. Jake got a bunch of goodies from his sister. Then his parent's gave Jake, Ashton, and I all each $100! We couldn't believe it!

Well Christmas Eve day I had to work. And I was pretty excited about it, then my day ended up being pure hell! But luckily I was still on the "it's Christmas Eve" high so I got over it. That night we spended it at my parent's. We had finger foods and appetizers for dinner, then we had all the grandkids open their gifts. After my parents did Deal or No Deal. We had talked about doing this since my sister did this with her in laws last christmas, I never thought my parents would do it, but they did. The prices ranged from .1 to $500. My sister Jamie and Luke went first and they ended up going till the very end and there box had $200 in it and they kept it! Then it was Jake's and my turn and we were doing awesome. Jake kept wanting to make a deal and I wanted to keep pushing cause we were doing so good. It wasn't until the VERY end that we got rid of the highest numbers. The two amounts left on the board were $200 and $150 and the banker (my dad) made us a deal of $190, we decided to just chance it and see what was in our box, I am glad we did, cause we ended up with $200! So we literally got the best deal possible! Amy and Devin went next they weren't doing so hot so they ended up making a deal with the dealer and got $100. Then Kylie and Brandon went and they did not do good AT ALL! They ended up with only $23 hahaha my dad was nice though and gave them $50.

After we opened sibling gifts and then my parents gave all us kids gifts. Jake and I waited to open ours till Christmas since we were spending the night. But my cute mom surprised my sisters and I with these darling scrapbooks she made for each of us. They had things from throughout the year. I cried. I thought it was so cool to have Ashton's baby pictures in a book, I don't have any yet. Then she had our temple in there and it was really cool to see.

Then we opened Xmas jammies and went off to bed so Santa could come!

Next morning Ashton woke up to see what Santa brought him! We ate breakfast with my parents, Jake's parents, and Mark and Les. Then we opened presents. After we opened we got to talk to CJ it was so cool! I miss that kid! He is such a spiritual giant and it felt like he was really home for Christmas! 

Jake got: Apple TV, a hurley hat, colorblock jacket, other clothes, gift cards for itunes and restaurants.

Jenessa: Celine Dion Tickets, Massage and Facial GC, clothes galore, new boots, jewelry, make up.

Ashton: Tool station, shopping cart, elephant pop balls, clothes, books, train track, boots.