Brandon's Birthday!

     If you would have asked me where I’d be in 5 years, 5 years ago, I would have told you my entire plan. Graduate from Southern Virginia University, possibly serve a mission, find a grad school or dental hygiene program, and then…MAYBE get married. But of course, life rarely goes according to plan and I showed up to Southern Virginia not knowing what was in store! 

     1 HOUR after being dropped off by my parents, I ran into a cute boy with the most beautiful eyes and contagious smile. I awkwardly introduced myself and (little did I know) a new 5 year plan was set in motion. On September 25th, about a month after meeting, Brandon asked me to be his girlfriend (in the cutest way EVER I might add). The very next day, we celebrated Brandon’s 22nd birthday!

     This weekend was a crazy one for us! I cannot believe it’s the 5th birthday I’ve celebrated with my amazing man and our 5th anniversary as a couple! 5 years later, I am months away from FINALLY (4 transfers and 3 schools later) getting my undergrad degree, I have not served a mission, grad school is no where in the picture, and WE HAVEA BABY ONE THE WAY!!! This was not my plan AT ALL but it has been the happiest 5 years of my life!

     Brandon is truly an amazing guy and I feel so lucky that I get to call him mine! Sometimes when we’re just in the middle of our day to day routine, I get these WOW moments where I remember HE IS MY HUSBAND! I am married to him! How amazing is that!? I grow more and more in love with him each and every day.

In case you don’t know him (you should get to know him!) or you don’t get why I think he’s so wonderful … here are 26 reasons:

1. Brandon lights up a room. There is no way you can be in the same place and not know he is there! He is the life of the party and has gradually helped me to come out of my shell(:
2. When we go through the inevitable downs in life, Brandon keeps a big smile and finds a way to make them “ups”.
3. Brandon loves God with his whole heart and always helps me remember how blessed we are.
4. He is a family man(: 
5. He’s a foodie! No further explanation necessary!
6. He is so dedicated to working out! (It’s super attractive!)
7. He is selfless. There have been many times that Brandon has gone out of his way to help me or make my life easier when it is in no way convenient for him!
8. He is a fantastic singer and an even better rapper(: He’s my jam sesh buddy for life!
9. Killer dance moves. If you know him, you know what I am talking about (;
10. He encourages me to meet my goals and gives 100% support. (Not many husbands would be so supportive of their wife living 6 hours away to finish school)
11. His work ethic.
12. His laugh.
13. His cheesy expressions of love!
14. His natural ability to grasp an audience’s attention!
15. His boldness when sharing his belief in God.
16. Patience. Seriously.
17. Chef skills. He is a much better cook than me! (But I will always win at baking!)
18. His excitement for life. It is contagious.
19. The way he talks to (and about) our baby!
20. His hugs and kisses.
21. Our mutual love for Netflix(:
22. When we read scriptures together!
23. Praying together nightly. Brandon’s prayers are always so thoughtful and full of gratitude.
24. His sense of humor.
25. That he talks to his family often.
26. That he goes out of his way to show me he loves me. He is the best husband (and baby daddy) I could ask for.

     I could go on and on about why I love Brandon…but I’ll spare you(: He is just perfect for me. The most amazing thing is that even though I love all these things about him, there is a love I feel for him that cannot be described in words. There is just a feeling of peace and comfort I get when we are together. I can’t really explain it. It’s just love(: Anyways, Happy “Anniversary” and Happy Birthday to my best friend, husband, and baby daddy. 26 looks good on you! This time next year our lives will be dramatically different but even more full of love! I love you(: 

-Jade

Baby Alexander!

Now that the news is out I thought y’all might want to know some details about the pregnancy so far!! So here it goes…

MOMMY’S STORY:

I found out I was expecting around 4 weeks. I was visiting Virginia for the week and taking a family friend to EFY (a youth camp). Before the trip, I was exhausted ALL THE TIME but I thought it was just from my doing CrossFit twice a day. While in Virginia, I worked out in the morning, came home and napped, then worked out at night. I was experiencing some common symptoms of pregnancy but I had gotten a negative result so many times I didn’t read too much into it! However, I was starting to get sick during workouts and my friend suggested that I might actually be pregnant this time! I went and bought some tests, trying not to get my hopes up. I took one test….Positive!! I stared at it for a few minutes. Each time before, it had been negative and a part of me was crushed. Now… I couldn’t believe my eyes! Surely there was some mistake! I waited a few hours and took a second. POSITIVE! I read online that the best time to take a test is in the morning, so I told myself I wouldn’t believe it unless the next morning’s test was positive as well! I’m sure you can guess… first thing in the morning, POSITIVE! Finally, I sat down on the couch and cried tears of joy and gratitude. Brandon and I had been wanting this for quite some time and we were finally going to be parents! 

DADDY’S STORY:

While I was in Virginia, Brandon was in California for work and visiting his family. I did not want to tell him over the phone… so I had to wait a whole FIVE DAYS to tell him our amazing news in person! After I picked him up from the airport, I said “Oh yeah! I have a welcome home gift for you” and pulled into a parking lot. (*Psst…I hadn’t forgotten about the gift! It was all I could think about! I was just trying to keep my cool!) I handed Brandon a bag of his favorite treats. Inside was a note that read, 

Eat up! My mommy doesn't want to be the only one with a belly!

Love, Baby Alexander 

Brandon, excited for his gift, sped through the note and did not read who it was from. Apparently he was confused thinking, “why does your mom care about my belly”? I told him to read it again. The surprise in his eyes was everything I expected. Brandon later told me that he thought  I was playing a joke. He was just about to tell me how mean I was when he looked up and saw the tears streaming down my cheeks! He said, “For real!?” and all I could do was nod my head. He hugged me and kissed me. The moment truly could not have been more perfect!

TELLING THE (soon to be) GRANDPARENTS:

Grandma and Grandpa Alexander:

Brandon, the king of cheesiness, wanted to send his parents a pizza. We had the pizza guys write,  “I know this is a cheesy way to tell you but you’re going to be grandparents!” on the inside of the box. We waited and waited thinking we’d get a phone call right after the box was opened BUT Kari was SOO excited to be a grandma that she called Gary (who was not home), her sister, and Brandon’s little brother, Jordan, before she called us back! I throw that in there to express to you just how excited Kari is to be a Grandma (or GLAMma as I like to call her)! When she called us she was SO excited(: 

Mimi and Pop Pop Sorensen:

For my parents, we sent a bouquet of pink and blue flowers. The card read, “Could be pink, could be blue, all we know is a baby is due!” My mom called us and said “My jaw just dropped!” and then she squealed and asked a million questions! My dad found out later that night when he got home from work. He began talking all about baby names. In Papa Sorensen speak, that means he’s excited! 

Our siblings received phone calls and couldn’t be happier or more surprised! My sister happened to be driving and screamed, “HOLD UP! I HAVE TO PULL OVER”!!!

I am now 13 weeks along and can’t believe how quick those weeks flew by! I was one of the lucky ones. I did not throw up at all! However, I have been constantly exhausted, very emotional (yes, I am already a crier, but this is BAD people!), and I gag all the time…Lovely, I know. For those of you wondering, I didn’t have many cravings. There was one time I wanted an Arby’s sandwich REALLY BAD (which is crazy because that’s what my mom craved while preggers with me!) and I’ve been digging Mexican lately. I mainly had serious aversions! The very thought of chicken made me gag and basically anything that wasn't bland or fruity was a definite no go. 

Overall, the first trimester was easy and baby is looking as perfect as possible! It was amazing to see our little nugget flipping around in my tummy! I already love our little peach so much and I cannot even imagine how I will feel in the coming months! March cannot get here soon enough! 

Well, that was an extremely long post but that is all for now(: Updates on gender and possible baby names in weeks to come! 

Love, Jade (AKA The Mommy)