23 on 23

There's always the sappy grossness 

that comes with expressing affection and admiration

towards your beloved. 

But I'm gonna eat that grossness up

because I got a guy to brag about. ;)

Today, is my husband's birthday. 

And his special

"I turn 23 on the 23rd"

birthday. 

Only happens once for all of us. 

I've been meaning to write a post 

about my dear husband again

for awhile now, 

and found a perfect day to do so.

His birthday. 

When I met Chad, I noticed something quite special about him. He was so selfless. I never remember him thinking of himself first. I loved being around him because of that. He was all about entertaining his friends. Getting his schoolwork done. Thinking of special things to do for those around him. Dedicating himself to the school by being a full blown SBO for our high school. 

I was getting used to the fact that some people come and go in our lives, especially in junior high/high school. Awesome friendships don't quite die...but some do fade with time and moving on. A part of life, as you will. With Chad, it seemed like it might be like that. I had no idea, either way. But then I realized that I couldn't shake this kid. I might have had times where he wasn't at the top of my list of who my little teenage mind thought was my best friend, but he was always there regardless of my uncertainty. 

When summer hit after my sophomore year, the year of meeting Chad, I thought we probably wouldn't see each other much. However, he keep a hold of me. We emailed back and forth. Things like, 

"thank you for hanging out with me this weekend I really liked talking with you at the ampatheater and the cemetary!" 

Love his spelling, right? :)

Then we would write about our sundays....what we learned. Experiences we had in the week. He grew to be the one I turned to. The one who understood me most. We could talk about our growing testimonies together. We could talk about our stresses. He was a breath of fresh air for me. I still have every email he sent to me. :)

Again, he was all about others, including me. What could he do for me today?-was always a question I heard regularly. 

Anyone who knows Chad knows he is very special. He definitely loves a good party and will chat with anyone who will listen. :) Since we've been married, he hasn't had as many chances to hang out with his buddies, so I get a full on party all the time. :) Yes, frequent dance parties around our place our quite normal. And though I may have heard certain stories 12 times, I love it still. :) It makes me laugh and I'm so happy to be his listening ear. 

I've never met a more dedicated man to his faith. Yes, none of us are perfect, but Chad just has this gift instilled in him of having a great love for the gospel of Jesus Christ and showing it. He is a BRILLIANT teacher. I may have never had the privilege of being in the room when he teaches missionaries or elders quorum in our old wards, but I have been his pupil many times and know he speaks with conviction and strength. He LOVES the Lord more than anything else and his is faithful servant. I am lucky to have such a man as he. 

Another characteristic of Chad that is purely exquisite is one that many may not get to see like I do. It is very rare to find someone who is very intensely driven to REALLY become better. REALLY want to change. I know we all seek it in our hearts, but Chad so actively seeks it. That can be hard to come by....especially in marriage. But he has always been that was since we started dating. "What can I do better?...I'm sorry, I need to change. What can I change? And do you have suggestions of helping me do that?....I was wrong. Lets work this out". 

Things like that. I got a divine individual for my husband. And I'm so lucky that he is loving in helping me with my quite evident imperfections. I never take for granted his willingness to change and become better. 

I have a lot more to say of course...especially regarding Chad during this whole pregnancy, but I'll save that for another day. :) Bottom line, I got a sweetheart. And he's a dang good sweetheart. I have a man who is always looking up, and stepping up. I'm just glad he lets me tag along. This man was born for greatness. And he's already doing a pretty sweet job of it. Today, and everyday....I celebrate Chad in every aspect of life. He is my rock. My love. 

And I scored some major points when I became his Mrs. :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, 

my best friend, companion, teacher, hero, and love.

I love you, 

Chad Edward Johnson!

The Honest Truth

Sometimes, 

it can be sorta hard being pregnant. 

I think I've gotten to the point where I can't remember

what it feels like to have a normal, woman body. 

Sprinting about.

Getting into a car normally.

Bending over.

 Not having a sore lower half ;).

Getting out of bed being easy.

Eating turkey sandwiches!

Having lots of energy.

Having a mind that works {most the time ;)}.

Working.

Lifting things.

Being able to cuddle with my husband 

without tell him to "give me some space"

because I'm uncomfortable.

Wearing heels.

Not as achy back.

Less trips to the bathroom ;).

Not being as emotional {well....a little bit less than pregnancy, ha}.

Watching a movie without discomfort.
Shaving my legs with little effort.
Non-swollen feet and hands.
Being able to wear my wedding ring.

Last night,
I sorta had a breakish-down moment.
Not like other pregnant ones where I'm a big ole mess
{those ones are bad news because they always end
in throwing up because I'm crying so hard},
but a break down nonetheless.

I lay in bed,
overwhelmed by many things in my life-
mainly pregnancy.

I just wanted to go to sleep to get away
from everything.

I discussed this with my sweet husband,
and he comforted me like he always does.
He told me how great I was doing,
and that soon enough,
we would have a baby girl to love
and that everything else in life would be okay too.

After I took a deep breath,
my mind got to thinking.
I shared my thoughts with my husband,
that I now share with you.

You know what?
Even though I'm in pain and this prego stuff is getting hard,
every single hardship of this is worth it.
Why?
Because it's all for my baby girl.
I would keep going till November if I had to
if it meant it was for Charlotte.

I would do anything for my baby girl.
I'd give anything for my baby girl.

Despite if I tell you,
"I'm ready to get this baby out!"
which is true,
there is a very huge reality
that I have loved my pregnancy.
Why?

Because I get the trade off of swollen body parts,
no energy, and getting out of bed easy for
the following things....


-Looking at my first ultrasound
and seeing a little tiny baby beginning to grow
and knowing that baby was mine.
All because of the love my husband and I have for each other.
~
-Realizing my dream was coming true of becoming a mother.
~
-Hearing her heartbeat for the first time.
~
-2nd ultrasound where I got to see all her little body parts
and that she was happily rolling around in my belly
like it was Christmas Day.
~
Decorating a nursery just for her.
Pink. Lots of pink.
~
-Starting to see my stomach become a little belly.
There's something fascinating and beautiful
about a pregnant stomach.
It's hard to explain...
but once you've experienced it,
you'll totally understand the pure joy I'm talking about.
~
-Holding my husband as he talks to our baby.
~
-Doing sealings in the temple
and understanding how 10X more beautiful
the promises we make and receive there are
because we are sealed to Charlotte
and our future family forever.
~
-Feeling my baby move.
Miraculous.
~
WATCHING my baby move.
~
-Having someone need me and depend on
what I give my body to sustain their life.
~
-Hearing my baby's heartbeat every time
I go to the doctor's office and never feeling sick of it.
~
-Holding all her clothes to my belly
and knowing they will hold her soon enough.
~
My husband and I's strengthened marriage.
~
-Singing to my little babe in the belly.
~
-Getting to experience a taste of the love
Heavenly Father has for his children...
~


....and that, my friends,
is why every minute of this is worth it.
And that's the honest truth.

Love always,
Little Besty

Ze Diaper Bag

Seeing I'll be a new mommy in about a month {ah-gasp! Really?}, 

I've had my eye on a few things I've wanted to get for baby and me.

How cute is that phrase?

Baby and me. 

Seriously. 

I am so stoked to be getting a new best friend in a few weeks!

We'll have napping parties together, 

she'll eat my food ;), 

I'll get to play dress up with her every day, 

we'll smile together, 

cry together, 

snuggle together, 

love Daddy together...:)

Yeah. 

Life is good.

ANYWAY.

Side tangent.

Back to what I've had my eye on.

A few months ago I started looked at diaper bags. 

Can I just say?

The prices of some diaper bags are ridiculously insane. 

Like really? 

I just want something cute and reasonable to put my baby girl's stuff in!

Too much to ask?

Ya. Sometimes.

Well, I went on a hunt. 

Of course I'm all about cheap and a good deal, 

but at the same time, I knew this bag was gonna become

my new purse that would become my other new best friend. ;)

So though the bag for $20 bucks looked inviting because of price, 

I was willing to pay a bit more for something I loved 

and I knew I would use for all my kids.

An investment!

I went to a few different stores and searched lots

{and LOTS....and LOTS...}

and then BAM. 

I saw my perfect match.

And it wasn't an arm and a leg in price!

Even better.

Once I decided this was it, 

I couldn't WAIT to get it. 

It's very roomy, 

made of that awesome fabric you need for a diaper bag

{kinda....plasticy-roughish...if ya know what I mean. Easy for cleaning},

CUTEST print ever, 

gender neutral, 

looks like a purse {seriously}, 

has lots of pockets and such for all your baby needs, 

a changing pad included,

and is totally my style. 

Woot!

I found this beauty at Target.

It was $44.99, 

which may seem like a lot, 

but wait till you start researching diaper bags

and you'll find that's nothin'. :)

I was helping with a choir camp for a few days

and got paid so I used that money for my new diaper bag. 

So kinda like free! ;)

However, 

actually getting the bag was an ordeal. 

I kept my eye on it forever at the AF Target

and when I finally got the money from the camp 

and went to redeem my prize, 

THEY WERE ALL GONE.

Nooooo!

So I went online and saw other stores that had them....

but upon going to the store, 

they didn't actually have them in stock.

I was about to just order it online, 

but then saw a few days later that AF Target

said they were in stock again. 

So I went that second 

and got my new prize!

Dude, 

I love it. 

I'm so excited to put all Charlotte's things in there

and to take it with me. 

{Okay, baby mama nerdy. But let me be excited

for a sec while I'm still stoked about carrying all her stuff 

while it lasts}. ;)

****

So my advice?

When it comes to the diaper bag, 

don't just go with the cheapest one unless you really LOVE it. 

It really will become your new purse {all Mama's agree!}, 

and you might as well get one that will last for a long time.

Totally worth it!

By the way.....

4 1/2 WEEKS LEFT!

:)

Loves, 

Ally Jo

Babymoon in Sunny California-Part 1

I feel like I post all the time....then realize I never WROTE the post I was thinking about. Ha! Silly, silly Ally.

Well! Of course I always have catching up to do of past events. Today?

The Babymoon!!!

We had heard an idea that taking a vacation before the babe comes is a fantastic thing to do. Chad Edward and I thought about it and figured this was something we really wanted to do since we would never have time without little wee ones again. (Don't worry. We will definitely be taking time for just the two of us in the future!) 

San Diego ended up being the place we decided to go. I was soooo excited to go to the beach! It's only my most favorite ever-PLUS my most favorite human, Chad Edward, would be with me...so what could be better?! 

We left for our 4 day trip in June on a Tuesday morning. In the end we decided to fly, and we were super stoked to fly together as married folk! One of our first experiences together as friends in high school was flying to Washington, D.C. together (which was my first flying experience ever), so we couldn't wait. 

We had a lay-over in Arizona and had a few set backs that cost us a few hours....but we stayed positive, knowing we were on our way to a week of awesomeness.

Once we figured out the bus/trolley system and finally got to our hotel, it was pretty late. And it just so happened that our hotel was literally RIGHT off the free way. Like not off an exit, but off the side of the road, so there wasn't a lot of options around for food. There was a diner right next to the hotel (the only food around), so we dashed over to get something to eat. However, they closed 1/2 hour early (stupid....) even though their sign said otherswise, so we were stuck without food!  But, we found a random pizza delivery paper in our hotel room and got a pizza. All was well!

The next day we got up and planned our travel to THE BEACH! Ah. We were the most excited for this aspect of our trip. We couldn't wait to sink our toes into the sand! By way of bus, we arrived at La Jolla Shores area. First we stopped at a little cove area (absolutely beautiful) and then hiked our way to the main beach. The hike ended up being a real hike :) where we walked along the coast, which lead to us walking through some neighborhoods for a bit, but we eventually found the beach.

Don't you love my oh-so-pregnant feet? Heavens.

When we got to the second beach, we were starved. We thought this burger place looked pretty swell right off the coast, but we were very disappointed. It was fine, but nothing special whatsoever.

My superman. :)

I wuv him!!!!

Modeling my new prego swimsuit. :) Say hi, Charlotte!

The weather went on and on being cloudy and sunny, but we just couldn't get enough of the beach no matter what the weather. It felt so good to be together on the sandy shores and in the waves. :) A perfect day!

Love always,
Ally Jo