40th annual academic awards banquet.

Sierra, 

Do you remember when I wrote this post? 

Well, as I was sitting at the awards banquet dinner last night listening to all the names that were being called out for scholarships I couldn't help but to think about the time that I was worrying about how we were going to pay for your college. Dad kept telling me not to worry, that it'll all work out. Now that the time has come for you to start college in the fall I'm not all that worried. And you know something?

Dad was right...it did work out.

After all the waiting of deciding which college your were going to attend we were very pleased with the scholarship that you received from UARTS as well as all the "extra" scholarships that you received last night. I can't begin to tell you how happy we are for you. You have worked so hard to get to where you're at, and it shows in your academics. You sure have come a long way in your education, and I guarantee you it won't stop there!

When Ms. Petite got up there to introduce the Class of 2013 she said y'all are the cream of the crop. It was her first year being your new principal and she said that your class was the only one that made her feel welcomed and loved. 

Your generation rocks girl!  

I absolutely believe it, and Sierra...you are a part of that crop! There are so many friends of yours who received various scholarships, and can I just say how excited I was when you and the valedictorian of your class Michael were awarded the same scholarship. Where have you been hiding him? I had never seen him before until that night and he's too cute. Smart too with a 4.75 GPA!! Wow!! 

Oh yeah, remember when you used to complain about writing research papers, and how I would tell you that you should love it because of your love for writing, and you said that it wasn't the same thing. In a way you were right because as much as I love to write I don't think I'll be writing any research papers unless it something that interests me, and that I'm getting paid for it!  

Well, all those semi-daily complaints of staying up late doing homework, and studying for all those tests certainly paid off. 

And...can you believe you have done all this and more with waking up every morning at 5:00am for four years to attend early morning seminary?

I can! The Lord certainly has carried your through this for the past four years of your high school career! 

You go girl! 

I am so glad that I gave you a push every now and then to work harder. We are so proud of all the accomplishments you have made, and the choices that you made for the past four years in being who are and the choices you make when it comes to friendship!

Dad and I are so excited for you, and you have so much to look forward too. You are nearing graduation and it looks like we have one more banquet left to go!

I will try not to worry anymore about finances because I have a very strong feeling that you are going to be taken care of, and with your knowledge, and beautiful personality you are going to succeed very well in this life.

We love you!

mom

prayers & gratefulness.

image via deseret news

After reading about the tornado that occurred in Moore, Oklahoma last night I woke up this morning with a prayer in my heart not realizing how bad it was until I read all the devastation that happened. 

The images were disturbing, and it kind of reminded of the Oklahoma bombing. Although that was 20 times worse I still couldn't help of all the devastion that has been happening all over the country. 

Superstorms, tsunamis, and tornadoes seem prevalent these days. Mother nature's ability to create such havoc has become so powerful today, and when you see all the devastation firsthand it is humbling, and transitions you into an entire different being. 

It helps me to continue to live each day as if it were my last, and not worry about the littlest things such as Noah throwing rocks, and going through a phase of spitting. Or stressing over the big things such as making sure Sierra is going to be "financially" set" for college. 

I have a home with running water, a husband who works hard enough to provide us with the things we are in need of, two small children who love running in the park, and two teenagers who stand tall in their beliefs who make excellent grades in school. 

How grateful I am that our home wasn't destroyed by Super storm Sandy last year, and that my family in South Texas continue to stay safe. We never know when catastrophe is going to hit, and I pray that if a time comes when another disaster such as Sandy hits in any area that I will be with my family. 
If we happen to be separated I pray that where ever my husband and children are, that they will be surrounded in the arms of safety, shelter, and love. 

I pray. I pray. 

*****

On a brighter & grateful note, I am posting this video I made for my daughter on her 18th birthday this past weekend. It's a compilation of 18 years of her life in pictures. So thankful to her for who she is, and for who she will become. 

I have posted it on other social networks, but not directly on my blog, so for those of you who haven't seen it yet, or have already seen it, and & are not sick of it yet...enjoy.

Our baby is 18! from Rose Jorgensen on Vimeo.

18 candles.

Sometimes I wonder if Sierra will ever slow down when it comes to attending activities, and spending time with her friends. I honestly don't think she'll slow down the 'spending time with friends' part because she loves them too much to not find the time to spend with them.

Saturday was her 18th birthday, and as much as I wanted to have her all to myself, and take her to the city to see a Broadway show, or out to eat at her favorite restaurant she had too many requests with 'friend time' and this year we had to share our daughter. 

So on Saturday morning we let the birthday girl sleep in until about 10am while Jon made her favorite breakfast...french toast, and we all ate breakfast together. 

We did manage to squeeze in a bit of shopping time (thanks to gift cards) during the day for a couple of hours before she had to run off to her choir retreat at 4pm. We didn't make her a birthday dinner or do her cake that evening, because I let her spend it with these girlie's.

picture by emily c.

What can I say...I'm a cool mom who has allowed her to do more things this year than I ever did her first three years of high school. I blame it on Jersey, and the fact that I have realized that I can't coddle her forever. One thing for sure is that I'll always be a parent first.

She did however come home exhausted from having way too much fun with her girlie's, and because we had these meat loaf cupcakes for dinner she wanted to eat one along with some leftover homemade mashed potatoes. See...that's what happens when you go out with your friends. You miss out on a good dinner at home! 

*****

Sunday morning began with attending an amazing session of stake conference, and I am glad that it was only for two hours because we wanted to have enough time to celebrate a be-lated birthday dinner for her, and do her cake before she headed out to church again at 6pm for a fireside. 

Time flies when you're having fun, and realized it was a quarter to six. We were like, "crap we need to sing 'happy birthday' to her, and hustle up so that Sierra can get to church." That's what happens when you have three girls at the dinner table, and all they do is yap, yap, yap. Gotta love those family dinners. 

We joyfully, (and me with my odd sounding singing voice) sang "happy birthday" to her, and she managed to blow out all of her 18 candles in hopes that whatever she wished for will come true. 

Sierra came home from the fireside filled with elation. I can tell that this girl really listens at a fireside because she always comes home giving me a thorough, detailed description of how it went, who was there, who spoke, and what it was based on. 

She also had the privilege of listening to President Vai Sikahema give a talk. She especially got stoked when he referred to Sierra in his talk. What a guy! 

It sure was a great weekend celebrating Sierra's 18th birthday, and even though we didn't go to this city to celebrate her birthday, or spend the day in New York as we would in the previous years, what's more important is surrounding herself on her special day with goodness, and genuine love. 

I honestly believe that she received all of that, and more on her 18th birthday. 

to Sierra on your 18th birthday.

This is it. Your 18 years of age, and although your considered an adult, I personally don't think you've reached adulthood until your 21. You still have to let us know where you are at all times, and at all places. That is until your on your own. 

In three and a half weeks you'll be graduating with honors, and attending one of the best performing arts school in Philadelphia majoring in a field that surrounds your entire being with happiness. 

And because you will be living on campus you have my permission to call me everyday. Okay, I know you may not call everyday, but know that you can call anytime day or night! 

I know that you will be safe while living on campus. The choices you make determine your future both temporally & spiritually and I always pray that they will be the right ones. 

Continue to strive to continue to live high standards. Something that you were taught since you were a toddler. I trust that you will be mindful of your time, and that you will continue to attend church every week so that you can be strengthened and nourished with Christ's love. 

Always remember that special place that will take you away from the stresses of the world, and to make an effort to find the time to attend. Continue to build up that testimony by sharing your beliefs and in being a great example. 

Express yourself with kindness, love, and compassion for those who are less fortunate, but always be aware of any negativity that comes your way. 

Always remember to listen to that still small voice. Especially when it nudges at you, and whispers to you, "it's not right."

Surround yourself with great friends no matter what color they are as long as they uplift your life. 

Study, study, study, but have fun too. The right kind (smile.)

You will be living in a city that is filled with so much art, culture, and history. Take advantage of your free time, and explore your surroundings. 

I can't believe that 18 years of your life has passed through, and I know that it's time to let go of the reigns. Although I feel as if I'm ready to let you go, I know that I'll cry like a baby once we leave your dorm room. Knowing the faith that I carry with a daughter like you reassures me that life goes on, and I  can carry on. 

And with a prayer your father and I will walk away with our heads up high as parents saying to each other, "We did good with this one. Oh yes, pretty darn good."

Happy 18th birthday to you my dear Sierra! May it be the beginning of a year filled with tremendous amount of blessings for a fabulous year! 

XO-Mom & dad (not really, but you know him...he's not much of a writer.) All that will change though once your gone. Maybe.

Keep smiling!

five years with the kids from Lewis.

We have lived a pretty nomadic life since Sierra was five years old. After getting married we moved to San Antonio, Texas two times in four years, lived in Salt Lake City for 10, North Carolina for two, and in all those years we learned a lot. It has taught us how life is different everywhere, and to live each day to the fullest. 

With every move I always thought that the grass would be greener, but that is not always the case. I realized for the past five years of living in New Jersey that no matter where we live the grass "can" be greener, its up to us to keep it watered. And that is something that I have taught to our girls.

Moving to New Jersey during the summer five years ago wasn't too scary for us as parents because we've done it so many times, and although the girls seemed excited to move yet again... I knew deep down Sierra was a little nervous. 

We moved here in her eighth grade year, and I know that had to be a little tough. Having left her friends in Utah to move to North Carolina, and leaving her friends from NC to make new ones in New Jersey is not easy for everyone. Luckily Sierra has a heart of gold, a bubbly personality, and a mom like me to encourage her that everything is going to be alright, and for the most part it has been. 

I mean who wouldn't want to be friends with someone who has a smile so bright, and seems to laugh at everything! 

few kids from her 8th grade class, circa-2009

Still, I wondered how starting over in a new school, trying to figure out who's who in the eighth grade class at Lewis would benefit as to who she is. And who would accept her for who she is. I always told her to just be yourself, be friendly, and always smile no matter what. 

After learning that most of these kids grew up together, and attended the same elementary school that it could be a little tough for a "newbie" to just jump in and be a part of "the clan". 

Ms. Czbas drama class, circa-2009

Luckily for Sierra she met four lovely young girls who helped her tour the school at orientation during the summer, and after seeing the friendliness they all showed assured me that Sierra was going to be alright. 

Regardless of these kids growing up together or not. 

Although Sierra has had her ups and downs (more ups) throughout the past five years, in the end they have all mended broken hearts, uplifted each other in their own way, and are all graduating from high school next month! 

I can't believe it. I look back at these pictures, and still see her as my little 14 year old as if it was yesterday.

She had so much fun at her final and only year at Lewis middle school, and is so happy to have "grown up" with these kids for the past five years.

I mean...look at them in this photo jumping for joy, and just being happy! It's like they're shooting for the stars! 

I know that she had a good year at Lewis, and that the four years of high school with these kids has been a pretty good blast! 

**all photos taken by the talented Ms. Cathy Czbas

her wishes.

Enjoying a walk on the sand in Wilmington beach, NC before moving to the Jersey shore-circa, 2008

I cannot believe today is already Wednesday, and that my baby will be 18 in four days! Since I have Sierra's blog bookmarked as one of my favorites I decided to read some of her old posts. 

It's been a year since she's updated her blog, but her excuses are acceptable. I would like for her to keep her blog updated once she gets settled in for college so that we can see what she's up to. Hopefully she'll have more time to write, and won't be as "busy" or "stressed". Ok...I know, she'll be both from time to time, but c'mon...she is a great writer, and I love how she puts her words together. I'll beg her to write a post every now and then if i have to! 

As I was scrolling down through her posts there was one in particular that caught my attention, and I couldn't help but to stop and think on every single "wish" that she jotted down. Makes me wish I had that same thought process when I was her age. Maybe I wouldn't have gotten into fights, cut class, smoked, drank, and did stupid things just so I could "fit in".

And maybe I would have been more motivated in making the choice to be happy, to smile often, to have been more mindful of the good friends instead of hanging with those that weighed me down, and to have been more familiar with the divine. 

I loved her post so much that I decided to just write it all down to the last word and period instead of linking it. So here it is:

I wish life was full of happiness, rainbows, and sparkles.
I wish school was easy, fun, and exciting.
I wish friends got along.

All day.

24/7

Without any bickering.

I wish the sky was always baby blue, filled with fluffy clouds, and 
I wish there was no Global warming.
I wish winter weren't so cold.
I wish summers weren't so hot.
I wish dreams could come true; but only the ones that are optimistic and waaaaay unrealistic.
I wish teenagers respected themselves more, and didn't feel the need to want attention in negative ways.
I wish everyone on earth knew they are children of God; a knowledge that is most powerful today.
I wish there was no such thing as "curse words".
I wish alcohol, drug use, and smoking were permanently banned from society.
I wish everyone were giving, selfless, and caring towards mankind.
I wish I had a panda bear as a real pet, and maybe even a teeny monkey with bright, orange fur.
I wish I could eat ice cream all day, everyday.
I wish teachers were nice, and not crabby all the freaking time.
I wish violence, discrimination, and hatred towards others didn't exist.
I wish guys from my school actually cared enough to treat women with the respect they deserve; with chivalrous acts of kindness, and always being a gentleman.
I wish the food at school was more appetizing, and actually good for you.
I wish projects, chem tests, history quizzes, math benchmarks, and timed essays were 
n-o-l-o-n-g-e-r.
I wish I owned a hot air balloon.
I wish I could go to the canyons in Utah whenever I wanted to...Because I miss that.
I wish I didn't stress out so easily, especially when dealing with the future college applications, SAT's and ACT's, and the stupid HSPA...And maybe just school overall.

I wish a lot of things....

But that doesn't mean they're going to come true.

But I can still dream, right?"

As I was reading all the wishes she had documented on her post it got me thinking about all the things that she would come to my aid for whether it was stressing out over a test, having drama issues with friends whom she thought would never hurt her, building and finding her own testimony about the gospel of Jesus Christ, knowing for a surety that she truly is a daughter of God, deciding which college she should attend, and that forgiveness is something that should be taught...not neglected.

I have to say that she has been able to handle all of the above without literally burning herself out to the ground, and without being judgmental towards mankind. Sure there were a few tears, but nothing that she couldn't handle. 

Going on some pretty good dates this past year made her realize that chivalry is not dead, that there are nice boys out there who still have respect for girls, and that taking all those tests in school are for good reason. She is grateful for homemade lunches, and for having family living in Utah so that she can escape to some "real mountains" from time to time. She loves all of her friends whether she has known them since kindergarten or seven years...even the ones who have hurt her. The four seasons help her realize that winters don't last long, and neither does the summer (at least here in Jersey.) 

And most of all she is grateful to wake up to a brand new day because thats another chance to start over. 

The dreamy wishes such as eating ice cream everyday, and having her own hot air balloon can come true. It's up to her to see the beauty in the world everyday, and she does a pretty good job doing it too. 

Her wishes are her own, and we all have ours too. I'm so glad I read this because it inspired me to wish more, and to believe that they can come true. I've seen her handle some of those wishes pretty well whether they come true or not, and she is on the right track as to who she will be when she "grows up".

One wish that can will definitely come true for her is eating ice cream everyday in her dorm when she leaves for college (she won't have her little sister eating it all up!)

Happy Wednesday! 

limited editions.

Pictures taken at the Forever 21 photo booth in Franklin Mills Mall, PA

I know I mentioned in a status on Facebook yesterday that this week is going to be all about Sierra, and it still is except that I am going to talk about the glorious mothers day weekend we all had as a family.

Especially with my daughters.

I love these girls. They truly do their very best in making me feel special not only on mothers day, but everyday. Ever since they learned what it means to love, serve, and fellowship has been a blessing in my eyes as a mother.

In Sierra's last year of spending Mother's Day with me (hopefully not) she and her sisters made breakfast in bed for me. They went all out in making me pancakes, scrambled eggs, and toast. Oh...Noah made the toast from what they said. This will be a nice ongoing tradition as Alexandra & Chelsea mentioned to me that they had fun doing this. They have never done this before, and I'm so happy that they did. 

It's a good thing we have church at 11:30am so I could take in all the love, and not rush eating, or getting dressed, and getting my little boy ready. I do pick out his clothes, but sometimes the girls or Jon will help him get dressed.

Church service never ceases to amazes me. We had two great speakers (no youth which was surprising), but nonetheless the wonderful talks they both gave were about their mothers, and it made me think of my own.

At the end of sacrament meeting the elders quorum handed every single sister (with or without children) a lovely rose.

I never realized how being a mom was going to feel like until I became one 17 years ago!! 

No matter how hard life may get as my children grow up with all the sacrifices we make for them, the laundry that piles up, the dirty dishes in the sink (i don't care for our dishwasher), the cheerios, goldfish, and fruit snacks that linger in between the cracks of the couch, and underneath the armoire on the floor, listening, and I mean really listening to my girls anytime they have something to talk about, the carpooling, and going to the park on a daily basis with Noah...being a mom is totally worth it.

And having Sierra as the oldest portraying a good example to her younger siblings is no disappoint. She is top notch, and is there for me when I need someone to talk to as well as helping me with Noah, and when Chelsea is being naughty. 

Sometimes I wish I had a medal for every good deed that my kids do. But then again...they don't need accolades of the world for me to show them that they are awesome!

After all..they are each a limited edition in their own right.

Just like their father.

I hope all of you had a beautiful weekend. Whether you have children or not you are still a mother. May you keep trucking along in all the things that you do with those kids, and that your heart is always full of hope, faith, and love. God bless you, and keep smiling! 

XO