UARTS Holiday Concert.

While I was sitting down inside an Episcopalian church waiting to hear my daughter sing with the UARTS choir I was contemplating and having somewhat of a flashback. Not because I was Episcopalian, but because this church I was sitting in reminded me of the catholic church I used to attend when I was a child. The smell of an old pew with red velour colored padding, and a cushion underneath my feet so that one can kneel in prayer seemed all too familiar to me. The feeling of sitting inside this nostalgic, beautiful, "elaborate in detail" building felt different, but knowing that I was sitting in a house of worship for the sole purpose of hearing my daughter sing was good enough for me...and it was gratifying. 

^^ Sierra & Liv, chorus girls ^^

This was my daughters first and final performance she will do with the university chorus. Her freshman year at UARTS didn't really give her too much opportunity to perform & "shine", and even though she won't be returning to this school next semester she is grateful for having a great piano teacher, and for learning and experiencing things she probably wouldn't have learned elsewhere. 

This evening was wonderful, and everyone sang so beautifully. Oh my gosh! Their voices! I didn't realize how great a university choir sounds compared to any choir in high school. Okay...Highland high school's Chorale was good, and I'm not just saying that because my daughter was part of it, but seriously...attend a choir concert at the University of the Arts and you'll "hear" what I'm talking about. 

University chorus singing "Gloria" from Rose Jorgensen on Vimeo.

I tried to get record as much as I could being that this was Sierra's final performance, and even though she didn't have a solo I could still hear her lovely voice. As you can see she is in the middle standing in the front row. For those of you who haven't heard her sing yet you can watch her on  my you tube channel as well as on my vimeo videos. 

I'll close this post with this video of Sierra singing "Silent Night". She sang it in her junior year of high school & being that it's the Christmas season I think it's a perfect ending to get into the holiday spirit! 

Enjoy the sounds & have a great day! 

Photos from our Snow Day, Part I.

When I looked at the forecast last week I was excited to see that we were going to have snow this past weekend. Little did I know we were going to get swamped with nine inches! The weatherman said we were only to expect an inch or so, but holy moly we got quite a bit! 

And we were longing for it for quite some time (more like years!!)

It began to snow while we were at stake conference this past Sunday, and when it was over I looked outside, and I was thrilled. Thrilled to see the big, thick snowflakes falling, and it looked so pretty. The only issue I had was the fact that the streets were not plowed or salted, but that's how they roll up here...especially when it's unexpected. Luckily both Jon and I know what to expect when driving in the snow, and to be super cautious of other drivers. We saw so many accidents on our way home, and it was quite a sad sight.  

The 15 minute drive home ended up turning into an hour due to the snow, and even though it took forever I'm grateful for arriving home in safety. Good thing I was given a ton of chocolate by one of my dear friends at church. She must have been clairvoyant in knowing that we were going to need that for the long drive home, and it was devoured within minutes!  

As soon as we got home the kids wanted to go outside, and take advantage of this glorious weather. We didn't care that it was Sunday, and so I allowed them to go outside to venture out in the snow, and take in all the glory of a snowy mother nature. 

Sierra wasn't expecting to stay overnight for stake conference, but was happy to have been here while it snowed. Living in Philly has its advantages, but when it snows she doesn't think she would been able to play in it like this! 

 ^^ a little free falling ^^ 

 ^^ and a little bit of a snowball fight ^^

And then the next day (Monday) school was cancelled (which was to be expected), and that's when Noah and Chelsea broke out the sled, and went outside to play in the snow. Snowball fights fights, and a little bit of laughter while trying to build a snowman ended up being the highlight of that day.

And they had a blast.

It has been a pretty good week thus far with the snow and all, and even though my kids love going to school they were happy to have been home to play in this white powder. Stay tuned for part two of our second snow day later on this week!

our first real tree.

In all the years I've been married I have never thought about buying a real tree. Ever! We have always bought them. The first year we were married we were so poor that my in laws gave us one of their old   artificial trees which we used for the first five years of our married life, and then we decided to buy one of our own at Garden Ridge when we moved to San Antonio. I had also purchased three trees which varied in height to represent the storybook The Three Trees and have always put those up as a tradition. We have had the same trees for years, and you know what? I'm kind of tired of them. The fact that they are artificial, and almost 14 years old is no good. They are falling apart, and so this year we bid farewell to all of them except one (we kept the smaller one for Noah.) Glad to have fond memories of our three trees from past Christmases.

While we'll still read the book about the three trees, and keep our mini artificial tree we have started a new tradition in buying a real tree! Sad that I'm starting this late in my married years while having an 18 year old, but I have always learned that it's never to late to start traditions. 

So this past weekend we went out to go tree hunting, and the kids were excited! 

I can't even begin to tell you how emotional I was while being out with my family while choosing it. I had no memories of my own ever picking out a tree with my mother because she mostly owned an artificial one. Then again there were times when we had no Christmas. Seriously...none. No cookies for Santa, no christmas stories to tell, and no gifts under the tree. The fact that I'm doing this with my kids now is my memory telling me that I was okay with hardly having any Christmases. Truly okay, because I'm making Christmas happen with my family. 

But I'm so thrilled that we got a real tree y'all! I mean super duper thrilled! I had to convince Jon into buying a real one though. I think he was a little nervous about the whole keeping it watered, fire hazard thing. I'm sure it's not that hard to maintain a live Christmas tree for a few weeks. 

^^ little red moccasins ^^

One memory I do recall my mother having a real tree was when i was in my teens (can't remember what age.) I was really impressed at how green, and alive she kept it. She probably could have planted it in our backyard clear after Christmas and into the new year if she wanted to. One great thing about my mother is she had a green thumb like no other! That woman could plant, and keep anything alive! 

I am just so happy that we finally have a real tree, and that she's up and ready to show herself off. She smells so good, and I am so pleased that I have started this tradition with the family. Why, oh why I never started this earlier is beyond me. Wish I started this tradition when we first got married instead of now while having two teenagers, but I've learned that it's never to late to start traditions. 

And on this day we did! 

My kids have now told me that once they are on their own with families that they too will also start a tradition of going tree hunting as a family. 

farewell to a great stake presidency.

 ^^ photo source William James ^^

Never before have I ever seen an entire Stake Presidency released from the church. Okay, I have seen one but I don't think it counts because I was new in the church and the stake presidency had changed three months after I joined, and I didn't really know them that well. I also don't think moving five times from state to state in the past 19 years helped us see the effort and hard work a stake presidency really does. 

For the first time in my 21 years of being a member in the church I have finally been in an area long enough to witness a stake presidency be released. I have also seen them do the work of The Lord in action. The unconditional, non judging love that they expressed, the handshakes, the hugs, the talks, lessons, and their overall spiritual being that they shared with all of the members is something that will be etched in my mind forever.   

This past Sunday President Corbitt, Sikahema, and VanDerwerken were all released from their callings in the stake presidency. They were an amazing presidency and call me bias but they were my favorite. There I said it. Okay...maybe it's because our nomadic life is at a standstill right now, and we have managed to stay put in the same spot for the past five and a half years. But man, oh man having President Corbit as a stake president especially among the youth was utter bliss. At least it was for me and my girls.

And his release was bittersweet. 

But wait...there is some great news and I'll get to that in a minute. 

When I received a text from President Sikahema this past Thursday asking me to meet with him for a few minutes and then stay for the stake council meeting for two hours (which ended up being more like three) I had a feeling I was going to get a stake calling. I had canceled going to our Christmas Enrichment gathering due to my daughters Winter concert in middle school, and when I received the text from Vai I knew it was too important to pass up. As much as I love my daughter I chose to be at this meeting instead of her concert. Luckily my husband was able to go for the both of us to see, and hear Lexie sing. 

I attended what would be President Corbitt's last stake council meeting with all the stake auxiliaries in the church as well as his presidency, and I was invited. Simply because I have been given a new calling. It's safe to say that I am now the secretary in The Young Women Stake Presidency. I am honored to be given this calling, and excited to be serving with a wonderful young women presidency as well as serving the young women in the stake. I really hope I can be a be a strength to them, and in return learn from the young women.   

Fond memories of President Corbitt go back five years...especially for Sierra. I know she has documented many moments of his craziness, goofiness, & silliness and all. I'm sure there will come a day where she will tell stories to her kids about him. It'll be interesting what kind of stories she'll tell, and how descriptive she will be in telling them. Especially when his name comes up. "One year at girls camp it was hilarious because President Corbitt was hoping he'd win the water fight but he didn't!" "Oh...and every time we had a youth dance President Corbitt would always dance with us, and man did he have some moves. He had soul, and sure knew how to dance!" You know...sweet stories like that in which the girls will treasure forever. 

And then she'll tell them about the serious ones, and how there were times when his advice, and talks would be so sincere. Setting the craziness, and goofiness aside because he was ready to listen. He was always ready to listen. That is how much he really cares about the youth, and our daughters.  

President Corbitt was the cream of the crop of how a stake president should be, and he will sorely be missed. His new calling as a mission president is perfect for him, and I know that he will be loved no matter where he serves. Those missionaries are sure going to love him! 

And now for the great news... 

It looks like both President Vai Sikahema, and President Joseph VanDerwerken will continue to stay in the stake presidency because they were both called to be in it again! President Vai Sikahema is our new stake president, and President Vanderwerken is one of his counselors! I couldn't be more thrilled, and pleased with our new chosen stake president! 

The great thing about the church and for any member are the callings that are given to us. I'm personally grateful for the various callings I've had in the church since joining, and how they have helped me grow spiritually. I'm grateful for change, and that I have a new calling. I will miss the calling as gospel doctrine teacher, and will always be grateful to have had that calling even though it was for a short period of time. 

Change is good, without it none of us would ever continue to learn or grow. 

So congratulations to our new Stake Presidency...Presidents Vai Sikahema, Joseph Vanderwerken, and Kim McNaughton which I'm sure I'll grow to know. 

They are going to be great!

a mommy daughter date: Frozen in 3D!

I have been having a bit of a guilty conscience lately with not having enough mommy/daughter dates with my youngest daughter. See...when you have three daughters it's not always easy to find one on one time with them. Sometimes I end up taking either two or all of them together on an outing. Whether it's going out to dinner, a movie, or even a trip to NYC. Actually...we all go as a family when we venture out there!

So I have made a resolution, and I've started it a few weeks early to take all of my girls on a mother/daughter date. Just us. Individually. Me and Chelsea. Me and Lexie. And me and Sierra. Oh...I can't forget my little man Noah, but our dates are spent all alone together for eight hours every day! Still...one of these days I want to take him out on a date in the evening too! I know Jon will take over in that department as he grows older, and dates with mama and papa will be overloaded with our little guy!

Last night I decided to take Chelsea to see Frozen. I didn't order tickets online, and after a long day of shopping for paper products for our church Christmas party, and other things I didn't make the time to get online to buy tickets for the show. We arrived and saw that the 2D show was sold out, and there was nothing left but 3D. Chelsea didn't want to wait for the 9pm 2D showing, and so we stood there pondering for a minute. Although I'm not too fond of 3D movies or wearing those dumb glasses I bit the bullet, and went ahead and saw it in 3D. Ah...the things we do for our kids!

We love the AMC theatre in Marlton because they have reclining leather seats, and it feels as if you are in the comforts of you own home watching a great movie on a big screen. We were so excited to have watched the show, and the glasses didn't seem to bother me as much. This movie was so cute, funny, some sad scenes, but had a magical happy ending. Don't all Disney movies do?

I'm so glad to make the time, and effort to have individual mother/daughter dates with all my girls. Again...this is something that I didn't have growing up. I mean I remember watching movies with my mom, shopping at Bealls, and eating at Big Cheese pizza in Calallen (are they still even around?), but there is something about having that one on one girl time. Talking about what they want to discuss, and listening to them. Not being short with them, and just listening to them (had to rewrite that so that I can hear myself, and really listen to them!) I know that it's so important to have those special intimate moments with them. Moments that will give us time to talk about anything in their personal life (I sometimes notice they find it easier to tell me something personal if it's between us), to bond, and for them to know that I love them so much. Giving equal time to each child is important to me, and I want this to go on even when they are married, old, and gray!

Looking at my sisters Facebook wall with written statuses of having date nights with our mother gives me hope that it will last a lifetime. Makes me miss them. So happy to see that they take the time to spend time together even though they are clear in their 40's and almost 70!! Oh dear! 70, and still in the best shape ever!

Mommy and daughter dates are truly the best thing ever. We just have to invent it ourselves. And when you go out to share those intimate moments, know that it's also all in the name of fun!

**Have a lovely weekend! 

Noah & technology on Sundays.

Remember the time when Noah had a hard time going to class? Well, after weeks of constantly telling him "you're going to class next week because when you don't go Jesus is sad, and you need to learn." I also bribed him that if he went to class he can play with my phone afterwards. I know...bad mom. Having him playing minions after church isn't the best way to keep the spirit, but c'mon...he's only four years old. But wait...statitiscs show that between the ages of three and five are the most crucial ages in which a child begins to truly understand what's right and wrong. It can be an intense stage of development in growing and learning. 

And I need to be mindful of that.

There are still times (like last Sunday) where I'll tell him that if he goes to class he can play games on my phone on the way home. I figured that it would be safe to tell him that because you know for three hours he's busy singing, and learning about Jesus that he won't remember what I said after sacrament meeting. 

Not! 

Oh no...as soon as we get in the car, and with a huge grin on his face he asked, "Can i play with your phone for just a little bit?" With that gorgeous face of his I can't resist. But...sometimes I say no, and when I do I'm so relieved that he doesn't throw a tantrum...he'll just pout. 

And then I give in anyway. Dang that technology! 

I really don't want him getting in the habit of playing games though...especially on Sundays. As a family we try to stay focused on having the spirit lingering all day long. It's not that easy though. Sometimes I even have to do laundry because I spent my Saturday hanging out with my teenage daughter who brings her laundry home which doubles it...and we have to wash on Sunday! 

But when it comes to technology the spirit is totally different. I do see a difference when we watch tv on Sunday as opposed to keeping it tech-free. There are some Sundays where we'll watch TV, but it's a church documentary, or a movie directed by a mormon.

But let me rewind a bit. 

I have gotten better at telling Noah that he can no longer play games after church, and it seems as if he's been coming around lately with wanting to go to class on his own (okay...I give him some fruit snacks in the end.) I'm not sure exactly what the problem was, but he seems to get along with his teacher, and the other kids. So hopefully he'll get over this technology bug as soon as learns to read a book, play a sport, and get him into piano lessons. 

This past Sunday he actually fell asleep right before his class started, and one of the sisters brought him to my class. Sierra, and I took turns holding him, and he slept the entire hour! I was so happy that he did! I have never had to hold any of my children during Relief Society, and I was okay with that. 

There's a first time for everything. 

On the way home he didn't ask for my phone, and I was in shock! I think he was so tired from attending a sweet sixteen party the night before. He was such in a daze staring into space the whole way home. He was probably coming down on all that sugar he inhaled, and was in need of some more. Apparently all he drank that night was orange crush, and ate a ton of chocolate (that's what happens when you stay home sick, and let your hubby take the kids to the party. Can we say spoiled!) 

I guess this is what i get for having a technology generation baby. I have to go with the flow, learn as he grows, and with a little bit of sternness...cut him some slack too. 

Let's just hope he'll continue to attend his little class so that he can be prepared to start a whole new class in the new year!  

Without any bribing or technology!  

yoga is a wonder.

So this month Chelsea has had a fixation on doing yoga. She has always loved it ever since I introduced it to her three years ago. But my lazy butt has long since stuck to it. As for Chelsea it has been on her mind since the day I introduced it to her.

Her routine is this...she comes home from school to have a snack, do her homework, practice her scales on the piano, and do a little bit of yoga. She borrows my mat, and I told her to go ahead and have it. It gives me an excuse to buy another one because I've had that one for so many years. I can see the look on her face when she grabs it out of the front closet as if she's accomplished a huge goal, or won a medal. So cute, and her face looked so confident. She looks so forward to doing it. Unfortunately there are days where she won't do it because well...Noah will bug, and get in her way.

Regardless...she finds a way to accomplish it, and fit it in her schedule. 

A few days before she started up her yoga I had read this post on how yoga/meditation is good for kids, and how it can relieve any stress, or worry from their little bodies. I know it's true because when I was a yoga freak I remember how great it felt after doing a workout! It totally makes sense as to how it would be the same for kids, and man...I have seen some progress in Chelsea's behavior since she's been doing it. 

She seems to be more patient, kind, not yelling at or taunting her little brother, not throwing small fits of rage because her homework, or school project isn't perfect! 

I mean seriously, yoga is the bomb!!

Plus...it is wonderful on your body. Totally stretches out your muscles, and your body feels reformed. I really need to get back into it, and I'm so grateful that Chelsea is doing it. 

Just look at her go.

I can assure you that we can all use some sort of stress reliever during the holidays. What better time to start a new years resolution than now. 

I am. 

Chelsea...she sure is my little motivator when it comes to exercise!

**You can check us out doing a little yoga together here, and with Lexie here.