because sometimes parents aren't enough.

I've written about this wonderful lady a couple of times on my blog, but had to add another post about her because of all the love that she has shown to my family...especially to my nine year old. She is one who exhibits the pure love of Christ, and in many ways is a great example to me.

Maryann was Chelsea's kindergarten teacher three years ago, and till this day continues to spend quality time with her. I honestly believe that God put her in my path specifically for Chelsea. Chelsea is my youngest daughter and the one who can use a lot of attention. She's a good kid with a heart so full. She has so much room in her heart for her friends, but sometimes I feel as if she needs more in return. It's hard when both of her grandmas live across the country, and this is one kid that definitely yearns for a "grandmother role" in her life. She writes both her grandmas, but it's not the same. Maryann fits the role pretty close, and there have been many days where she saves me from taking my child out on adventures whether it's to see a ballet, lunch, or a movie. She saves me from the simplicity of just spending quality time with her as a grandmother, aunt, older sibling, and mother would. 

Don't get me wrong...Jon & I love spending time with this child, but sometimes she needs another adult besides us folk to break the monotony of always hanging around with someone that doesn't let them get away with anything. 

Maryann is as awesome as they come. She's hip, fun and loves children. She was an educator for 30 years, and from my perspective was great at it! The way that she looks at Chelsea puts a smile on my face. It's as if she longs for a grandchild of her own. I see the way they are together when they talk, or play a simple game on her iPhone. The way she'll sometimes stop by on a whim while Chelsea's doing her homework to help her with any questions she may have concerning it. After all...she was her teacher once before. The way she sounds when she leaves voice mails on my phone letting me know how excited she is to attend any school/church activity that pertains to any of my children...especially for Chelsea. The thrill in her voice when I invite her over to have dinner, or just simply spend time with us.

In the early part of January we "attempted" to go ice skating at Prospect Park in Brooklyn, but to no avail. Time was cut short when we arrived and saw that the line was about an hour long! Chelsea & Noah had open call auditions to be a kids model for American Apparel in Hoboken, and couldn't afford to be late. Maryann was more patient than I was when it came to standing out in freezing temperatures walking around prospect park to find the nearest exit. This was our first time venturing out to this park not knowing our way around. Luckily they have signs, and that Maryann was around to save me from insanity with two freezing kids in tow. 

Sometimes we need another adult in the lives of our children to show them a different kind of love that is different from the parent. I strongly believe that's why the Lord put this lovely woman in my path to help me in that department. 

I still haven't heard back as to whether or not the kids have been chosen, but even if they weren't selected as models, spending the day & ending the evening with great company whom I call family, and eating delicious pizza from Grimaldi's was the icing on the cake!

Grateful for Maryann's friendship & all that she does for my family! 

a little bit of our halloween so far this week.

With all the moving around we have done in the past 20 years of my life I have always managed to make great friends...the best. There are the ones that will be there for you when you need a favor, the ones that will immediately text you back the minute you press "send", the ones that will answer their door, invite you in unexpectedly thinking you're only going to say hi, but end up visiting for hours, and the one who was your child's kindergarten teacher three years ago who has now become a part of your family.

That's Maryann.

We love this woman so dang much. She is a gem in every aspect of the world! She seriously is like an aunt to all of my kids. Not only does she spoil them with hugs, and gifts...she is there for me when I need someone to talk to. She truly is like a sister to me, and if I had the room would have her move in with us in a heartbeat. 

She has too much fun with Chelsea. She constantly takes her out to the movie theater, shows, and eats at her favorite restaurant Friendly's afterwards. I swear I think Chelsea has seen more movies than anyone in our entire family! She'll even come over on a random evening bearing gifts for Chelsea & Noah.

Last week she bought Chelsea this cute little hat. It is the cutest thing in the world. When you squeeze the pink pompoms on each side the ears on top pop up! Made everyone laugh.

Last night we had our family home evening, & it went a little bit like this...

We had Maryann over for dinner, and Jon made us some yummy chicken caesar salad (sorry no pictures.) We then gathered around and made caramel popcorn balls, and was amazed at this awesome stainless steel top popper that we used to pop the kernels.

We make these every year, and it is always nice to have had Maryanne over to experience one of our family fall traditions. We made two batches...one for us, and one for our trunk or treat which is being held at our church tonight.

We also had someone "boo" us while we were making them. It had been two years since our last "boo" and we are always happy to pass it on!

It is so much fun having Maryann around, and I'm so grateful to have her in my life, and in the lives of our children. Living aways from immediate family is hard sometimes...especially when both grandmothers are literally across the country.

So...this is just a little bit of our pre-Halloween fun that we are having so far this week.

**Hope it is the same for you wherever you are!

Angelic friends to the rescue

The Lord has blessed us with amazing friends here in Jersey. If we have just one person in our lives that exhibit true friendship, and know the meaning of how it is to be Christlike...that's all we need. In this case we've had two, and if you don't mind I'm going to boast about them...all in the name of service. 

This woman has been a blessing in my life, and an amazing friend to the Jorgensen clan. She is Chelsea's former kindergarten teacher, and has become a surrogate aunt to her. Last night was Candy Bar Bingo at Chelsea's school, and substituted on my behalf in taking her. She wanted to take Chelsea, and see all the other kids from her former class. Ms. Griffith's tradition with Chelsea every time she takes her out is they must eat at Friendly's afterwards. Yes...that's Chelsea's favorite part. She also LOVES spending time with her.

As y'all know our car broke down two weeks ago, and one of the things I was stressing over was how the girls are going to make it to their piano, and violin lessons. Here comes Ms. Griffith to the rescue. I felt so comfortable in asking her if she would do me the favor in taking the girls to their lessons just until we got the car fixed, and she didn't hesitate for nothing. As a matter of fact I left her a long message on her voice mail explaining to her what happened to our car, and how I needed help in getting the girls to their lessons. She immediately returned my call right away. Not the next day, not two days later, right away...meaning within the hour!!!

The Lord has been extremely good to us during this trial. I truly don't feel alone at all in this 'broken down car/waiting for it to get fixed' situation.

As members of the church we tend to observe, and help others in times of need. You also know when someone truly LIVES the gospel, and understands how to serve in an unconditional manner just as Christ would. Someone who goes with the saying, "He will take his shirt off his back for anyone." Well, I know a few people in our church who exhibit that perfect example of service adding a mix of, "the pure love of Christ."

The Albrecht's...

Since my husband is the seminary teacher in our ward, we were trying to figure out how he was going to get to early morning seminary. Since he picks up two other young women he was worrying even more as far as finding a solution to this problem. My husband's main concern was teaching seminary to the kids. To be honest, most of the parents didn't seem to help us find a solution as to how they were all going to make it to seminary, or if anyone else would be willing to sub for him...or even offer to help pick him up.

We thought of finishing seminary inside our home for the remainder of the school year, but then my husband mentioned that the kids can be pretty loud, and our house isn't that big. Although our basement isn't finished, I mentioned that I could fix it up and he could teach down there. We were seriously thinking of doing that when last Sunday Brother Albrecht came up to Jon, and said to him that he can use his car to take the kids to seminary, and leave it at the house for me to use. He is willing to do this until our vehicle is fixed. What an amazing guy!

I can't begin to tell you how much that meant to me. My heart swelled up, and it brought back memories of when we lived in San Antonio, and in North Carolina. This is the third state in which we had a 'car situation' and members of the church observed our predicament which ended up in a family offering the use of their car until it got fixed! Now that's what you call service, and an amazing Christlike attribute!

There are also two other friends we have in our community who have extended a helping hand, and I thank them also. We also appreciate those in the ward who have also had a part in helping us with a ride, or even the gesture as to being "concerned". I also appreciate those who instead of asking us, "Is the car fixed"?, or "When are you going to fix your car"? ask us,"If y'all need anything...please let us know." 

That's the kind of question I like hearing, and the ones whom I feel truly understand the meaning of service.