An Evening With The Horne's In NC.

I'd be amiss on my blog if I didn't mention our visit with the Horne family while visiting North Carolina. We have known them the entire time of living in South Jersey. The friendship Darlene and I slowly developed after writing her numerous cards to meet her was so worth the wait. I love this family, and we are so grateful for their friendship, and to have them in our lives. 

This family has sure come along way with all they endured when their only son Seth became diagnosed with Crohn's disease, and throughout their years of tears, and frustration was strength, and endurance. 

Especially Seth. He was the true trooper! 

And today, he is a healthy, and handsome, looking young man.

He became Noah's best friend on this day especially after giving him all of his transformers!! It was like Christmas for Noah, and he will always remember Seth for his generosity. I think these two long for a brother, and it warmed my heart to have seen them together. 

I love the family bond that they have for each other. You can see the adoration their twin daughters have for their father, and the appreciation their kids have for them. I love how well they all keep it together as a family. No matter what they have gone through, and how much they miss their friends back in jersey I can see how much they love living in North Carolina. 

There were even times on our visit where I became a tad bit jealous. As much as I love living in the east there are moments where I miss everything that comes with the south. The southern hospitality, the food (love those CookOut burgers), and the hugs. And the Horne's were the perfect example of all those things. The south has truly rubbed off on them even more!

Love that Darlene is big on hugs now because when I first met her she was a bit of a non-hugger (at least she was with me!) A beautiful soul she is in every aspect. The dinner she made on our last day was exquisite, and to have celebrated the twins birthday on Father's day out of all days was so fun! Lexie was especially happy to have seen them again. 

Visiting with the Horne's before going back to Jersey was indeed the perfect ending of our North Carolina trip, and we will definitely be back for more visits. 

Making Memories with The Pena's.

While we were in North Carolina last week we were so fortunate to have been able to have visited James Pena who served as an LDS missionary here in Jersey nearly seven years ago! He has since married, and has a beautiful family! After two years of being Facebook friends with his wife Rose, we became good friends, (see, social media has its perks of positivity in developing friendships), and the fact that I was finally going to meet her and her daughter in person, along with seeing Elder Pena (James, can't help but to still think of him as an elder) was so exciting! 

And we are so glad we did!

After sending them a message to let them know that we'd be in North Carolina while Lexie was on a pioneer trek, they offered us a place to stay in their home. I took them up on their offer, and throughout those days, and nights of staying with them we were able to get reacquainted, and reminisce with James about his mission here in Jersey. We also had late night adult conversations, and that was such a treat especially when you're surrounded with kids all day long! I love this family so much, and am so pleased to see James so happy with this family. They truly are a rock in the eyes of their child who has special needs, and Rose rocks when it comes to mothering their little girl. Really impressed with how this beautiful young couple live their life, and how real it is. It's amazing to see how well we live our life in spite of the daily mundane, and the Pena's are indeed a family who strive in making all their days fun and beautiful with their sweet daughter. 

It was also pretty cool knowing that they currently attend our old church congregation, and how nice it was to have seen so many familiar faces when we went with them. Fayetteville is a military town, and I knew that there would be some families who have relocated since we moved, but the ones that retired there were a sight for sore eyes to see. Since it was vacation time for some, I only got to see a few sisters, but oh how nice it was to feel the warmth of the members in the south, and to have received lots, and lots of hugs, and to hear Rose, Rose, Rose, so nice to see you again!! 

These sisters I will never forget. I was one of their visiting teachers, and for them to remember me after only being in their ward for one year was very humbling. Friendships mean a lot to me, and to know that after being gone for nine years that these lovely ladies treasured mine warms my heart. It was so nice to have gone back to familiar territory, and to see one of my many old chapels. What a blessing it is to know that no matter where you go to visit that there is an LDS chapel nearby, but to attend one where you are familiar with the people is a huge bonus! 

// I think I captured this moment perfectly! // 

We will forever be grateful to the Pena's for their hospitality, and for their example in service, and love that they always seem to render to others. Friends like that are hard to come by, and we will never forget them.

And Lexie will indeed miss their little girl. She loves children, and even told me that i needed to have another baby. I was like, "umm, that time has passed my dear. You gotta wait until you become an auntie, or have one of your own!" 

So grateful for Rose, and to have gotten to know her better not only as James wife, but as my newest, and dearest friend! She's a couple of years older than Sierra, so she could totally be my kid! She's so lovely, and fun to be with. I swear these young girls, including my own daughterss keep me young at heart! 

So pleased to see how beautiful James life is with his family. He was an excellent missionary who wanted nothing, but to share the work of the Lord without being noticed. He was noticed as an awesome missionary by being himself, and by expressing his genuine love for the gospel, and putting people first who wanted to hear His message. He truly has been blessed with the life that he lives, and we are so proud of him. 

There are so many missionaries out there today who are serving the way James did, and so many waiting to hear that special message. If you are interested to know more just click on this link! 

It'll totally bring you happiness just as it does to my family's life, as well as James & Rose's life! 

Have a beautiful day folks! 

Fascinate-U Children's Museum.

Going back to North Carolina recently brought back so many memories especially while living  in Fayetteville. 

While Lexie was on her pioneer trek I remembered this tiny museum we frequented a lot while living here. One thing I remembered about it was how small it was, and how affordable it was to go! This cute little museum brought back sooooooo many memories. The last time we were here was nine years ago when the girls were 12, 7, and two! I totally scrapbooked their moments at this place. It is amazing how time flies, and how simple life was back then when the girls were those ages. 

The Fascinate-U Museum is a quaint, tiny, and perfect setting for kids who have a short tension span. If you follow along on my snapchat (my username is r_jorgensen if you want to follow) you would have seen how quaint it was. It certainly isn't the Please touch museum but it's a perfect fit for the military town of Fayetteville. Noah had a pretty good time, but after a while got bored. I think he was expecting it to be like the Please Touch museum all big, and huge, but he humbled himself real quick after mentioning to him that because it's a small town they don't need a whole lot. He began to enjoy himself even more, and went on to different sections and...

Pretended to milk a cow...

 a fireman...

a construction worker...

 a newsman.

and even a postal worker.

There was even a set of pipes where you can grab a flip flop and bang on it! That was too funny, and I totally remembered Chelsea doing that when she was little. 

Chelsea made the best of her time here with her bro, and even though she was the oldest child in the museum she still managed to have fun. She attempted to slide down the fire pole, and because her legs are super long landed pretty quickly. She's so tall! (I was too busy laughing so I didn't capture any shots!)

She played Dr. J. with her pa, and made sure he was in good health! 

 the kids even put on a little talent show. I think Noah's favorite word the entire time was "ta-da!"

Even I participated in some play time, and was a judge to my kids. I was letting them know how much I appreciated them getting along, and having such a fun time here at the museum! I told them to keep up the good work throughout the rest of the trip, otherwise there will be some consequences! And to my surprise they actually got along! 

 This store is not as big as the "shop rite" grocery store inside the Philly's Please touch museum, but Noah still had a blast grabbing everything from the shelves, and putting them on the counter. 

I had a bit of a flashback of Sierra while Chelsea was sitting here as a weather girl. They were both about the same age.  Ahh...the memories. 

We sure had a wonderful time going down memory lane here at this museum. You can pretty much have the kids play with everything within two hours (or less.) It truly is the cutest place you can take your kids to. I would recommend them being no older than nine though! At any rate I think every kid will leave here being pretty fascinated. 

Pioneer Trek in North Carolina.

One of the greatest services that we can render to the youth of our church is to have them experience and reenact a pioneer trek. For those of you who aren't familiar with what a pioneer trek is it is a group of people dressed in 19th century garb who travel for at least two to three days pushing and pulling handcarts. It is a popular activity among the LDS church, youth groups, and families. These reenactments have been lauded by LDS leaders of our church. M. Russell Ballard  even said, "through music, drama, and staring reenactments, we will be reminded of incredible pioneer journeys, both temporal and spiritual."

10 years ago when I lived in Utah members of our congregation would go to Wyoming to reenact a pioneer trek. I remember when the trek was over how all the adult leaders, and youth that went, although dirty, and tired had smiles on their faces upon returning. My girls were little at the time so obviously they never experienced one until we moved to North Carolina. I was extremely grateful that the ward we moved to in North Carolina did it every four years! We moved in at the right time, and luckily Sierra was able to go in 2008! 

Fast forward to eight years later. 

Since they don't do a pioneer trek here in South Jersey I decided to reach out to my old ward in good 'ol North Carolina and asked if it would be okay for Lexie to attend. They didn't hesitate for one second, and so after all the approval of her attending a church event in another state seven hours away we prepared, and packed her all up to experience one of the greatest justices of her youth that she can ever imagine. 

Lexie was extremely motivated, and although a bit nervous not knowing what to expect was a good sport in going with the flow, and blending back in her old ward that she left when she was eight! 

There were many familiar faces, and a few church members that are still living there that remembered, and  were happy to see us. It was so nice getting reacquainted with some of my sisters that I hadn't seen in person in nine years, and walking inside the church building in Pinehurst brought back so many memories. 

Preparing for trek was fun, and I can't believe how quickly it went by. For three months Lexie prepared by going on 30-50 minute walks three times a week, gave up soda, ate more bananas, and boy did we go to town watching all kinds of preparation trek videos, and inspirational movies such as Legacy, and 17 Miracles. 

What made this trek extra special for her is the fact that she walked in place of one her ancestors. Here she is writing the name of the person she will be walking for. They were in the third handcart group that left in the summer. It was pretty humbling talking about her sixth, great grandmother (Olivia Eckland from Sweden) who trekked in the middle of a hot summer with her three year old daughter, and enduring the trials and to find out at the end the she and her family survived was inspiring. 

These two wonderful people were Lexie's 'ma' and 'pa'. They had never met before, but i knew right away she'd be in good hands. They called her the mystery girl because they had no idea who she was. All they knew is that she was coming all the way from Jersey. 

And they were so happy that she did. 

At the end of the trek we chatted for a bit, and they said amazing things about her that I was so pleased with. They pretty much feel that this should complete her entire personal progress because of all the hours of service, and charity that she brought along the trek. It was so nice to hear their praises towards her, and am so, so glad that she went and had an amazing time. 

Here she is with Ellie frolicking in the meadow, and although they were having fun they were a bit nervous that they were going to get bit by chiggers, and ticks, but luckily they didn't! 

Even though there was rain for two days while on the trek, eating mush for breakfast (while sneaking in a few slim sims here and there), drinking nothing but warm water (with no ice) in 90 degree humid weather wearing layers of clothing while pushing and pulling a handcart, this experience helped Lexie appreciate all that our ancestors went through. 

I can't even imagine what they went through, and you can read a lot of their history here. To know that between the years of 1856 and 1860 there were at least 7000 emigrants who sacrificed all that they owned to go to a better place, and meet up with the rest of the saints out west in Utah. So many handcarts carrying only the necessities weighing no more than 35 pounds. And so many dying along the way.  

Although there is a lot in preparing for pioneer trek when it comes to finding a location to trek on, preparing for the food, building the wagons, getting all the leaders to prepare, I know that by hearing the experiences of two of my daughters (including my husband) who have experienced a pioneer trek has left them fulfilled with unimaginable blessings. It will benefit every individual who takes a part in it, and spiritually strengthen the youth in every LDS Church congregation all over the nation. It will build the love we have for the Savior, and help appreciate our lives, and increase our gratitude in all that we have in todays society. 

I've never experienced going on a trek, but one of these years I will. Just by listening to Lexie talking about her experiences with a smile on her face, and laughing about some of the funny moments she had in her company inspires me knowing that by going on a trek will help me to become an even better person, and to become steadfastness in Christ. 

WILMINGTON BEACH, N.C. in 2007

Oh, how i miss my girls being adolescent, but at the same time it's fun to see them all pretty grown up now, and to reflect back on these memories. I don't have too many of these photos in their scrapbooks, but it sure was fun to go down memory lane in pictures through my iPhoto from 2007 recalling all the fun things we did for the two years we lived in North Carolina. I can't recall how many times we went to the beach while living there, because the three hour drive permitted our time. All I know is that we took advantage when we would go and would stay all day soaking up the sun!! 

So why aren't I in any of these photos (insert frown emoji face here)? Oh...because Jon and I were both taking turns behind the camera. Truthfully...he took most of these. I think. 

Wilmington beach is so awesome! I thank my lucky stars for having lived in North Carolina even if it was just for two summers let alone going to the beach. It's so interesting to experience all types of beaches on different parts of the coasts, and this one by far has been a favorite. 

I wish Jon and I would have been in some of these photos instead of being behind the camera. I just love the way he captured some of these moments. He's such a good photographer. 

Cute Lexie as always smiling and never causing trouble for anyone (or her sisters.) She was always so agreeable in taking pictures of her. 

I can't believe these were taken almost nine years ago, and look how young they look! Now they are 10, 15, and 20! What!!!!! There's the one and only, unique Sierra. My goodness does her face look the same even to this day! Her features never change! 

My baby girl...she's always been sassy, and since the day she was born has always loved the water. She has always been fearless, and no matter how many times we'd tell her not to get too close to the water she'd refuse, and get even closer (she still does that!) Luckily she's always had her sisters watching over her. Can't believe this puppet is 10 and a half now!! 

I wish I could remember or have logged in some of the things that were said as we took these photos. I'm grateful for words, expressions, and for the chance that I have to put this down in writing as opposed to my kids looking at photos that are glued on fancy scrapbook paper. I want them to know that this moment was, and will always be on the top of my list. I want them to know that I'm sorry I didn't get into the pictures with them, and play with them in the water like I do now. I want them to know that I will always remember this day forever! 

And all the days to come!

***All pictures were taken with our old Nikon N4004! Sure do miss that camera.