North Carolina ZOO.

While in North Carolina we decided to venture out to North Carolina Zoo. We are a lover of all zoos, and because we have a boy who loves lions, and tigers, and bears we knew we just had to go take the kids. We've only been here once before, and and in all honesty can't remember all that we saw. All I remembered was how hot it was, and how ginormous this zoo was. Maybe that's why they call it the world's largest natural habitat zoo, because there literally is every animal in the book here! You have to literally enter at 9am to see everything by 5pm. One nice thing they do here is that if you arrive late in the day, and didn't get to see everything they will stamp your receipt, and give you the opportunity to come the next day and see the rest of the zoo. Nice huh?

Luckily we arrived at a decent time, and because our legs moved faster than lightening were able to see pretty much everything. They have two sections. The North America section, and the Africa section. We started off in North America because it's easier, and everything is down hill from there. It's a hilly zoo so if you plan on coming be prepared to walk up hills. Other than that it is a beautiful zoo with a lot of scenery, and so many animals to see. 

I was amazed at how wide of a space these animals had. Then again these large animals need a lot of space to move around in, and I think that's why zoo's in the city such as Philly and New York don't have too many animals becuase it's the city, and these animals need a lot of room to maneuver around in. 

 Noah wanted to see the animals closer and so we put some quarters in this large view finder, and he was so happy to see them through the looking glass. He only wished he could pet them! 

Alligators are cool, and all but after hearing about that incident in Orlando made me a bit nervous so I made sure Noah steered clear behind the plexi glass! Although it was secure the nervous mom comes out in me especially when I hear devastating zoo stories!

We continued to walk around, and take in all the sights. I tried to capture a few photos of every animal, but to no avail. I wanted to enjoy my time walking, and talking with my family as to what to see next, and just relax like all these animals were. 

Such a beautiful, but hot and humid day it was. I was so tempted to jump cross that fence, and into that fountain! 

 These lily pads are so pretty! 

 Noah really enjoyed watching the sea lions underwater. Look how relaxed he is!

These were planted all around the zoo. So beautiful! 

 Entering the Magnum desert had me feeling as if I was in Texas! I love cactus's! There were many kinds, and I had to get Noah away from it. He wanted to feel how pokey it was. Such a jersey boy! 

 Mandatory picture with my southern girl, because we are the only ones born in Texas! 

Because walking around makes you hungry! Noah saw pretzels, and immediately asked if he could have one. Sure son, they're only 4 bucks! Priceless! 

 No matter where we go if they give you a map he wants to lead, and help us find where to go next. He loves maps! 

 Papa's shoulders are a blessing when it comes to meandering in a large zoo! 

And when papa gets tired, Chelsea comes to the rescue to give him a piggy back ride. 

North Carolina is the perfect place for a zoo in a rural area, and we are so glad we made the time to come! Making new memories while reliving old ones is bittersweet, and we are so glad we were able to come out here, and explore more of this vast, extensive wide open space we call the world! 

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. 

A Be-Lated Father's Day Post.

I couldn't let the opportunity pass me by without wishing Jon a wonderful father's day on this little corner of the internet. Even though this post is a day late blame it on endless driving and arriving in the wee hours of the morning because our Father's day this year was the bomb. We were surrounded by a fantastic group of amazing friends who are like family. 

Spending the past five days in North Carolina was absolutely what we needed before moving into our new place, and we are so grateful that we were able to spend it with some pretty amazing people. 

I just wanted to reflect on all the father's all over the world, and express my gratitude to my husband. I have to admit that there are times when I am guilty of not making him feel super special, and even though he tells me that it's okay not to buy him anything, I still somehow make it up to him by surprising him with kind words with a handwritten letter mixed with a lot of thankfulness. I remind my children to always recognize their pa on this special day because without him we wouldn't be where we are today. He provides, loves, cares, and dedicates all his needs after we have met our own. He's amazing with the kids, and I am forever grateful to him for being the person that he is. He truly is a strong pillar of strength in our household. He tells me that I strengthen him, but sometimes it's the exact opposite. He strengthens me. Why, and how you may be wondering? By his example. He is kind, patient, laughs at things that shouldn't matter (which we all should), he lets go too easily of petty things (which we all should), and forgives in a heartbeat (which we all should, and actually do!) He has a number of admirable traits that I love about him, and because he's so good at keeping them helps me to better myself in those areas that need some working on! So thanks Jon for being who you are!

What a wonderful day for fathers to be celebrated, and I hope that from here on out that we will pay more attention to them not just on fathers day, but all year round. Same goes for our mothers on Mother's day. That could be something that can be hard to do because like a quote I read, "when we get older, we forget that our parents are getting older, because we are getting older ourselves." How true that is. Even though I don't have a father figure in my life I will remember those who are. Whether they're my friends, neighbors, and because I never had a good role model of a father around...I will always do my best to remember my father in law as well.

"A Father's calling is eternal, and its importance transcends. It is a calling of both time, and eternity."
~Ezra Taft Benson

Here's hoping everyone had an amazing Father's day weekend! 

Highland Memories That Lexie Will Take With Her.

Never did I think I would ever move any of our kids in the middle of their high school career, but luckily this is happening during the summer, and not while school is in session. Although Lexie will miss her friends, she doesn't refute change, and knows that it'll be good for her too.

There are many things Lexie will miss about Highland. She has attended the same school district since the third grade, and has met many friends from all over the township. She truly treasures the friendships she made, and even though there were times when things became a bit overwhelming when it came to quizzes, final exams, school projects, music competitions, early morning seminary, and let me add this in...school drama, and I'm not talking about theatre or the musical, but petty drama when it came to her peers she has always managed to let it go, and love. Love is the answer to everything that becomes hard, and I hope that every time I mention that to her that she will be reminded of  it.

Another thing she will miss, and will always remember are her teachers. She was truly blessed with an amazing group of teachers this year, and even I liked them! Mr. Bruder, Ms. Weirski, Mr. Wonderlin, Ms. Loring, and the one and only Mr. Tumminia. What an amazing group of educators who truly go out of their way to help their students learn, and succeed. She will always remember the good times, the laughs, the teasing, the talks, and all experiences that helped her along the way to be the best student there is. 

I asked her what memories she will remember from certain teachers, and classes and of course mentioned Mr. Tumminia. He would tease her and call her jr. burrito. As some of y'all know her sister Sierra was the main pianist in the jazz band, three years ago, and everyone called her burrito. I know, weird right, but hey...that's kids for you, and many teachers have inside jokes with some of their students.  

And of course there was playing the piano in the Jazz band. Although she wasn't the main pianist in the band she was grateful for the opportunity to have played in it, and will always find the time to play piano. 

Mr. Wonderlin, her history teacher, and tennis coach was one of her faves too! I think it's because they are both major history geeks, and have a love for Hamilton.

 I remember when her group made a sheet cake that consisted of marshmallows, brownie mix, twiizzlers, cheerios, and jellybeans. Everyone was impressed with it, and although they weren't the winners they still passed with flying colors. And enjoyed eating their cake too! 

Oh the memories. Truly bittersweet. As her mother I'm so glad that she was always able to talk to me about her days at school. She truly is an amazing girl, and was so strong and involved as to and make her final year at highland acceptable. She's maintained a 4.0 and hope that it'll stay that way for the next two years! 

Best of luck to you Lex at your new school!! Your going to do great!