hip chics.

I never thought that I would ever take pictures of me in a dressing room, or any room in front of a mirror, and then post it on the internet. Let alone blog about it.

This picture was sort of unexpected, but there is always a first time for everything. So here we are my eldest daughter and I inside an Urban Outfitters dressing room taking a picture of us adoring our newest purchase.

I actually think this pic is kind of cute except for the fact that I have no makeup on. I don't usually shop at hip stores like Urban Outfitters, or Forever 21. Besides, I personally think the clothes there are for the younger generation. Not that I'm old, because I don't feel it but there are clothes in there that I personally wouldn't wear. 

As much as I love being in my 40's there are times when I get tired of wearing yoga pants, and plain t-shirts. I really don't like dressing like your average frumpy stay at home mom, but I'll admit there are times when I do. 

This was Sierra's doing, and so she wanted to check out Urban since we haven't been there in like forever. I'm glad I obliged to go in the store with her because these sweaters caught my eye, and you know what-they actually have some really nice 'modest' clothing in there right now. Sweaters are always modest, but seriously...we fell in love with them. 

We love color, and being of spanish decent it kind of looks very ethnic, don't you think?

Shopping with Sierra is always a treat because it reminds me of the time when I did a lot of shopping with her when she was little. She was an only child until she was five, and always bought her every thing under the sun. If there were five blouses in every color I'd buy all of them for her. If there were five headbands with different colored bows I'd buy them all. Believe me, with two incomes and one kid you can buy them pretty much anything they wanted. I pretty much spoiled her. 

I also remember color coordinating our outfits everytime we went out. There were times when I'd also buy matching outfits for her and her sister Lexie when she was born. It was so cute. Now we mostly do thrift, and consignment shopping than retail. Every now and then I will treat them to a brand new outfit, or accessory and pay full retail price.

This also brought back memories of my mother when we would go shopping. I noticed that she would shop more for us than herself. I know that my mother sacrificed a lot for me, and my sister to get us the things that we needed, and I am now doing the same for our kids. 

Having three girls, and a three year old son whose had a love for clothes since he was about one can get pretty expensive, but if you know how and where to shop, have a good eye, and wait for sales to come up at the right time you can find some pretty good deals. 

I am lucky that they have also developed a love for thrift, and consignment because in those stores you can find treasure after treasure in which no one will have. 

But on this night it was Sierra's turn, and because she is such an outstanding person, and is doing well in her senior year with all that she does at home for me she deserves it. 

Venturing out doing wish shopping whether it's at a nice boutique, a thrift store, mall, or 5th avenue in Manhattan is worth the fun. 

You never know what what your going to leave with. In my case...it was a place where I thought only teens and people ten years younger than me shopped, and I left with a really, really nice sweater.

reading, & a vine addiction.

Currently we are playing catch up on a lot of reading around here. Whether it's reading back issues from the Ensign, New Era, & The friend magazines to just good books. 

I wrote a while back that I have been reading Les Miserables, and oh my goodness...that book is so good, and so detailed as to how the priest came to be so giving. It truly has a spiritual aspect to it. It'll probably take me even longer to finish it since I have found this mysterious book to read.

It's times like this when I have a book that is as thick as the bible to read where I wish I was like Dr. Spencer Reid in Criminal minds. He reads like what...20,000 words a minute. Wow! If I  had that talent I could finish Les Miserables in a day!

With these two in the house most of the time, I really want them to read more than watch movies. I've been spoiling Noah in watching too much disney because of the temperatures being so cold. 

I found this book called Goodnight ipad, and we absolutely love it. It truly is meant for the young, young, generations, and I find that the more I read it to the kids the better they understand when I say, "we need to say goodnight to all electronics for the night, and read more books." 

Noah loves it!

He'll scoff at some of the pictures in the book, but he sure does love it. I totally recommend it for toddlers. Especially those who already know how to use an iphone, and computer! 

He sure had fun showing off his books to grandpa when they were here recently. He wanted him to read to him, and grandpa obliged. It was so nice to see them spending quality time reading together.

After too much reading has been done, and we are burned out on too much technology (don't think that'll ever happen according to Noah) I'll let him go off on his phone to play with his cars & trains while Chelsea will play the piano. She really does love to play, and she is just like her sisters...I NEVER have to tell her to practice.

Or we will also have fun making six second videos using the #Vine app which I am so addicted too! Yes...I know that's media, and I am guilty of spending too much time on that app. But it is the coolest, and I have so much fun using it! It's only available on the iPhone so if you have one get the vine app, and come follow me at a harmonious combination! 

You won't regret it!

surviving the flu.

The feeling of worry, stress, and calmness were a mixture of my feelings this past week. Alexandra missed a whole week of school due to the flu, and I honestly don't know where she picked it up from. It seems like the flu is out there floating like a rage, and it scares me to death. It has me buying tons of orange juice, and overstocking my shelves with all kinds of remedies. I don't think I've ever washed my hands so much in my life! 

The kids have always been pretty healthy, and hardly have ever experienced any major sickness The very first time I experienced having a sick kid was when Sierra developed pneumonia in her freshman year, and missed a whole week of school. Thank goodness she recovered from that pretty quickly. 

Now poor Alexandra has fallen ill, and is trying so hard to recover. She is feeling a little bit better. Noah attempts to play with her, but I have to remind him not to get too close to her. He still manages to kiss her on the forehead in hopes that she feels better. I think it helps. 

Then there is Chelsea...

I got a phone call from the school nurse on Friday letting me know she had a fever of 101, and that I needed to pick her up from school. **This is one of the blessings of being a stay at home mom. 

She rested all day, her fever went away, she went to bed early, and felt better in the morning. 

There was a Faith in God activity at the church yesterday that she wanted to go to so I let her go. Guess what happened when she came home? 

Her fever came back, and I gave her some motrin for her fever to go down. She had no energy, and rested all day yesterday. Even though she seems a little better today I kept her home from church.

I can tell the girls are not used to missing church, but I don't want them to reinfect themselves or someone else until they are completely well. They know its for their own good, and hope that they will get back to normalcy this week. I'm sure the Lord will forgive for that!

Me...I'm a bit tired and can catch up on some sleep, but that hardly ever happens. Sometimes I wonder how we mothers do it. The whole mom, nurse, teacher, therapist thing. We sure do have a lot of roles that we play when it comes to being a mother. 

But I love it, and I learn so much from it as I continue to grow as a mother. 

Having sick kids brings back so many memories of how my mother tended to me when I would get sick. I remember her worrying, but what I mostly remember is the time she took to make me feel better. No matter how many times I'd throw up on the only teddy bear that I had "Cuddles" she wouldn't get mad. She would wash him by hand and give him back to me only to throw up on him again!. I don't even think she freaked out like I do nowadays when any of my kids have thrown up. I also remember her having lots of energy, and just being strong.

Little by little I am realizing that no matter how healthy we think our kids are they get sick. My solution to surviving the flu, or any kind of illness is to get through it with priesthood blessings, lots of rest, medicine, tons of fluids, and a lot of TLC.

...and then this too shall pass. 

because it's friday on the first of february.

A while back while waiting in the car for Jon to come out of the house because he forgot his phone Chelsea opened up a book, and began reading aloud to Noah. She loves to read, and you can see the happiness, patience, and love expressed to her brother depicted in this video.

Noah also loves books with pictures of animals in it. I think the sounds he was making made the story more fun for her to read!

Chelsea & Noah have their moments when one is not satisfied with the other. More than I'd like. 

I love these moments where these two are getting along without any screaming, or Noah pulling her hair because Chelsea is leaning on to his seat teasing him because she is not sitting in a carseat. 

She is the only one that will get bored when we go for long drives in the car. I always tell her to bring a book, or etch a sketch to keep her busy until we reach our destination, but sometimes her little mind forgets. Luckily I keep some books in the car, a couple of hide and seek bags for emergencies, and on this day she was so sweet as to have read him this story. 

It's times like these when you see the sibling love, & then accepting the fact that it's a part of life when siblings don't get along.

I remember my sister and I getting along quite well while we were young kids, but once we hit our teens all hell would break loose. Well, sometimes. 

Now that we are older we are the best of friends. We'll call up one another when advice is needed. We'll talk about the latest fashion. Sometimes she'll compliment me on my style, and vice versa. She is my only sister, and no matter the distance that separates us I do my best to keep in touch with her via facebook, calling, snail mail, and her favorite...texting.  

All we can do as parents is continue to tell them to be kind to one another, and simply love one another. I also remind them to stop behaving in a way they wouldn't want to be treated because in the end, when they are older they are ALL going to need each other. 

They will be calling each other for get-togethers, girl/boy problems, and advice. There will be tears on the other end of the phone when one is not having a good day, month, or year! 

I know it because my sister and I have been through plenty of those. Still do.

Loving your siblings is important, and I want my three girls to be there for Noah when he has some little girl break his heart (maybe he'll be the heartbreaker), or needs any sisterly advice. 

Same goes for the girls.

But seriously...aren't they just the cutest in the video? 

I love them both so much!

I love all our kids so much! 

potty training advice anyone?

Noah is three years old, my first boy, and to tell you the truth I haven't been in the mood to fight with him on teaching him to use the potty. Sometimes I wonder if there is a reason why I had three girls first. To teach me patience for when it was time to have and potty train Noah.

God knows what he was doing and I'm glad that I had the girls first! No stress was involved, and they were so easy to potty train. They also learned at a very young age!

You would think that Noah would be so interested since there is like five of us that he knows sit on a toilet to use the bathroom, but to no avail.

He has begun to say "I need to go potty", but when he says that it means that he already went in his diaper, and that he needs to be changed.

Maybe I'm being lazy, but I truly need some words of wisdom here. Especially for you mothers who have boys.

I did buy him the cutest Osh Kosh underwear for Christmas, and even though they have trains and cars on them, he would rather hold them in his hand guard them with his life (as if the trains and cars were real) than wear them. 

Maybe I need to be a little more firm, but I don't want to be mean like that. 

I really don't want to push the issue. 

I'm glad that Noah is a petite boy, and that he isn't wearing ginormous diapers! I'm getting to the point where I am getting tired of changing him though.

Hopefully by the time spring arrives, and the weather being warmer he can run around butt naked. It doesn't matter to me if he has accidents. 

Luckily hardwood floors can be easily cleaned! 

Funny how I want him to be potty trained already, but I don't  want him to grow up too fast.

Any advice would be helpful! 

Thanks.  

the complete saga.

picture via google

One of my favorite gifts when I was about nine was receiving a jigsaw puzzle. I honestly can't remember if it was a birthday or a Christmas gift. All I know is that it was one of the greatest gifts I received, and the coolest puzzle I ever owned.  

Before completely unwrapping it I peeked in a bit and noticed something brown, and furry on the box. I had a feeling what it was. I tore into, and there it was. A Han Solo and Chewbacca jigsaw puzzle. I can't even begin to tell you how many times my sister and I would redo that puzzle over, and over, and over again! 

To this day I have no idea what became of that puzzle, (mother probably through it away because it was wearing out), but it is a memory that will be etched in my mind as a young child forever! 

I remember always wanting to be Princess Leia so the handsome Luke Skywalker can rescue me. My sister was in love with Han Solo, and we also thought chewbacca was so cute! 

When Sierra was about six, we introduced it to her. We all went to the theatre to see Phantom Menace Episode 1, and she was in awe with the storyline, and how it all came into play. She then watched the rest of the episodes from the very beginning.

Star Wars has once again become a phenomena in the Jorgensen household. Blame it on my husband, and yes even me.  

I think my husband is estatic now that he has Noah to watch these movies with. He felt that it was time for Noah to get on board and watch the complete saga. It has been fun to watch both of them glued to the screen, and Noah enjoys every minute of it. 

From the battleships, to the garbage scene, and hearing Chewy making that arggggh sound. I think his favorite part were the battle scenes. Noah has a love for airplanes since watching the fighter jet scenes. 

Oh, and another favorite part are the laser scenes. Oh boy! 

He also loves R2D2 and C3PO. Odd names, but they are the coolest!

Alexandra, and Chelsea have been heavily into Harry Potter for the past three years, and were not into the Star Wars phase.

They are now. 

Blame it on their little brother. 

As for myself, now that I am older and a bit wiser I have understood the meaning behind the saga. Watching these movies has taught me things in an eternal perspective about life, and how we should live as a person. I think that is why I would always watch those movies over and over again while I was a teen. 

That powerful force that tells us if we just believe, have faith and do what is right, we can achieve anything beyond our imagination!

grandma gave me this shirt

may the force be with you. 

bloggies second birthday

Today marks the second year of blogging.

Two years!

Two!

When 2013 began I told myself I wouldn't be blogging as much, but after only blogging two posts in one week I literally felt the urge to write some more. I was obviously going through withdrawal thinking of all the things that happened throughout those days of skipping. I then regret it, and say to myself, "Is it worth blogging about something that happened last weekend, two weeks ago, 20 years ago, or 30 years ago?"

I say yes because you never know what thoughts are going through your brain that'll go straight to your typing fingers. I realized that there isn't something I can't leave out that has transpired on any given day (or year).

There are some days when I think to myself, "this isn't a blog worthy post or picture", but then I look at the moments of when it happened and then I look at all my children and see that they are growing up way too fast. I know then that I need to document, scrapbook, and write every part of their life in pen, and then some on my blog.

I love this little blog, and even though I don't get as many comments that's okay. Maybe someone should give me a 'shout out' so more people can read my blog. For those of you who peek in please don't be shy, and comment. I really love writing, and hope that I can uplift someone just as some blogs out there uplift me, and help me become more inspired.

See, there are days where I need a little pick me up that will make me laugh or give me a good cry. I know that as a member of the lds church I can easily pick up the scriptures and read, but seriously-I need to interact with my cyber friends too, and this is the place where I can do it.

Sometimes when I'm blogging Noah will be climbing on my chair looking at the pictures on various blogs, and he'll say 'baby', 'cars', and 'yummy' (food blogs). He'll even say, "that's me Noah" because I'm obviously blogging about him.

If my grammar isn't perfect, or I'm not contracting words, or having my editor proofread my post because she's in school all day... I'm going to blog & post anyway (sorry Sierra!)

I hope that y'all will continue to enjoy this blog because I will continue to write in hopes that you will be inspired, and give you the desire to keep visiting.

If you're into design, and a lot of crafts this isn't that kind of blog, but I do share a lot of links of crafty stuff because I roll like that! 

Please don't give up on my little blog. I know that there are so many blogs out there, and if you happen to stumble upon a harmonious combination please don't pass it up.

Read it...you may be surprised as to what you'll be reading!

**You can read my first post here, and why I began this blog here.

all south & my in-laws.

It was so nice to have had my in laws come for a visit, and to be here for Chelsea's baptism. I always appreciate the time they take to fly from Utah to visit us, and I am so lucky to have them in my life! 

I never thought that I would cry so much when they left this time around. We've moved around so much in the past I figured that I'd adjusted in being away from them for so long, and I have. It's just that this visit was so special, and I think the tears came from the fact that they got to attend two very unique & special events for two of our children, and that made me so emotional.

I have to admit that I miss them already, but we will see them again in June for Sierra's graduation!

This was Sierra's first and final year to participate with the All South Jersey Choir.

For the past month and a half Sierra has been singing in soprano under her breath, and all 
around the house working out her diaphragm. I didn't mind it at all because her voice is very pretty. The only thing I would mind at times is when I'd call out her name out, and she wouldn't hear me. 

She was constantly deep in singing her heart out. 

Loudly. 

She memorized eight songs in which she performed with seniors from various high schools. Everyone sang so beautifully, and the junior high chorus did great too. It was fun to see all the different colored robes from the audience. 

photo via Mallory Wynne

We are so pleased with all of her accomplishments, and in all the hard work that she does in doing the things that she loves. She has so much potential in being a great singer, accompanist, and even a teacher!

Who knows...maybe she'll sing with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir in the future.

A mother can dream you know. 

I wish she could sing every weekend with the choir, but this was an opportunity of a lifetime that only lasted over the weekend. 

Singing and playing the piano is her passion, and I know that she is going to achieve so much in her future, and apply it in her life. 

How lucky we are to have music in the home, and all around us! 

a little bit of a snow day.

So we got a little bit of snow this weekend. Not a lot, but enough to make the kids want to go outside to drag their sleds onto the snow. Once they saw the gravel and grass they would hit a different spot near the lot next to our house. 

 No snowball throwing this time. Not enough snow (frown face.)

Noah definitely loves the snow! He actually tolerated the cold temperatures, and lasted longer than ten minutes!

It was a bit of a wimpy snowstorm, but at least we got some moisture. As long as the kids had fun that's all that mattered to me. 

Watching this just shows how much fun these two had in 20 degree weather. 

I had some fun too!

They're favorite part after playing hard on a cold winters day...hot chocolate! 

snow, mr. highland, & tgif.

Can you tell that we are excited that we finally got some snow around here. It may only be a few inches, but it's better than nothing. 

It has been bitter cold so hopefully having some snow on the ground will make it less cold. January is almost over, and before we know it February, Valentine's day, and warmer weather will be here so I'm going to take this in as much as I can. 

This month is going by way to quick. There were so many events that happened that made me happy such as Chelsea's baptism. 

I am also stocking this house up with lots of orange juice so that none of us get sick! Noah has been drinking it like water (that and a little bit of coke.) Shhh!

Sierra is like a revolving door right now going from one place to the next. 

This weekend she'll be singing with the All South Jersey Choir, and last night she participated in the Mr. Highland contest, and was part of three acts. 

For Mr. January she played the keyboard, she was the accompanist for Mr. May in which he sang this song so beautifully, she was also a backup dancer for Mr. August in which they all showed off their dance moves (check out my favorite part at 4:21), and was Mr. July's escort in which he did an amazing juggling act and doing Noah's favorite-backflips. 

I obviously recorded more than I took photos because I was too enthralled with the show, and for those of you who need some pick up lines on how to win a girls heart this Valentines day watch this. Some of them are cute, corny, & funny!

You can also read about Sierra being an escort in previous Mr. Highland contests here and here. 

Oh...I also think this years Mr. Highland of 2013 (Mr. May) is very handsome not to mention super talented. 

My in laws should be making their way back from Connecticut sometime tomorrow just in time to see Sierra perform this weekend. It has been so fun having them, and I know the kids enjoyed having fun with grandpa. 

I think we need to invest in a fooseball table. They were all rolling rolls of duck tape on the table, and having a blast! Kids imaginations are very interesting! 

Now that the night is almost over (no date night tonight) I'm going to say goodnight to the girls, and cuddle on the couch with Noah because he is a night owl like me, and his dad. 

Hopefully we'll get more snow throughout the night so that we can wake up to go sledding! 

crossing our fingers! 

25 degrees

What do you do when your little one can only tolerate ten minutes of being outside in 25 degree weather?

Luckily for Noah he has a mind of his own, and can entertain himself for a long period of time playing with his planes, trains, cars, and dancing to the beat of the song from Dinosaur train on PBS...until he gets hungry.