Talents...

Lately, before the kids go to bed, we pile on Chloe's bed (she has the guest bed, so it is a queen size) and read a story from The Friend magazine. (I am going to have to check out this website later. I didn't know they put so many fun things on it!) It has been a good way to get the kids calmed down, plus spend a little extra time with them. I am really enjoying snuggling next to them. Zach and Chloe take turns being next to me. Anyway, tonight's story was called Smiles to Share from the June 2009 magazine. Right when I looked at the picture, I saw a little girl in a wheelchair and I immediately thought of Karleigh. But I didn't say anything to Zach until after we were done reading. We both commented afterwards how in this story we could replace Lauren's name with Karleigh and it would fit perfectly! She was exactly like this. The story is pretty short, so I will type it on here.

Smiles to Share

by: C.J. Gedmundson (based on a true story about Lauren Trenna Jenkins)

"What did you learn in Primary today, Sasha?" Mom asked as they drove home from church.

"Sister Duffy taught us about special gifts called talents," Sasha said. "She said Heavenly Father gave us all talents so we can help others. She said when we share our talents, it makes people happy."

"That's right," Mom said. "Jesus taught that we should use our talents to serve others."

Sasha sat quietly for a moment, staring out the window. "But, Mom, what about Lauren?" she asked.

"What about her?" Mom asked.

"Well, she can't talk, and she's in a wheelchair. What kinds of talents does she have that can help others?"

"What is the first thing you notice about Lauren when you see her?" Mom asked.

Sasha thought for a minute and then said, "Her smile. Lauren is always smiling."

"She's always laughing. Especially when we sing or she hears the piano. She always gets so excited. And she loves to blow kisses to people."

"How do you feel when you are with Lauren?" Mom asked.

"Happy. I always feel happy when I'm around Lauren," Sasha said.

"Me too," Mom said. "That is one of Lauren's talents. She shares love and happiness with everyone around her. That is one of the most special talents of all."

Were they really here?.....

It came and went SO quick! We anticipated this reunion for over 5 months, and it was over in a blink of an eye! I have been meaning to get this posted, but have been holding off because the it makes the missing come back in full force. But.....I am SO grateful we had the time together that we did, so I want to make sure to record it down.

Back in this post, I mentioned 2 wonderful and fabulous friends that I was so sad to move away from. I miss both of these dear friends terribly. TJ is from this area where we are living, so we knew that we would be able to see each other every so often when she came back to visit her family. That day finally came! Last week, we were privileged to have the Pini family grace our presence for a few hours!! Oh, the anticipation!!! Oh, the excitement!!!!! Oh, the shock !!!!!

Old friends reunited again!! (sorry Ryan....had to put this one in here!! love it!)

Adorable Evan....Chloe's future hubby!!
We had so much fun being together again and basking in their beauty! These guys mean so much to us! They are fabulous! While the kids played toys and outside on the swingset (look at Chloe go!), we adults chit-chatted like old times as we put together food for our bbq reuniting celebration (is there really such a thing?).

Up the street from our house is a little mini petting zoo. We decided to take a quick trip up there to let the kids feed the animals, even though it was a hot and sweaty day. (we are learning quick that most days here in AZ are hot and sweaty days!) I decided it was much better to be the photographer and Parker's buddy than to possibly get nasty, slimy animal spit all over my hands! Luckily they had little shovels for the animals to get their food from.

After we were done at the zoo, we came back home to get ready to say goodbye. Even though I protested and cried, they still had the nerve to drive away!!!

We love you, Pini family and can't wait to see you again!!! Thank you for coming to see us!! It was so much fun!