The Surreal Life

2000 was a year a very important family came into my life. After recently turning 12 I was finally allowed to babysit. I baby-sat for a few families in the ward every once and awhile and loved it! I also loved my new income =) then one day while visiting at a home of a ward member's my life would be forever changed.  I remember I came into the front room of the house from playing outside and there standing awkwardly was the thickest little kid I had ever seen.  He had white blonde hair and wore cute little overalls. We both just kind of starred at each other for a few minutes till my mom and a tall blonde women holding a VERY chubby baby walked up to us. My mom introduced the women as Sis. Stock, her and her family recently moved into our ward and needed a babysitter in the near future and my mother had volunteered me for the job.  If I only knew what kind of role that family would play in my life.....

They became "my boys." James and Jacob. The Stocks asked me to come back multiple times and I eventually became their #1 babysitter (which to this day I still don't know why).  I came to love those boys as if they were mine, I got to see their super hero phases, their video game phases and watch them grow up for a short time.  Sis. Stock became my leader in Young Women's, and eventually my YW President.  Bro. Stock was our family's home teacher and my designated driver home after my baby-sitting jobs before I had my license, where the conversation was always awkward but sincerely interested =) Little by little over the years I had a special place in my heart for each of them.  But a terrible thing happened- I grew up. I moved away to collage and got married to a great guy.  I miss them so much.  Still the Stocks have found ways to show their love and support for me and my life (most recently, Sis Stock was my photographer at my wedding reception- to come in later posts).  Thank you for letting me be a part of your families life!!

    

Tragedy recently hit this little family that I love so much.  When I first found out all I could do was cry. It was all so surreal. I wanted to hug them, I wanted to be by them, to rub their backs and say everything would be alright, to bring some kind of relief or comfort to them.  But I couldn't because I am 4 states away.  So if you read this Jennifer know that you are in my prayers everyday, and I put your names in the temple when I go. I'm trying the best way I know how to give your family some peace and comfort in these trying times even though I live so far away. May Heavenly Father watch over our brave little Jacob....