Warning!

Don't buy these! If you do, you won't be able to stop yourself from eating them...all. Enough said, you've all been warned.

What I Know For Sure...

is friendship can weather time and distance.

A few months ago, I posted with this same title and thought it would be a good theme to reflect on from time to time. The original post talked about my new friends in Texas. Now I want to write about old friends in Utah.

Last week we went to Utah and spent a week with family and old friends, most of which, we haven't seen in over two years. I can't say that I was surprised, but spending time with friends there felt as if we had never left. This validation made me so happy. As friends, we have gone through so much together- roommates in college(Lisa), children being born and going off to school together, moving into new homes, illness and deaths of loved ones.

My good friend, Shana, organized a picnic in the park so we could all get together with our kids. Not everyone could make it, but I was happy with the ones who did. It was so much fun to see everyone who could make it.

Chantel, Shana, Me, Jena and Jessica

Me and Lisa

I am also happy to say that Jacklyn also formed the same kind of friendship with the kids of these friends. It was great to see only a few minutes of "pre-teen boy/girl awkwardness" between her and her oldest friend Spencer before they fell right back into the comfort of old friends. Spencer was born a month before Jacklyn and was actually at my baby shower two weeks before she was born. He was truly her first friend. Jacklyn also got to see Jena's daughter Audrey who became her friend in preschool. She had so much fun with these old friends!

Jacklyn's best friend in Utah, Jazzi, was also with us at the park. We also spent time with her and her family a few days before we went to the park. Jazzi's mom, Jennifer, is one on my closest friends from Utah. She and her sister taught both Reily and Jacklyn in preschool, her husband, Jeff, worked with Ron, and her dad and Ron's dad both taught at Lehi High School together many years ago. Jacky and Jazzi have kept in touch really well since we moved, but actually getting to see each other was much better.

As I mentioned above, as friends we have gone through sad times. Unfortunately, now is one of those times. Jazzi's older sister, Jaquell, was recently diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. While we were there, she went into the hospital for her second round of chemotherapy. Luckily for us, she went in a day later than planned, so we got to visit with her before she went into the hospital. It was so good to see Jaquell, hug her and tell her that I love her. She is in my thoughts and prayers and I hope everyone who reads this will add her to theirs as well. It was also great to spend hours talking with Jennifer while the girls painted their toes, watched a movie and talked with each other. I'm amazed at the strength this family has and feel blessed to call them my friends.

Jazzi, Jacky and Jaquell