Cherish These Moments

I called my mom in tears this morning after I got word of some sad news. I serve in the primary presidency in our ward and a sweet 5 year old girl has been battling neuroblastoma cancer for the 2 years that I have been here in Memphis. She wasn't in primary a lot, but when she was she brought a whole new Spirit to the room. She loved to tell stories, and she was a sweetie to everyone. I truly did love her.
Last night she lost her life to this awful disease. She has one little sister and her father was an optometrist student (he just graduated). Our Relief Society president was there in the time of the passing and posted the whole story on her blog. I'm not going to link it though just because it was a lot of detail which I feel is kind of a sacred/personal experience. After reading it though, my heart just broke.
I was in tears and Jackson asked me what was the matter. I knelt down and took him in my arms and told him that a sweet little girl was very sick and she went home to her Heavenly Father today. He just looked at me (I'm sure not knowing what I was talking about) dropped his ball that he was playing with, gave me a hug, wiped my tears from my cheek and said, "Its okay Mommy." That simple thing from my precious boy really brought peace to me in that experience. I feel for her parents, because I can't imagine the trial they have been through and the grief they will feel as they lose her on this Earth; but in the eternal realm I know she is in a better place, she isn't in pain anymore, and she is returning to Heaven as a perfect spirit.
Anyways, with all this happening it made my trials in life seem extremely trivial. I spent the rest of the day cherishing the moment I get to have with the two joys of my life. And here they are for your viewing pleasure (we got a new camera) :)

Is that smile not the sweetest thing ever?! He is the happiest boy and these pictures are proof

I LOVE seeing Jackson learn new things. He knows all his letters, most numbers 1-10, most shapes and colors. He amazes me everyday on how smart he is. Here is one story:

The other day I was cleaning out one of my cupboard and I have two round cake pans. He took them, banged them together and said, "These are cymbals." Then I realized that he has a Baby Einstein video that is called "the Orchestra" He has learned his instruments and thought that these cake pans looked like cymbals (ya know those big loud things you bang together).

Here he is playing on PBS kids. He loves all the "letter" games. (don't worry, (cause I know you were) I know his hair is a bit out of control. He got a haircut today)

And here they are at the end of the day... all squeaky clean. Bath time is a favorite for both of them. (And again, speaking of letters Jackson LOVES his bath time letters)And I just love this picture for some reason. They were smiling at Daddy :)