Tina Maria Veronica Pennerman Jones

This is Tia! She met Justin's parents while they were serving an LDS mission in Barbados. She joined the church and has since come to live with the Barbers while going to Dixie College. She is amazing and really one of the neatest people I have ever met. Her name is so cute, and it's even cuter to hear Kathryn say the whole thing.
Well the first time Kathryn saw her...she stared for about a minute. Then she backed away and said, "You need to get this (while pointing to her arms and face)" and quickly left the room. Thankfully Tia laughed about it and wasn't offended. Kimball hid behind me and stared at her intently. It was the first time I believe that my 3-year old and 2 -year old had seen someone with a different color skin.
The next day, Kathryn just came right out and said, "Why are you so black?" Tia wanted to make a joke like she stayed out in the sun too much, but she said that was how she was born. I tried to explain that we are all different.
Well over the course of days, Kathryn and Kimball fell in LOVE with Tia. We went to the Pizza Factory one day, and Tia rode with us. She entertained them and the giggled and sang with her. Tia bought all the kids a sucker,amd as they were walking out to the car, Kathryn was holding Tia's hand and said, "We're best friends, huh!"
I'm so glad that my child learned about diversity from Tia Maria Veronica Pennerman Jones.

Another fun memory of Tia is when she found a snake on the porch and "crushed it's head." Kimball saw the dead snake and was so intrigued. That night he had an unusually hard time falling asleep. He kept saying "Tia, Snake" "Tia, Snake." Finally Tia came in and explained it that it was dead. I don't know if he was scared, but Tia was the only one who could calm him down. Kimball became Tia's little sidekick after this experience. Kimball helped dispose of the snake the next day, and because he helped, Tia threw a party for all the kids. She played musical chairs, had races on the deck and threw the bean bags. What a good sport!

Love you Tia!