the first ELEVEN days of March...

On Sunday, March 2nd after church we had asked Demory & Colton over for a small, more intimate dinner, then we invited G&G Paskett, Matt & Katelyn, and Todd & Rachel over for dessert. It was a nice time just visiting & enjoying one anothers company.   

During the last week or so of having Tanner around he wanted to go to eat out at some of his favorite places, do some of his favorite things, etc. So one afternoon, he took me to Firehouse Subs down by Thanksgiving Point. It was my first time there, it was really good & yummy. We just sat and visited for a while.  

Towards those last few days, you begin to WONDER- What things does he still need to LEARN before he goes out on his own...How to Iron a Shirt, How to tie a Tie, How to clean his own ears & HOW often..  :0) 

...7 DAYS...

We also went out & met G&G Paskett for lunch one afternoon at Pizza Pie Cafe. At the end of the lunch, Grandma pulled out these luggage tags and gave them to Tanner & then gave ME the key chain tag-

Dinner out Thursday night, March 6th at Market Street Grill

This is the Farewell announcement we sent out to those family members who live far away & unable to make it, and for us and a few others who aren't on fb, & I don't have their email address'. We also put it on fb & IG for those on there, as an invitation for that special occasion-

Our first tithing & Missionary fund check - March 2014

We also had a few visitors here & there during those last few days

- Preparing for the MTC -

Will we FiT it all in 2 large, 1 carry on bags, & a Missionary shoulder bag???

And his room...just ONE day before he leaves

And a TO DO List of his, the day before he left...

Brad, Dalan, Shelley & Tanner

And this picture was taken just after they left Rodizio with all the guys that are still around. 

(Carlos had gone back to school after lunch, so he wasn't in the picture)

Here's Tanner & the boys at the church playing Basketball, just after going out for Rodizio lunch on Thursday, the 6th of March. And just before going to dinner at Market Street Grill-

Tiffany Dickson fb'd me & sent this quote over to me, knowing it was going to be TOUGH to let Tanner go- but like the quote says, "A SHIP in Port is Safe BUT, that's NOT what SHIPS are built for."  LOVE this!

 Tuesday, March 11th

- ONE Day until Tanner goes into the MTC  -

On Pinterest I had seen this for Missionaries, to pre-write notes with scriptures & quotes for when times get tough, or hard with their companion, or first day in the MTC, etc. So I had put my own notes together to hopefully HELP Tanner along the way. Encouraging thoughts, scriptures & quotes that have helped me, etc.  

Dinner on Tuesday night consisted of what Tanner chose to eat...Little Caesar's Pizza & breadsticks

One of Spice's FINAL "Tanner rub downs"

A HUG from Morgan & a picture she colored all by herself

After dinner & a visit from Todd, Rachel & the kids, Scott, Michelle & Megan dropped by to see Tanner for the last time, & give him a card. However, we were just getting ready to head out the door to Tanner's setting apart when they came, so we didn't visit too long or get any pictures.

After Tanner's setting apart, Stacia & Shelley came to hang out at the house. Colton had dropped off a bag of old mission ties for Tanner & his buddies to go through.

Then the daunting task at 9 pm (or later) at night of starting to pack his bags for the MTC the next day.

And while I was in the exercise room packing Tanner's bags, he was in his room with his friends playing FIFA for one of the last times.

Paige (a good friend who just got her call to Tennessee) & Tanner

And Stacia & Tanner (not taking a break from FIFA for a picture...hahaha)

MORE packing

and CHECKING over the list

and MORE Packing!

After awhile Tanner came in to help me out with the packing, during which I said, "You really need to learn how to tie your ties!" So I showed him the cheat sheet on the back of the Mr. Mac ties & so he followed the cheat sheet & DID IT! He was SO proud of himself, he went & checked it out in the bathroom mirror & came back, in which I said, "I need a picture of this moment!" And that's where THESE pictures came from- LOVE HIM!!!! He was being such a good sport here- It was one of those moments I will remember being with him & laughing and giggling.