{ANTICIPATION}

the act of looking forward ; especially : pleasurable expectation

Made Up Mountain Man?

Today I found out that BANNET lives in the mountains. And he likes to hike.

I still don't know where GIRL BANNET lives. But you can bet that I'll post it here when I find out!!!

Down On The Farm

Tate's preschool went to Superstition Farms for a field trip. He had a great time with his cute friends!

{Photos by Jenn Mallett and Susan Stidham---Thanks!!!}

What? Where???

Today Tate was talking to Bannin.

None of us can see Bannin.

He's going to draw us a picture of Bannin.

I'll post it when he finishes...

{later...}

OK--this is BANNET (not Bannin as referred to above)

And this is GIRL BANNET (who knew there were two!!!)

"She has glasses."

The Fruits Of My Labors

{ I just snickered to myself about the stupid title of this post...I'm so lame!!!}

We planted two citrus trees a year or two ago...I forget how long it's been. But, this year we had some fruit on them. The orange tree did o.k., but the grapefruit tree did AWESOME!!! I could hardly wait to cut into one of them. Well, my waiting paid off because I got to enjoy this:
Then, on Wednesday, I went to Sprouts and got some blackberries because they were 68 CENTS a pint. Today I made some yummy blackberry freezer jam. I can't wait to try it on a warm roll or piece of toast.

Time Flies...

...when I spend 4 days with a good friend. {Tate took this picture at The Cheesecake Factory...He's 4...enough said.}
My dear friend, Amy, came on Tuesday to spend a few days. We had a lot of fun catching up, going to lunch, and just chillin'. When she got here on Tuesday we went to Gecko Grill for lunch. I took her there last January, and it quickly became one of her favorite places to go in AZ. That night we took the kids to Kevin's softball game. On Wednesday we went with my some of my ward's Relief Society friends to have lunch at Paradise Bakery. After that we went to run a few errands and then headed home to be there when the kids got home from school. That night we went to the 10 p.m. showing of Twilight...it was the latest either one of us had been out in ages!!! On Thursday morning our mutual friend, Julie Morgan, came over and we just talked and talked for a few hours. Luckily, my good friend, Jenn took Tate (and Brendan) to their pre-school field trip to Superstition Farms so I was able to have a few hours with just the girls. Thanks, Jenn!!
We met Kevin at SweetTomatoes for lunch and then went and ran a few more errands. Friday morning we got up and went to the mall for a while, then to The Cheesecake Factory for lunch. I was sad to have to take her to the airport that afternoon, but was so happy to be able to spend the time with her here. Thanks Curt and kids for sparing your mom for a few days to come down and see me!! And, thanks Amy for your friendship and love...you're the best!! I love ya!

In The Blink Of An Eye

I was feeling a little anxious last Friday night because a helicopter was doing wide circles over the area I live in. I mentioned to Kevin that something bad must have happened and that it must be waiting to land to transport people to the hospital. I went on with my evening without thinking much more about it.
On Sunday morning I received an email that two young boys had been in a horrific accident and had been killed. The accident also included the boys' parents, and was caused by two drunk teenagers who plowed through a stop sign, and hit the car containing this family. You can read more about the accident HERE. With some further reading we found out that one of the boys that was killed was Tanner's team mate on the Desert Ridge 10/11 year old All Star Team last summer. I haven't slept very well for the past two nights thinking about how this little family will never be the same. My heart aches for them. CJ was such a cutie...the smallest boy on the all star team with the BIGGEST smile. His hat was huge on his head, but he still wore it proudly. His darling little brother, Nolan, was there every day cheering his brother on. Kevin and I would complain, with CJ's parents, about poor calls from the umps, and then re-hash the game together once it was over. It's amazing how quickly everything can change. It's amazing how very "mortal" I've felt over the past couple of days. That may sound silly, but it's just the way I've felt...like a reminder that I'm not the one in control of my time here on earth. Sure, every decision I make will affect that, but God is ultimately in control of my timeline here...as He is with everyone.

As I was talking about CJ's death with Tanner last night we got to talk about how thankful we are, as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, that our families can be eternal, and that death is just a temporary separation from those we love. I can't imagine how it would be to believe that death is the end. I'm so thankful for the knowledge I have of the plan of salvation, and of my Savior. And, even though the death of loved ones is extremely painful, I have this to comfort me and help me move on. The Smith family will be in my prayers. CJ will certainly be missed as we get ready to begin a new Little League season.