December 1st- World Aids Day

Today is December 1 and it is Worlds AIDS day: I remember way back when with AIDS it was really not a topic of discussion, it was often thrown under the bus as they say. It's now become more of a knowledge for us all and also more of an Awareness. I don't know how many of you have been affected by AIDS, as in with yourself, a Family member, friend etc.

I have a connection to AIDS: One of my best friends from way back to the days of grade School's Father passed away from HIV back in 1994 I believe. It's a different story and I am really not sure how to tell it so I am going to shoot from the heart.

I will never forget the times me and my friend would hang out and often do things together, her parents were divorced her Dad would come and get her and I remember the times I would go with him, we would go to Murray park, or to T's house (I am not using names out of respect). We were always with T and sometimes his kids, as a child I don't think you have the ability to make a judgement call or your just not really aware of your surroundings.. Who's to say My Mom was always with her lady friends and there kids, why was I to think anything different? It was not until time went on and to this day I do not even have a clue how it came about that I found out my best friends dad was gay. And to this day I think NOTHING different of the GREAT man. He was one of the most kind and generous and of course good looking guys and I LOVED the time I had and the time's we were with T and his Family.

I will never forget when the situation for this Dear Father turned for the worst, watching him become ill. I have the UPMOST RESPECT for my Mom: she would go over and give him haircuts, shave him and do what she could to be of any help. So you see, I sit on the fence pretty much on the edge when the whole issue of gay rights come about. All too often many forget that they as well as the disabled and throw in the mentally ill and elderly are human- we are all human.

I reflect back on my brother Trent, and you may get sick of hearing this but it's my thoughts: I look back onto Trent.. Trent knew nothing of such, he had NO idea that some of the MOST AMAZING men and women at his school who were his guidance, his teacher, his friend were lesbian or gay- he had NO idea: I reflect back when I was a child with my best friend and her Father and partner and I had no idea then either: It's HOW WE TEACH OUR CHILDREN. I know I want my kids to have the same unconditional LOVE that Trent had. I or we may not agree with the choices of other's, we do not have to do what other's do but we NEED to LOVE ONE ANOTHER.. We need to show our RESPECT to other's regardless of there choices, gender, race etc. So today I pay my respect to those who have died of AIDS- for those who are fighting for there lives with AIDS: and do not forget, AIDS is just not a sexual contact situation.. WE ARE ALL AFFECTED by it.

May we respect each other, help each other, teach each other.

Facts:

Over a million Americans are estimated to be living with HIV

33 million people are living with HIV.

Click link below to review the proclamation

-Presidential Proclamation-- World AIDS Day

Take Action

There are many ways you can take action in response to HIV/AIDS: get tested for HIV practice safer methods to prevent HIV decide not to engage in high risk behaviors talk about HIV prevention with family, friends, and colleagues provide support to people living with HIV/AIDS get involved with or host an event for World AIDS Day in your community

CNN

Former Miss Argentina dies after plastic surgery

I had to make some kind of a comment on this first of all because when I read the story it made me so SAD. This women was SO beautiful. It's dis heartening to read that she died from complications to her surgery to her buttocks. It's devastating to no end that this beautiful women has passed away leaving 2 children without there Mother. I often ask myself- do women really know what there risks truly are- or is it something you say to yourself, "it won't happen to me", I have had to have surgery's I tell you they were not a cup of tea- I did not go in there with out the thoughts of what may happen. When I had a thymectomy and had my sternum cut to get the tumor I had on my Thymus gland, it was no cup of tea.

I know plastic surgery or any elective surgery is very sensitive to so many and I respect your choices, but I often wonder if we really know the harm of what materials go into our bodies- are they safe? What are the complications? As this case continues on it will be interesting to see if there were other underlying health conditions. Should there be more screening with these surgery's to rule out other health issues? I don't know, I felt this story was SO sad and felt I needed to comment on it.

High School Friend; Justin Crowther

Justin Bevin Crowther "Grizz" After a courageous battle with colon cancer, our beloved husband, father, son and brother was taken much too soon at the age of 34, he returned to the loving arms of His Heavenly Father on Nov. 24, 2009.He was born October 26, 1975 in Salt Lake City. He graduated from Jordan High School in 1994. He served in the Indianapolis, Indiana LDS mission from 1994 to 1996. He worked at UPS, a job he loved, for 13 years. He married the love of his life Kirsten Wheelwright on September 24, 2003 in the Manti Temple. Because of his amazing spirit he was loved and respected by all who knew him. Survived by his wife Kirsten, his sons Casey and Tylor Spell; his parents Bevin and Sharon Crowther; his siblings Jared (Holley), Josh (Shalae), Jenny, Jordan and by many nieces, nephews, and countless aunts, uncles and cousins. He was preceded in death by grandparents Farrell and Rosalie Cooper and Loren and Della Crowther and Uncle Farrell Cooper. Services will be on Saturday, November 28, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at the Cobble Creek 6th Ward, 8150 South Grizzly Way, West Jordan, Utah with a viewing on Friday, from 6-8:00 p.m. at the church and on Saturday one hour prior to services. Interment Fountain Green Cemetery. Online condolences at www.jenkins-soffe.com

I was so sad to hear of the passing of my High School Friend Justin Crowther. When I heard he had been sick with colon cancer I was heart broken.. Grizz as he was called was one of the nicest people you could ever come into contact. Justin always made you feel like you were important. My heart goes out to his Family and his wife. I was not able to attend the funeral with the Holiday weekend, I am sure it was amazing. I am so sad for the fight he had to fight, Justin was such an example to us all. 

Mark Staples

Mark Whitaker Staples "Beloved Patriarch" Our dad, Mark Whitaker Staples, 81, passed away November 24, 2009 in Salt Lake City, Utah due to the complications of age.He was born September 5, 1928 in Kanosh, Utah, son of Owen Crane and Melba Whitaker Staples. He graduated from Millard High School in Fillmore, Utah. He was in the occupation army in Japan during World War II. He then served an LDS Mission in the Netherlands. He received his bachelors and masters degrees from BYU. He met and married Betty Whitehead March 4, 1954 in the Salt Lake Temple. They raised two daughters and seven sons. He taught religious education (seminary) for 35 years in the Church Educational System. He and Mother served missions together in the California San Jose Mission and in the Canada Toronto Temple. He served faithfully as Father, Bishop, and Stake Patriarch. He became ill during his stay in the Silverado Care Center where he passed. His family enjoyed him up to his passing away at 4:15 in the morning. We will miss Dad and his loving smile and shining blue eyes. He loved the Gospel of Jesus Christ. His greatest desire was to gather his family and help them feel "God's Love" for them. Survived by wife, Betty; children: Mark O. (Jana), Scott (Susan), Brent (Debbie), Jonathon (Denice), Deborah (Kevin) Tindall, Lisa (Kevin) Kirkpatrick, Benjamin (Brenda), Paul (Corin), Richard (Jennifer); 40 grandchildren; 11 great-grand-children; siblings: Renan Stevens, Rhea Middleton, Janet Evans, David, Donna Benson, Clarissa Davis, and Kathy Beynon. Preceded in death by parents, Owen and Melba; brothers: Devere, Alton and Milton. The family wishes to express special appreciation and gratitude for the compassionate care of the doctors and staff at the Silverado Care Center. Funeral services will be held on Monday, November 30, 2009, 12:00 noon at the Taylorsville Utah Central Stake Center, 4950 South 1950 West, Taylorsville, Utah. Viewings will be held Sunday, 5-8 p.m. at McDougal Funeral Home, 4330 South Redwood Road and Monday at the church, 10:30- 11:30 a.m. Interment, Valley View Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the LDS Church General Missionary Fund. 

My Great Uncle Mark- My Mom's Uncle passed away. My Grandma came from a Family with many kids: I felt it was important to have this as I will be creating my blog into a book.

5 Question Friday: Posting on Sunday

I love this blog: BETTER IN BULK

Click the link:

So, reading 5 question from this blog I am going to jump on the band wagon... Or shall I say the Bulk wagon- come on and enjoy the fun and do the same.

1. Do you do a real or fake Christmas tree?

Our Family has a fake tree... I LOVE the smell of REAL tree's but just have NO ambition to worry about a fire or it drying out, I know too  many times growing up when we were kids having to some times replace the tree that died- NOPE not doing it.. Kudo's to all you who have that ambition. I am content with my fake tree.. I love it.

2. What is your favorite Christmas tradition with your family?

We would draw names each year between us kids and spouses, this year we have opted out of it because of the way the economy has gone and with losing my brother this past July we would rather try and put money towards a headstone at the cemetery ( i still cannot type w/o tears: it's still unbelievable)

3. Do you celebrate Thanksgiving in your neck of the woods? And, if so...how many calories do you think you consumed yesterday?

This year we stayed here, if were not here at my Parent's it's in Las Vegas: we do what we can to take turns between the 2 states.. We all pitch in and get food, Shawn and I did a BIG breakfast this past week.. For Thanksgiving of course we had all the yummy food. And calorie counting, um No- not doing that.. 

4. Have you started decorating for Christmas, yet?

Um, Christmas decorating: YEP.. I have had NO ambition but my DH said it's better to get it done early: He knows how bummed out I have been, so after seeing of my Vegas Family and not able to make it to church since it was between when they left and when church was going on.. I came home and up went the tree. The TREE was ALL I was going to do but then kept going.. Went ahead with the lights and SOME ornaments.. I am trying to get into the mood.

5. What is your favorite Christmas cookie?

My Sister in Law Stephanie makes the BEST cookies, she can make a cookie with a whole lot of stuff that may sound ick taste SO good. My favorite are her Oatmeal, Choc Chip, Coconut and who know's what else is in it. Y-U-M-M-Y.. LOVE THEM..

I also LOVE oatmeal Carmalitas. I will have to post the recipe some time..

NOW it's all your turn, give it a try- what fun it is to see your 5 questions..

Sunday Sabbath

12 Things I am Thankful for:

1.-One Day at a TIME, I am grateful to have one day at a time- this year has been Terribly hard and I am so Thankful to be able to live OnE DaY AT a TiMe.

2.- Two AmAzInG Daughter's I LoVe So MuCh.

3. 2 Nieces + 1 Nephew = 3 : I lOVe that THEY are in MY LiFE, they are surely a gift- I love that my kids have cousins.. I love you Dillon, Ash and Samantha.

4.- Great Guys I have had in my LIFE: My DaD, My brother DuStiN, brother JeReMy and brother TrEnt. They have taught me so much and have been some of the Greatest influences in my life.

5.- A son named Ashton who was stillborn at 24 weeks: I FEEL SO blessed to know that one day I WILL be reunited with him. NOT ONE day goes by that I am not thinking of my little guy, it was such a hard situation to go through but as long as I know I have him and will be with him it has made it more at ease.

6.- Years living in our home. I feel blessed to have a home right now, Shawn and I look back all the time and are still SO amazed to be in this home: I was working part time and Shawn was a full time Architecture Student.

7.- Layer bean dip, yep sure do love it and am Thankful (also I could not think of another item for 7).

8.- Desperate Housewives: It's on at 8pm on Sunday nights, I know it sounds SO cRaZy to many of you but I lOvE this show.. I love the characters and the adventure it has.. Call me crazy.

9.- It will be 9 years this FeBrUaRy that Shawn and I have been married.... I am Grateful for this wonderful Man and Husband to my kids, I cannot think of another person to share this crazy Journey with. I love you Shawn.

10.- Dustin my brother and sis in law Stephanie have been married: I am blessed that I can call Steph my sister- she is the MOST amazing girl in the world.. Stephanie is such a kind and wonderful girl who has done so much to bring such love and Joy into our lives.

11.- Is another hard number, I am going to say that I have spent more then 11 years with my brother Trent: though he has fought through SO many surgeries and the fact of being disabled we have been blessed: We MiSS YOU Trent.

12.- More months until I have to do this again.. I am Thankful for My Mom and so blessed she is a part of our LIVES...

As this first Thanksgiving has come and gone, it has not come and gone without missing Trent. It's been hard and it's no lie. I miss him, we all miss him: We were blessed to be able to have Dustin and Stephanie and the kids here from Vegas, I am SO glad they were able to come down here in safety, SO sad to see them go. I am blessed in so many ways though I feel this year has been TERRIBLE. There are so much more that has gone on this year that are personal. I am blessed to have the gospel and have many neighbors and those Friends WHO ARE MY friends, to have wonderful Visiting Teachers. May we all try and focus on what were Thankful for; I know it's been hard for me through these hard times.. I am trying to MOVE forward.

HaPPy ThanksGiViNg..