Family Fridays: Brandt!

Cammie has been giving flash backs Fridays on her blog and I decided to join in the fun. However, instead of a flashback I am going to spotlight a member of my family. If you guys think I am totally hip you should really get to know my family.



This Family Friday post goes out to Brandt. For those of you who know my bro you know that adventure and hilarity follow him everywhere! Brandt is only 2 years younger than me so we have had lots of fun times together. Some of Brandt's adventures include killing badgers and 'coons, taking random out of country road trips with his room mates, playing with Weezer, bargaining sweet deals, riding a steer at Castle Dale days, and attending Scottish festivals!

Here is a story that will illustrate Brandt. He had left a psychology presentation to the last minute. The presentation was supposed to be about a physicological problem and he didn't have a thing. Within 5 minute of class starting Brandt grabbed a bucket and a galon of milk. He explained to the class that bulimia was a very misunderstood physcological problem, where upon he guzzled a gallon of milk and then threw it up into the bucket. The teacher loved it! The class couldn't stop laughing and in true Brandt fashion he received and A!

A conversation with Brandt always begins with "hello again" a favorite family phrase or "Hi Bethany I'm just kicking about like an old duck in heat!"
He has lots of passion, a strong testimony, and some killer fashion sense. (4 sisters will do that to a man) He loves fast food, cologne and the Beckhams (David or Victoria) When Brandt was on his mission we felt a huge void in our family, and we will miss him this summer when he returns to jolly old Scotland. I am so thankful that I am blessed to have Brandt as my brother.

Brandt, the only person I ever punched in the face was for you, and I would do it again! Love you!
Brandt you truly are MY BUDDY!

Guess I hit a nerve

I know Barack Obama isn't perfect. I do not agree with everything he does or says. No president or person is perfect. We have had great leaders that have made awful mistakes, and we have had crappy leaders who have made amazing changes. No leader is going to do it all right. If John McCain were president now I would be saying the same exact thing. Within every presidency there have been good and bad. Instead of whining about potential flaws I am choosing to be positive about a few things that will benefit my life.

We all have our beliefs and opinions. Different issues influence us in diverse ways. I want all of you to know that I respect your beliefs and would never leave hurtful and malicious comments on your blogs.

Grateful

As I was watching President Obama’s address to congress I couldn’t help but think how grateful I am for a president with such vision. We all have our opinions; I know everyone doesn’t love our President. However, if you don’t watch, don’t read, and choose to sit around and bitch about our president instead of caring about our country you probably don’t want to keep reading.

The stimulus package is not perfect; I honestly don’t believe there is any piece of legislation that doesn’t have some flaw. However, I am choosing to be excited and positive about the changes that will benefit me in my life.

1. 19 billion dollars have been allocated to improve information systems with health care. This is exciting news for me because I currently work in hospital information systems. This is encouraging that health care and the technology used in health care is a priority. This also ensures a lot of job security for me in my career.

2. Tax breaks are being given to families who make less than $250, 00.00. Unlike our past president who enjoyed padding the pockets of his oil friends and giving tax breaks to only 2% of the population.

3. Education: The stimulus plan calls for a $53.6 billion state-stabilization to help states avoid further cuts and layoffs. My dad is an educator and so are many others in my family. This money will also help colleges keep tuition prices reasonable. Funding could also lead to new jobs for teachers and administrators in areas such as Head Start and other early-education programs.

I am grateful for the leadership of our country and I will continue to pray that our leaders will have the insight and direction they need. Barack Obama isn’t a perfect person or President. But I know that he loves America and that he wants to make it a better place. Let's all remember that nobody will be hating the president when they get a tax break, get their check, have manageable health care costs, or have reasonable tuition! Just a thought.

Here are what church leaders say about our president.

http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/news-releases-stories/church-leaders-attend-president-obama-s-inauguration#continued

Air Med Adventure!

Today at work as part of our professional development we took a tour of University Health Care's Air Med department. It was so awesome! We even got to go check out the helipad and helicopter.
Air Med was established in 1972 as the 8th air medical transport program in the nation. In 30+ years of existence, Air Med has grown into an outstanding air medical transport service which currently utilizes a combination of four rotor- and two fixed-wing aircraft from six locations throughout the state to transport approximately 2500 patients per year.
Here I am with some of my co-workers. From way up on the helipad there is a beautiful view of the Salt Lake Valley-can you spot the U in the background? Go UTES! I wish Tyler could have been there but he probably would have wanted to jump in and go for a ride-he loves helicopters.

Picture Tag

My friend Mary tagged me! Post the 6th picture in the 6th folder on your computer.


What is this? A dear's butt! This really was the 6th picture in the 6th folder. Why do I have a picture of a dear's butt-that my friend is a whole other story~

Rewards for a good cause!

For those of you who haven't yet donated to the MS walk, now is the time! Cammie has put together an online boutique that has some awesome items. Once you donate ANY amount you can choose a free item from the boutique. Even $5.00 makes a huge difference! Thanks!
Click on www.wildmeowzers.blogspot.com

Breakfast of Champions

As I was walking to work today a man was walking a few feet in front of me. All of the sudden he reached down, grabbed a huge handful of snow, and began chowing down! This wasn't the beautiful white fluffy stuff either. This was dirty pollution/inversion flavored snow. I started laughing so hard I though I going to make yellow snow right then and there! What would possess a full grown adult to eat dirty snow? This question has been bothering me all morning. Hunger or thirst? He was a poor college student with no money for breakfast? Dirty snow just hits the spot at 8:00 am? I just don't know, what do you guys think?

I'm hungry just looking at this picture!

Baby you can drive my car!

This weekend was great! we celebrated Valentines Day, saw Cammie, Christian and kiddos, and we also bought a new car!
Back in 2004 I was car shopping for the first time, i was a sophomore at the U and had no clue about cars. (I just went by color) Because he is the best Christian yelled at salesman, worked out pricing, and did all of the leg work in order for me to get this car. I could never have bought a car without him and Cammie as the paparazzi. My parents were also gracious enough to pay for the car, which made things a lot easier once Tyler and I got married. Do I have the best family? I think so!
From day one I have loved this car. For the past few years "prancer the lancer" has taken us on many wild adventures. On Monday when we drove the 2009 Lancer it just seemed to fit! Why change a good thing right!? We couldn't be happier!

So now for your viewing enjoyment the original prancer and now prancers baby!

Look how shiny and wonderful! April 2004

Sometimes in life you just have to have a thumbs up picture with a salesman and your first new car. Yeah I'm weird I know!

Prancer I love you!

Prancer 2009 and Tyler (the baby daddy)

I love this color! Don't we just seem to fit together?

Cute bum prancer!

Old and new lancers together

The best of both worlds! Suck it Hannah Montana

Bringing baby home!

Here's to many more adventures!

Valentines Past!

The memories, the drama, the excitement, the fury! Today I was reminiscing about past valentines days. Here are a few fond memories!

When we were young my Mom always got or made us a little treat or gift. She taught preschool so we always had a lot of festive decorations around our house. Even now she sends us a little valentine. She is the best! In elementary I loved the valentines parties and the years I was in 4th, 5th, and 6th, grades we had a dance. Want to sign my dance card? Go Castle Dale Cougars. Our teachers always made it really fun for us.

In high school My dad would have the student council sell valentines telegrams. This usually consisted of purchasing a valentine item and then having it delivered to you from a boy dressed in drag or as cupid. For some reason that never gets unfunny! I remember getting some of those valentines from my friends and that was always nice. Those years were pretty hilarious and even though Tyler is the love of my life we have had a few "memorable" valentines past. Some have involved nice gifts and roses, others have involved home made dinners and breaking of cell phones. All in all every holiday is fun to celebrate when you are with the one you love!

This year I bought Tyler a gift he will love, and while I was at it I bought myself a gift i will love. (new shox) Looks like everyone won! Valentines day is fun but I feel blessed that I get 364 other days of the year with the most amazing, charismatic, wonderful, awesome person ever! Tyler I love you! Here's to many more adventurous Valentines!

Eat Your Heart Out! Do you want some too?

I finally put my cookie baking skills to work. I announced to my co-workers, neighbors, and friends that whoever donated to the MS walk between the 29-9 would receive 5 delicious sugar cookies. Well did it pay off?

Hell's yeah it did! I raised a grand total of $305.00!!!! Just from those cookies! Thanks to all of you who participated!

Do you want in on the Deal? The first person who donates any amount to me before tomorrow will get a dozen sent to them just in time for valentines! HURRY!
Click on http://main.nationalmssociety.org/goto/gilson

What the!?

Oh my gosh! What a miracle! As of today Team Tootsie Roll has raised $975.00!!! Friends, bloggers, family, everyone, thank you so much. You have no idea how much this means to my family and I. I have been overwhelmed by gratitude this week as I have seen the donations flowing in. Our team goal was $1,000.00, which seemed impossible. We have now upped the goal to $2,000.00, which hopefully we will surpass! Thanks again for the support!

Amazing Strides!

(CBS) An estimated 400,000 Americans suffer from multiple sclerosis, but the findings of a new clinical trial shows promise in the fight to reverse symptoms of MS.

Researchers at Northwestern University conducted a trial using patients' own stem cells to treat symptoms of multiple sclerosis, reports Early Show correspondent Debbye Turner Bell, and although the study group was small -- only 21 patients participated in it -- the findings are a huge breakthrough in the fight against MS.

Edwin McClure is strong and healthy now, but just four years ago, his life was very different.

"I would get fatigued. I couldn't deal with the heat," McClure said. "I had really bad balance."

In his senior year of high school, the star football player came down with what he thought was a cold. Then his vision changed.

"It was kind of like somebody turned down a dimmer switch 30 degrees," McClure said.

It was a neurologist who diagnosed what was happening to Edwin.

"He said, 'You have the signs of multiple sclerosis,'" McClure said.

"And what did you think?" Turner Bell asked.

"I remember hearing my mom say, 'Oh no.'" McClure said. "This is a disease 40-year-old white women get and I'm like 'I'm an 18-year-old black male. Somebody didn't get the memo somewhere.'"

For the next two years, Edwin received the conventional drugs used to manage MS, but his symptoms persisted. Then in 2005, he heard about a clinical trial being conducted at Northwestern University in Chicago.

"This therapy is designed to reset your immune system," said Dr. Richard Burt.

Burt led a study that looked at a completely new way to treat MS -- stem cell transplant. The patient's own stem cells are stimulated to grow more cells, then harvested. Next, chemotherapy is used to wipe out the immune system.

"It was rough," McClure said.

The treatment lasted nearly a month. Then Edwin's previously harvested stem cells were transplanted back.

"They call it your birthday when you get re-infused," McClure said. "So that birthday was January 21, 2006."

"When did you start thinking, 'This might have worked,'" asked Turner Bell.

"When my hair started growing back," McClure said.

"Well now for the first time in battling MS, I think you can say there's a study that's shown we've turned the tide against the disease," Burt said.

And today, Edwin's symptoms of MS have completely disappeared.

"I really don't feel like I have multiple sclerosis anymore," he said.

Join today! Don't delay

Friends out there, wherever you are! I am inviting anyone who would like to join our team to sign up ASAP! This week the MS society has a goal to register 1,000 participants for the MS walk.
The walk is April 11, at the gateway in Salt Lake. We will walk a 3 mile loop and then celebrate with joyfulness!

http://main.nationalmssociety.org/goto/gilson

Here are the reasons to join Team Tootsie Roll
1. Because you love me/love my family!
2. Because excercise is good for your body
3. Because April 11 is 2 months from now and you can block out that day on your calendar.
4. Because it's good to fight for an important cause!
5. Because we might just reveal to you the reason why our team is named team tootsie roll (very classified)
6. Because Cali will be wearing this exact tootsie roll costume!
7. Because after the walk you can shop at the gateway if you want to?!
9. Because we are a rowdy bunch of people that will make sure you have fun.
10. Because you care about finding a cure for MS!

So there you have it! Join team tootsie roll today. http://main.nationalmssociety.org/goto/gilson The team password is calikins

Together we will do what we cannot do alone-we will create a world free of MS!

Today was so inspiring. I attended the MS walk team captain kick off meeting. I met some awesome people who are very passionate about finding a cure for MS. One thing that was emphasized is that every penny makes a difference. This money is helping people live a higher quality of life everyday!

It was humbling to think that years ago people were donating and researching a cure, that in turn have benefited my Mom and our whole family! I feel a huge debt of gratitude to these amazing people who believed in this cause. My siblings and I feel a special obligation to raise this money and to help others living with MS. Hopefully ours (and Your) contributions will help another person with MS!

Together we will do what we cannot do alone-we will create a world free of MS!

MS Update!

I wanted to post some information about MS as we gear up for the MS walk. Today I read something crazy. Utah has one of the highest incidence rates of MS in the country. Just in Utah there are over 30,000 people with MS! I am grateful that the money we raise will be used to help people here in Utah.
Research in MS is progressing at a remarkable rate, with more potential therapies in the pipeline than at any other time in history. The National MS Society is a driving force of MS research, supporting and stimulating world-class research into ways to prevent, better treat and cure this unpredictable disease of the brain and spinal cord. Because of research and medical advancements my Mom is doing great. When she was first diagnosed there were very few options and treatments. The medication she is taking now has been a miracle and a blessing in our lives. My Mom has been able to share all of the important events in my life. I am so glad I have an amazing Mom who is so strong! Your Donations Make a Difference!