The Road Home

On December 23, 2009, we did something that was big for our family. We celebrated Aaron's life by putting together a donation and taking it to the homeless shelter The Road Home.

I started with a flier and word of mouth. From there, everyone's little bit turned into a lot. I had people donate to us that have never met me, but heard our story. I just wanted to thank everyone who donated items. We all helped to do a really good thing and help so many people.

Just over a month ago, I received an email. It was one that I wasn't expecting at all. It was from one of our friends that we grew up with. In fact, it was a girl that Aaron dated. She asked if her sister and their families could not only donate, but come with us when we took the donation. Of course we wanted them to be apart of this special occasion. So, we have been emailing over the last month and getting all the details in place.

We met before heading up to Salt Lake and shed a few tears. It's been about 15 years since I had seen Dani and Nicki. I can't even explain the rush of emotion I felt seeing them. It was like having a piece of Aaron there. Both of them, to me, represented the time when Aaron was happy, healthy, and around us. It was very comforting to have them there. (Thanks girls and your sweet families for coming and doing this with us.)

Then we arrived at the shelter. We went during the day that they were doing a big radio-thon. A bunch of radio stations were there raising money for the shelter. We dropped off our donation (so much, that we were directed to the loading dock to unload 23 bags of clothing, coats, hats, gloves, blankets, baby needs, toiletries and some food). Since all the radio stations were there, the shelter opened it's doors for a reception, pictures with Santa, hot chocolate, and goodies. When we went in, I located one of the radio stations I listened to. We took our picture of Aaron, so at least they could put a name to a face. We gave them some monetary donations that we had collected as well, and we told the DJ a little bit about Aaron. (Of course I am totally sobbing, being over taken with the emotion of the moment!) He asked me if I wanted to come on air and tell Aaron's story. I asked him for a few minutes to compose myself and I agreed. So, we went over, took some pictures with Santa, and did a little bit of catching up with Dani, Nicki and their families. (On a side note...and I was really touched by this. We got a lot of snow a few days before we went to the shelter. Dani's boys went around to their neighbors and asked if they could shovel their walks to earn some money. They then took their money and bought more gloves, hat, and other things to take with us. I was so proud of them, and I hadn't even met them yet!) And then I did the interview. It went well. I didn't cry. I got to say what I wanted to say. The reason we were there.

We went outside and took a few pictures. Although it was a difficult thing for me to do, I am so glad that I followed it through and we were able to do as much as we did. I usually have some good ides. Sometimes I follow them through. Sometimes I don't. I had wanted to do this before, but just never got it together to do. So, a month ago, the idea was there. I wasn't sure if I'd have it in me to finish it. But, I know that Aaron was with me along the way and pushing me forward. I am so grateful for the opportunity to feel his presence so strongly over the last month. I feel that he was proud that we did this on his behalf.







I hope that this is a tradition we can carry on each year. (Maybe not as big, but being able to do something). I am grateful for friends from long ago that came to support and remember with us. I am grateful for the healing and comfort I was able to gain through this experience. I know me and my family will always remember this day.

(Thanks Dani for the pictures!)

ZOO LIGHTS - DECEMBER 2009


The kids were excited to get inside the Zoo and see the lights. B and Alex were being soldiers, just like the lighted statue!


Us standing by the train. It just started to snow.






Luke on the Lion at the merry-go-round.


B picked the penguin.


Alex picked the wolf.

This was the first year that we have done the Zoo Lights. I'm not sure why, because they were AWESOME!! We all had a lot of fun. Although it was SOOO cold and had just started snowing, we had some great family time. We will for sure be back next year!!

B's First Band Concert

B playing her Saxophone.


Aunty Deb, B, and her friend that is in the band with her.


Uncle Paul conducting the band.


B getting ready to go on stage for her first concert. (She did say she had a few butterflies in her tummy before she went on stage!)


Me and Luke waiting for the show to "get on the road"!


Nanny, Dad, Alex, and Papa came to see the concert as well.

B has been been playing the Saxophone and the piano this year. She started with school started in August. She amazes me with her musical ability. She played so well and we were all proud of her. It was exciting to see her play with the band as well. They all did a great job!

My Birthday

My birthday party this year was a surprise dinner with family and friends at Chili's! It was a lot of fun and I got a lot of really nice stuff.

The gang together for dinner.


Kev & Kids got me some workout gear and an awesome watch that monitors your heart rate and counts your calories while you're working out. It's way cool and I love all the stuff I got from everyone.


Kevin's mom and sister collaborated with my mom to get some pictures of me and Sara. They picked this one and got this frame for it. We all cried when I opened it. It was a very thoughtful gift. I very much appreciated it, as I was really missing Sara, especially on my birthday.

Lots of updating..Alex Tae Kwon Do Tournament

Tae Kwon Do Tournament 2009


Alex getting ready to being his "form"


Practicing with the mouth guard; getting ready to spar


Alex sparring. He did SO good. He placed 2nd in this category and got a Silver medal! This was his first Tae Kwon Do tournament. He was a bit nervous to participate, but with some encouragement from dad, he did it. We are so proud of him and he continues to learn and improve with each class. It was a great accomplishment for him!

It's time..

Aaron Michael Taylor June 11, 1971 - December 25, 2007

Tomorrow is the day we are making a donation to The Road Home Homeless Shelter on my brother Aaron's behalf. Thanks to everyone who has donated items, it is going to be a LARGE donation. I have been so impressed with how much people are willing to give, if the opportunity is given.

I wanted to write a few things down that I learned about Aaron, after he passed away.
1. He was selfless. If he had a little bit of money, he would go into the Subway, buy a foot-long sandwich and find one of his friends to share it with. Even though he was usually hungry enough to eat the whole thing himself, he knew that many others like him wouldn't even get half of a sandwich to eat.
2. He was a protector. We talked with one of the older ladies that worked at the Subway. She told us that if she was ever working late, he was always there at the end of her shift to sit outside with her until her ride came. So she didn't have to sit outside by herself. He watched out for her and made sure she was safe.
3. Although he was homeless, he was still my brother. I love him and I miss him very much. His death was tragic and incomprehensible. I do not understand how one human being can treat another so terribly.
4. I know that Aaron is in a much better place. I feel that he is at peace. I know he is watching over us as we give back a little bit, the same way he did.

I have pondered a lot about making this donation. I hope that we can offer a little bit of comfort to people that have nothing. We have been so very blessed. We are grateful for the opportunity to help others.

I know that Aaron is proud of me. I am honored to make this donation on his behalf. I know that he is happy because I can hear him laughing.

Service for someone else.

This is my brother Aaron. He was homeless.



On Christmas Day this year, it will be 2 years since he has passed away.

Our family is putting together a Service Project for Christmas and we would love your help.

Many homeless people don't have warm jackets, socks, or blankets to give them some sort of comfort during the winter.

I know I often wonder how we can help, even if it feels small and insignificant. Well, if we all work together, we can make a big difference.

We are collecting coats, blankets, and new packages of socks. Any size, any color, anything is appreciated. We will collect the items and then we will take the donation and make it on behalf of my brother Aaron. (If you would like to go with us when we take the donation - sometime in December - we would love to have you come!)

If you are willing to donate, you can drop it off at my house or shoot me an email (nmturner50@hotmail.com) and I will come and pick it up.

Tis' the season to lighten someone else's burden.

Thank you in advance for your help.

****If you would like to donate in the Phoenix Area, please email me and I'll get you my mom's information. We are getting such a good response after only one day, we decided to make this a family tradition. My family is collecting is Arizona and we are collecting in Utah. ****

If you would still like to donate, and you cannot get us your donation, please just take your donation to your local homeless shelter. Please remember that EVERY homeless person is loved and wanted. They are someone's child, sibling, family.

Halloween 2009

Happy Halloween 2009!



This is Luke's BumbleBee mask. Not sure if he's in there or not, but I found this picture on my camera and I thought it was way cool!


Luke-BumbleBee, Alex-Optimus, Addy- Punk Pirate, B - Mix-n-Match, Noah - Whoopie Cushion. Great friends+ Candy+ Costumes= One Fun Night!!


Our carved pumpkins. Not too spectacular, but fun nonetheless! B's is up at the top, then Alex's, then Luke's. They all sketched out what they wanted and dad helped carve them.


My kiddos. Anticipating Halloween night!


Luke got to go with Kev to the parade at the kids school. He was pretty excited to wear his costume. He's sitting with some of his friends, waiting for the fun to start!


I don't know what the title of B's costume is...so I called her the Mix-n-Match. Tattoo sleeves, Orange shirt, and striped hair. (I hope it doesn't stick!)


Optimus Alex in the parade.


So I should get "Mom of the Year" award for this. We went out trick-or-treating and were going along having a great time. I looked at Luke's feet, as we were making our way down the last street on our way home. I couldn't figure out why he was walking so weird. Then I saw his shoes. The wrong feet. Awesome! I was really on top of things that night!!


We had so much fun on Halloween day. I met some of my friends on Lehi Main St and we did some trick-or-treating along the store fronts. Apparently this is a yearly tradition. It's the first time we've gone. It was fun. Maybe we'll make it one of our traditions. Then it was home for a bit. I made Taco Soup (which was so yummy!!) and our friends, the Allen's, came over. After filling up on dinner, we got the kids costumes on and out we went. My kids are crazy. They RAN from house to house. I could barely keep up! We got to our friends house - he's a fireman, and she's a police officer. I was saying to Rob and Simone that we should have the kids say, "my back cops, my back"! (It's a line from a movie!) Next thing I know, I can hear Luke saying it up at the door. I laughed so hard. Between the shoes on the wrong feet and that, we had a few good laughs. What a great night!!

Luke Turns "4"

My baby turned "4" on October 19th. What a fun day!! We did a lot that day. I was able to take the day off. Me and Kev took Luke to lunch, then we had a small friend party at the house. We played a crazy wild game of "Duck, Duck, Goose", and "Pin the nose on the Clown". We had dinosaur cupcakes and lots of fun toys!


Blowing out his cupcake with all this friends!


He got a new Tranformer, which he LOVES!


Luke and his friends.



THEN...it was off to the Skating Rink for some wild skating, more cake, and even more presents!


Uncle Wade, Aunt Julie and cousin Violet gave Luke this Hulk. Luke danced to it all night and is still playing with it! What a great gift. It does the "Hulky Polky"!!



Uncle Rob, Aunt Simone, and the Allen kids gave Luke this BumbleBee. It was fitting..since he was going to be BumbleBee for Halloween!



This is one of my most favorite pictures! Luke had been asking for the Wolverine Claw for ages. We kept telling him he may get it for his birthday. He was SO excited to open his bag and find this little beaut in the bag. I think it made his night.

He also got a new Spider Man bike from Aunty Deb and Uncle Paul and Nanny and Papa. He rides it almost everyday and he's getting very good at riding.

Happy Birthday my sweet boy. The last 4 years have gone by more quickly than I'd like. We love you!

Lagoon

The "Wicked" Survivors. (I volunteered to stay with Luke!!)




Alex: Dad, does that go upside down?
Kev: Don't know for sure.
Alex: Ok, I'll go.
After they are strapped in...
Kev: Well, it may go upside down.
Alex: Oh crap.
He went..he loved it..he went again! Way to go Alex!


Still walking around after 9 hours!! (Barely)


Because of this little lady...it's was the reason we actually went this year! Thanks for wanting to go with our family Linds. We had a great time with you!


Kev and his girl on the Big Pirate Ship.


"Thriller" came on the radio and B had to get to moves on!


The first ride of the day...this was a new one as well. Oh, the excitement!


Before Luke knew what he was riding, he was all smiles. He cried and wanted off once it got going. Needless to say, he stuck to the kiddie rides the rest of the day!



Me and Luke had our own photo shoot while the others were riding Wicked. He makes me laugh. We had fun!



Outside the "Spider". (My favorite ride!) The spider spits water. Luke thought it was awesome!


Everyone on the "Wild Mouse". I DETEST this ride, but the kids insist on going on it. I again, volunteered to stay with Luke. Alex did get me to go on it one time with him. (No one else would go again....now I remember why I really, really dislike this ride!!)


On the airplanes.


B and Alex were riding "Puff". I am such an awesome photographer!!


Luke on the planes. They loved that the guns made noise!



The Cars. They boys LOVED this one!



Odessy. B and Alex were the only ones that wanted to ride it. They love it, we don't. You get wet. As long as they had fun!

Thanks Aunt Sharon and Bop for the tickets. We had such a fun time and made some more great memories! We loved having Lindsy come with us and B had a ride-partner for everything!

We are sooooo lucky.