Thanks-GIVING

I love Thanksgiving and the holidays. Makes you appreciate what you have. Many of you know that I have been trying to raise money and donations of all kinds for a much deserving first time mother-to-be. Please see if there is anything you can do for her. She is 4 months pregnant and is having a baby girl. She is really having a very hard time right now. Here is her story:

Kara married her husband Hutch Henrie less than a year ago (a little over 7 months). They were so in love and happy. Recently, the newly weds were involved in a tragic accident. I believe Kara was the driver and she swerved to miss something in the road, but was unable to keep control of the car. Her husband was thrown from the car and died shortly after. If this story isn't heartbreaking enough there is more; Kara was a couple months pregnant when she lost her husband. Not only that,but they did not have life insurance because his company didn't offer it, and she will shortly, if she hasn't already, lose the health care benefits her husband had through his work. The financial burden on top of the emotional and spiritual heartache is too much for someone to bare on her own. There has been an outpouring of love for Kara and her family, but I feel like we can do a lot more. She has to deal with so much more than I can imagine. Kara's story has really struck me to the point that I cannot lie down to go to sleep without thinking about he rand what she is going through right at that moment. I do not know Kara personally, I know her sister-in-law a bit (she is in my ward) but I have such a strong feeling that I need to help her. I wanted to do all I could anonymously, but I feel I could do a lot more by asking for YOUR help. The Henrie family has lost 3 members of their family in less than a decade: Their sister at age 21 to a car accident, their mother within the past year or so to breast cancer and now their brother to another tragic accident. I know that Heavenly Father must feel like this family is strong enough to endure the pain and struggle that they have, but I feel like we can help ease the basic needs of Kara's and help her to focus on the things she needs to in order to get through this hard time. I think about the baby that is such a gift from our Heavenly Father, but which might feel like such a burden and she must have so many mixed emotions about her situation. It was supposed to be such a happy time for her and her husband to be starting a family together, and I feel like she can find peace eventually, but with the stress and burdens she has I feel like she needs our help. I know these are tough economic times for a lot of people, but I also know the blessing of giving yourself to a deserving effort.Here is how you can help:There are 2 separate trust funds set up at Zion's Bank and America First, email me if you are interested in donating to one of these And I will send you all the information you need. I am also taking cash or check donations in her name, Kara Henrie, as well as cards, gifts,etc. If you know companies or businesses that would like to help out please let me know and I will do all I can to support them in helping Kara. Please remember her this Holiday Season and find someway to help be a part of renewing hope in this devastating situation. For more information or if you have any questions at all please email Emily at givebig33@gmail.com. I would really love to do all we can the quickest that we can, so do not delay! Thank you, and Happy Holidays!

Haircut/BIRTHDAY!

Yeah--bad picture...but I got my hair cut !

And Bryson let me cut his!

Boy did he need it!

Bay before church--was not into taking a picture

The birthday boy

us

Happy birthday, Bryson!!! We had a simple birthday get-together for Bryson; just a couple of neighbor friends and his brother and mom and dad--but it was fun. We went to dinner and had cake after. I am so glad you were born, babe! :)

I included some weekend pics, too. Other than the horrible loss that BYU had, it was a good weekend! I finally got a much needed haircut..yeah! And Bryson finally let me do his!

A wedding in Hawaii

Congrats Mom and Doug! We are so happy for you!!!

They got married on the 12th but I just got the pictures the other day! Wish I could've been there--looks beautiful!!!

Florida Trip

Cousin time!

They are about a year apart

So cute!

Grayson is so much fun! I miss him!

We saw turtles (in a little pond)...

Alligators and more--Bay loved it!

Amber and Cars--our great hosts

Readin time

Linds is Bay's new friend! So good to see ya Linds! :)

Love this pic with the waves in the background!

Chasing the seagulls--she loved it

Gray and his favorite aunt :)

Playin in the sand

Just cute!

Lil lifegaurd

running on the beach

cute beach bums!

Mr. Gray

Bay brushin the sand off her feet--not too sure of it at first.

We had a great time visiting Carson, Amber and Grayson in Florida. The first 4 or so days were so warm! It was great!!! We went to the beach and it was like 80 degrees! I could've gone swimmin! Bay loved the beach! She had a new experience every day. We saw different animals like cranes and turtles that we don't see in UT and we chased sea gulls and so had a blast! We went to Adventure Landing so she could see the alligators. She still talks about them. It was good times! I just loved being able to get to know my sweet nephew! He is so cute! Bay loved him too--a bit too much--always smothering him! I miss him already!!! Thanks Amber and Cars! Love ya!

Before trip....

Here is Bay a little bit before going to Florida...she just loves playin in the snow! So

cute!

Our house on election night

The party at our house! Here is Bay...she knew something was going on and felt the excitement!



"O-bum-bum!"

I forgot about this video and so I had to post it when I saw it--even though it is a bit late! All day she would point at my "I voted" sticker and say, "Mommy voted? Daddy voted, too?" So cute! I was proud to have her with me and be there to see us vote!

Some cool front pages...

I just had to share some of the front pages that celebrate the election of such a great man. But I also wanted to post about something a little more personal.

Ya know, I thought racism was more prominent in the south or in real rural areas--I didn't think of UT as so rural; but Bryson has had some awful experiences with people saying the worst stuff about Obama and black people in general. (most of these people are probably members of our church though some are not). I have been pretty bothered by it--to say the least. I cannot believe people are still so ignorant! It is 2008 for freakin sakes! But I will not repeat the stuff Bryson has had people say to him at school or work--but I am so proud of him for standing up for what is right and not letting people say bad jokes around him, etc. He will not like me posting this...but I don't care! It is funny how this election and politics has brought my husband and I even closer together! I am so glad that we think similarly when it comes to these topics! Anyone who knows me, knows that I am very passionate when it comes to being against racism and I honestly don't know why, but I always have been. I am proud of my husband for being so strongly opposed to it as well. But I can't think about the stupid people of the world, it is a proud time in history and it has been cause for celebration around the globe that America has finally started to tear down the walls of racism and move forward with more unity and less hate. So even though there are stupid people in this country, the majority of the people are good--I believe (and have to believe)! :) Plus, a lot of people who voted for McCain have acknowledged the significance and the joy of having our first black president...so that is great to see as well. I think people can disagree on politics and the issues but still see that America has had a great moment in history.

What a moment!

What a proud moment for America!!! I am so proud to be an American and to be living in the times that are swiftly moving toward a more perfect union. A time when people of all race and backgrounds can live their dreams! I think our country is still enormously unperfect and there is still so much hate and racism--but what a moment in history! It was such a wonderful night and though, of course I am proud that my candidate won--I am even prouder that we can all move forward with a progressive and insightful President. I think that this country has already shown how we can unite together once more! Obama won the popular vote (53%) and the outstanding electoral votes! I want to also mention the grace and dignity that McCain had in his exit speech. There is the old McCain! It was truly a great speech and I am proud because of that, too!
PUTTING POLITICS ASIDE:
Obviously, I thought Obama was the right man for the job regaurdless of his skin color--but how can we ignore the impact it will have that he is the first black President! Even if you don't agree with his politics, you have to be proud of America and how far we have come as a country! (especially in the last 50 or so years).
I can't imagine the impact that having the first black President will have; but those video clips of young black kids, male and female and their joyous and sincere responses are proof that we are moving in an exciting direction. THere was one especially that moved me and it was from a 19 yr old black guy who was voting for the first time. He said that Obama has inspired him to be a better person and that he CAN be a much greater person! There was also a young black girl who said, "I am thinking about running for President one day." Such an awesome time that we live in! I am so proud of how far our country has come to heal the wounds of the past. It no doubt had to take a long time because there was so much evil to heal--and still is some residual evil--but let's focus on the good!!! YEAH America!!!

Some Halloween videos

Warning: one of the videos is so dark...but yes that is Bay screaming...I can't remember why--prob Holden or something! ha ha. There is also one of Bay terrified of Holden! Sweet Holden tried to assure her it was ok...but she wasn't convinced!

"It's Tink!"

Bailey all ready! She has glitter in her hair and blush on--such a pretty Tink!

She never put the pumpkin down! I thought for sure we would have to carry it!

Scary of me!

Daddy and Bay

Holden (Bailey's cousin) as Swamp monster! :) Why was Bay scared? I was scared, too! Boys!

Bailey was overjoyed when she found a cat on the way back to Grandma's!

Doug and Bay

COuldn't get a pic of Bay with Holden, but managed to get this one with Caleb!

SHe loves Caleb and always asks to see him when we go to Grandma's or when we see Holden!

Bailey's first time trick-or-treating! She was so cute! Holden definitely scared her, which I knew would happen...but she tried to not let it affect her, too much and kept saying, "Holden. Hat. Funny." Either Bryson or I had to stand on the door step with her bc she was too scared to stand alone next to Holden! We only went to a few houses, but she liked it! She loved being Tinkerbell! (Why did I not do pebbles? Lots of reasons but mainly bc she loves wearing these wings, so I knew she would like to be Tinkerbell!)