Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Quilt Raffle

Love and support for the Baumgarten family has come from all over the United States and even other parts of the world. Several months ago I received an email from Helen Smith, a long time family friend of Josh's parents Pete and Lyle Baumgarten in Virginia. She is by profession a longarm quilter and planned to make a quilt for baby Eliza. At the suggestion of a friend she also decided to make a quilt to be auctioned in a raffle as a fundraiser and got to work on it. I received the quilt this week and it is GORGEOUS!! I can only imagine the hours of hard work and love that went into making this one of a kind quilt. Thank you Helen for your Christlike service and love for the Baumgarten family. The design of this quilt is the perfect representation of the people who have, in their own ways, reached out to Josh and his family. Thank you all!

WHAT: Quilt Raffle

WHEN: At least through the month of July

WHERE:  TBD. The quilt will be displayed somewhere locally in Vernal. We should know for sure where that will be by July 1st or 2nd. More information to come.

DETAILS: 1 Ticket for $1.00 or 6 Tickets for $5.00

I need your help! A raffle is most successful when many people are involved in selling the tickets, spreading the word, and offering places and events for the raffle to be set up. So, if you are looking for a service project to do with your kids, your church youth group, or for yourself please join in helping.If you have resources that will help make the raffle a success please offer them! If you have any idea for upcoming events where the raffle could be set up please share! If you own a business and you have a spot the raffle information can be displayed please let us know! With such a beautiful item being raffled I know that together we can make this a success. Please contact me!

CONTACT: Kristin Baldwin, cell: 801-225-3946, text: 435-239-3881, email: kristinsbaldwin@gmail.com

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Experience the Blessing of Giving

Have you heard of UOWHO bracelets? Each little circle in the bracelet represents an act of kindness. When one act of kindness is performed, the circle can be pulled out and the bracelet can be passed on creating a chain of giving. Learn more at http://www.uowho.com/. The concept of UOWHO [as in 'You-Owe-Who?'] is simple, but holds a powerful message: make the world a better place, one Random Act of Kindness at a time!

These bracelets will be sold for $1 each during the DinaLand Triathlon at the Uintah High School track and field area. A portion of every bracelet sold will be given to the Baumgarten family. Come buy some for yourself, your family members, a youth group, girl scout troup, community club, etc and experience the blessing of giving!!

WHAT:        Get your own UOWHO bracelet!

WHEN:        Saturday, June 26th;  8:00am - 2:00pm

WHERE:      Uintah High School Track and Field area, Vernal

DETAILS:    Buy a bracelet for $1 - a portion of every bracelet sold will be given to the Baumgarten family.

CONTACT:  Lynise Mason 828-8295

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

This Weekend: DinoLand Triathlon and Life Fair

WHAT:  DinoLand Triathlon 2010; Life Fair

WHEN: Saturday, June 26th

WHERE: Reed Fleet State Park; Uintah High School

DETAILS: During the Triathlon a life fair will be held at the Uintah High School track and field area. The cost is $100 for a booth and all of this fee will be donated to the Baumgarten family. The life fair will last from 8:00am - 1:00pm. A raffle is also being organized. Anyone who would like to contribute gift certificates or items to be raffled please contact Lynise Mason.

Contact: Lynise Mason 828-8295

Charity Softball Tournament this Weekend!

WHAT: 11th Annual Men’s, Women’s & Co-Ed HIT-RUN-SCORE All-night softball tournament

WHEN: Friday June 25th, Saturday June 26th, & Sunday June 27th, 2010;  6/25 - 6/27

WHERE: Vernal, Utah Softball Fields

DETAILS: Come enjoy some softball action, drop off a donation, check out the raffle items, other goods, etc. Josh and his family are among the recipients of this annual charity tournament.

CONTACT: For more information call Jaime Feltch (435)781-6042

Thursday, June 10, 2010

A heavy dose of surreality

This is what I (Kristen Baumgarten) posted to our private blog yesterday.

Today was Josh's last day of treatment! There will be 28 days of "normal" life until he has to start another cycle of chemo. He will also have an MRI at that point to determine how effective treatment was. Until then though, I am so glad he will be able to rest more and be able to stay home. Although I just asked him what he thought he wanted to do tomorrow and he said that he thinks he will go to work!
Lately I have been feeling like this is all so surreal. It feels like the weirdest thing to realize that we are actually facing this. We are actually living this. This is something that always happens to other people, and it is always so upsetting and worrisome to hear their stories.
When my friend, Josh Graham, got sick I remember feeling the same way, thinking that it didn't seem real. It was SO hard to wrap my head around it. My heart ached for him and for his family. It just didn't seem fair, but I was amazed and inspired by his positive attitude and rock-solid faith.
Now, even though it has been a little over two months since my Josh was diagnosed, I am feeling that same feeling. I can't wrap my head around it. That surreal feeling was so strong at the Relay for Life during the survivor/fighter and caretaker walk. It was actually kind of hard and emotional. I just kept thinking: "I can't believe we are here doing this," and "How did we get here?"  "How is it that so many people just randomly get thrown into this heart-breaking, scary, and yet faith-building/testing reality?" and "How are we among all these strong families and friends?"
This is just after the walk and I was feeling a little overwhelmed by everything. It felt so good to just have Josh put his arms around me and remind me that no matter what, everything would be okay.
Benson didn't want his daddy to go without him. He walked with him all the way around the track with all the other survivors/fighters. What a cute little man. He is such a sweet little boy. 

This was the first time that we have ever participated in the Relay for Life, and even though we didn't participate in everything, I was impressed by how many people support the event and take the opportunity to honor and remember those who have experienced cancer in one way or another.
We have great friends who put a team together in honor of my Josh and in memory or Josh Graham. One of our friends that organized the team, brought luminaries for us to decorate. Because I thought what Kimball put on Josh's was so cute, I decided to take pictures of what we had done to remember them.
The first one is for Josh Graham and I just wrote just a few of the things that we remember and admire about Josh. (Toni, in case you read this, I hope you know how much we all loved your Josh and how I admire your strength. My heart still aches for you, and yet you set such a good example for me.)
The second is for my Josh and Kimball wrote a message for him on the back. The picture is of Josh throwing a ball with Kimball.

Before I put this post to rest, I have to post a picture of my baby. Eliza is one month old! Seriously? It's not fair. I hate that time goes by and they grow out of the newborn stage so quickly.
She actually has a little cold right now, and because she is still so tiny I took her in to the doctor to be sure that it was just a cold and that everything was fine. The doctor reassured me that she is fine, and we just have to wait for the virus to run its course. The fun part of the visit was that I got to have her weighed and found out that she is now 7lbs 11oz!! Way to grow Eliza! Holy smokes! That's a whole pound and two ounces since she was born a month ago.
Here she is just chillin' in the swing. See how her hair still sticks up all over everywhere? Benson says, "She meeds to fix hers hairs!" He is so cute about making sure I know when she needs me. They all love her so much. McKay is always so good to be sure he gives her a love and probably could never hold her enough and Kimball sings to her about how much he loves her and will always protect her.

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Yard Sale/Bake Sale this Friday and Saturday!!!


WHAT:  Yard Sale/Bake Sale, ALL to benefit the Baumgarten family

WHEN: Friday June 4th 10:00am - 5:00pm and Saturday June 5th, 8:00am - whenever everything's gone!

WHERE: Katie Morgan's home, Vernal 9th Ward Member
                          653 W 200 N in Vernal

WHAT YOU CAN DO: Come on June 4th/5th!! DONATE items to be sold! BAKE(or buy;) some goodies for the bake sale.

CONTACT:    Katie Morgan at (801)415-9689
                                      Email: kmorganmama@gmail.com
                                    Sha Nielson at (435)790-5192
                                      Email mnielson2@yahoo.com