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Monday, December 27, 2010

Josh's letter to Santa

I know I should have posted this before I posted the Christmas posts, but oh well.... This is a letter that Josh wrote to Santa at school:

Dear Santa, All I want for Christmas is my family. Even if they are mean or rude, they are still my family. Sincerly, Josh


What a sweet sweet boy. I love my boys!!!!!

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Dallin's Gift

This morning when we were opening Christmas gifts, Dallin brought Tim and I wrapped gift and said it was for both of us. The gift was a homemade book titled "The best parents ever" which he wrote himself.... here is his story

"The best Parents ever"
Once there were two kids and they had trials like getting bullied and beat badly but they got used to it and then 8 years later they were adults and they dated, there names were Tim and Gina. They had 5 kids 1 was Aaron 2 was Brandon 3 was Josh 4 was Dallin 5 was Kyler. Gina worked at Wendy's then lifeguard then teacher and Tim works at a jail facility. We barely see him, he's gone a lot and he misses his kids but on the weekends we get to see him because he doesn't work on weekends. We like that because he gets to spend Christmas with us. He liked being able to be with us all on Christmas.

It is four days til Christmas and we can't wait. It's so exciting. The two parents are busy doing christmas giving, donating, buying presents for all of the family which is a lot of presents. I'm making this present for my mom and dad because they don't have a lot of presents so I want to make them happy.

Merry Christmas mom and dad!!! you truly are the best parents ever!!!! From Dallin, Josh, Kyler, Aaron, Brandon

We love you!!!! The very special end!!! Merry Christmas!!!


I did not tell him any of this story, nor give him any words. This was all on his own and completely from his precious giant heart. If anything this title should be is "The very best son a parent could ask for" I am so very grateful for this sweetest gift of Christmas and for Dallin's sweet spirit. He knows our Father in Heaven and he knows the true meaning of Christmas. I love you Dallin!!!!

Merry Christmas 2010



What a marvelous blessing! We had an angel bring gifts last night. Tim went out to walk Chloe and found a large black bag at the door. This bag had a huge gold bow on it and a card that read: "Just thinking of all the things that make you such a special family...What a perfect way to add a smile to the holidays!" It was signed from SANTA!!!! What a wonderful blessing to feel so loved. May the Lord bless whomever it was that made this Christmas extra special for the Hallam boys :)

Merry Christmas to all our family and friends whom we hold so dear to our hearts. May you all be blessed with countless blessings.

Monday, November 15, 2010

Brandon update

Brandon is doing better. He's eating very well and keeping all of his food down. Yesterday, both of his blood tests came back with good numbers... still low but good. He didn't need a transfusion last night or today. This morning Brandon's numbers were still about the same, so the doctor now is waiting for tomorrow morning's results.

The lab also drew blood for a test for a few diseases that the Drs are looking into for Brandon as a result of his ITP in the past and his current hemolytic anemia. In all this time being spent here at the hospital, I've been able to look up information and have found some very helpful links.

I am still learning about both conditions and how they are related and what to do for them.

It is a great thing though that Brandon is doing much much better. Here is a link for anyone interested in reading a bit of information on Evans disease. to get to the information link, click on the title of this blog... "brandon update" that will take you to emedicine info

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Poor Brandon

Brandon was sick with what we thought was the flu on Wed. so he stayed home from school. He was green looking. Thursday, Brandon stayed home again, and seemed yellow this time. He layed on the couch all day and couldn't stop throwing up, the poor guy :( During my lunch break, I called to see how he was doing, but he said he was doing ok, so I didn't worry too much about it.

Well, Tim came home from work and Brandon was basically GLOWING YELLOW!!!! When I got home, I took him to Boise St Luke's.... it's a toss up sometimes since we live right in the middle between Ontario and Boise. ONtario is where the best pediatrician is. Emmett hospital or doctors are out of the question. Boise is where his Hemotologist is.

AS I was getting into the car, I was still undecided on where to take Brandon for his care. I decided at the very last minute pulling out of the driveway that I would just take him to Boise since I knew he would end up there. I knew he had jaundice very very bad and knew somehow that he would not make it home that night.

When I got Brandon to St LUkes, he could barely walk to the door of the ER :( I let them know he was here and needed seen ASAP. We got him to the back and into a room. They work fast at St Lukes it's amazing!!!! By about 8pm thursday night, Brandon was getting situated in a room in the pediatrics 4019 (for anyone wanting to visit )

Thursday night, Brandon had two blood transfusions. He has what the doctors call Hemolytic anemia. His body is killing and destroying all of it's red blood cells, thus causing the elevated billirubin in his blood making him yellow. His heart rate thursday night was in the 140-155 range..NOT GOOD!!!! The Dr. wanted a close eye kept on him and possibly thinking about putting him in PICU because his heart was working too hard and he was also worried about Brandon having heart failure.

Brandon made it through the night with very little sleep, but looking a bit more rosey in his cheeks. Friday, Brandon had another two blood transfusions, but could not keep any food down :(

During the afternoon on friday, Brandon was sleeping and woke up panicked. He pulled off all of his cord and leads and was pulling on his IV where he was currently getting a blood transfusion. Things were very hectic at that time, as the nurse had said that a transfusion is limited on time, so he had to move quickly to get another IV stick in him....which was almost impossible because of his severe anemia.

An IV spot was found after a few tries and the transfusion was completed. Although Brandon had a better night, he did pull out his IV for the second time grrrrrrr. he doesn't handle pain well :(

Today, Brandon has done so much better, his numbers this morning were not as well as everyone was hoping, but still he's able to keep his food down. Brandon has been hungry but at the same time has not really known what he's wanted to eat, just kind of leary of eating for fear of puking again. We did go for a walk around the Pediatric unit... well he rode and I pushed him around :)

You know your child is sick when they don't even want to text their friends. Brandon has really done well today, but still has a long way to go until he's out of the woods. He may be getting another transfusion, not sure yet, we're waiting to see the doctor this afternoon and waiting to hear results of the blood test this evening.

Will keep all posted as I can. I am updateing my facebook page more frequently, so check it out or just text me if you have any questions :) Please continue to pray for him that he will get well quickly. Thank you all for your love and support :)

Sunday, October 31, 2010

Halloween fun!!!!!!



First set of pictures of our Halloween fun!!!!

Tuesday, August 31, 2010



Nine years ago today our family welcomed Dallin into our hearts and home! He is such a blessing to have around and be around. Dallin almost always has a cheerful, helpful outlook and is so loving and kind to everyone he sees and meets. He has some amazing natural abilities such as being an instant friend to everyone, playing football, reading and any school work. He's always been a great student and always into doing his homework as soon as he gets home. He's also been very energetic and eager to learn and develop new talents.

Dallin has an infectious smile as well as his laugh...they're just contagious!!!! I am so very grateful that the Lord blessed our family and blessed Dallin to make it through the trials at the beginning of his life... He has been on a nonstop growth and prospering since then.

We love you Dallin Machai Hallam !!!! Have a wonderful 9th birthday!!!

Thursday, August 26, 2010

School's in session!!!!



The boys started school today! What a fun day for everyone. Aaron is a junior this year. Brandon is a freshman. Josh is in 5th grade. Dallin is in 4th and Kyler is in 2nd grade. They're all excited to learn a lot this year and looking forward to having a great year!

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Are you ready for some FOOTBALL!!!!


Saturday we spent the day at BSU stadium for the optimist football jamboree. We have three playing in it, so we were there all day waiting for pictures, games and weighing in.

Josh's team had to be there first. We met at the little white church by BSU stadium at 9am. We did go early so we could get a semi decent parking spot. There were thousands of people there for games. When Josh(#60) was playing, Kyler also had to meet his team, so we had to separate to cover all the games. Josh got to play on the blue turf!!!!! Kyler played flag on the grass field next to the stadium. They both did a great job!!!

After Josh and Kyler's games, we went to Ann Morrison park for lunch and then headed back to the stadium to get ready to meet Dallin's team at 1:15. Again, we met everyone at the little white church...everyone was meeting there.... Dallin's team went in for pictures, weighing in and then to play. Dallin(#82) was starting in his game. He was playing defensive line. Dallin did a great job playing as well. We all had a great time at BSU watching the kids play football!


Things I'm grateful for:
oxy clean to get white football pants clean again
hard hits and great tackles
good sportmanship
supportive families cheering their kids on

Monday, August 23, 2010

Back to School dinner!!!!


Sunday night we had our back to school FHE!!!! A school lunch type dinner with trays and all... This is a tradition we've had for a few years now, the boys love it and we all look forward to it each year !!!!
This year, I made mashed potatoes and turkey gravy, green beans, applesauce, milk and a cookie for our school lunch. Tim and I serve it cafeteria style and put on our little act as cafeteria people. Memories from childhood are so fun!!!!
During our meal, we talk about goals and school rules. We also talk about the rewards for making and keeping our goals for good grades.
This year, I shared a quote from Pres. Eyring about seminary and keeping religious learning at the top. "...keep spiritual learning in its place, we will have to make some hard choices of how we use our time. But there should never be a conscious choice to let the spiritual become secendary. NEVER. That will lead to tragedy."
I am so grateful for my time in seminary and am so happy that the two older boys can take part in the release time program at the school. It does take dedication and sacrifice, but it is so very worth it in the end.
The boys start school on thursday and are so excited and anxious to get started again. We're all looking forward to getting back into the routine of school and studying....even me.

Things I'm grateful for:

A new school year and the opportunity to continue growth and learning

Sweet memories of my childhood and my school days

Seminary

Scriptures to study and learn from

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