Feeling Better!!!

I just didn't want the last thing on my blog to say I had a bad day. Instead I want to say.....I AM FEELING SO MUCH BETTER! I went to work for a few hours today, and I was a bit tired after, but still doing well. Each day a little at a time! I thank each of you for keeping me in your prayers, and calling and checking on me. I appreciate you all so much. :)

The end of a very long day

Have you ever had a day or week when all you do is watch the clock? Time ticks by so slowly that all you have time to do is feel sorry for yourself until something happens that sort of pushes you back to reality and what is real and also so you realize that you are so very blessed. I was having the bad day of days, crying on and off for no apparent reason, and wishing I was anywhere but here. Okay that sets it up. When I was throwing one of my fits of tear spillage, I got a phone call. Mark happened to call and check up on me, and that helped, but it didn't help that he wasn't here, and I was being a baby. Time was ticking by and I was feeling so down I didn't know what I was going to do. Then the phone rang and it was Derek. He knew he needed to call me. He talked me through some sadness, and so he helped me quite a bit. Then Robby called giving me some of my own advice...Attitude is everything.. Chad called then to take me for hot chocolate, and getting fresh air is what I needed. My family came through for me. It all started with wishing Loralee a happy birthday today, and actually her wishing me a better day. Barry, Tyler, Loralee, Derek, Robby and Chad. Mark and I agree that these 6 amazing people are our best and truest friends. I am so blessed and it made for a great end to a very long day.

November birthdays and surgery

Today is November 6th, Loralee's birthday! Happy Birthday Loralee.

I am recovering from a diskectomy. That sounds gross, and I don't feel so great, so recovering is the key word. Last Friday I had surgery on my L5 to remove a piece of disk that has been causing me much havoc. When I awoke, I was in great pain and I actually thought it didn't work. What will happen (I hope) is that with time, the nerves will fix themselves and the pain in my left leg will totally go away. Until then, I have to be patient, which I am not good at. I am missing work, church and all the things that keep me busy.

Two days ago, was the 4th and Chad's birthday. This was his first birthday at home in 2 years, and so I was a little down about it because I was out of commission. Mark and I managed to make him a cake and Mark took him shopping. I hope he had a great day. No pictures! I am so bad at this. Well, at least it is an update.

Zinnia's

This summer I planted zinnia's from seeds and they were beautiful. I have made several arrangements with them and luckily I cut some fresh ones yesterday because last night frost took them all and it made me sad. However, I can enjoy these beauties for a little while longer.

New babies

For some of you who don't know Mark and I had three new grand babies this year. We are excited to invite them to our family and enjoy spending time with them.

Our son Tyler and his wife Masha had a baby girl Petra. She is now 9 months old.

Our son Derek and his wife Tara had a baby girl Eva. She is now 5 months old.

Our son Robby and his wife Natalie had a baby boy Carter. He is 4 weeks old.

Family Photos

This year is full of family events. At the end of the summer all of my kids were in town together and we took the opportunity to take family pictures. Here are just a few of them.

Front row left to right: Chad, myself, Loralee

Middle row left to right: Tyler, Robby, Barry

Back row left to right: Mark, Derek

Our kids

Our rapidly growing family

Is It Time to Blog Yet?

Yes, I still belong to the blogging club, but life has been very busy with new babies, children, work and other changes. Time to catch up!!!

Family Reunion, Missionary Homecoming, Gun Shooting, Tired Kids and Much More

Chad's Homecoming

Bleazard kids all together again after 6 years!

Loralee, Derek, Chad, Barry, Robby and Ty

Chad looked really good. We were all so excited to see him

Today, May 27, 2008 is a sad day for the Hallmarks. We lost our Patriarch of the family early this morning. As I look back at some good times; this is how I want to remember my Dad, James David Hallmark. He had a great sense of humor loved his kids and grand kids and enjoyed his time with the family. This is Dad's 86th birthday party at Lorrie and Kirt's in 2003.

Here is a four generation picture with Barry, Marky, Grandad and Kris. July 21st 2005.

This was a great family photo taken at Mom's funeral in June 2002. Dad was eating an apple, but that's okay! He had had a pretty rough day and needed a little energy. Above is Steve and Dad in Lorrie and Kirt's backyard.

This is a great picture of Dad and Mike at Dad's birthday bash last year in July, 2007. We had a huge party where he lived at Marquis Care in the courtyard.

Here I stole a hug while I could. He didn't especially like to pose for the camera, and was getting pretty tired. We didn't know what to think about that mustache!

This is one of my favorite family photos with Dad and all of his 7 children!

I hope you have as good a time remembering Dad/Grandad as I do, looking at photos and thinking about all the times we had together. He will truly be missed by so many, but we are so happy for him to be reunited with Mom, and all of his loved ones who have passed on before.

James David Hallmark

20 July 1917--27 May 2008

Well, I am here in Salt Lake in the hospital with Derek, Tara, and baby Eva. Tara has had a little postpartum setback, but she is on the mend. That gives me the great opportunity to come and help out where I can, and I have the pleasure of meeting and getting to know Eva. What a little angel. Last night I actually got to keep Eva with me and it felt like old times getting up every three hours for feedings! What a fun adventure, and I do love it. Derek is learning a lot about babies at the same time and will have his hands full, when they get to go home in a few days. I will keep you posted on her progress in the next few days.

This is my first attempt at having our own blog spot, so here goes. Thanks to Robby who got it going for me. We love being with our family. It is the best. These most recent pictures are from our trip to Omaha to visit Loralee and Mike, Kaitlynn, Hailey and Mikey. We had such a great time and it is nice to go visit them, see where they live, where they go to church, where they go out to eat, but mostly to be with them. We will post more pictures as we are with each of our family with visits or past visits. I just have to get good at doing it. I love spring. I love all the green that is starting to appear and renew the bland winter colors. Why the California coast template because I really want to go there and take a vacation. So...I am planning.....