FROM BIG D

An email Dale sent (A keeper) Read on.

I finally got in to the family blog today. Susan kept telling me that a video was posted, but it didn’t sink in until today to check the “blog” site in my personal email folder.

Good heck, the little blue eyed Wyoming boy is cute. It was so fun of you, Jen, to send the first walking video clips. I played both of them over and over. Jen, thanks for spearheading the “put-together” of the blog. Susan, and JD thanks for your entries. It will be tough for me to make any personal entries for awhile. It is tough to sit at the keyboard for any length of time.

Susan has brought you current with my lingering trial. Please know that my spirit is OK. And, as long as Susan doesn’t take away, or hide the narcotics, I can manage. I pray daily, as do all of you, and know that my faith can see me through the several months ahead. I am thankful for all of you! My faith is suffient enough to know that there is a positive light waiting at the end of this present tunnel.

I can’t wait to travel to Thayne next week and see first hand the little Baby Luke grow up. Till then, I love all of you.

Big D
September 28, 2007

Luke's First String of Steps

I Walk The Line

Baby Blue Eyes

Luke snuck into the fridge and took a bite out of this apple

Bluest eyes this side of the Mississippi

Playing with his blocks

Deep in concentration

A perfect profile

No matter where or what

September 28, 2007

No matter where we are, no matter where we live, no matter how old we are, no matter what we are going through, we are all growing, progressing and enduring to the end. I thought enduring to the end meant enduring to the end of life. I've now changed my mind after hearing the words from someone who thought it might mean enduring just the particular time or trial you were in at the moment. I think that's wise counsel. Just enduring the moments and immediate trials sometimes can be overwhelming. Dale and I continue to have faith and endure these days ahead.

It is in these moments and long days and nights when we can be comforted by the Savior, by each other and by our own faith. It is a time to look for things to be grateful for. We have much to be thankful for. Sometimes we have to look hard. But, we have each other first of all. We have the gospel. We have wonderful places to live and shelter and food (we take these things for granted, but many people in the world do not live as we do). We live in a beautiful place. We are finding things to be grateful for. It is approaching that "harvest" time of year when gratitude is more on our minds. As we jump into October in a few days may we all remember to be grateful for something each day. I share a picture of Oakley where we live and have roots and always look forward to times together here in this safe and beautiful place. See you all at Christmas.

Moments and Memories

Luke Charms Us All!

Luke is now walking, but this video shows him just a few weeks before he started. He gets around pretty good and loves to feel the wind on his face as he zips around our house!

Full moon over Oakley - Tuesday, September 25, 2007

There was a full moon over Oakley tonight. The good news is it is bright as day and glorious and heavenly and incredibly beautiful. The hot tub welcomes two weary bodies. Dale's is wracked with pain, and by the end of the day I have to say it soothes my weary back as well. It is time out of our day to reflect on the day, to gear up for the next one, and be grateful for the little things. Just so you know we are thankful daily for our children, grandchild and family and friends who are so supportive. We are grateful for simple things. We eat simple meals and we have simple dates. Today we drove to the post office and the pharmacy. After paying the bill over $100, we concurred that this was our dating for the week. The car wash was out of order, so we ventured back in the truck along bumpy North Bench Road. It was an outing for Dale, and he was a brave old soul. We had hometeachers visit tonight (Mark, Pat and Scott Jones). It is in moments like these that simple things become great. Just an hour visit breaks up the evening and adds dimension to our lives. We have faith, hope and we will get through these long days of pain. Dale is as brave as he possibly can and I know he grows weary of the days he tries to make enjoyable while he is in endless pain. Wish we knew why, but for now, we're patient and willing to wait it out awhile longer. Keep being faithful, prayerful and mindful of us, as we are of you. Thought I'd see if I could capture the moon tonight. Not the best, but it will give you a little visual. Love you guys in Wyoming and California. We're trying to keep the fires burning here in Oakley.

Love,
Mom

California summer memory

I think the happiest time in the past six months was in California this summer. We had some time together at JD's apartment in Pomona, California (which I believe is a perfect apartment for him currently, spacious and within 3 blocks of Western University where he will spend the next 4 years attending medical school). I loved helping him put together pieces of furniture and attending the orientation and convocation. Dale mustered up and attended. Amazing.

I loved the beach with our little grandson (our first one). There is something special about Luke, because he is the first one and besides he is the cutest grandson in the whole world. He has the greatest uncle and the greatest parents (and grandparents, if I do say so). He is surrounded by many who adore him. Anyway, just can't help sharing a few beach pictures. It was such a great time sitting in the evening hours with the five of us watching Luke (and the sunset and the ocean). He is the light of my life right now. He is the light of all of our lives right now. Dale thinks of him and smiles.

Living in Oakley

Living in Oakley is about the most wonderful thing in the world. I say that with all honesty. Those who have lived here know what I'm talking about. Serenity, peace, quiet, beauty and love abounds within these log walls.

However, since May 5th, our lives up here have been a little different. Dale's 4-wheelin' accident has caused some changes in our daily routine. A year ago, Dale was volunteering at the elemtary school and the National Abilities Center (4 days a week). Today he is trying to recover from the T-3-4-5 Back Fusion that took place in Idaho Falls, Idaho following his accident at the St. Anthony Sand Dunes. Actually he was doing better two months ago (note picture taken at the end of May, 2007).

For some reason he has continued with more extensive pain in that upper back. Doctors don't know how to explain it exactly, but say we must be patient. Fusions take 9-12 months to fuse. So we are taking it a day at a time. We pray for good nights (which Dale usually gets), and then pray during the day that the medication will last the 4 hours it is prescribed for. We have an appointment on Thursday with a neurosurgeon to look at the low back (right leg numbness and drop foot) which is an old problem (December 2002), but has reared its ugly head.

In the meantime, we are learning lessons of faith, endurance, love for one another, love for neighbors and friends, increased love for family, compassion, patience and tolerance. It is in the few moments a day when there is tolerable pain that we count the blessings. We enjoy the moments together in the hot tub at night. We enjoy the moments of beauty when the rain is falling lightly outside, or times like this morning when the ground is lightly covered with a skiff of snow. We take advantage of the moments of lunch and dinner together. The meals are simple and so is conversation. But we both have confidence and faith that 'this too shall pass." There are many who struggle in this life and are tested far beyond what we have been tested. For us, this test is big and real. We are doing the best we can and hopefully can look back and say "we did it." JD, Jen, Clive, Luke and Logan are who we talk about on a daily basis. We are grateful for them. We are proud of them and choices they are making. This life is challenging but also can be rewarding. We must rely on each other for strength to get through it. We must never give up hope. We must enjoy the journey. We will do it with a smile on our face.

9/24/07

Jackson Hole and Teton Beauty

Standard Night for JD

So...this is my first blog entry, ever. It won't be long because it is 2:49 am and I have to get up in about 6 hours to go spend another 5 or 6 hours sticking probes into actual deceased humans who have graciously given up their body for science. If they only knew. Our class has a test on Monday, a three hour ordeal consisting of 100 points split between a written test and a practical test. Take all the stuff you've ever learned in your life and put a number by it. That's how many things I have to memorize by Monday at about 2:00 pm. There were that many things for the last test as well...or so it seems. It doesn't appear to change any time soon.

This is what we did last night though. Emi turned 28 and we celebrated with a little sushi, cake and ice cream at my place with our study group and then wouldn't you know it...we studied. I like the friends I've made so far down here in Pomona. From left to right Jason, me, Emi, Collin, Prajkta, Andy in the back, and Gracie. Bill Spurlock is behind the camera. Booya.

Love to the Tri-Staters,

JD

The Ultimate Grandma-Our Glue

Lest we leave out the glue holding our Tri-State clan together. Here is a shot of the world's finest grandma in action. She lived with Luke the first eight (yes, count 'em...8) weeks of his life and has been attached ever since. Susan is an exemplorary mom and has taken that to the 100th power as a grandmama.

Big D-the mess

The patriarch of our family messed himself up pretty good four months ago in an ATV accident (thank goodness for helmets). He broke his back and had surgery to fix it, but sadly the old boy ain't fixed. He's likely headed under the knife again soon. Check back for updates on his progress.

We're all praying for you Big D.

Luke needs more Twinkies, so get well soon.

The handsome doctor with training wheels

"Doctor, would you recommend hot or cold for my pain?"

As my family gets oriented with this new blog...I thought I'd post a few on their behalf so viewers can have some meat to chew on. This is my younger bro, JD with Luke. He's studying to be a Doctor of Osteopathy in California. We're suh proud! Class of 2011!!!!

Intro to the Hallams in Wyoming

It's Jen here, oldest and wisest sibling of the Buxton Tribe, trying out my very first blog. I decided to give it a go after many friends have inspired me by their use. My family is now spread about, so in an attempt to stay in touch with our comings and goings I've created this blog for me, my brother JD, and my folks in O-Town.

I am the Wyoming resident, living in wide open spaces and smelling the fresh country air, which usually consists of manure and skunk. (deep virtual inhale here...aaaahhhhh) I live here with my husband, the head shrinker Clive, our busy one year old, Luke and our fluffy yet oddly lazy dog Logan. I am the only girl in our home. I have to generate a lot of estrogen to make up for all the testosterone. GIRL POWER! Here is a photo of my sweet family who I feel lucky to have.