Beginings

A new and precious member of the family joined us on Dec. 8, 2010. Her name is "Little Miss" for blog readers & for privacy.

A friend of mine took these adorable pictures, this is just a small sampling of the photos she took, she is just staring out and I think she did a great job.

Melanie and Justin choose not to find out if she was to be a girl or boy, so the excitement was tremendous. I took the liberty of being a grandmother and was prepared for either. So little pink dresses, shoes, hair bands and bows were in the baby gift closet just in-case they were needed.

Big brother has adjusted pretty well. Just like Melanie says, It's hard to tell if it's just being two or having to share the attention, but he is a little more emotional and demanding than he was before.

Mel and Justin are great parents, she is blessed to have so many people love her and care for her. We are so grateful she made it here safe and sound and can tolerate all the attention we fight to give her.

Beginings and Endings

I've struggled with what to write. My life has been very complicated in the last 2 1/2 months. With unbelievable joys and sudden sadness, along with lots of worries and some events that expressions can not be given in print.

I'll start with the endings.

Kim's father Donald Lee Hardcastle passed away unexpectedly Sunday, Dec. 19. At McKay Hospital after suffering a dissected aorta. He became ill Sunday morning and went home from church, and when his wife came home from church with a friend, because Don didn't come back to pick her up, she found that he had fallen on the floor, weak, and couldn't get up. After a 911 call and an CT scan it was found he had a very large & long dissection in the aorta.

After the heart surgeon and cardiologist talked they both shared the possible and very poor outcome with the family. He had already gone into renal failure and he was unable to keep any blood pressure without medication. They were honest and blunt with Don and the kids and then the decision was passed to Donto make. He of-course decided that he would not have the surgery.

His wife & kids were able to say good-by, along with my four kids and a few in laws. He was made comfortable with pain medication, BP meds were adjusted and he went to sleep and passed about 7:45pm.

Don didn't have a lot to say, but he made up for it in his actions and love for his family. He loved and cared for his wife and they were together 55 years. Any time there is a loss there is sadness, remembering and pulling together. And most of all there is relying on the Lord and being grateful for his eternal plan for all of his children.