Welcome Baby Collin!

It was an exciting day on Monday, June 1, when my new little nephew Collin John was born. It was bittersweet in the fact that my Grandmother wasn't able to see her new and first great grandson that day but I'm sure she was rejoicing in Heaven with my Papa. I must say that he is quite the cutie. It was so cute to see Meredith, Alli, Carlee and Cydnee just hovering over this little guy. I can't imagine how smothered he's going to be at Christmas time with all of these mother hens looking after him. Carrie looked wonderful, of course, after she gave birth and didn't have any problems which is always a blessing.

We'll Miss You Grandma!

As most of you already know, my grandmother, Wilna Hardwick (mom's mom) passed away on Wednesday, May 27th here in Fort Smith. She was living with my parents and had come over with them that day to see Meredith's soccer games in the morning and then go to the girls' dance recital that evening. Well, after the soccer game when she was using her walker to enter my house she got very weak and started feeling very dizzy and nauseous. Once we got her in the house we realized with her speech and body language that she may be suffering from a stroke and we then called an ambulance to take her to the hospital. She then slowly got worse until she left this earth to be with her heavenly father on Wednesday. Actually on Saturday, Sunday, and during the day Monday we thought she might beat it. However, we then found out it was a hemorrhage type stroke and was in the part of her brain that affects respiration.

Her funeral was then on Saturday, May 30th and was very nice. The minister at her church did a wonderful job as he did at my Papa's. Of course, it always makes it better when the pastor has a relationship with the deceased as was the case with my grandparents. She was truly a woman who did her best to follow God's word and read it daily. She was an inspiration to all and I will always cherish my sweet memories of her. She was 89 years old and I find such comfort in the fact that she no longer has her chronic pain from arthritis and back pain. She's having a party in Heaven! I love you Grandma!

Alli's Dance Recital Performances

Well, I gave up loading my movies to Youtube the way I normally do and tried a different way and it worked. So, below are Alli's dress rehearsal performance of her tap routine to "I Feel Good" and her ballet recital performance. I hope you enjoy them!

Meredith's Dance Recital Video

Below is Meredith's dance recital video. For some reason I'm having difficulties in posting Alli's performances on Youtube but as soon as they get on there I'll be sure and post them to my blog as well. Meredith's takes "hip hop" and I thought their performance was too cute. Her friends Olivia who is directly behind and in front of Meredith during the routine and Layla who is to the side of Meredith are also in the video. Enjoy!