The Years Go By Too Fast

Well- I've finally decided to join my cousins and jump on the blogspot band wagon! :)

This year is flying by....and there are significant events that make this year unique and special.

First of all - I am proud to announce that my sister & brother in law, Brandi and Mark Cade, had their baby girl just last Monday, May 5th! Welcome to the world Victoria Brooke!!! Bradley is LOVING being the big brother! Here is a pic of the new baby!!!

Jenna Jade turned 3 years old on March 20th ----and OH how the 3's are MUCH more wild than the 2's!!!!! (that my friends and family is for an ENTIRE new blog!)

Many of you know and have heard stories about a precious little boy named Riley that my family fell in love with the moment he was born on September 22, 2004. He and Jenna were best friends, and so many nights were spent watching them run through the back yard filled with happiness and laughter. He was such a big part of our family that he even called my mom and dad "Grandpa Perry" and "Grandma Neesie"....we all loved him as if he was one of our own. (in fact, for most of his life - he couldn't say Aunt Stephy, so he just called me mom.) Well little Riley did something that wasn't so litte. He taught me and my family the gift of Life. And how precious it is, and how God answers prayers....and loves us each dearly. Riley wasn't supposed to live to see his first birthday----- but he lived to be 3 1/2!!!! And not only that- but in just 3 1/2 years, Riley showed more people God's love than some do in 50! God is GREAT!

Ethan-Riley Dakota Hardison earned his angel wings, in the arms of his mother, on Sunday, April 6, 2008...and let me be the one to tell you that Heaven has never been more beautiful than it was on that day. Jenna has taken it kind of hard- so please say a prayer for her as she misses her friend.

Cancer is a very serious thing- and doctors still know very little about it. Riley's 5 year old sister donated bone marrow - and we found that there aren't a lot of people registered to donate. So look up your local bone marrow research and see if there's a child out there waiting for YOUR match! OR ..better yet- donate to the Ronald McDonald House. WE LOVE that place!

Some of you may remember Willow- our family golden retriever. Well, ironic as it is- Riley loved her...and she developed Lymphoma cancer around Christmas...and on January 11th --- she passed away. My belief is God took her home so Riley would have a friend to run with when he got up there. :) I can just see them now.... We brought home a new puppy, a boxer named Destiny who was born on March 9th and she's just brought so much life into our home!

Speaking of LIFE...... a MIRACLE happened to me this year. I was told in March that I had gotten pregnant and almost immediately miscarried. We were all very sad and heartbroken- Eric and I had been trying for a few months to get pregnant and were really hoping to be.

Well, 2 weeks after Riley passed away---- i got a positive reading on an e.p.t..... so I went to the doctor and they said my baby from March had "re attached!".... apparently, he/she was attached way up in the tube, and the "miscarriage" reading was from him/her un attaching.... well, he/she has REATTACHED and is healthy and growing... quite quickly I might add....

Yes, I am pregnant! And I am due December 9th, 2008....and Christmas will be a time to remember loved ones lost...but also a time to celebrate the arrival of our miracle baby. :) (which I'm hoping actually gets here around Thanksgiving!)

It's going to be a loooong summer for me and my "little bean"!!!

And the Mother/Daughter Banquet was a HIT.... you can see more photos *trust me, you will want to see these*... at my dropshots site --- www.dropshots.com/pilkentonpearls NOTE= you do NOT have to be a member to leave a comment! Just double click the photo- type whatever you want to be called in the designated box .. "Aunt Stephy" " ?'s Mommy" "Grandma" ..whatever :) ... and type your comment, then hit enter. :P

Love Ya'll!!!!