Silly Cousins!!!

So- these pics were taken Friday night when we first arrived at Nana & Grandpop's - but they were so cute, they deserved a blog post of their own! ha ha!

Weekend at Nana & Grandpop's

This weekend we went to Columbia for a much needed trip to Nana and Grandpop's! It was so nice to spend time with everyone. Bradley was there anxiously awaiting our arrival (or more specifically, the arrival of his cousins - ha ha) and we got to see Brandi, Mark, and Victoria Brooke on Saturday. Saturday included a trip to the zoo that was a lot of fun, but it was so hot that we really didn't stay long. Eric, Jenna, Bradley, and myself all jumped in the pool when we got home. Saturday night we sang happy birthday to Eric, who turns 27 on Tuesday, and Lexie was given her special rattle from Nana. This rattle is given to each of the grandkids and will stay with them until they have children of their own. Each rattle is engraved with the child's name. Jenna has one as well! What a cool gift! This weekend was so much fun; we really had an awesome time! Here are a few pics below, the rest are at www.dropshots.com/pilkentonpearls !

Jenna & Bradley playing on the Lion Statues at Riverbanks ZooJenna makes a silly face while swimming; we swam with Daddy and cousin Bradley on Saturday, and Grandpop swam with her on Sunday and she loved playing in the pool so much!Bradley said something silly to make Uncle Eric laugh!Tori loves icing! ha ha!Eric, his big sister Brandi, his mom Donna (a.k.a. Nana), and his Pop (a.k.a. Grandpop) Lexie with her new rattle. It looks like she's singing and using it as a microphone! ha ha!Lexie watching Tori play with both Lexie & Tori's rattles. And Conner in the background thinking "What is that noise????" ha ha!

Nana with her 2 youngest grandchildren, Tori and Lexie I stole this pic from Nana's pics site- it was so cute! This is a pic of Grandpop, Jenna, and Lexie!

Jenna Complete's Mrs. Casey's 3K class

more pics and video: www.dropshots.com/pilkentonpearls includes a video of Mrs. Casey giving Jenna a certificate, and Jenna sings a song in Spanish with her class!

We are so proud of you Jenna Jade!

Happy Memorial Day!

Today we say a prayer for all the troops fighting to protect our freedom, to honor the stars and stripes, and to stand up for what is right. We also pray for the ones that love them, who must hold everything together here at home. But especially today, we pause to remember those who died so that we will remain free. And we say a prayer for those that are still missing, and for the families left behind. We are so grateful for all of our troops!

Happy Memorial Day! Here are some pics of my little American Sweethearts:

3rd Annual McKain Family Reunion at Camp Buckhorn, Paris Mountain

McKain Family Reunion 2009

Camp Buckhorn dining hall - we all stayed in Cabins nearby

Rain, Rain, Go Away! The McKain Family wants to play! ...Well, it rained all weekend, but we played anyways! We stayed up late hanging out playing cards in the dining hall, we all hiked the trail at least once (except for Jenna, who walked the trail 10+ times because she insisted on walking it the second we got there, then insisted on walking with whomever was walking it throughout the weekend), the boys went fishin', and we all played softball in the rain. And by the way, perhaps I should have played softball as a kid because I NAILED a pitch when I was at bat. Our team won, we were the girls team plus Robert and Perry (the two guys willing to help out the girls team lol). Lexie got to meet some of the family for the first time and she loved everyone so much. She was so full of smiles and giggles. Jenna had a blast playing with my cousin's and their children, she was so sad when it was time to go home. Cousin Dave drove Grandpa Bill's up to Camp Buckhorn and boy does that truck run good now! Dave had rebuilt the truck and it not only made it up the moutain with no trouble at all, it also pulled a trailor! I'll post a few pics below, but the rest are at www.dropshots.com/pilkentonpearls
Bill and Lucille McKain's "kids", Aunt Lynda, Perry (dad), and Aunt BethBeth with her youngest grandchild Charlie, Lynda with her youngest grandchild Ryan, and Perry with his youngest grandchild LexieA pic of the oldest member of the McKain family and the youngest, Aunt Lynda and Lexie NoelleAunt Beth with 2 of her grandchildren - Caroline and Charlie; her daughter Laurin wasn't able to come this weekend so we missed Aunt Beth's other two grandchildren Libby and Shae!Lexie Noelle and her Grandpa PerryOut on the boat = Uncle Dave, James, Cassie, Cousin John and his son Ryan, and Jenna JadeUncle Curt and his youngest grandbaby, CharlieJenna and CarolineOf all things to catch on your fishin' line- Cary caught a snake that caught a fish. ha ha!Eric caught a fish!Mom (Denise) and my sis Lisa playing "Popeye"Me and Cousin Dave - he's totally awesome!Grandpa Bill's truck heading home with a trailer AND a dune buggy in the back... (Just awesome proof at how much of a mechanical genius my cousin Dave is!)

A Mother's Day Gift from Arizona

For Mother's Day this year I got some really cute things from my children and a very sweet card from my husband and lots of hugs from my parents and anyone else who saw me that day. I even got text messages on my cell phone from all my friends who are mom's themselves saying "Happy Mother's Day"! These are all things that are always so appreciated on Mother's Day, however, they are something to expect, and something I'm used to and they always make me feel loved every day, not just on Mother's Day. Every person that took time out of their day to think of me and send me a greeting showed that they loved me and cared for me.

But this year, I got something unexpected, something I'm not used to at all. This "something" stopped me in my tracks and made me feel loved, in that this person thought of me and truely believes I'm a wonderful Mom.
A good friend of mine, Melissa Wilbur, moved to Arizona back in December. She and I worked together at Plus Inc and she hand made a Mother's Day card for me and mailed it across the country to arrive on Monday, the day after Mother's Day. She had made the entire card by hand and wrote on the inside:

""Happy Mother's Day" means more

than Have a Happy Day...

Within those words lie a lot of things

we never get to say.

It means I love you first of all

Then, Thanks for all you do.

It means you mean a lot to me

And that I honor you.

But most of all I guess it means

That I am thinking of

Your happiness, on this, your day

With pleasure and with love.

To Stephanie: Happy Mother's Day! ~Melissa"

Melissa gave me the sweetest card ever and it made me feel so loved and appreciated. I wish my camera would take a better picture of it, but here's a picture below- it's awesome! She should really get paid for her creativity! Melissa also makes scrapbook pages for me that are professional and beautiful. I love her and think she's a wonderful person and she's an awesome friend that I am so blessed to have! I love you Melissa!

Jenna Jade- Kids & Co. Graduation

This was Jenna's last year at the day care. Next year she will be full time at LCOS Day School. Because she was in the 4K classroom afterschool all year, all of her best friends from the day care graduated from preschool this year and because it was Jenna's last year there too- they let her walk with her friends! It was so cute! She had her own blue cap and gown along with her own 2009 tassel! She actually learned a lot at Kids & Company, she learned sign language, the pledge of allegience, and how to follow directions. We are so very proud of you Jenna Jade!

more pics and video at www.dropshots.com/pilkentonpearls

Happy and You Know It

If you're happy and you know it, touch your head!

If you're happy and you know it, then your face will surely show it!

If you're happy and you know it, touch your head!

Field Day 2009

On Friday, May 15, Jenna had her very first "Field Day" at LCOS Day School. For a 3K classroom, its more of a "skills day" as they are just showing the parents everything they learned in P.E. that year. Jenna did wonderful on the obstacle course - she was the first to finish after being one of the last to start! Great job Jenna!

Countdown

Just thought this looked fun - why not share it on the ol' blog? Stole this from my friend English. Check it out :)

Ten Things I would Say to Ten Different People.
10. Eric - I love you and I can't wait to celebrate 5 wonderful years of marriage this year!
9. Mom - You rock, and you deserve the best of everything, I love you!
8. Dad - Thank you for everything you do, you're amazing even if I don't show my appreciation as much as I should! I love you!
7. Jenna Jade - my sweet little girl you have changed my life and you continue to change me, I love you more than you can imagine and I'm so blessed to be the one God chose to be your mommy. You are an awesome big sister to Lexie!
6. Lexie Noelle - you are the answer to a prayer, and your smile lights up my world, I love you so much there are no words to describe it!
5. Mina & Shana - I miss you both so much and I pray that very soon we work it out that you can come spend the night again. I love you as much as I do my own children, you are very special to me.
4. Donna M. (Nana/Mom) - I love you and I love your son, you gave me the best thing that has ever been given to me, and that is your son and for that I'm forever grateful. I look up to you and respect you and I hope I make you proud to call me your daughter in law.
3. Lisa - CONGRATS on your graduation from college, that is the coolest thing you've ever done! I love you!
2. Brandi - I love you and I'm praying for you and your family. I can't imagine the worry you must feel or the burdens you bear... I would give anything to be able to help. For now, I'm your biggest prayer warrier!
1. Sidney and Shiann- you two amaze me. I'm so honored to be your Godmother and I love you both so very very much!

Nine things about myself.
9. My favorite color is yellow
8. I love the beach, more than normal. I'll sit on a beach sun up to sun down - and I've sat on a beach and watched a hurricane out on the water coming in. It's the most beautiful thing, to watch the Heavens create such a masterpiece as clouds dance across the sky and the waves jump up to greet the gushing winds.
7. I drink chocolate milk every single day.
6. I like ham and pineapple on my pizza when I order from papa johns.
5. I hate sneezing.
4. I have to have warm blankets and a cold pillow to fall asleep at night.
3. I like my job - however, I would love to work in a school and have summers off.
2. I take wayyy too many pictures, and I don't plan to slow down. I capture the most precious of memories and know too well the feeling of loss and not having a picture to hold on to. Problem solved, I now take pictures of everything.
1. I have a tattoo on my right leg.

Eight ways to win my heart - I am assuming this means friendship?
8. have faith in me, believe in me.
7. invite me to lunch, you don't have to pay for it, just invite me to go with you.
6. Make me laugh - I love to laugh.
5. offer to watch the girls
4. Tell me you think I've lost weight. (even if its a lie, its good to hear and i don't have to know its a lie lol)
3. Love God and Love God's children
2. laugh at my jokes
1. call me just to say hello (i don't get many phone calls like that anymore, usually people need something or are upset and know i'm a good listener...don't get me wrong, I love to listen- I love that my friends turn to me for comfort, and I will always be there for whoever needs me...but it would be nice, to get a call just to say hello)

Seven things that cross my mind a lot.
7. My weight (yeah I said it) <~me too, English...
6. My girls - that includes Jenna, Lexie, Mina, and Shana
5. I really want a home of my own.
4. I want to find a way back to school to be an early childhood teacher
3. I say I don't care what people think about me, but I'm lying. I worry constantly about being "good enough"
2. Bradley - my sweet nephew and his mom, dad, and sister
1. I wonder what my Godchildren Sidney and Shiann are doing? I wish I could see them more often.

Six things I do before I fall asleep
6. put pajamas on
5. check on the girls
4. take my contacts out
3. cuddle with my hubby
2. find the cold spot on the pillow
1. say a silent prayer

Five people who mean a lot. (in no order whatsoever)
5. Eric
4. My parents
3. My sister
2. Eric's parents
1. My children

Four things you're wearing right now.
4. blue shirt
3. black capris
2. jewelry
1. flip flops (dressy for work)

Three songs that you listen to often.
3. I will not be moved - Natalie Grant
2. Run Around - Blues Travelers
1. I'm Yours - Jason Mraz

Two things you want to do before you die.
2. celebrate 50 years of marriage with Eric
1. hear my children say "wow, my mom was great"

One confession.
1. I'm lazy, but I'm trying hard to change that.

Artisphere Downtown

On Saturday, Aunt Donna, Jenna, and I went downtown for Artisphere! We absolutely had a ball! The art this year was breathtaking, I wish I had pictures of some of the beautiful paintings. My favorite were from a guy named David Goldman who painted the most beautiful scenes of the ocean I had ever seen. Another gentleman was doing sidewalk chalk art down in Falls Park near the restaurants and I had to snap a picture of the angels, so cool!

There were also people acting as statues, and if you put a dollar in their bucket they would do a trick. Jenna's favorite was the girl that played the drum.

We also ventured across the different countries at Kidsphere! Jenna got her face painted and they did an amazing job, and everyone thinks purple is a great color for her because it made her olive green eyes sparkle!

Each exhibit represented a country and Jenna had to get her passport stamped after visiting. First she painted in the USA, then she traveled to Mexico to make a sun, and even stopped by Australia to make a Kangaroo paper bag puppet!

While enjoying our walk downtown, Aunt Donna bought us lunch at a pizzeria restaurant named Bercalloni's which is on Main Street downtown, and that is probably the best pizza I've EVER eaten! It was so good that the three of us ate every single piece - not leaving one to bring home to the rest of the family. I highly recommend checking them out! I plan to return myself very soon!

see the video of her playing the drum for Jenna here -> http://www.dropshots.com/pilkentonpearls#date/2009-05-09/12:44:39

Matthew 19:6

"Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder." Matthew 19:6

We've all heard the verse said or sung in weddings, usually shortened to "What God has joined together, let no man put asunder." But do we all really take in all of what that verse means?

Google lists the meaning as "The part of the Christian marriage ceremony that states God's authority over man."

I have learned that in a marriage, its ok to fall. God leads us all in different directions, and its not about someone joining you on your walk, rather, it's two people jumping off of their paths to walk in an entirely new direction together. It's scary, and it doesn't always work. But the goal is the same no matter how the start, the goal is forever. It's recited in the common vows in thousands of weddings.

As a Christian, when a couple recites vows and commits themselves to one another in the eyes of the Lord, it is at that moment that they are one flesh. One flesh, one blood, one unity. Love them both as one. And that they should never be put asunder. Build them up and encourage forgiveness. I always try to be there for my friends that are going through separation or divorce, all the while praying for their marriage to be restored.

Storms are inevitable. When a hurricane approaches our shores, what do we do? We put plywood up to protect our windows and we take every possible precaution to uphold our buildings. We pray for our building to make it through; we never simply tear it down before hand simply because we expect it to fall when the storm hits.



It is smart to prepare for the worst. I just have learned through my marriage, that it is the people who have faith in Eric and I's "forever", that give us the strength and courage to remain standing through the storms. I have learned a lot from my family and friends and for that I am truely grateful.


Eric and I are very much in love. In fact, our "storm" hit last summer...and we are stronger than ever and closer than before we were even engaged. We have found that even in the moments when we feel the most unloved, we love each other enough to wait out the storm and still come out standing. We pray together, and I believe that's the most important part. "When two people are joined in prayer, there God is also."

My favorite movie quote is from Runaway Bride, and it fits perfectly on a blog such as this one. "Look, I guarantee there'll be tough times. I guarantee that at some point, one or both of us is gonna want to get out of this thing. But I also guarantee that if I don't ask you to be mine, I'll regret it for the rest of my life, because I know, in my heart, you're the only one for me. "

Life guarantees tough times, and guarantees that our weaknesses will get the better of us sometimes. And a simple nursery rhyme "We are weak, but He is strong. Yes, Jesus loves me." This rhyme reminds us that though we are weak, and life promises struggles, He is strong, and through him you can do anything.

With God beside us, around us, and among us, our marriage will last forever. Any marriage can last forever if you put God first and foremost.

I am so blessed to have found a man who loves God and loves me! And I'm blessed to have friends and family who support us and believe in us! I love you all! And Eric- I'm still so happy and honored to be the one to grow old with you!

My Little Sister - THE CLEMSON GRADUATE!

Friday, May 8th, 2009 at 2:30pm the graduation ceremony began in Littlejohn Coliseum for the class of 2009. My sister Lisa graduated in just 4 years with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management! She made all of us tear up, we screamed when we knew we shouldn't, and I heard our dad say "That's what I'm talkin' bout!"

What's so unique about the date of the ceremony, is that 10 years ago on that very day Granpa Bill McKain passed away. Grandpa Bill is the very reason my Dad grew up on Clemson football. The very reason a passionate love of orange and white runs through the veins of the McKain family. He's the reason my father donates to IPTAY scholarships every year without regrets. And here we are, 10 years after Grandpa Bill's passing...and MY SISTER LISA walks across the stage as the FIRST grandchild to graduate from Grandpa's beloved school, Clemson University. We could all feel Grandpa's prescense....and my dad, well he has never been more proud than that day.

Grandpa Bill is proud of all of his grandchildren equally, and unconditionally, whether they graduated from college, or fell in love and built a family, or managed to achieve both. That's what made us love him so much, but we could all just picture his smile the day Lisa became a Clemson Alumni!

My mom's parents, Grandpa Bob and Grandma Arlene both traveled from Tifton, GA to be there to watch Lisa graduate. Aunt Donna and Aunt Beth were also there! And Eric and I got to hang out at Lisa's graduation party for a while, it was so wonderful to see everyone!

Lisa - we are all so proud of you and we love you! Congrats again sis! GO TIGERS!!!!!

Classic Lisa Graduation Pose..got her doing the same pose at her High School Graduation in 2005!Lisa holding her Clemson Degree, standing next to her fiance Keith...wedding next May!!!Lisa and the proudest dad in the WORLD, our dad!!Lisa and Myself- proudest and most awesome big sister in the world! :)The Family. :)

Dad, Lisa, Keith (well, it will be official next May!), Mom, Eric, and MeMy dad's sister - Aunt Beth, Lisa, and my mom's sister - Aunt Donna :) Grandma Arlene, Lisa, and Grandpa Bob