What is it about Hormones and the Holidays?

THis is old, but I wanted to post it anyway, so I can remember it! And by the way, I have recovered!


Today, I went to the Dollar Store. I almost cried the whole way. I almost cried again in Target while I was buying long underwear (the kind like I used wear), and then, in Walmart I teared up again as I was browsing the Clearance rack. Although I did find a bathing suit for $2.50, I still wanted to cry.

As a matter of fact, I still want to cry.

I think I have a cast of "Hormones and Holidays".

We decorated for Christmas yesterday. I think that is what has set me off. As we unpacked, Chad and I both found our treasured childhood Christmas ornaments, then we found those from our honeymoon and first Christmas together and moved on to Hadley's ornaments, our ornament symbolizing our pending China adoption and an airplane ornament that makes us remember our failed Russia adoption. We also have ornaments that I have exchanged with friends that are priceless and of course, the ornaments that serve as a remembrance of where we have lived so far.... Man, this tree tells a story!

Anyway, between unpacking RubberMaid tubs full of memories makes me always want MY mommy and MY family! Does anyone else out there feel like that?

Having just spent Thanksgiving in the 80 degree weather makes me miss my beloved Tennessee, where it is an appropriate 40 degrees. Combine that fact with the fact that my family just left, and it makes for some Oscar winning crying scenes here at the Keck house. Lucky for Chad, the Tennessee football game went into 4 overtimes, so he could be immersed in the game. All I had was my debit card and Walmart, the Dollar Tree and Target to console me. HOwever, nothing can take the place of being home.

So, here's to all of us out there that will not be home for Christmas (can you not just hear Elvis singing in the background?). Let's be thankful for what we have, our good friends, our church and each other, not to mention free Long Distance...

I thought I was Anti-Princess...

Ok, I admit it. I am one of those moms who does not encourage the whole Princess dress up thing. I feared that my daughter would some how take advantage of the whole situation and would start ordering me around like one of her royal servants. I didn't want her to have the "me, me, me mentality" of a "Princess". You know, I like to freak out before there is ever a reason. I like to panic beforehand. I like to worry, well, you know, about nothing...

This past week, I went to DisneyWorld with all my neices and my own little girl. They are Princess Nuts. They know them all. They know all the songs. They think they are princesses.

And they are right.

On the last night of Disney, we ate dinner with the Princesses. We all got dressed up and waited for our "royal party" to be called. I walked in, where Princess Belle was waiting for us. They little girls looked in awe. They were overcome by her beauty and her elegance. I think Chad was too. At that moment he might have considered that the "Beast" was pretty lucky. As for me, I got on the hunt for a yellow dress and tiara...

Hadley was afraid to approach her, so I bent over to coax her to get the coveted princess/little girl picture. As I did, I noticed how Princess Belle was talking to the girls. She was gentle, elegant and so mannerly. Everything feminine embodied. Very girly, in all the right ways. She wasn't ordering everyone around. She wasn't spoiled. She was perfect. And just like that, I was hooked. I loved looking over seeing Hadley feel so special. So pretty. "Just like a Pincess", she later told me.

The night was perfect. I nearly cried a couple of times and if you know me, that's a stretch. But to see our daughters acting so girly and demure was great. It reminds me that I am raising a little girl that will one day, be a woman. I hope to do all I can to instill into her manners, genteelness and femininity. All of which today's culture does not encourage. I think that if you are a woman and don't take advantage of the perks such as having your car door opened, being "courted" or the boy calling you on the phone, you are truly missing out on some real magic!

I want Hadley to experience this kind of magic and I reminded that that is so much mine and Chad's responsibility. I need to act more like a "pincess" and he of course, needs to be her picture of "Prince Charming".

Now, the royal mother and Princess Hadley must take a nap. They didn't sell those at Disney!

Inner Circle

You know who they are in your life. Your True Blues, Your "Peeps", those that you trust with you inner most thoughts and the real you. They are your Inner Circle.

I have mine, they all live in Tennessee, so anytime I go to Nashville, we get together to discuss politics (yes, we really do),the educational system (we were all Education majors), Men (of course), our impending NY trip and our hair. Those hours give me my fix until the next time we are together. I love spending time with them.

This past October, we all got together. We celebrated mine and Deborah's bdays as they are both in October. Although Amber was sick, we called her on the way home to tell her everything that happened during the course of the evening.

If you don't have an Inner Circle, get one. They add so much to my life. I love them!

Ms. Betty

Ever since Hadley has been born, there is a great lady that works with my mom that has basically adopted her to be a part of her family. Finally, we got to meet "Ms. Betty".

Ms. Betty has made everything for Hadley - clothes, blankets, you name it - all personalized, of course.

The kindness and love of others never ceases to amaze me, especially when it's a total stranger! Ms. Betty is a good reminder to love pour yourself out to others just because love is so wonderful. Even though we are all busy, let's not ever be too busy to show others love just because... that's a wonderful thing.

YOU are a wonderful, lady Ms. Betty, it was an honor to meet you!

The Lifeway Ladies Lunch

Recently, I was in Nashville and I got to eat with some former co-workers. I am just crazy about them. When I worked at Lifeway in the Womens' Event Section, I loved it.

I am so glad we still stay in touch. Lifeway and the events have been such a big part of my life and even though my time has passed, I know that the work is in the best hands.

I am proud of that department!

Chad and Big Ed

My husband has an obsession.

Big Ed's Pizza in Oak Ridge, TN.

He wears the t-shirt, when he knows we are going home to TN, he always starts in with "the only thing I really want to do is go to Big Ed's" routine, and when we go, he goes into the "Big Ed's Zone". He is in full concentration.

But I have to admit, it is the best pizza ever!

Chad, I hope we celebrate out 50th anniversary at Big Ed's!

I love you,

Candace

Gotta Go Home in the Fall!

Ok, we all know that I am a home girl. I love Tennessee, especially in the fall. Moving to Florida has been hard for that reason, no seasons! My favorite season fall seems wasted here. No cool breeze, no long sleeves and jackets (if I see one more pair of capri pants and flip flops I will go crazy!), no hot apple cider, none of that. I demonstrate in my own way. I am wearing fall colors and closed toed shoes, sweat and all.

I went home for my birthday and had a great time. Being with friends and family, going to the mountains for a picnic, creek adventure and hayride was great. Talk about homesick! We completed my trip home with a weenie roast and haunted hike lead by Grammy herself. My best friend from college and I hid and jumped out at just the right time to give everyone a good scare. It was fun. I love torturing kids, you know!

Check out some pictures. Home is good, isn't it. Especially when it's TN in the Fall!

Some People Just Go Over the Top... and I am so glad!

You know, some people just have a clue. One of those people is my friend from Austin, Brandi Capps. She did something so cool for a bunch of minister's wives recently...

One day, I received an email stating that I was invited to go to Aspen, CO, to stay at a resort to celebrate another friend's birthday. Hotel and Flight covered.

I obviously had to read that again....

Free? Someone would share that much with 3 other people? Well, Brandi made a trip of a lifetime happen.

In late September, I got on a plane to beautiful Aspen, CO. I felt so special. It has been a lonely 10 months since I have left Austin (coolest city in the US) to move to Sarasota. The thought of getting on a plane to meet up with some of the greatest women in the world was a welcome thought. The fact that everyone (except Brandi) is a minister's wife was the icing on the cake. We all served together at Hyde Park, so it is so nice to be with those that know what it's like to be the wife of a church staff member.

We walked, visited in front of the fire place, read, shopped, ate, visited the spa and relaxed for 5 days. It was wonderful. What a gift! Thanks, Brandi for such a great time. I will never forget it.

Happy _ _ Birthday, Selena!

Forever Grateful

You know, there are just those people that come into your life to help you out that you can't ever forget. While in Tennessee recently, we visited our beloved Baptist Hospital NICU to see doctors and nurses that we are "forever grateful" for. I love going to the NICU, it's the only place in the world where I hear anyone say, "Hadley, you are such a big girl!"

Hadley was totally intrigued this visit. She wanted to see all the babies. She wanted to take them home. She kept saying, "they want their mama". I agreed. I told her, "yes, and believe me, their mama's want them!"

Sweet memories. What an unforgettable time in our lives. We so respect these caregivers who gave so unselfishly to us. We are forever changed, forever grateful!

Meet our new friend, Amy Harris

We met a new friend last week. On Halloween day, we met Amy Harris, our Social Worker here in Florida. She works for America World, the agency we are using for our adoption from China.

Everything went well. Amy is fantastic. I knew this because Hadley invited her to "stay the night with me?" We would welcome Amy to our home anytime, I can tell you that! She is great and we are blessed to have her with us.

Halloween 2007 - Here, Kitty, Kitty!

We had a fantastic Halloween! We started off the WEEK of Halloween by Hadley wearing her kitty cat outfit everywhere we went. She event slept in it!

On the big day, we went to church, where we joined over 2000 other families and enjoyed games, horse rides, train rides and funnel cakes. We then did the traditional trick or treating in our neighborhood before going to the College Costume Party. Hadley had such a great time.

I so love to dress up. I will post the pictures of me and Chad soon. We went as "Snowbirds" since we are living in Florida.

I hope all of you got lots of treats!!