Christmas 2008!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Special Delivery!

On 9/11, our church delivered cookies to all the fire stations in Sarasota, here are some pics from that day!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Grandparents Day!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Mom, who is Arack Obama?

That question was one of the first posed to me this morning. We can't start with something like "where do babies come from", we have gone political!

Try explaining the presidency or even the fact that we live in the United States, which is also known as USA and America.

Don't even get me started on Universal Healthcare and off shore drilling!

These are "The Days of My Life"

Hadley Keck, Madame President, has a good ring, don't you think?

I cannot keep up with a 9 year old!

Oh, I think everyone should have a 9 year old come and stay with them, especially if you have small children. This summer, my neice, Kathryn, came and stayed with us.

Constant shows, art exhibits, fake doctor's offices, NICU nurseries - you name it, Kathryn provided it for Hadley. She has simply created a world for Hadley that I cannot replicate. Not even close, especially that art exhibit thing...

"Can you go get a diaper for me?" "Can you take Rudy out?" "Can you put Hadley down for a nap and read her a story?"

Yep, I used a whole box of Kleenex when she left. You would have too...

Here are some pics from her summer visit....

Summer pictures!

New Olympic Sport - Motherhood

I love the Olympics! I especially remember the Olympics of my childhood, when I thought, "I could do that". I remember those Olympics of the 80's - can any girl in that was in high school say, "Mitch Gaylord, Men's Gymnastics"?? Like I say, I love the Olympics. Being a sports enthusiast myself, I wait IMPATIENTLY through the opening ceremonies and the lighting of the torch (get on with it) until I see the actual action.

Now that I have full blown cable, I am very confused and obsessed with more than one sport going on. I cruise the channels while doing the dishes, laundry, playing, etc.

I am pumped about Dana Torres, partly because I always feel sad that my Olympic chance has passed me by and now that a 41 year old mom is competing, I think there still might be hope.

I loved watching Michael Phelps. I loved watching the Chinese Men's Gymnastic Team. I even picked out a guy that looked like what I think Shepherd might look like. Of course, he is their #1 guy, also.

Then it occurs to me. As I am trying to feed Shepherd, fold laundry, let the dog in and out and in and out, as well as play with Hadley, MOTHERHOOD could be an Olympic sport.

Suddenly I feel strong, capable, gold-medal worthy, even spandex, full-body-swimsuit worthy. I am Mother hear me roar. I imagine myself getting onto the podium, yes, the one in the middle. I am holding red roses while the flag of MotherHood is lowered over my head. Tears well up in my eyes as I savor the moment. I have won. I am a good mother, no, the best mother. The gold medal mother.

Then my daydream comes to a halt as I hear those words that snap me back into reality.

"Mommy, I need some toilet paper!"

I must trade in the medal for some Charmin. Good thing that girl is so cute.

Gotta Run.

I have "LOST" it!

Ok, if you know me, you know I really don't like many TV programs. I like stuff like my all time favorite, COPS, Forensic Files, Cold Case Files, The First 48 - can you tell what I wanted to be when I was little? I just really have no interest in dorky reality shows, prime time game shows and definitely not any show involving someone getting a rose. Give me a break!

However, our newest staff member and his wife, Jessee and Kathleen have gotten us hooked on "LOST". I really didn't think I would be interested, but last night as I kept watching episode after episode and it was 1:50am, I thought, "I have to get a grip!" It's really a great show.

If you need some true entertainment to just relax, try it. It's worth watch!

Ladies and Gentlemen, we have a 4 year old!

Today, or yesterday (May 19) Hadley turned 4. We had a great day. Due to the fact that we have already had her party because we thought we would be in China during her birthday, we had a low key, family kind of day.

Check out these great pics! Birthday Breakfast, Visiting the NICU to see "the teeny, tiny babies", lunch with Mom and Dad (more importantly the free dessert) and a movie with Dad. What a fun day!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Happy Mudders Day to Edybody!

Happy Mother's Day to Everyone! We are blessed to have such great moms. Chad and I both are wild about our mothers. Hadley thinks her mother is "growing bigger and bigger everyday". I am now in the process of teaching her the sentence, "My mom is a size 6". Is that wrong? Well, if it is, I don't wanna be right!

We are in full Mother's Day swing here at the Keck household. Chad has taken Hadley out for breakfast this morning and to run errands so mom could do some work. After the write this, I plan on taking a long Mother's Day Nap. Yes, I am milking it for all it's worth!

We wanted to take this time to send a shout out to our moms and all the moms that have inspired us over the years. This also goes out to everyone who is a biological, spiritual, adopted, foster - you name it... mom....

Thank you to my mom who is such a cheerleader for me. Also, thanks mom, for answering the phone when I call for the 17th time today...

Thank you to Chad's mom (I am writing, as Chad speaks) - "for Rockin' the Universe!"

Thank you to my sisters, who I get to talk about "how our mom did it" and how we will probably never arrive at that point...

Thank you to Leeanne, my sisterinlaw who is way better at me at staying in touch!

Thank you to Terry Sims, my spiritual mom for sharing so much of herself (time, food, etc) to me in college and beyond. You inspire me to fall more in love with Jesus.

To Bernie Baker, Hadley's other mother... I will never get over how you took care of Hadley in the NICU... and how you took care of me. 108 DAYS!

Thank you to Selena Procter who is my "Pastor's Wife" mom. Thank you for being such an example of truly enjoying this weird "job" we have as wives of pastors.

Thank you to Karen Shively for loving "Mom Jeans" and Target t-shirts - the "Mom Outfit" of our generation. You make me laugh!

Thank you to Amy, Amber and Deb - for loving my little one like family.

There are many more, but I will stop for now, I want you to enjoy the show! As Hadley says, "Ladies and Gentlemen! Boys and Girls!.... Hadley Keck!"

Check out our American IDOLL!

Visit Shepherd's link to see Hadley singing "Happy Birthday"!

wwww.shepherdkeck.blogspot.com

Remember to share "the little things"!

I got an email from a precious woman at my church. Anna Braswell sent me an email telling me about what Hadley said tonight at Cubbies... I wanted to be sure it was on the blog so she could see it in years to come. From the mouth of babes....

"Also, Hadley was so sweet tonight at Cubbies. We were asking in circle time for the kids to share anything you did this week that was fun, or special way God has blessed you, and questions like that, and Hadley said she was thankful for her brother Shepherd in China, that you are going to bring him home soon, later i asked her if you did anything special for shepherd's birthday today, and she said she blew out the candles, I didn;t quite get all of that sentence when she said it, but it is very obvious she is excited to be a big sister,and it blessed me to hear her speak tonight. Anna Braswell"

Hadley was referring to her blowing out the candles on Shepherd's birthday cookie. We explained that she got to blow out the candle because Shepherd wasn't here yet. She took it all very seriously.

The next time you notice something from your friend's child, be sure and tell them, you may never know how much it means to someone to hear the sweet words your child it saying....

We like hangin' out with Barbie

We have a new friend. Hadley and I visited her twice last week.

She is small, black and likes to lick your face if you will let her.

Hadley has named her "Barbie" and she is a doll.

Hadley and I are both animal lovers. I would have 5 dogs if Chad would allow it. I suspect Hadley will be the same way. When we go to Target, we like to go over to "PetLand" and visit with some really neat four legged friends.

The worst part is leaving, of course. One day, Barbie might just come home with us!

Just kidding, Chad!!!

A Date with Daddy

Last Friday, my little girl had a date.

Mom helped her get ready. We started with a long nap (mom got in on that action, too!). We moved on to a bubble bath, pedicure and the perfect hair-do.

While I was getting her ready, she looked at me totally serious and said, "Am I getting married today?"

My heart fell into my stomach. I was already panicking about the prom and she had fast forwarded into marriage.

Hair done, toes dried, dress pressed. The time had come for Hadley's date to pick her up.

The doorbell rings and I walk Hadley to the door where Daddy is standing on the other side, flowers in hand.

Hadley beamed and I fell in love with my husband all over again. He took her to the Father/Daughter Banquet at church. They ate dinner, listened to a speaker and danced.

It was magical as you can see in these pictures. I know Hadley will certainly have high standards for the man that picks her up for the prom - not to mention a husband. That's because Daddy is laying some serious ground work. Any man in Hadley's life will have some big shoes to fill.

Thanks, Chad for showing Hadley what love is! You are a great daddy!

Candace + Chad = True Love!

Well just celebrated our 7th wedding anniversary on April 21! We went out to a great dinner and lingered over the food and just talked. Quality time, seems like there is so little of it just for the 2 of us anymore...

My little HoneyPie is so good to me and I love him dearly. Now, we are about as different as night and day. He likes to save money, I like Target. He likes "Antiques Road Show" and I like "Cops". He likes to stay up late at night, I think that is ridiculous! Somehow, though, it works for us. Probably because he has the patience of Job and doesn't get his feelings hurt easily. He claims that when I am mad and ranting, he only takes in about 1% of what I am saying.

For that matter, he probably does that when it's a normal day.

Good for him, just don't let me know it.

Happy 7 years Chad!

Old Friends are Best...

Last week Hadley and I had a real treat. My beloved neighbors from Texas were in town for a work convention at DisneyWorld, so Hadley and I headed to Orlando to meet up and have fun.

And we did. To tell you the truth, I didn't know if she would really remember them. Was I surprised. Granted, we have pictures of these precious girls up at our house, but still, would she be shy and unsure?

Nope! They ran into each other's arms in the hotel lobby. I about did that to their mother, Colleen, I had missed her so much, but I refrained. I know she's glad about that..

We had a great day. It was like we hadn't missed a beat. We had been next door neighbors. I was spoiled. The girls are precious, Colleen and Derrick are very cool and what's more, they really loved Hadley. Well, Chad and I adored their girls too. We had great times hanging out on Colleen's driveway, watching the kids play, while we discussed the deeper issues of life, such as electrolisis.

I remember sitting on Colleen's couch crying that we were moving. Lots of those emotions stemmed from the fact that we were moving from our home, next to them. She surprised me when she said that they were also moving. And they did, a couple of months after we were gone. They live in Arizona and now we live in Florida.

I am glad we stay in touch. Colleen also knows alot about the issues we will face with Shepherd. I really do count on her advise and opinion.

All this to say - "It was great to see you all!" I really miss our "Driveway Days". God was so good to put us next to this wonderful family for 2 years. I hope when our girls are turning 18, we will still be seeing them from time to time.

Check out Shepherd's blog...

Go to Shepherd's blog to check out the latest about our process!
Also, you can see the action from our huge garage sale this weekend!

www.shepherdkeck.blogspot.com

That's Alright Mama!

Elvis is alive and well at the Keck house.

It's something the Edwards girls hand down from generation to generation.

My mom loves Elvis, I love Elvis and now, Hadley loves him.

When my mom was here, we watched an Elvis concert. I really didn't pay any attention, but all of a sudden I looked up and Hadley was entraced. It was hilarious. I guess it's true - Elvis' music never gets old!

One particular song caused her to break out into a dance. Then, my mom started dancing with her. "That's alright, now Mama" has become an anthem around here. She frequently bursts into singing it, especially when she may be about to get into trouble...

Dancing in the living room to Elvis, I can't name how many times we danced to Elvis in my mom's kitchen. When we were young, like Hadley, all the way through high school and college. Cousins, friends, animals, no one was immune to the beat.

I love to see my family doing things that I did when I was younger. Watching my mom dance with Hadley made it possible for me to see what it must have been like when I was 3, dancing to the King of Rock and Roll.

However, I think Hadley is a much better dancer...

Happy BEARthday, Hadley!

Yesterday, we celebrated Hadley's 4th birthday. Her actual birthday is not until May 19, but we will either be on our way to TN to leave for China, or IN China, so we wanted a special day for her, without being distracted!

Usually, I like to do the parties myself, coming up with themes, etc. This year, however, we needed it to be a little easier. We chose to do a Build-a-Bear party.

10 of Hadley's best pals showed up for the big day. Hadley's main concern was that everyone sing Happy Birthday. She couldn't wait for that part.

We had a great time making the BEARS. Even for us CRAFT-CHALLENGED gals, this thing was pretty much a breeze. After all, when I work the preschool area and take the 2 year olds to the craft room and see a project laid out with popsicle sticks and glue, I break out into a sweat...

We then moved on to the food court, where my fantastic husband had set up the tables, gotten the food and laid it all out. I told him later, all the moms were bragging on him -see, guys, it doesn't take much!

One thing I will say about Chad and the party. He realizes the birthday party is my realm. He helps like a champ. It works well for us. I really appreciate him on those days. He makes them easier for me, not harder.

At last, the Cookie Cake was served and everyone sang. To see her sit there with that sweet smile on her fact was priceless.

I love kids birthday parties. Looking at all those adorable, chocolate covered faces, I can hardly imagine one day they will be grown up. But I have heard from other moms (one of them is my own mom to be exact) that is goes so quick. Some days that is hard to believe, but other days, like birthday parties, I get a glimpse of the pace these days are traveling.

And, man, they ARE quick!

We are holding our breath!

I got an email from our adoption agency on Friday. They had written the immigration office in Tampa and got a response right away!

Now, keep in mind that we have called, emailed, visited 2 offices of our Congressman and even called his wife at home.

For 2 weeks we have carried around the "not knowing". That has been so hard, I will admit.

When they finally emailed them, I was relieved. I wish they had done it sooner. It might have saved me many hours of laying awake at night. Let me put it this way, I am very up on political matters, as I have watched about 10,000 Resmussen polls on FOX in the wee hours of the morning...

We know we won't travel on May 1 - we are hoping for May 22 or 23 (the next group to go). I promise to keep you posted!

It is amazing, though, how, during the day, I have felt mostly happy. I have had my moments, but I really am thankful that the Lord has provided me many distractions, mainly a blonde headed 4 year old... She has been an angel and has made me laugh more than usual. Turns out, laughter IS good therapy.

And the Winner is....

I just made the phone call to inform the winner of the IPOD Nano from our "Chip In" contest!

Amy Maze is the lucky winner.

Hadley picked the name, as you can see in the photos.

We would like to thank everyone for participating. I wish we could give you all an IPOD, no, strike that, I wish we could give you a cruise! Or a year's supply of Chick-fil-A sweet tea, whichever one floats your boat.

Congratulations, Amy! Now, all you need is to locate a 6 year old to teach you how to use it...

Warning: This Post might make you sick to your stomach.

It made my stomach hurt all day!

On Wednesday I read an email that rattled me pretty much all day.

A friend of mine from my beloved Austin had sent me a package, wondering if I had gotten it. It was a CD with pictures on it from a trip we had taken earlier in the year. She had included the CD, a note and 2 bracelets for Hadley to play with. Oh, yeah, one more thing was in there...

Diamond Earrings

Yes, you read right, diamond earrings.

I didn't see them.

They are now probably sitting in some landfill when they could be on my ears, twinkling. I could see myself at exclusive parties wearing "a little black dress", beaming a perfect veneer, Zoom whitened smile at everyone as they remarked "what beautiful earrings you have ". I would be the envy of the evening.

Instead I eat tomato soup out of a can and wonder how I am going to reply to the email that just informed me I had thrown away perfectly good, twinkly diamond earrings.

I worried all day that she might be mad. I wondered how I could be so lame. I even recreated the scene by getting the same kind of envelope and putting the CD, bracelets and note back in there. I racked my brain to figure out now it could have happened. I called the Post Office to see if it was insured. He told me it wasn't if I hadn't had to sign for it. I told him I knew that but asked him just to listen at how bad the situation was.

He agreed, it was indeed bad.

Of course my friend called me and blew it off. She really did. I cannot get over her generosity. It's not everyday you get a surprise like that! If anyone sends me so much as a postcard, I will rip it to shreds to make sure nothing sparkly is in there.

I could not believe that she sent me those earrings. I was truly touched. I love generosity, it makes everyone happy.

I bet that is one happy, happy landfill.

love
plain-eared Candace

Candace: aka the "COW"

Most of you probably don't know that I have a new gig. I have been working for the past several months at Chick-fil-A as their Unit Marketing Director. I am a liason between Chick-fil-A and schools and businesses. It was a great way to earn a little extra money for the adoption...until last Thursday....

When I had to be the COW.

For those of you that know me, you know I really don't mind doing this kind of stuff. As a matter of fact, my first job was for "The Clown Around", where I dressed up and did children's bday parties and made balloon deliveries.

But now, I am 37, a mother, for crying out loud and I am in a COW suit.

I had a gig at a private, Christian school. I show up, but the COW suit on with help from the school secretary. I get into the huge COW thing and am literally almost gagging at the smell. Lots of 18 year old boys have worn this thing before me.

For some reason, I got really chlosterphobic for about 5 minutes. I didn't think I was going to handle keeping that suit on. I tried to convince my head to quit spinning and my stomach to stop churning. Finally, I felt OK.

I ventured outside to walk around and mingle with the students. I was heading over to the preschool area and I walked into a low hanging light. I hit it so hard it knocked me backward. A COW flying through the air is not a cool thing. Take it from the COW.

It didn't hurt because that thing is huge and hard but those kids loved it. I guess I thought I was too good to be the COW, turns out I'm probably not qualified to be the COW. Got me down off my high horse pretty quick!

Well, I made merry for the rest of the visit and the kids were so cute wanting to give me hugs. When I took it off, I was so sweaty I couldn't believe it. One good thing about that stinky suit, I bet I lost 2 pounds!

Hey Everyone - a final plug for Chick-fil-A - EAT THE CHICKEN SAVE THE COW!

My last day is tomorrow... I will miss it, but I am glad for the reason - I am getting a new baby!!!

Rudy, the Easter Dog

Who says dogs don't go to heaven? Mine will. He even attended church on Easter Sunday.

Yep, he was even a greeter. Not a bad deal. I think half of the congregation got licked, literally licked by Rudy.

Picture it. Candace in her best Easter frock. Ok, It was pants and a cardigan, but when you are working the preschool area on Easter you gotta be ready. Anyway, I am pulling into the church for the early service. My inlaws and sister-in-law were in town but stayed behind to bring the little ones for the later service. As I pulled in ready for a wonderful service, I get the phone call.

"Candace, this is Russ"

"Rudy is bleeding from a quite sensitive area"

The brakes go on and I go back home, change into jeans, long sleeve black t-shirt and tennis shoes to whisk Rudy to the ER.

Those are the kinds of things you wait until later to tell your husband about. Like later, after you get the ER bill...

I walked in (Rudy is wagging his tail the whole time) and told them it was en emergency. They looked at me as if to say, "Duh, these are all emergencies, that's why it's the Animal ER"... Of course the patient didn't look convincing so I got the good news that it would be 2-4 HOURS...

I wanted to remind them what I thought ER meant, with a big focus on the word EMERGENCY.

So, I did what any pet owner would do, I waited. I called our vet - of course they were in church, keeping the nursery as all good vets do.

Anyway, to make a very long story a little shorter. I started talking in the waiting room to everyone, trying to explain that we would have to have church in there. I talked to a woman about adoption, she had given up a child to adoption 25 years earlier and we had a wonderful, tearful talk. We all had a good time in that room, well, everyone except the animals, including a constipated cat...

Rudy actually got called back in about 30 minutes. I had to sit and listen to the vet (who couldn't keep a straight face) tell me what Rudy's problem was in "that sensitive area". I told him I was just glad that I didn't really know him because I was pretty much humiliated.

I didn't have time to go home and change, preschool nursery was calling! I rushed my extremely casual Easter frock and Rudy to church. I threw his leash to a youth kid and told him to have fun and that Rudy was friendly. He as a little shocked and I just hoped he wasn't allergic to dogs.

I made nursery time. Sweaty armpits and all. After all it was climbing into the high 80's and I looked like I was going to a camp out in TN in November.

So, that was the day Rudy went to church. I love my dog, but that was about too much for even me. Of course as I write this, he looks at me and all I can think of is how I am going to get him to church on a regular basis....

Santa Fe Soup!

You have to give this recipe a try!

It passed my inlaw test, so this one is a keeper!

http://www.mayfielddairy.com/recipes/recipes_soups.aspx

Bringing Shepherd Home!

Many have asked, so we have put this "Chip In" opportunity on the blog. To make it more fun, we are putting names in the hat of those that give and April 10, we will draw for a new IPOD! Have fun!

I am so mad at CRAIG DONNACHIE!

My brother in law - Craig Donnachie is such a meany!

He took my beloved sister and her babies to GERMANY!

Does anyone know how to say "You bring them back right now!" in German?

Craig works for the FBI and finally got the call to Germany, which he has wanted for some time. Whitney and girls are there, and having a great transition. The blessings include: automatic network of friends (Americans) in their same position (away from home) and a great church within walking distance.

Things that Candace is having a hard time dealing with:
No more 7am morning calls from sister
No more 7:30am calls from sister
No more 8:00am calls from sister
You see where I am going with this....

I miss being "in the know with them". I wish they lived next door to me. We have made our husbands promise (I am sure with their fingers crossed behind their backs) that when we all retire we will live next door to each other.

Only 35 years to go....

Friends for 20 years!

My friend, Michelle Holcombe, from good old college days came to visit me. She has not been able to take off for a while, she is in the middle of raising 3 kids, but now, they are a little older so she got to come hang with her possee!

We met in 1988. She was an ambitious Intramural Quarterback. I, the suspicious and somewhat jealous girl that was very intimidated by this girl that could seem to do everything I could, only better.

What would happen? Would they be friends? Would they be enemies? Would they ever get their bangs grown out? The answers to these questions are yes, no and NO (even 20 years later!)

We had a great time. We ate, shopped, relaxed, watched movies, played with Hadley, and had late night snacks. Not too many of those, though, your figure can handle that at 18, at 38 it's a little different! Baked Lays and Perrier don't compare to Donuts and Choc Milk!

We talked about everything from our families, our husbands, our pets and then we got to rewind. I reminded her, "Be kind if you rewind" as she knows who I had a crush on... that I don't want to remember! Why is her memory so good? Of course, I had a great time reminding her of a few beaus as well. It's nice to be with people that knew you "way back when". Before you were a "Mrs." and before you had a serious career. Way back when a hectic day meant choosing how to squeeze in time to go to Young Life and make the Intramural Championship Football Game. If you are wondering, I never did get to be quarterback!

Thanks for coming Michelle and thanks for wanting the best for me. You are a true friend!

My Shepherd

We got the call Monday that it is indeed time to go and get our boy!! May 1, we will leave to meet and adopt our baby Shepherd!

It's been a very long process for us and now it's all coming together. I was shocked when I got the call. It's always the thing that will happen one day - and then ONE DAY it does! We are so excited!

More information to come!

"The Look"

Sometimes you don't know whether to discipline or laugh.

This time, I chose to laugh. Then, I took it a step further and got her to do it again so I could take a picture. Bad Mommy!

My girl has learned a look(I am sure from Parent's Morning Out - surely not from me...) that cracks me up, although it is not nice. When she doesn't get her way, she looks over her glasses and put her hands on her hips and purses up her lips.

I have asked her to do it only when we are having fun. I am sure my 3 1/2 year old understands that, aren't you?

Now, before you judge me as a bad parent, just take a look at the picture. Is it not hilarious? Just don't show your own child, you don't want them doing this!