His Grace Reaches Me...

Adam, Christin & Luke....

2009-06-24T05:39:00.006-05:00

Adam, Christin, Luke & soon-to-be Titus Turner are some of our best friends in the whole world...and at Luke's 3rd birthday, I grabbed a few shots of them...

Blessings,
Candace

What Corbin Looked Like...

2009-06-24T05:13:00.004-05:00

when he came home from the hospital...

Bluebonnets--April 2009

2009-06-24T04:32:00.008-05:00

One of my favorite memories growing up is taking pictures in the bluebonnets...it's not the same b/c I've got two boys instead of my mom having 3 girls, but, hey, I work with what I've got...

These are back from April...so I know I'm late getting them up here, but late is better than never, right?
Blessings,
Candace

Corbin's HOME!!!

2009-02-15T11:15:00.003-06:00

just wanted to put a quick update on the blog...

corbin got to come home yesterday afternoon!!! and he's doing GREAT!!! he's getting his appetite back (hooray!!!)...our next hurdle is getting him to take his medicine (it tastes yucky & he cries every time we give it to him--which is 3 times a day)...

thank you again for your prayers!! i can't begin to tell you how fabulous it is to have the family all under one roof again!!!

blessings,
candace

Update on Corbin--2-12-09

2009-02-12T11:11:00.003-06:00

well, we're still up here at the hospital...today's day 5 and this room is starting to feel like a 2nd home...ha, ha!

corbin's doing better..he still has a fever, however, the fever spikes are getting fewer and fewer...he's still refusing to eat or drink...and in order to be released from the hospital, he has to both be fever free for 24 hours and has to eat and drink enough to sustain himself...so we're still here for at least another day or two...

he's had 2 visits from saydee--a sweet yellow labrador therapy dog who we know from brendan's school...that has been a big treat for him! and today he's scheduled to go on a wagon ride through the hospital...he's received a few balloons and stuffed animals and lots of notes (you can log onto hendrick's website and send corbin an email & they'll bring it to us...here's the link: http://www.ehendrick.org/emailapatient/index.htm)--i read every single note he gets to him and then we hang it on the wall...he's also gotten a few pictures (which he LOVES)--both hand-made and also poster-type ones...he's so visual and loves to see the spider-man, veggie tales, and iron man hanging on the wall!

as of last night, his breathing treatments are prn (as needed)...and so that's another good thing. he loves the treatments & seems to respond well to them.

so, how do i think he's doing? i think he's getting better, but is still a pretty sick kiddo...like kelly said to me "he doesn't care at all that he has an iv in his arm--if his was feeling good, that thing would be driving him crazy & he'd be fussing about it"... the fact that he's refusing even the things he loves (like icecream) also tells us that he's not feeling good.

it's hard for me to believe that i did it, but i let kelly stay with corbin last night so that i could go home and get some rest (as well as have some time with brendan)...i'm feeling better today which is good. i've been having muscle spasms in my neck & back which cause me to have a bad headache...so that's been challenging...

thank you, thank you, thank you for all your prayers and well wishes. thank you for the notes you have sent to us through the hospital, the phone calls, etc. i will keep you posted on corbin's progress.

blessings,
candace
p.s...we heard the nurses say a few minutes ago that the children's wing is over-flowing and they're having a hard time getting enough nurses to cover...there's a lot of sick kiddos right now with rsv, pneumonia, and even the rotto virus has started up...yuck!

Update on Corbin--Tuesday, February 10, 2009

2009-02-10T10:44:00.001-06:00

well, it's tuesday & we're still in the hospital...corbin is still very sick...we still can't get his temperature to stay down. it was a really rough night last night and both of us are exhausted...so we're going to keep him on phenergan all day to hopefully knock him out so he'll rest and let his body heal. they did more labs and another chest xray this morning...and the doctor, after looking at the 3 progressive xrays says that the pneumonia is only in the right lung and that it looks like it might be aspiration pneumonia (which means that while he was intubated during the tonsillectomy or right after something (spit, fluid, food, etc) went down into his lung)...and the antibiotic he's on is the one they give for that type of pneumonia...at the same time, she's still not convinced that it's not viral pneumonia (he's not really responding to the antibiotics like he should (the fever's not staying down))...but it also could be that they need to increase the amt of antibiotics--which they will do if his fever doesn't stay down today. she's supposed to come by at lunch and check on him again. so how do i think he's doing? he seems a little better today, but then again, last night when brendan came up to the hospital, he got out of bed (for the 1st time in 3 days) and actually played with his brother...so i thought we were turning a corner...but then last night was so rough so it's hard to tell...pneumonia is such a common thing--it's not like it's a rare thing--and it doesn't all mean bad things (brendan had pneumonia a couple years ago and it was no biggie at all)...but i just read on the mayo site that it's the #1 cause of death in children--that's kinda scary... i'm chosing to believe that the GREAT PHYSICIAN can & will heal corbin.

thank you again for all the prayers lifted up on our behalf.

blessings,
candace

Minus 4 Tonsils & 2 Adenoids...and Corbin's in the hospital...

2009-02-09T01:39:00.004-06:00

it's 140am and what i should be doing is cuddling up next to my precious little 4 year old, corbin...what i should be doing is resting--more specifically, sleeping--next to my sweet little boy...what i should be doing is taking advantage of the time that i have to let my body unwind while the room is dark and quiet--no breathing treatments for at least another hour and fever shouldn't begin to spike for at least another 30 minutes to an hour (if it follows the pattern it's established over the last 24 hours)....

but it's 140am and what i should be doing and what i'm actually doing are worlds apart...because it's 140am and i can't sleep...partially because i'm anxious...partially because i'm afraid to try to sleep (b/c i'll probably be woken up as soon as sleep finally overtakes me(if i'm lucky))...a huge part of it is because i didn't want to take my sleeping pill so that i would be fully aware of any need that corbin has...but i'm hoping that it's mostly b/c i'm just not at peace inside myself...and that once i release all the many thoughts and emotions bottled up inside me and share that the LORD will in turn grant me peaceful rest...

after begging the last couple of years to have brendan's tonsils removed, our (my) wish was finally granted & on december 30, 2007, he had his tonsils removed, adenoids removed (again--yes, they can grow back) and his turbinates (in his nose) worked on (i believe it's called something like "partial reduction of the inferior turbinates" or something like that)...the surgery went great...the only set back was that b/c of brendan's adhd (which we we'd suspected he had, but hadn't gotten a diagnosis), the narcotics wired & agitated him instead of bringing him comfort so we were only able to give him tylenol & eventually ibuprofen for pain...which meant he didn't rest hardly at all...but all thing come to an end and about 8 days after the surgery, he turned the corner and started getting better...

then, on january 6th, i had surgery...and without going into all the details, i'll just say that my gyn was pretty sure i have endemetriosis (which is what is causing the very heavy painful periods)...and he wanted to go ahead and remove my uterus to eliviate the problem...but my insurance said they wouldn't pay for the hysterectomy until i had 4 other procedures done 1st (seriously--what kind of backward heathcare is that!?!)...anywho, after discussing it, kelly and i decided that maybe the tricare doctor (meaning a doctor who works for tricare who was the responsible for denying the hysterectomy until the other 4 procedures were done 1st) was right...

some time during the 2nd week in january, corbin stopped eating...and this is VERY unusual for him--he's always been such a great eater...so i started being concerned about him, but since that was his only symptom, i didn't pursue it further...

then, on january 21st we received a call from the developmental specialist that we've been waiting 4 months to get brendan into at 445pm saying that they had an appt available the next morning (in lubbock)--and could we be there?? (if we said no, i'd have to take brendan by myself to the specialist---which i didn't want to do b/c i really felt that both kelly and i needed to be there--b/c kelly would be tdy at the time of the original appt)...so off we went to lubbock...and we finally have a diagnosis for brendan (i'll have to post that later)

by january 26th, i'd had enough speculations about corbin's lack of appetite and took him to the pedi...his tonsils were almost touching and he had strep throat--with NO symptoms!!!!--very very scary!!...and as it turned out, he'd been stopping breathing (obstructive sleep apnea) while sleeping...and, yes, by this time, i was feeling like a horrible mother b/c i didn't realize that the noise he was making in his sleep was due to him stopping breathing...ugh! and since we knew that kelly would be leaving soon for his tdy, i felt like if the tonsils needed to be taken out, we needed to get it done asap so that i wouldn't have to worry about it while he was gone...

so this past friday, february 6th, corbin got his tonsils taken out...and within minutes of him being brought to us out of surgery, he started barking like a seal which got the nurses attention and before we knew it, the anesthesiologist was ordering a breathing treatment...ok, no biggie...we get home, but that little motherly instinct just had me watching him closely...the next day, saturday, he started running fever...it was 102.5 at 2pm and so i gave him tylenol and called the on-call dr (the post-op paperwork says to call if fever gets over 102)...by 330pm, his temperature had rose to 103.5 and so i took him to the emergency room...and after being in there for about 3 hours with no iv or fever reducing agents, his fever spiked to 107.6 (yep, you read that right...the nurse checked it twice...and although my children both run high fevers (104.5) all the time with viruses, 107.6 seemed way out of control)...so he got admitted into the hospital...with what they were pretty sure was pneumonia...they tested for the flu and other things (one being a reaction to the anesthesia)...all came back negative--including a regular white blood count...and so as of this morning, we were told that he has bilateral pneumonia...that although they are treating him with antibiotics, more than likely he has viral pneumonia (which is not caused from the surgery intubation)...viral (vs bacterial) pneumonia can't be healed with antibiotics--it just has to run it's course...which of course can make it more dangerous...anywho, it's now been over 24 hours since he was admitted and started on 2 heavy antibiotics as well as fluid iv and he doesn't really seem to be getting better...at times he seems worse and at times he seems about the same...even with tylenol and ibuprofen, his temp never goes all the way down and about 3 hours after the last dose, his temp starts to rise again...he's doing two different breathing treatments as well as some percussion respiratory therapy every 4 hours...they'll repeat chest xrays and labs in the morning (which will be here within a matter of hours...it's now 3am (i've had to stop writing several times to take care of corbin))...

so that's the scoop on us...i appreciate the prayers that have been lifted up on our behalf...especially for little corbin...i can tell you that they are felt--if in no other way, this precious child has not complained even once about pain...he has been the most perfect patient--he's not trying to run down the hall--he's resting fairly well...as so as far as hospital experiences go, this one ranks at the top...ha, ha...

thanks for listening, for praying, for the phone calls & emails...for being the hands and feet of jesus to us...

blessings to you and yours...
candace

Corbin's Ducks Happy Birthday, Jesus Party--December 2008

2009-02-05T16:15:00.002-06:00

Corbin's MDO class had a Happy Birthday, Jesus! Party...here's a few pictures from the party...

Blessings,
Candace

MRM (Mothers Reaching Mothers)--December 2008

2009-02-05T15:33:00.002-06:00

ever wonder what happens when mommies get away from the husband & kiddos??

we revert back to our high school days...all i can say is jazz hands, baby!!!

blessings,
candace
p.s...this is one of the ministries at pdbc that i'm involved in...it's a total blast!!

Brendan's OT--November 2008

2009-02-05T15:11:00.002-06:00

here's a look at some of the things that little b gets to do at occupational therapy...

blessings,
candace
p.s...although he got to go to OT for 6 weeks and got the initial diagnosis as sensory integration disorder, our insurance does not pay for sid treatment...so as of right now, brendan doesn't get to go...but maybe since we have a new diagnosis...?!?...we shall see...

And some people say it ain't beautiful in west Texas...

2009-02-05T14:29:00.002-06:00

this picture isn't anything special...we were driving from abilene to austin...so the picture is blurry, i know, but it really was such a pretty day that i had to take a picture...and, as often, this scripture came to mind when i opened it...

blessings,
candace

Mommy & Brendan

2009-02-05T11:07:00.002-06:00

here's some goofy pictures of me & brendan back in november...i just love that my kiddos will make silly faces!!!...guess i need to have corbin do this with me now! :)

blessings,
candace

Corbin's Ducks at the Zoo--September 2008

2009-02-05T10:57:00.010-06:00

another delinquent post...

corbin goes to mother's day out (sonshine place) at our church...he's in the ducks class this year...back in september '08, they went to the zoo for a fieldtrip...here's a few pics from that day...

blessings,
candace
p.s... (corbin WAS NOT in the mood to be at the zoo that day and even less in the mood to have his picture taken...which is why he's pouting in all the pics...oh well!!...just more ammo for me to heckle him about when he gets older, right? ha, ha!

miss jana (far left adult) likes to have a picture made every year with the kiddos pretending to be a flamingo (you can't see the flamingos, but they're standing right in front of the exhibit)...and this is miss sheri's (far right adult) 1st year to both teach with jana and to experience the "flamingo stance"...corbin (who's right in front of miss sheri) was not amused...

I want my blother...

2009-02-05T10:20:00.003-06:00

i did a really dumb thing the other day...i bought the pg rated children's movie "two brothers" the other day (hey, it was cheap ($2.50) and i thought it might keep corbin happy while he is recovering from his surgery tomorrow)...anywho, went ahead and watched it...wait, let me back up, brendan and i sat down to watch it while corbin was napping...i truly thought it was a sweet little movie about 2 tiger cub brothers that got separeted and then reunited...anywho...brendan, my very very very very very creative and imaginative child, quickly saw the resemblance to our family (there was a daddy, a mommy, and two brothers...like him and corbin...and he even said "that one's corbin and that one's me"...and believe it or not, he could tell which was which (even though they look exactly the same minus eye color))...anywho, shortly after the sweet, playful, loving relationship of the two brothers is established, some people kill the daddy (oh no--i should've stopped the movie right there) and the mommy takes just one of the cubs with her and leaves the other (and brendan knew that it was his "character" that got left behind)....he immediately screams "don't leave me, mommy!!!" and then proceeds to cry...and i don't mean a little tear or two...it was big-time weaping...and continued on & on and on!!! i honestly have never seen him this upset!! so what do i do?? i comfort him, tell him it's going to be ok, that the brothers will see each other again--here, let me fast fwd the dvd and get to that part--and all to no avail...so...about 15 minutes later--with huge tears still flowing, he finally says "i want my blother!!" and so i told him he could go wake up corbin...brendan procedes to go to corbin (who's sound asleep in his bed) and crawl into bed with him---and still the tears don't stop...we hug and love on each other and this continues on & on for another 20 minutes...so i sit them down on the couch to turn on another (happier) movie---thinking it would make everything better...which, after another 20 minutes or so, brendan did finally stop crying...however, an hour later, they were still wrapped in eachother's arms on the couch...so, me, being a photographer, just had to get a few pictures...the picture really doesn't do justice for both how sweet it was and also how incredibly red brendan's eyes were...

i have to say that with all the fighting that goes on between these two, there is no question in my mind that there is a lot of love also...what a sweet blessing and treat for me to see!! thank you, JESUS!!

blessings to you,
candace

Colorado City State Park-- October 2008

2009-02-04T10:47:00.003-06:00

this is one of those "i'm soooo behind" posts...

we went camping at colorado city state park the weekend of october 24, 2008...it was a really fun time, but we definitely decided we didn't like that state park as the one in abilene (which is great for us b/c abilene is much closer!!)...anywho, here's a few pics from that weekend...

blessings,
candace

My Monkey Boys

2009-01-02T14:38:00.006-06:00

My boys are both such little monkeys....but especially Brendan...here's them playing in the backyard the 1st week in December...
Blessings,
Candace

Lake Brownwood

2009-01-02T13:39:00.009-06:00

We went camping at Lake Brownwood back in September...we stayed in a cool B&B that was right on the lake...it was such a fun & relaxing time & I can't wait to do it again!!!
Blessings,
Candace

The pic above and below are Kelly's 1st dive into the water...and it turned out to be a pretty dangerous one...the water was REALLY low and his belly scraped the bottom of the lake...it's so good that he didn't go straight down!!

This next series cracks me up...Corbin was the 1st (and last) to go down this slide...and when he got to the bottom, he ran into a huge spider web...I thought it was fun to catch the series of emotions/expressions he showed over a 10 second period of time...

Crusin' Night

2009-01-02T13:37:00.002-06:00

We go to Cruisin' Night every year...I got some pics of the cars, but don't have them on the computer I'm working on...maybe I'll add them later??...
Blessings,
Candace

Playing in the Rain

2009-01-02T13:37:00.001-06:00

Back in September we got a good rain (it might've been the last good one we've had!)...here's the boys enjoying the weather...
Blessings,
Candace

Spikey-Haired Boys

2009-01-02T13:35:00.000-06:00

This was also back in August...the boys actually let me spike their hair...I loved it...Kelly not so much...
Blessings,
Candace

Fun @ the Park--back in August

2009-01-02T13:34:00.000-06:00

These pictures are from back in August...I'll eventually catch up...hopefully...maybe???...
Blessings,
Candace

u

***you'll see when i get more recent pics posted how much more weight i've lost***

Thanksgiving @ Memaw's

2009-01-02T11:19:00.006-06:00

We had fun at my Memaw's house for Thanksgiving...and almost everyone was there (my sisters, Britani & Opal and Opal's daughter, Kayla were the only ones missing)...the kiddos all ran around and played hide & seek (despite the yucky weather)...even a few adults (such as my Dad & husband) even got in on the action... Here's a few pics from the day...
Blessings,
Candace

Annual Thanksgiving Football Game @ the Koehn's

2008-12-31T09:02:00.001-06:00

Every Thanksgiving we get together at the Koehn's house and the highlight of the day is the annual football game...here's some pics of the fun...
Blessings,
Candace
P.S....make sure to take note of our 5 year old, Brendan...it was his 1st year to get to play with the grown-ups and it was hysterical watching him imitate his Daddy & his Pappie...

Brendan imitating his Daddy...

Here's B doing a strut---he was sooo proud of being able to play with the big boys & girls...

Just in case you were wondering, yes, Kelly is a ballerina as well as a jet engine mechanic...ha,ha!

Annette gets an owie...

Corbin was perfectly content playing cheerleader on the sidelines...

My dad's swivel hips are enfamous...

Brendan's touchdown...

Aarrrgggghhh!!!

2008-12-16T09:07:00.002-06:00

We are the pirates...that don't do anything....we just stay at home...and lie around....and if you ask us...to do anything....we'll just tell you....

WE DON'T DO ANYTHING!!!

For those of you, like me, who have seen Veggie Tales' "The Pirates That Don't Do Anything" a gazillion times like we have, this may be a familiar site...but if not, just enjoy the pics of the boys...

Blessings,
Candace
P.S. These are from July...still catching up...

Back in July--Boys at Minter Park...

2008-12-16T07:53:00.003-06:00

Ok, another shot at getting caught up...here's some pics of the boys that I took in July...aren't they cute??
Blessings,
Candace

Boys & Soccer...

2008-12-03T14:48:00.003-06:00

I found these today & don't think I ever posted them...they're from April of this year...I'm seriously soooo behind on my family pictures...maybe if I paid myself I'd get them done???
Blessings,
Candace

Pumpkin Cookies from Aunt Melissa & Uncle Frank

2008-11-11T12:05:00.002-06:00

Uncle Frank and Aunt Melissa sent pumpkin cookies for the boys to decorate...it was fun & yummy!!...here's a couple of pics I snapped...
Blessings,
Candace

Losing a small Asian Woman...

2008-11-11T11:51:00.004-06:00

I've been asked to give another update on me...so here it is:

It's been 19 weeks since my gastric bypass surgery...and I currently weigh 165lbs!!! That's a whoppin' 80 pounds weight loss!!! (Kelly says that I lost the equivalent of a small Asian woman...this is meant to be funny so laugh!) I know that I am not through losing weight, however, I can tell you with all honesty that if this is where the Lord wants me at, I will be more than happy to be here!!! One of these days I will need to write about all the things I've learned and experienced and grown over the past few months...but not today...

I had my sweet husband take a picture of me on Sunday...and here's what I currently look like:

Here's me June 25, 2008...right after the surgery...with my handy-dandy morphine pump (which, btw, was GREAT until I got the HORRIBLE morphine headaches...and I will never take morphine again!!)...In case you're wondering, I am 5'6" and I weighed 245lbs the day I went into surgery...I went into surgery with 4 co-morbidities (I have since been healed from TWO!!!---PRAISE THE LORD!!)

70 pounds down!!!!...and update on ME!!

2008-10-21T13:09:00.004-05:00

For those of you who've been hounding me about getting some pics put online showing my weight loss, I'm finally doing at least part of your request...here's pics that Kelly took of me 2 days ago...I've currently lost 73 pounds and a ton of inches...it's been almost 3 months since I had my gastric bypass...I'm doing better and better every day...there's still a lot that upsets my stomach and my fibromyalgia is the thing that keeps me from being a crazy woman and taking on the world! ha, ha...really, though, I'm still in pain all the time--which I'm hoping will get better as I am able to do more...I don't have any pre-op pics so you can compare what I looked like before...or at least I can't find any quickly...

Take care & be blessed...
Candace

Corbin's 1st Day at Sunshine Place!!

2008-10-16T14:09:00.003-05:00

Corbin started going to Mother's Day Out at our church this year...he's got great teachers & he's in the Ducks class & LOVING it!! Here's a few from his 1st day...and, yes, he is pretending to be spiderman!
Blessings,
Candace

Brendan's 1st Day of Kindergarten!!!

2008-10-16T14:04:00.002-05:00

I told you I'm behind in getting things posted!! And this post is serious proof!!!--Brendan's already in his 2nd 6 weeks at school...and he LOVES it!!! We have the most fabulous teacher, Ms. Sutton...God has really watched out for us!
Blessings,
Candace

Corbin's 4th Birthday...

2008-10-16T12:22:00.003-05:00

Corbin turned 4 recently...and bless his little heart, he's such a 2nd child in that he often gets 2nd picks, less pictures, etc...and it's not like we don't try...but often, he's so much included & involved in Brendan's things that he doesn't get his own later...confused?? Well, this year's bday for him was a good example...since Brendan turned 5 this summer and had a decent party, I just didn't feel like I could pull off one for Corbin so soon after...PLUS, Kelly was having to work crazy hours...so all he got for his birthday was a birthday cake (homemade--which he doesn't care if mom or the bakery makes it--he does care that there's cake--and he got to pick it out!), we took him to buy his birthday boots (and didn't even wrap them--buy hey, he got to wear them out of the store!), and then money has been trickling in from various family members and so we've just taken him to pick something out (he's so far gotten a "Spiderman that LIVES on a Motorcycle" (his words, if you can't tell) from Grannie & Pappie, a Larry Boy from Memaw, "The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything" movie from Aunt Bit)...

Regardless of how ghetto-fabulous it all has been, he enjoyed the cake and I did get a few pics...

Handprint on my...

2008-10-16T11:57:00.004-05:00

BACK!!....is that what you were thinking?? Well, it should be!!! Ha, ha!!!

This summer, when we were at the pool, my precious little Brendan must've come and loved on me with sunblock on his hand...and then I just so happened to get sunburned that day...that's my luck!

A few more of the Banks Bunch

2008-10-11T06:46:00.006-05:00

Here's a few more pics from a previous post...I'm trying to get caught up again...we took a vacation recently and I'm wanting to get those pics posted, but feel like I need to catch up on older pics 1st...

Blessings,
Candace

Wall-E T-Shirts from Grandma T

2008-09-18T18:46:00.003-05:00

Grandma T is the coolest...she sent Kelly & I some moo-lah for our 7th anniversary and also sent the boys some new t's...they're Wall-E t-shirts and are way too cute!!!

THANK YOU A GAZILLION BLAMILLION,
GRANDMA T!!!!!
WE LOVE YOU!!!!

My little models...

2008-09-11T11:28:00.005-05:00

I got a new flash for my camera the other day...and my boys were sweet enough to model for me...Brendan only lasted for one picture, but Corbin hung around for a full "session"...ha, ha! Be sure to check out Corbin's "ups"--he's getting more and more athletic and lean every day!

Boys in the rain...

2008-09-10T16:12:00.004-05:00

we have been blessed with a TON of rain this past week...and since i have such fond memories of playing in the rain with my sister, i, of course, let the boys get out there in it...

Kelly's Trip to Vegas...

2008-08-26T22:25:00.008-05:00

Kelly got to go to Vegas for a few days for his new job...I think he had an ok time, but was ready to come home...lucky for me, he took a few pictures...here they are (I'll have to get him to tell you what they are)

I love my sweet boys

2008-08-26T22:20:00.004-05:00

This picture isn't anything exciting...just shows you a little bit of what they're in to right now...

Playtime at the Park

2008-08-26T22:10:00.005-05:00

We had lunch at the park and then I caught the boys being boys--and I just love to capture their energy and love for life & excitement on camera...

Ok, this may seem a little weird (well, maybe not those who know me well), but these two cute kids kept asking to have their picture taken, too...so who am I to tell them no?? The little boy had scraped up his nose pretty good...I can't remember what he told me about how it happened... I believe they were brother & sister...

Almost 7 years of marriage...

2008-08-26T21:55:00.004-05:00

Our sweet friend, Allie, took these pics of me and Kelly at the park the other day....It's hard to believe we've almost been married 7 years...seems both longer and shorter... either way, I can't wait until September 15th when it's official, nor can I wait to see what the Lord has in store for us over the next 10, 20, 30+ years...

Spikey-Haired Boys...

2008-08-26T20:30:00.003-05:00

The boys actually let me fix their hair before church the other day...and I thought it was too cute not to have a picture of...

If you look closely, Corbin's shooting a Spiderman web at you...

Ahoy, matie!

2008-08-26T20:19:00.002-05:00

Grannie sent the boys some fun pirate gear...it didn't last very long, but it was fun while it lasted! Thanks, Grannie, for the laughs!

Playin' in the rain with Caden & Luke...

2008-08-26T20:15:00.004-05:00

We FINALLY got some rain this past week (and mosquitoes, too!)...so we stopped at some friends' house and played in the puddles...

Family--more pics from the 50th celebration...

2008-08-26T19:26:00.007-05:00

Here's some more pics from my grandparents' 50th wedding celebration...

Corbin
Brendan
My older sister, "Aunt Bit"
Pappie & Corbin...
My little photographer in the making...Brendan loves to take pictures!
Kelly & our niece, Kayla

My parents...

My sisters, Britani & Opal
The remainder are of my little sister, Opal, and her daughter, Kayla...

50 years of marriage...

2008-08-26T19:07:00.001-05:00

Ever wonder what 50 years of marriage looks like? Take a look at my grandparents---we just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary and they were sweet enough to let me photograph them... Marriage is one of God's most beautiful creations...and the blessing of spending 50 years with someone is something that is so amazing...it's something that I admire and that I look forward to sharing with my sweet husband, Kelly...

Congratulations, Mimi & Papa!

Blessings,
Candace

This is their original cake centerpiece from 50 years ago...

Don't they look like they're having fun?
I told them to think back to the days when they couldn't keep their hands off each other...
sooooo sweet!

This picture cracks me up...it doesn't matter how many years you've been married, your best friend will still say something that'll make you roll your eyes! Love it!

Personal Update-- My Gastric Bypass Surgery f/u

2008-08-20T23:35:00.002-05:00

I have been asked more times and I know how to answer "why haven't you posted anything recent on your blog about your surgery???---I want to see pictures!!!---I want details!!"

So, ok, I'll share some details...but no pictures...not yet at least...it's not that I haven't been taking them, I'm just absolutely horrified at how BAD i looked before the surgery and although I look better, I'm just not quite ready to show off my stuff...

So here's the digits:
*** 8 = the number of weeks since my gastric bypass
*** 2 = the number of weeks since my emergency gallbladder surgery
*** 30.25 = the number of inches i have lost over various places on my body
*** 52 = the number of pounds i have lost
*** 193 = my current weight...i never thought this would be a proud day, but it is GREAT to be under 200!!!)
*** 50 = the number of pounds that i'd still like to lose...however, i'd be thrilled to death if i only lost 25 more pounds--my goal is to be about 150-160

I promise that I will post pictures...and I'm getting much more comfortable in my own skin so they should be here before the end of the year..

Blessings,
Candace

Do these goggles make me look funny???

2008-08-20T15:51:00.002-05:00

Zoo Lillies...

2008-08-19T00:33:00.004-05:00

One day we were at the zoo and there were the most gorgeous flowers..and lucky for me, I had my camera with me...so I can now share them with you!!!

Blessings,
Candace

Happy 1st Birthday, Addison!!!

2008-08-19T00:28:00.001-05:00

Be ready to buckle your seatbelts b/c this is going to be a long post with lots of pics!!!

My niece (by faith) turned 1 recently...and I got to be the photographer for the event...it was such a blast...I love little Addie!! Happy 1st birthday, sweet girl!!

Summertime fun with friends

2008-08-18T11:01:00.006-05:00

Still playing catch-up...here's some pics from pool time with Grace, Olivia, & their mommy, Debbie...

We really did have fun, although some of the pictures will make you think otherwise...ha, ha!

Karter...

2008-08-18T09:57:00.003-05:00

our sweet dog, karter, has been sick for a while...well, actually, he's doing much better now.... like a typical labrador, he swallowed something he shouldn't have---which caused him to have massive diarrhea...which lasted for a couple of months...i took him to the vet and the vet said we could either do exploratory surgery or try fight the infection with antibiotics and try to get the thing to come out with a lubricant (the kind people give their cats for fur balls...)... anywho, we tried the meds and he didn't get better until recently...which was really gross b/c he had a couple of accidents in the house and doggy diarrhea is worse than human diarrhea...its smell permeates the house like no other smell...yuck! anywho, he's doing better (which is good b/c we can't afford the surgery and so the only other option was to get him put down)...anywho, he was a good doggy for me and let me take pics of him so here's my sweet dog...

Playin' in Daddy's Boots...

2008-08-18T09:20:00.003-05:00

i just love it when the boys put on daddy's boots...it's such a sweet time for us all and a memory that i'll cherish forever...lucky for me, i like to have my camera handy...

this is embarrassing to admit, but these were taken back in the beginning of july...and because of all my craziness with emergency surgeries and neck issues, i am sooo behind in my posts...so here's an attempt to catch you up...

I've been tagged...six random things...

2008-08-06T09:47:00.004-05:00

thanks for the tag, christin!! this was fun!

one of my favorite games to play during recess (during elementary school) was kiss-chase...as it turns out, kelly and i played this when we were in 1st grade together...who would've thunk-it that we'd be married years later!! (and a little side note--kelly just looked at what i'm typing and told me to not forget to put down that i pulled him off the monkey bars and broke his arm--but then i reminded him that he kicked me with his pointy cowboy boots and my knee is still numb in that spot--once again, this was all during early elementary years--young love!?!)
i've never had a tattoo...although this is something i'm considering doing once i lose all my weight from gastric bypass...i think i've always been too afraid that if i got one tattoo, i'd get addicted to it...but an even bigger fear for me about tattoos is that they might mess up--and what do you do then since it's permanent??
i am deathly afraid of cockroaches...especially the waterbug kind--i just know that those unlucky souls who end up in haites and come face to face with satan look straight into the eyes of a nasty waterbug--yuck-ola!!)
getting my hair cut puts me in a panic...so does going to the dentist...i've had sooo many bad haircuts in my life and so many bad dental visits that the whole week before i go to either the beautician or dentist i am a nervous wreck.
my very favorite part of the day is when my sweet boys climb into my lap so that i can "rock them for 5 minutes"....i just love that sweet time of the day--they only want me and they usually tell me sweet things like "i love you, mommy" or "you're so pretty, mommy" or "this is my favorite thing, mommy"....it makes my heart swell with love and joy.
kelly and i are about to celebrate our 7 year anniversary, but i have to admit that i've developed a love affair over the last year or so... i've been told that my priorities have always been wrong and that i need to get them straight....well, while kelly was deployed, i finally got it right... i need to confess that i'm totally in love with my LORD & SAVIOR...i am a bonafide JESUS freak...and i can't even begin to tell you how great my life has been since i took the burden of being everything to me off of kelly's shoulders and gave it all to HIM...

Thanks again, Christin, for the tag...

I will now tag Natasha Cloutier, Hannah Vickers, Lindsey Cotton, Lisa Adkins, & Hayley Warren.

Love, Hugs & Blessings,
Candace

Another surgery for me...

2008-08-05T10:25:00.004-05:00

I am sitting here at Abilene Regional Hospital waiting to be called back for yet another surgery... And I feel like I'm having deja vue b/c 6 weeks ago I was in this same room waiting to have my gastric bypass...

So if you're wondering what I'm having surgery for, well, about 2 weeks ago I started getting really sick...I was nauseated all the time--and even water would make me want to throw up...as it turns out, my gallbladder has filled with sludge (which is supposedly what happens before stones form)...so I was told yesterday morning that I had to have surgery today to have my gallbladder removed....so here we go again... It's a laproscopic surgery and so the recovery time is short...I'm soooo not looking forward to all the gas pains you get from having abdominal surgery, but am looking forward to feeling better...

Many have asked how I'm doing since my gastric bypass and I've been bad and haven't posted in a while...as of last week (my 5 week post-op marker), I had lost over 40 pounds!! And up until my gallbladder started acting up, I was feeling great. My neck is still bothering me quite a bit--I have an MRI scheduled for the end of August and we'll see what turns up from that...

Guess that's all I know...hope you have a blessed day & the next time I see or hear from you, I'll be one organ less of a person....

Blessings,
Candace

Brendan's 5th Birthday Party!!

2008-07-31T22:42:00.002-05:00

Brendan turned 5 last month & we had a lot of fun celebrating!!! He got a lot of really cool gifts (that he sometimes shares & sometimes doesn't--oh well...he's 5 and a boy, what can I say??)

We had friends over to help us celebrate and I of course had my camera out & ready...

I have to tell you something funny he said to me the other day... He said, "Mommy, I'm hungry. I need cereal right now." and I said, "you're hungry, huh?" and he said "yeah, Mommy...I'm so hungry, my heart is beeping really hard"... I guess he's a little confused on beeping and beating...but that's ok, he still calls his finger his "dinger" and when he wants you to "dix" something right away, that means it's in need of repair...

The diva & her cronies...

2008-07-24T14:43:00.002-05:00

There's not really much that I can say about this post...it is what it is...ha, ha!

Really, this is one of my best friend's daughter and of course, my boys...they were willing to model for me long enough to get these two shots!

Blessings,
Candace

Jacob Dept. Pool Party!

2008-07-24T14:19:00.003-05:00

Our class at church goes swimming every summer...and we had such a blast! Enjoy the pics!

Blessings,
Candace

Memorial Day Weekend

2008-07-13T22:22:00.003-05:00

Still catching up!

We spent most of Memorial Day weekend with our friends, the Vanadorables...we went to the zoo, to the pool, and also just hung out at Debbie's parents' house...

Just in case you're wondering, no, I'm not fascinated with buffaloes...I just got a kick out of the cracker that Brendan threw--it landed on the buffalo's head!

Blessings,
Candace

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ated with buffaloes...I just got a kick out of the cracker that Brendan threw--it landed on the buffalo's head!

Blessings,
Candace

Everybody wants to be a SUPERHERO...sometimes...

2008-07-13T21:30:00.001-05:00

Just in case you don't recognize everyone...from left to right...the fireman is Corbin, the Spidermans are Brendan & Olivia, and Grace is a Power Ranger...

Brendan's April 26th's Upward Soccer Game

2008-07-13T21:28:00.001-05:00

Alright...here's another shot at getting caught up...

There are several funny things that happened at this game...things to take note of while you're going through the pics...

One of Brendan's teammates insisted that she take her pink stuffed bear on the field with her...it was the only way to get her on the field...and since it was a bunch of 4 & 5 year olds playing, the coach was like "why not?"...so it was pretty entertaining watching her play with the bear...and dance with the bear, etc
Corbin spent the game on the sidelines (he doesn't play yet) cheering his brother on doing what he does best--he danced his way through the game--it was quite funny...

Anywho, hope you enjoy--these pics are mainly for family--I didn't take time to edit them...

Blessings,
Candace

P-p-p PREVIEW!!!

2008-07-10T15:22:00.001-05:00

The Banks Bunch has adopted a sweet sweet sweet girl named Allie...and she let me take some pics of her the other day...and I just couldn't help myself...I had to share a preview with you...there's more to come, though b/c her boyfriend, Rodney, is over in Kuwait and these were done with him in mind....
Blessings,
Candace
P.S...isn't she gorgeous!!!

23 pounds down...

2008-07-03T18:56:00.000-05:00

yep, folks, you read it right...only ONE week after my gastric bypass surgery

and
i have already lost
23 pounds!!!!!!!!!!

are you freaking like i'm freaking!?! i can hardly believe it!!! now, do i look 23 pounds thinner?? well, my tummy is a bit less poochy (which if you know me even a little, you'd probably notice), but for me, the biggest place i see it other than my tummy are my calves & ankles have NO EXCESS water weight...i mean NONE!!!--this may sound crazy, but for years, i've always been able to poke at my shin-bone and make some sort of edema crater...yuck!!!

my lovely weight loss surgery binder that my FANTASTIC surgeon gave me said that the 1st week's weight loss should be anywhere from 5-25 pounds...crazy, huh? plus, they should've weighed me in the hospital b/c me & my iv DID NOT get along & all the fluid stayed in my body (called 3rd spacing) instead of being peed out--NOT GOOD--painful, uncomfortable, and very ugly!!!

so, this may scare some of you, but i will post pics...probably not quite yet--not until i have something to show for it...well, maybe a few hospital pics...

but in the meantime, know that i'm doing well, i am blessed, and am so thankful for you, my friends & family!!!

love, hugs, & blessings,
candace
p.s...forgot the neck update: i went and got a 1.5 hour massage yesterday---no go...so today i went to the chiro--it has helped a little, but he said that the place i'm hurting IS NOT where the ruptured discs already are....sooooooo....i go on monday to my pcm to request an mri on my upper thoracic vertebra...NOT exciting at all...but something that is necessary--as of now, we don't know how bad or what damage there is--but the chiro said i definitely shouldn't be in this much pain and shouldn't have the symptoms i'm having.....ugh!!!! here goes life!!!

23 pounds down....

2008-07-03T18:41:00.003-05:00

yep, folks, you read it right...only ONE week after my gastric bypass surgery

and
i have already lost
23 pounds!!!!!!!!!!

This makes me feel happy...where is matt...

2008-06-29T11:57:00.005-05:00

a friend & fellow photog, Kristen Bednardz, posted a link on her blog...and out of curiosity, i went and checked it out...and all i can say is...

dude, i can't even begin to tell you how happy i felt while watching this...not sure why, maybe it's b/c i feel so good when i'm dancing...and i just can't help but think about how when we dance & praise the LORD, he must have that same giddy, so-full-of-happiness-i-might-burst feeling, too!

so...here's the link to where is matt--i hope that it makes you feel all happy & giddy inside like it did me...it is exactly what the dr ordered as i'm recovering from my surgery!

also, for those of you wandering, i'm doing pretty good post-op...the surgery lasted 1 hour & 45 minutes...and the dr said that the procedure was text-book...i have really done sooooo much better than i thought!! and i know it must have something to do with all the prayers lifted up on my behalf! the only unbearable pain i've really had is that from my neck--which was bothering me before i went into surgery--i have 2 ruptured discs in my neck that i've tried to have fixed, but nothing has worked so far--but then again, they have never hurt this bad, either...and it really hurts BAD-- it feels like a knife sticking in that part of my neck & then travels down my back & left arm--and it does it when i do something as little as talk--weird, huh? i'm hoping that maybe some of the weight loss will help it get better...in the meantime, that seems to be the only thing i have to take pain meds for which is a blessing & miracle in itself!!!

love, hugs & blessings to you, my friends & family!
and thanks again for all the support during my surgery & recovery!
candace

my GASTRIC BYPASS surgery is tomorrow!!!

2008-06-24T07:46:00.002-05:00

hey there family & friends!

just wanted to check in & see how your summer is going...hope yall have been having as much fun in the sun as me and the little boys! corbin has his mommy's skin and is already sporting a pretty good tan...brendan's getting a little darker, but i'm mainly just having to keep a lot of sunblock on him to keep him from roasting...

tomorrow is a big day in the banks household...i am having gastric bypass surgery!! for some of you that i haven't talked to in a while, you might be like "what in the world?!?"...but this is something that i have been praying about for about a year...and once i started praying faithfully about it, God opened the doors for me...i have had no trouble getting insurance approval, surgery dates, kelly's permissive tdy (which gives him time to take off from work to take care of me), childcare for the boys, etc...

our good friend, drew, has let us borrow his laptop to use in the hospital so my plans are to keep you updated...i'll probably just post updates on the blog instead of email...and that would be the best place to leave us your prayers & comments...

i'm soooo hoping to get caught up on my blogging while in the hospital or at least while i'm recovering, but i guess that all depends on how i'm feeling...

i'm not ready to post pics now, but maybe in a few months i'll post some before & after pics....

thank you in advance for praying for me/us... we are looking forward to seeing all the ways that the Lord will work in our lives.

blessings to you and yours!!!
we love you!
candace
p.s....i forgot to mention that the surgery is at abilene regional hospital at like 11am tomorrow, june 25th...dr frazee (a wonderful christian man) is my surgeon.

Hanging with Ethan & Allie

2008-06-17T23:40:00.004-05:00

This is another post WAY past due...back at the end of April we hung out with our friends, Ethan & Allie & their mommy Jennifer...here's a few pics of the kiddos goofing off...

New Carpet...another past-due post

2008-06-10T22:36:00.002-05:00

At the end of March (see how behind I am in posting??!!??), we got new carpet...I know this isn't very exciting for some, but in the 6.5 years Kelly & I have been married, we've never had new or even sorta new carpet (it's always been at least 10-15 YEARS old--I know, I know, YUCK-OLA!!)...but we've had little ones who are very prone to throwing up and we didn't' think it was worth it...anywho, we found out that not only do I have some pretty good allergies, but so does little B...so we decided it would be worth it to get new carpet & see if it would help (so far I don't notice any changes, but hey, the new carpet is really cool!)...if you've never seen new carpet installed, you'd be shocked at all the yuckies that are under and inside the padding...sooooo gross!!! I spared you those pics, but did take a few of the scriptures that we wrote underneath both our carpet in our room and in the boys room...how cool would it be if we were still here for the next carpet change or even cooler for the people who find what we later wrote...

Blessings,
Candace

Horsing Around...

2008-06-10T22:19:00.002-05:00

Just a little summertime fun... (and if you haven't noticed, we're still sooooo glad to have Daddy home...it's hard to believe that a year ago we were preparing for him to go to Qatar...it's been a crazy year for us!!!...and we deserve some fun!!)

Blessings,
Candace

05-17-08 Upward Soccer

2008-06-10T22:15:00.004-05:00

Like I said in the previous post, I am sooooo behind! And I know it's probably driving my mom nuts (and I can't blame her, I'd want to see pics of my grandkids as often as possible if I didn't get to see them all the time)...

So here's a few pics from that day's soccer game...

Blessings,
Candace

Zoolute 2008...with Grannie & Pappie

2008-06-10T22:06:00.002-05:00

I have some MAJOR catching up to do...and to be honest with you, I have no idea when it'll all happen...so I'll do as much as I can whenever I can...but you can be watching for posts from Brendan's last soccer games, Rachel (another sweet girl who modeled for me!), the Montgomery's, Memorial Day weekend, Melissa's bridal & wedding (those won't be posted until after her wedding June 21st), hanging out with some friends at Hardin Simmons, Brendan's 5th birthday,...and the list goes on!

But for now, here's some pics from this year's Zoolute...and lucky for us, Grannie & Pappie got to go with us!!

Blessings,
Candace

Goodbye Middle School...HELLO High School!!!

2008-06-04T00:42:00.006-05:00

Last Friday, I got the privilege of shooting a fun party that some very cool parents put on for their kiddos....it was to celebrate their "graduation" from middle school and entry into high school. It was a fun photo shoot...I hope you enjoy the pics!!!

Blessings,
Candace

P.S....BTW, these group of kiddos will be part of

COOPER HIGH SCHOOL'S
CLASS OF 2012!!!!

Sweet Little Colby...

2008-05-29T00:20:00.005-05:00

Meet Colby...I tell you what, this little boy is such a cutie...he's got such beautiful eyes...he is one of those toddlers (he's 14 months old) with little boy features...I just loved his hair...

Hope you enjoy! Let me know what you think, please!

Blessings,
Candace

Feet...

2008-05-23T22:47:00.005-05:00

If you haven't figured this out about me, I have a love for feet...now, don't get me wrong...I don't necessarily want you putting your feet on me, especially if they're dirty, but I LOVE photographing feet...there's just something that's so real about feet...and I think another thing for me is that one of the things that I try to do daily is be the hands & feet of Jesus to others...we live in such a fallen world and there's so much yuckiness, anger, jealousy, spite, bitterness, etc...but I can be love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, care, comfort, etc...I can be Jesus with skin...it makes me feel better about myself and about the world we live in...and I guess it's just my version of all the "WWJD" stickers/magnets/bracelets, etc...

I love my skin-heads...

2008-05-23T21:35:00.005-05:00

When Kelly joined the Air Force, I decided that it was too expensive for him to get haircuts twice a month...I mean, how hard could it be to give a haircut, right?? Anywho, I began cutting his hair and continued to cut his hair until about 2 years ago when I decided that it was WAY too much trouble to cut his hair and the boys...and so he started getting haircuts on base (and boy is it worth the money!)... Anywho, I give the boys a haircut once every about 4-6 weeks...and I try not to plan it b/c neither one of them enjoy it much (in fact, little B gets VERY anxious about the whole thing)...so I just spring it on them... Well, today was the day I decided they needed a haircut...and Kelly's been wanting me to shave both of their heads for awhile now...but they both just look so cute with hair--especially Corbin, who has a VERY large head & shaving it seems to accentuate it (I know this from the last time I shaved it about 2 years ago)...and Brendan is just the opposite--his head looks small--especially next to Corbin's... But I gave in tonight...it's already so hot and why not...it'll grow back, right? The only thing was that I told Kelly he had to shave his, too...

So that's all this post is about...pics of my sweet guys with no hair...Kelly looks like he did on deployment...Brendan isn't too bad--his owie on his head is getting the most attention...but Corbin, well, his head looks really huge...and white...in fact, we can't decide whether he looks like a cancer patient or one of Dan Akroid's kiddos from the movie "Cone Heads"...

Oh well...I hope you enjoy the pics...

Blessings,
Candace

Brendan's Graduating from Pre-K!!

2008-05-23T21:34:00.001-05:00

Brendan's class at school had a little ceremony/celebration today...I have to tell you that I never really understood before why P-K & Kind.'s did this---I mean, what are they graduating from & to & what have they really done all year?? Well, after this year, and especially after today, I can tell you that it's very important to these little kiddos and if your child has some sort of graduation party, it is SOOO important that you make the time to come!!! We were late to B's party today b/c I overslept (yes, I was napping!!!)--but when we did show up and little B saw me & Kelly & Corbin, his little face lit up!! It was absolutely precious!! The kiddos whose parents didn't come for one reason or another seemed so sad and maybe even jealous of the kiddos who had their parents with them. I couldn't help but think about all the times that I didn't go to his school functions (like to the zoo) b/c I thought he'd do better without me. I will definitely make a better effort next year when he's in K.

Hope you enjoy the pics!!! You'll notice that Brendan's head is getting better--it's bruising in all sorts of colors now...and if you know little B well, you'll see in one of the close-ups the blue/black around his eyes and the swelling over the bridge of his nose---he looks so different to me, but you may not notice much of a change...

Blessings,
Candace

Siblings...Elizabeth, Meredith & Jared

2008-05-22T21:41:00.007-05:00

I got the pleasure of having a photo session of a sweet trio of siblings...meet Elizabeth, Meredith & baby brother Jared.... All 3 kiddos have the most beautiful blue eyes...

Hope you enjoy the pics...let me know what you think, please!!

Blessings,
Candace

Brendan vs Television...

2008-05-22T11:10:00.003-05:00

We were hanging out with our friends Hayley, Caden & Luke the other day--you know, just chillin' at their church--me & Hayley were trying to work on her Sunday school stuff and the boys (mine & hers) were watching a movie and playing...and everything was going nice & smooth--everyone was getting along just great...no fights or nothing...it was great...until Brendan decided to battle with the TV...and the TV won....
You may think I'm a cruel mom posting these pics, but one of teh 1st things little B asked was for me to take a picture of it!!!
Let us not forget the side-view...

Corbin had to put his two cents in about it...

Cheapie Headed Little B...

2008-05-20T11:24:00.002-05:00

Last night was the awards ceremony for Upward Soccer...I didn't get to go b/c I had a photo shoot...both me and the boys all got back to the house around the same time (8pm)...which isn't late, but B usually goes to bed around 7-730pm...so I was litterally home for about 15 minutes and then I couldn't find him anywhere...I really thought he was hiding from me...but it turns out he had crawled into the recliner and curled himself up and fell asleep...it was too cute not to take pics of...he even had the soccer ball they had given him curled up with him... I just love that boy...

Blessings,
Candace

Tina's Kiddos...

2008-05-15T22:51:00.002-05:00

I met up with my friend, Tina, and her daughters, Brooke and Lacey, and son, Justin last weekend...it was so neat to see my sweet friend interact with her two teenage kiddos and then also with her sweet 5 year old.

Here's a few (ok, that's a lie)...here's a lot of pics from the other day (there were too many good ones to choose from--we had too much fun!!)...hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoyed taking them...let me know what you think, please...

Blessings,
Candace