June

I just wanted to thank all of you for your notes, email and prayers during what is always a difficult week for us.  Robyn and I dread the first week of June every year.  It brings back some very sad memories.  The rest of the year, it's easy to concentrate on remembering the good times, of which there were many.

This year marked five years for my mom, six for Daddy.  We placed flowers on the altar at church in their memory last Sunday.

 On a happier note, Clint and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary this past week.  We have been so blessed by family and friends, and God has been very good to us.

Thanks and love to you all.

Happy Birthday. . to me!

I've gone entirely too long between updates, and I apologize, but as I said in the last post, I am working from sun up to sun down. . .

Today is my 45th birthday.  I am so incredibly blessed by the family surrounding me and the love of those who are further away. . .I am grateful beyond the telling for my life. 

But never a day passes that I don't miss those who aren't with me. Some of you celebrated with us five years ago, when I turned forty.  Mommy was still in the hospital, and she was bitterly disappointed to miss the big night that she and Robyn had planned so carefully.  I think back to that night. . and to the five years that have passed. . .and I find it bittersweet. 

There is no doubt in my mind that Mommy and Daddy are together again, in a far better place than this world of ours.  I don't mourn for them at all,  But I miss them, every day. 

Today, on my birthday, my book Fearless hit number one on Amazon's Contemporary Fantasy chart. It's number 62 overall (at last count).  My second book is moving along as well.  Not being able to share that news with my parents is hard.

But how wonderfully blessed I am that there are people in my life with whom I can share that news.  For each of you who have been intentional about keeping in touch--whether it is via phone calls, email, cards, letters, visits when I'm in New Jersey--I am grateful.  For those of you who call me just to 'check in' and make sure we're hanging in there--thank you.  I don't take that for granted and I never will.

I was gifted with two of the best parents in the world for 39 and 40 years.  Whether I live another eighteen years or another forty, I hope I can honor the legacy they gave me and make them proud.

As I write this, my five children (including newest son Greg) are in the kitchen preparing my birthday dinner.  Clint and I are sitting on the lanai enjoying the breeze.  We spent the day at the beach.

All in all, life is good.

February in Florida

I know some of you in the north might not want to hear this, but we have had a perfectly lovely winter down here!  Our temps are in the 80's most days. . .light breezes and sunshine. . .Florida at its best.

Here's a quick update on Kandle happenings:

• Clint loves his job.  It is definitely challenging, working with families and patients in hospice, but it is so rewarding.  He has gotten some pretty terrific validation from co-workers and patients alike. God is so good. . .He has placed Clint exactly where he needs to be! On March 4th, Clint will be preaching at John Knox Retirement Community.  It will be his largest congregation yet, including a television audience. . so some prayers for his peace of mind would be appreciated.
• Devyn continues to enjoy her work at Narcoossee Middle School.  She loves her students. . .and she is awaiting word about graduate school. Fingers crossed!
• Greg is now working at Narcoossee Middle School, too! He is working with special needs students.  How convenient; they carpool every day. He has a gift for working with these kids.
• Haley loves her classes this semester, and she is learning so much.  Every Thursday night we have cookie taste testing.  Well, folks, it's a burden, but someone has to do it!  LOL She is looking into the possibility of starting her own business.
• Catie keeps very busy with all of her school work, handling Colin (our baby sitting charge) much of the time, juggling her own babysitting responsibilities and maintaining a fairly healthy social life. Catie is my right hand, and just about everything I do in my writing career is possible because of her help.
• David is enjoying this winter because he's been swimming nearly year 'round.  Sweet! He loves his PE classes, tolerates his school and is fostering a turtle for Greg. He is proud of the work he has done to educate me in the world and language of Pokemon. 
• I am insanely busy these days, but happily most of the work is from home.  I am involved in book publicity, plus the prep for the publication of the next book in the series and every now and then I get a chance to actually write. I'm working with a friend on setting up a promotional business for indie publishing, doing some freelance editing on the side, mentoring some just-starting-out authors AND some just-starting-out homeschoolers. . .helping Catie watch Colin. . leading a weekly Bible study. . .in the leadership team for Women's Ministry at church. . trying to keep the home running and dinner served (most of the time!).  I love everything I'm doing, but I have to admit that a vacation would be welcome.  I think this is the longest I've gone without some kind of travel/break in years! No complaints, though.  

I think that's about all. I'll try to upload some pics soon, but mostly what I have at this point is Haley's cookies, and seeing those would just make you salivate.
 

Coming to a bookstore near you. . .

I am happy to report that FEARLESS, the first book in my young adult series, will be available in print form in early March. I've seen the proof copy, and it is VERY exciting!!

If you haven't read the book. . I'll post here as soon as it's available. Meanwhile, there are a few opportunities for you to help with publicity.  To learn more, stop by my author website, here: tawdrakandle.com .

Thanks to all of you who have already uploaded the book and read it in e form. I am so grateful for your support!

Holiday Pictures!!

Our Official Christmas Pic, taken at Grand Floridian on 11/21/11

Haley's YUMMY Russian Braid

A miniature of the fort at St. Aug, Legoland FL

Legoland miniatures

Mini NYC, Legoland

David hanging the first ornament of the year!

At Lew Gardens

David excited about his gift from the Carlisles

Thanks, Aunt Rob and Uncle Chris!

Our pre-Christmas celebration with Robyn

Oh Christmas Tree

Christmas Eve Eve Party

Ready for guests--it was a warm evening!

Dev did our centerpieces

Busy girls!  Sarah, Haley, Dev

Lots of good food!

Dev's antipasto spread

Po is welcoming guests!

Bok Gardens

Dev opening gifts

Christmas tree, Bok Gardens

The cats are ready for Christmas!

More party spread pics

Dev and Haley, working on New Years Day dinner

At Dev and Greg's house on New Years Day

Their tree looked so nice!

FEARLESS is Published!

In my update post, I shared what was happening in the life of each family member. . except for me.  Well, most of my free time lately has been taken up with promoting my first book!  FEARLESS was published last month, and it is available exclusively at amazon.com .  You can find it here!

I'm so excited about this book. . .it's the first in a series of four. The books are young adult--think Twilight or The Hunger Games--urban fantasy (that means it's some supernatural elements but in a typical 'normal' environment).  Right now, the book is ONLY available in e-book form.  You can read it on any Kindle device or on a computer, laptop or tablet via the free Kindle app.

At some point, I hope that the books will be available in a traditional book form, but right now, it's doing quite well as an e-book.

As I said in November, if you are so inclined, I would love any publicity you can give the book.  You can share the info with family and friends using the link above. . .if you're on Facebook or Twitter, post it on your wall.  This helps me so much. . and I appreciate it.

My author website is also up and running.  It is under continual improvement, but you can stop by and see it at www.tawdrakandle.com .  There are links there to some of the interviews I've done and a few book reviews. I'd love for you to come by for a visit.

Thanks for all of your support.

Happy 2012!

I hope you had a wonderful holidays. Ours were very quiet, but also peaceful and blessed.

We revived the tradition of our Christmas Eve open house, although this year we held it on the eve of Christmas Eve.  It was well attended, and we had lots of fun, too!

Clint didn't have any time off for the holidays, so we were grateful that they fell on weekends. He really loves his job.  Ministering to families whose loved ones have or are in the process of passing is certainly challenging, but it is also so worthwhile.  Clint led his first memorial service the week after New Years, and he also is doing Evening Prayer at one of the facilities.

Haley did so well this last semester!  She earned all A's, landing on the President's list, and has been invited to join the honors society.  She only has two classes this semester, and she is looking for another job to fill her time.

Catie is a busy girl.  She aced the PSATs this fall, and she is very proactive about her schoolwork. Cate also works a few times a week as a babysitter, and she is my right hand around the house, particularly when it comes to caring for Colin, the little guy who stays with us three days a week. She's still writing, drawing and keeping up an active social life!

David is also enjoying his schoolwork and time with all of his friends. He loves to spend time with Dev and Greg at their apartment!

Speaking of Devyn and Greg. . .they are doing really well.  Dev still loves her job at Narcoossee Middle School, and she works each Saturday up here in Apopka as a respite caregiver. Greg's real estate career is blossoming, too! They enjoy their apartment--it was fun seeing how well the decorated it during Christmas--and their friends and family.

I'm going to add pictures on a separate entry with an overview of the holiday season.  Thanks for keeping in touch!