He might not be able to make rice but Jeff can make a goooood Lemon Drop. Yummmy. And, he does nails!!! ;)

Good Lord, what a morning. We got the kids off to school this morning. I took lots of pictures that I can post once I get them downloaded. Tears, tears and more tears. Another first under our belt.

Going, going, gone. I have just a few shirts here that are to go to people that attended the Run. If you got a call and did not call Jamie back, email me and we will work out getting it to you. Come Wednesday, we are closing the door on this one and moving on.

The picture of Karin with the sunglasses is my new fav. I made a copy and put it up in my office. It is Jeff's fav. too. He pulls it up and just stares at it.

Below is a post from Tom & Terry Marshall (Karin's Mom & Step-Dad):

"We are just awestruck and humbled at the outpouring of love in the Brentwood community. The Bible tells us to love one another and it very evident in Brentwood that people truly love their neighbors. We are thankful for all the support from all the many friends and family that have been incredibly supportive and have been there to meet all the needs at this most difficult time. We praise God for each of you who have taken this journey with us all. A Venti Miracle Extra Hot which lives on in our hearts for eternity."

Here is another good picture for you. This was sent to me by Karin's friend Lori Hunt and was taken by Lori's husband as Karin was just outside of the finish line of the Big Sur Marathon. Thanks Lori. Keep them coming, guys. I have not gotten that many. What's the deal?

Below is a post from Jeff's Mom & Dad, Chuck and Enola Carter:

"The overwhelming feeling of love and support all of you have for Karin, Jeff, Salina and Noah is amazing! I have lived long enough to experience much in life, but nothing has ever been this awesome and powerful. All of you have blessed us so much that it will never be possible to thank you enough, or to express our gratitude to you for you! The care and concern for every thing that could and would affect Jeff, Karin and the kids, during these past four months, you took care of. As parents, what can we say? This, is a humbling experience and no expression can convey our gratefulness. Truly God met every need and it came through you. Therefore openly before all who may read this, we boast in the proof of God's love and our reason for boasting is based on your love. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift, you!

Blessing to you and yours,Chuck and Enola Carter"

Also, a good friend of Jeff & Karin's, Stacey Judson, suggested that we should share pictures of Karin that maybe others have not seen. You can email them to me and I will put them up over time. The above picture is the first one. Thanks for the great idea, Stacey.

Couple of things to mention today:
IF you have been called about your t-shirt being in and have not arranged to pick it up, you have until next Friday, August 24th to pick it up. You can email me at bethey12@yahoo.com or you can call Jamie at 925-642-5444. If we don't hear from you by the 24th we will assume you do not need the t-shirt.

For those of you that gave on behalf of Salina and Noah to Gateway Christian School - THANK YOU!! It helps a lot! Karin loved having her kids at Gateway so know that you have given where her heart is. Salina and Noah are well taken care of there. It was our intent to write each and everyone of you that gave a note of thanks but that is just not going to be possible. Due to privacy laws the school is unable to give a lot of information out concerning these gift. That is why you will not receive a personal note from the Carters. Please know that you gift is appreciated. Jeff is very grateful.

Finally, please keep the family in prayer this weekend. It will be a month on Sunday since Karin has gone home. That is sure to be another tough milestone for the family.

I wanted to share this post with you that Amy posted earlier today. The song really spoke to me heart.

The weekend of the walk, I met a woman named Jana Alayra who sang a song she referred to as "The Coffee Song" It just seems to fit Karin and all of her friends. On the same CD (No place like home) is a song she wrote after losing her 4 year old daughter. Its been on my heart for awhile to share some lyrics with you. I hope you find some comfort in them. Here are a few lines:

...Many say your days with us were too few; But they were numbered by the Lord for you. A message of your life remains through time; Jesus gave you everlasting life.Every time I hear you in my mindthough my heart weaps, my soul takes flight to the place where you are; Somewhere far beyond the farthest star...Now every minute that I breathe, You live what I believe. One day I will see Jesus come for me, No one knows the hour He will come. I will fall at His feet for all He's done for me; then straight into your arms I'll run...

Thank you, Amy!

Ignorance is bliss!
I was just talking to a friend's teenage daughter. Wonderful girl, whom we love dearly. She looked very pink (bordering on sunburned) so I asked if she wore sunscreen. She said she did not because if she wears sunscreen she does not tan. I asked her which would she rather have a tan or skin cancer? (I am bold, I know). She is a teenager so she said the tan. I remember being the same way when I was in high school. We just did not know what we know now. I know I have said this before but it is one of those things that needs repeating. WEAR SUNSCREEN! ALL DAY, EVERYDAY. Anyone that knows Karin & Jeff knows that their kids have a "glow" about them all the time from the sunscreen they put on everyday. My kids even complain about being "white". Who cares??? Get a good sunscreen. Trader Joes has a very good one that has zinc in it. Even better, there is a product that Karin's Aunt Teresa turned me onto. It is called Anthelois. You can get it from canadadrugs.com. I have done research and the one from Canada drugs is one of the best that money can buy. It will set you back a bit, but is cheaper than skin cancer. It is about $20 for 3 ounces.
I will get off my soapbox now.

I have been trying to figure out for several weeks now what to do with this Blog. Do I end it, do I keep it going? There is not much new happening at the Carters house to report on. I was talking with Jeff last night on the phone. He was sharing about the rough place he is in. (By the way, I think Jeff might be part girl because he is so good at talking on the phone :) ) Anyway, the Blog came up. He told me to post the truth. He said, "You have posted to truth all along. Don't stop now." Well, there is my answer to prayer. Jeff himself told me to keep it going. So the truth is, it is awful. For me, what is more awful than missing Karin is the hurt that Jeff, the kids and the extended family are working through. Knowing that there is NOTHING I can say that will take the hurt away. It is awful. Now that I have said that, I know it is normal. In fact, there would be something wrong with us if we did not feel the deep hurt we are feeling. The hurt is a testimony to how much we love and adore Karin. That will not go away and it can't be taken from us. The only thing we can do is pray. God will never lead us where His grace can't keep us. Pray, pray, pray.

Tomorrow would have been Jeff & Karin's 14th wedding anniversary. I have been trying to think of what I can do that might make tomorrow more bearable. In light of that, I am declaring tomorrow PINK day! So, go get the shirt you wore to the Celebration Service, get it all ironed and set it out for tomorrow. Alrighty?

Say a special prayer for the family tomorrow. Pray that they would feel comforted.

Certainly Karin has already worn out a pair of running shoes running around Heaven. Do you think they have Starbucks in Heaven?

I love being able to post Good News!

Last night was the Comedy for a Cause event at Tommy T's. As Martha (the event planner) was heading up to the table to pay for what she owed to Tommy's, a lady ran up and started whispering to the manager. Martha was in shock that this lady was whispering to the Manager just was she was about to have her turn to pay. She had her money all counted out and everything. The girl walks away and the Manager tells Martha that her tab is covered and that she owed nothing. Martha found the lady and that lady said she did not know Karin but that Martha had done a wonderful thing by planning this event and she enjoyed just sitting back and watching all the love in the room last night. Isn't that cool!

Martha asked me to post that evening was fun. ALL the money went towards Salina and Noah. She also asked me to post a special "thank you" to her Special Secret Angel. You know who you are and may God bless you mightily for the lives you have touched.

Tonight is COMEDY FOR A CAUSE!!!!
Call Martha at 925-314-2432 for all the last minute info!

I know people are wondering about Jeff & the kids. I have been lost as to what to write. It is a long road ahead of them, but thank God He is by their side.
Jeff has taken the kids on a bit of a vacation. They have been in LA since Sunday, visiting family and then to Disneyland. I think that has been good for them, although, it is hard being at one of Karin's fav. places. Can't imagine. They will be coming home tomorrow.
Please continue to pray and lift them up.

Comedy for a Cause!
This is your final opportunity to get in on the fun at Tommy T's. ALL proceeds go directly to the Karin L. Carter Hope Fund, which directly benefits Karin's children. This event has been planned for a couple of weeks, but Thursday night is the big event. It will be at 8pm. Do NOT purchase tickets at the door. You can call Martha at 925-314-2432 to get more info and to purchase tickets. Come on out and have a laugh in Karin's honor. She would like that. Let's sell out the place!

A little birdie told me that people have been thinking about taking off their bumper stickers. Pleeeease don't do that! :) Jeff, Salina and Noah need our support now more than ever. The sticker is just a simple way to show support for the family. If you don't have one, email me and I will get one to you. :)

Just a little note to say thank you for all of you that have emailed me to help out with meals. Because of the overwhelming response (as usual ;) ) most of you will not be called to prepare a meal. We are only going to do meals for a few more days (at Jeff's request) and I have WAY many more people than days. Thank you for your willingness.