Merry CHRISTmas!

Jeff and the kids are hanging out at home. Noah woke them up at 6AM - true to Noah's form. They unwrapped presents and cried a little. All good stuff. Salina and Jeff bought presents to fill Karin's stocking. Isn't that the sweetest thing? I love that new tradition. They got her a box of Hot Tamales, some of her Luna bars, a couple of Starbucks ornaments and a few other things that Salina was going to use. What a great way to celebrate her.

Your babies are good, Karin. You would be proud.

Tom & Terry and Jeff sent this to me. Karin is having the best Christmas ever!
Merry Christmas From Heaven

I still hear the songs
I still see the lights
I still feel your love
on cold winterey nights

I still share your hopes
and all of your cares
I'll even remind you
to please say your prayers

I just want to tell you
you still make me proud
You stand head and shoulders
above the crowd

Keep trying each moment
to stay in his grace
I came here before you
to help set your place

You don't have to be
perfect all of the time
He forgives you the slip
If you continue the climb

To my family and friends
please be thankful today
I'm still close beside you
in a new special way

I love you all dearly
now don't shed a tear
cause I'm spending my
Christmas with Jesus this year

Please keep Jeff, the kids and Karin's extended family in your prayers.

This is for Your glory

Jeff just forwarded this to me. It it too good to not post.
MATTHEW 6:34 That last phrase is worthy of your highlighter: “when the time comes.” “I don’t know what I will if my husband dies.” You will, when the time comes. “When my children leave the house, I don’t think I can take it.’ It won’t be easy, but strength will arrive when the time comes. “I could never lead a church. There is too much I don’t know.” You may be right. Or you may be wanting to know everything too soon. Could it be that God will reveal answers to you when the time comes?
The key is this: Meet today’s problems with today’s strength. Don’t start tackling tomorrow’s problems until tomorrow. You do not have tomorrow’s strength yet. You simply have enough for today.

Oh my gosh! I can't believe it! I forgot to remind everyone (including myself!) that today is PINK day! I feel horrible. I feel like I have forgotten Karin's birthday. Please forgive me (esp. you Jeff!). If it makes you feel better I feel extremely guilty. So, run back home and put on your pink shirt.

Happy Birthday Jeff!!! (early). Jeff's birthday is tomorrow, Sunday, December 16. Please pray for him tomorrow as I am sure it will be a rough one. We love you Jeff. Wish there was something I could do to make this time easier. Just think, we get to see Karin again and the time you spent with her on Earth is just a blink compared to the time you will spend with her in Heaven. Here is your fav. picture to stare at on your birthday.

Karin brother, Jonathan, and sister, Katie, running in her honor at the Nike Run this past October. She'd be proud.

Oh, Holy Cow. How did you guys let me go so long with out a post? I am sorry. It has been since Nov. 25th!

Noah had a good birthday. He took his friends to Chuck E. Cheese and then a few of his friends spent the night. I did not hear from Jeff the following AM and was concerned that those boys duct taped Jeff to the trampoline or something. Jeff said that the party was good, but he was exhausted from the sleepover part. ;) Can't blame him.

Last weekend they put up all the Christmas decorations. Jeff said that was AWFUL. Enola ended up coming over and helping him. He said he spent most of the time in tears.

Jeff asked me to post that for those of you still "blogging" he is still reading. He feels encouraged that people are still reading and likes to read the comments. It is painful for him to even click on the link but once he gets there is touching to him. I will not lie, he is at times, a mess, but he has good days (or maybe I should say "hours") too. He is tired of faking that everything is OK, when in fact, it is not. The kids are hanging in there. I would encourage you to post comments for him. It is therapy for him. He also needs to know that people have not forgotten him and the kids.

I have to share this story that Noah's teacher told me. I asked her if I could post it and she said I could.

"The other day I wore a ponco. Noah asked me---- Did my mom give that to you? I told him no and asked him why he wondered if his mom gave it to me. He told me it just looks like something my mom would wear. He also told me --- I like that sweater because it reminds me of my mom! Wear it alot---- Mrs. Boice!!! Its pretty on you!!
I wanted to cry. Each time I wear it Noah comes up and just smiles and rubs the arm of the poncho!!!"

Is that the sweetest (but heartbreaking) thing you have ever heard?

Please, please, please, pray for Jeff & the kids. This time of year will be the hardest, I am sure. I make it part of my kids' bedtime to pray for them. As I go around and tuck in my kids and pray for them I add Salina and Noah in there as well. They need it & ,frankly, God is the only one that can make this situation livable.

I have some pics that Karin's Aunt Teresa sent me from the Nike Run. I do not have them organized yet but as soon as I do I will add them here.