Is it me or is it hard to believe Karin has been gone for 6 months? Some days are okay but when I actually stop to think about the reality of the situation I lose it.

Jeff and the kids are plugging along. Last night the kids were both gone so he hung out with the dog and is glad for another beating heart in the house - even if he has to wake up to let it pee at 5am.

Salina will be getting braces next week!! I'll be sure to post a picture of that. Pray for her, my daughter tells me it hurts when they first go on.

This picture is from a much simpler time in life. The picture (for all you that don't live in CA) of Salina and Noah and my kids, Morgan and Cole at California Adventure. Oh, to have that day back.

Happy PINK day everyone!!

Remember Karin working at the Preschool? She was the Eye Candy (: at the front desk and she was the first person the kids would see when they arrived every morning. Here is a story from one of those kids:

"Both of my girls loved seeing and talking with Karin at Celebration. In fact, Jessica thought it was the highlight of any day if she got to go to the front desk and spend time with Karin. It would be the first thing she would tell me about her day when I picked her up. So my daughters and I were talking in the car on Sunday and Jessica asked what heaven was like. I replied that I heard it was beautiful. "She said I bet it's nice. I bet Karin has big beautiful PINK wings and she's wearing a really pretty pink dress." That just made my day! I just smiled at her and said "I bet she does!"

So sweet. Thanks for sharing, Kim.

ALSO, just a reminder that the 19th is coming up. Get your pink shirt out for the first pink day of the new year!

The kids went back to school yesterday. They are doing good. Jeff is hanging in there too. I called him the other morning, can't remember when. I called at 8:30 his time. I think that is late for people that have kids. Karin & I would talk on the phone at 6:00 her time so I am thinking 8:30 would give him time to sleep in. Jeff answered the phone and said, "My wife does not live here anymore. You don't got to call so early!" :) Noah gets them up at O'dark thirty anyway. Since Noah is the prince, he requires someone to MAKE his breakfast for him. So Jeff had to get up and make him a bagel. I told him Cole did the same thing. He is capable of doing it himself but gets some kind of joy out of watching me make it. Whatever!

I hear this song on the Christian radio station we listen to. I bought cd (I know, old school) and every time I hear it reminds me of Karin. Karin lived her life to the fullest. I think we all get so caught up in life that we miss the important stuff. Karin did not do that. She was a great Mom. And a great wife. And a great friend. Here is the song, it is called "How you Live" and is by Point of Grace.

Wake up to the sunlight
With your windows open
Don't hold in your anger
or leave things unspoken
Wear your red dress
Use your good dishes
Make a big mess and
make lots of wishes
Have what you want
But want what you have
And don't spend your life lookin' back

Chorus:
Turn up the music
Turn it up loud
Take a few chances
Let it all out
You won't regret it
Lookin' back from where you have been
Cuz it's not who you knew
And it's not what you did
It's how you live

So go to the ballgames
And go to the ballet
And go see your folks
more than just on the holidays
Kiss all your children
Dance with your wife
Tell your husband you love him every night
Don't run from the truth
'Cause you can't get away
Just face it and you'll be okay
[Chorus]
Oh wherever you are and wherever you've been
Now is the time to begin
So give to the needy
And pray for the grieving
E'en when you don't think that you can
'Cause all that you do is bound to come back to you
So think of your fellow man
Make peace with God
and make peace with yourself
'Cause in the end there's nobody else
[Chorus]
'Cause it's not who you knew
And it's not what you did It's how you live