Merry Christmas!!!!

We wish you all a Merry Christmas remembering our Savior Jesus Christ who came to dwell among us, live a sinless life, die on the cross for our sins and rise again so that we could have new life in Christ!! With thankful hearts we celebrate!

My Men

My handsome men...

oh how I love them!!

O Let Your Soul Now be Filled with Gladness

O let your soul now be filled with gladness

Your heart redeemed, rejoice indeed!

O may the thought banish all your sadness

That in his blood you have been freed,

That God's unfailing love is yours,

That you the only Son were given,

That by his death he has opened heaven,

That you are ransomed as you are.

If you seem empty of any feeling,

Rejoice - you are his ransomed bride!

If those you cherish seem not to love you,

And dark assails from every side,

Still yours the promise, come what may,

In loss and triumph, in laughter, crying,

In want and riches, in living, dying,

That you are purchased as you are.

It is a good every good transcending

That Christ has died for you and me!

It is a gladness that has no ending

Therin God's wondrous love to see!

Praise be to him, the spotless Lamb,

Who through the desert my soul is leading

To that fair city of joy exceeding,

For which he bought me as I am.

by Peter Jonsson Aschan

Does a mom's heart good...

This afternoon Kara and I were making supper together. This is often when we have some of our best talks..or most hilarious ones! For your entertainment...

Me: Kara, I just love cooking meals for our family. Isn't it fun to do it together?

Kara: Yes mom, it's so fun!

Me: Perhaps someday you will be able to enjoy cooking meals for your own husband and kids.

Kara: (no response...just a very sad look)

Me: What's wrong??

Kara: Momma, I don't want to leave! I want to stay here with you and Dad and Luke and Ellie. My husband and kids can just come over for a visit and eat with us here, then they can leave and I'll stay here with you.

HA! I love the way a three year old thinks, and I'm glad that this three year old loves her family. I know someday she will leave, and I realize it will come much more quickly than I can imagine. Until then, I will treasure our little chats and encourage her to love the roll that God may bless her with in her very own family someday.

Ian

Everytime I hear the name Ian I can't help but be swept by emotion. You see, three years ago yesterday, Ian Jonathan was born to our dear friends. He looked just like their other three sons, so beautiful...an amazing mix of their parents. But this day was not full of joy. No, this day was full of tears, sadness and grieving. Ian had died a few days earlier while still in his mommy's womb. Ian has touched our lives more than we ever imagined, and we were only able to spend a few short hours with his lifeless body. Ian has taught us many things. He has taught us that God will do all His holy will, and it won't make sense to us much of the time...but yet, God is good. Our dear friends have allowed us to be a part of their lives and of the loss they have experienced. They have given us a gift that has truly changed us. We have been so blessed to walk beside them as they share with us all that God has done in their lives through the loss of their precious son. Our friends are currently in another state for work purposes, so this is the first year since Ian was born that I can not hug my friend. This makes me so sad. I know that she needs a hug and to know that Ian is not forgotten. When looking forward to eternity, one of my greatest anticipations is to see the joyful reunion of Ian with his parents. No more pain. No more missing. Until that day, our friends press on through the grief. They persevere with a son and brother absent from their everyday. How I wish I could do more to encourage and comfort. For now I will pray and long expectantly for that glorious day when my friends will hug their precious Ian.

Thankfulness

This morning I asked Kara what she was thankful for. Her first enthusiastic answer was "books!!!". A couple months ago Ben's mom gave us a big stack of "Magic Tree House" books for the kids. I figured I would put them on the shelf for future use, thinking that maybe we would read them in 3 or 4 years. Well, Kara got one off the shelf the other day and asked if we could read it. I smiled and said sure, certain that she would lose all interest once she saw the absence of pictures on every page in these "big kid" chapter books. Much to my surprise, she sat and listened intently to the first chapter. She followed the story-line completely and begged me to read another chapter to her. Today we finished our 4th book, and it's been less than a week. With help from the Magic Tree House we have visited the jungles of Africa, the prairie, the Civil War and the Revolutionary War. If you ask Kara who our first President was, she will excitedly answer George Washington, and she will tell you all about the Revolutionary War. She will then proceed to tell you how Clara Barton founded the Red Cross during the Civil War. I love watching her learn, and more than that I love watching her LOVE learning! Ben's parents have given us more books than I can count for the kids, and I am so grateful! Our children already have a love for reading that Ben and I are excitedly cultivating. So, thanks for the books Grandma and Grandpa Gerth!! We love them!!

Oh, and don't worry...right after Kara said she was thankful for books she quickly followed with Grandpas, Grandmas and Jesus! :)

Thoughtful

One day last week my husband went out to run a few errands, and this is what he came home with. A rose that thrived beautifully for over a week, and my favorite white chocolate mocha from Seattle's Best Coffee. These may seem like little things, but they are not! He knows me so well. He knows when I need a hug, a listening ear, to be put in my place, encouragement, to laugh, or a rose and a yummy white mocha. Marriage is an amazing thing! God has grown us so close together, through joys and trials. Mostly the trials I suppose. They are not fun, but God does miraculous things through them to make us one. Ben has chosen to love me despite my faults, and they are many! Thank you my hub for your thoughtfulness and for continuing to be a learner, lover and leader. I love you!!

Wedding Bells

Conversation between Kara and I this morning while we were washing dishes together...

Kara: Mom, I am all ready to get married.

Me: Oh, really? Tell me about it.

Kara: Well, I have a wedding dress already. The one from Uncle Josh's wedding! (this was over 2 years ago, and Kara was the flower girl...might be a wee bit small :)

Me: Yes, that is a beautiful dress. I hope it still fits. You might need some alterations. :) (now I'm giggling!) Umm, who will you marry?

Kara: Oh mom (with that, "isn't it obvious" look on her face), I will marry Daddy of course! He's the best Daddy and Husband.

Me: I agree completely! He is amazing! Who will you invite to the wedding?

Kara: ALL (with great 3 year old emotion) of my friends...Shelby, Shanna, Isabelle, Kailyn, Shiloh, Amber, .....(the list went on and on...and on)

Me: Well, that sounds really nice Kara.

Kara: You'll come too, won't ya mom?

Me: Wouldn't miss it!

I love the conversations we have, especially when I see our kids picking up on how amazing their dad is!! We are so blessed, and I pray that our little girls will find husbands just like their daddy!

Cuteness

Ellie's first pony tails...not for lack of trying on my part! This is the first time I could get her to sit still long enough to get them in. It makes her look so old!

My polka-dotted princesses!

A laundry basket full of love and laughs :)

Dizzy-ing

Luke has officially mastered walking, running, walking backwards, climbing, dancing and now...drum roll please...SPINNING!!

mmmmm mmmmm good

A few weeks ago I ventured into the world of pie baking.

Until I took this brave leap, I had "baker's block", as I like to call it. There are certain things that I have never tried to make, simply because I have never done it and am not confident that they will turn out. I had never made a pie crust and had convinced myself that it would be a flop! One evening I had been shopping in Meijer and found a glass pie plate for $1.99. The week before I had seen them, but they cost $5.00. I wanted to buy it but thought there were many more important things that $5.00 could go towards. Well, when I saw them for a mere $1.99 I thought it was time to conquer this crazy fear of "the crust." I was amazed at the results of my attempt! A delicious apple pie, and a very happy hubby! I foresee many more pies in my family's future!

What was I thinking?

This morning I had the fantastic idea of making sugar cut-out cookies with my kids. You see, Thanksgiving is approaching, and I'm starting to get that warm, fuzzy holiday feeling at times. So, I thought this would be a way of doing something kind of festive, without really doing something Christmas-y too early. Doesn't that sound fun to you?

My goal was also to accomplish some educational goals. Kara is learning her shapes right now, so I thought it would be fun for her to be able to cut shapes out of the dough and then get to eat them later. What better way is there to learn your shapes? And, of course Luke and Ellie would enjoy the whole adventure too, right? We would make wonderful memories for years to come! Well, it took the WHOLE morning, and the twins cried nearly the entire time. The house was basically destroyed by the time we were finished, not to mention flour EVERYWHERE which tends to happen when a three year old is baking. What made me think that they would be OK with stopping at just one, or two, or in Luke's case three cookies? They knew there were more, and I could not distract them from this fact. At times I just laughed, and a few times I nearly cried. They were out of control! There were a few positives to this fiasco. Kara behaved marvelously. She tried to help me by logically explaining the situation to Luke and Ellie. She told them they would get tummy aches if they ate any more and that cookies were just once in a while treats since they are not very healthy for us. She had one cookie, and asked for no more. Phew!! This was a highlight! And, I suppose, God was supplying more opportunities for me to train Luke and Ellie's little hearts.

The drama is over. The cookies are safely put out of sight, and now it's just the "normal" chaos taking place with my three little cherubs :)

What a Wonderful Month

Apple picking at Crane's

Kara and Grandma Gerth on the first day of RALLY

Luke taking a walk with Grandpa and Grandma Gerth


Ellie and Grandma hanging out on the boat!



Kara helping Grandpa pick tomatoes in the garden

I can't believe that September has come to an end! This past month was a blast for the Gerth family! It all began with apple picking with friends, which we will hopefully do much more of before the end of fall. I love apple picking, and all things fall, especially when done with friends! This was just the beginning. We spent a week in Minnesota with Ben's family, which is always wonderful. The kids had a great time reconnecting with Grandma and Grandpa Gerth and their Minnesota aunts and uncles. Ben was able to attend a men's retreat with his dad, brother and brother-in-law while the kids and I stayed back at Ben's parent's place and had "girl-time" (with Luke of course! He wasn't quite old enough for the men's retreat :) Kara is still talking about girl-time and how much fun she had stamping with Grandma! Kara was able to attend a special pre -school class (RALLY) that Ben's mom teaches once a week. She was Grandma's special helper, which was a very important roll! Kara also got to help Grandpa pick veggies from their amazing garden, visit Grandma when she was working at the library, make cookies with Grandma, and we all went on a boat ride. Ben's Grandpa and Grandma Gerth were even visiting, so we were able to spend time with them. All this and more made for a wonderful visit with family!

On the way home from Minnesota, we stopped in Wisconsin to visit with some friends from Moody for a few days. It was a wonderful time of fellowship and LAUGHTER! God has blessed us with such wonderful relationships, and it was so refreshing to spend time with these dear friends and their beautiful children.

To end this blessed month, Ben and I celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary. Some dear friends of ours graciously moved their family into our house for 3 days to care for our children so that we could spend our anniversary, kid-free, in Chicago. We LOVE Chicago!! Ben and I met at Moody, so all of our dating took place in Chicago. We went to Shedd's Aquarium, rode the bus, rode the "L", ate out, walked along the lake, went to coffee, visited Moody and walked and walked and walked all around the city to many of our most memorable spots. It was amazing!

What a wonderful month, and fall has just begun!

A Typical Saturday Night

We typically keep Saturday nights reserved for staying home as a family, preparing for a busy Sunday ahead of us. This is one of my favorite times..wrestle time with dad!! After the kids are all bathed, and ready for bed, the fun begins! I pray that we will always make time for things like this, and not let business crowd out this joy. So, if you ever stop by on a Saturday night, beware! You just may get dragged into the fun :)

My Little Shadow

For the past 19 months, Luke has been our "hardest" baby. He has been such a joy, but at the same time has exhausted me at points! In the past few weeks he has finally begun the adventure of walking, which I can tell thrills his little heart! He is so much more content, and seems to love life in a whole new way. Today he has become my little shadow, following me all around the house. So far he has "helped" me sweep, load the dryer, change the bedding...and the day has just begun! I must admit, I love having my little man at my side, jabbering away. He is even standing at my side talking my ear off as I type. Is it possible to freeze time? If so, I think I shall!

Good for the soul

Need to smile today? This is an oldy but a goody!! If you have had a rough day, this is sure to get you giggling!

Put on Christ...

Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, PUT ON tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, long-suffering; bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
Colossians 3:12-17

The last few weeks have been a bit exhausting. Mommying two teethers and a VERY strong-willed three year old has begun to sap me of my energy, and yes, even give me a few gray hairs! Don't get me wrong, I LOVE being a mom. I treasure my time with my kids and am so thankful that God has allowed me to stay home with them! Having said that, I'm just plain tired! It is easy for me to begin complaining to Ben about this kid's behavior, and that kid's behavior, but God, so graciously, has been reminding me of what my behavior toward my kids should be like, and showing me sin in my own heart. In the midst of the kid's tantrums and fits, am I being tender, kind, humble, patient, forgiving, loving, peaceful and thankful in my actions and my words?...hmmm, not always. What a high calling we have, to be Christ to our kids. So, this passage has become dear to me as of late. Just look at how much truth is here, even about parenting. Not only is this what my life is to look like now that I am a new creature, but there is so much here that I need to be training my kids in. God's Word is so full and rich!

Thankful...

I just got off the phone with a dear friend that I went to college with my freshman year. We were wondering why we don't talk on the phone more often. What a blessing friendship is! Bearing one another's burdens. Sharing in eachother's joys. I am so thankful for it. It is always the "bearing of the burdens" that seems to draw you closer. The joys are wonderful, but isn't it true that the pain is what really cements your friendship? That sure seems to be the case in my life. I've had some friends apologize for the fact that Ben and I have had to walk through the mud of life with them. More and more I am learning that being able to walk through trials with people is a gift. I wouldn't trade it. So, if I have walked through a trial with you, big or small, know that it truly is a joy for me to walk beside you. And for those of you who have pulled me through some of those deep waters, thank you! Our God is so gracious to have put you in my life!

When the Cat's Away...

Music to my ears :) I ran out to the store quick the other day, and I came home to this evidence of what goes on when I'm not around! What a good daddy my children have. I'm so thankful for a husband who loves his family, teaches us the Word, and also enjoys spending time with us! We are blessed beyond measure.

Sweet Sleep

I so easily forget how exhausting having children up in the night can be. For some reason I haven't been able to sleep well for a few nights. My sweet husband, being the hero that he so often is, had me tucked into bed by 10:00 last night with high hopes that I would snooze the night away! It appeared to be a success! My head hit the pillow and I was out. Well, at about 10:20 Luke started whaling. Ben got him calmed down pretty quickly and was still pretty happy that we would be snoozing by quarter to 11. At about 11:10 Luke began again, and I didn't get him settled til about 2. Now it is nap time, and just as I got snuggled down on the couch for a nap myself, Luke began his piercing cries. He is getting two teeth right now, so we think that is the culprit! Goodbye sweet sleep. Someday I will know you again :) I have a few friends right now with newborns, and God is reminding me how much they need my prayers. So, I am committing my sleepless times in the nights to praying for these friends. Those first couple weeks can feel daunting to a new mom. They are precious days, but can be so draining! Funny how we forget those times so quickly. I guess God wanted to give me a little reminder so I would better sympathise with my sleep-deprived friends.

He Reigns!!!

Revelation 5:9 says, "You have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation." Amazing!! What a beautiful truth that God's offer of salvation through Christ is for EVERY tribe, tongue, people and nation. What is our responsibility in this?? This is what Ben and I have been pondering.

Kara has a new favorite song lately. We've listened to it at least 6 times today, and it's not even noon yet :)! Enjoy!
You can listen to it here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twuLr5rQmp0

Summer Bliss

Today it was FINALLY warm enough here in Holland to break out the kiddie pool. This was Luke and Ellie's first time, so we were all super excited for them to experience this summer time delight!

Well,

it took Luke a little time to get used to the idea,

but, as you can see, he quickly came around!

Ellie loved it too, and quickly became a pro!

And of course, Ben and I loved taking in every moment of it.

Now we are just hoping for a few more warm days to be able to pull it out again! We love summer!!!

Welcome!

Our most recent attempt at a family picture! Welcome to the crazy life of the Gerths!

We've had a great summer so far. The highlights have been Kara getting glasses (she's doing great with them!!), a trip to Tennessee to visit my dear friend Jennifer and her family, a quick visit from Ben's sister Mary and her hubby Steve, a wonderful visit by Ben's parents and now we're just waiting for Luke and Ellie to start walking to end the summer with a bang. We wonder some days if they will ever take their first steps, since they will be 18 months old in just a week! Life is exciting with three kids three and under! We are so enjoying their personalities and God is graciously walking us through this adventure of parenting.

We hope that this will be a way to stay in better contact with friends and family! Love you all!