Catching up!

So, I do have some catching up to do.  September was a big month, and while I have not updated lately, I have been mulling things over, and think that some updating is just what I need to do on this yet again dreary cloudy day.  I am sure ready for indian summer!  Wonder if it will come?


So, first update is that Ben's sister Lauren was married on September 26, 2009.  What a day it was!  Ben and I got the kids out of school early on Friday, and headed to his folks home in Stone City.  We went right to work preparing for the wedding, and enjoying our family.  Ben's sister Amanda and her husband Steve and their 5 children were there from Texas, and his sister Abigail, her husband Greg and their 2 kids from Cedar Rapids, along with his parents, sister Sarah Ashton, Lauren and Moza,(bride and groom) Ben's Uncle Steve and Aunt Ruth and 3 cousins and spouses/significant others were there from Georgia, and Moza's family was also there prepping for the rehearsal dinner.  WHEW!  Luckily the house is 11,000 square feet!
The kids were so great, they just grabbed their cousins and started playing, which is the really great thing about these cousins, they really get along well, not much bickering, just loving and caring for each other.  They are all really great kids.  I was amazed with these kids all weekend!
We finished all yard work, as it was an outdoor wedding, Aunt Ruth, neighbor Lois and I tackled the flowers, (I have never worked with flowers!) while Ben's Mom finished the giant task of 11 flower girl dresses, and 7 ring bearer vests.  Keep in mind that she had 12 weeks to accomplish that task!  
All in all a lot was accomplished and while we were rushed to get it all done, the outcome was well worth the work.  Ben and I, and our kids were privileged to be a part of the day, and happy to honor Moza and Lauren and their marriage.  We love them so!  
The ceremony was breathtakingly beautiful, not only because Lauren is beautiful, but God poured his beautiful creation over it.  There is really nothing like an outdoor wedding.  Out in God's creation, witnessing God's created children make a commitment to each other and to HIM!  The most amazing thing happened.  The day was overcast, and frankly there were times when we were certain that the rain would fall, God held it off, in fact as the wedding party was ascending the stairs to the ceremony, God provided a double rainbow.  Just before all 18 kids came down the stairs, the rainbow appeared.  The kids faces were priceless.  Moza was stunned as he saw it, it was such an amazing thing to see.


Ready for pictures?

Bagpiper! I love a bagpipe.

Here come the kids.... all 18!

Jonah was so great!

Colin waving!  So cute!

Lots of cousins who behaved beautifully!  Not one fuss, or complaint.  I really think that they just love being together.

The Daddies helped the little ones down.  So sweet.

Sweet Lillian Ivy

Our entire family!

L-R Randy and Johanna Lenger, Colin and Clara, Daniel and Stephanie Berberich, Ashton, Cora, Eli, and Gideon, Stan and Debbie Berberich, Sarah Ashton, Moza and Lauren Fay, Steve and Amanda Finley, Samuel, Adeline, Simon, Audrey, and Amelia, Ben and Sarah Berberich, Jonah, Lydia, Fiona, Ruby May, and Lillian, Greg and Abigail Schlueter, Everett and Amara

Yeah, we are over-achievers!

Berberich cousins.L-R Abigail, Kaitlyn, Daniel, Lydia, Sarah Ashton, Lauren, Johanna, Kendra, Ben, and Amanda.

The most amazing musicians! They were Irish-y Folk-y.  Do you think that is a proper term?  Hehe!  Nonetheless wonderful!  They even wrote a song for Lauren

Lauren made her own cake with the help of Cousin Lydia.

Isn't it amazing?  The birds are figurines.

Centerpieces that were worked hard on by Aunt Ruth and Neighbor Lois.

This is just a sampling of how beautiful the wedding actually was.  I have so many other nice pictures, but think that maybe this is enough for now.  We sure love you Lauren and Moza and are praying for God to move in your marriage!

Sarah and Ben