Happy Birthday Charles Grady Deits Gerdes Bergen

Can it really be 27 years since our baby was born? 

Charlie was the only one of our kids that we knew the gender of before he was born, so we had fun choosing his name. We deliberated as all parents do, and wanted to give him a name that was full of the heritage he would have. So we decided on  FIVE names! 

Charlie Grady was directly named after his maternal great grandpa who was the only great-grandpa he had the privilege of knowing. His next name was after his other maternal great-grandpa (Lewis) Deits. (Ernest) Gerdes was the name of one of  his paternal great-grandpas and of course, Bergen was after his daddy, grandpa, great grandpa and continued back for countless generations. I think Charlie has been proud of his name, and although he used it on his high school diploma, since then he normally just goes by Charles Grady Bergen.

Charlie remains an honor to each of his grandfathers. 

Like Charlie Grady, our Charlie loves to work hard and enjoys the work of the land. 

Like Lewis Deits, our Charlie is a carpenter by trade. Although he doesn't get to actually build as much as he would like, he owns a construction company that creates homes and businesses for others as his livelihood. Ernest Gerdes influenced those around him quietly, and often, similarly, Charlie speaks volumes without words. And although he knew his Grandpa Bergen, he never knew his great grandpa Bergen. We know Great-grandpa had seven children and maybe Charlie’s love of children would be like him – but also like each of his great grandfathers. They all loved children; loved an honest day’s work and were faithful and long lasting in their marriages and family; they all had a personal relationship with the Lord. That’s the heritage each of our children received and the heritage Charlie was directly named after.

Growing up the youngest of four children, he was adored; such a cute little lovable, huggable "Charlie Brown". He was smart, a good friend to his buddies and loved to have job to do. Working for neighbors, in Iowa on the farm for Grandpa one summer, and helping us out in countless ways he was always willing to chip in and help. It was so precious to watch Charlie open his heart to Jesus at a young. He had such a big heart for anyone who is less than fortunate and wanted to make things better for them - still does today!

Soon after high school, Charlie met his sweetheart, Maggie. Not very often are your mother's words of "I met a girl you need to meet, I think you two would really hit it off", good words. But after I met and spent some time with Maggie at WinShape, I knew they were meant for each other. And that's how it all began. They had a lot of similarities growing up; learning to follow the Lord, as well as daily Cosby episodes and no Simpsons. You know, the important stuff! 

They have been married over four years and are an awesome couple.

Charlie and Maggie live in North Carolina, have part ownership in a construction company, Carolina Builders, and have one adorable little son, Gavin Henry. They are so busy, but are happiest when they get to hang out together.

We are proud of the man you are, Charlie, and we love celebrating you today!

We love you! Dad and Mom

T.H.I.R.T.Y. years of loving Katie Jane!

Today we are celebrating the thirtieth birthday of when little Kathrine Jane entered our family. When she was born, it had been four years since we’d had a baby so the arrival of our little “Bubbles” two weeks before Christmas was the best gift to all of us! Katie was an instant delight.

Katie and her Daddy with all the balloons our friends sent us to celebrate her birth.

Mother's Day 1982 was Katie's Dedication Day.

Here she is with Benji (6), Sissy (4) and me.

Katie was such a little cutie with her chubby cheeks and “dutchy” speech. In fact, although we knew she needed speech therapy in her younger elementary years, it was a bummer that her cute little speech would be trained away. I know today she is grateful we gave her opportunity to improve her communication, but this mommy loved it. Katie was just the little toddler who made us all laugh so often.

Turning 2 years old.

At 2 years, the age Rosemary is now, she was lining up the eggs from our chickens.

As Katie grew up, she loved to play 'house' and care for her baby dolls; she was always hugging and kissing the dogs, loved the kittens and was not afraid to get dirty with any of them. She even had a pet chicken named Mary Grace which who she carried everywhere. Katie was just a hoot in so many of her childhood antics and was such a fun companion to me and Charlie when we moved to Georgia and the older kids went off to school.

We followed the marching band to countless schools and contests to watch her march and play her saxophone during her high school years. She made such great friends in those years, many are still dear to us all today. Katie's interest in art began to unfold her last couple years of high school and when she was in college. It has been so fun to watch that talent grow and develop into a career and business that she and Chris share.


 Although God blessed Katie with artistic talent as she grew into the woman she is; what is most precious is that the best talent she shares today is that of loving Chris and being Rosemary’s mommy. That baby-doll lover and nurturer as a child is today the Katie that is most "full" when she is creating ‘home’ for her family; making sure they eat well, enjoy friendships well and are growing in love more and more with Jesus. And she not only loves her own little family, but is intentional with all her family, especially her nieces and nephews.

It is just fun to watch the Torres family grow, and especially to watch little Rosemary be such a clone of her mommy. I feel like I get to see Katie grow up all over again!

Happy 30th Birthday, Katie.

We love you! Daddy and Mother

34 years ago...IT was a GIRL!!

I hear many people say that fall is their favorite time of year. It is mine too. When I add to fall, the memory of our second child, Elizabeth’s, arrival into our family, I love it even more. Back in the day, we did not find out the gender of our babies before they were born. That made the surprise of “It’s a girl!!” such a thrill for us. The ensuing pink balloons, flowers and gifts that made their way to the hospital began a life-long celebration of our daughter.

Little Elizabeth Anne being loved by her daddy and mommy!

Since that October day in 1977, Elizabeth has been a light in our family.

She was so cute with her chubby cheeks and long brown hair.

When Elizabeth was eight years old our family moved from Iowa to Georgia. Leaving grandparents and great grandparents, cousins and many friends behind was difficult for our little girl. During those lonely days Elizabeth always had a stack of her very best friends right beside her to read and take her away from missing her Iowa security. Before too long, Georgia became 'home' as long as there were (and still are) frequent trips back 'home'. As Elizabeth has proven, home can be in two places.

Elizabeth was a sensitive, healthy relationship-loving girl that has grown into a beautiful woman who is fully alive when she has quality time with her family or dear friends. She listens with her heart, she serves with genuineness and people leave her presence knowing they are safely embraced with her love.

I am so thankful of how we have seen God be present in Elizabeth’s life through the challenges and joys of adolescent and teen years, through meeting the man she dreamed of during all those years, through their marriage and the welcoming of each child.

Today, Elizabeth and Jason are a busy family with their children,

Caroline, Doster and Mary Anna.

What a solid foundation the kids are receiving as Jason and Elizabeth balance outside “opportunities” with valuable "stay-at-home-in-jammies" time. Elizabeth has developed a personal business in her home of professional photography editing. She loves it best when the kids are gathered in the living room, back yard, at a campsite or when they are all with extended family and she and Jason are creating memories with them. Of course, she and Jason love and make time for alone time without the commotion of the kids too!

It is a joy to be a part of this precious patch of flowers.

Happy Birthday, Elizabeth! We love you!

Daddy and Mother

My first born son.

Thirty-five years ago today I became a mommy for the first time. My heart began to know love in a way I had never known it. I was enamored with the fact that God blessed Kyle's and my love with this creation that was our son. Any mother will agree with the indescribable love she feels when her child is put in her arms after birth.

Born on May 2, our little Benjamin Kyle Bergen, nicknamed Benji.

Our new little family getting acquainted in the hospital after Benji's birth.

Benji has always been full of adventure. From the moment he could walk, he was crawling out his bedroom window, getting lost in the woods and hiding in secret places.

He loved the outdoors.

Ben at Ella's age of about 15 months.

 As he grew and we moved from Waterloo to woodland Georgia mountains, adventures unfolded even more. Stories are endless. And the name changed to Ben.

Ben moved to North Carolina a couple years after high school

and has lived there ever sense.

Today, Ben's family includes Anna, and their daughter, Ella. Ben adores and pours his life into his family every day. It is no surprise that the home he has built for his family is a-top a mountain where he has developed the very highest five acres of the mountain to be his family's home. He enjoys the outdoors that surrounds him and his family. Ben loves fly fishing, both alone and in guided trips he provides for other fishermen.

Ben and Ella today at the Creek celebrating Daddy's birthday.

Ben loves the Lord and leads his family to grow in relationship with Jesus too.
I so wish the 3 1/2 hours between us melted away more often,
as we love our time with Ben and his family

Ben, Anna and Ella Faye

Happy Birthday Benji, I love you so much!

Sister time.

I have always loved having a 'big sister' even though there were 12 years between us. Everyone else calls her Donna, but to our family, she is Donnie. She has been an amazing example to me over the years as I have grown up. I remember staying in her dorm at college when I was a little girl, and in her first apartment in Chicago when she had her first teaching job and countless times we took our young family to join with their young family in Indiana, making memories of cousins playing together. Donnie loves the Lord, lives out her amazing gift of hospitality and is a tireless encourager.

This photograph was taken when Donnie was about 17 and was about 5 years old.

A little side note is that Donnie is standing in front of Mother's first dishwasher!

Mother had just remodeled her kitchen in the early 1960's complete with lots of chrome, pink counter tops and a chrome front-dishwasher. I remember the a dishwasher being so exciting for us!

Fast forward to this winter.



When I knew I was going to have my knee replaced, I immediately said I wanted Donnie to come and help me. She has had both knees replaced and is recently retired, so it seemed like the perfect recipe for my recovery. Not so much because I wanted her help but an opportunity to spend time together.

She and Tom got married when I was in fifth grade and began their family when I was in seventh grade. I lived with them in Indiana the summer after seventh grade so Donnie could get her master's degree in teaching and I could keep baby Annette. When I went to Indiana to college, I loved having Tom and Donnie living right down the road from my dorm. Kyle and I dated there. 

As life became busier, we have never been able to just spend a week together with no children, no agendas, no weddings, no funerals, etc. It has just never happened. Until this week. I knew this surgery time would be the time together we need and have never gotten. She was here for six days. Wonderful. We did all the things I envisioned. We ate, laughed, watched movies, looked through old photographs, talked through memories and our  families, and played on our laptops. We spent time with our Georgia children and grandchildren. She was a great encouragement to me through the pain of therapy and what I should expect as the weeks move forward.



About 50 years later than the kitchen photo above. Still about 12 years between us.
How does that happen?

The last night here, we wanted to take Donnie to a local restaurant. We chose The Pizza Farm which began in a little farmhouse in 1972. It has been through many remodeling and addition projects, but is the same ol' place as when we found it after living here just one month in 1985. It is in the middle of beautiful rolling countryside and cattle farms. There are no other places of business anywhere near it. That's part of what makes it so fun. It is unique in style and setting. Plus, we usually see neighbors there. Last night we ordered steaks (they serve lots more than pizza) and had such a nice evening as the three of us together. We completed the evening with a drive-through-treat at Dairy Queen.

One evening while Donnie was here, brother Tom and Jane made a wonderful dinner and brought it over and ate with us. It was a good reunion of Donnie, Tom and me. We just missed our other brother, Jim.  But it was still a rare opportunity for us to be together. Jane's meal was absolutely delicious, complete with tapioca pudding, home made applesauce, and all the fixin's of pot roast.

I loved how our grandchildren never missed a beat with loving Aunt Donna. You would have thought they saw her every week. Here is a picture with Caroline, Mary Anna and Doster. We did not get a picture with Rosemary when Donnie spent the night at their house. It blessed me and of course it blessed Donnie, to have these precious kids beg to see her over and over while she was here. And, I ask, why not? They know she loves them and are naturally drawn to her.

I just have to say, this was the best week for my sis and me. We grew closer and made up for some time we have missed over the years. I pray times like this will continue, and surgery won't have to be the prerequisite.

Love you, Sis!
 Betty Anne



My new BFF is titanium!

My surgery is over and I have a new titanium knee! The prayer and support from family and friends, along with God's healing hand have made it a great experience. I will go home from the hospital this evening to my temporary new furniture. A walker, commode seat with arms and a shower seat. My very own set of geriatric equipment. This is going to be fun!

I have had bad knees for more years than I can remember. I have not let painful knees hold me back, in fact I ran and walked for exercise for years. But the past six months became unbearable. Having knees replaced is a result of arthritis which is very hereditary. My mother and daddy each had both knees replaced and one of my brothers and my sister have both had both knees replaced. 

During surgery on Monday, Dr.Atwell found and removed many bone spurs (some the size of popped kernels of corn) on my knee. These obviously added to the pain I had been having. What I think is so funny......the circular saw they use to cut the bone broke during surgery and they had to locate another saw, sterilize it and re-saw! I guess our Grady joints are the pits, but at least the bones themselves are good. When we were kids and when our kids were growing up no one ever had a broken bone.

Kyle spent the first two days with me along with Katie and Elizabeth. The girls have taken good care of me and my out-of town kids have been checking on me too. My sister-in-law, Jane spent time with me yesterday. She brought me a loaf of whole wheat homemade bread. By the way, what a great get well-gift. I didn't feel like eating the hospital food and a nice slice of that soft bread with butter was a wonderful addition to each meal. Note that idea if you are a good bread baker. Jane certainly is! Next week my sister is coming to spend a week with me. Okay, so she's coming for my recuperation, but honestly, she's coming because she can! Donnie retired this year from teaching, and we are so excited that now we can spend this time together. I have a feeling the best medicine when she comes will be laughter!


Now that the surgery is over, I have enjoyed getting up, walking and stretching as my physical therapist has coached. I begin five days of home therapy Friday - Tuesday, then go to PT at a clinic three days a week for six weeks. They will work me hard, I'm sure.

It really has been a good week. I look forward to healing and walking tall without what my sweet little Doster describes as "Grandma's waddle'!

April Showers.....bring precious little legs.

A fun little shopping spree found Grandma buying rain boots for the three little girls.

The be-ribboned little boots were presented to Rosemary and Mary Anna, and mailed to Ella.

I love their precious little leggs and knees complete with boo-boos.

P.r.e.s.e.n.t.i.n.g.............Ella, Mary Anna and Rosmary in their horsey rain boots!