Ierley Family Blog

This has been an incredible year of transition for our family.  We rejoiced to bring Calvin Geramu home from Ethiopia in February.  Nine weeks later we welcomed Seth Philip into the world, our fifth child.  A few months later we began homeschooling Dylan and Noelle.  And to round out the year, Jim started a new job.  Considering all these changes, I'd say we are holding up fairly well!  

Dylan is growing up way too fast...he will be turning nine in January.  Dylan keeps us on our toes as he starts on the path to becoming a young man. He is a voracious reader, talented Legician (I just made that up...he loves Legos), Cub Scout, and avid video game player.  He has completely warmed up to this big brother thing and really loves to play with his siblings (when he's not teasing them of course!).

Noelle is a spunky, energetic 7 year-old who keeps us laughing.  Crafty is her middle name.  She often wakes up early just to get going on the next project she has in her mind.  She is reading like a champ and is enjoying being able to read some of the books that Dylan reads.  She loves her baby brother Seth and loves to make him laugh by being crazy.  Underneath her crazy exterior is a deep thinker, often asking us questions about the theological mysteries of life (If God knew that Adam and Eve would sin why did he create them and let them do it?)

Gwendolyn has developed into a very independent little 4 year-old.  It's been a harder transition for her from baby of the family to middle child.  But she's hanging in there.  Gwendolyn loves bugs and will spend hours hunting for them in the back yard.  She still loves fish, the moon and our dog Wags (the things that dog puts up with...poor dog).  And, on most days she loves Calvin too.  Whenever they are apart they ask to speak to each other on the phone.  They will surely be very close as they grow up.

Calvin Geramu is continuing to thrive.  He loves his family.  His vocabulary is pretty amazing...more advanced than the average two-year-old as a matter of fact.  He is also above average in the energy department.  He is generally in constant motion with some of that energy used to get into things, pitch little fits, and break/destroy his siblings creations and belongings.  So in other words he is developmentally right on target.  It's a good thing that we are used to high energy around here!  His smiles and cheerful disposition bring much joy to our lives and I can't imagine life without him.

Seth...our newest little guy, is such a sweetie.  God truly blessed us with an easy baby.  He spends his days in happy contentment, smiling and enjoying his crazy family.  I don't know if it's my bad memory or if it's true but he seems like the happiest baby we've had yet.  His ear to ear smile is precious.  He is about two seconds from crawling and mommy is actually *not* looking forward to this milestone!  Containment is key around here and a crawling baby who puts everything in his mouth will provide quite the challenge.

Jim has recently started a new job at the district office of Maricopa Community Colleges and is enjoying working on the technology that serves ten colleges.  Jim is an excellent daddy who is always there to help with the many pressing needs of caring for five children.

And I, dear friends, spend a lot of days in a bit of a blur...trying to figure out just how it will all get done, or close to done...or what's for dinner.  I have certainly never been quite this busy before in my life.  I really am glad to be homeschooling although it is a very difficult with the three "littles" running/rolling around.  I enjoy having my kids home and getting to spend time with them.  I'm even getting pretty good at taking all 5 out in public!

As we look back on this year we are in awe of what God has done in our lives.  We will live forever grateful to everyone who had a part in bringing our precious Calvin Geramu home.  What a tremendous outworking of the body of Christ!  We are also thankful to the God who gives us the grace to get through these challenging but rewarding times.  And we are most thankful for the little babe who was born so many years ago to become God's perfect plan of salvation for all who believe.  May you have a Merry and Blessed Christmas!