The thrill of packages and learning

Three words: American Girl Doll. Breanne has had her little heart set on an American Girl Doll for months. It didn't take her but a minute to decide that's what she's be spending her Christmas money on. She researched online and found she could get the Target knock-off for a fraction of the price plus have plenty of cash left over for accessories. (As a personal note, I'm proud of her wise consumerism!)

Of course, the sisters also got caught up in the excitement of shopping and also having money to spend, decided to buy a Target knock-off as well (and contrary to Derrick's brilliant idea, these are not called, "Canadian Girl Dolls," but rather Our Generation Dolls.) What I find most humorous is that the big girls call them dolls, but to Aliya, it's her "baby."

 Breanne got the entire Hair Salon complete with many accessories and chair that pumps up and all. What this momma wasn't prepared for was setting aside at least an hour of my week to do the doll's hair. (Oh the problems, I know!) However, it was a thrilling day when that package arrived in the mail! 

We also have purchased ice skates and been able to spend a little time on the pond out back, letting the girls learn that skill. Gotta love Minnesota!
Aliya has been working super hard in preschool and has been most recently thrilled to learn much about the moon and it's phases. With our "student-teachers" home for the preschool day this past Monday, we took the opportunity to use oreos to explain and visualize the phases of the moon as it orbits around the earth, reflecting light from the sun.

Aliya understands much about this, you should quiz her the next time you see her.

Lessons learned in pictures

Much was being taught this Christmas season. (I hope I learned.) We had a great time preparing for Christmas. The weeks before, we did a great Advent devotional as well as a Jesse Tree which threads the Old Testament into the birth of Jesus, our Savior. 

Aliya was Mary in her CBS program. What a smile!

Aliya had a program at our Community Bible Study class which Derrick was able to see and then he took Aliya and I out to lunch. Derrick enjoyed a date out with his bigger girls as well. 

We hosted our friends, the Giffeys coming through from Tennessee and also Derrick's company Christmas party. We were looking forward to Christmas Eve services when Aliya and I were struck with the fever and achy bodies! Definitely put a damper on Christmas Eve festivities! Derrick played trumpet in a brass ensemble which sounded wonderful (somehow I managed to make it through the service despite feeling quite ill) and the girls sang so cutely in the service as well. Thankfully, the fevers broke and then gave way to colds that seem to hang on forever and unfortunately Aliya developed bronchitis. But I think God wanted to remind this momma that it's really about Him, not "my" traditions and agenda. Him!

The Gingerbread houses... 

Nerf wars put a twist on the traditional Christmas pictures. What a real smile though!

The second Kracht Cousin Amazing Race. Teamwork on the blindfolded puzzle.

The dads were team captains again. Here Mike is helping Braelyn through the smell challenge.

They chose a "messy day"...for Lucas! Madison, Daniel and Chloe "shaved" him with cool whip and popsicle sticks.

Wheelbarrow to the finish line.

So excited to win! 

The new scooters. Thank goodness for the heated garage!

Beautiful earring Mike! Here's the deer...now where's the Buick?

Thrilled with a Barbie! 

Sweet cuddles! 

A great visit with Grandma Edna! 

Lunch and visit with Grandpa Great Bert.

Kracht cousin day at Carousel Skate in Sioux Falls, SD. 

The big kids tore up the rink! 

Sechler cousin time at the sleepover this past weekend.

We did a kid swap. Aliya spent time at Abigail's and Rebekah spent time with me sewing while Madison & Breanne were in school. We were successful in our project. And were also thrilled to have makeovers, fashion shows and the highlight was going out for "coffee" at the Dunn Brothers Coffee Shop and playing Clue.

The fashion divas. Plastic bags are all the new rage.

All the cousins making cupcakes for dessert.

Our "Twelve Days of Christmas"

One year ago, we said goodbye to friends and neighbors in Billings, Montana and moved in with my (Becky) parents for a season (because we were homeless). It seems like just last month and yet a world ago at the same time. Yet, here we are, in our own home now and still struggling at times to settle into a new life.

Our spirited and boisterous yet very tender-hearted 4-year old Aliya.

I guess I'm the creative writer around here, so I get the privilege of sharing the wrap up of the past year (though Derrick gives me a run for my money with his technical writing skills).  My inspiration comes from nap time snuggles with our spirited, boisterous, yet very tenderhearted Aliya Evelyn. One day, during such a time, I read The Twelve Days of Christmas. I have always found this song quite annoying, that is until I read the back of the book that claimed the song was originally intended to be a sort of hidden catechism for the Roman Catholics under persecution in England, mid-sixteenth century. True or not, I am intrigued and this is how the following DeWilde version of "The Twelve Days of Christmas" came to be.

Our very detailed, cautious yet zany 7-year old Breanne.

Nestled in our own version of the song, you'll notice a theme: change! In our months of transition, while we lived with my parents, I felt like God was giving our family a new name, just as He gave Jacob a new name after Jacob's wrestle with the Lord. I believe the word He gave us is metamorphoo, Greek for changing to another form, to transform. Think, caterpillar to butterfly. Not only our physical states have changed but also our spiritual walks, marriage and family.

Our compassionate, 8-year old, strong leader Madison.

One the first day of Christmas, my "true love" (our Heavenly Father, God) sent to us (the DeWilde family):
A partridge in a pear tree: Christ on a tree! The best gift ever, come in the form of a babe, fully God yet man and offered His life as a perfect sacrifice for us so we can stand before God.
Two WeeKix: Madison and Breanne are in a dance program called Just for Kix.
Three days of preschool: Aliya and mom do our best to learn together at "homeschool preschool."
Four instruments: A new (to us) piano this year, dusted off trumpet and guitar, and vocal chords all tuned up and playing Christmas carols this season.
19405 Canby Court: Our new home in Farmington, MN.
Six little girls: The number of girls Derrick was trapped by when the girl cousins spent the night in July!
Seven days with Grandma and Grandpa: The girls spent a week at the DeWilde farm...Derrick and I had date night every night!
Eight teachers in one year: Pathetic to count I know! I think Madison and Breanne are finally starting to feel settled.
Nine trips to the lake: But still not enough water skiing for Derrick.
Ten days of vacation in Orlando: Including five days at Disney and one at the Sarsota Beach...awesome!
Eleven years of marriage.
Twelve birthday candles: The birthday our nephew Micah celebrated without suffering in heaven this year! We love you and miss you buddy! The Amazing Race: Kracht Cousins, won't be the same without you!!

Blowing you Merry Christmas wish!

I'm thankful that when you sing the song through, number one is always Christ on a tree! Praise be to God! Merry Christmas friends and family!

Overflows

Sometimes my heart overflows with gratitude so much so I can't hardly contain it. I can't tell you how many times I've thanked God for a house full of kids last night. All as sort of a last minute thing, we ended up with three extra kids in the house...friends of the girls. It's been a LONG time since we've been so blessed to have a house full of friends and it was a bit crazy but overwhelmed my heart with joy. I am so thankful that the Winebergers asked for their youngest two to come over and Madi's friend from school came over as well. I will not soon forget Madi's comment, "Two friends over at once, how awesome is that?" Here Madi & Carli wrapped up the night singing the Beatles in Rock Band.

Another joy from the get go of this move (over a year ago already) is cousins! Daniel, what a gentle, compassionate, kind, big cousin...totally girl trapped at Thanksgiving. 

 Madison attended her first 4-H Project Meeting. She made a baby blanket for her teacher at school, due with baby boy the end of January and a bunch of yummy finger foods. She now has her own recipes we ask her to make for us.

Another joy is having both my and Derrick's parents close enough to visit often. My dad caught some morning cuddles at the fireplace

and mom tackled her famous Christmas Cutout Cookie decorating with our little chefs and finger lickers.

Madison and Breanne performed in their first dance recital this past Saturday. What gorgeous little girls and we were so proud to see them perform with confidence and smiles.

 

Thankfully the weather allowed both grandparents to be here for the recital!

The countdown is on! Just 7 days. Silly really, because in this home, we're already celebrating. We watched again the the girls The Nativity Story this weekend. And as Madi coined in her Christmas card to me, 

"...So be good for Santa! (ha, ha, ha) I'm just joking! The real resin we get preset is because the Wise Man gave baby Jesus presents, so thats why we get presets on Christmas!"

Real joy is in this momma!

Memories

Here, it's already been three weeks since returning from our family vacation, but what a time it was! I've decided to post simply the highlights from our 10-day vacation in Orlando. For Derrick, Madison and myself, the best part of the vacation was the day we drove to Sarasota Beach along the Gulf Coast. Simply amazing! The gulf coast was the first beach I ever saw (at age 22 mind you...and my girls have seen multiple beaches at this point) and it has always remained my favorite beach. I was thrilled to share this amazing creation of God's with our girls. Breanne described the sand best when she said, "It's like flour!" We had fun swimming in the ocean, digging in the sand, flying the kite, searching for sea shells and sand dollars.

We met many characters at the theme parks, which was Aliya's favorite thing to do.

We were fortunate to have a good friend from Billings and her 4-year-old son join us for half of our stay: Dawn and Gabe. It was so good for me to reconnect with Dawn and for Gabe and Aliya to have playmates their own size.

Here we are waiting for the Toy Story Mania ride with 3-D glasses on and below overwhelmed by all the stuffed animals one of the zillion gift shops!

Of course, no trip to Disney would be complete without meeting Mickey.

We did our Momma-Bibbidi-Bobba-dee-bo Boutique at the townhome we rented and went out for a night at Downtown Disney.

Tinkerbell was mom and dad's favorite character to meet. She was fantastic at playing the part and engaging the girls in conversation!

The fireworks at Magic Kingdom were awesome...took too many pictures. I don't know if Breanne really had a favorite from our vacation. Her reply would simply echo someone else's often, but I do know she really like the shows (I think Beauty and the Beast was her favorite, but Derrick & I really liked the Lion King) and parades.

Our last stop in Orlando...stock up on Disney gear and say cheese!