To the Flag

If you're happy and you know it shake maracas!

Breanne had a fabulous Grand Day program last week Friday and we were blessed to have both grandmas make the trip up for the day to see the program and spend the day with the girls! They toured the school and were treated to lunch with just the grandmas and big girls. It was a crazy windy, super hot day, but we decided on doing some new puzzles, zumba and enjoy ice-cream on the deck.

 I don't think I mentioned the newest casualty in our family: Aliya's broken arm. Apparently, when you're little, it's best to not just jump of the edge of the trampoline. Who knew? Next time, I think she'll use the step stool. The neatest thing is that it's waterproof! It's the most awesome thing that I can cool her down with a bath when she gets sweaty and keep it from getting stinky.

 Even Aliya does zumba!

Reflections

One week ago, I got word from my dad that Grandma Kracht had passed away peacefully, yet unexpectedly. It still seems surreal at times to think there will be no more duct tape packages with a million smiley faces all over, no more quick phone calls, Little Red Riding Hood story times... However, we have peace knowing that grandma is in perfection with her Savior in Heaven.

It is sad for Grandpa and all of us who she impacted so dearly. Family was a huge blessing and comfort during the weekend. We were able to all be together and share stories and memories of grandma. As Derrick & I reflected on the weekend, it think he said it best when he said that hearing legacy stories of our heritage "makes you want to be a better person!"

Sunday was the first Mother's Day we've spent with our mothers in eight-years. It was such a blessing to be in our mothers' presence and honor them with gifts, hugs, affirmations and acts of service.

We've been busy outside loving the Minnesota spring. I forgot how much it differs from spring in Montana. There is no shortage of work to do around our yard as Aliya said, "Mom,  you have a lot of jobs to do." It's a 5-year plan really....that's how long it will probably take to do all the work we'd like to see done around here.

Last week, we hosted our first Montana visitors. Sarah and Carter McGrail were able to stop by on their way through to see family in Iowa. It was a blessing to my heart and I finally got that picture Sarah and me!

POETRY CAFE

Hi my name is Madison,

I had a POETRY CAFÉ at school on April 23, 2012.

So this is what I wrote,

I like to do,

Planting flowers

Art

Math

Bike riding

Soft ball

Jump rope

Hop scotch

Four square

Most of all

Have a blast.

 ARM

I broke my arm 3 times.

So I had surgery on my arm.

It did not hurt-not at all.

If you ever have any kind of surgery it does not hurt.

By: Madison DeWilde

My Girl

Rounding the corner on a run this morning, the perfect title begins on my ipod, “My Girl.” What a blessing (and trial at times) the past eight years have been training up Madison in the way she should go, according to how God created her personality. She is becoming quite the beautiful young lady that remains true to her compassionate demeanor. Celebrating her birthday this year was a moment when my cup truly runneth over! We have been struggling, missing Montana, but when family showed up at the birthday party, we were reminded of the biggest blessing of Minnesota.

She was able to experience the best of both world: friends and family. She invited 5 friends and the Kracht cousins, grandparents and even grandma great got to come for the day. The party got an early start when Grandma Barb and Grandpa Verlyn were able to come up a day early and treat the girls to Red Robin and an evening a fun games (while mom and dad were treated to date night!) What a treat for all of us. Madison is still a HUGE grandma's girl. She just loves her grandmas!

After church, we got the "Olive Garden" lunch ready. As Madison requested Mac & Cheese Casserole for her birthday lunch, we tried to create the meal around that. She may have never lived on a farm, but she truly is a meat-loving farm kind of girl! We were pleasantly surprised at how mellow the girls were around the table during lunch. Madison now pretty much plans the entire party, mom simply does logistics. She chose to plant seeds,

make flower hair clips

 and candy necklaces. 

They squeezed in a little free-play after the presents and cake.

 Madison, Breanne & Ellie

 Madison & Carli

 Uncle Lucas & Chloe

 Madison & Caitlyn

 Silly group picture

 The icing on top of everything was the big surprise. We bought the girls a piano and with the strong help of Lucas and the grandpas, we were able to get it delivered. We're trying not to argue and patiently wait our turn to play these days. It's fun to try sing along while mom and dad get the rust out of our playing skills. Yesterday, the girls and I played duets during their lessons.

 The moment was priceless while Grandma Great played "Jesus Loves Me" and all the kids sang along.

 Madison & Grandma Great

 Grandpa Leon, Madison & Grandma Linda

 The 8-year old cousins: Braelyn & Madison

Grandma Barb, Madison & Grandpa Verlyn

Keep your eyes peeled to see a new post Madison is working on following her Poetry Cafe at school.

The tour de DeWilde

Some friends in Billings have been hinting at wanting some pictures of our new place. So I thought I might as well document our whole life. Here's a play by play: 

We live in a subdivision outside Farmington on a cul-de-sac. When you come visit, drive with caution! There are 15 kids in our cul-de-sac alone! We have a full basketball court on the street and the little boys (when we moved in we DOUBLED the girl population) are almost always playing basketball or football on the street while the girls in the neighborhood usually rally up in our backyard on the trampoline. Our lot is quite wide (but not very deep) and to the north is a bike trail that loops around the "small lake or big pond" (as our nephew Daniel has determined) in our backyard.

The house has a very open floor plan. This is what you see as you enter the front door. To the left of the table is the kitchen, beyond the table, the 4-season porch and to the right of the table, the living room. There's a ton of natural light throughout our home. We love that. When we moved in there were no light fixtures or ceiling fans. Have I mentioned how thankful I am that my husband is so handy? We've also painted almost every wall in the house.

 I love the island in my kitchen. I had no idea it would be so handy! And to anyone shopping for a new stove...convection baby! We (who am I kidding, I) LOVE IT!

The 4-season porch is the best room in the whole house. I love waking to see God paint a new sunrise just a tad differently every morning, flicking on the fireplace if it's a bit cool and sipping on some hot coffee. It really doesn't get much better than that does it? Some of the kids call it my greenhouse because I am staring some garden plants and flowers in there for all the natural sunlight and it does get quite toasty in there during the day.

Here are the big windows that face to the east from the living room. You can see the pond in the back and here where you get to watch the moon and stars while you sit at night... 

There are no bedrooms on the main floor. Only an office, 1/2 bath, laundry and formal dining in addition to the informal dining area off the kitchen. (That picture did not turn out.) 

As you walk in the stairs go up to the right. (Derrick is a pro at installing ceiling fans now...)

There are 3 bedrooms upstairs. Madi & Aliya share and our favorite middle girl, Breanne gets her own room, finally!
This is embarrassing, but there are a total of 4 bathrooms in the house (well, 3 1/2 technically.) The girls have a bathroom upstairs and we have a master bathroom (no hot tub Sarah & Doug, but we do have an over-sized whirlpool tub...that rocks!) The basement is unfinished except for a bathroom. However, I will say that it's handy. When my sisters' kids were here I laughed when I couldn't find a vacant bathroom.

So, now our Montanan friends, you have to come see it for yourself. Breanne gladly gives up her bedroom to anyone who comes to visit! (The princess net is optional, she can take it down if you're worried about strangulation.) She loves an excuse to bunk with her big or little sister. So come on over and stay a while. I'll have the coffee ready.

Blood Moon

Easter Eve. Three little blondes in bed. Derrick & I snuggled in to watch a movie when he casually says, "Hey, look at the moon." Seriously, did he really think the photographer in me wouldn't spring into action? He knew better. Ten minutes later, I returned to the cozy blanket and began the movie. Amazing, I don't recall ever seeing a blood moon before but it was gorgeous. I LOVE having huge windows in our home. We have watched the moon countless nights peeking from the clouds, rising over the horizon, crescent, full...AMAZING! If God's creation is so beautiful, then how much more beautiful is He? What a gift right before Easter...praise God He is risen! And we have the glorious hope of perfection in eternity.

Easter morning, the girls race around the house to find their baskets of goodies. Madison, frenzied to be the one with basket hardest hidden...stinks to be the oldest. But finally finds hers too. Lots of books to read, stickers for their room walls, movies, games, and of course...CANDY.

Breanne got Annie. Oh, how fitting, that little girl sings all the time! She was tickled. It might be on the playlist this weekend. After church, we joined up with Aunt Deb and her family for Easter dinner and an Egg Hunt. More candy and lots of fun for the girls.

 The wind was quite cool, but they enjoyed jumping on the trampoline with my cousin, Riley. They love him! Thanks Riley for having energy that the mom and dad just can't muster up anymore...