whatever

friday

this is probably my favorite picture of the year so far.

i can't stop looking at it.

 

we now have a hedgehog living at our house.
it is from the pet store.

it is pokey.
it is also very cute.
it's name is Percy.

while we were all admiring Percy suddenly annie shouted "HEY IS THAT A TURTLE IN THE YARD?!"

it was.

we brought it to the patio and enjoyed it for awhile.

we took lots of pictures of it.

we introduced the turtle to Percy.
they both were completely uninterested in each other. 

and then nature time was over.

the turtle went on his merry way and percy went back to his home in laurens room.

later there was pie making by lauren.
which is always nice surprise. 

this shirt is from Moxie Clothing Co. and i love it!
my family got quite a laugh out of it.

(they are working out their shop details... you can find it sometime over here at houseofbelonging on IG)

 

we were discussing freckles at the track meet and annie asked "do I have any freckles?"

ummm....yes!

just a few.

lauren made it all the way to State in Track!
she competed today in Javelin. 

we were so proud!
it's pretty impressive to watch those girls throw!


pretty flowers when i stopped by the craft house today.

i took my little girls to see Epic this afternoon.
it was very pretty.
the graphics were stunning.... i can't believe they can make animated movies look so real!

your kids will like it.
and you will enjoy it enough just looking at all the details.

i had to pull over again tonight because LOOK AT THAT beautiful sky!!
i am crazy for a farm sky all of may and june in kansas. 

we ate little caesares pizza on the patio.
the kids jumped on the trampoline while i started working on th is blog.
it was a very nice day.

the summer list is not done yet.
we are working on the rough draft still.

what i am most excited about tonight?

nothing on the calendar for this weekend.

N O T H I N G

i like that.

******************************************* 

smiling.

this week has been packed.
but school has ended for four of my kids.
i plan on sleeping in tomorrow.... FINALLY. 

nevermind i was just told i need to give a ride to the last one in school.

darn.

talby wanted rainbow cake for school but we settled on rainbow cupcakes instead... quicker.

we finally let waffle outside while the chickens were outside.
together.
it was... decent.
he was very curious and probably would have been naughty if we weren't there.
but he won't ever be with them without us there so we should all be fine.

"who's a good boy? who's the best dog?"

their last day to ride the bus because today i drove them in... and we were even late!
i was going to take them for donuts but they said "can you make pumpkin muffins instead?"
umm... and not have to get out of my pajamas or brush my teeth?  yes please.  :) 

the peonies have juuuuust started to bloom around here.
they are each so incredibly gorgeous. 

on tuesday i took the entire day for myself.
no one else.
just me... because i knew that school was almost done and my alone time would be gone soon.
i searched the mall for a swimsuit....
i tried on no less that 75 suits.  i kid you not. 

and finally FINALLY they have started selling suits based on your BUST size.
thank goodness.
what a brilliant idea someone had!
because out of 75+... i picked one... based on my bust.

and check out how hip and with it JCPENNY looked yesterday?!

i was totally impressed.

 

i got home from my swimsuit shopping and these cows were eating across the road from the house.
i am so happy to see them back again.

living out here is beautiful.
everywhere you look! 

talby got this paper at school and took a LOT of time  coloring it in.

lovely.

 

school's out.
we have a Summer List to make.
i am so behind on laundry.
and sleep.

what are your big plans coming up this summer?

 

 

class of 2013

well... she graduated.
we are VERY proud of her.
the ceremony was outdoors and the sky was so dark... even lightening in the distance.
it was nice to not be SO HOT but the weather was very iffy and made me nervous.
as soon as it ended the entire stadium emptied almost immediately.
it was raining shortly after. 

so we did not get photos of her afterward with friends or with her tassel,etc.
but we got this one really quick before the ceremony.
she got a new dress and looked so pretty! 

 

our party almost didn't happen because of the weather.
there was even a tornado 30 minutes away!
i said "well... it's not a TRUE Kansas party without a tornado watch"

she requested rainbow cake.
i hadn't made one in a few years.... remember when i first made it?
way back before they were EVERYWHERE.
BEFORE martha stewart.
granted martha's was very professional looking and perfect.
but mine is filled with a mama's love.
:)
perfection is not the goal. 

it was so fun to make it again.

we kept the snacks and drink very simple.
and credit to my boys... they helped me big time preparing the food.
they rocked yesterday!
it was "Duerksen Team Effort" for sure all week long.
that was a huge blessing we kept it simple since it POURED hard rain just before the party.
anything elaborate we would have done would've been ruined.






every party should have a baby.
it should be a rule.
so many of craig's family came by to wish lauren good luck in college and give her hugs.
one great thing about big milestones like graduations or weddings is seeing the family you don't see as often.

lauren with my mom and lauren with craig's mom.

it was so fun to have my friends show up to love on me as well as lauren. 
high school graduation is big deal for the kids but also a BIG DEAL for the parents too!
and they snuck off and were cleaning up in my kitchen and doing dishes when i wasn't looking.
grown up friends are the best! 

although... i prefer babies at parties that are not wearing K-State onesies.
he is so cute that i made an exception.
i was so busy that i never even got to hold this guy! lauren took over as baby holder for this party. 

 

 

family friends that we have had since i was 8 years old came to celebrate. 
(my dad did not get the memo about the black shirt...)

i LOVE that they came.
that is love ya know?  showing up for your people.   taking the time.  it is meaningful. 
it makes me teary.  

craig was face timing with his sister during the party.
:)
isn't that fun?  she got a little tour of the party and said hello.  
2013 is pretty awesome. 

i took an after photo this morning since it was too crazy yesterday.
our new little patio that we put in and all the pots of flowers make this place even happier.
it's so peaceful out there.
my chippy painted metal benches got new cushions. (home depot online)
i used all old pots, buckets and planters i already had to plant flowers inside.
the bunting is the same as what i sell in my shop...not weather proof but who cares.
it holds up just fine.

great party.

i think lauren felt loved.
and that was the most important part of yesterday for me.

 

and now i am going to go sit on that yellow bench.
:)