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.
🙂
Lynn - Congratulations and many blessings to you and your family. Your daughter Lauren has such a God blessed sweet spirit. Kudos to you as parents.
TAB - What a lovely party, lovely family and lovely grad. She’s beautiful.
Heidi - Beautiful post all-around. Our family recently drove 8 hours round trip (with two small kids) to attend a family graduation and we were so glad we did!
Rhonda Quaney - She is such a beauty. I can just feel her gentleness from here. Had to pray for your sweet girl. And every party should definitely have a baby. Your graduation party was complete with love, darling-ness, ….and the baby. Thanks for sharing it all.
Barbara (WA) - What a special day beautifully done! Time flies (my sons are in their 30’s now). Have a great after the big event weekend!
http://northislandcottage.blogspot.com/
Kat - I got all teary seeing Lauren so grown up, so I can only imagine how you feel.
What a gorgeous girl.
You have inspired me with your potted colour everywhere. So many beautiful flowers and I adore the pots.
Simple but oh so effective. One of those things that I often think I must do but rarely get around to.
We need some pops of colour on our deck as it is autumn and soon to be winter here in Aus.
It looked like a beautiful, colourful party, full of love.
Whitney - Love your patio, I want those benches!
Second- I cannot believe how grown up Lauren is! Gorgeous girl! I wish she let you tell us more about her life… so happy for you all, the party looked wonderful. Best wishes for Lauren in the future!
Angie - Congrats to Lauren! What a huge moment in all your lives
The party looked amazing. Your rainbow cake turned out just perfect
Wishing Lauren a future full of blessings 🙂
Bree - Congratulations to your daughter and to you all! Prayers for her transition into this new season of life. On another note-new pictures for the shop- yellow daisy picture, flowers with the green chair, and the fabulous yellow chick in the Barbie car! Love it! Happy and blessed week to you.
Barbara - Congratulations HS so many memories made in those short four years, love the patio all of it!
Kayla - Lauren, you are beautiful. You look so happy in your pictures! Congratulations on your graduation. Thanks for letting us get a glimpse of your life….we don’t see you enough on your mom’s blog. Can’t wait to see what the future holds for you!
Rach - I never knew until I became a parent how emotional all of our children’s milestones are on us as the parents. Our eldest is just finishing her first year in pre-school next week (which I am sure seems like so long ago for you after watching your eldest just graduate from high-school) and I find myself filled with heartache at the passing of such a milestone in her life. There will be so many more of these end of the school year events in her life and with each I will shed a tear as I watch her grow and thrive and get one step closer to leaving our home to become her own person and start her own life. Congratulations Meg on raising a wonderful young woman. May she only continue to thrive and grow outside the shelter of your heart and home.
elisa - I love the pic with your daughter surrounded with older women on the porch. We all need older women to look up too and help shape us.
Flower Patch Farmgirl - She did it!!!!! I remember my HS grad and party like it was YESTERDAY. Weird??
Your party was awesome. You looked so pretty. Lauren, too.
I’m glad your people showed up for you. 🙂
Hope you all felt way loved.
And I was going to tell you that I’m probably going to steal your bunting idea but I figured it was waterproof. Since it’s not, I’m extra-on it!
Valerie @ Chateau a la mode - Congrats to your beautiful Lauren!
Tracy - Congratulations to Lauren and your whole family! Next year we will be celebrating my oldest’s high school graduation. I can’t believe it! Where has the time gone??
Where has Lauren decided to go to school? I’m in KC and went to KU. My husband went to Missouri. My son is leaning toward Mizzou 🙁 I feel the same way about K-State as you do!!
BTW I love your blog!
chrissi - congrats to lauren. what a wonderful circle of family and friends that came to show their love for such a pretty girl. (congrats to mom and dad too for getting through a graduation day/party.)
Lisa - Such a big deal having a child graduate high school! Congratulations to both of you!
Lori Austin - Congrats to Lauren (btw, she is so beautiful!).
Looks like a wonderful celebration with family.
You bright, fun patio is fantastic.
Container flowers turned out beautiful as well.
Rachel Reeves - It looked special and sweet, Meg.
A day that she won’t soon forget.
susan - Congratulations to Lauren! Love to read about FAMILY gatherings. Memories
to keep forever.
Meg, you have a beautiful family. Blessed by your writing.
Carol S. - It all looks wonderful. Congrats to you and your family. Good things are coming next! Freshman college son just home now and we are enjoying a “new and improved” version of him. After a year of independence, he seems engaged and appreciates of home and our family. Yay! Gotta plant more large buckets of flowers and get some festive bunting…fantastic inspiration pics. Awesome patio.
Tiffany - This makes me happy. I’m so glad you have such fantastic family and friends around you. What a blessing. (And your place looks SUPER cute!) (AND, Martha has nothing on you.)
Amy - I just love everything about you. (As much as I can know from reading your blog for the last four+ years) Except the fact that you don’t love K-State. Oh well. No one is perfect. 🙂
Just kidding.
Congratulations!! The party looks amazing! Your family is beautiful!
Dawn Gross - Congratulations! That’s a big milestone.
Your house looks super cute – patio is lovely.
Glad you all are safe & sound.
Dawn
dmg314
Mac - Congratulations to Lauren and your family on her graduation. Your rainbow cake which I saw on the Poppytalk blog a couple of years ago is what inspired me to start following your blog. It certainly is a great symbol for your happy, optimistic but always realistic blog which I continue to enjoy every morning once my 4 children are off to school.
Kristin S - Beautiful!
misty - congratulations lauren!!! I have been following your blog since july of 2008 & it doesn’t seem possible that your lauren is graduating!
love your seating area & those striped cushions. what a fun party. I alway associate a rainbow cake with you meg! not martha! i think martha must have ppl reading your blog to find out what’s cool 😉
stay safe from this crazy weather! we have been taking cover & praying.
elma - What a wonderful party!! Congratulations to Lauren may the Lord be with her and Bless her!!
The Domestic Fringe - Congrats to your daughter! Looks like a fabulous party. Love the cake.
~FringeGirl
vicki - You, my darling, can make anywhere feel like a home. What a lovely way to go through life. Your daughter is breathtaking. Congratulations family. And friends. And family friends. I firmly believe it takes a village….congratulations village…what a lovely woman you have all raised. Happy summer to you and your dear family. Good luck young lady on what lies ahead.
Pat - congratulations to Lauren on her big day! I must say, that yard looked like the perfect place for a party. I’m a little jealous, wished that was my happy patio!! You guys did an amazing job!
Alicia @ La Famille - congrats to your little girl!!! and your pictures are so happy! glad the weather held up for you. 🙂
Kimberlee Jost - Beautiful.
I am happy that Lauren feels loved, and that you do, too.
Georgia - Love the photos, lauren looks so grown up!
Good luck to her, college next?
I dont know how it works in the USA, as she would still be in 6th form, or college in the uk.. confusing! 🙂 x
Cindy in WA - Congrats to Lauren!!! My oldest is graduating in a few weeks too! Is she going to a local college or far away?
jerusalem - ok, now I am weepy too! I have a yellow glider like yours-it was my great-grandmothers and came here all the way from Mississippi. I love it and I love your little patio area.
Chantelle - Congrats to you all. Lauren is a beautiful girl! PS: love the cake!
Susan - Congratulations to your pretty daughter, Lauren. She will treasure this moment forever. Congratulations to you and your husband. These moments are bittersweet. However, she will still need you both and she will seek your counsel in the days and years to come. Then, one day, you will discover that not only do you love her but you like her! Those are precious moments also. From a mom who has already traveled that road, it seems that you did a GOOD JOB!
lisa currie-gurney - Congratulations to you and Craig.
You’ve done it.
God is good.
So good.
Hugs From My Heart
Katey - Congratulations to the Whole Family!!! My son graduated last year and I will have another one next year. It goes by way too fast!! It’s tough. Tough on everyone. Glad you had a nice party and loving memories of the day.
Terrie G - Congrats to Lauren & You & Craig!! You are so right…it is a big deal for the parents too!
I worried about all of the graduations going on with our crazy weather yesterday!
Glad that you were able to celebrate & all were safe.
LOVED the rainbow cake! And your home was decorated beautifully.
Lauren is growing up into quite a beautiful young lady!
And that baby!! I must say, I had to make sure I was reading your blog
when I saw the K-State onsie..but I thought it was the cutest outfit EVER!! Wink, Wink!!
Hope your week is relaxing!! 🙂
I’m off to buy flowers…well, maybe after this storm passes!
Can you believe I haven’t even purchased one yet this year!
Jennifer - So fun, a day she will remember forever!
sally - Awww, everything was beautiful…Lauren, you , family, flowers, just everything!! 🙂 I love having family get togethers like this at my home over a restaurant or other place any day!! 🙂
Ana - Congrats Lauren!!! Best Wishes for her in this brand new fase of her life. This is awesome. Congrats for you too Meg!! Beautiful party, flowers, cake and FAMILY.