Days With the Duerksens

I like to organize things.  I don't like to deep clean things.  Surprisingly, though, I've been on quite a spring cleaning kick!  I found a " Spring Cleaning Challenge " list from a blogger on Pinterest, and I guess it got me in the mood to spruce up the place a bit.  (I might also be motivated by the fact that we have an Easter gathering at our house on Sunday). I've mostly been using baking soda and vinegar to clean - from the mattresses on our beds to the oven to the refrigerator - and it's working.  I've actually been enjoying myself - I feel so productive during these few-and-far-between deep cleanings! Looks like new -- sometime I go open the door just to admire the beauty of a clean refrigerator. I'm not kidding! I don't think one realizes how much stuff is in the fridge until it's all out of the fridge! And in the midst of cleaning out the refrigerator - I had a flying Superhero Bunny by my side!  I do not know where she ...

Well, the kids were on spring break last week, but it was not very "springy" outside!  While it's a little annoying that snow fell in late March, we are grateful (trying to be grateful) for the moisture.  So, what does a family do for spring break when it's cold outside?  We went swimming with friends at a local hotel, watched a lot of basketball, watched a couple of movies, played basketball in the shop, baked, read books, and crafted.  Here are some pictures from last week: We made chicks and bunnies for an Easter garland (Family Fun Magazine idea) pretty paper plate and ribbon rainbows (Highlights Magazine) It was fun to get out the Poms Cambry even got Delaney busy on a project We actually got quite a bit of snow by the next morning - this was the beginning of it. Caiden received a clay sculpting kit from his California cousins just in time for the snowy day (a birthday gift). This is the tiger he created! Thank goodnes...

Brackets filled out and taped to the coffee table?  Check!  What's at stake for the losers?  A week's worth of the winner's chores! Ice cream sundaes in the living room?  Check! Radio tuned into the KSU game that did not turn out well?  Check! Watching position assumed?  Check! Bracket-tracker busy?  Check! I love March!

Nine years ago we brought home a 9 lb. 10 oz. baby Caiden!  We took him out of the carseat and put him in his crib - and he didn't stop crying until the next day (at least it felt that way)!  Chelan and I frequently talk about how we knew so little.  Nine years later, we still feel like that! This year, Caiden really wanted to have a party.  I finally agreed after realizing we don't have friends over that often.  His goal was to play 3-on-3 basketball and a little football.  It was pretty chilly outside, but they braved it for a little football.  The shop is heated, so basketball wasn't a problem at all!  We had pizza for supper and then more playing.  The KU/K-State basketball game happened to be on at the same time, so a few of them gathered around the radio for a bit!  From what I could tell by the sounds of laughter, yelling, and general boy sounds, I think they had a good time! Happy 9th birthday, Caiden.  We love you! ...

Today, Delaney had her very first haircut - at age 2 1/2!  I don't think she moved a muscle during the whole thing.  Jen was very impressed with her!  Delaney sat on my lap at first, but by the end she wanted to try the "bench" and she sat on her own.  The tips that were cut were so soft, and fine, and blonde - her sweet, sweet baby hair.  We'll never have a first haircut again. She's growing up all too quickly - just last week I put away the diaper genie, her potty chair, and her changing pad - things we'll never need again, but things that have been part of our family for 9 years.  Can one really be sad over saying good-bye to a potty chair and baby hair?  I guess if you're like me, the answer is yes!

I saw Cambry writing the other day, and when she finished, I looked it over and realized it was a list of things to do with her friend, Jaicee.  We're planning on having her over during spring break.  I love it!  The list was scrapped, however, when I mentioned that we could go swimming instead!  :) Here is what I think it says : hiking play in my room go to the pond play pretend make a project for our moms make a plane ride our bikes have lunch help do chores with my dad

Cambry made it through her procedure with no problems!  Well, no problems may be pushing it - she has quite a bit of pain when she goes to the bathroom, but that will subside. We waited for quite a while before they took her back for the procedure.  A new kitten was waiting for her on the bed, and a new sketchbook and colored pencils from the Schroeder's were just the thing to bide her time.  She also got some reading in from a short chapter book.  There was no flinching or crying when the nurse put her IV in - in fact, there were no tears until they put the blue hat on! The doctor told us that her urethra was very tight, so he stretched it.  He also told us that she has IC (interstitial cystitis).  It's irritation in the bladder, triggered by certain foods, mostly.  We actually have some experience with this because her cousin, Addi, has the exact same thing!  So, we have to be pretty strict with her diet for 2-3 months, and then slowly we ca...

Cambry has had a challenging winter.  She was struck hardest with the flu in early January, she just got over a week-long bout with a weird stomach bug, and in the midst of it all, she's been to the doctor 4 times with a urinary frequency problem.  Tomorrow morning, she has a procedure to explore why she has to use the restroom so often, and if anything needs fixing, they should be able to do that all during the same procedure. Caiden had surgery when he was 3, Delaney had surgery last year, and now it's Cambry's turn.  This is one is different, though, because she's old enough to be scared.  She hasn't talked about it much, and I'm very careful about bringing it up.  There were a few tears last night, but she seemed to recover quickly. We're hopeful that we might get some things figured out tomorrow.  Prayers would be appreciated for Cambry's anxiety, for patience as Chelan and I wait, for safety, for the wisdom of the doctors and nurses involved, a...

Maybe Delaney is watching too many episodes of "Diff'rent Strokes!"