Checkin' out my new stuff

So I downloaded Windows Live Writer and I'm going to  try it out on my blog.  I'm not really sure what it does, exactly, but we'll learn together.

how fun is this?  OOOH, I always wanted to do that!!! 

This is fun!  Cool fonts too!

OK, enough of that.  Yesterday the kids had conferences at school.  It was nice to sit down and chat with their teachers for a few minutes.  They are all doing amazingly well.  I'm very proud of them.  I was totally impressed with Ann-Elise though.  When I get her paper back, I'll post if for you.  She is unbelievable in math and reading/writing.  Her teacher was almost speechless trying to explain to me how rare it is to have a first grader who can grasp so many concepts in so many areas on such a high level.  Go Leise!!!

As we were leaving the school, I passed someone that I met last year as Conner was playing ball.  Not a good friend, but someone I had visited with.  I wasn't sure it was her at first, as it had been so long.  When I realized it was her, we were walking down the hall at the same time so I looked over at her and said "Hi, how are you doing?"  Her response was a very rude "Fine".  Umm, ok.  Mike is on the community sports program board and apparently the board made a decision that she didn't like.  And now she's being rude to me.  So, we're acting like we're back in High School again?  I was shocked that an adult would take something that an organization that my HUSBAND was in (and I have NO control over) and take her anger out on me.  A totally innocent bystander.  Whatever!  Get a life!

Oh, and I totally ticked my sister off yesterday.  She is always talking about this fun message board that she's on.  Of course, it's a "hobby specific" board.  I'm not going to give out much info, because I don't want people checking it out and getting her all mad at me!  Anyway, she's always talking about it and even thought it's not a "hobby" that I have, I wanted to check it out to see what it was about.  Apparently you have to sign up to be able to access the forums.  And low and behold, when you sign up, your user name is posted at the side of the MAIN WEBSITE for EVERYONE to see.  So, of course she saw that I was on.  Had I known that I'd be the "Newest member" I would have come up with a different name!!!  Anyway, she saw and flipped out (not totally, but she was a little shocked).  Called me up and told me I couldn't be on "HER" website.  Hee Hee.  I wasn't really gonna post anything, I just wanted to check it out.  But I guess now I've been banned!  Kind of funny though!

The new addition

Mike has a new baby. We drove up to Bonnie Lake, Washington on Saturday to visit our friends, the Birrers, and pick up Mike's new truck. He was so excited. He has wanted one like this for a very long time. We braved 3 snow storms, 3 hail storms, rain and sun on the 3 hour drive. It was crazy! But we had a good time. We miss the Birrers! They moved up there about 5 months ago. They were a huge part of our lives and they have left a very large hole. So it was nice to spend a little time with them, even if it was only a couple hours.

Conner went to the new "Great Wolf Lodge" and water park on Friday and Saturday with his buddies Matthew and Austin. Matthew's mom and dad took the boys for Matthew's 10th birthday. They had a blast! I can't wait to go up there as a family. Hopefully next month we can squeeze it in.

Conner has 2 practice games this week. Hopefully the weather will cooperate and they won't be rained out. What is up with this crazy weather? I could sure so for a couple days with the temp higher than 43!

Ann-Elise is getting ready for her next dance recital. She is tapping to "Lolly pop, Lolly pop". It's really cute. She has totally picked up her dance skills this session and I am really proud of her. However, she HATES softball. And I'm the mean mom who won't let her quit. Even though it would make life so much easier on me!!!

Alia's having fun hanging out with friends. She's such a crazy kid. And so darn moody. I think I'll be hating life in a few years with so many girls in the house! I think Mike and Conner might move out during those teenage years!

Oh, and thanks to Mike for leaving me a comment. And of course Brynn and Mary! The rest of you though... I don't know what I'm gonna do with you!!!

Have a great day!

*knock, knock* Is anybody there?

So, I hear from people that they have been reading my blog. However, how am I supposed to know this??? That's what the comments are for! Please leave one. Or send me an email. I run into friends from my old town and am surprised that they are up to date on what's happening with us, but I want to know about you too!!! So, please leave a comment or send me an email. I'd love to hear from you. Oh, and THANKS to Brenda and Mary (Lori too!!!). You two make me feel loved!

I'm in the process of signing Adrie up for preschool. Wow. That's got mixed emotions written all over it! She's so darned happy that she can hardly stand it. I think I'm pretty excited and ready for her to go. But I suppose that leaves me with just Caile, and I don't know if I'm ready for that. And Lori, if you are reading this: you better let me know if your not going to be teaching K in 2 years, because I might need some serious time adjusting if you won't be there. For those of you who don't know. Lori Lawrence was all 3 of my older kid's kindergarten teacher and is truly the most amazing teacher ever!!! I will have to mourn if Adrie and Caile don't have the opportunity to have her too!

On the "me" note. I went out for a bike ride with my friend Sarah yesterday. She's making me go! She's a pretty avid rider and is being very kind and talking me into training with her. We started off on a pretty flat area and then worked into some hills. After a couple (what I would call) close calls with cars, we finished in a couple hours. I decided to "track" the mileage with the car. Low and behold 21 miles. Yes, I repeat, 21 MILES! Yeah! It was so fun! I could totally get into this. And I'm feeling better about not falling. Seriously, that's a big deal!

Anyway, I need to run a spoiled girl to school so don't forget to leave a comment!!!

Another steal from my sister

I
am: strong
want: kids that listen
have: the best husband ever
wish: I could spend more time with said best husband ever
don't: give myself enough credit
can't: run fast
need: to clean my house
hear: music from Brenda's blog and the Backyardagans
wonder: if I'm damaging my kids
believe: that I can become who I want to be
regret: not being more patient with my family
am not: a mean person
dance: with my husband while the girls sing their crazy karaoke
sing: horribly. But I do it anyway!
cry: a lot. More than I want to.
always: run the mom's taxi service
make with my hands: hats. The only think I know how to knit. Oh, bread too (not knit bread silly, just make it with my hands!)
write: only in my blog.
confuse: my days A LOT!
should: get off the computer more and work on the house
start: a lot of things
finish: not very many of the things I start!