Just Dance

The girls recently borrowed "Just Dance 2" for the Wii from my mom.  They keep telling me that "Just Dance" is so much better, and way more fun, but I'm pretty sure that this version is pretty fun as well.  I was getting my rapper moves on earlier while Kriss Kross was having me "Jump, jump."  Talk about bringing back the memories.  My best friend from middle school and I used to listen to that song all the time, and even considered going as Kriss Kross (backward overalls and all) for Halloween one year.  Can't you see it?  Two white, teenaged girls dressed up as black male rappers.  I think the only thing we would have had in common would have been the backwards clothing.  Anyway, thanks for a little trip down memory lane, Nintendo!

{Beauty...}

I picked up this little beauty at Goodwill tonight.  I have great plans for her to store my craft stash.  After I give her a little facelift, of course.  Stay tuned.

Rainy days and Mondays

So, today wasn't rainy, but it was definitely a Monday, filled with all the usual highs and lows that Monday brings.  On the upside, it's a short week at school this week, so it's a 4-day weekend for me!  I didn't sleep very well last night, though, so this morning was a bit of a struggle.  Right now, my kiddos are getting ready for bedtime prayers by doing gymnastics in the living room.  Over the weekend, while I was having fun at my library conference (yes, FUN, for all you doubters out there), the kids and Jon roamed around Spokane and Jon introduced them to some of the finer points of the area, including Manito Park, Northtown Mall, Riverpark Square.  I think the kids are becoming a bit more acclimated to the idea of the move, which is good.  They keep asking if they can try new activities when we get there, instead of Irish Dance.  I understand where they are coming from, but it breaks my heart that they don't love Irish Dance as much as I want them to.  So between finances and childrens' wishes, we will have to see what kind of compromise we can work out once we are actually in Spokane.  I so want them to continue with the dance; it is such a good physical activity, and the automatic sense of community is fun.  But I don't want them to end up hating it because I made them do it, either.  For now, we are continuing with Irish Dance in Missoula, and I hope that in the few months we have left here, that it will become more and more something they love.  One of the dichotomies of being a mom: wanting to give them everything they want, while at the same time knowing that giving them everything they want is not what they need.  Ah, the joys of parenting.

It's been a bit of a flurry of posts here the last few days, which I love.  I'm trying to make time to post more often, but don't be surprised if it slows down a bit; we picked apples last night at Dad's, which means we have a lot to do this weekend.  (It's a really good thing it's a 4 day weekend!)  I'll leave you with these fun pics of picking apples yesterday:

{Yum}

There's not much better than hot carmel-y goodness when you have to drive to into Spokane on a foggy Saturday for a conference!  Such a yummy treat!

Perhaps...

I've been attending a library conference the last couple of days, and it was very, very good.  I realized that I am still learning about a lot of things, but also in many ways, I've been doing a pretty good job of what I'm supposed to be teaching as a 21st Century Teacher-Librarian.  And that's exciting, and confidence building.  Its kind of like when someone tells me that my kids are such good kids (which of course, I know, but I am biased) and I feel gratified that maybe in all my blundering through this thing called parenting, that perhaps I am doing something right after all.

Jon and I took a drive up to Greenbluff today after the conference finished up, and then went to a Junior Tackle football game.  Me, being the crazy football fan that I am, realized halfway through yelling, "TAKE HIM DOWN!!!" that perhaps that wasn't appropriate for Junior Tackle.  We're supposed to be positive at this level, right?  Oops.  Just keepin' it real here, folks.

Some of my close friends know that I've been struggling with not having enough time to deal with some of the thoughts I've been rolling around in my head.  Some of these thoughts are my own struggle of knowing whether or not I have something to offer with this little blog, or if it should just be a more family oriented update of what we've been up to.  But lately, I've been thinking that maybe I really do have something to offer this blogosphere out there.  I'm not always the most crafty, or the best photographer, or the most organized, or the best cook, or the best parent, or the most faith-filled woman out there.  But I do have real experiences, real friends and real thoughts and dreams.  So I'm going to try to keep it real, and post about those experiences and reactions and fun and hard times a little more often. And perhaps that is all I need to share.  Perhaps a little bit of my own experiences will help someone else.  And maybe I'll never be famous, and maybe I'll never write an amazing story that touches the hearts of the world.  But if the story I write and the story I live only touches the hearts of my children, my husband, and even my own heart, then perhaps, just perhaps, that is enough.

Stay tuned.

A little road trip

So, I'm spending this weekend at the WLMA (Washington Library Media Association) Conference in Spokane.  After day one, I feel good about how I do my job, and what I'm focusing on teaching my students.  I know that there is room for improvement, and I've gotten some good ideas about how to move forward.  So that's been encouraging!

Yesterday, the kids and I drove from Missoula to Spokane, which is the first time I've driven that stretch on my own.  It was a good time, and the kids enjoyed Swiss Rolls and other sundry snacks on the drive.  Panda Express for lunch and dinner with friends....  Yes, we live the good life!

For those of you who may be wondering, the creative itchiness that I was experiencing last weekend, did result in creativity happening.  I took a page from my friend Jami's notebook, and created a fabric leaf garland to go on my mantle.  It was fun, it looks great, and it satisfied that little itch....

This week promises to be busy once again.  Thursday and Friday are MEA days, and since I'm here at the WLMA conference, I won't be needing to get PIR hours, which means NO SCHOOL and a 4-day weekend!!  My dad says the apples are ready, so the plan is to cook, cook, cook and cook some more!  I can't wait for the smell of apples to permeate my house again! I'll try to keep you posted in the meantime!

'Til next time,

Mrs. Meek

{Creativity}

My fingers are itching to create...  So I'm glad that I have some time this weekend to spend some creative energy!  I'm not sure what exactly I'll be working on, but there will be some creative fruit from this weekend.  There will also be some homework and housework that gets finished up as well.  I am looking ahead to next summer already, when I will be finishing up my Master's coursework, and moving forward into the next season of life, which will include a move to Spokane!  It's scary and exciting!  We are probably going to pick apples this weekend as well, so my kitchen will turn into an apple processing plant over the next few weeks.  Apple pie, applesauce, dried apples, apples to freeze for later...  So much fun, and such wonderful days to make memories with my kids!  Here's hoping for time over the next few days to let the creative juices flow!