So you think you can blog??????

Yep, you guessed it. I figured out how to blog. I now qualify to live in the 2000's. But don't ask me to Twitter, Pitter, Slitter or Fitter b/c I'll knock you out.

Alas, we are officially Illinois"ites", whatever THAT means. What I know it means for now is I have white walls b/c I've painted more in the past five years than most humans do in a lifetime so I am on a painting strike. I know it means I need to grow accustomed to phrases like, "Severe Thunderstorm Warnings" and "Hurricane like rains" but let's not forget "tornado like winds" and "you want a dozen dunkin doughnuts?" said in only a way that mid-westerners can say it. I know it means that my lung capacity has GOT to expand while I'm out here just to be able to take in the wet air everytime I go outside between May and September. I've heard it means we'll have snow by October. I hope it doesn't mean I'll be saying "Chicaaaaaago" within the year. Either way, it means new adventure and for that I am grateful, scared to death, excited, sad and many other emotions I have yet to uncover.

Wow, I'm officially a mid-westerner. Guess I'll be forgetting where the Pacific Northwest is now. As far as this part of the country is concerned, the U.S. stops at Iowa. If you say you're from Idaho you may as well just say you're from Djibouti b/c no one will know where you're talking about anyways. While I have not taken my camera out yet to post anything beautiful, I will soon b/c you guys have GOTTA see this place! It's GORGEOUS! Contrary to Mike and Melyssa's recent post with identical pictures of Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois and Indiana (hardy har har you twerps), this part of Illinois is something to feast your eyes on. Trees for miles, beautiful lightening storms, water everywhere, prairies everywhere and blue skies that seem to go for miles. Though it does not feel like home yet, it is becoming a great place to live. And with indoor soccer in the winter, Isaac is sold for life.

Sadie is enjoying her new gym and fitting in nicely. She begins play dates next week when many get back from vacations. The kids loving swimming in our apartment complex pool every day. While I fantasized about a summer off and nothing to do but just "be", I am now realizing that if I want to stay a mother than I have to find SOMETHING to do by the time school starts cause these kids are driving me NUTS! And vice-versa I am sure. I am still taking a year off of social work to determine if going back to graduate school is what I want to do next year. I don't know where I'll find some part-time employment but I hope to go somewhere where I can truly just love being at work. I have also signed up for many PTA committees so I can be a REAL American mom. This is assuming I don't get kicked off the board for not making my children recite the pledge of allegiance every day at school. :0) That one's for you, Lyss.

Enough ranting................................

I'll leave you with my list of "must haves" if you are EVER considering moving to, or visiting, this part of the country:

--Waterproof mascara
--Waterproof eye-shadow
--Waterproof "shimmer" or whatever crap you like to put on your face to make it sparkly
--Waterproof deoderant
--Waterproof feminine products (sorry males!)
--Waterproof toothpaste
--Waterproof jewelry
--Waterproof underwear
--Waterproof skin

As soon as you can muster up all of that let us know when you want to come visit!