Tag Archives: our orange van

Reminiscing

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My best talks with God and life ponderings happen while I’m driving in the car. Maybe its because I’m buckled in, body and mind, and can’t go anywhere.  Or maybe because it kind of is like life is passing you by when you drive: you’re sitting still, your car is moving, and things quickly pass by your window- there one second, gone the next.  Whatever it is, I really do think deeply and feel intensely while sitting in my orange mini van chauffeuring my children through their childhood.

I got this text from Michael this morning, “I’m listening to Concrete Girl and remembering our young love”  and as I drove around this afternoon, I let my mind go deeper.

I remember being young and  so in love when we were just 16.  We were sure we’d get married (WE thought we were ready that following summer :) ) and we would write notes to each other in our little “Black Notebook” that we passed back and forth about our future family and all our hopes and dreams that we were bound to experience together.  We went to homecomings and proms, said goodbye at our separate colleges, and really did a majority of our growing up together.

Now here we are 12 years later.  How rare is it that all those things in the little black notebook did come true? (With lots of bumps and bruises along the way, however.) I mean, do I really, I mean really think about that?  When I ho and hum about my daily life of mundane responsibilities that seem never ending?  Do I absorb the idea that I’m raising his children, driving his orange mini van, and being called his wife from now until forever?  That I’m living the dreams from the little black notebook?

So, I am thankful.  I’m thankful to God for bringing about our relationship in His timetable and His plan.  I’m more in love with Michael now then at age 16, and I’m going to push aside the weariness of this season of life and choose joy in my parenting and in my wife-ing.

Thank you Concrete Girl and Little Black Notebook for reminding me that I am my beloved’s and he is mine!

Best moment ever

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Last night, Michael rode in the back of the van with the boys while I drove home.  The three of them turned the “Swivel and Go” seats around so they were facing the back seat, and they rolled all the windows down while they boys were bopping their heads to Switchfoot song that was blasting.

We were heading home from downtown Aurora, and at the stoplight a blue car full of teens bumpin to their rap music pulled up next to us.  With their seats laid back as far as they would go and flicking their cigarettes out the window, they looked over at us.  I heard them say to each other, “Dude, is that a van?”  “Yo, that’s a van!”  “Man, do you see that van??”  I laughed out my window and smiled at them, and they smiled back and nodded while laughing back.  It was the best moment ever.

If they think I’m cool in my orange mini, then all is well with my soul. :)

Never thought I’d do it!

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I’ve always thought minivans resemble giant dust-busters, and driving one meant you were doom to be so un-cool.  But as our carseat total grew to three, and we were busting out of our Jeep, I decided coolness must give way to practicality.

I get ulcers about going to car dealerships and I know absolutely nothing about cars.  Michael reads Car & Driver religiously, has no problem being a tough negotiator,  and is so very internet research savvy, that I put the whole car shopping deal into his hands. He’s been looking and test driving for a few weeks now, and this past Monday night came home with the newest member of our household.

We said goodbye to our little 5-speed Focus and hello to a 2008 Dodge Caravan SXT (I told you I knew nothing-I just had to ask Michael what van we got…its already been 3 days, lol).

I’ve got to say, I’m sold.  After blasting California Gurls crusing around in the orange van today I definitely feel like a cool mom.  The boys love the “magic” doors, middle seat and back seat DVD players, and the swivel seats that can face the back and reach the attachable table.  And I’m crazy about the touch screen control center, blue-tooth phone connection and music hard drive, back-up camera and sensor, and super storage room all over the van.  I love that I can’t see my stroller in the rear view mirror. :)

Finally, in honor of all my mom friends that have posted this video on their blogs once they got their minivan, here is Swagger Wagon.  So us.

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