As we approach the hardest weeks of a pregnancy, among some hard news to swallow...we found ourselves in the market for a new to us vehicle. With the Chevy Uplander being 10 years exposed to the harsh salty winters of central NY...it had taken a toll on the structural integrity. After taking it to a few body shops for estimates, the consensus was it would be throwing money away to fix the direct issues, but not making it any safer to drive.
(Insert protective momma bear instincts with the thought of bringing home a new baby)
The thought of having to scramble to find a car to fit our needs and already striped to the max monthly budget was crushing to us both. We hadn't had this car for more than 1.5 years, since having our other van of only 6 months be totalled due to the fatal deer crash. Trying to find a minivan in this was a surprising challenge. An SUV was too expensive on the gas and a crossover was too small with three kids/car seats.
It surprised me, to be one who isn't into and avoids most car details to push forward and do research on what was available. I leave that to Matt, as the last two car purchases were complicated and under stressful circumstances.
To make a long story short...after coming 2 days late on a minivan possibility...on Saturday we went to a local lot with pretty serious intentions of purchasing it. Throw in some red flags and not being seller ready, we took to our back up plan.
But.....the backup was 2 hours away :/
Car shopping, unless you have cash outright to buy one, is never fun. Throw in heat, an all day migraine and two cranky toddlers who don't understand why they can't run amuck...well, its the perfect storm.
But we have a new to us Toyota Sienna!
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| Having working power sliding doors is one of the best things about this car |
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| Oh car seats...how I love/hate them |
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| Glorious cargo room! |
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| This little girl sobbed the night before/during/after the purchase when she learned we were not bringing the old van back home with us...and then argued that both were in fact green and not blue |
A great blessing came on Friday morning with news that Matt was being selected for a job promotion after many tried and unsuccessful opportunities applied for. It isn't a giant lifestyle changing raise, but will allow us to not have to cut the grocery budget any lower and still make the monthly payments. Oh how the little things in life can make or break ya! I have missed driving a Toyota since my single days of the 83 Tercel and 91 Previa. You'll sell/crash'em before running them into the ground. May this continue to hold true!
The kids already miss the drop down DVD which came with the Uplander...(me too kids)
Mother's Day
After a stressful week, there were no grand celebrations planned. We were just happy to have survived the previous process. I instead wanted the gift of only having minimal parent duties for the day. This meant being able to only have to focus or worry about getting myself ready for church. Breakfast in bed was a surprise addition. Church and frozen yogurt followed. But I was not fully off the hook from grossness as a mother....
Right after taking these pictures, Eliza informs me she has to go potty. So encourage her to just go. She quickly comes out of the house and said she didn't...only to shortly say she did and it was poop. As I loaded up the car with some MOPS garage sale items, she yells from the window that she had an accident. I tell her to take off the dirty underwear and to wipe very well.
HA! If only it was that simple. Nothing prepared me for what was found.
Drapes
Outer toilet bowl
Walls
Floor
Clothes
Rug
Child head to toe
Just when you think you're winning as a parent....God humbles you! I thought we were out of the blowout stage when you have a four year old!? It was a joint effort by both Matt and I to clean everything up before Nolan was released from nap time.
I told Matt.....he can have Nolan's blowout for Father's Day ;)
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