Best Offer?

The last time our family moved it was a huge disaster learning experience. That summer, we had a new baby (who was a horrible colicky newborn), Mr. Man's summer job consisted of an hour and a half commute each way, our car's engine blew up (or something like that) and we had to have a new engine put in it and then as we were loading up the truck to move, our eldest (who was 3) broke her arm and postponed our move by a day so we could get her patched up. The move itself was anything but delightful as it poured with rain the entire way, the baby screamed, the slightest movement caused hysterics for Miss J and her broken arm, and what was supposed to be a 9 hour drive was 12. I remember tears streaming across my face during numerous moments of that move as the windshield wipers set the example of continuing to be steadfast and immovable.

This move has seemed so much more promising. The kids and I will be flying across the country for one thing. And there is no baby anywhere in sight, my youngest is almost two and the oldest 8 1/2 - a huge difference. But so far one trend has decided to make itself known. Our van's engine is done. Yup. The van that we saved and saved for and payed cash for just over two years ago is dead. The price to put a new engine in is almost the same price we payed for the van... so it's not an option we're too excited about. Buying a new van 2 weeks before we move (into our new house) isn't a nice option either. We're slightly bummed about being the adults in the family right now. Basically it sucks.

However, Mom says to count my blessings, and really I do feel blessed in so many ways. I am especially happy that we all made it home safe and sound and that all my kids are healthy. What more could I need? It's my wants that are getting in the way.

In looking at vehicles and discussing our options, we decided that it really would be much cheaper and easier (and in my opinion a more preferable driving experience) if we could get a little car and not a van or other 6+ passenger vehicle. So at dinner we opened up to the kids who would like to leave our family so that we could fit in a little car again. Mr. Man even offered to buy the first person willing to walk out the front door their very own wii. I voted we get rid of the baby, since we all know how I feel about children betwen the ages of 1 and 3. Plus he's the only one not potty-trained, so that's a definate turn off. Mr. Man thought that if we were going to trade a child in for a car, we needed to get the most possible, so he voted we trade Miss J since she can read, clean the bathroom...and is possibly worth the most: the girl has skills! Mr. Man will often call Little E his toy, so then the propossal came that we trade in our TOY-E for a Toyota! (Not that we're anticipating getting another Toyota in this lifetime.) Mr. T just started crying and said that we needed to get a van so we could all fit, and because we needed a back windshield wiper and cars don't have that. Miss J retorted that I had promised that I would always take care of my kids no matter what, so the only option would be for Mr. Man to leave. He said that was just fine because then he would take his money with him. I told him that's not what the lawyers will say.

At any rate, we had to laugh because the other emotions are threatening to cave. We have each other, and we need a big vehicle... though thankfully not one THIS big:



If anyone dares to break a bone, I may lose it.