Worth it?

Today I decided that I really needed some exercise. I tried to go walking with friends last night, but after a block and a half, my sideache/ligament pain was so bad that I was lucky to get home. I needed to go swimming!

Indecision made me dawdle this morning. I finally got out the door a little before 10. We got to the gym around 10:15. It was so crowded that we had to park far away, and I had to carry Buster both ways because he didn't want to go where I wanted him to. We also had to wait until some parents picked up their kids before there was room for my children in the on-site care.

Finally, I changed and got in the water. Bliss!!! I love the water, and it is especially wonderful when pregnant. The weight just disappears, and I can move! After only 30 minutes in the water, it was time to get out so I could get my kids in time.

It was late enough when we got out that I realized Buster would fall asleep in the car on the way home, so we went to Wendy's for a quick and cheap lunch. We finally got home about 12:20, almost 2 1/2 hours after we left for 1/2 hour in the water.

I just wonder sometimes if all the hassle and travel time is really worth it. You know, though, as I think about it, I am happier now, I feel better, and I have just a little more patience with my kids. The stress almost immediately settled back in my muscles, but I do feel better. Yes, it was worth it.

Two Very Funny Links

I have found 2 things that are just too funny not to share! First of all, my friend posted a link on his blog to this great tech support sheet.

Second, I absolutely love the comic, Baby Blues. I can't reference the particular comic directly, but go to BabyBlues.com and click on the box to select the comic for August 12, 2009.

I hope you enjoy the laughs!

So there!

There, I posted. Happy? Happy?

(I love you, too, and you know who you are.)

Quotable Quotes XVII

Sometimes Ben and I converse in Spanish. Sometimes we do it to conceal things from the children, but sometime, we just do it for practice.

This evening I asked him: "¿Quién va a bañar los menores? (Who's going to bathe the younger kids?)"

"Yo lo haré. (I'll do it.)"

Sunny overheard and asked, "What did Daddy say?"

So I repeated it in Spanish.

"No, what did the real words say?"

Quotable Quotes XVI

Sunny was on the swingset glider with a friend. I heard Buster crying, and I went out to investigate.

"Did you hit Buster?" I asked.

"No," they answered, "we just bumped into him with this."

Nursery!

Buster went to nursery at church for the first time on Sunday. Two days later, he has a runny nose, cough, and watery eyes. Coincidence? I don't think so. Well, at least he enjoyed it, and hopefully, he will be well enough by Sunday to go back.

It was nice to not have to worry about him. It was a couple of weeks early, but with our callings, Ben and I just can't keep him with us. I teach Sunday School and play the piano in Relief Society, and Ben was just called as the executive secretary, which oftentimes keeps him out of classes.

New Van!

We did it! We found a new vehicle for our family.
Short story:
It's a 1996 Ford E-350 12-passenger with just a few miles on it. A little more than we need, but lots of people and/or cargo space. Well maintained, and in great shape for its age.

Long story:
We had decided that if we had to get a new vehicle anyway, it would be nice if it would hold our whole family (7 as of this coming November) plus at least one more in case we needed to take a friend with us. It's amazing how many 8 passenger vehicles there are not. Lots of them are Toyotas and Hondas, which, while wonderfully reliable, are out of our price range--way out! (Sorry, Cripple Chicken.) Anyway, after lots of looking, we realized we were to big vans or SUVs. Ben has very fond memories of the Ford van they had growing up. We also realized that most Ford vans available are conversion vans--with the oh-so-coveted captains chairs that reduce seating from 8 to 7! I'd rather have another Dodge Caravan. We also found a lot of 15-passenger vans, which would be just a little much. We found an awesome Diesel 15-passenger Ford van for only $4,000--not including the minimum $1,000 required to bring the interior to a state in which we would feel like we could put our children in it. We decided 12-passenger would be ideal--plenty of room for people, and we could even remove the back seat for tons of cargo space if necessary and still have room for our family. They also tow just about anything.

We found this van a week ago, and after much contemplating and prayer decided it was right for us. It's not new--it's 1996! The interior, exterior, and working parts are all in fabulous condition for its age and mileage. Is it perfect? No. Would I rather have a newer car? Sure--but I don't want the payments. We plan to fix up (if we can cheap) the Chrysler and the Vanagon. We will save up, and hopefully by the time the Green Beast dies, we will be able to afford something a little newer and nicer the next time around.

I love the power the engine has, and the kids love the space. They can practically each have their own bench at this point! I also love the color. So, thanks to the great family who sold it to us (my dad has heard stories about piling everyone into this thing for football games--he went to high school with the original owner). Here's hoping we get a lot more miles out of this baby!

Quotable Quotes XV

Ben got a haircut. At dinner the next day, Sunny said, "Daddy, why did you have to get a haircut? Now you look weird!"

First Day of School

It's that time of year again for our girls--the first day of school! Kandy is starting 3rd grade, and Missy is in 1st grade! It sneaked up on us a bit this year between the vacation last week and no car to go run traditional school preparation errands. Luckily, they both have plenty of uniforms that still fit. I like uniforms for lots of things. I do miss the excitement of picking out the outfit for the first day. "Hmmm, which red shirt should I wear today?"

Here they are, ready for school: