Forced to move into the modern age

Our minivan was a 2001, which we bought used in 2007.  For the last 6 years, it has been a reliable car, with tons of space for our growing family.  Unfortunately, this summer everything went to shit.  Over the last 3 months, we spent about $1,200 to keep it running (ugh).  But having it towed twice in one week pushed me over the edge.  I didn't even feel comfortable driving the damn thing anymore.   I was convinced that it was going to die somewhere, and I'd be stranded far from home with my 3 children. 

So, John and I decided to purchased a new (used) vehicle...

It is a 2012.  I LOVE the gray color.  It has a built in DVD player, a rear back-up camera, satellite radio, dual power sliding doors, etc.  In short, it is very fancy.  I feel all modern and shit.

We ended up going with another Grand Caravan, because the price was awesome.  We weren't intending to get a new car right now, so price was a big issue for us.  I actually feel a little sick to my stomach just thinking about the car payments.  I hate having debt.  I am hoping we can have it paid off in about a year and a half. 

Although I love my new van, I am sad that other projects we were going to start this fall are being put on hold.  We can no longer afford to start work on the 1/2 bath in the basement.  We were also going to have some dieing trees in our backyard cut down, but that is going to have to wait too.

In summary, I am excited about my new van, but sad about my new debt.

Pity Party

I have bad luck.  John has bad luck.  Together, we are a shit storm of bad luck.

On Monday, there was torrential rain in New Jersey.  For hours, it poured buckets.  And to my dismay, we got some water in our basement.  Not a ton, but enough to get the new playroom carpet wet.  I spent a lot of time soaking water up with towels and emptying the dehumidifier.  It was not a great way to start the day.

After lunch, John noticed that our van had a flat tire.  GRRRR.  He drove the van to the repair shop, but there was a long wait.  He didn't want to wait in the shop for hours, so he decided to walk back home in the rain.

At this point, I was starting to get a little crabby.  Everything seemed to be going wrong.  But then the sun came out, the kids went swimming, and John fired up the grill.  I thought that maybe we could salvage the day.  And then one of my dental crowns popped off. MOTHERFUCKER!

On Tuesday, John had to go back to the doctor because he keeps getting reoccurring sore throats.  He had strep in July, but he just can't seem to kick it.  He is now on his third round of antibiotics.

When poor, sick John got home from work, I had to rush out the door to have my dental crown repaired.  Except that when I got outside, I realized that my van was dead.  It would not even attempt to start.  John thought it was the battery and tried to jump it, but no dice.  We had to call a tow truck.

On Wednesday night, we finally got our car back (it was the starter). YAY!  I was so relieved to have my vehicle back. But that sensation was short-lived, because on Thursday morning my van was dead again.   What the fuck world?  Why do you insist on screwing me over?  The repair shop sent over a guy to look at it, but he couldn't figure it out, so we had to have it towed AGAIN.

It was been a rough week, and I am eagerly looking forward to putting it all behind me.

Update on the children

My baby boy is 2 years old.  I know that he didn't magically become a big kid overnight, but it honestly feels that way. Where has all the time gone?  Why he is saying so many new words?  When did he start watching television?  It is so damn bittersweet watching a baby grow up.

Guppy is a mama's boy.  He loves me fiercely and wholeheartedly.  And I love him so much it hurts.  Since his birth, I have been keenly aware that he may be our last baby.  As a result, I seem to mourn each passing milestone more intensely than I did with the other children.  It is hard being his mommy, because I just want to make sure I soak it all in, but that is really impossible.  No matter how hard I try, time just keeps slipping through my fingers.

I really can't explain his adorable little personality to you, but he is the sweetest toddler I've ever met.  I know I am bias, but truly, he is an amazing kid.  I am so lucky to have him in my world.  Seriously, if you could hear the way he meows, your heart would explode from all the adorableness.
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Izzy is 5 years old and getting ready to start Kindergarten.  We went through a rough patch for about a year (from age 3 to about age 4), and it was hard to parent my wayward middle child.  He has a temper and is quick to action.  It was hard to set boundaries and to discipline him.  Nothing seemed to work, and I often found myself feeling like an inadequate mother.  Why was I struggling to get Izzy to comply with the simplest requests?  But then something amazing happened.  Most parents won't admit this, but video games helped my child. 

We implemented a behavior chart, with a reward of playing video games.  Izzy gets a sticker every night at bedtime.  When he gets 5 stickers, he can play video games for 3 hours.  Izzy can lose his rewards stickers at anytime and for any reason, but usually he loses them for failing to comply with a request the first time he is asked.  But I have to admit, introducing video games into the equation has made a world of difference in my son.  It is a HUGE motivator for him.  I can count on him to behave 90% of the time. It is amazing, and I am so proud of the progress he has made over the past year.
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Porgie is now 7 years old and getting ready for 2nd grade. She is a typical first-born child.  She is eager to please, has perfectionist tendencies, and strives for approval from mom and dad.  She is also incredibly smart.  I am not one of those parents who thinks that all of her children are delicate geniuses, but I have to admit that my daughter is certainly more academically inclined than most other kids her age.  The girl loves school work and learning.  Her hobbies include reading, completing workbooks, and making crafts.

On the other hand, my daughter has a tendency to be a bit scatterbrained.  She will sometimes put on two different shoes (without realizing it), she frequently puts her clothes on backwards (without realizing it), and she would lose her head if it wasn't attached to her. 

Porgie is also a very optimistic person.  She pretty much thinks that everything is AWESOME.  She reminds me of Sue from The Middle...

 She is a great kid, and it is so much fun to be her mom.  I honestly don't know how I got so lucky.