I wish I could have.... a Honda Odyssey

Hi Everyone

It's been a while since I posted, and I feel like I should post something.

Anyway, I have just stumbled upon a depressing thought... I don't think I am ever going to get a Honda Odyssey :( (I have been dreaming of owning a Honda Odyssey ever since I became a mom!) The year after we moved to Virginia we purchased a 1999 Toyota Sienna from some acquaintances who were the original owners. We've had it for 4 years now and it has 102,000 miles and yes, that makes it 12 years old. Not a new car. But it runs great (too great I might add). And I take it to the car wash a couple of times a year and it comes out pretty clean and kind of new feeling. I don't see it breaking down anytime soon. IF I make it to 6 kids, I suspect it will be a wiser decision to buy a big clunky van instead of a slick Honda Odyssey. Of course many people would just go buy one, if they wanted it. "Why not?" they would say, "we can afford it." But you know, we were not raised that way. [This is not, of course to make any current Honda Odyssey owners feel bad - I know we all have our unique situations.] But if you have a car that works, why buy a new one? (I would really love to have a DVD player in my van, for those long trips to Florida.)

Dad, I really am grateful you raised us this way. I am glad I don't have a huge car payment every month when I don't need one. But sometimes I wonder if I just blow that money on something else. I don't really keep track so I don't know. (I should really keep track so I would know.)

Someday, I will need a new car (or van). Right now my nice Toyota Sienna has 102,000 miles on it. How much longer will it last? It has seven spaces. Right now we fill up 5. So we have two more kids to go before we need a new car. Will it break down next month? Well I guess that would be stressful, so I don't hope for that. So two more kids... and when the third one comes, then we will need a new car. How long will it take me to have 3 more kids? At least 5 more years I am guessing. Will the Sienna last 5 more years? By that time, I expect it will have close to 150,000. But alas, I think it will last.

So you see, I will probably never own a Honda Odyssey.

But I know I must be grateful. And I am grateful for the nice '99 Sienna we were able to get from friends of friends - that worked out really well and it's been a great car. And the shiny blue '04 Honda Civic we were able to buy new - that was really exciting and it's been a great car too. But I guess I can still dream...

Camping on Lake Hartwell

Last weekend we had an impromptu camping trip (seems to be a trend with us!). Matt and the boys were able to come and join us for Friday and Saturday night and we all had a fun time fishing, canoeing, swimming, and exploring some islands.

Philip loved to say "hi" to Joseph over and over again, and Joseph got a big kick out of it.

Joseph also said something pretty funny. When Matt was telling us about some of Sandy's sewing projects, Blake chimed in that "my mom also makes soap." And then Joseph immediately pipped up "my mom also makes dinner!"

The weather was perfect, and if we want to do any more camping this spring I'm sure we will have to get our reservations in soon, otherwise everything will be booked up.

Fun Photo

I recently designed a book cover for the National Catholic Bioethics Center. It was a fun short job. The book was about the French doctor, Jerome Lejeune who discovered the chromosome for downs syndrome.


Not the most exciting thing to post, I know. But, I recieved the top photo recently from the lady I worked with at the NCBC. I thought it was kinda cool to see my design in the hands of the pope.

Anthony's First Sentence

I ont a bown. I ont a bown. I ont a bown!

So who can guess what he is saying?