We are the proud owners of . . .

a minivan.

Yes folks. It is official. The Kits are driving a minivan.

My mom wanted me to post a picture. Don't bet on it. I don't plan to produce proof anytime soon of our venture to the dark side -- a side complete with cheerios stuffed in seats and soccer moms racing from event to event.

Wait a minute. I suppose me just writing about buying the minivan, even if there aren't visuals, constitutes proof that we bought one.

Okay, so I have to be okay with this, and honestly, I really am. We bought a 2002 Honda Odyssey. It doesn't have any bells and whistles, but it does only have 44,000 miles on it. We tried to make an SUV work. We really did. We messed with the seats and brainstormed getting three children under three in and out of it. We wanted it to work for us so badly.

In the end, we felt like we would have to make the SUV work.

I had images of trying to get three tiny tykes in and out of the SUV, and I could feel my blood pressure rising while I thought about it. Seats would have to be flipped down and kiddos lifted over seats and hoisted into the vehicle. Once we climbed into the minivan, we knew this was what we needed to do even though we knew once we went there, we'd never be able to go back. I can easily picture a road trip with three kids and a dog without my heart racing.

So that's it. It's done. I love the van. And I am proud of it and the family we'll put inside.

In other news, last night, after we signed the papers and officially owned the minivan, JB and I went out for a date. It was a pharmaceutical dinner at Ruth Chris. If you aren't familiar with these dinners, pharmaceutical companies host very fancy affairs where healthcare professionals can go, get a wonderful meal, and listen to a long-winded but often fairly interesting professional. Spouses usually cannot go but because I work as a medical writer, I am considered a healthcare professional and can attend! How great is that? Dinner was fabulous. I told JB, when dinner was over, that as good as it was, I didn't think I'd ever go back to a restaurant that costs around $100 a plate. I said that until the restaurant manager gave each of us a $50 gift card. So, I guess we'll go back. :)

I have left Isaac before with people, but this is the first time that we left him in the evening and went out just the two of us for a date. We meant to do this many weeks or months ago, but quite honestly, with JB's crazy schedule, we really haven't had a chance.

We were so blessed that Joia agreed to watch Isaac. Joia is such a good mom and just loves babies. She really has a gift with children. I didn't worry for a second about Isaac while I was gone. And, when we got home, I was able to read about their fun time on her blog. Check it out! The Lord has blessed us with such wonderful friends here and such a great support group for raising our children. Children?! Yikes!

Today is a new day. I am going to go with Brittney R. to a swim day with some of the ladies and children from church. I am also busy getting ready to pick up JB after work today and head out to Amelia Island to see my parents. Unfortunately, you'll have to wait to hear about the trip until we get back as I don't plan to bring a computer on our vacation. Needless to say, we are super excited to see my parents and just have a relaxing weekend at a hotel on the beach.

I also wanted to take a quick moment to wish my parents a happy 33rd anniversary. How awesome is that?

See you when we get back!