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12.31.2009

Closing 2009...

...in one frantic car shopping trip.

Back in July I bought this (so adorably modeled by my eldest)
so that when this child
came home she could sit between these two
in a more secure setting.

We've had the seat since July. JULY for crying out loud. The only reason I can possibly explain why we just got around to seeing if indeed three car seats will fit in the back of the trusty Highlander is this post. (Apparently procrastination is a character trait that Ian and I both share).

Wish I had taken the camera out to photo document the attempts (the sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach prevented it from happening). Ian tried. Real hard! But after trying many different configurations/latch vs. belt options, it became apparent the seats we have weren't going to work.

No problem, three new seats cost much less than a new vehicle. So armed with precise measurements I came in to find seats online that would work. Much searching later I realized that apparently seats don't come that narrow.

Oh, and did I mention that our I800 was granted and Darcy's immigrant visa application has been provisionally approved? Things are moving very quickly and we just may make it to bring our little girl home before Chinese New Year after all. (Heart pounding wildly in chest ~ can it possibly be true?)

So now after naps we'll be spending the last day of the decade (also last day of the month/last day of the year ~ according to a friend who is a car salesman, THE time to possibly score a deal) trying to find ourselves a bargain on one of these
Here's hoping we get to catch at least a little of the VT game tonight!

Happy New Year! What a year it has been. I can hardly believe that sometime between one to two months from now I will have three precious children at home. As much as I despise used car shopping, I'm praising God for the reason we are doing it (mixed of course with irritation at myself for procrastinating so long)!

So, about my resolutions for next year...

18 comments:

Laurie said...

The reason we're stopping at 2- neither of us wants a mini-van. Ha! Just kidding of course. I can't wait to see a picture with ALL THREE KIDS in the back together, having fun, laughing, singing, etc!! Bring on those travel dates!!

Anonymous said...

My vote is for the Odyssey. wE bought ours used and love it! You get a solid vehicle at a good price without paying for all the bells and whistles.

Before CNY? Seriously!!!

Nancy said...

EEK!!!! I am so very excited! Before Chinese New Year?! WOW! That is so awesome, I just can't wait to follow another journey to China on your blog.

I vote for the Odyssey too! My parents just got one 3 days before Christmas and my dad did ALOT of research. He's Mr. Car dude. Dave's parents and sister have had Odyssey's for years too.

Honda's rock! My 1996 Civic has over 100K miles on and runs great! Dave has a 2005 Element that we've been very happy with. If you get the Odyssey, you'll have it at least 10 years and 200K miles.

Anonymous said...

Woo whoo. Mini van mom here you come! :)
I may be shopping soon too!
Aunt Cici

And We'll be praying you get to go before Chinese New Year!
Aunt Cici

Pam said...

I could have told you about 3 car seats in a Highlander! Happy van shopping. If I were in the market for a mini van, I would be looking at an Odyssey.

C.C. said...

Ok, how'd it go??

Cindy M said...

Um, seven years later (almost eight), I still LOVE my Odyssey. So there's my vote...

And you will not, TRUST ME, be sorry that they don't have to all touch each other in the car. I'm just sayin...

Procrastinators rock, by the way. But, then, I'm a card-carrying member.

Michelle said...

We have been looking lately and I think we are going for a Honda Odyssey. I can't wait to hear travel dates..

Hetaher said...

I am pulling for the Honda .. love ours! :) Praying for those travel dates my friend. And ... the link for the monkey bread is there, just click on Pioneer Woman :) Enjoy

Glenda said...

Happy New Year, my friend. Hurray, this is the year that we get to meet your precious Darcy. Praying it will be before the Chinese start their new year!
PS I LOVE my minivan!

Jenn said...

Hope you had some luck with the van shopping! What a wonderful reason to have to get a new car! And I agree, the no touching will be very, very nice. ;) Now if they could only make a car where they couldn't actually SEE the other one....hmmmm....

Sharon said...

Ahhh.. three car seats. SOOO excited to watch you go for a THIRD time to China....It has been fun to be a part of all three of your precious kids homecomings.
Thanks for your prayers for Hudson, he is doing well and we are so glad to be home...the neurologist search will begin next week!

Our Journey said...

We got a mini-van w/ only 1 child..and love it! Granted we found a good deal on a used one. It will be so exciting to see all three seats in your car! And here's praying for before Chinese New Year!!

Vicki said...

Oh No! The dreaded mini-van! Just kidding. Talk about procrastanation,(I can't even spell it) we have not even gone out car seat shopping yet. Do you really think we can still travel before the Chinese New Year? I am so hoping you are right. We would love to be there when it starts! We have a car that I don't think will fit three car seats across either, but my husbands Yukon xl has three seats so it looks like I will have to be driving that big car and he will be driving my small suv. I though I was done with those big cars, but the reason will be worth the inconvenience. I hope we get our Article 5's on Monday and that we get to travel together. Have you decided on travel yet? We are still looking at the options.
Vicki
(Lily's Mom)
http://www.pomafamily.blogspot.com

Lisa said...

So excited to see the pictures of three car seats all lined up in a row...hmmm...sounds like a nursery rhyme! Can't wait, can't wait, can't wait!

Sharon said...

How did the car shopping go? I would love to talk with your friend if she wouldn't mind about the meds and seizure activity her son has. You can give her my email: teagues5@msn.com
Would love to know more about Darcy if you wouldn't mind sharing. Have you found any good websites as your research? Thanks so much!

Amanda said...

Good luck with the car shopping - I procrastinate too because I hate making big decisions. Your time frame seems to be moving so fast! I hope you get to go really soon!!

Wife of the Pres. said...

I gotta tell you that I have a van and we're looking for something bigger. Not to dissuade you but they get REALLY SMALL when boys get to be around 10 years old. :))) So, we're looking at FULL-SIZE vans. :( How did it come to this for me?

Oh, yeah, 3 BLESSINGS we call J, J and S and another J on the way!!! Here's hoping we get to meet someday. And about those Hokies, well they beat the Vols up pretty bad, huh? Sorry I haven't commented in awhile but I read all the time. I haven't updated my blog since before Christmas and really have no desire to--that is awful but I'm just not in the mood.

Here's hoping the New Year gets us both back to China sooner than later!!!