What is THAT in my driveway???

We've all heard the term "never say never" and most of us I'm sure at one time or another have come to eat that hard to swallow piece of humble pie that can accompany the event that occurs after we realize we once said, "I'll never (fill in the blank)". Well my friends, this is such a day!

Yesterday I joined the ranks of many mom's in the US of A who will cart their kids from dance practice, to soccer practice to piano lessons to where ever - you name it - in a MINI VAN!!!! The very fact that later today I will go out to my driveway turn the key and get in and continue to run my errands in a mini-van is completely and unbelievable beyond my scope of comprehension right now. You see, I can be quoted by saying at one time to a dear friend, "if you ever catch me driving a mini-van, you have my permission to shoot me!"

I refused to own one. Why? I guess I'm not really sure. Maybe it's the whole label thing. I guess in a way I've always looked at mom's driving a mini-van as having no identity other than that of Taxi-Mom. The mini-van symbolizes a suburban way of life, centered around family. It's what the station wagon was in the Brady Bunch era. Now don't get me wrong, I think that having your life centered around your family should be first and foremost - and it is in our home. But driving a mini-van ultimately states, I am a mom and that's who I am plain and simple. Again, nothing wrong with that but it ultimately puts me in a stereotype and I don't like to be labeled as a stereotype, regardless of what kind. I'm so much more than "just a mom".

I guess that bottom line is this. When push comes to shove - I'm a practical person plain and simple. I'm not about flash and impressing people. I'm not one to wear name brand clothing simply because it's name brand or to by a certain product in the store simple because of it's name. I'll opt for the less expensive brand and save myself a lot of money in the end at that register. And that's why we bought the mini-van. It's practical and efficient. It's a great family vehicle - and we ARE a family (getting ready to expand none the less - more on that later). It was time to rid ourselves of the 10 yr old gas guzzling Explorer that was ready to die on us at any moment. The gas prices aren't going down any time soon and simply put - it just makes sense.

So with that... I guess it's time to go grab a fork and dig in. Maybe I'll even top my pie with a little whipped cream!