I'm going to drive around in my van solving mysteries

Great news! My job is safe and I'll be back teaching first grade next year. Whew! This was a big worry for me even though my principal was reassuring. He gave me the good news today and I wanted to cry but I didn't because I feel like I cry enough in front of my coworkers. The other day at lunch I was reminded that my team still doesn't know everything about me. I was complaining about the huge pimple on my back that really hurt when I sat against the hard faculty room chairs. With a serious face, I asked if anyone would pop it for me? The looks of surprise and disgust on their faces made me bust out laughing. I told them it was the test of true friendship if you could pop each other's pimples. Okay, so we're not there, yet. After we discussed the subject in more detail(while Shari held back from vomiting) Brooke told me, in so many words, that she was glad they hired me because I fit right in.

Something we almost bought
When we purchased the Grand Caravan back in 2004 the circumstances in our lives were much different. Ryan's mom was recovering from an illness that we assumed would leave her unable to drive on her own and in need of a wheelchair. We were also in the midst of trying to have a third baby. The van seemed like a perfect choice. Enough room to fit a third child, and with the automatic doors, it looked like a good option if you were transporting someone who was disabled. It was our first new car and it smelled so good! I've loved that van. The room, the DVD system, the stow-and-go seating and auto doors. But, as you know, life doesn't always turn out like you planned. Ryan's mom made a miraculous recovery and didn't need us to take care of her, third baby took 4 miscarriages and Evie for me to realize it wasn't going to happen. So now, I'm stuck driving this big van with two kids. It's not a big deal really because the roominess is great, it's just that I'm not much of a van person anymore. I'm grown up with a big girl jobby job and I want to drive a "cool" car. This week, Toyota announced they would be offering 0% financing and Ryan, who likes Toyota's, brought up the idea of getting a new car. Now this is the difference between Ryan and I, he brings up the idea, thinks about it practically and then comes to a decision based on what is best for us. I think, "I'M GETTING A NEW CAR!, and get online to start building my new Toyota Highlander. This was the conversation in bed the other night:

Ryan: So I've been thinking about the car. What do you think?
Me: Well the van still can be traded in for a good amount, we can afford it, and new cars are shiny!
Ryan: I've been thinking, we are finally saving money and there are some things we'd like to do with that money. Our van still runs well, so really, it's a no-brainer.
Me: No new shiny car?

I know Ryan is right and I felt disappointed for maybe half a day but then I thought about our plan to finally get to Europe and my secret plan for a family vacation involving a beach. These do sound more fun than a new car. I figure the car will come sometime and like Karen said, when it does, I'll get an even better car! So I'll own my mom van and I'm going to drive that baby into the ground. I might even let Ryan paint a unicorn and a rainbow on the side and get some curtains for the windows.