http://www.intoapicture.com/isaaciser08/

The day started off with a counter full of clean bottles! To a frazzled mother this is a beautiful thing. Actually, I rarely ever wash them as Ben takes care of this task 95% of the time. I’m not sure he knows how much I love him for it!

And then I went shopping with Isaac. This is always a daunting task but Isaac somehow always makes this so easy on me. I am always in disbelief. I suppose I am waiting for this “good” streak to end. It just hasn’t which is good for me.

Christmas has come early for me. I want for nothing, really, my heart is so full.

So in last night’s anniversary post I alluded to our new vehicle. . .I thought I would take a few moments to write about it today since it is now in our possession.

I would like to start by saying that we decided on the need to purchase a vehicle a little more than a year ago. I drive a 2002 Honda Accord (which was my dream car by the way) and Ben has been driving a 1997 Toyota Tacoma. Aside from the fact that Ben’s truck has seen it’s share of wear over the years and is quickly collecting rust, a car seat isn’t exactly a good idea in the cab of a pick-up truck. We had wanted to buy a vehicle last year at this time with the ‘07 models clearance but decided we could get another year out of his truck while we saved money.

Our plan then became to purchase a vehicle by the time Isaac was born so that one of us wasn’t left without an emergency mode of transportation. Early in the spring, Ben was granted permission to buy a motorcycle (a “before my life settles into being a daddy” purchase) which he ended up being able to use well into the fall which bought us a little more time. (NO, we didn’t take Isaac on it, just meaning that it made the truck last longer.)

Which brings us to our purchase yesterday. I am a loyal Toyota or Honda owner. Ben encouraged me to at least research more options. Part of the reason is that our auto mechanic was willing to sell us a car that he had purchased from a local auction if ever one of his purchases interested us. So we PRAYED.

For some time we have been in contact with the mechanic to see what is available. And praying. Last week I told Ben we needed to pray specifically for the vehicle that is right for us (including our budget). This, of course, is our last BIG purchase before moving to a one income household. So, yesterday we found out that there was a 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander available (ONLY 5,500 miles on it) and we were so excited! After a little research and talking about the price we were certain that God was answering our prayers.

Now, don’t get me wrong the vehicle is NICE! But the most exciting part of the whole thing for me is that because we have been saving specifically for this purchase over the last year we were able to make the purchase outright! No car payments! WOOOHOOOO! I never dreamed that would ever be possible. To me it just goes to show that God will help you honor your commitments to honor HIM! I am so incredibly thankful.

Back to the car. . .

Of course, here are some pictures. Mommyproof.com gives this vehicle some excellent ratings – especially since it has 9 cup holders! 9999! Awesome! The driver alone has 4! (Between you and me I think there is going to be some fighting over who gets to drive this thing!)

Ben’s favorite feature is the “tailgate” in the back. I tried to take a picture of it for you to see, but really you need to see it in action! It also has one of those fancy shmancy keys that unlocks the car when you open the handle without ever pressing buttons or turning keys (hmm, that might be helpful with an infant in tow)!

The most amusing thing to me is the temporary tags. They expire on Christmas day! Hmm, how many DMV’s do you think will be open that day? I will just laugh and take it as another confirmation that the good Lord has sent Ben and I an early Christmas present!

Well, anyway, if you want to go for a spin just let us know, we would love to show her (yes, Ben, HER) off! and if you are wondering why we just showed up at your house after never, ever visiting you before it might just be because we are looking for a reason to go driving around!

We did however agree that since there is now a Melting Pot in Dayton we should go there to celebrate. We love lingering over a long meal (and chocolate)!

It has been an amazing two years and we are both looking forward to the one ahead.

As far back as college I have been known to talk (and sometimes walk) in my sleep. Not really a huge problem you might think. The problem arises because when I talk in my sleep I am usually not nice. And when I say “not nice” what I really mean is “downright mean”! For example I am commonly known for sitting up and telling others to “shutup”, “you might as well turn the lights on because you have already woken me up”, “SSSHHHHH! I’m trying to sleep”, etc. One night I awoke in the middle of having walked to our upstairs door, opened it and yelled at my husband to “STOP BEING SO LOUD ALREADY”. I was mortified as I came to.

You likely won’t believe me but unless I actually wake myself up in the act I do not recall any of this. Most of the incidences listed above are stories shared by roommates, family, friends and my husband. SERIOUSLY, I don’t remember doing this stuff and I am not fond of the person that emerges while I am sleeping!

What upsets me is that I am so mean in my sleep. Why is that? And the preson that is really suffering here is my husband! He is the usual recipient of these sleepful verbal tirads. He likes to refer to the sleeping version of me as the “real me”; the one I really want to be but can’t by day. Really, it is a joke amongst the two of us but the whole thing is really starting to bother me. Mostly because I don’t like uncontrollably being unkind to those I love. And now that I am “waking” up to take care of my son I sometimes find that this “mean” self lingers after I awaken. I find myself crazily upset that he woke up at 1 am – I’m not really upset, for goodness sakes he only usually gets up once in the night – I am so blessed! But none the less the sleep version of me seems to take over some nights.

At any rate, this has been a long rant about sleep talking, but honestly I am at a loss for what to do or how to fix the problem. Anyone have any suggestions? Anyone know a counselor who will counsel me while I sleep?

To my husband (and anyone that ventures to room with me in the past or in the future) SORRY!