Oh hello Mr.Paparazzi

This past monday was election day right? That's a rhetorical question, I know it was, I'm just trying to set up this story for you. Election Day. John and I go down to the local civic center to cast our votes. We have to wait in line for awhile, and we have the kids with us. Perhaps we could have left the kids at home and taken turns coming alone, but we felt it was important that the kids see us vote, thus developing a deep love for the democratic system they've been born into. So the kids quickly get tired of standing in line and all three of them go up to play on the stage with other bored children. John is viisiting with someone. I'm in a dazed stupor and contemplating whether or not I was wise to have left dinner cooking in the oven. This is obviously going to take longer then planned. Suddenly, Wham! Sam wipes out... on the stage... infront of half the town! He's got a bloody nose. We leave the line up, and take Sam to the bathroom to tend to him. Abby and Jess are mad at us for making them get off the stage, and Sam is vehemently assuring us that there is no blood -there is- but he still wants to go back to play. Yeah, like that's going to happen. Everything calms down. We get back in line. Take the 30 seconds to cast our vote, and prepare to leave. Where are Sam's boots? Where's his coat? Abby wants a drink at the fountain. Jessica wants to PLAY in the fountain!!! DINNER IS BURNING! Finally we are all headed out the door, and we hear a cheer from inside as we leave. K not really but I wouldn't have been surprised to hear one.

Can you invision that? I had to describe it in that light so that you would understand that at that point the only thing I was thinking about was getting these kids to the van. And fast.

A few days later I go to buy a copy of the local paper that comes out every Thursday and look who made the front page!





I looked at this and all I could think is, "you've got to be kidding." Right there, taking up the entire front page is our happy little family. I had to scan this into our computer so you might not be able to see it clearly. We are all there - John, kindly holding the door open for an elderly couple, Jess, Abby.... and me with a scowl on my face and my son practically in a headlock!!! Ahhh! We didn't even know someone was taking our picture. Trust me I would have atleast SMILED while restrianing my three year old. Just my luck to. One bad moment, and WHAM there's someone lurking down the street with a ZOOM lense.

I mean honestly Mr. Paparrazi: I'm fine with being on the front page and all. Really. Next time could you just wait 2 SECONDS for a better shot. Deal?



Of more importance, I should share some exciting news. For months now we have talked about getting a second vehicle. We have talked and talked about it. Would we actually use two cars? Shouldn't we walk more? Is it worth it? Can we afford it? yadda yadda yadda. I for one have always been for getting a second car, primarily because I've grown tired of waking the kids up on those cold winter mornings just to get John to school by 7:00. Mind you, we aren't struggling with that issue yet as the weather has been nice and John is happy to walk. However with John coaching there are weekly games and tournaments which usually means he's getting home late (real late) and phoning me to come get him, which I'm happy to do, but the kids are all snug in their beds snoring logs by this point. What to do? I was glad when John finally took matters into his own hands this week, and got us a second vehicle:


The thing is...we just can't park it at our house!






He went and got his class 2 and now he is a liscenced bus driver, (which will come in handy on those nights he has games). We are so proud of you honey!


So you see. He's got his wheels, and I've got mine.


Who says I can't compromise?