Our New Transportation!

I know that all 3 of you who read my exciting blog are on the edge of your seats, waiting to see what we have chosen as our new mode of transportation. Wait no longer, my beloveds, here it is!!












His name is Burrito, and we believe that he is one of the safest, most reliable, fuel efficient rides there is. We were totally stressing about this decision, should we get the Mazda, or maybe the Toyota, blah blah blah. Suddenly, it came to us....a donkey!! We figured if it was good enough for Jesus, it's good enough for us, not to even mention the savings!



Just kidding friends, we chose the a Mazda 5 (same as before except this year's model). We're not big on change (remember I've been dating the same boy since I was 14) so we even got the same color. It has a few nice upgrades from last year, and we're so glad to be done with all of the accident madness.

Hello, Lover

Worn Out

Decisions, decisions. Brian and I are both a little worn out this week, we've had a lot of extra leg work from the accident, and are tentatively going to buy a new car tonight. As this is the anniversary weekend of when we bought our car last year, Mazda sent us a present. It was a small bottle of touch-up paint, with a nice note about keeping our Mazda looking pretty. We looked at each other, giggling that we might need about 600 more bottles, and maybe a sledgehammer (thanks Andi). My mind is mushy=not able to compose an intelligent post!!

RIP Mazda 5

Mazda 5 Sept. 2007-August 2008

To our dearly beloved Mazda 5,

We are so sorry to see you leaving us so soon, exactly 1 year after you joyously entered our lives. We thought we'd have more time with you, more memories, we had no idea! You were our first mini-van, and you didn't disappoint! I didn't even take a picture of you until after the accident, I'm sorry. I hope that you are happy in junkyard heaven, we will miss you....... at least until we go get a 2008 Mazda 5.



p.s. Thanks for taking one for the team and keeping Bella and I safe!

1st Ever Family Fun Night

One of the blogs that I read does a themed family fun night on a regular basis, and we thought we'd give it a shot. We went with a movie theme but couldn't come up with a game to go with it, so we set up an obstacle course in the basement. Whenever you touched something, you got a horn beep, courtesy of Bernard. When that got old it turned into a tickle fight, because lets face it, who doesn't love a good tickle fight?

We rented the Bee movie, and ate nachos on the couch while we watched it. Then, to top it all off, we had chocolate chip cookies with ice cream on top. Can we party or what???

Brian going through the treacherous course with his eye's closed, so wild.

Bella didn't quite understand the rules, and pretty much touched everything.

Update: My Poor Car and a Prayer Request

So I drove over to the tow lot to get some things that I left in my car today, and the car didn't look quite as bad as I remember. My dad told me to go and see if it looks even better tomorrow! We were unsure of an auto body to take it to, and my friend Erin reminded me that her in-laws own a shop, so that's a huge relief to take it to a shop we trust. I spent most of the day on the phone with insurance companies, rental companies, etc. but again was just so grateful that we weren't stuck in a hospital hurt.

Speaking of being stuck in a hospital, my friend Amy's mom has been in failing health and in a hospital since May. Amy also has a toddler and a newborn, and actually delivered the baby a few floors down as her mom lay in surgery above her. Needless to say, their family has been on a emotional roller coaster over these last few months, and are in need of prayer. Please join me in lifting up Amy's mom and family. If you would like to read more about her story, you can check it out at www.caringbridge.org/visit/judylablance

On a lighter note, despite asking for a minivan the rental agency gave me a bus. I actually had to rearrange the garage so that it would fit! Also, I cannot reach back and smack the kids when they are naughty like I used to (kidding). Hopefully we have our car back soon!

My Poor Car

Yesterday morning Bella and I were in a nasty car accident. Luckily, other than being sore and a little bruised, we are fine. I feel so grateful so have had God's protection during the crash! I was going straight through a green light at a busy intersection, and the other driver failed to yield (she said she didn't see us) and although I saw her, it was impossible to avoid at the speeds we were driving and with the other cars around us. I veered to the right and hit the breaks, she slammed into the back of the van, and the van spun out and smashed into a curb.




It was very loud and scary, Bella was really freaked out and crying. The other woman had a young girl in her car and she was scared but OK as well. Some witnesses stopped to make sure no one was hurt, and a police officer was there in minutes. My good friend Elizabeth came and got Bella for me, and Brian was there shortly too. My mind felt so shaky and it was so hard to answer any questions! All in all, everything good that could have happened did. Bella even managed to snag a teddy bear from the police officer who was trying to cheer her up.




As you can imagine, Bernard was fascinated by the news. He begged Brian to take him to see our smashed van, and had a gazillion questions. He also told anyone with an ear about the accident, describing it in great detail and with hand motions, even though everything he heard was second hand! He is such a boy!

Bella with her new bear, whom she named Reedough.

Cheesecake Topped Brownies

I made this yummy treat last night for our small group. It's easy and so good!





Start with a box of brownies that has frosting included, I use this.

Prepare the brownies according to package directions. Spread into a greased 9x13 baking pan.

Next take 1 block softened cream cheese, 2TB softened butter, and 1TB cornstarch and beat till fluffy. Gradually beat in 1 can sweetened condensed milk, 1 egg, and 1tsp vanilla till smooth.

Pour cream cheese mixture over brownie batter.

Optional: melt 2TB seedless raspberry jam, dot the cream cheese mixture with it, then lightly trace through with a toothpick.

Bake at 350 for 45 minutes, or till top is lightly browned. Allow to cool, spread with frosting, top with whipped cream if desired. Store in refrigerator, you can freeze it too.

2 year old Bella licking some brownie batter.

I have no idea who she takes after!