Saturday, March 1, 2008

The Dawning of a New Day

When I was 18 years old, my parents took me to Italy to pick my brother up from his mission. We traveled a bit and visited a little town called Siena. I thought the little village was so beautiful and I loved the name and I decided then and there that I would name a daughter Sienna some day. Well, it wasn't long after, that Toyota came out with a mini van called Sienna. I knew I couldn't do that to my daughter...name her after a mini van. So, I gave up the dream of a daughter named Sienna.

Well, yesterday Sienna did join our family...in the form of a mini van! And, I have to say, I feel pretty comfortable in my mini van skin, contrary to the dread and gloom thoughts I had been having of turning into the mini van mom. We had looked into other kinds of 7 passenger vehicles that seemed a little more hip but the mini van just seemed to make the most sense for comfort and convenience with kids. And ours happens to be an 8 passenger one, which I told Blaine means that we get to adopt 4 more kids. He just looked at me with a blank stare (he'll adjust to the idea with time). :)

So, anyway, I feel like buying a mini van is the dawning of a new day. My sister bought her mini van when she only had one child and then 3 other little ones soon joined her family. She said, "If you buy it, they will come." So, we are going to test that theory out.

But, here is my question....why is it that mini vans just don't get any respect? Do I really need to feel embarrassed and ashamed that I am now "one of those moms?" And lastly, Kris J, can I still be your friend if I promise to never park in your driveway?

15 comments:

Julie said...

Hey I give min vans...strike that...vans mad props. You go girl!!!

Carli said...

The Sienna is a nice van -- what fine taste you have. Congrats on the new addition to your family. :)

Jen said...

I think they are starting to be the "new thing," Tirsa. Tiffany, Sherry and Holly all have minivans and they love them.

Jami said...

I am so glad you posted this. Just this weekend Jon and I were talking about needing a new vehicle, and the words "mini van" came out of my mouth. We were both suprised. With gas prices the way that they are...they totally make the most sense. We will probably be joining you soon!!!

alison said...

great choice! gotta love those dual sliding doors!!

Amy said...

Congratulations! I'm jealous... I would LOVE a mini van, but that won't be happening anytime soon! I would much prefer a mini van over our SUV, but we got an amazing deal on the SUV - not on a minivan - so I just have to keep telling myself to be thankful for what I have! By the way, I also love the name Sienna. I actually named my first dog Sienna, because of her reddish/brown color (like the Crayola crayon "burnt sienna")

Leslie said...

Congrats on the new car. I think that mini-vans get a little bit of a bad rap because it was our generation that had to drive them as teenagers. When I wanted to go somewhere I drove my mom's Ford Aerostar!
Now I drive a monster Suburban...and it isn't the most convenient once you get more than 3 kids in it,because you have to move the seat to get in and out of the back. It is great for roadtrips though. When Sara was born I actually asked Ben if we could trade it in for a minivan and he looked at me like I was crazy.

I am happy for you - they are so convenient. And super nice -
"it aint your mother's mini-van!"

Erica said...

So fast. When you were last week you thought it would be a couple of months. You just longed to drive that hip mini van so soon, uh? Well I agree if you buy they will come!!

Steve and Kelli Fam said...

Well I hope you can fill it up soon to full capacity! That would be fun! I guess now we can come visit you and one of you could actually pick us ALL up from the airport. I actually enjoy my Sienna but Steve hates it! You will be glad to have it. We didn't enter that stage of life until we were FORCED into it, when we outgrew a 5 seater.

Moose and Family said...

Congrats!! We're trying to sell my car so that we can upgrade before baby #3 arrives. My hubby would like us to get a 12 passenger organic fuel something or other. (Don't you need a special license to drive something like that?) I'm leaning more towards the minivan. :)

Emily Weber said...

I once heard a comedian call the mini van the "ultimate goober-mobile". I don't know that I'll ever have enough kids to require one, but if I had to buy a mini van, it would be the Sienna. It's a very nice van....for a goober-mobile. :) ha ha! j/k

Heather said...

I don't care what anyone says, Mini Vans are cool! I love mine and only wish that it had that one more seat to make 8. One more would mean one more friend we could take along with us! Enjoy your new ride!

KrisJ said...

LOLOL Hey I have no problem with other people driving vans I just cant bring myself to do it! I even now how practical and cool they are now but whatever has been implanted in my head just wont go away! SO be proud of your van and of course you can be my friend just make sure you park down the street LOL!! You are well on your way to being a super soccer mom!

Tiffany said...

woo hoo! welcome aboard! There's nothing wrong with wanting good gas mileage, safety, and convenience, right?! So, why do I feel like I get no respect when I'm behind the wheel? *sigh* Oh well. Anyway, glad you joined the party. LOVE my minivan. :)

Eldrberry Grove said...

Congrats on the new wheels... Toyota is the bomb! :)