The New Van in the Walmart Parking Lot

We picked up our van on Thursday.  For the last week we believed the sale wouldn't be able to go through, but we were excited when we got the call Wednesday that the deal was ready to close.  We made the road trip on Thursday and are enjoying a new van.  I am reading the manual trying to figure the thing out.  Who knew you'd have to read a book to operate a vehicle the same make as the one you already own.

On Friday the kids and I had to make a stop at Walmart.  I came out all ready to test the power rear hatch.  To my dismay as I walked toward the van and pressed the button it is wasn't working.  As I got closer I saw a large scratch on the rear quarter panel.  I thought how in the world did we miss this yesterday??  A few more steps and I saw the entire side has scrapes and there's a large dent behind the driver's door.  I literally screamed "MY VAN!!!"  I cannot believe it has been hit.  Meanwhile I continued to push buttons to open and unlock things and nothing was happening.  As the kids and I stood looking at it I noticed...rust.  Okay, I know it takes us awhile in Walmart, but not that long.  It dawns on me.  This is not my van.  I look over a row and see the new van.  Lights flashing, side doors open, and the rear door raised.  I explained myself to the lady who had stopped a few feet away wondering what was going on.  Then we walked one aisle over and loaded up.  Despite being a very rare color apparently there is another Ocean Mist Odyssey in Murray and it needs some body work.  Really funny now, but in the moment as I was thinking I had to call my husband to tell him our day old van had been hit it was not funny and it was NOT a good feeling.

Hiking Hematite

We took advantage of the beautiful spring weather to head out the Hematite Lake and hike today.  We wanted to see how Annie would handle being out in nature.  She loved it.  We joked as she ran ahead of us down the trail at the beginning that we'd be packing her at the end, but she lead the entire loop.  She even wanted more play time after getting back home.  Clearly she is feeling better and her puppy energy level has returned.  We are looking forward to camping and would be out this weekend if the campgrounds had water service.  April 1 starts the season so we are hoping for another pretty weekend soon.  Here are some pics:

Annie gets a haircut

Annie has finally healed from her surgery.  She was able to visit the groomer for the first time.  Here are before and after pics.  Its amazing how much she is playing and enjoying life again now that she feels better and can see!!

Before:

After:

Upward Basketball

The kids played Upward Basketball at Hardin Baptist again this year.  They had a lot of fun and learned a lot.   The Murray State Racers came to the closing program and Coach Kennedy shared a good message with the kids.  Here is a pic of Laurel on stage with the Racer players.  Carter went up on stage as well, but the pic of him was blurry.

They had a lot of fun playing ball this year and we were again blessed by the Upward mentality and the care shown for our kids by all the volunteers.

Poor Annie

She is wearing a "cone of shame," but tonight figured out how to get around it to her legs.  It looks like steady sedation is in her future until she heals.  Yes, she is as unhappy as she looks.

Fun at Big Splash and a Big Surprise on the Way Home

We took our 2nd annual trip to the water park this weekend.  We had a great time playing in the water and enjoying the hotel room with bunk beds for the kids.  Here are a few pics:

The big surprise this weekend was that we bought a new van!  Tim had been shopping for used vans and on our way home from the waterpark we agreed to purchase the 2010 Odyssey pictured below.  We won't be able to pick it up for a few weeks due to our travel plans and theirs, but we are excited to have a vehicle to drive that is new reliable.

Snow, School, and the Dog

It has been routine day in and out here.  I haven't posted in a while because we have been busy with the day to day.  There have been two "big snows"- which in Kentucky means it snowed more than 2 inches.  Twice last week we saw snowfalls over 5 inches here.  It was enough that we had to dig paths for Annie so she could go out in the snow! The kids thought it was great fun and ate snow cream all week!  No, homeschoolers do not get snow days.  I like days off in May!!  I did let them play outside during free time so they built snowmen and dogs and had fun playing in our woods.

Tomorrow our "baby" girl will turn 5 years old.  Its hard to believe Katey is so big.  Its a big day for her and she is looking forward to starting Kindergarten.  She perfected writing her name on her Valentines this year and is eager to learn to read.