Because I love my husband :o)

A couple of weekends ago, Dave sold the rail buggy.  I had mixed emotions.  The rail buggy started as a piece of junk metal frame.  Dave turned it into this:

A working, running, pretty-sweet-looking rail buggy.  Dave included me on much of the process, which made me feel a part of it.  For example, I picked the black/yellow color scheme.  Looks pretty cool, huh?  We affectionately named it Bumblebee Jr.  :o)  Dave also put on a "quieter" muffler so it wasn't quite so loud.  Although, it's a rail buggy, so it's meant to sound very manly.  lol

Anyway, he was getting frustrated with it and didn't have many places here to take it and drive it.  So, I supported his decision to sell it.

He used the money to help buy a sporty car, which I also supported.  Let me give some background.

Dave has had like a bazillion cars in his lifetime, most of them very sporty manual-transmission cars.  Dave finally got his dream car a few years ago:  a silver Volvo S60R with all the Dave Wheeler-desired options.

About the same time Dave and I started dating, the Volvo died.  (I don't remember exactly what happened, but I think it was something to do with the engine; something that shouldn't have happened, considering it was only a 2006.)  Anyway, Dave was really sad about it.  But he scarified spending the money to fix it in order to have money for "us".

That was the last time he had a "sportier" car with all the options he wanted.

I've always felt bad that he gave up his dream car for me, which is why when the opportunity to get Dave a sporty car again came along, I told him to go for it.  :o)

So, we are the proud owners of a 2004 Mazda RX8!

Looks pretty cool, huh?!  Never ever wanted a red car, but it so way fits this car.  And, it's a metallic red, so it's a really pretty color, especially in the sunlight.

And, it so way has a sunroof!!!  I've regretted not paying the little extra to get it on my Mazda 3 when I bought it, so I was excited to see this one came with it.  :o)

The only thing about this car is, it's a manual transmission, which I do not know how to drive.  As part of my birthday present this past weekend, I told Dave I wanted the first lesson on driving the new car.

I was really nervous, but it went better than both Dave and I expected.  I didn't cry, Dave didn't yell, and I only stalled the car once.  (Believe it or not, I could start the car fine, it's just stopping I struggled with because I forgot to put the clutch in; so it stalled...)  Anyway, I feel like it was a successful first lesson!  :o)  I can't wait until I can feel comfortable driving the car on the road instead of just a in a parking lot.  lol

So far, we love our RX8!  Glad Dave feels more manly again!  ;o)

Road Trip to the Swamp Land

Mom, Dad, Jennifer and I road-tripped it down to Baton Rouge at the beginning of March to attend Bryan's senior recital at LSU.  Here are some highlights from the trip. 

• On the drive down there, I experienced my first run-in with a drunk driver.  It was a bit scary, but we made it through without any accidents or incidents, thank goodness!
• Bryan is an amazing singer!!!  He has come a long way from the "I am a Child of God"-singing little 3-year-old.  :o)  I wish I could upload a clip of the recording of the concert....  Everyone should get to hear his beautiful, baritone voice!
• We went to a local Louisiana-style restaurant afterwards and I got to try alligator.  Wasn't my favorite, but fun to experience new things!
• We also ate beneights (pronounced ben-yays = French doughnuts covered in powdered sugar).  So yummy, but WAY TOO MESSY!!!
• We saw aftermath from the tornadoes that have ripped through the South during the past few months.  Pretty wild to see!
• I became addicted to the game Fish Harvest on Jennifer's iPad.  I want one now!
• On the way back home, we stopped and ate dinner at Bate's House of Turkey, in keeping with Bryan and Ariel's tradition.  My turkey salad sandwich wrap was super yummy.  :o)

Jennifer stayed with Dave and I for a few more days after we returned from Louisiana.  We had so much fun!  We played Bargain Hunter (a game from our childhood), played Just Dance (Jen is super good!), went to see "The Wizard of Oz" at the Alliance Theatre and ate at The Melting Pot with Dave, and played more Fish Harvest.

I'm so grateful for the time spent with my wonderful family!!!

It's about time!

It's been way too long since I've posted anything.  I even had a whole week with the laptop to myself a couple of weeks ago (Dave was in Pennsylvania for a whole week; way too long!) and I didn't take advantage of it...  Oh well...  I still want to write all about my trip to Louisiana last month.  It will happen.  Someday!

In the meantime, this quick update will have to do.

Dave excitedly announced last night, "We only have 29 more years until we pay off our mortgage!"  lol  That means, we have been in the house for a year now.  Seems crazy!  But, we love it :o)  We bought a home a lot sooner than we had anticipated, but we are super grateful we have been blessed financially enough that when the opportunity came, we were able to do it.

There are things I would change about the house and it's location, but overall we are extremely happy where we are!  :o)

And, Dad called the other night asking about the best weekend for Tamara to come to GA to visit before she starts school again in the Fall.  I was like, "What the?!?"  I can't believe it's time to start thinking about plans with her home already!  I am SO WAY EXCITED!!!!!  I cannot wait to see her and hug her and laugh with her and bake with her and watch movies with her and play games with her and the list goes on and on and on!!!

Before she left, she was over at our house all the time and I talked to her on the phone at least 2-3 times a day.  Not surprisingly, I went through some serious withdrawal symptoms when she left and began her 18-month church mission.   July is the big month!!!!  I AM SO EXCITED!!!! 

Who in their right mind could not so way love this face and the amazing, beautiful, talented, absolutely wonderful person who goes with it???

Oh, and a huge thank you to my Dad for being willing to pay for her to come visit!  He will just have to figure out a way to let Mom let Tamara leave and come visit me for a few days ;o)