Member No More

In May of 1994, when our fifth child was 8 months old, we bought our very first full size van.  A two tone taupe Ford E-150.  I remember a friend of mine, who also had just had her fifth child and drove a full size van, telling me, "don't let the gas tank get to E, it will cost you $30 to fill it!!"

Wow!  $30!  I wish.  The last time I filled the van (probably the 5th E-150 we've owned) it cost $96 and I don't think it was quite on E yet.

So, 1994, I was officially a "member" of the big van club.  Over the years we would go to different colors and have either a higher--up to 11, or lower --down to 7, seat count.  The 7-seater we bought three years ago and that was a downsize.

This year in January, we bought our final full-sized van.  It was a great price and only 2 years old with very few miles.  We thought I would drive it a lot longer, but I found that it had become cumbersome to drive it so often with just me inside.  Most of the kids drive now, and all but one have their own vehicle, so it was a real gas waster and getting to be a pain to park. This one, for some reason, had a very limited turn radius.

My mom was in the market for a smaller vehicle, so we spent a week test driving vehicles at two different dealerships, talking about which car was most comfortable, what color options were available, and how much she wanted to spend.  In the end, she got a 2010 black Ford Focus and I put my big van up for sale so I could buy her smaller Chevy TrailBlazer.

My van sold very quickly to a friend who has also been a long time member of the big van club.  They have 8 children, many of whom are not yet driving, so it was a great fit for them.

Last Thursday my "new" TrailBlazer passed the big test.  Would all the food I buy in my bi-monthly shopping trips fit in the back end? It did, but I can only bring one helper shopping with me now, because the back seats need to be put flat for the food to fit.

It is so much fun to drive; great pickup, super easy to park and back out of the driveway.  The newest driver in our family, who hopes to have his license soon, is so happy to know he will not have to drive the beast of a big van.  He is the first, of the oldest 7 kids, to not have to learn in a van and drive it until they purchased their own, much smaller, vehicles.

So, with no regrets, I turn in my membership to the big van club.  I am happy to be downsized a bit.  The nice part is, when the grandchildren come along, it is still high enough to make putting a baby or toddler into a car seat easy.  Always something to look forward to!