I can remember the exact moment I decided I was going to have a minivan when I grew up. My parents bought one the summer before my senior year of high school. Our first big trip with it was on college visits for me. I remember being somewhere in Iowa, my sister and I each reclining in our own captain’s chair and listening to our discmans, with plenty of room to spread out and not bother each other … and that’s when I decided. All this would be mine someday.

And now that dream is a reality. We got our very own minivan the weekend before Christmas – just in time for the annual Christmas trip to Iowa and South Dakota to be with family. As we were packing, Stephen said something to me that he has NEVER said while packing for any trip (especially at Christmas) – “Anything else you want to bring? We have plenty of room!”

I love the space. I love the automatic sliding doors. I love the fact that I don’t have to lean over to get the kids buckled in the car. I love that I can check the temperature at any time while I’m driving. I could go on and on. I love it all.

I am now officially a “Minivan Momma” and I couldn’t be happier.