Canada Day!

We're home safe and sound again, after a whirlwind adventure to Vancouver and back.  I have to say, with all possible modesty, that I have pretty wonderful children, because there are not very many families who would rush off to take two 9+ hour drives in 3 days!  They all did amazingly well, especially on the return trip, while I was driving solo.  The reason?  We returned home with a new addition...

I've been planning, for the last two years, to buy Stuart a vehicle for his 45th birthday.  Originally, I had thought I'd find a classic car that he could enjoy fixing up (like a Triumph, or something).  When we were on our honeymoon, though, we rented a Jeep, and had a blast together.  At one point Stuart said to me, "If I didn't have kids, I think this is what I'd be driving", and that clinched it for me.

I had a tough time, though, finding just the right thing.  There were a few online fraud attempts, which shook my confidence, and I wasn't sure I could find the "perfect" Jeep.  Finally, on Father's Day, I spilled the beans, and Stuart joined in the search.  He located this one in Chilliwack, an 8-9 hour drive from here, so we packed up and went to get it!  Stuart's birthday isn't for another month, so I tease him that he's not allowed to drive it until then.  Do you think that's going to happen?

I wanted to do something really special for my husband this year - he's a hard worker, who does what he does to allow me to stay home with our children.  Not the easiest thing in today's world, and it involves a lot of sacrifice.  That sacrifice is hardest for him, though, surrounded each day as he is by new vehicles, and buddies who don't have the same lifestyle we do.  Even though we know the value of having a parent at home, and love the lack of stress of living debt free, it can be tricky when surrounded by people who have all the fun toys.  Still, Stuart gets up every day and goes off to work, without a complaint.  For that, I am very grateful, and I hope that when he gets in his Jeep at the beginning (and end) of a long day, that he feels that.

We went out for a little drive this afternoon, to test out the Jeep, and pick up some sweet & salty popcorn for the kids.  It's our Canada Day tradition, and they're all sitting in the backyard in the sunshine, enjoying their treat.  What a peaceful way to spend an afternoon - I hope yours is just as nice!  Happy Canada Day!

Comments

[sue]

A well deserved present for Stuart. Love the jeep and I think he should be allowed to drive it since he works so hard, lol!

[colleen]

Happy Canada Day!
what an awesome and thoughtful gift. I bet he is thrilled! good going!

[Carrie K]

I'm sure he won't so much as look at it until his birthday. Sweet gift! In more ways than one.

That's also the best thing a Mom can say about her kids. Blessed.

[Sarah]

Oh what a lovely thing to do - great idea Charity and glad you had fun going to get it

[Sheri]

Very nice! That is what my Hubs wants. In two years the lease is up on our Ram, and it's going back. He'll get his Jeep, and I'll get a vehicle of my choice. (Mine will be an Uplander or something family oriented with an area for the dogs to go, too.)

[Arianwen]

I hope he has a very happy birthday and really enjoys his jeep. I stayed home when my kids were little and I am very glad I did but, it is hard when everyone else seems to be a working mum.

[marianne]

The expression on his face just says it all,eh?
Personally? I think Stuart has his priorities just right, he is absolutely a 'stand up' kind of Man. He is obviously fully aware of how blessed he is with his wife, children, life.
XOXOX

[Wanda in AR]

Enjoy the Jeep. We have one and we love it.

[Mary]

Wow! That's such a great story too! That is such a crazy drive from PG! A friend of mine is doing that this week, going home to visit her parents and she hates the long drive, so I'm surprised the kids all survived! :)