Melanchuk Top 10 of 08

Here is our top 10 events of the year 2008! It was a memorable year.
*pictures that are centered are big, pictures that are on the left can be clicked anc made bigger

10. Brad's new video card. A Christmas gift to himself, he scored a "tested" version of it on ebay for what he calls a steal of a deal. (no picture available at posting time!)

9. The Dr. Jack Newman conference. For about 6 months, it was about all I could think about. It was great to be part of something so great in this area.


8. Christmas 08- some very nice gifts under the tree, some great company and food. More family and more time off for Brad would make it even more amazing.



7. The yard! Very exciting to have grass and places to play. The true test will be in the spring when the snow is gone and to see how it held up over it's first winter.



6. The instant tankless hot water system. One perk is the ability to have the dishwasher or washer running while 2 people shower and not run out of hot water or pressure but the true best part of this is the heat on the mainfloor and being able to use all parts of the house all year round.



5. The van- never thought I would like much less be able to drive a van. But with power seats it makes it possible. So glad we were able to find the van. It has made life a little easier. Now if we could just sell the bug...


4. A vist from Aunt Pat and Uncle Walt. A short but sweet visit while they were out west for a wedding.


3. The Melanchuk/Yaremko reunion of 08...Getting pictures of 4 generations of one family all together is just amazing if you ask me. We are so happy Darryl, Amanada and the girls came home for a quick visit and to celebrate Ryan's birthday again. We were very fortunate that Vance and Sara and the boys were able to drive over and visit us for the weekend as well.






2. Mom and Jim's visit/ the engine rebuild and the rocking horse. It's always nice to have my parents visit. Brad learned some new car skills and Ryan was given a beautiful rocking horse that we will cherish for a long time.



1. The birth of Adam...we went from a family of 3 to 4 and while a girl would have been nice too, I just love my littlest boy.

You know you're a mom when...

...you go from driving this

to this



It's not that I haven't felt like a mother before. I mean I do have a a 2 year old and now a 3 month old but I finally gave up my young fun car for something much better suited to the rest of my family.

My little yellow bug was a a wonderful Christmas gift back in 02. It was 2 years old then and in the last 5+ years I have loved my bug. Being short as I am, it wasn't a problem getting my first infant and then growing into toddler son in and out of his car seat even though it was only a 2 door car. I was even able to make the stroller that fit with his car seat fit in the back seat of the car as well until I added a 2nd car seat back there so I could also take the little boy I began babysitting 4 days a week last summer. But by then Ryan could easily use an umbrella stoller which fit in the trunk and was already walking.

With two car seats being able to fit side by side in the back of the bug, I didn't really see the need to give up the bug when Adam came along. Except that my double stroller had no hope of fitting. After my second c-section, we decided that it would be easier for me at first to travel with the boys using Brad's car since it has 4 doors and fits the double stroller. I always figured before too long, he would beg for his car back and I would take the bug back.

Then we started kind of used car shopping. Mostly we were looking for a 4 door vehicle that would fit the double stroller and that I would be able to drive. For vertically challenged me, that means being able to move the driver seat close enough that I can reach the pedels but not so close that I am right on top of the wheel. It also means being able to adjust the seat so I can see over the dash and see the front end of the car. It's not always been so easy an task. We also decided that if the right car came along and I was not able to drive it but Brad was and he liked it, then he would take the used car and I would continue to drive his HHR.

Long story short....
we found this used, fully loaded 2003 kia sedona van. Being fully loaded, it has 8 way power front seats (in addition to lots of other features) and it fits the double stroller without having to take the rear seats out. So I am able to adjust the driver seat just the right way to be able to drive it. Now I just have to learn how to drive something so big and adjust to driving an automatic after 10 years of driving a stick shift. But I have to say... I LOVE MY VAN!!!



Picking it up yesterday was almost as much fun as when I got my bug. Almost. Not quite so exciting or surprising. But as enjoyable. So instead of driving a fun little car, I am now proud to be cruising in practicallity.