What's in a name?

So I bet you are all wondering why the name. Well besides the obvious that I spend a lot of time running my 5 children everywhere, the truth is that being "stuck in the van" isn't a bad thing. In fact, some of the best memories of this life have occured in the van. The van is not just a mode of transportation. It is where I hear about crazy adventures of a ten year old boy, and where I hear about the trials of middle school. I learn about what it is like to be a 16 year old by listening to a soccer team chatter in the back on the way to a game 2 hours away.I learn about how it feels for a 12 when thy aren't as good as they thought. I become educated about Star Wars, Webkinz and every other fad that a 7 and 10 year old are into at the time. I practice lines for the next musical with the 13 year old. It is where I catch up on my reading while waiting for someone to finish piano lessons. The truth is being stuck in the van makes me appreciate everything I have and especially the family I have been blessed with!
Now, of course, it isn't always a joy to behold! For instance we just returned from a fabulous trip to Utah to visit family. We had a wonderful time, but 7 people in a regular size van for 23+ hours isn't always a delight! It wasn't so bad when they all had mini butts, but now 3 are almost full grown! We almost have to use crisco to get us all in, not to mention the cooler, 5 pillows, 4 blankets, backpacks full of "stuff to do", DVD player and dvd's, a couple of suitcases, bags of snacks (a plastic thingy on top of the van holds the other 7 suitcases) and a variety of other odds and ends. The truth is it is an amazing feat that we get in and out as much as we do without any visible injuries! It wasn't a great van day a couple of winters ago when I totalled the van on a slippery road by our house...not my best day in the van! I don't enjoy it when we are late and their is palpable tension or when someone is just really grumpy, I might then have them walk along the side of the van for a time until they feel the van love!
All in all I would have to say the van is truly one of my favorite places. I can control what we listen to there. I can sing primary songs if I want and where can they run too? I can share my philosophy about life, love and what I hope for each of my children. They can't leave and even if they pretend to not listen, I know they hear. Later when I give my 12 year old and her friend a ride, I will hear her tell her friend what her mother thinks about something and then I know our "van talks" have not only been heard, but pondered upon and even taken root in their own hearts enough that they feel the urge to share them with others. That is a good day in the van!