Hot Wheels

Matt has always wanted a motorcycle. In fact, he has owned several throughout his life, but has ended up selling them all for various reasons. Ever since we have been married he has been begging me to let him get one again. But because we are not exactly rolling in the dough, it was never a real possibility.

Enter the Askerlund family.

A few months ago we became friends with a couple down our street, who are also members of our ward. They are about our age and we do a lot with them....and they have two motorcycles, one for him, and one for her. This December, however, they welcomed the cutest little girl into their family, and all of a sudden that motorcycle of hers wasn't looking too used. So, because we were friends (and because they are very generous people) they fulfilled Matt's dream and sold him her bike for a ridiculously low price. Matt is in Heaven.

Gone, though, are the days of speed and risk-taking for my sweet husband. This motorcycle is "just another vehicle" (the very words of Matthew Wayne Hargrave) to be ridden to and from work in order to save hundreds of dollars on gas per year. And that's it. If the weather is not good, no bike. If the traffic is too thick, no bike. And he always, always wears his protective, reflective gear. Hell's Angel? I think not. But a happy boy, nonetheless. And I am happy too, because now I am getting a pink helmet so I can sit on the back. And that's what 's really important.

This is The Bike. It is in perfect condition. We are so lucky to have such great friends!

The protective gear. The Army actually requires Matt to wear a lot of stuff even the normal laws don't enforce. He also had to take a bunch of extra courses and tests issued by the Army to get his license. He will be a very safe rider.

As excited as we are for this new bike, there was one member of our family who would not get to feel the wind in his hair. And that is why for Valentine's Day--celebrated late, as with all holidays around here it seems--Matt got me a new pedal bike, something I have not owned since I was nine. And on the back of this fantastic new bike there is a child seat just for Bennett Boy. We went for a little test drive when Matt unveiled it to us, and Bennett loved the thing. Looks like we will have two needers-for-speeders around here.

Matt did the test driving. I actually didn't ride it with Bennett in it yet. I am not the best biker, and it scares me a that our defenseless little boy is now attached to me at all times. Yikes!

The rest of this week was a normal, if busy, one. Dinner at friend's houses, Activity Days, Scouts, babysitting, Enrichment night, feeding the missionaries, Jazzercise classes (I am joining a health club), speaking in church (Matt), singing in church (Me), starting our garden and front yard landscaping, etc.

We are very happy.