When we decided to procreate, we were quite aware this newest addition would make travelling together in our current vehicle [legally] impossible. We were also aware it wasn't in our financial plans buy a new vehicle any time soon.
However, Andy and I are stubborn enough to not let a relatively silly thing like a set of wheels get in the way of our freedom to grow our family. So, here I am, 6+ months pregnant with no immediate plans to purchase a bigger vehicle. And we're completely okay with that.
Many lifestyle choices we've already made (living in a walkable community, working from home, homeschooling, etc.) have made us debate in the past if we need a car at all. We ultimately decided to keep our current Little Red Hyundai for social reasons - it's very important for us to quickly and easily get to our friends' houses. And having a car makes running errands in the Pennsylvania winters much, much easier. So, we do know we prefer to own a car if we can.
And we do know we're going to eventually want something bigger, but we're not willing to compromise on quality by feeling pressured to get something really cheap but bigger before the new baby arrives. Right now it doesn't make sense to give up our paid-for, reliable car with fantastic gas mileage in exchange for a car payment on a gas-guzzling clunker that happens to have a few more seats.
So here's what we're going to do:
1. Leave some kids at home when running errands. Which is what we usually do anyway - remember, Andy and I are both home every day, so either one of us can go out independently pretty much anytime.
2. When we want to go somewhere together as a family, we'll walk, bike, take public transportation, rent a bigger vehicle, or if it's within reasonable distance, take two trips in the Little Red Hyundai.
3. Keep funding our car fund. And when we save enough, we'll sell the Little Red Hyundai and pay cash for a nice, reliable vehicle that can seat all of us.
And that's the plan. However, regardless of how or when or why we buy another vehicle, the heart of our decision comes down to this: We trust the God who designed our bodies to make these kids is also the One who provided for a human race which has proliferated for millenia with or without private transportation. So we're really not too concerned with the material details. We've been blessed with a strong, happy, healthy home environment and live by the simple philosophy that kids are always a blessing whether we can fit them all in our current vehicle or not.
