Betcha didn't know

In September 2006, the Department of Transportation (in this state) converted the existing carpool lanes to Express Lanes.

So in this state the "carpool lane" is actually called the HOV/Toll or the Express Lane.

HOV stand for High Occupancy Vehicle or any car with two or more people.
Toll means anyone who has paid money and has a sticker on their car, including people with only one person in it, it costs $50 a month.

The lane is also available to buses, emergency vehicles and motorcycles and interestingly enough to any clean-fuel vehicles with a current "C" Plate from the DMV are eligible to use the Express Lanes free of charge.

Notice the signs next time you are cruising down the freeway.

p.s. a mom in a minivan full of kids is indeed entitled to the Express Lane.

Two Weeks

I am here and surviving, but just barely. I have had so much help from my mom, mother-in-law and a hubby who is doing his best to shelter me from having to deal with all 4 kids at once. (When I say "having to deal" it makes it sound like having 4 kids is miserable, which it is not. But I'm not great at the juggling thing yet or whose request to fulfill first). I'm wondering how anyone survives 4 kids without the help of family around, I've been so lucky.

I can't help but feel like I have twins. Those of you with twins might feel differently, but I have two babies. One that cries when she wants to eat and one that cries when she wants to eat and can walk. I just feed them differently. My worst nightmare is when they both want to eat at the same time. . . oh thank goodness for help.

I've had two surreal moments. I was driving back from the airport with my four kids in the car. I looked in my rear view mirror (checking out my kids all in car seats) as I changed lanes into the carpool lane with this huge grin on my face thinking "I so deserve this lane".

The second surreal moment came during our first family home evening with all four kids. A moment of true craziness, satisfaction, and joy. Ben and I kept looking at each other like, "wow, did we do this?"



Welch family- day one of six person family



Wiley James - day 2,980



Rosa Lynn - day 1,845



Eva Sophia - day 425



Hazel May - day 3