All I wanted to do was get out of the house and go to Kmart. It is very very cold here so I went out to start the van at like 8:40am . . . . .scraped ice off the windshield with the broom handle, and got the kids in the van. I noticed that my light was on in the van telling me I was on “empty”. . already I’m nervous, I HATE having that little light on. Then, when I put the van in drive this alarming buzzing sound went off. It was happening because the automatic side door wasn’t exactly shut. . .so I pushed “open. . shut” “open. . .shut” over and over, got out, pushed on the door, it wouldn’t really budge, it was frozen I think. . .finally, the buzzing stopped. At this point I’m wondering why I’m going to all the effort. Then, I couldn’t drive out of the driveway because of the icy snow under the tires. . for a split second I “peeled a little rubber” spinning the tires on ice. . I finally got the van turned around inch by inch and then backed out. A feeling of dread was upon me, but I kept going. . praying my way to the gas station with my gloves gripping the steering wheel tightly. I got there and then the little gas door would not open. Another heart palpitation. . .finally I grabbed the keys from the van and propped it open with them. . .pumped my gas (over fifty dollars worth!!) and got on my way.
Just miles down the road, over the sound of the kids’ music tape singing loudly about “why I love my mommy”, I start hearing this incredible noise. . .at first I’m thinking, “hmmm, van must be cold and upset from sitting in the driveway for days. . .” The noise didn’t stop and I started really getting alarmed so I pulled off the road and up into a driveway to a *cemetery* (of all places!), got out and realized I had a
FLAT TIRE
which has never happened to me before in my life. I had to call my friend Caroline to come rescue me, which she did, graciously, and still in her pajamas. It was such an surreal moment to be driving right on through the cemetery with her at like 9:30 in the morning.
We got back home, safe and sound. Aren’t you glad I didn’t get the flat tire while I was on the highway? I am! Caroline came in for coffee and we had a nice chat while our kids played, anyway.
I took a picture of the flat tire with my cell phone:
Rich called and had the van taken to a garage for new tires.
On a side note, guess who just came in my room and got in my lap? Guess whose soft, cool little cheek I just kissed 6 times in a row? Guess who has Percy the train in his little paw? Yes, it’s my small son Caleb, just awake from his nap, still with yawns and sleepy eyes. Caleb did something so dear today. When Caroline came to the *cemetery* to pick me up, I got out and started loading the kids in her van. When it was Caleb’s turn he got a little weepy and said to me, “I want. YOU” “I want. You” Oh, he was so precious, and I told him, “Mommy’s not leaving you! I’m coming, too.” He didn’t quite believe it until I got in and the doors were all shut. Then he smiled.
It’s nice to be needed. But, even nicer to be WANTED.
(after I typed all this we took a picture)
PS, I just did “spell check” and do you know, that “hmmm” is spelled wrong? And, at the top of the list for suggestions, is “MOM”? Interesting.
Good to be Home 
What a cute post. Don’t you wonder why some day’s go like this?? Hope your day’s going better.
I have had that day…I just didn’t listen to myself or to God’s little road bumps and kept doing something just because I thought I wanted to! It never turns out well in the end…always more hasle than it was worth! Maybe God spared your family from an accident on the highway had you not had a flat tire! Glad your home safe and sound! It is good to have good friends!
God definitely had His hand on you and your van today ~ who knows what He was saving you from with all the delays and then the flat tire, but He wanted you back home for some reason. Glad you are all okay. By the way, why didn’t your spell check pick up NOICE for noise? LOL! Unless you wanted it to say VOICE ??!! LOL some more! Anyway, isn’t it amazing how sometimes, we simply don’t recognize that He is trying to get through to us ~ I wish I would learn more quickly ~
That happened to me when mine were littles, and I had 3 others with me…6 under 4 years old…thankfully were didn’t get that far from the house, we had a nice walk home. Do you have AAA??
The pic of you and Caleb is so dear… he really looks like your dh! Praying you get your van back quickly. Blessings
LOL I was thinking the same thing as Fwren…why didn’t it pick up noice? LOL Man, girl…quite an adventure, indeed. I had kind of a similar issue when I went out to our van this afternoon to get Casey. My van barely started (even though I had a full tank!) and then I backed out into the street, and tried to put it in drive, and it just stuck. I tried it again, and nothing, it just sat there idling like it was in neutral! It was so weird. I finally got it to go, but it was so bizarre. I guess it was just so cold. I’m glad you guys were safe and sound this afternoon. That Caleb, what a pumpkin. He’s looking more and more like a little Rich. 🙂 Love, Trish
ok, I figured out why it didn’t pick up the misspelling of “noise”. . .it’s because it was all in caps. It’s fixed now, thanks girls! That was really embarrassing!
That sounds like quite an adventure — and it was so cold today too! Glad you are all safe!
Thank you God for cell phones, It makes being a mommy so much easier safer.Thank you for dear Rich being such a good husband and taking care of the van for Shanda.Thank you God that her precious family is all home safe and sound
hmm….
God was truly with you today for sure. I have never experienced a flat tire yet. I dont know how to change one either, and no cell phone so lets hope I dont experience one anytime soon. Hope you have a great night, and what a cute pic of the two of you!!! Lisa
oh, that is such a sweet picture….pinch his little cheeks for me….=) Glad you all are okay!!
Oh my, you’ve had a day! I’m glad you’re safe and sound in your warm house. It sure is cold today. Josh is taking my car out now to fill it up with gas because mine’s about empty, too. I’m thankful I won’t have to stand in the cold and fill it up tomorrow. 🙂 What nice husbands we have.
wow! what an adventure you have had! The cuddles with your sweet Caleb and knowing that God kept you safe on the road make it all worth it. 😉 Hope your weekend is a little bit more ‘relaxing’ 🙂 lol
My first and only flat was on the way to school…car full of kids…running late….busy street…no cell phone. A man stopped to help. Another parent drove by and noticed us and came back for the kids and drove them the rest of the way to school…while the man put the spare on for me. I offered to pay him. He wouldn’t take anything.Oh, the kindness of strangers….!Glad all is well. Nothing like being back home on a cold day!
You bring me to tears so often…you are such a dear tender mommy….so glad you enjoy those sweet momments in the midst of the trouble….it is nice to be wanted and needed. Thankful it all went well and that you could easily pull over. blessings, Jenny
Yikes! Yes, I am glad you weren’t on the highway. Thank God for dear friends still in their jammies Glad you got it all worked out. And Caleb is just TOO precious! I could eat him up
Wow it is good that you were not on the highway. Thank God for that! I wouldn’t know how to change my tires either. That is nice that you had a friend to come pick you up. I try not to let my van get below 1/2 tank, only because of how much it costs to fill it up, no wonder I don’t go many places anymore:) We have the automatic doors to, which are nice but on icy days forget it.
How sweet of Caleb!! He is a little baby doll!
I forgot to ask you I might have missed it somewhere but what did you get Grace from AG for Christmas? We are taking our girls there in June for lunch with their new dolls.
Aw, I was only teasin’ ya. 🙂 You know I love you…:)
Oh my, what an adventure! I’m so glad to hear that you and your little ones are alright. It’s wonderful how God takes care of us, isn’t it?
Your little Caleb is such a sweettie…. you have such wonderful children (and they have a truely tender and loving mommy!)
What an adventure — and there has to be some significance to the fact you ended up in the cemetery! I think the van just didn’t want to start up after such a nice rest over the holidays!
I would have been scared… I’ve never had a flat tire.
Caleb is so sweet .
I like happy endings! Glad you all got safely home.
I’m glad for the happy ending also. I have had several flats.. but usually for doing something I really shouldn’t have been doing (it’s a guy thing).
As for days like that.. I think I just finished a year like that. I am looking forward to a different 2008!!!!
So sorry you had such trying morining, glad to hear your day got better. Praise God for good friends who will rescue you in their PJs LOL.
Praise God for good friends! I’ll never forget the first time I went out with both of my kids, alone. It was winter, cold out. I drove to the gas station, filled up, then the car wouldn’t start! That was in the day before we had cell phones too! I couldn’t get ahold of my dh. I was just on the point of complete meltdown when I remembered a trick with our jeep. Sometimes, if we put it in neutral, then try to start it, it will start up. Silly car.
What a morning! I’ve had a couple of flats, but am still not too good at changing tires. It’s a good thing you had someone to help you get the kids settled and the tires fixed today.
Thank the Lord you are safe and sound….what a morning???? I have had those mornings when I just want to go back to bed! Your Caleb is too cute…..our babies are getting so big now huh??I miss yall.
Oh Sugar! I am so sorry for your misadventure but how dear of Caleb to be the balm that blessed. What delightful smiles! Love and now increased prayers in SC.
WoW! What a morning!! Yikes!!! I am glad to see a smile on your face after all of that though! Ugh! Praise the Lord that you were not on the highway! God’s protection is amazing! and what a blessing dear friends are!! I hope you have a bit calmer day…and oh, to be “wanted” how precious!!! So much better than “needed”!
Glad that you’re home safe and sound! Flat tires are no fun, and van doors don’t seem to like the cold.
Thankful you are safe. I would not want to experience my first flat tire on icy roads. You did good…Caleb knows that.