A Loss in Our Family

I clearly have attachment issues. I become way too attached to things...in this case, cars. I remember feeling sad as I watched my brother's black Ford Ranger drive away with a new owner. Not even my car! And I will admit that I have been guilty of naming cars that I drive.

We bought our first minivan from Dave's parents in April 2004. I was not ready to be a minivan owner! I was still so young and had only one child with one on the way. I still wanted to drive a small car, but we needed something to replace our two-door Escort that died and Dave's parents were kind enough to give us a great deal. So I became an official mother...a minivan-driving mother. I soon came to love my van. It was roomy (back then anyway), and it was convenient being able to change diapers on the floor.

This van became a part of so many memories over the years, and even before we owned it.While Dave and I were dating I flew out to California to meet Dave's parents and he proposed the night I arrived. The next morning the two of us drove in this van to the Oakland Temple to do baptisms for the dead. I remember sitting in the passenger's seat staring at my new fiance on the driver's side. Oh the love I felt! We brought home three babies from the hospital in this van. Many many hours have been spent on road trips. We drove to California several times and to Pennsylvania and back. And no, I'm not being overly dramatic! I bonded with our little van. However, with four larger kids the van had been outgrown. It had been randomly shutting off for a while and it helped our decision when it died twice in just the time it took us to get through the McDonald's drive thru. So with Winter coming I didn't want to be stranded in the cold weather and we figured this would be a good time to let the old girl go. Sniff sniff.

 This van was very unique...Not many cars these days have a cassette tape player. And one of these...

...How many kids these days know that this device rolls a window up and down?

This van had no cargo space (back window almost touched the headrests), the air vents were only in the front, it was a 4cylinder (had to turn off the air conditioner for enough power to get up hills), and only one sliding door. But with all its inconveniences, we still loved our van very much. These next two photos were not staged. The kids were so sad to hear that we had traded it. I felt the same way. I literally almost cried several times. It really did feel like we were losing a family member. I felt sick inside.

And it didn't want to go either. On September 15th, The kids and I were loading up to meet Dave at the dealership to sign papers on our new van and trade in the Dodge when I found this.

It was literally THE LAST TIME I would drive the van and it had a flat tire down to the rim. It was almost like the van was saying, "Don't make me go! I'll be good, I promise!". (See what I mean...In my mind vans can talk.) So I called Dave and we signed the papers the next day. We gave the van one last day with us. :)

 I've thought it would be fun to take a picture when we end our time with a vehicle to see how our family has changed. Our last family picture was in front of a blue Ford Escort 7 1/2 years ago. Derek was 1 1/2 and Taylor would arrive two months later. We sure have grown!

 I felt real guilt, sadness, and loss when we drove off without our 1999 white Dodge Caravan, but out with the old and in with the "new", I guess. Meet our new van. A 2008 Honda Odyssey. It's bossy and wants to do everything on its own. :) It has taken some getting used to. It has so many buttons and gadgets....especially since I went from nothing automatic to power everything. However, I am used to it and I am very thankful for my van. I've already used the V6 to win a few races. :) And the cargo is a dream!!

 And you can imagine how much it ripped my heart out to find this picture on ksl.com. It still does! I'm so sorry, Baby!! :(