How to Renew Your Driver's License

This deployment has been  riddled with how-to lessons for me.  I have learned how to remove a large limb from a large tree and I have learned how to act quickly and put out a fire.  I even have learned more big words about car repairs than I ever want to know.  But over the last two days I learned how to renew your driver's license the long way.

We were all very sad to see more snow after having everything melt away.  But despite the weather, Ayden still had his pops concert Thursday night.  So we headed to the school, parked my car on the street like usual, and joined all the others jr. high families for an hour of never-to-be-forgotten entertainment. 

Except I didn't get to see much of the concert.  I was tapped on the shoulder from behind and told my car had been hit and the cops were outside.  I actually went out in a very calm manner...because at this point how else was I to be?  A car had slid, another car swerved and hit the parked car in front of me and that parked car hit the front end of my car.  Okay.  Stupid snow.  Cops did their job and information was taken and police report was given.

I called my insurance company promptly in the morning.  I told them it appeared to just be front bumper damage because that's what I was told and all parties involved were reported and documented.  I went to work an hour later and received calls from Enterprise and the Ford dealership on my way.  And right after my shift, I headed out to get the estimate in the next town.

Upon inspection, the collision guy noticed almost immediately I had a transmission fluid leak.  It was red fluid.  So he took it into the shop where they pronounced it non-driveable!  The transmission cooler thing-a-ma-whatsahoochey (that's one of the big words I've learned) was cracked from the hit.  Apparently, in my Edge there are a lot of things down low there in the front that are easily damaged in a collision.  I tried very hard to keep my composure.  But after everything that has happened this year, I did get a little choked up.  But I recovered and while we waited for the Enterprise guy, I chatted with the collsion guy and receptionist about the deployment, etc.  I also mentioned it would be really nice if my rental car was a Ford Mustang!

Will arrived.  We're on a first name basis now.  He's the Enterprise guy.  He took my license.  I asked him what he brought me.  He said, "An HHR".  What is that? He took my military ID.  And then he said, "Well, I can't rent you this car because you are not a full-time military member and your driver's license is expired".  What?  *!x*? Not only was it expired, it was almost a year expired! I would possibly have to take the test!  The other three of us in the office were silent.  It's 3 o'clock on a Friday afternoon.  I have to work at five.  I am 25 miles from my home with no vehicle and no valid driver's license.  You just can't make this stuff up.

Collision guy suggested a trip to the driver's license station considering we were in the county seat and he called to make sure they were open.  They were until 4:30pm.  So Will, just like the Enterprise commercials we see on TV, took me to the Driver's License station.  We chatted a bit on the way.  We arrived quickly and there was no line.  I said I needed to get my license renewed.  She looked at my old one.  She said, "You made it just in time..you were close".  I said, "What does that mean?"  She said, "You don't have to take the test."  And I cheered and said to Will, "I don't have to take the test"!  Woohoo!  And then Will said, "Do you mind if I get mine renewed, too"?  And I said, "Nope.  Go right ahead.  This is making for a great story and you are going in my blog"!  So Will and I made a memory...I don't think I'll ever forget this how-to lesson in driver's license renewal. 

BTW..they don't let you smile..I looked pissed on my new picture.  Funny since I was actually laughing.  And an HHR is a Chevy flexfuel vehicle and I am not impressed and really miss my Edge.  Her name is Genesis and I'm sure she is really lonely.  HHR doesn't talk to me either like Genesis.  We'll see you soon Sis...and it will be another new beginning for her and us...which is how she got her name in the first place.

God Bless,
Monica

Prayer Request
1) Pray for Eric to continue to adjust after an arduous 10-day trip half-way around the world. 
2) Praise and thanks for time well-spent with Brady for spending his birthday with him.  He hasn't been around on his birthday for many years so we'll spoil him for the day today.
3) Praise for one more testing of my wisdom and knowledge.  But maybe we should pray for things to stop before my head explodes with too much wisdom and knowledge.  Not sure how much more I can take.
4) Praise and thanks for time never stopping and melting snow..two things we continually look forward to as they work together..God is good and spring is on the way.
5) Pray they find everything wrong with my car and fix it in a timely fashion.
6) Praise for Will the Enterprise guy and the Noble Ford people who were such helpful strangers in a very stressful moments!

Ecclesiastes 3:1-3 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.

Payback can be fun

I haven't written for quite awhile.  Not because I haven't had anything to write about..I think I've probably had too much to write about and I just couldn't choose.  I have also been very busy with visitors.  :)  And the kitchen clean up really took some time.  I had been working on this entry about my boys as a little payback..but I'm probably just fueling the fire as I'm sure I'll leave my facebook logged on yet again.

My sweet boys... I can't believe time has passed so quickly.  It seems like just yesterday I was taking a ball of boys everywhere.  Well, it just seemed like that because with five of them all together they were just really busy...they were good boys..just busy all the time no matter where we went.  And they couldn't really leave each other alone which is why I felt like I was toting along a ball of boys.    But this picture is for them since they can't seem to leave my facebook status alone.  And, yes, I dressed them alike as often as I could and THEY LOVED IT!!

This one isn't payback but I had to include it.. it's one of my favorite pictures I took one afternoon on a whim.  It was summer time.  I love their dirty little feet and hands in contrast to Ayden's sweet baby feet and hands.  And I love how they have Eric's feet and my pinky fingers.  This was back when I could still sort their socks and knew whose was whose.  Socks remain my nemesis in this house.  However, we no longer have a sock basket to dig through.

And then there are times when I just need back up in this house with all of the male-ness and military stuff going on around me... that's when a snowwoman comes in handy...and yet another great way to payback the boys for all of their shenanigans and fun they have with me.  I'm sure someday, when they have their own children, I will hear them telling about how grandma used to embarrass them when they were teens by building a snowwoman complete with boobs and a booty in the yard.  Just for the record, I have only built one snowwoman ever in their lifetime.  Because I'm sure they will embellish and grow the story.

We received quite a surprise on Sunday when we were able to pick Brady up for his leave and all be together for a couple of hours.  We used the self-timer on Eric's camera to get this picture of us all.  I wish I could post all the pictures of the progression to get just this one good one!

And while just a couple days ago we were all together, Eric and I said good-bye yet again this morning.  I am really thankful God timed their visits so they could tag-team.  It 
made Eric's leaving a little easier..not much..but a little. 

Thanks again for all of your thoughts and prayers.  It really blesses our family to know we are supported by so many!  More to come soon!

Love,
Monica

Romans 5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.