I didn't plan to drive over 400 miles to get a new car

Last week my parents mentioned some great deals that they had seen on cars and trucks. Some up to 50% off sticker price. But, we weren't ready. Or so I thought...

We have just returned from a little over a week with 2 sets of family. We were in Gatlinburg, TN with my in laws and family (13 of us) for a week. On the way there, the AC in my car died, so we enjoyed 3 hours of sheer miserable heat. I don't do well with heat and I was in the worst mood. Plus, nothing stresses me out like car trouble.

Since we were going to Knoxville after our week at Gatlinburg, I called my dad and asked him to make an appointment for us to get it fixed. Dad again mentions the great deals he has seen. He later calls back and gives us the dismal estimate to fix the AC. My stress level increases considerably, but I DID NOT want to drive back to NC without it fixed.

Dad convinces us to go out and just look at new cars. We decide not to replace the AC but had them do some other thing that might fix it... and my car's AC got worse. Typical. By the time we crunched figures to what it would take to fully fix it, get the 4 new tires it was due, and fix other minor issues... we realized that my 10 yr old car was not worth the $ we'd have to put into it. A new vehicle started to sound better and better.

And, it seems that God's timing happened to be perfect. We found a minivan for an extreme deal on a good used minivan. Something I didn't think would be possible on our budget. And I LOVE our new van. Not sure who is happier about it - me or my son.

Another thing I didn't think was possible was that I'd ever own a red car. I was raised to believe redheads and red (pink, peach, or orange) don't mix. :) Oh well. God has a sense of humor.

No getting around the fact that I'm a suburbanite mom now.

And, I have to give much credit to my hubby, who sacrificially drove the old heat-mobile all the way back to NC while his wife and son rode in happy comfort behind him. I love that man.