Saturday, July 28, 2007

A highschool friend of mine (Lindsey) just recently started a blog with her fiance. A recent post that Nathan wrote asked this question: What makes you say "Ugh - really didn't want to have to experience that!"? This was the comment I left on Thursday: Try buying a Honda Oddysey and 5 minutes after you purchase it...literally 5 minutes down the road from the dealership that you just left - the check engine light comes on. Imagine finding out that the van you just bought has a transmission that's about to fall out....yup,,..that happened to me yesterday. That was definitely an "UGH - REALLY DIDN'T WANT TO EXPERIENCE THAT" kind of a moment. (Don't worry, the dealership gladly and immediately took the vehicle back - returning ALL our money.) And although I'm a huge fan of humor and am sure one day I will look back on that experience and laugh...I haven't so much as smiled about it yet!

Yes folks, that really happened to us on Wednesday. I realize it could've been so much worse - but regardless, it was still such a frustrating day. Chad is working about 80 hours a week and we rarely have any downtime with him...early in the mornings typically and at church on Sunday mornings, but other than that,...he's working. Well, he spent his ENTIRE off day (which he really should've been working on the business), trying to purchase me this Honda Odyssey and then trying to figure out what exactly was wrong with it after we bought it, and then trying to return it and get our money refunded. What a disaster!!! By the end of the day, I was in tears, and very dissapointed. We have needed a larger vehicle for a while now...yes, I said needed. My Mazda 626 has been such a great car, but trying to fit the double stroller in the trunk, keeping the kids from killing eachother in the backseat when they start bickering, trying to fit an entire cartful of groceries in the front seat and the floor board, not being able to bring Shepherd's friends home from church because we have no room for a 3rd car-seat....ok, am I painting a clear picture here? Of course we could've survived without a bigger vehicle, but everyday it was getting more and more difficult to fit all our things in without getting extremely aggravated...and when you become a mom, I think we all learn that there are some things that just need to be a little easier - transportation is one of them!

Which brings me to last night... Chad came home from working around 9:30pm. He walked in and sat down next to me with the laptop on his lap. He looked at our blog and read threw the comments and saw Lindsey's comment on my previous post. He asked if I had told her what had happened and I took him to her blog and read him my comment. That was when he got up, walked in to the kitchen, picked up a key with a clicker and handed it to me - he said "Let's see if this will make you smile about it!". :) I walked outside (yes, of course I had tears in my eyes because I was just so totally surprised)...and sitting in my driveway was a beautiful Honda Odyssey - fully equipped with leather seats, navigational system, power sliding doors, 12 disc c.d. changer, steering wheel controls, climate control (you name it!)...wow - I love my husband and he definitely loves me!! It has captains chairs in the middle row and we currently have the back row folded down in the floor so that I can just roll the jogging stroller in the back without even folding it up!! The kids are loving the rear a.c. and the huge windows to look out at everything!! I jokingly told Chad last night that we now had room enough to have a 3rd child - I wish you could've seen the look on his face...I had compassion on him and quickly assured him I was joking!!!
This is not a pic of our van, but it is the same color as this one...sorry, I didn't feel like going downstairs and doing a photoshoot of it! :)

SO, to all my HU girlfriends who I remember making a pact with that we would never drive a van when we got married and had kids...(Reagan, Haley, Amy, Natalie,...). Sorry girls!!! Maybe in a few years, you too will be eating your words!! :)

12 comments:

lauren said...

How exciting!!!! That's so sweet of Chad to surprise you like that! This might sounds strange, but I look forward to the day when we have two or three kids and get a mini-van. They are so awesome on the inside...who cares what they look like to anyone else?! My favorite feature is the button you push that opens the doors. I don't think you can understand how nice they are until you've been in a nice one (like the Odyssee and Sienna). My sister has one, so I've gotten plenty of opportunities to ride in one. I'm sorry you had the bad experience, but glad it ended happily!

Michael and Hannah said...

Yay!!!!!!!! I'm so excited for you! We'll have to get together and write an "Ode to the Minivan" soon! If you need a destination for your first road trip, come on down!

Lindsey Eason said...

Lauren - I totally agree about how nice the Sienna and Odyssey are - they're made so luxuriously and with families in mind...I have several friends with Dodge Caravans as well and they believe they're the best thing in the world! It's a good thing there are so many options out there - something to fit everyone's style and needs! :)

Hannah - We'd love to come visit you guys...may not be any time soon due to a very crazy schedule over the next 2 months, but maybe when the weather cools down a little we could make a "minivan roadtrip"! :)

Whitney said...

I am a member of WAMV (Women Against Mini Vans), so as an active member, I must express my disapproval. Now, I am also a member of TSWC (Twenty Somethings Without Children), so as my life changes, my position MIGHT change, but I have a feeling that I'll stay a SUV driver... even as a mom of human children.

I'm only kidding (sort of), but I am happy that you and Chad were able to get your new van. Hopefully this time it won't break down! And I must say, all my mini-van driving friends LOVE their vans and wouldn't consider driving anything else!

Lindsey Eason said...

Whitney - you have a good excuse not to be a minivan driver...I've never seen a realtor who has no kids opt to drive their clients around in a van! :)

emily said...

awwww, my heart was breaking as i read the beginning of your post because i LOVE LOVE LOVE our odyssey.... but i'm so glad your story had a happy ending! i just clocked almost 2,000 miles on my van during my crazy road trip with the kids, and let's just say that the odyssey got the good behavior award! :) enjoy your van, be spoiled by your van. it's a beautiful thing.

Mommy of two said...

I used to be a member of the WAMV. You know we have a SUV right now and when it goes out I wouldn't be surprised if we get a minivan. They are so much easier to get kids in and out of. I am excited for you! I got your comment that you are coming to AR. Definitely call me! We will be here!

Zach and Alyson said...

Hey Lindsey-
Good to hear from you. I ran across your blog from Amanda's. Your kiddos are so cute and I'm sure that they are a true blessing. Keep checking up on our blog as there will be more updates to come with this house. Hope all is well!

tleaf10 said...

Hey Lindsey ... I got your message today and called back but didn't get anybody. Call me back sometime today and I should answer! Congrats on the minivan! You know I LOVE my Impala - going on 85,000 miles now and no need for repairs. It might fall apart tomorrow but I doubt it! Anyway, minivans aren't so bad. Ask Melissa about the GoodTimes van...way better than the minivan. Well I'll talk to you soon!

kristy said...

How exciting, Linds! I'm so glad you got such a fun minivan. I predict the Eason clan will have many good years with that vehicle :) And, to top it all off, how sweet that Chad surprised you. Made the experience all the more special! Congratulations!

Sarah said...

That is so exciting! I think it must be age that makes us more practical the older we get. I currently am coveting a Passat station-wagon. I bet your kids love the new mini van.

Nathan & Lindsey said...

Linds I am so glad that you got your car and that you are driving around with no problems. The other day I asked Nathan about mini vans. If I ever get one it will have to be a Honda! Nathan told me to tell you that he was sooo excited to be credited in your blog! Don't forget to let me know when you want to get together!