Family Day!

Today was the first time in about a month or two that Ryan had off and we were able to go and do something as a family. I had last minutely planned a day at Betty Brinn Children's Museum since I have heard wonderful things about it but have not been there. Earlier that morning Sammie and I went to the store while the boys were still sleeping and picked up our lunch. Came home packed lunch and packed things up for the day. We left the house a bit later than I had wished but it was ok. We were headed down St. Paul Ave(for those that know where that is with our house) and passing the firestation when I said to Ryan, "hmm, is that us that stinks?" In which he responded, "i cant tell we are in a pack of cars." Unable to get over if it was us or not i slowed down to get out of the pack and the smell was getting stronger. (this is impt to know~we have a hole in our exhaust pipe under the front seats so we often get that smell in the car if the windows are down). As I continued to put my prego sniffer to use I found out that it was us, just as Ryan discovers that it is getting smokey in the van. So i looked out my rearview mirror and the cloud of white smoke behind us was scarey! I said, "hmm, it is our exhaust." I paniced and pulled over at the nearest opening. (still on st. paul ave, over by Metal Tek) Mother Bear kicked in and I was ready to pull the kids from the van and run! But ryan said hold on and had me pop the hood. Come to find out something was on fire. We didnt see any flames but it was a smoldering fire. We poured our Grape Propel on the area and pulled the kids. Ryan was going to try to drive it home but it wouldnt even start! So we called AAA for a tow. Thinking, lets just get this towed and then take the car to the museum. Well, we had an hour and half wait for the AAA truck. In the mean time ryan and the kids walked, yes walked back home to get the car. All the while i was ready to buy a new van since this just happened along with $3500 worth of work that needed to be done! Ryan and the kids made it home and back before the AAA truck arrived. They did it in about 1 hour! (Ryan clocked it, we were 1.1 miles from the house) So we spent the next 30 min entertaining the kids in the car. By time we dropped off the van at Tires Plus it was too late to go to the musuem since it was nearing nap time. We stopped at Frame Park played, ate lunch, and then went home.

We later found out that it was the starter was going bad and it was pulling too much juice from the battery thus starting an electrical fire! I can only be very very thankful that it happened when and where it did.

1. I had ryan with me

2. I was not on the freeway

3. I didnt have anyone else's kid with me(just the night before i went to johnson creek with reece)

4. i acutally had water in the car to pour on the van

5. it was a beautiful day out!

Thank you God for timing that just right. We are always amazed to see you at work, even in the things that are not that fun, like a car breaking down!