Car Drama

I have come to realize that my life is far, far from normal.
I am sure that most people have realized that fact already.  I am a little slow.
After our little big car incident on Friday morning, I was just thinking over all that we have dealt with in just the last couple of weeks.  There truly is never a dull moment in our household.  Never.  Nada. 
Here is the latest.

I first want to say that I have seen the providential hand of God all over this situation.  He has protected us and provided in so many ways, and we are just praying that He will continue to do so.  We have faith that He absolutely will.

On Thursday night our sweet friends Kathy Elliott and Emily Lavender came into town.  They graciously offered to watch Aiden, Asa and Nathan so that Kenneth and I could both go on Noah's field trip to the zoo on Friday.  We were so excited to get to spend that time with Noah, and Noah was excited to have time with Mommy and Daddy all to himself.

We met at the church and headed to the zoo with Noah and his friend, Coleson.  While on the interstate the check engine light came on in the car.  We just had the car fixed in October, and then again two weeks ago.  We went a few more miles and then it started sounding funny.  We pulled off the interstate at the next exit, which happened to be the one we needed to take.  As we started turning off the exit I could tell Kenneth was having to pull the wheel extremely hard.

And then the engine just stopped. 
We costed down a big hill, and came to stop at a light.  At that point the car was not moving, it was starting to smoke.  I had to hop in the driver's seat and Kenneth had to push the car as I guided it into a parking lot.  By the time we pulled in the car was smoking from the hood and it would not stop.

I frantically called Noah's teacher. 
She was riding with someone else, and they were able to come meet us.  Thankfully the mom driving had a large SUV and there was just enough room for Noah, Coleson and myself.  We made our way to the zoo while Kenneth waited for the car to be towed to a local shop. 

We were later informed that the water pump went out, as well as the timing belt.  $430.  There went the tax refund we just got in the mail.

Then the next morning Kenneth called to ask if we could pick the car up.  We were then told that they had fixed the car, and they were running the car and testing it to make sure that it had been properly fixed.  The car continued to smoke, and when they looked further some sort of gasket had been warped while the car was smoking the day before and now that needs to be replaced.  $1,000.

Car is worth=$1800, assuming we pay that $1,000 to get it fixed.

We have no idea what we are going to do.

I am thankful for the following.
1. Kathy and Emily were here.
2. I was not alone with the kids in the car when this happened.
3. The car waited until we were off the interstate before it completely died.
4. We were still able to get the kids to the zoo.
5. This is not our minivan.
6. No one was hurt.
7. We did not get in an accident while Kenneth had to push the car.
8. God is in complete control.