Talk About Old Cars

So I was reading Blogs this morning and read one from Joel and Michelle Wilson about the horrible cars they were forced to drive as teens. I thought it was so funny and then remembered my teen car. I really think my teen years car beats your any day. Let me describe this little jewel to you.
Color was gray blue and rust. I think there was much more primer on it that remained un painted that there was actual paint.
The gas tank was in the front and the air cooled engine in the rear. There was no gas gauge. We remedied this by cutting an old broom stick to about 3 feet in length. Went to the gas station and filled the tank up. Then we promptly stuck the broom stick in the tank and with a magic marker, marked the top of the wet area as full. Now is resembled the oil dip sticks of today.
Heater: there was no heater but we keep many blankets in the rear cubbyhole.
Wipers: Yes there were wipers but if the rain or snow was severe they were not powerful enough to fight against natures force, there for who ever had the honor of sitting shot gun got a long snow type scraper which they hung out their window, across the windshield and with human power kept the windshield clear enough to drive.
Interior: Vinyl seats with more duct tape than not. Covered up with old t shirts draped over them. The seat backs ended at about your shoulders if you were short like me. So if you were the tall sort of person they ended at about your mid back. No seat belts. Rubber mat type things that covered the entire floor of the car.
Radio: Didn't exist.
Blinkers: Now these were my favorite spec on this car. If you look very carefully at the picture you will see them in between the front door and rear window post. When you signaled to go right, this little arm thing would pop out of the space between the front door and rear window on the right side of the car. It had a light on the end that would blink as it proceeded to move up and down. Turn left and the arm thingy would flip up and down on the left side of the car. You can simulate this action by putting your arm close to your side, them move your hard upwards, without allowing your elbow to move away from your body. This unique property would bring howls of laughter from my friends.

Yes the 1951 VW Bug was truly a beast in more ways than one.

A Valentine Miracle

We got the best valentine ever!!!

You were so small in utero that you very rarely kicked or even moved about much. We had been doing stress tests every week for several months to make sure you were still staying strong. Odds were that you would not be born alive or would only live briefly. It was a terrible time for me. Every day was long and difficult to stay positive and filled with faith. After 3 days of no movement I was worried sick. Monday rolled along and I was in the Dr office first thing. I will be forever grateful to Dr Harris who even after extensive testing said all was well and sent me home, but continued to feel uneasy and chased after me. He had me come back for one final test. It was here we discovered that things were precarious at best. He admitted me to L&D for an emergency C Section and with in a hour you were born. You were tiny and beautiful and a GIRL! We were so surprised you weren't a boy. You were a fighter and really only needed support oxygen and a feeding tube. We never doubted for a second we had experienced a miracle in our lives. Not only were you born alive you were healthy and strong. February 12 was a day of miracles for the Wilsons

It was a happy day when we got to hold you for the first time. We even got to take your hospital newborn picture when you were 3 weeks old.
A week later we left the hospital and were so very grateful
You were immediately assigned the color PINK

Your brothers could hardly wait for you to come home. Alan didn't know what to think about you being a girl and just hoped that you wouldn't cry like Betsy. ( one of my day care kids who cried a lot)

We figured out before long that you were never going to be BIG. At 2 you would still fit (easily) into your blessing dress,

and would take naps in the doll bed. You loved it when Clint was born and became his 2nd mother and were even more over joyed when Rachel joined the family. Now you had 2 kids to take care of and play with.
Little did we know that this pattern would continue for the rest of your life

You and Clint were such good buddies you couldn't stand to be separated to different bedrooms at night and this is how I often found you when I went for a final night time check

Like wise you and Rachel have been great sisters and have had a lot of fun together.

You were the first of what quickly evolved into the "Twinks" You did everything together.

You also developed a special bond to a special girl in our lives. Monica became you older sister even though she was really your cousin

You never minded getting dirty and really enjoyed playing with the boys.

We couldn't forget the hundreds of hours you and Tara were attatched at the hip. Only 2 weeks different in age your lives were intertwined from the beginning. Your favorite game was to have Tara and Troy spend time at the house and you two would attach ropes around Troy and Clint's chest andpretend they were your dogs.

You dressed alike, traveled together, played with babies, graduated and even grew and cut your hair together to give to Locks of Love.

We tried to involve you in piano, violin and gymnastics but your true talents were hidden in that tiny body yet to be discovered.

Then we discovered basketball, soccer and volleyball. You excelled at them all and were even recruited to play competitive soccer. You were so fast and quick on your feet. You had some sweet basketball moves. You made dad so PROUD!

You tried what the rest had not and saved to go to EFY and then did the Avon 3 day walk in memory of a family friend who had just died from breast cancer.

You were always the short one with little feet but never let that define who you were or what you could do. You just had fun with it.

You helped a lot around the house, in and out. I can't say it was enthusiastic but you always got the task done.

And all this time you were developing what is your PASSION....KIDS!

You were always seeking out families that needed an extra set of hands, kids that needed a little love and always there to serve the extended family you love by loving their kids as well

You have seen the world, much of it anyways but mostly you have come to love the outdoors. You were never afraid of hikes, rafting, backpacking, and sitting on strange things. Well the alligator thing nearly made you wet your pants but you did sit on it. But when it wagged its tail I have never seen anyone move so fast in my life! That was truly FUNNY.

You were so elated one day after shopping that you actually found a dress that fit and I didn't need to fix in anyway. And then that blessed day, when I made a skirt for you that fit and you loved. Shoes...well they will always be a problem. Thanks heavens for Zappos

You loved girls camp from beginning to end and were an enthusiastic supporter of Boot Camp and even climbed the extra miles to the top of the divide.

You proved yourself in school and started off with several scholarships for BYU-I, made new friends at Idaho and took control of the beloved truck.

You never missed the chance for a family get together and loved reunions, games, Christmas parties and backpacking trips with the cousins.

We cannot forget the greatest sledding hill and wipe out of all time. So enjoy this quick clip.

And then one day you said you wanted to go on a mission and all the sudden we were buying pink suitcases and saying goodbye. Once again your buddy Clint was there to give a friendly smile and let you know you weren't alone. You served, taught and baptized.

You developed patience and love, made friendships that will last forever

got a little less directionally challenged, found a car just your size and wore out your soul in the service of your Heavenly Father

Soon you would return and learn of Clint's mission, the beauties of Bulgaria, and then share the beauties of Germany and Austria with us.

We were able to reunite with the exchange students from Germany, Heike and Marlene. You even taught your old mother a new trick, the best way to tie you jacket to your back.

While you were gone 2 babies joined the family and you wasted no time in
endearing yourself to them.

And now here you are in NEW ZEALAND having yet another grand adventure. You always have your life figured out and always are going in the right direction.

Thanks for the life you lead and have lead.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

We love you so much.