Soccer Mom

I was nominated for that superlative in high school, but lost it to an actual soccer player.

Okay, I HAVE to write about perhaps the biggest thing that happened to us all year, besides Dallin being born of course. WE OWN A MINIVAN. I'm a little past the part of it being a minivan and even a new car really (new to us - has still been around since I graduated high school). I'm just grateful we're over the hurdle of commitment. We've needed more space. 

Eric's car was having some problems we didn't want to deal with, still had a trade value $2k+ greater than mine, 40k more miles, was manual which I refuse to drive, etc... so we found "a price" (<$13k) w/ mileage (<80k) we had been looking for, took it to the shop to get inspected and then Mr Smith bought it. Since I couldn't be there to negotiate, I was a little stressed and anxious especially because everything else was going wrong and I couldn't even focus on it. Mr Smith doesn't really negotiate, and honestly I'm not good at being bold when it comes to stuff like cars (since I know nothing), and we both HATE those kind of salesmen. We got them to fix a few cosmetic concerns. I'm disappointed in the second row middle seat but at least we have something. They gave Mr Smith a good trade in but not enough to make up for the overall price which was still $3k above KBB (although competitive/comparable due to the area). Smith's garage said it looked great under the hood, so we're hoping it'll be nice to us for another 10 years. The power steering fluid leaked a week later, but luckily they were smart enough to resolve the issue at no cost (I would have been bold then). Then there was the wheel that had a small leak, which was discovered a week after that (they fixed that too). Needless to say anxiety hit a peak last month. I wish it was resolved BEFORE so now I'm just anxious as a cat.

I did write up a negative review I wanted to post, but Mr Smith said he wants to try to filter our experience through the person who referred us who know the owner. The general idea was that MAYBE we had unrealistic expectations, but how we felt overall was unimpressed and honestly, disappointed in how the salesmen acted. I felt like they did the bare minimum and expected us to badger them or play the game perhaps, and it was off-putting, especially when the main salesman isn't helpful at answering questions. Still wondering if he has a bad memory, is stupid, or was trying to play dumb in order to keep the upper hand. 

Although I'm still paranoid by any sounds/creaks etc... it drives easier than I thought, I LOVE how easy it is to get on the highway, I LOVE opening the side doors & I love just "throwing the stroller" in the back (along with any food storage/tents if necessary? haha). I'm not comfortable parking, using the passenger rearview mirror (big blindspot - so I get the nav features on newer models) or trying to figure out the confusing air system for the front/passenger/rear etc... but I'll slowly adjust to all the sounds and feels and make it mine and at least Dallin no longer has to sweat. I honestly didn't want the DVD system because I knew Lexi would ask for it every time, and without fail! I now have a new pet peeve. But - way easier for longer rides.

Although it was a little hard to see Mr Smith's car go, it's easier knowing mine is still around a little longer (attachment issues) especially when we just added $500 to get new tires / fix alignment (the same day! ugh).  It's true that you get a little nostalgic over cars that have seen you through so much. Although I'm not sure how long it'll last since Mr Smith now has to drive her with all her quirks (which I don't even recognize now) and he REALLY wants a truck. But I won't let him commute with a truck (although I'm the last wife to control my husband). We even have that issue now of how to reference the car as in Mr Smith would rather have more claim on the van than "my car" hahaha. We can save it for Lexi to drive, right?