the end

To make a long story, short ((too late, i know)), it will sufficeth me to say, that after much tribulation, which included:

-a new engine
-no oil pressure
-dad smith receiving his sainthood for all of his help
-a frayed something-or-other that caused us more headaches. and cursing.
-taking that engine apart and back together multiple times
((there was one time that aaron and his dad had that engine dropped and disassembled in a hour and a half. this is when you lean back and whistle. not bad, for two homegrown mechanics. and never mind that that particular time was on General Conference Sunday inapril. ox in the mire, people.))

...after all that, and I know I'm forgetting a few more things, and leaving out all of the super-fun stories that happened along the way. Like the time it died on top of the Pass, or when Aaron was so mad at it, he threw the keys down in a fit of anger, and then we couldn't find the keys to get in our apartment. Good times, I tell you.

I could continue, but that would be like ripping open an old wound. And I'd rather not do that. It could get real messy.

After all of that tribulation, we have our van. And that she-devil of a van survived both of our road trips this summer without much complaint.

Now we love her like the prodigal child who has returned home. We've forgiven her for all of her past sins and love her unconditionally.

Well, Aaron does. I still have trust issues with her.