Audrey was pretty sleepy so once we got moving she was okay and started to fall asleep. When I got in the car and turned it on, I had this feeling that something wasn't right but I couldn't place what it was. Deep down I knew it was the car. So I hop on the Autobahn for the short ride to base, get off on the exit, and made my way through the traffic circle. About half way through the car started acting up. I could feel the car giving out. My RPMs dropped and wouldn't come up, even when I down shifted. I knew the car was dying, I just knew it. It wouldn't pick up speed when I pressed the accelerator and I just started praying that I got to base. I called Ben and thank God he hadn't gone into his meeting yet or I wouldn't have reached him. I said the car is dying I don't know what to do. He said try to get on base, he'd come to my rescue. I pulled up to the gate and don't you know it, God got me to base and then the car died. The car died right at the gate while I was getting my ID checked with a whole line of cars behind me. I tried to turn it back on but it was done. White smoke out the back and everything.
So there I am with a 1 1/2 month old in the back seat waking up, cars piling up behind me, embarrassed beyond belief, and it was really warming up outside. I had dressed Audrey in pants and short sleeves and ended up having to take her little pants off. Anyways, the gate guards were so wonderful. I looked up with tears in my eyes and was like Sir, what do I do? I said my husband is on duty could I call him to come down. Thanks goodness they knew him and was like oh yeah, and we'll push your car back and you can wait in the building for him. I took Audrey out of the car and the guards pushed my car back. Ah. I called Ben and he came right down. I wasn't a mess, just a little embarrassed, frustrated, and thinking. He talked to the guards, settled me down, then went back to turn in his weapon and grab his car. Thank God for such a wonderful husband. He came back, put us in his car and we went to see about getting my car taken care of. And you know what? Audrey's bulky car seat fit so much better in Ben's little beamer than in my Audi station wagon. We both were like your kidding me. We both could lean our seat back and sit comfortably! Anyways.... we called the German AAA (ADAC) and got things set up for them to come and tow the car down the street to the autoshop on base.
I just kept thanking God that it happened on base and not on the Autobahn. That would have been sooooo bad, sooo bad. God is good.
When he called ADAC he gave them his cell number to call when they got to base but was using my cell phone to talk to the because I had more minutes. Because the cell plans are crazy expensive here and a huge hassel with the contracts, we just got throw away prepaid phones. With the prepaid phones it only costs you to make calls, not receive them. Well in all the fuss, Ben took my phone and gave me his thinking he took his and left mine. While he went to wait on the tow guys Auddy and I hung out at the kennels. She was getting hungry and it was a heck of alot cooler than sitting in a car waiting. Well, the tow guy called Ben's phone which I had, to say he was at the gate. I called Ben and he said he didn't see him, he must be at the other gate. So he went and waited at the other gate. Then the tow guy called back said he was there, then the gate guards called Ben. Well here the tow guy was parked behind the building where Ben couldn't see him and just missed him. With his accent, it couldn't make out much of what he said and had to try and figure it out to tell Ben. We got it worked out and the tow guys said our car was done. I knew when it shut down that it was probably for good and it would be way too much to try and fix.
Ben came back and by that time it was 1800. Aud was sleeping and we both were starving. Poor Ben worked all day and then had to take care of the car mess. So, we went out to eat. Audrey did great sleeping in her seat but had enough. We put her in the car and once again-her belly didn't like something I ate and was pretty gassy. She threw up on the way home, got upset and screamed the last 5 minutes of the drive. I can't function when she screams like that. It honestly breaks my heart in two. I start crying and think about nothing else except getting to her and making her feel better We weren't anywhere that Ben could pull over and we were so close to home. I was opening my door as Ben was putting the car in park. My poor baby was all red and upset. I was crying and as soon as I picked her up out of her car seat she was okay. Poor thing was over tired, hungry and just wanted to be held.
We got home and it was time for Ben to go to bed and Auddy's bath. She was all settled and loved it. She was out cold by 2100. All three of them were. She slept until 0300 this morning!! She had a good night thank God.
Ben called earlier and said the car was a goner and we started talking about options. Pray we find a car that will get us through out time here and thats within our budget. God provides and it's only by his grace I'm really not that concerned. We're not quite sure if we should just find a good deal european car and have two cars again or sell his car too and get a newer car-one that we could take back to the states when we PCS. So, we're down to one car which is a little bit of a hassle, but it's okay.
Praying today goes a little bit better.
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