Here's Mud in Your Eye

Saturday, was the last home football game for “The Surprise”.  It is a three hour trip to the school.  Sometimes, it seems like six hours and other times, when we have a guest going with us.  This past weekend we had a guest.  That usually means that the “Ninja” will start telling a bunch of the family stories. 

As we drove, we passed the area  where we found the barn that was to become our home.  It was taken apart and numbered and then transported several counties to its current location and reassembled.  The whole building process is a pretty neat story. 

Anyway, I believe we had purchased the barn but it was not dismantled at the time we took a little excursion with the family, including my mother in law.    The kids were still pretty little, as we actually built the house the year that “The Surprise” was born.  As we traveled, “Doc” pointed out the barn that was to be our house and asked everyone if they wanted to see it better. 

We had just purchased a brand new Suburban.  With a family our size we had two options for vehicles; a full size van or a large SUV.  We had done the van, and it was horrible to maneuver in snow, so this time we purchased an SUV.   “Doc” was driving, his mom had “Shotgun”, and the rest of us were in the back two seats.   

It was a gorgeous day, and we had the windows down as we got off the main road to look at our home-to-be.  I started to get a little nervous as we drove onto a field.  It was kind of muddy, and the car was brand new.  “Doc” was certain we would be fine, we have four-wheel drive.   

Well, you guessed it, within a few minutes we were stuck in the mud.  “Doc:’s” mom decided to comment on the decision to drive in the field.  I didn’t say a word.  Remember, we have four wheel drive.  “Doc” put the vehicle in four wheel drive and gave it a whirl.  No movement, and we were digging ourselves in.  Don’t worry. We have four wheel drive.  “Doc’s” mom started dispensing advice.  He didn’t take that well.  I didn’t say a word.  All we need is a little more power.  We have four wheel drive.  And “Doc” gunned it.   

Mud proceeded to not only cover the new car, but it came flying into the windows.  I got a hit in my face and chest.  There was an audible gasp in the car and terror on the kids’ faces as they waited for the explosion.  I never said a word.  I wiped my face while “Doc” went to get the farmer and a tractor to pull us out.  To this day, my family is in shock at my silence and I think they still wait with baited breath for the explosion.  You can’t bottle that stuff up, it will blow one day!