Tyson Hugh Hooper

Tyson Hugh Hooper
Our son, Tyson Hugh Hooper, was born with coarctation of the aorta, hypoplastic arch, and a transitional avsd. His first open heart surgery reconstructed his aorta and was on day 9 of life. His second open heart repair was not anticipated to be needed until two or three years of age. Ty had other plans. We spent the vast majority of his first 3 months of life at Vanderbilt as he went into heart failure and was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension. As a result, the medical team concluded that he needed the repair much sooner than usually recommended, and at just shy of 3 months old Ty underwent his second life saving open heart surgery. God has already worked so many miracles in Ty's life and the life of our family and we know he is using our story. Because of this, we are grateful for Ty's special heart and feel beyond blessed that God chose us to travel this road. We ask for prayers as Ty continues to heal. We are praying for a full recovery and life without restrictions for Ty. We are praying for God to use our family and Ty for His glory.

Thank you to each and every person who supports us through prayer, giving, or just by loving on our family! We are humbled and blessed by all of the ways the Lord is providing for us and know that he is using Ty and his story to do great things!

Sunday, May 9, 2010

The Oil Change

I never really like getting my oil changed. It takes time out of my day and I, for whatever reason, always feel a little awkward talking to the mechanics. So as I rolled up to get my oil changed last week I was already less than thrilled and it only went down hill from there! Apparently I entered some ditsy warp that made me momentarily "that girl" that you think can't possibly be that much of a ditz!



I pull up to the garage and a guy jogs out to the car and I roll down the window. "Afternoon, ma'am, how can we help you today?" I reply, "Just an oil change, thank you." He asks if I am a repeat customer. "Why, yes I am. I haven't been in with this car before though." He asks for my mileage. A moment's pause as I look at the digital display on my dash that I am still not entirely familiar with and the buttons on my steering wheel that I never use... I stab a button which doesn't display my mileage, but instead turns on the radio. I quickly (as if I could stop it before he notices that brilliant move) stab the button on the stereo to turn it off and commence to pushing the "mode" button on the steering wheel as it switches displays going through everything from average miles per gallon to current miles per hour - 0. Mr. Mechanic reaches over me, stabs a button on the dash and says, "There it is." No doubt thinking, "are you kidding me?"



Next part, roll into the garage trying NOT to be the chick that circulates though email who drives her car sideways into "the pit." Ah, park. A safe place to be while they change the oil. I go to a quick 10 minute oil change place and you are asked to remain in the car. Problem: it's unseasonably warm... like 85 and no breeze. I am a tad uncomfortable so I roll down my windows. I begin to mentally prepare for the "quiz" that comes at the end of my oil change. You know, when they ask you to turn on your head lights, use your blinkers, honk your horn so that they can see that everything works? (I am sure they charge me for this too, oh well.)



They guys working change my oil, punch in my Venn number and inform me that I have been there before with this car (oops... another mistake that makes me feel silly and I wonder why I didn't remember that, but I can't dwell on the thought because I have to get ready for the "quiz!")



And then it happens. Time for my quiz and I am ready! They close the hood and tell me to start the car! Then my instructions start coming.... "Turn on your headlights." I freeze. My headlights are automatic. Crap. I push a bar. Nothing. "Okay, ma'am, your headlights." I twist the bar. "Um, Ma'am, turn on your headlights for me, please." I push a button. VICTORY! "Okay ma'am, brights are working, how 'bout just your headlights" I pray, twist, and voi-la! Houston, we have headlights! "Thanks, now your left blinker" My brain says, "Easy one!" and then I flip on my headligh.... nope... my wind shield wipers! "Okay, wind shield wipers work, now your blinker please." Crap. I quickly recover and blink both blinkers quickly and turn them off. Thank you ma'am. I am SO ready for the end of my quiz... the last thing is always to honk the horn. My hand is on the wheel in anticipation when I hear, "Okay, now tap your breaks." And, of course, being ready for what I have anticipated I give my horn two brief, but very proud, honks. OH. MY. GOODNESS. I have no idea what is wrong with me... I don't even know if my brain realized what I had done until Mr. Mechanic said, "Okay, horn works, now tap those breaks." I was barely able to move my feet or anything at this point. Somehow a managed to tap the break, put her in drive, pay quickly with my eyes down and get the hell out of there.



As I pulled away I laughed. Out loud. I have no idea why I suddenly had blond-brain (no offense to you light haired gals out there), but I did. And it is still funny to me. And I have no doubt that every guy in that place talked for the rest of the day and probably half the night about the dumb chick that came in and how in the world is she legally driving a car.



So there is my "embarrassing" story, out there for you. I hope it made you laugh a little... I sure have laughed at it myself. a. lot.

4 comments:

Sarah said...

I had tears running down my face from laughing when you told me on the phone, and the same thing happened the second time around as I read it here.
I think sometimes our brains need a break, especially when you spend the entire day in one room having to be the smartest person in the group. Look at it this way, if they were laughing, then you put a smile on their face!

Allyson said...

So stinkin' funny!!! At least you go get your oil changed--I've never done it in my life! Tell your man that's his job! :)

Lindsay said...

Oh goodness - thanks for the laughs!! LOL!

Lauren said...

I still start laughing hysterically when I think about you doing that AND telling us that story at book group...priceless!!!