Once in a lifetime event...

I couldn't be more EXCITED and thrilled about the event that unfolded over the weekend. Winning a brand NEW and much needed CAR is up there on the list of pretty dang exciting things and that's what happened to this girl. Say WHAT?!?

So here is how it happened...

I saw a post on facebook for Larry H Miller Lincoln Ford in Provo for a contest to win a car and all I had to do was like their page and comment. I thought to myself "Someone has to win and we all have the same chance and I really need a car so why not?"

The next day at work on September 26th I looked at my phone which showed a notification on facebook and it said "Larry H Miller Lincoln Ford mentioned you in a comment".  Well I had a pretty good idea that they were telling me that I was a finalist. Yay, I was right! 

I knew there were going to be 4 other finalists and at half time at the Utah State/BYU game was where and when the car would be given away. That was pretty cool plus they gave me 2 free tickets to the game.

I had to wait a whole week for the game and all week my co-workers repeatedly told me that I was going to win the car.  I felt like I was going to and I needed this so bad and chose to use only positive words about it all week. I would say "when I win this car" and "I can't wait to go on a road trip when I win this car" and stuff like that. 

Finally the day of the game came and I couldn't wait for that night. I thought I was going to be more nervous then I was.  I was pretty calm and feeling excited and good about the whole thing and really couldn't wait to get it over with. I took my daughter Chelsea with me since my husband I think gets too nervous about stuff like that and I think for that reason didn't want to go.  He was really happy that Chelsea was going to be there with me.

When I got to the meeting place I was told to go to, I see Dave Sikich standing by the car.  He used to come in to the store I work at twice a week and I knew him pretty well. He was there to help give the car away and he couldn't believe I was one of the 4 finalists. There was one other contestant and his son there and pretty soon they were all there. It ended up being a young college aged young lady and her husband, and another guy who was about 30 or so and me and the man with his son. We got to choose a number out of a hat and I was first to pick and I chose #4 which meant I was last. I was thinking that wasn't a good thing but oh well, it was what it was. 

Jim McMahon's Jersey was going to be retired that night at half time so our time was changed to right after 1st quarter ended. I was ok with that.

Chelsea's Father in law Todd was in charge of the BYU Football Field for over 20 years and he gets a VIP pass for him and a few family members anytime they want on the sidelines. My son in law Seth (Chelsea's husband) his brother Cole and their Dad were hanging out right by the field and they let me go down there before the contest. It was starting to sink in how cool this whole thing was and looking up at the packed arena and seeing 60,000 people there that night was a very surreal and a cool moment.  I got to let the magnitude of this sink in before we all came down together to try for the car...WOW!

It was getting close to the time for us to go down and we all stood in order according to which number we chose and we all followed the car down the ramp. We didn't have a lot of time and when we got down there everything happened so quickly! We all picked a key out of the hat now in the order we stood so I was last to pick the key.  

We were told that we each got to go into the car with our key to start it and if it didn't start we needed to jump out quickly for the next person and if our key started it, we needed to flash the lights and honk the horn. 

The first guy went and it didn't start.  He jumped out quickly and the young lady went and it didn't start and I was starting to freak out a little and was thinking oh man--this is happening so fast and the next guy is going now. (please don't start). The third guy went and it didn't start and OH MY GOSH the car was MINE but I still had to jump into the car and start it and my hand was shaking badly at this time. I turned the key and it started of course and I honked the horn and then flew out of that car and jumped up and down and screamed like no other and then cried and laughed and who knows what else. When adrenaline kicks in, you don't even know what you're doing ha ha! I told everyone I was going to do the bum dance when I won the car and I couldn't even remember to do that in my excitement. I had familiar faces around me all hugging and high fiving me and the other contestants were gracious and gave me a hug too.

I saw my dear friend Lisa Gray as she was heading into the game and she knew I was trying for a car and she ran down to give me a hug too after I won.  My phone started to go crazy with texts and calls since apparently there were a lot of people at the game who knew me that were all freaking out in their seats when I won. Matt Unwin, Rich Bearden and Dave Fano freaked out and so did The Castaneda Family and the Lee's and Casey's friend Charlie, The Marshall's from Idaho, My Uncle Brad and cousin Jacob and his family, the Wilford's, Mandalyn and I'm sure I'm missing people.

That was the BEST moment ever and I can't tell you how much we need this car.  My family has been financially struggling since 2008 when my husband's business was hit hard with the rest of the country. As of late our only car is on its last leg and my son takes it to work everyday and we have the 1971 Chevy truck which my husband takes to work. I will drive him to work when I need the truck for something.  

I have worked out of my home for the last 3 years for a wonderful company called Unishippers so I don't have to worry about not having a car for that job for the most part. I also work at a convenience store across the street 2 days a week for extra money and I can walk there if necessary. I've walked there and home a lot over the course of 3 years.  I'm not complaining, both jobs have been a blessing and the people I work with are wonderful!

This car is a huge blessing to say the least and I feel there was definitely help from above for our family to receive it.

I am going to the dealership Monday to work out the details and hopefully it will go smooth and I'll be able to bring the car home that night. WOW....pinch me

The 4 finalists for the car...

 Me holding the winning key before the contest!

 

Me in a state of shock after I won....I don't know what I'm doing here. I think I kissed the car right after this photo was taken.

Cole Munger, Seth Munger and my daughter Chelsea Munger.  I loved having a support system there.