My new baby

The beaten gold Mazda Protege that has taken my family across many states for many years has finally kicked the bucket. It's been dying for the last few weeks now, and when it refused to start a few days ago, I knew it was time to get a new car.

Meet The Sheep. A hand-me-down from my wonderful grandparents up in Midway.

While the name was also handed down from the previous owner, it's too fitting to let go of for reasons I can't quite explain until you drive it. And, might I add, this is the first time I've had a snow appropriate car. Quite the shocker since I've lived in Utah my whole life.

I feel like The Sheep and I are going to have some interesting adventures together. My grandpa warned that I might become a "Jeep girl" after having The Sheep for a while, to which I replied, "I was always a Jeep girl, now I'm just a Jeep owner to go along with it."

I can't explain how excited I get bouncing down the street as I herd The Sheep through Salt Lake City. I am so grateful for my grandparents who have helped me in my moment of need more times than I can count. And while I feel wildly indebted to them, my grandma simply says, "No, sweetie. That's what family is for."

My family and the support I receive from them has become a factor to me staying in Salt Lake City the last year or so. The older I get and the harder life gets, I realize how important it is to have that safety net when you're in need. Which, if you're me, happens a lot.

I guess I just want to take a minute to be grateful.

But besides solemn gratitude, I feel excitement for the adventures to come. Hold on tight Sheep, let's see what we can get in to.