Helpful Tools

In my many (ok, five) years as a mother, I have learned that there are several everyday items that make my life easier. Things that you might not even think about picking up at your local "We-have-everything-under-the-sun Mart". Surprisingly, duct tape is not on my list. I don't think we even have any at our house. Don't tell my mother.

Suction Cups

These bad boys are excellent for use in bathrooms with no storage. I'm not talking some storage. I'm talking NO storage. Our bathroom is so small, there is room only for the bathtub (granted, we put in a jacuzzi tub), pedestal sink and toilet. There is no medicine cabinet, there is not a vanity. Everything that we use is out in plain sight. Unless...

...you stick EVERYTHING to the wall of your shower with suction cups!

Clorox Wipes

These are useful for the obvious reasons. They can clean up sticky spills and keep your bathroom nice and shiny. However, I've also discovered that for my 3 year-old who does not care if she's in time out or getting a spanking, they are cruel and unusual punishment. When she has pushed me past my limit, I give her a Clorox wipe and make her clean whatever menial thing I can think of. The legs of our dining room chair and table are an excellent example!

  

This would be such a day.

Detangler

 Need I say more?

Super Glue

There are many things that I've been able to repair with super glue. For example, Madelynn created a dinosaur out of modeling dough at preschool. McKenna made short work of destroying it. I was able to glue it all back together (mostly). There were still a few pieces left over, but I couldn't figure out where they would have gone. Surely it wasn't an anatomically correct brontosaurus.

One of the drawbacks of super glue is that I can't repair anything without also glueing my fingers together. This is the only thing I've discovered that will remove the glue from my skin.

 That's right. A bubble bath, good book and a dessert or glass of wine. Jacuzzi jets optional.

Rubbermaid containers

These shoebox sized rubbermaid containers are fantastic for creating Treasure boxes. These are the catch-all places that all of the girls' "treasures" are placed. This would be the little, teeny, tiny items that cannot under any circumstances be thrown in the trash.

Speaking of trash, I've also discovered (the hard way, of course) that clear trash bags are not a good idea. They must be completely opaque. In addition, if you've thrown away such a treasure or random school paper, DO NOT give the former owners other trash to throw away. You will be forced to keep the trashed item at least two weeks longer. Trust me.

Wedding Vows

When Branden and I got married, it was kind of a blur. But our wedding vows were fairly traditional (I think). They might have gone something like this.

"I Branden, take you, Amy to be my wife.
To have and to hold,
in sickness and in health,
for richer or for poorer,
til death do us part"

In retrospect, these vows are incredibly idealistic. Romantic? Yes. Realistic? No.

If I ever figure out the time travel issue, or if Branden and I ever decide to renew our vows, they'll probably be more along these lines.

I, Branden, want to include you, Amy in my daily life.
I promise to love you in times of relaxation and times of stress.
I promise never to question your hair cut decisions and to support any outfit selections you may make.
I promise to take care of you for at least two weeks after the birth of each of our children.
I promise to bathe said children every night, regardless of the hour.
I promise to be your provider and a shoulder to lean on in tough times and times that are just kinda crappy.
I, Branden love you, Amy with all my heart and I will never, ever contemplate leaving.

My vows might sound something like this:

I, Amy, want to include you, Branden in my daily life.
I promise to love you when you're feeling good and when you've contracted the Man Cold.
I promise to support your decision to have facial hair for the rest of your life.
I promise to work on not rolling my eyes when you discuss anything from a previous century.
I promise to learn how to use firearms and support your passion in acquiring as many as you can.
I promise to cook at least four dinners each week and pack your lunch every night.
I, Amy love you, Branden with all my heart and I will never, ever contemplate leaving.

Even though an opportunity was missed six years ago, what's important is that we are still as in love today as that day we nervously stood in front of a judge, holding hands.

Love you honey!

Cubbie Grand Prix

Wednesday was the annual Grand Prix race at Madelynn's Awana Cubbies. As always, the leadership of this particular club did an outstanding job of preparing, executing and making this race special for each and every clubber. I can't tell them enough times how big of an impact their weekly service makes in my daughter's life. Thank you! 

 This was the set up with the track. There was a video camera pointed at the track so the Cubbies could watch their cars race on the big screen.

 This would be Madelynn, waiting patiently for her turn to race.

 OK, maybe not so patiently!

 Here is our race car that we painstakingly designed, sanded and painted. In her selection, Madelynn informed everyone that "My Nana said that blue is a fast color!"

 The car has been placed on the track...

 ...and it has raced well. It went so fast, it flipped over and finished the race on it's hood. According to Madelynn, there was smoke involved.

 It was a proud evening!

 Every clubber received a gold trophy and a race ribbon. And every single Cubbie was convinced they won first place! And no parent argued :)



And let's not forget our beloved Miss Sherri. Thank you for everything you do!



Daddy's Coffee

One fine Saturday morning, Branden went to the bank and was kind enough to bring back a coffee from a local coffee shop. Fortunately, he knows me well and ordered my favorite concoction of espresso, caramel and milk (to which I add a little more sugar!). He purchased a plain, black coffee for himself. (In our many years of marriage, I've learned to look past this detail.)

After one accidental swig of my marvelously sweet libation, he labeled his cup.

Now, I ask you. Who did he think was going to a) read this cup and b) then make the decision not to take a drink?

A