My "Just in Case" Cup

We had our first ice cream at the zoo the other day, which is always such a sweet treat, and as we waited in line the kids were deciding which ice cream flavor they wanted, then changing their mind, then deciding again. As they pondered which delectable frozen wonderfulness would end up on top of their cone they all came to the same conclusion, they were going to need a “just in case” cup. They’ve learned the hard way just how important it is to have a “just in case” cup handy. They know that once they’ve licked too attentively on one side of their cone, neglecting the other side, and it topples over into the dirt and gravel, there’s no going back. It’s simply not worth the risk.

It started me thinking about my own “just in case” cup and I realize I have quite a few cups, but they’re in place for something much more tragic than a dropped ice cream cone. I want to ensure that should something ever happen to me, that Loretta, Caroline and Sam all know just how much they are loved and adored by me and their Dad. That most of my waking moments (and most of my dreams) are dedicated to them; love, laughter, worries and fears for them. That, should I not be around (for whatever reason), they have mementos of our time together that makes it clear just how important they are to me.

John and I have all the expected legal documents in place and each child has a 529 for college savings, and those are extremely important, but I want them to have memories of their childhood that will stay with them throughout their lives (like I have) and hopefully I’ll be around to enjoy every single moment, but “just in case” here are a few things I do so that my love for them will reach them no matter where I am.

• Extra special holidays and birthdays. I realize all parents do this, but I think John would agree that I go overboard, just like my Mom always did, and I'll love her eternally for that.

• Like most parents I take a ridiculous amount of pictures and videos which I then over share on Facebook, but they're there, saved on my computer and many on this blog for future amusement (that reminds me, it's been ages since I backed up our photo files).

• We still say our millions, without fail, every night.

• All three kids have their own email accounts which I randomly send little messages to, mostly on the go from my phone.  Pictures and videos, quick notes about anything and everything.  "You lost your first tooth today!" or "Here's a little video of the hissy fit you threw at Target today, nice performance!", etc. My plan is to not tell them about the accounts until they're teenagers and I know their grandma and grandpa occasionally send them notes too.

• This blog, which I have printed in color hard bound books every year as a keepsake.  I keep a copy and I give one to my Mom, that way if anything ever happens to Blogger these posts won't be lost forever.

• My stories, which up until now I've only shared with them and a select few.  They are each and every one inspired by my little monsters - part angels, part imps, full of love and curiousity and mischief.  I hope one day, when they are older and have kids of their own, they can read these stories and know how much love went in to them.

I have a few more ideas too, ones I'll keep to myself for now because I plan to execute them when the kids are older. 

I never filled out a single page of any of the kids baby books. I can't recall from memory how old they were when they took their first steps.  I'm sure I kept a lock of their hair from their first haircuts, but I couldn't tell you where those curly locks are.  I'm just hoping these "just in case" tactics make up for misplaced baby teeth, lost four leaf clovers and the many, very delayed, visits from the toothfairy.