As a mom (and a human being in general), it's so important to take every necessary precaution to make sure we're staying safe on the road while driving our kids to and from a gazillion different activities on any given day of the week. But like most of us, I'm sure when you think of "car safety," things like following the speed limit, paying attention to the road, and being aware of your surroundings are what immediately comes to mind.

But believe it or not, all of those things are much less effective if you don't take care of one key area of your vehicle -- your tires.

And yes, I know what you're thinking, "Tires? What the hell do the tires on my car matter? As long as they get me from point A to point B, they're fine."

WRONG. (So wrong.)

Last week I wrote about the new in-car vacuum system Honda is offering in its new minivans, and I've been fantasizing about it ever since ... every time I open my door and clouds of goldfish crumbs start swirling. While I won't be enjoying such brilliance anytime soon, it did get me thinking about how much better my minivan could be.

Oh it's pretty awesome already. I have absolutely zero shame in driving one either. I have plenty of friends who refuse to cave, who feel like it's the last straw of their identity that would send them plunging into suburban mom mode forever. Personally, I'll take comfort and ease over my pride any day ... especially when it comes to my ride. But, like I said, it could be even MORE comfortable and convenient. Here are five more features I'd add to minivans that I bet would have all those Range Rover moms caving in an instant.

Today I am especially glad to be alive. This renewed feeling of gratitude comes in the wake of a recent, very scary, personal experience. One day, over a week ago, I took my “little car” in for normal service and new tires. No big deal, right? While they had my car, I borrowed a loaner from the car place (and, as a side note, I fell in love with it) but nothing was unusual up to this point.

For the most part, I'd say my house is pretty clean and organized. I detest clutter, have an addiction to Swiffering my floors, and am fortunate enough to have some help come in and do the heavy cleaning a couple of times a month. It's important to me that my house be comfortable and inviting, and to me that means clean.

My minivan however ... oh what a different story that is. Attempting to keep that thing clean is one of my greatest failures in life ... or at least the most evident. There are crumbs in the crevices, trash that seemingly grows itself in the back row, and fingerprints and some strange film covering my windows most days. No matter how hard I try -- and implore my kids to try -- I open that handy automatic sliding door and unveil a den of chaos and uncleanliness. It's embarrassing to say the least.

So that's why when I heard about the latest feature Honda is offering in its new minivans, I was blown away. It's almost as good as a self-cleaning car.

The Kellogg family lives in their dream house ... but it isn’t what you’d expect a “typical” dream house to look like. There is no indoor swimming pool or theatre, no expansive dining room or impressive kitchen, and quarters are actually pretty tight. And there’s only one bathroom for the family of 14. Oh yeah, and it’s on wheels.

The Kellogg’s love adventure and the outdoors so much that they recently decided to sell their Colorado home and hit the road in a 36-foot RV. Mom Susie said, “We wanted to get rid of the mortgage … get rid of the car payments and breathe.”

This is a sponsored post by Buick Enclave.

Think summer is the only season to load up the car and head off on a family adventure? Think again! Winter can also be a wonderful opportunity to take a road trip and create vacation memories that will last a lifetime -- especially when your ride is the latest in family-friendly luxury and safety, the new 2013 Buick Enclave.

Dear Lady Who Cut Me Off in the Carpool Lane,

Seriously? What is the matter with you? I was waiting in that line for nearly half an hour and you thought you would just sidle your way in? There's this unwritten rule about lines that says: Wait at the end when you arrive. Also, there's a rule about cutting people off that says: Don't cut off people you will see at tomorrow's PTA meeting.

Did it not dawn on you how easily I could find out who you are? It's not like you did this on the highway ... we were going to the same place. I saw your kids get into your minivan, as you were a mere five feet in front of me!

Also, you have stickers of your entire family on your back windshield (which already makes me dislike you), so it wasn't like I needed to be David Caruso to put the pieces together.

Have you ever thought that cars are just too darn masculine? Tired of hearing about things like "safety features" and "gas mileage"? Want a car the color of your first Kotex wrapper? Well, my delicate lady flowers, Honda is one step ahead of you. Introducing She's, the Japanese car maker's answer to what they're calling "consumer demand" for a car for women. The newest version of their Fit line of automobiles, She's is aimed at the feminine clientele who's most interested in a car that's cute and one that, most specifically, will prevent unwanted wrinkles around our eyes (a UV protected windshield!) and dry skin on your hands (a plasma cluster A/C system!).

But, wait a second ... pink trimming on the dashboard, too? And a heart in the place of the apostrophe in "She's"? Finally a car that gets us!