And so today, I am swallowing hard, and contemplating the long financial road ahead, as I think of the thousands...and thousands of dollars to pay for at least the next three children to come. Earlier this year, I learned a hard lesson as I put off taking Matthew to the doctor, and ended up paying for most of his tubes and adnoids out; when, if I would have done it one month prior, I could have saved myself his $2000 deductible. (Kicking myself!) These kids, whom I love dearly, are not cheap.
I am thinking of the cost of trying to raise up family, and feeling great thanks for the sacrifices of my parents, who had eight children. We were not rich (with money) and my parents gave up so much to raise us. Early on, the clothes were homemade. I even had a pair of designer jeans, that Mom sewed fancy pocket stitching on, and sewed tags on the back, so they wouldn't look homemade. Resaraunts and cold cereal were a rarity. We didn't get a microwave until I was in High School. My Dad didn't own a pickup for years, and so the old family van or station wagon would go up in the hills, and carry home the hunt, or even serve as the occasional trailer for hauling livestock. They paid for dance, piano, dance tour...I did what little I could to contribute, working for my Dad. I didn't feel like we were lacking then, but, know now how much they did without to give us what we needed. Thanks Mom and Dad! (At least I didn't need braces! :)
