Hello everyone, I am finally back. Posting that is, I haven't actually gone anywhere since my last post. Some of you might ask, "Are you just lazy, or have you done something that has occupied your time?". And the answer would be, I've been working. Not very glamorous or exciting, but as my wife likes to remind me I am an honest man. I work the hours I work (upwards of near 60 per week) so that my wife can stay home and raise and nuture our son instead of her working and we pay some stranger at a daycare who may or may not care about our son to do it. Knee jerk reaction when people find out my wife is a stay at home mom is "Oh, so you make a lot of money". I usually ask them to quantify their definition of "a lot of money". I am paid well for my job, you will never hear me complain to anyone about my salary. But even more important that that, my wife and I live within our means.

We spend less than we make. We do not apply for and pay with credit cards (learned this lesson the hard way, but I did learn it). I drive a 14 year old car (no car payment). My wife's car will be paid off in another year. Our mortgage payment is less than some peoples' apartment rent. Small house equals small mortgage people, and I don't care who doesn't like our "private refuge" from everyday life. It is our slice of the planet, and for our purposes it suits my family's needs. Clothes, yeah I have been known to nurse a pair of pants or shoes well past prime during the last two years, hell so has my wife. Shirts are supplied by companies I do business with, so that's covered. Food? I willingly ate can tuna for a year or more as you can't beat a meal for $1. What does all this add up to? Simple really. I am not looking for recognition, praise, or nomination for Dad of the year. Hell, you want to be impressed, ask me about the sacrifices my wife has made. Mom of the century material...

All this was examples of a point- if children are our future, adults need to prove that by living in some other fashion that does not jeopardize their children's future. Children do learn from adults, and piss poor spending habits will come back to haunt you and your offspring. Debt is not a neccessary part of life (those being food, water, shelter and air). Credit Card companies are finding more and more ways to sell their "product" to a younger and younger demographic. College and University logo'd Visa and Mastercard? Aren't you supposed to be studying, and not running up your dept while getting educated? Chase Manhattan offers a Disney themepark credit card (who is the eventual target there?). Debt consolidation and negotiation agencies are popping up like the black plague every time you turn around, all because people feel they need to live life to it's fullest today, and totally screw over tomorrow. Not me and mine, I am tired of that.

How do I know if our way is the right way? Well, let's tally it all up:

• My son walked by the time he was 10 months old. started running actually
• My son talks better than most 4 year olds, including knowing when to say "yes sir/ma'am", "no sir/ma'am", "thank you", and "bless you" if you happen to sneeze
• My son (he's two by the way) is potty training, and it's his own decision
• My son can eat with a fork and spoon and not destroy a kitchen
• My son can dress himself

Did I do all this? Dude, read my post, I work 60 hours a week. My wife did most of this. How you might ask?

Because we live within our means. This allows for my wife and I to focus on what is truly important- our son. He is the center of our existence, and he is worth everything we have done. My wife and I don't view sacrifice for our son to really be a sacrifice. If you have children, neither should you, and shame on you if you do.

Well, I am back at work after a four day weekend for the holiday. I find that I have a harder time getting my mind re-focused on business after extended time off, almost like after decompressing from work stress I sub-consciously have no desire to put myself through it again in any kind of hurry. My son does not make it any easier, as he is generally more fun to be around than anything else I could think of.

During the last four days, for my son I have done the following:

• watched "Finding Nemo" at least 5 times
• let him eat some of my food at least 15 times (yes I eat a lot)
• played Thomas the Train at least 4 times in 2 days
• held him for naps totaling 7 hours (I only slept maybe 2 of those hours, on my honor). Even after 2 years, he lets me hold him for naps, one of the best parts of being a daddy in my opinion.
• scared away the Boogie Man or anything else that might disturb his sleep at least 5 times in one night (Sunday night was rough for him)
• helped him learn to go to the potty every 20-30 minutes while he was awake (pooping included)
• tried not to smile 100 times as he exerted his will upon myself and his mommy
• allowed him to run somewhat wild at my grandparents rehab center, to the delight of all residents (and no broken bones were reported by anyone)
• allowed him to eat his weight in Mater (from "Cars the Movie) cake in honor of his two years making everyone around him smile (see pic, his aunt my sister-in-law makes these, and for a nominal fee she too can hook you up- http://www.sugarplumcakes.com/)
• stole sugar and hugs from him all the while he was wiggling and squealing in mock indignation. some tickling was involved as well...
• cut grass while he supervised and occasionally brought me water. normally he helps (which involves me carrying him and pushing a mower) but his mommy intervened on my behalf....
• fed him high protein cookies and protein powders as treats. I am reconsidering this, as his ability to move wheel chairs while the brakes are locked is somewhat unsettling....

All in all, a very enjoyable weekend for me (and my wife I hope. We have an arrangement, the details are confidential but basically I distract the Little Man while she rests from entertaining him while I work 50-60 hour weeks...). I am a weekend warrior daddy, and I have the battle scars to prove it.