If I could only describe being a parent as one thing, I would call it bittersweet.

I saw a comic strip the other day with a child asking his dad what was the best part of being a parent. The dad replied:

Watching you grow up.

Then they asked what was the hardest part of being a parent. The dad responded again:

Watching you grow up.

Parenting is exactly like that.

It’s beautiful and makes my heart ache at the same time.

I love you.

-Dad

Jay Z apparently once said:

You can’t afford something unless you can buy it twice.

I just love how much advice there is in that small idea, for it puts you living below where you are technically capable.

If it’s a reach for you to barely finance a $400,000 home – you should probably be in a $200,000 home.

When the limit of your budget is a $50,000 car – it’s much safer to be in a $25,000 car.

And when you can afford to spend $800 per month eating out – spend $400 per month instead.

Living on less than you earn is after-all the first step to financial freedom.

I love you.

-Dad

The time between Christmas and New Year’s Day feels like a semiconscious state of unknowing.

I mean, few are at work, and even fewer are really working.

See, I went to work today but only about 20% of our staff was there. And the phone didn’t ring once.

On the positive side, I did get some writing done. But mom had to run into her office at 11, so I ended up taking about a four hour lunch coming home and staying with y’all..

By the time I got back to work around 3:30 – they had just sent everyone home for the day.

Fine by me.

But why is anyone open to begin with?

We had such a lazy day and ate at Aspen Creek for dinner.

I love you.

-Dad