All I want is the opportunity to fail.

Or succeed.  Preferably succeed.

I would like to add a little preface to this.  I wrote this after hearing about the Supreme Court ruling on healthcare changes.  I was (still am) a little upset about the ruling because I know the effect that has already had on my family and it will probably get worse.  Our premiums and deductibles have gone up ridiculously since the law passed and I don't see the Supreme Court okaying most of it helping that situation at all.  I imagine that we will continue to see our costs go up and our coverage go down.  Who knows where it will stop.  I hope that I do not offend anyone.  I don't usually judge individuals for the choices they make (at least I try not to but I am just human) because I do not know all of the facts.  The two most important factors that I do not have are what level of effort is your best and what you have been prompted to do by Higher Powers.  My business as to why you made major life choices are the same as to why we only have one child who is almost three.  That would be none. 

That being said, please don't be offended.  I do not assume you have no self respect because you take government aide. 

And here we go.  This is what commented on an article related to the healthcare ruling. 

I feel like I am swimming upstream.  My family is in that unfortunate spot where it would benefit our lifestyles for me to quit my jobs (yes plural and both decent paying), stay home with my child, my husband not work his extra job, stop paying for insurance, and just sign up for every government program available.  We would qualify!  We would be able to spend more time together as a family, have more kids, and get out of debt faster.  BUT, it is NOT going to happen as long as we can help it because we have more self-respect than that.  What is wrong with this country?  Why do we encourage dependence and discourage hard work? 

I am in my late 20's.  My husband and I are working SO HARD to be self-sufficient.  I think that living with a modest amount of debt (a reasonably sized mortgage and maybe a car payment) without requiring support from the government should be a realistic goal.  It seems to be getting harder though and I find it most depressing.  On top of the price of EVERYTHING going up every time you turn around, it feels like the some (probably well intentioned) people are making it more difficult all in the name of protecting my future.  PLEASE STOP PROTECTING MY FUTURE!!!!  All I want is the chance to succeed by my own hard work and choices.  I know that comes with risks, but I take more pride in a hard earned failure than in a "success" that is handed to me. 

Please!  If I choose not to have insurance, then that is my choice.  If I get sick in the process, then I should suffer the consequences of either massive amounts of debt or a lack of health care.  (We do have insurance and pay dearly for it because we think it is important for us.)  If I choose not to save for my retirement, make poor decisions in how I choose to save/invest, or even just have plain old rotten luck, I keep working until I can afford to quit or am otherwise forced to.  Society needs to be compassionate.  We cannot forget those among us that are suffering despite all efforts, but we also need to be conscious of that line where, once crossed, we go from being caring to enslaving ourselves in hopes of happiness and security.  Look at history.  I do not recall a single society that was enslaved (literally or by a form of taxation) and happy with their overall situation. 

Having Fun With Henry

Nathan was gone half the week, so Henry and I decided we should have some fun.  It was super smoky outside so we mostly stayed inside. 

Wednesday we went and did some window shopping our friend "Shell".  No pictures, but it was fun!  After window shopping and supper we went to Home Depot to drive the "beep beep buggies".  You know the buggies (aka carts) that look like trucks and have steering wheels and all?  He LOVES those things!  I've learned to save that errand for last, that way all the subsequent stores aren't disappointing and I can use Home Depot as Henry's incentive to be good.  "If you don't listen, we can't go drive the beep beep buggies!"  This works like a charm!

Thursday was supposed to be our play outside day, but it was raining ash so we opted to stay indoors.  More, my lungs hurt when we went outside so I made Henry stay inside too.  It was okay though.  We made brownies instead.  Yum!  Henry had fun helping.  He especially enjoyed tasting the batter at every step, licking the spatula, and cleaning up.  He is a good helper!!!

 

 

Friday he helped me work a little.  We picked up some keys for Emily and checked on the new house.  He was rather disappointed when Emily, E-O, and Rubye weren't there.  They will be next week though!  Hooray!  I think Henry is extra excited about this.  He keeps talking about all things baby related and how he wants to hold Rubye, hug Rubye, swing Rubye, and everything else he can think of that babies need. 

This was not taken this weekend, but here is Henry in the tree of their new front yard.  He climbed up there again yesterday.  It is a good tree climbing tree.  Especially considering the ladder that's attached to it.  That makes it extra perfect!