As I review what I wrote below, I am hesitant to post it.  Part of me feels it is rude to brag about stuff like this.  But that is not my intent.  I do not want to rub this in and I hope it is not taken the wrong way.  But I want to celebrate what I have, be able to look back on today and put everything in perspective.  And to remind myself of my wonderful life.

I realized today that I love Christmas more as an adult.  I love being Santa.  I love buying gifts for all of my family.  I love having everyone over to my house.  But I have to admit, the main reason Christmas is so good for me is very materialistic.   And I am going to put modesty aside.  I am going to appreciate what I have.  I am going to brag about what I have.  And what I have is money.  Yes, money does bring me happiness.  It brings my family happiness.  I am able to buy all of my family nice gifts.  I can buy them nice gifts and not have to worry.  In my defense, I don't want you to think I am frivolous.  The reason we have money is because of my penny pinching husband.  He keeps us on budget, motivates me to control my spending, and gives us a vision for our future.   We live in a modest neighborhood, buy EVERYTHING we can on sale, and drive VERY modest cars.  And this makes us rich.  We will have money for our daughters education and our retirement.  And we have money for Christmas. 

Our finances is my husbands main obsession.  He accounts for EVERY penny.  He even calls if a credit card company charges us $0.43 interest when they shouldn't.  So I could understand why he would be upset about having to make a claim on our insurance when we have a very high deductible.  Then I spent a little to much on plane tickets to get us to the Rose Bowl.  But it was to late to get a refund.  Part of me was very puzzled about his concern for spending to much.  But everything fit together today when I opened my gift from him. 

He bought me a Digital Rebel!   YES!!!!!  ONE HELLUVAKICKASSCAMERA!!!!!   I almost started crying.  Not just because I have wanted one of these cameras for a VERY LONG TIME!  But my husband bought me one!  My husband who never spends money unless he has to.  The man I have to buy socks and underwear for after I notice they have holes.   This camera is now a symbol of his love for me!  Screw the diamond jewelry! _{(at least for a few years)}  The fact that my husband spent more than $600 on me is amazing.  I will be amazed by this for years!   Did I mention how amazed I am? 

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So as I ponder this Christmas day, I realize I am rich!!!!  And I like being rich!!!  And yes, I am rich because I have a family that loves me.  But I am also rich because we have money!!!!  And I appreciate it all.  I am so lucky!!! 
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Category: Family Point in Time