"experience is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted." -randy pausch

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

we deserve.

tonight i made enchiladas.
the kids ate halloween candy on the floor while i cooked.
sean came home.
we doted on him.
missed him all day.
ate dinner.
cleaned up dinner,
bathed kids,
and then i went swimming.
while swimming, i thought about deserving.
my generation is known for entitlement.
i am told we think we deserve this and that.
without any work.
i've been surrounded by giving people.
so much so that it has made me want to give to others in return.
a beautiful gift i've been given.
so when i think about deserving,
i think about all of the things that i would love to have.
the things that i dream about having.
doing.
and then i think about our student loans.
i deserve to not have student loans!
this is what my mind says to itself.
and then, i say...
i want to pay off our student loans more than i want a monthly pedicure.
i want to pay off our student loans more than i want a new pair of UGGS.
even though the geese at wheeler farm stepped all over them,
and there is still a puke stain on the right one from brennan throwing up on me in costco a few weeks ago.
i want to pay off our student loans more than i want a tropical vacation.
i want to pay off our student loans more than i want new clothes.
i want to pay off our student loans more than i want sushi every week.
i want to pay off our student loans more than i want new furniture.
i want to pay off our student loans more than i want to finish our basement.
i want to pay off our student loans more than i want a hot tub.
i want to pay off our student loans more than i want a new car.
i want to pay off our student loans more than i want a 60" flat screen.
i want to pay off our student loans more than i want to go to italy.
i want to pay off our student loans more than i want to look and act like we are 20 year old millionaires.
i think some would say, you DESERVE new shoes.
you DESERVE sushi every week.
but i say,
we DESERVE to be debt free.
that's what we deserve.
but are not entitled to.
we deserve to work hard,
and be debt free.
and it's going to feel so good.
... 
oh, and max found her nose hole.
there's nothing i really need when i have everything in my family.
true.
true.
so very true.

9 comments:

Amy said...

As Halloween candy goes, today was a good day to indulge.
You are so amazing with putting off wants in order to fulfill needs. The world needs more people like you.
Max is so freakin adorable. Love that photo!

Wendy Williams said...

Just make sure she didn't stick any of that macaroni up that new hole she found! The loans will be paid off soon and it will feel so good to set that money aside for your trip to Italy!

Katie said...

I have had very similar conversations with myself lately. For us it is paying off our mortgage early. I deserve to be debt free...that is is more important to me than having a pretty bedroom or going on our dream vacation. We are definitely surrounded by messages that car payments, student loans that take years and years to pay off, 30 year mortgages, etc. are just the norm, but I want those things out of my life as soon as possible!

Jennifer Lucita said...

I hear you and I love how you broke it down and weighed out what you are willing to give up to be debt free. I had to do the same thing recently and it makes me feel good to know THIS IS THE YEAR we will get it all paid off. Perhaps just in time to acquire a mortgage that we'll be paying on for the next 30 years of our life. Lol.

Susan Anderson said...

I wish every young person "got it" like you do.

And you are going to reap the benefits down the road. Big time.

=)

Macey said...

If only the govt could get this down...

Bitter Family said...

Your kids are so cute! I just love reading your posts!

hawkeyejlp said...

LOVE this post.

Emmy said...

Good good for you. You are right in today's society it is so easy to think, want want want. You are doing it right!

And that last picture is awesome!!