Priceless

I used to think that having children didn't require all that much money.  I mean, once you got past the initial purchases of cribs, car seats, and strollers you just had college to worry about, right? 

Riiiiggghht... 

What was I thinking?  I had no idea. 

I have four children.  Four children to feed.  Four children to clothe.  Four children that need swim lessons.  Four children to play sports.  Four children that get sick and require doctor visits. 

Doctor visits...

I was planning (hoping?) to pay down some debt pretty heavily this year.  That goal may not be attainable. 

Starting in January, I have been to the Doctor for just two of my children at least eight times.  I have also purchased four different antibiotics for those two children.  Trevan had/has molluscum contagiousum, which one got infected, treated for a staph infection...  Everett got an ear infection when he was FIVE WEEKS old!  (Children, I'm sorry you got my bad genes with your ear infections!) 

My friends, just this week I have spent over $300 at the Dermatologist, Dentist, and the Endo Dentist guy to give me a root canal!!!  And, I haven't even gotten the final bills on those things...  (For the record, root canals... it could have been worse, but compared to the pain of the infection in my tooth (teeth?) all last week and this week it was no big deal.)

With all the bills that have started coming in for Everett's birth and biliruben tests, etc. we will be meeting deductibles rather quickly this year.... and it's only March 1st! 

Last year was the year for car repairs, this year is looking like it's the year for medical expenses.  (Though, John did get a flat on his way to work last week, and ended up having to get two new tires...) 

Now that my children eat more, wear out the knees in their jeans more, wear out shoes more, waste more (of everything) - they require more money! 

I get it now.  Kids are expensive! 

Priceless.

But expensive.