Reason #1 - why children are expensive.....

So tonight we did it. That's right, we paid for a babysitter. Yes, I know many of you are saying, "it's about time - the babies are already 9 months old," but I am a wimp. Who exactly am I going to leave my children with? Well the answer comes in a familiar form: twin girls. There are the cutest teenage twin girls in our ward whom I have been meaning to call, but haven't had the nerve. But, tonight I did it. I got a call from some friends of ours (Josh and Natalie - thanks we had a fun time) who wanted us to go out to eat with them tonight - and I really wanted to go, but it is so much energy carrying two babies in, locating two high chairs, trying to keep them happy, trying to feed them, all while attempting to eat and carry on an adult conversation. Just doesn't happen. So I set up this operation, and low and behold - it was not too bad! I only questioned Jeremy about 15 times, "What time is it?" He finally began responding to my paranoia with a roll of the eyes and a ever familiar "Deal with it face." (If you haven't seen it before - you should ask him to show it to you.)

But alas, all was well. We saw a film, Juno, that I am liking the more and more I think about the deep underlying story it told with natural simplicity. I would recommend it. I mean I am no Roger and Ebert or anything, but it definitely deserves two thumbs up.With that said, let's cut to the chase.... kids are expensive. We did not do anything too extravagant, just Wingers and a movie. Normally would have cost us under $50 bucks. Right? That's cool. And one would think that by leaving your children and not having to buy them anything, that it would not cost anything extra. Oh, how Jeremy and I have a lot of things to learn. Somehow, these two little poopers made that tab double after we paid for food for the babysitters, their wages, and then our food and movie. Oh yeah, that brings out another topic for discussion, how much do you pay for babysitters? What if you have two of them and two kids?

Anyways, I did not write this blog to complain, but simply to educate those who wish to have children on the expenses that might occur once they are brought into this world. But this is not a complaint even though in China "I hear they give away babies like free iPods. You know, they pretty much just put them in those t-shirt guns and shoot them out at sporting events" (Quote from the movie). To my little old American self, I recognize and appreciate the blessings my children are - albeit even if they are expensive ones.