Ahhhh I see Xeno has gotten there before me xD

A momentous day today Dave Hm? *smiles*
Happy birthday Mr. Big Baba Fonzarelli **laughs* (baba is dad in Arabic of course)

It's the big 3-0 and I can't think of anyone else I know who's about to wear it with as much grace as you. Much has happened and been accomplished over the past decade, and in my humble eyes, you did your 20's credit and more.

There is a certain charm and magic to hindsight; to stand, looking back from your new raised place in the mountain surveying the route so far. It must be cause for the deepest philosophical discussions and reflections with oneself. A pensive moment full of emotion and thought. And I'm glad that today, you do it nOt standing alone, but with a wee family by your side ^__________^

Please do post pics of your kids at some point, I'd love to see **laughs** though from the teensy profile pic, it appears they likewise have mops of black hair ~_^ you and your Bruce lee genes imposing a dictatorship on how your wee ones look :>

Many happy returns of the day Dave. You're about to embark on the fourth leg of your life journey, and I wish, pray and hope you do it full of faith, love and determination. May you be shown joy and much happiness Ameen

Peace to you, always
Asia

Happy b-day~

Yes, there is indeed life after 30. I'm in fact supposed to turn 31 in about a month or two... I'm sitting here bawling my eyes out because I just beat Twilight Princess for the first time ever. (without reading ANY spoilers, by the way) Live is so good, and just embrace every moment, as I see you have with your little youguns!! *huggles*

Yes, it's quite neat.

Why thanks :p

Are you sure?



Oh, no problem. :3

Your wife might feel frustrated now, but she'll regret that feeling once she realizes that your income will make things stable in the future.

However, to look at it on your wife's perspective of spending some time together as a family in the present might I suggest these two ideas:
1. Have a date night (either with the kids or without the kids, you decide) at least once a week (once a month if you're currently trying to stretch every dollar).
2. (Depending on how old your kids are) Have a family game night. Be it a co-op video game (like New Super Mario Bros Wii, Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures) or a classic board game.

Just try to fit in 1-2 hours a week for your family. And during those date/board game nights, try to not talk about work/studies. Focus more on yourselves and the moment you're in. Because let's face it, time is fleeting. You're working for a sturdy future, but there won't be anything if you ignore the present.

"Don't let your life turn into an homage to 'Cats in the Cradle'." - Marco Abreu

-BGS

And leave notes around.

Write love you in math.

No time like the present. :3

That's the way of it, isn't it? Only realize how good things are when they're over.

You are welcome!

Wonderful.

Ahhhh now that makes sense. She's with the kids 24/7, so I can see why she'd want some help around the house (plus an intelligent conversation can do wonders for the mind). Not only splitting the tasks of taking care of two kids in half, but also the discipline. I just hope she doesn't use the cliched "Wait 'till your father gets home!" line. Because I doubt your wife would want to be seen as the angry parent who always has to discipline them (playing the roll of the "bad guy"), and then you coming home and they are happy to see you. And if your wife tells you everything that happened and asks you to discipline them, you will undoubtedly be "softer" on them than she would considering the fact that you got the information of why they are being disciplined (or need a sturdy talking to) but you didn't experience all the nerve-wrecking arguments and tantrums throughout the day. After awhile your wife might see your job as a means of "a daily escape from the family" and soon regret that feeling.

So if it is at all possible to get home a little early (like coming in early, and then leaving early), do so.

"A happy wife is a happy life." - Gavin Rossdale

-BGS

Ah, crazy life things.

Life goes pretty fast once you marry and have kids. I'm glad things are going well for you!

How are things for you? I heard you haven't been on in a while.

Tell your woman that she can't have her cake and eat it too. She should know that you're working to make the family happy. Everything from food on the table to saving up for a college savings account.

Things will change when your child is older (going to school, and participating in after school events like sports) and that will free up your wife to work outside the house. This way the family will have two steady incomes and more time to share together when everybody is at home.

"A happy family is but an earlier heaven" - George Bernard Shaw

-BGS

No. Sell it to 4Kids. I want to see what kind of bull they can come up with to hide any "sad parts" of Homestuck.

Joking. I wouldn't wish 4Kids on any media.

Sounds good. Let me know if there's anything I can do in the meantime.

Hmm it's not bad to think about the future, as long as it is to support a stable future for said family (like if you find yourself working long nights).

-BGS