Why Vote?

Today I Turn Thirty!

At this very moment, at 9:40 a.m., on October 2nd, I celebrate my 3oth birthday.

It was a Monday Morning back in 1978 when I entered this world. I don't remember that day or the events that unfolded. I am just glad that my parents allowed me to be here.

I don't feel any different today than I did yesterday. But I have grown and changed over those years.

I remember getting licks with a yard stick in Mrs. Halls Kindergarten class. I remember picking up my 2nd grade teacher (I was a strong one). I remember the leprechauns destroying our class that year as well.

I remember 1988 at the age of ten when our school was destroyed by three tornadoes. We spent the next year having school in a church. I also lost a great-grand mother that year.

It was the summer of 1990 that for the first time in 6 years that Lance Gipson and I didn't win the 3 legged race at field day.

It was in 1996 when my grandfather passed away.

I graduated high school in May 1997 and attended Boys State that summer.

I was married at the age of 22 in December 2000 to Phoebe. We moved away from family and started anew.

In 2001, I lost two great-grandparents. One was 96 and the other was 85.

Several years passed as we experienced marriage. At the age of 27, we had our first child Anna. That went well and then at the age of 28 we had another, Eli.

In my thirty years, I've been to Kansas, Virginia, Washington DC; Kansas City (3x), St Louis (5x), Branson (too many x's) and other Missouri cities; Houston (2x), Dallas (2x), San Antonio (2x), Texas; Louisville, KY; New Orleans, LA; Nashville (2x), Memphis (many x's), Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee; Springfield, Chicago, IL; San Diego, CA; Orlando, FL; and all across AR.

These are a few of my memories over the past 30 years. My memory has changed the most. I'll probably think of a few more things later. I found a few trivial tidbits on the Internet today about the year I was born. I hope you enjoy them.




Cost of Living 1978

Yearly Inflation Rate USA7.62%
Year End Close Dow Jones Industrial Average 805
Interest Rates Year End Federal Reserve 11.75%
Average Cost of new house $54,800.00
Average Income per year $17,000.00
Average Monthly Rent $260.00
Cost of a gallon of Gas 63 cents
1LB of Bacon$1.20
Dozen Eggs 48 Cents

Technology

Illinois Bell Company introduces first ever Cellular Mobile Phone System

Popular Culture 1978

Popular Films

Grease
Saturday Night Fever
Close Encounters of the Third Kind
National Lampoon's Animal House
Jaws 2
Heaven Can Wait
Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
Revenge of the Pink Panther
The Deer Hunter

Popular Musicians

Bee Gees with " Night Fever and Stayin Alive "
Paul McCartney and Wings
John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John
Rolling Stones
Commodores with " Three Times a Lady "
Boomtown Rats

Popular TV Programmes

Happy Days
Little House on the Prairie
The Rockford Files
Good Morning America
Jim'll Fix It (UK)
Saturday Night Live
Wheel of Fortune
Charlie's Angels
Quincy, M.E.
The Muppet Show
CHiPs
The Love Boat
Three's Company

My Great Great Great Grand Father ~James Madison Wood~

That Didn't Sound Right???

I thought I would share a little funny story:

Phoebe and I take turns praying each night. The other night it was her turn. She asked if I had any prayer request. I told her that I didn't have anything new, but mentioned that I hoped I could sleep better that night.

She went ahead and said her prayer. It the middle of the prayer she decided to pray for me. She was praying that I would get better rest. But technically she said,

"I pray that Mark sleeps well tonight and that he doesn't wake up..."

I was wondering what she meant by that.

After a short pause she said, "...until morning."

My Money Saving Tip

More often friends have been asking for advice on finances. Ideas on investments, ways to save while shopping, and even frugal family activities. I'm not sure why I'm the one most asked, but I love to share ideas.

I thought I would share a few ideas from time to time. Especially since I haven't really blogged in a long while.


My tip: Price Points

Price points is a term I learned in retailing, i think. I have a weird memory when it comes to numbers so this is easy for me. But I recommend writing down the items that you use the most. Maybe a top ten or more. The more you keep track of the more you save.

Once you get your list, keep track of the prices. Over several weeks prices always fluctuate in the grocery isle. Once you find the lowest price point then you stock up on the item.

I know this doesn't work with milk, eggs, or produce since they won't keep very long in the pantry. I do get joked about when the word is out that I just bought 25 cans of spaghetti sauce.

This price point method will save you hundreds in a years time.

We use this for meat (we freeze) and any dry good that can be stored.

I'll give you an example on how much you can save in a short time:

Frozen boneless chicken breast: Reg: 3lbs/6.97 PP:3lbs/4.99
Saves: $2 a bag We have 3-4 bags a time

Manwich (name brand) reg: $1 PP: .50
We bought 20 cans and saved $10

Spaghetti sauce (name brand) reg: .92 PP: .69
We bought 25 cans and saved 5.75

Canned veggies (off brand) Reg: .50 PP: .39
We by a mixture of 50 cans. Saves $5.50

These are a few examples to see what you can do. I hope this helps. I would love to hear ways that you save or you thoughts on this!

Bills, Budgets, and More

This week Phoebe and I started Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University with a small group at church . We are excited about it, but also nervous to see what all we learn about ourselves. More pressure is on us since we are the ones that worked to get the class offered and I am leading the group.

We are blessed to have what we have, but I believe that we would be even more blessed if we managed what we have better.

I read Dave's book in December. He has a tough plan if followed. We hope to do better than what we currently are.

On average, out of all couples that attend his class save $2700 and pay $5300 in debts during the 13 week class period.

I'll keep posting our progress...

OK, So Dads Make a Difference. This is News?

I thought I'd share an good post from Al Molher's Blog

The Press-Enterprise of Riverside, California is out with a big news flash -- dads matter in the lives of their children. Sandra Stokley reports on the formation of "DADS," a group dedicated to encouraging men to be more involved in the lives of their children.
The news story is nicely done, featuring the work of Robert Garcia, a father of three who is highly involved with his kids. From the story:
Garcia faces a 90-minute daily commute from Glen Avon to his job as a quality engineer in Costa Mesa. He also drives his three children to school every morning and walks them to class.
He makes it a point to be home at least three nights during the workweek to sit down to dinner with his wife and children. Family dinners on weekends are a given.
He taps into his vacation days so he can chaperone school field trips. He recently took a vacation day so he and his wife could take birthday cupcakes to his son's classroom at Pedley Elementary School.
And even on business trips, he fields calls from his children when they need help on their math and science projects.
For men willing to face the challenges that might block a healthy relationship, the rewards are enormous, Garcia said.
Robert Garcia is clearly a dad who loves his wife and children and is dedicated to being a father --not just a "male parent." His commitment to his own family is admirable and his leadership in forming the DADS group is to be appreciated.
More:
In January, Garcia took over as president of DADS -- Dedicated, Assuring, Devoted Special -- a Jurupa-area group that promotes greater involvement by fathers in their children's lives.
Garcia and DADS members say the premise of the group is simple: fatherly involvement engenders personal fulfillment and pays big dividends for society as well.
"My research shows that if fathers get involved with their kids, they (the children) score higher on tests and stay out of trouble," he said.
Since its incorporation last June, DADS has sponsored three events that organizers hope will act as a springboard to help fathers bond with their children.
"The reality is that fathers are role models for their sons and daughters," said local businessman Tim Adams, who is one of the group's founders. "And you really see a difference in the attitude of kids whose fathers are involved in their lives."
The importance of fathers to the family dynamic has been documented in numerous studies, said W. Bradford Wilcox, a professor of sociology at the University of Virginia and author of "Soft Patriarchs, New Men: How Christianity Shapes Fathers and Husbands."
"There is a real connection between fatherless households and delinquent and criminal activity on the part of adolescent males and young men," Wilcox said in a telephone interview.
Fathers provide a template for their sons on how to handle difficult situations, conflict and frustration and how to interact with women, Wilcox said.
Daughters with involved and affectionate fathers are more apt to postpone sexual activity, Wilcox said.
Children in general benefit from seeing a father and mother treat each other with affection and respect, Wilcox said.
"It's important in different ways for both boys and girls to have a father in the house who is modeling certain types of behavior," Wilcox said.
The research is clear -- fathers play a vital role in the formation of their children. The presence or absence of fathers, and the relative quality of the dads' engagement with their children, makes a huge difference in the lives of both boys and girls. Professor Bradley Wilcox's research is very revealing. Boys need to see dad as a role model for the man they should become. Girls also need dad, and it shows. Just look at the research.
The fact that The Press-Enterprise saw this as a news story worthy of coverage is very revealing in itself. We should appreciate the story. At the same time, it is sobering to reflect on the health of a society in which such a development ranks as news. Here's the scoop -- dads matter. Somebody call a press conference.

Dave Ramsey Financial Moment

If you're married, does Dave recommend having separate checking accounts?

No!

When you get married, you become one, and money is a key area that helps bring together that oneness. When you handle your money together, you are agreeing on your hopes, dreams, goals, etc. After counseling over 10,000 families at our firm, I can assure you that more marriages have been saved over this one issue than any other. Agree on how you spend your money, and you will begin to feel a oneness in your marriage that is powerful.

Taken from Dave Ramsey Online.

Fun in the Snow

We had our first snow of the year tonight. I think we got about 2 inches with 2-3 more coming. We took pictures as usual. You can see them all on our family blog.

Baby #2, Are We Getting an Eli or Emilee?

We just announced on our family blog whether we are having a boy or girl. I encourage you to go there and find out the exciting news. Also, you will see a couple ultrasound pictures and a video.

CLICK HERE!

What Makes a Happy Family?

Jim Burns, president of YouthBuilders, has given some great material to ponder in his book The 10 Building Blocks for a Happy Family (Ventura: Regal, 2003). I encourage you to take some time to reflect on your own family. I share the principles from page 11:

1. The Power of Being There. Your children regard your very presence as a sign of caring and connectedness.

2. Express Affirmation, Warmth and Encouragement.

3. Build Healthy Morals and Values.

4. Discipline with Consistency. Clearly expressed expectations and consistent follow-through produce responsible kids.

5. Ruthlessly Eliminate Stress. The unbalanced life will not be kind to the areas we neglect.

6. Communication is the Key.

7. Play is Necessary for a Close-Knit Family. There is nothing like play to bring about family togetherness and communication.

8. Love Your Spouse.

9. The Best Things in Life Are Not Things.

10. Energize Your Family’s Spiritual Growth. Your greatest calling in life is to leave a spiritual legacy for your children.

Daddy & Anna

Hey it's my blog so why can't I?

Anna Turned 6 Months

Click here to see all of her other pictures!