Kitty & Kevin

Our blog has been going strong for close to 5 years now, and I thought it was a great time to recap a few of our most popular posts for our new readers (or those readers, who like me...often forget things) 
How to Approach student loans with your teenagers: http://kittyandkevin.blogspot.com/2014/03/how-to-approach-student-loans-with-your.html
A Lawyer’s Task List for New Parents: http://kittyandkevin.blogspot.com/2017/03/a-lawyers-task-list-for-new-parents.html
Deciding to Live on One Income, the Stay-At-Home Parent Decision: http://kittyandkevin.blogspot.com/2017/02/deciding-to-live-on-one-income-stay-at.html
How much SHOULD you spend on a home: http://kittyandkevin.blogspot.com/2016/05/how-much-should-you-spend-on-home.html
You are not a victim of debt: http://kittyandkevin.blogspot.com/2016/02/you-are-not-victim-of-debt.html
How to Budget for a trip: http://kittyandkevin.blogspot.com/2015/12/how-to-budget-for-trip.html
How to Make Extra Money with a Small business: http://kittyand…

Recently I was asked to lead a class at church about women and money. The individual that asked is a reader of our blog, and clearly knows that I have a passion for preaching at people teaching people. 
I began by thinking back to my posts with the most views...which would be the most appropriate to discuss in our class. Which are most universal, not directed at a particular age group or circumstance? I determined none of these posts get to the crux of the importance of managing your money.
I've left a very important person out of most of my posts, and that is God. We are called to be stewards of our money. God gives us money as a blessing, and wants us to bless others with it. 

It isn't a post about God's will and managing money for a household without a brief discussion on household roles. I'll leave my interpretation of women's roles in the home/church at my personal dwelling for this one, but I will say I don't believe God requires the man to manage the financ…

The best book I've read in the last year is this book: Preparing for Baby: All the Legal, Financial, Tax, and Insurance Information New and Expectant Parents Need
I was not asked to talk about this book, paid to review it, or anything of the like. A lawyer friend suggested I pick this up when I was researching how best to save for Lorelai's college...and I must say. Every single mom needs this book. 
That being said, I actually preferred to read it after the chaos that was my daughter's first 4 months of life. It was after that time I started thinking of things like updating a will, setting up a college savings plan, and life insurance. Had I read this while pregnant and "preparing for baby" I would have been overloaded. So much of it you can't actually do until you've had your little one...so it really just creates a list for you of things to do, that you can't actually start checking off until they've arrived (that sounds like torture to me!)  
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Dear Lorelai,
Please never grow up. I'm absolutely crazy about you. For the first time, you look just a sliver like me when you smile (my squinty eyes) but you're still completely your father's child in looks and personality. You are the most beautiful baby girl, inside and out. Some days you practically laugh and smile all day long!

I thought you would never sit up on your own, but you're doing a great job sitting now. You are really headstrong though, so although you can sit up on you own...if you want something you throw yourself at it and expect someone to catch you. 
You love Lady Grey like crazy and get more excited to see her than anything else. We are working on petting and gentle touches, and  you're doing a good job...so far. 
You've tried a few foods, but not many yet. So far your favorite is prunes!


The outdoors is your favorite, and you especially love trips to the zoo. You could sit and watch the fish all day...your dad is ready to get an aquariu…

It is amazing to think she is already 6 months old! She rocked her 6 month sessions! This little girl is so easy to photograph, we spend 10 minutes tops taking her photos and she gives us plenty of great poses for her baby book! 

Let me start by saying...no one said you have to save for your child's college. College may not be in your kid's future, you may not have the ability to provide for their college financially, or you may not want to! All of that is just fine, if you're wanting to put something away to assist your kid with college, but have absolutely no idea where to start (like we were just a few months ago) then this post is for you!
Kevin and I decided we would like to help Lorelai with college if she chooses to do that. My main concerns:
-We are still so young, and plan to have a lot of living left to do. There are a lot of unknowns and I'm afraid to lock money away we may need in the future. For example, even though we have a great start to our retirement, what if something happens that inhibits us from putting more money away for the next 30 years (loss of a job, a disability etc.) -What if Lorelai chooses not to go to college, or doesn't need the money later for other reason…

Often when there is a turning point in my life, I don't realize it until months or years down the road. For example thinking back on how Kevin and I came to start dating, taking the LSAT on a whim which lead me to law school, or my choice to change career paths...all of which I didn't realize their significance until many many months later. 
This was not one of those times. I realized immediately that this week was a huge turning point in my relationship with my daughter. 
Normally I stray from controversial topics...but when it comes to how to feed your baby, I'm jumping in on this one. Why? Because I have strong feelings on the topic. 
My feelings are....do what is best for you and your baby. 
I've already shared that nursing was not easy for us. I called my sister bawling a lot those first 2 weeks. She was absolutely amazing. She knew exactly what to say and it was "you don't have to do this." 
Being told I didn't have to made me ease up a little, …