February: A Month of Celebration

Dear Chicken Nugget,

I haven't written a letter to you in over a month.  Please forgive this brief time away.

There was lots going on in February that I'll be writing about in the next few weeks:
- Your mom and I celebrated our birthday on February 8th (we have the same birthday!)
- We spent our first Valentine's Day with you
- We celebrated our 3rd Anniversary on February 18th
- I spent a week at home for Mid-Winter Recess
- We watched you roll over from your back to your belly - turns out it's harder than it looks
- I saw your first tooth and then watched it vanish
- We filed our taxes two months ahead of schedule
- You ate your first food (sweet potato)
- I officially enrolled in the Libertarian Party
- We taught you your first word in baby sign language (tickle)
- You started missing your parents

This list will probably serve as a sort of preview of the letters to come.  There was so much going on in February and I spent so much great quality time with you and your mom that writing my letters to you became something I kept putting off.  Of course, there's plenty going on in March, but I need to get going again and catch up.

I'll leave you with this, tonight as I pulled out "Ve, Perro,Ve" to read to you, you recognized it (it's one of ten books we read to you every day), smiled, and laughed in excitement as I read the title.

Looks like we have your first favorite book!


Eternally yours,

Tu papa

render unto Ceasar

Dear Chicken Nugget,

Fortunately you won't have to worry about this for about 18 years but I'm here to remind you that Tax Day is today, April 15th.  And, unless there is a complete reform of our tax system, April 15th will always be the date to submit your paperwork. 

For years, once I was living on my own, I submitted my stuff on or very close to April 15th.  That was a big mistake.  There was always a rush to find all my misplaced paperwork and get it in the mailbox on time.  Since meeting your mom, I've been a lot better at this - she's really good at reminding me.  And, since I started preparing the taxes myself, I've found ways to lessen the pain that Uncle Sam brings.

Jesus said, “Render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s” (Matthew 22:21).  The idea is to obey the law, pay your taxes, but also to do what God wants you to do.  We can talk about the other two later, chicky,  but today the lesson is to pay your taxes.  There's only heartache and unending stress if you don't.

My suggestion is that you keep all important receipts, and paperwork in a folder.  Once you've received all of them, do your taxes.  It's that simple.  If I followed this rule I should have had ours submitted back in February, but I procrastinated and completed them towards the end of March.  I was three weeks ahead of the due date, but you should try and do them earlier than that. 

I hope that by the time you have to deal with taxes there will have been a complete overhaul of our Tax Code.  But, whether there is or isn't, always pay your taxes.  And pay them early.

Rich or poor, nugget, you'll always complain about taxes.  Just do'em.


Eternally yours,

Your papa