RU Better Off?

Let's see... Eight years ago, Meggar was 8yo and had just received her first American Girl doll. She was not yet a TV cooking star or volleyball nut. Dorito was 5yo and hadn't discovered Scouting adventures. The twins were 2yo and still learning to walk/talk - much less skate like hockey pros. We just finished paying off our college loans and all credit card debt. In the past 8 years, we have purchased health insurance premiums, new vehicles, and vacations. We added to our children's college funds and to their education. But back then we didn't have Target, HyVee, or symphony tickets. We tithed and did community service, but we didn't have cable TV or iPods or email. Yes, we are blessed and better off now. Some of that is due to a healthy economy and personal responsibility. Some of it is the grace of God. But nobody wants to go back to the way it was before 2000 - in this town or this state. We are better off now, and we should admit it.