Financially devastated!

[TBH]

Congrats, Scanner and jIM_Ohio. There must be something in the water around here. I'm almost afraid hanging out on this forum will make me get PG again.

About involved Dads:
I really, really agree that it's important not to miss your kids' early years. Okay, work, but do your best to make at least some of those little league games.

My own father worked loooong hours, and then he'd come home and exercise really hard to compensate for the stress of his job, so we barely got to see him even when he was home.

I would say take that vacation. Postpone the home improvements unless they're crucial. Don't take on a second job. And your wife may not be able to quit work completely. Maybe there's a part time job she could do that would have benefits, even if it didn't pay much, it would be worth it for the benes.