Planting A Garden and Chopping Wood

So it's been a while, a long while, since my last update. I wanted to take some to tell you all what we've been up to!



The Garden


It's that time of year here in the south. Time to get the seeds in the ground.  We normally will do a square foot garden, Squarefoot Garden but it's on the far side of our yard and late in the season we all lose interest and the box just fills up.  In an attempt to stay focused this year, I decided to dig rows closer tot he house and I wanted to do it the old fashioned way, no tillers, just by hand.  After doing research I discovered that the best method for us was the double digging method. See this video for more information! I measured out the rows and over two days did all the digging needed, I was so proud at how well these looked and I could not wait for the weather to warm up.  My only concern was our dog.  Sugar is notorious for digging the garden and sure enough, the next morning, my light airy soil had been stepped in and dug up and all messed up.  For a moment I caught myself chasing the dog around the back yard with my kid's diamond minecraft sword.  During the chase I was reminded of years earlier when my childhood pet dog Butterfeet chewed up the water hose and my dad chased him around the same back yard with a piece of hose.  I laughed in the kitchen window watching him and thought he looked so silly...I didn't understand his frustrations then, but I completely get it now! So on to plan B. Sugar is scared to death of Walmart bags. So I just knew this new plan was going to work.  I tied string around my bed and attached bags all the way around.  This was most definitely the redneckedess thing I've ever made.  It didn't work. That dog was back in the bed the next day trying to find China! I formulated Plan C and this was it.  60 cinderblocks later there's a great cinderblock wall and now the dog can't get in it. It worked and now my plants are green and looking healthy!!



Chopping Wood


Sooo, as we were driving home the other day we saw a felled tree chopped up into nice rounds on the side of the road.  The Mrs. makes a comment wishing we had an ax to chop up that wood into pieces for our fire pit. Challenge Accepted! This was the first time I've ever handled an ax, I've ever chopped wood, anything! There is something so relaxing and satisfying about swinging a heavy piece of metal and that crack noise the wood makes as it splits. I spent hours chopping wood and huffing and puffing and sweating, I loved it! This led me to watch all kinds of videos on YouTube about chopping wood.  I can literally sit and watch videos for hours about chopping wood, it's so hypnotic! I have learned that seasoning the wood really does matter. In my excitement I decided to burn some of my freshly split pieces and even though it burned there was a lot more smoke and it choked us out.

Love these adventures and I love the kids helping me on these projects. I still have to dig up the blackberry plants and move them. I need to build a trellis for our squash plants and beans. all kinds of fun things going on!

Until next time!

After Dark discussion with a 5 yr old

Jonah with a milk mustache

I thought all the kids were asleep last night. Melissa was conversing with a customer on a new Harry Potter inspired bracelet, I was perusing Twitter and discussing Christmas trees.  Jonah, my youngest, snuck up behind me and very sheepishly told me he was hungry.  Well I have to fix that! So I decide that it's time for a father and son PB & J.  My dad taught me a special way of making PB & J's so when it's time for a father and son one, I always make it the same way.  I'm passing this treat on to my kids and I'll share it with you as well.

First, get your PB and put a spoon and a half per sandwich into a bowl. Next, add in a spoon per sandwich of your favorite jelly.  Here's the secret, add in a teaspoon of honey and mix the concoction together as fast as you can for a few seconds.  The whipping action will cause the peanut butter to fluff up and spread easily on the bread. Lather generously and enjoy an amazing sandwich!!


Now back to the point of the post.  So as Jonah and I began to enjoy our sandwiches, the first words out of his mouth are, "Dad...did you know that grizzly bears eat milk to?!" Wow...out of all the things he could say he decided it would be about grizzly bears.  I asked him where he learned that amazing fact at and he explained to me that he had been watching the Old Wild Krats, which my generation will know as Zaboomafu with the Krat Brothers. This kid is like a sponge, he soaks up all kinds of different facts and it never ceases to amaze me when he can pull a fact out when we're talking about someone or something.  And that leads me to my point.


Kids are amazing. Kids are absolutely 100% incredibly amazing! Even when I don't think he's paying attention to me or what Melissa and I are talking about, he is, he cares, and he wants to be a part of it. As Dads, what are we doing to include our kids in life. What are we doing to make sure they feel they are a part of the family.  Those 15 minutes I spent with him were just so special last night, moments like that I will cherish for life.  I need to make a it a point to spend time like that with my wife and all three of my kids.  It's so important that as a Dad we take time out of our day to touch base with our family, individually, to make sure we understand what's going on in their lives.  I know I can get so involved with "life" that I'll miss out on those special moments.

So what do we, as dads, do to make this a priority? Do you have any special tips? I'd love for you to leave me some comments and let me know how you tune the world out and make that special times for your family.

1st Post ---- Can't Believe I'm Doing This!

SO....I'm doing it!

I'm not much one for writing. I really don't feel that my thoughts and expressions come across in a clear manner, however, I love being a father and that's why I'm doing this!

First off, here's my story.

My name is Jacob. I live in small town, MS. I'm 30 as of this post. Christ follower, husband, father. I've been married to Melissa for 10 very eventful years.  During this time, God has blessed me with 3 awesome kids, ages 10, 8, 5. I work for a regional bank during the day and at night I help my wife with her jewelry business... www.allforhimjewelry.com ....check it out! She's amazing at creating one of a kind pieces and she loves creating fan jewelry too.  Good stuff for the Harry Potter, Dr. Who, and Sherlock fans in your life!

Growing up, I had a great example of what it means to be a father. My biological father ran off before I was born. My dad adopted me when I was about 10, he's been the only dad I've ever known.  I met my wife during my sophomore year of college and we quickly hit it off.  I'm not ashamed to say it wasn't long before we were expecting our first child. I will always remember the day I found out Melissa was pregnant and how I felt. Words cannot express the joy and excitement but also the fear that came along with knowing I would be helping to raise a human being.

It was at this point I realized my dad was a great example but I didn't have a clue what I was suppose to do. I honestly had never changed diapers, never been around babies, didn't know how to take care of them..I was worried sick. Nine months later, Hannah was born and my dad senses kicked in. Lots to learn but we figured it out together.

Fast forward 2 more kids and 9 years later. I now volunteer at my local church where I help teach a crazy fun group of 4th, 5th, and 6th graders. NEVER would I have imagined my love for kids before getting married and the birth of our baby girl.

And that's why I'm doing this. I've had some fun experiences with my kids. I've had some scary experiences with my kids. I've had some sad experiences, but God has carried my family through every single one and he continues to bless us.  I pray that through this blog I can share what He's done for us and how He teaches me to be a better husband and father.

I want to be a dad blogger, I want to have that title, I would love to go to Dad Blogging conferences and connect with Dad Bloggers around the world. I want to share what I learn from other dads and how to apply these things to your own lives.

Follow me on twitter @Daddysdo and let's continue the conversation.  

Comment and let me know what it means to you to be a dad