As a little girl I never saw much of my dad doing handy work. Maybe when I was really young, he would do some simple things around the home. For the most part though we always hired someone to do the projects for our family. Thats just the way it was, I never thought much about it. {No this is not me saying anything is wrong with that!}. When I married J I knew he wasn’t particularly handy, but I knew he was smart and ambitious. He had never had a real reason to be handy, other than a few trips to Mexico for home building with Young Life.
When we bought our first home we really wanted to be able to change it a lot, but for sure couldn’t afford 1/10 of what we wanted done. Thats when HGTV, DIY network, etc. came in to play. Oh, and Youtube. Those were not only sources of inspiration, but also the ways that we literally learned how to do 80% of our stuff. So thankful for technology! It’s where we learned how to tackle most of the jobs we were completely uneducated about, we even learned some hacks, tips and advice from all over the internet. Such as looking into websites that could offer us alternative solutions, like learning about Platforms and Ladders as safer ways to reach heights instead of me and J using an old ladder that could have caused an injury or two if we carried on using it, I’m sure!
Now you all know how life is now. We are in constant construction mode over here, and I love it {most days!}. Although I might not always be thrilled by the presence of mix on site concrete pilled up on the driveway, I love that the man I married turned in to something I hadn’t even dreamed could be. A handy, talented, and skilled worker. AND one of the most amazing parts of it is being able to raise a child in this environment. Braylen is growing up {yes, I know he won’t remember much of these first years} in a home where hard work is done. Blood, sweat, and tears make up the house. Each detail was not only thought of by his parents, but mostly tackled hands on by them. I know we are fortunate in that respect, because we have the skills to be able to do almost all of the work in our remodel ourselves. (Note: You might want to consider a dumpster rental service if you’re going all in with your project!) A lot of people aren’t able to do all of the work themselves, whether because they lack the skills or the time to donate to it, and will have to find a remodeling contractor to come and carry out the work for them. I recommend those people search for home remodeling contractors near me to find an appropriate contractor. We are teaching Braylen to dream up something, and then make it come to life. To be willing to work hard to get what you want. To not let something seem out of reach, but to just try harder.
I love my dad with my whole heart, but I am so glad that my son is being raised by a dad that is handy. A daddy that takes him out to his work shop, that is already teaching him little tricks DIY style now!
I keep saying that there is literally no point in buying Bray toys anymore. His favorite toys are Jeremy’s tools. Specifically: triangles, screw drivers, rolls of tape, and levels. His favorite room in the house? The guest room tool room. I have to make sure that door stays shut, otherwise thats where I find him every time!
He loves ‘helping’ as well. Sometimes in ways that don’t actually help at all, but sometimes in awesome ways- like handing us something while we are on a step stool or whatever. Loves being with us while we are working on a project:) And since toy tools simply don’t cut it in his mind, we have started looking for mini versions of the real thing, hence the little tape measure clipped on to his pants. He freaking loves it:)
All in all, I am so glad that Bray has the home he does to grow up in. To see hard work inside and outside the home. I just hope he remembers little tid-bits of this house and all the work going on currently. Although, I am sure that our remodeling won’t be stopping at any point, whether it be with this home or another.
Do you have something like this in your home? A home that has every meal home cooked? A home that does arts and crafts constantly? Whatever your ‘thing’ may be, I am glad for your kids- that they have loving parents! Happy Friday.
PS- anytime you notice that we haven’t posted a real project post recently, well that means we are neck deep in a project! We are so close to having the whole mantle and built ins area finished!!!
My son was exactly the same way! My father-in-law started giving him real tools every Christmas with the plan that by the time he’s ready to move out, he’ll already have a garage full. He’s only 9 and has taught me how to use some of them. ha! Looking forward to seeing your mantle!
My parents weren’t particularly handy either but I was born that way. I remember even installing some vertical blinds for my mom when I was like 10 years old (I think that was the first time I used a drill.) Now my kids are growing up with a DIY mom and I love that they have the attitude that yes, they CAN do things on their own. I think you’ve inspired a post!
Oh my word, that little tape measure is KILLING me. Adorable. Henry is exactly the same way and I love how you put this into words. It’s such a blessing to have a husband who’s handy for so many reasons. But having a handy dad is just a joy to watch. The father-son relationship is so precious anyhow. Henry loves watching Ryan work and is obsessed with being out at the barn when Ryan’s working. He loves “helping” and climbing the ladder. (Scary.)