tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29378554598248810412024-03-20T07:09:13.053-05:00Dads Mageea husband and fatherJ Mageehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03576106102266311798noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2937855459824881041.post-8133499080080451412016-04-24T16:00:00.003-05:002016-04-28T15:58:02.563-05:00Should we prepare our kids for the future of tech?<head>
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There’s no denying that computer science and technology as a whole have become a very interesting and truly important topic nowadays. Websites, mobile apps and gadgets are an integral part of our lives and our kids interact with them on a daily basis. But is it a good idea to prepare our kids for actually getting a job in this sector?<br />
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The short answer here is, obviously, yes! You should definitely encourage your child to enter a computer science program because tech is crucial in the business world right now and there are millions of jobs in this sector in the US alone. Simply put, tech is the future of our children and the best thing we can do is to enroll them in computer science classes in order to see if they are interested in the topic at first. Only when you see that your child develops any interest for this topic should you guide them towards dedicated classes, don’t over encumber your child with something that they might not like in the first place.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipmOnC2pdA1417PmCTt30zZfZ5Ksikdo9UKmWDKMhYxToyTQ2LAZYGtSHvy1BbrJVw5GfN5Pev8-63-Y-Gfdr5nsdg7WYzODQpnQzOli8NdFiW2JNibjy1JzC5924Ia8iYc1ngRis69y4/s1600/monitor-1307227_640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipmOnC2pdA1417PmCTt30zZfZ5Ksikdo9UKmWDKMhYxToyTQ2LAZYGtSHvy1BbrJVw5GfN5Pev8-63-Y-Gfdr5nsdg7WYzODQpnQzOli8NdFiW2JNibjy1JzC5924Ia8iYc1ngRis69y4/s320/monitor-1307227_640.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />How can you prepare your child for a tech-savvy future?</h2>
There are many methods you can use and it all comes down to you, to be honest. You can either focus on things like enrolling the child in dedicated computer science classes or you can encourage him/her to study at home. There are many online resources to be used by kids, ranging from applications to websites and so on.<br />
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And since President Obama himself has launched a Computer Science for All initiative, it’s clear that the opportunities your child will have towards having a tech-savvy future will increase very soon! Since this program is focused specifically on delivering more attention on computer science in schools, we can expect kids to develop more interest in the topic and pursue this type of studies even further.<br />
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Computer science can lead to great jobs and a stellar future for any child, provided that they pursue that dream. It’s all about encouraging your child and not forcing them. If they like this, then there are many opportunities both in the business or entrepreneurial world. In fact, most of the jobs nowadays tend to require computer skills so knowing how to use a computer will definitely be an essential skill to have in the next 10-20 years, that’s a given.<br />
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You should definitely prepare your kids to use and harness the power of tech. There are many benefits that come from teaching your child how to use tech, so do such a thing and help them understand how important this skill is for their future. At the end of the day, our society uses the internet for a variety of purposes so it all comes down to acquiring a computer science skill and harnessing it, because your child can definitely have a great life in the future thanks to having this skill alone.<br />
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So don’t hesitate and try to encourage your child to pursue this industry. Aside from being a distraction, tech can be a great skill to have so you should encourage your child towards this direction. It’s a fun skill to acquire, lots of stuff can be done with it and the sky is the limit. Tech does shape our future, so let your child be a part of that!J Mageehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03576106102266311798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2937855459824881041.post-22700211901564438162016-04-15T00:38:00.004-05:002016-04-28T15:57:36.653-05:00Why We Let Our Daughter Watch Dateline<head>
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My wife and 7 year old daughter love to watch Dateline. You might be asking yourself how a 7 year old gets hooked on Dateline. Well, it’s similar to how a child starts watching football with their father; sometimes children just gravitate to what their parents enjoy watching. And that’s exactly what happened with our daughter. At first we discouraged it since our first thought was a 7 year old doesn’t need to watch Dateline. One relaxing evening at home when the kids were playing we found that our oldest daughter kept coming in to try and listen to the show. She was hooked.<br />
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When I decided to write this post I held a mini interview with my daughter and asked her why she loves to watch Dateline. She said “I like mysteries and trying to figure out who did it.” A few years ago she was absolutely in love with Scooby Doo, so that response made perfect sense! </blockquote>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGYNjS9d88Mtyn0mG3urn7Moci6KjenfjJ7kTXygMoKddYnP3VdUgyOkAn58DWYZDvxpRRP77UuACKmuiOGcH9pmqlLGdN9DfUJfP-uMs4Eb9QcG5CISM06ocHS9b1R3JGepYmaaGXt9Q/s1600/Dateline+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGYNjS9d88Mtyn0mG3urn7Moci6KjenfjJ7kTXygMoKddYnP3VdUgyOkAn58DWYZDvxpRRP77UuACKmuiOGcH9pmqlLGdN9DfUJfP-uMs4Eb9QcG5CISM06ocHS9b1R3JGepYmaaGXt9Q/s200/Dateline+2.jpg" width="200" /></a>Your opinion might be that Dateline is too inappropriate for a 7 year old and in some cases it might be. We don't let her watch an episode if it starts to gets too graphic, but I’d like to share our reasoning for letting her watch most of the time.<br />
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Recognizing suspicious behaviors</h3>
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Watching Dateline helps our daughter learn that not everyone in this world is a good person. That’s one of the main things we wanted her to learn. In the interview I held with her I wanted to see what she would say about Dateline being educational.</div>
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After telling me a story about a man who killed his wife and set the house on fire to cover his tracks, she told me, “It helps me learn that some people in life are not nice.” </blockquote>
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That’s pretty deep for a 7 year old, right? Children are so innocent and have to learn that some people are bad. Depending on your child’s age and development level they should learn this fact as soon as possible. Kidnapping is a great example to put this into perspective. One time we watched a hidden camera show with both of our daughters where parents watched actors as “strangers” lure their children away from a playground. They offered candy or playing with puppies "just around the corner". Before the experiment each parent was absolutely certain that their children would not go with the "stranger". They were all wrong. Each parent went thru a shocking revelation and knew they had to make their child more aware of the dangerous things that can happen to them.<br />
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My wife and I are definitely overprotective of our children because it’s better to be safe than sorry. But we are not afraid to talk to our children about kidnapping and other criminal acts. If you fear those conversations with your children, then you are making a mistake. Watching Dateline makes our daughter aware of suspicious behaviors. It's important to talk to her about what happens in each episode too, and that brings me to my next point.</div>
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Close Relationships</h3>
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My wife and oldest daughter are cut from the same cloth. They both have kind hearts and worry about others more than themselves. They are bonded together by so many things and Dateline is one of them. It’s something they both look forward to and enjoy talking about it. Having open communication about what happens on Dateline is a learning opportunity for our daughter. We have developed close relationships with all of our children and they will be more open with us through out their childhood and even into adulthood. We instill an open relationship and always tell our kids they can talk to us about anything. Or if it’s a matter of telling the truth, we ask them to tell the truth the first time and then they won’t get in trouble. And we follow thru on that promise. We do not break promises in our family and we remind them of that consistently. The close relationships that we are developing will only grow exponentially. It’s a proven fact that close parent-child relationships can prevent dangerous behaviors. When our daughters grow up and become more independent we're confident that they will not put themselves into risky situations. We want them to learn at a young age how to avoid bad situations and that it is okay to talk to us if something bad happens to them or someone they know.<br />
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As parents we have to protect our children. If you ask our daughters what Mom and Dad’s #1 job is they will answer in chorus “To keep me safe!!” Our #1 job is to keep them safe; they are our responsibility. Sometimes keeping them safe means holding their hand while crossing a busy parking lot or an extra cuddle at night to ward off the boogeyman, but sometimes it means a Friday night episode of Dateline. The future will bring unknown instances where will have to keep our children safe, and it will always be our #1 job. <br />
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Now it's your turn! Do you agree that Dateline can be appropriate for children? Please comment below.</h2>
</div>J Mageehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03576106102266311798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2937855459824881041.post-7521117287618365632016-03-24T11:26:00.000-05:002016-04-28T15:57:02.361-05:00(Video) Arbuckle Wilderness<head>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">None shall pass (without feedng us)!!</td></tr>
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A modern day Jurassic Park in Davis, OK! Animals swarming your vehicles. Grown men screaming (me). Tons of laughter and fun with the kiddos. If you're looking for an up-close encounter/feeding frenzy with Camels, Donkeys, Ostriches, Emus, Horses, Alpacas, etc, then you have to check this place out. Check out the video from our trip <a href="https://youtu.be/x1GKIuh1aow" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">It takes a good 45 minutes to complete the drive thru Zoo, so make sure you buy enough food to last the entire trip. You feed the animals out of cups, not your hands. At one point there is a fork in the road for either the "First Pass" or "Second Pass". We skipped the First Pass as it looks like a short loop with no animals, but the White Tiger is along this route. Watch out for those pesky Camels and Horses...there is a high chance they pull the cup from your hands or take a huge bite right out of it...tasty! The Ostriches and Emus peck, so hold the cup outside of the car or you'll have a long-necked bird in your face.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Intimidating, but this guy takes it easy.</td></tr>
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The camels have a perfectly mastered routine: they are just waiting for you to drive right between them. Be prepared for animal slobber...on windows, the side of your car, the feeding cups, and possibly your hands. Definitely don't take your Mercedes. A truck or SUV is your best choice.<br />
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Horns, giant horns. While we didn't experience any horns scratching our vehicle I'm sure it happens on occasion, maybe? Driving past the horned animals, we couldn't help but imagine them giving the side of our vehicle a little detailing.
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The other sections of the park, Go-Karts, Gem Mining, Petting Zoo, etc, were all closed during our trip due to storm damage, so I can not comment on those experiences. We did drive thru the park twice to get our monies worth though. It was a unique experience that my family really enjoyed.
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*Also in Davis, OK is Turner Falls: Oklahoma's tallest waterfall. And there are scenic routes and hiking trails thru the Arbuckle Mountains and lots of wind turbines.
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J Mageehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03576106102266311798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2937855459824881041.post-10949693300709648482016-03-17T18:17:00.003-05:002016-04-28T14:38:05.132-05:00Need. More. Coffee.<head>
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Here we go again...I'm a zombie. Why the heck did I stay up so late? With squinted, burning eyes I roll out of bed to the sound of my baby boy crying. He has double ear infections, so no one is getting to sleep thru the night. I think to myself: before I had children I could have easily slept thru just about anything. Nowadays, I'm up at the crack of dawn and I awake to the faintest of sounds: pitter-patters across the floor, a child falling out of bed or even just standing over me. Creepy.<br />
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On this particular morning, after baby boy was situated with medicine and a bottle, I stumbled to the coffee pot only to find day-old-coffee. Imagine a 'roamer' from some awful zombie movie, "Must. Drink. Coffee." Desperate for a quick caffeine fix I didn't waste time brewing a fresh pot. The microwave was faster.<br />
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Being a parent has...given me super powers. My genes seriously mutated overnight. I now have the ligh-sleeper gene mutation. The truth is all parents gain some sort of super power. My wife...she has super Mom strength: after a trip to the grocery store, when we first started dating, she put the diaper bag over her shoulder, the baby on her hip and had like 10 bags of groceries in her other hand. "Laura, let me help you." "I got it" she said, with no sign of fatigue. These parental super powers we can can deplete upon a lack of sleep, so I need more coffee on some days to keep the powers activated. Because with out coffee I might collapse to the floor, one big pile of worthless dad.<br />
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When your kids fall asleep you need to make it your mission to hit the hay as quickly as you can. I feel like all parents know this, but it's easier said than done. Unfortunately when the kids fall asleep your job is not done. You have to get ready for the next day: make lunches, set out clothes, etc. You start to think about all the things you forgot to do earlier...and then start doing them. And don't forget quality time with your significant other. Before you know it, it's 1 am and you already know the next morning is going to be rough. Staying up late is easy, but forcing yourself to sleep at a decent hour is the hard part. After sleepless nights or making the bad decision to stay up too late, just remember there is coffee to keep your super powers activated. Don't be a worthless zombie.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_R_VhoepJXmDv5ul2q5Aq8z21iLpyARMJAc1CUQvSuVAKCAJILHYF1gw5apakoOWH19XwYaeWRDGGQCqpoAj1NGbpgeyJRVe4uoiobTdUl8Zu_qJc6flAKCG_WL_JRhSK8Kba8aHuVsM/s1600/Facebook+Ad.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_R_VhoepJXmDv5ul2q5Aq8z21iLpyARMJAc1CUQvSuVAKCAJILHYF1gw5apakoOWH19XwYaeWRDGGQCqpoAj1NGbpgeyJRVe4uoiobTdUl8Zu_qJc6flAKCG_WL_JRhSK8Kba8aHuVsM/s320/Facebook+Ad.png" width="320" /></a></div>J Mageehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03576106102266311798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2937855459824881041.post-72806464284293267912016-03-05T00:12:00.001-06:002016-04-29T17:42:32.510-05:00Post Teasers <head>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkK7Exs4022G1Fvhmh2iwkbUoiTLKbOCoJcCiwJOyPqIzN_0v-nJkvR84-JYLPMzQHzXdFqJbHQsDRLZPyLRE439tVS3DBO9jLDKy9E499KnNQ1s3hoFRJJO1-easpyTwgrKqUdMcSUaU/s1600/monitor-1307227_640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkK7Exs4022G1Fvhmh2iwkbUoiTLKbOCoJcCiwJOyPqIzN_0v-nJkvR84-JYLPMzQHzXdFqJbHQsDRLZPyLRE439tVS3DBO9jLDKy9E499KnNQ1s3hoFRJJO1-easpyTwgrKqUdMcSUaU/s200/monitor-1307227_640.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://dadsmagee.blogspot.com/2016/04/children-and-future-of-technology.html">Should we prepare our kids for the future of tech?</a></span></div>
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There’s no denying that computer science and technology as a whole have become a very interesting and truly important topic nowadays. Websites, mobile apps and gadgets are an integral part of our lives and our kids interact with them on a daily basis. But is it a good idea to prepare our kids for actually getting a job in this sector? <a href="http://dadsmagee.blogspot.com/2016/04/children-and-future-of-technology.html"><b>>>Read more>></b></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://dadsmagee.blogspot.com/2016/04/why-we-let-our-daughter-watch-dateline.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Why We Let Our Daughter Watch Dateline</a></span>
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My wife and 7 year old daughter love to watch Dateline. You might be asking yourself how a 7 year old gets hooked on Dateline. Well, it’s similar to how a child starts watching football with their father; sometimes children just gravitate to what their parents enjoy watching. And that’s exactly what happened with our daughter. When I decided to write this post I held a mini interview with my daughter and asked her why she loves to watch Dateline. She said “I like mysteries and trying to figure out who did it.” A few years ago she was absolutely in love with Scooby Doo, so that response made perfect sense! <a href="http://dadsmagee.blogspot.com/2016/04/why-we-let-our-daughter-watch-dateline.html" rel="nofollow" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">>>Read more>></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrhPiOeqqQhpA4KZPjPRkIhWtSvGcv2GLthQ6SG1Nm28LbRstw3OTQ3Or3jkN6LYCLXQkAN9hvnS5SETIXWw2hmKwJ4_9UaltxyMSxi_UYezvbxpiJDo1NJuEb0o3NedkPUtteJT2i6gQ/s1600/Spring+Break+03172016+027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrhPiOeqqQhpA4KZPjPRkIhWtSvGcv2GLthQ6SG1Nm28LbRstw3OTQ3Or3jkN6LYCLXQkAN9hvnS5SETIXWw2hmKwJ4_9UaltxyMSxi_UYezvbxpiJDo1NJuEb0o3NedkPUtteJT2i6gQ/s200/Spring+Break+03172016+027.JPG" width="150" /></a><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://dadsmagee.blogspot.com/2016/03/family-vacation-davis-ok.html" rel="nofollow">(Video) Arbuckle Wilderness</a></span><br />
A modern day Jurassic Park in Davis, OK! Animals swarming your vehicles. Grown men screaming (me). Tons of laughter and fun with the kiddos. If you're looking for an up-close encounter/feeding frenzy with Camels, Donkeys, Ostriches, Emus, Horses, Alpacas, etc, then you have to check this place out. <a href="http://dadsmagee.blogspot.com/2016/03/family-vacation-davis-ok.html" rel="nofollow" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">>>Read more>></a>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHBZUxORZ3RzvVpOpmJER_UC3JqQdc9hxoRqudApYu99vMsP44ic7Yep8d43ndsiO8vpOl6vzjKMVjFDofDYXwDtnLavjA0T4IM0r7vR5OGS9ytflGQDYpgw32Ljrj_qGh1ED5Xb85KPg/s1600/coffee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHBZUxORZ3RzvVpOpmJER_UC3JqQdc9hxoRqudApYu99vMsP44ic7Yep8d43ndsiO8vpOl6vzjKMVjFDofDYXwDtnLavjA0T4IM0r7vR5OGS9ytflGQDYpgw32Ljrj_qGh1ED5Xb85KPg/s200/coffee.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://dadsmagee.blogspot.com/2016/03/need-more-coffee.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Need. More. Coffee.</span></a><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Here we go again...I'm a zombie. Why the heck did I stay up so late? With squinted, burning eyes I roll out of bed...</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">after baby boy was situated with medicine and a bottle, I stumbled to the coffee pot. Imagine a 'roamer' from some awful zombie movie, "Must. Drink. Coffee." </span>Being a parent has...given me super powers. My genes seriously mutated overnight. The truth is all parents gain super powers. <a href="http://dadsmagee.blogspot.com/2016/03/need-more-coffee.html" rel="nofollow" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">>>Read more>></a>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://dadsmagee.blogspot.com/2016/02/the-daddy-daughter-bond.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Daddy Daughter Bond</a></span><br />
<b>**9 ways to bond with your daughter**</b><br />
There is something magical about the bond between a dad and his daughter. But something so great does not come easy. Forming a strong bond with your daughter might be one of the most difficult challenges in fatherhood. It can be an intimidating job. A dad has to create an unbreakable bond from scratch, not by building off of the mother's bond. <a href="http://dadsmagee.blogspot.com/2016/02/the-daddy-daughter-bond.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>>>Read more>></b></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9gdY6b5x8v_teER0BxTJgT6T2yYwmsS_DGylCiLtNKeNJgajx_CEOx0y893Lgiu24zDTIOPO5GrDvgnHCSE2vpEx1Uj9MD09fvcFePE_2yiXJunqaEOrubUBwLliOdXYZsfQVcHjHpmU/s1600/vday+post+pinterest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9gdY6b5x8v_teER0BxTJgT6T2yYwmsS_DGylCiLtNKeNJgajx_CEOx0y893Lgiu24zDTIOPO5GrDvgnHCSE2vpEx1Uj9MD09fvcFePE_2yiXJunqaEOrubUBwLliOdXYZsfQVcHjHpmU/s200/vday+post+pinterest.jpg" width="184" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://dadsmagee.blogspot.com/2016/02/to-my-wife-on-valentines-day.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">To My Wife</a></span><br />
My greatest love, my best friend, on this day I want to take a moment to express how much you mean to me. I will always cherish our life together. I will always support you and be grateful for you. Every day my love for you grows to unimaginable lengths and it will never stop. I will avow my love for you daily and I will always respect you. <a href="https://youtu.be/P0INAnCZHW8" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>>>Watch Video>></b></a> and <b><a href="http://dadsmagee.blogspot.com/2016/02/to-my-wife-on-valentines-day.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">>>Read more>></a></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjboktbcd9ziL5U40fKPhDI5OSlU5zwWosS08yKUSpUZN2rxK9FLpH_g6XuYBsfcT7HvSMAAfrBcD41q8QYD-Erk4U0DuMt-YoTRaPscu3a2osz7n47SXrtwzIg_FlvJtw37i7BWZiXS0c/s1600/Baby+won%2527t+talk+to+me+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjboktbcd9ziL5U40fKPhDI5OSlU5zwWosS08yKUSpUZN2rxK9FLpH_g6XuYBsfcT7HvSMAAfrBcD41q8QYD-Erk4U0DuMt-YoTRaPscu3a2osz7n47SXrtwzIg_FlvJtw37i7BWZiXS0c/s200/Baby+won%2527t+talk+to+me+2.jpg" width="183" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://dadsmagee.blogspot.com/2016/01/my-baby-wont-talk-to-me.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">My Baby Won't Talk To Me</a></span><br />
Well, my son is almost 9 months old, so obviously he can't really talk to me just yet. Lately, I'm finding myself wishing more and more that he could just talk. He makes me crack up sometimes when he just screams for no reason. He likes to scratch things and he is fascinated with my clavicle for some reason. There is so much to look forward to, but also so much to enjoy right now. I will cherish every moment I can because time does go too fast. <a href="http://dadsmagee.blogspot.com/2016/01/my-baby-wont-talk-to-me.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>>>Read more>></b></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://dadsmagee.blogspot.com/2015/12/how-i-budget-as-parent.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">How I Budget As A Parent (free download)</a></span><br />
The complexity of your budget can increase significantly when you have children. It's not a bad thing, it's just a reality. Whether you have a passive approach to money or you budget from month to month, you should check out my spreadsheet. The budget I created tracks your income, bills, and savings for an entire year.<b> <a href="https://goo.gl/X51I1P%22%20target=%22_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">>>Download Now>></a></b> and <a href="http://dadsmagee.blogspot.com/2015/12/how-i-budget-as-parent.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>>>Read more>></b></a>J Mageehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03576106102266311798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2937855459824881041.post-61906407139750941372016-02-27T12:00:00.001-06:002016-04-28T14:19:38.206-05:00The Daddy Daughter Bond<head>
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There is something magical about the bond between a dad and his daughter. But something so great does not come easy. Forming a strong bond with your daughter might be one of the most difficult challenges in fatherhood. It can be an intimidating job. A dad has to create an unbreakable bond from scratch, not by building off of the mother's bond. This bond simply starts with quality time and instilling confidence in your daughter. From there it will blossom into whatever you collectively make it.<br />
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I’m lucky enough to have two daughters: two beautiful, smart, and funny girls who I love and adore with all of my being. They are both unique in their own way, so as a father I want to form a separate, unbreakable bond with each of them. Regardless of whom they become as teenagers and eventually as young adults, my goal is to be there for them and show them I am proud to be their dad.<br />
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<u><span style="font-size: x-large;">9 ways to bond with your daughter</span></u></h2>
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<b>1. Compliment her</b><br />
Tell her how amazing she is inside and out. Tell her she is beautiful and she has a kind heart. Praise the good things she does and also help her learn from her mistakes.<br />
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<b>2. Take her on a date</b><br />
One on one time allows you to connect with just her and it doesn’t really matter where you go. Let her lead the conversation. This allows her to open up more and that can strengthen your connection. Show her that chivalry is not dead. You are the first man in her life and it's your responsibility to show her how a man treats a woman. Personally, I want my daughters to have high expectations for whoever they decide to marry. Your behavior while she is young could prevent her from accepting attention from a guy, who doesn't give her the same respect, when she grows up.<br />
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<b>3. Be Goofy</b><br />
Kids like to act silly. Show them that you can be silly too. Take pictures together while making funny faces. Have dance parties in the living room or come up with a silly song to sing. Jump on the bed together and let her ride on your back like a pony. Before you know it you will have all sorts of inside jokes that no one else will even understand.<br />
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<b>4. Let her help you / Teach her</b><br />
Whether it’s bringing the groceries in, organizing the garage, or pumping gas into your car, if you let her help you then she will feel accomplished and appreciated. You can make it your job to teach her all the little things in life that she won’t learn in school. Giving her the tools to be more independent will only strengthen your bond. As she grows older she will look back and remember all the things you taught her.<br />
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<b>5. Arts and Crafts</b><br />
Does she like reading, painting, jewelry, or crafts? Write and illustrate a book together. Paint a picture. Make a necklace or bracelet. Teach her how to make paper airplanes or paper fortune tellers. Creativity can help build your bond as you work together on a project.
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<b>6. Find her interests interesting</b><br />
Read her favorite book to her or cuddle with her while she watches her favorite cartoon. Does she like playing with dolls or play-doh? She'll love it when you play along with her. Have a tea party or play her favorite board game or video game. If she wants you to help her beat every world in Mario, then try to set aside time to do it (I can attest that this one will take a while).<br />
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<b>7. Ask her questions</b><br />
What is her favorite color or food? Simple questions like this help you get to know her more. Ask her what she wants for dinner one night during the week or what snacks she would like from the grocery store. This shows her how important she is and that she can help make family decisions too. Make plans for the weekend by asking her what she wants to do. And at the end of every day, whether it is at the dinner table or bed time, ask your daughter what the best and worst part of her day was. <br />
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<b>8. Share memories</b><br />
Tell them about your favorite childhood memories or what you were afraid of as a kid. Take turns telling different stories or reflect on things you've done as a family. You can even share your most embarrassing moments with her. Show her you can laugh at yourself and explain how you overcame it. Be open with your daughter and she will do the same. Show her that you care and appreciate what she says. You want your daughter to know that she can always come to you, even if she just needs a shoulder to cry on.<br />
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<b>9. Love her</b><br />
Show affection with hugs and kisses. Hug her when you leave for work and when you get home. Give her good night kisses.Tell her you love her to the moon and back one hundred million times. Protect her heart and tell her your number one job is to keep her safe. <br />
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<h2>
What is your favorite way to bond with your daughter?</h2>J Mageehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03576106102266311798noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2937855459824881041.post-26516482548366712892016-02-13T23:23:00.001-06:002016-04-28T14:18:55.561-05:00To My Wife…On Valentine’s Day<head>
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My greatest love, my best friend,<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9gdY6b5x8v_teER0BxTJgT6T2yYwmsS_DGylCiLtNKeNJgajx_CEOx0y893Lgiu24zDTIOPO5GrDvgnHCSE2vpEx1Uj9MD09fvcFePE_2yiXJunqaEOrubUBwLliOdXYZsfQVcHjHpmU/s1600/vday+post+pinterest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9gdY6b5x8v_teER0BxTJgT6T2yYwmsS_DGylCiLtNKeNJgajx_CEOx0y893Lgiu24zDTIOPO5GrDvgnHCSE2vpEx1Uj9MD09fvcFePE_2yiXJunqaEOrubUBwLliOdXYZsfQVcHjHpmU/s320/vday+post+pinterest.jpg" width="292" /></a>On this day I want to take a moment to express how much you mean to me. I will always cherish our life together. I will always support you and be grateful for you. Every day my love for you grows to unimaginable lengths and it will never stop. I will avow my love for you daily and I will always respect you.<br />
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You still surprise me. Sometimes you smile or touch me a certain way and I remember what made me fall in love with you. And some days it’s like falling in love all over again. I’m so happy our paths crossed and our friendship blossomed into a kind of love that is so rare and natural. There are few truths in this world and my heart belonging to you is one of them. I'm confident you will cherish and protect it forever.<br />
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I believe in us, in you. Your inner strength and values make me feel secure. I always know I can trust you. You keep life real and you love straight from your heart. It’s a good feeling and I know it will last a lifetime. You give me strength and support me in everything I do. You always believe that I am capable. Even though you may not realize it, you also inspire me and the other people around you. You make me want to be a better man, husband, and father. I strive to have a heart like yours and to be the best person I can be…for you and for our family.<br />
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I fell in love with my best friend. There is nothing better than that. We get to share countless stories and memories. The past few years have been incredible: from dating to getting married to growing into a family of 5. It just gets better and better as time goes on. I’m enjoying our journey immensely and I wouldn’t change a thing. No matter where we go or what we do, we’ll be together, hand-in-hand. It's us forever.<br />
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My wife, you love unconditionally. You are committed. You are kind and you are selfless. And I adore you.<br />
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I love you deeply and I will forever.<br />
Happy Valentine's Day!!<br />
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Well, my son is almost 9 months old, so obviously he can't really talk to me just yet. He makes noises and speaks plenty of gibberish: sometimes it even sounds like "Dada". Wishfully, every time I hear anything remotely close to "Dada" I respond to him as if he were talking to me. Lately, I'm finding myself wishing more and more that he could just talk. When I hold him or play with him, I get smiles, giggles, kisses, and don't forget the gibberish. He makes me crack up sometimes when he just screams for no reason. He likes to scratch things and he is fascinated with my clavicle for some reason. He is learning so much and I know his brain is just soaking in everything. Is talking too much to ask for!? Clearly, I'm joking. But I want to have a better idea of what is going on his head. And what will he like as he enters his toddler years?<br />
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Will he eventually like Star Wars?! It's a fair question, right? </blockquote>
My daughters do and it's just one of the many things we bond over. I want to know what he wants to do in the evenings when I get home from work (even if it's just to play with my water bottle or chew on the remote control). If a remote control or a cell phone is within his reach, then challenge accepted: he is going for it. He's brave and even leans over the side of the recliner to reach for it. I feel like I'm on a secret mission every time I need to change the channel.<br />
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When I look at my son and he smiles I know he loves me. When I make him laugh...when he reaches for me...when he puts his tiny fingers in my hair, squeezes, and pulls my face into his...I know he loves me. Bonding with my son has been an amazing journey and once he starts talking our bond will grow even more. My youngest daughter was around 10 months old when I came into the picture and my oldest daughter was 3 and a half, so my son is my first experience caring for a baby from one day old. It won't be too much longer until we watch him crawl, hear his first words, and start walking.<br />
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The bond we have is an emotional one built on eye contact and time spent together (holding him, feeding him, and play time). I sure don't want time to go any faster than it is, but I do look forward to the day when our "conversations" are a little less one-sided. I look forward to hearing the sound of his voice, how he will pronounce certain words, and all the questions he will have. I love when my daughters ask me questions about random things. I feel it is my responsibility to teach my kids everything I can. I try to answer all of their questions before resorting to the internet.<br />
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One of these days I already know my son will ask "Can you google it?" just like my daughters do now. </blockquote>
There is so much to look forward to, but also so much to enjoy right now. I will cherish every moment I can because time does go too fast.<br />J Mageehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03576106102266311798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2937855459824881041.post-44243351564807607782015-12-21T00:14:00.002-06:002016-04-28T14:15:02.105-05:00How I budget as a parent<head>
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<u>The Last Budget You'll Ever Need</u>
The complexity of your budget can increase significantly when you have children. It's not a bad thing, it's just a reality. Perhaps we spend more money on groceries, extracurricular activities, weekend outings, Christmas gifts, etc. Whatever it may be we have to plan ahead, or we will find ourselves living month to month with no certainty of that summer vacation or that outing to the amusement park. To download my budget now, click <a href="https://goo.gl/X51I1P" target="_blank">here</a>. Don't miss the spreadsheet tips at the bottom of this post!<br />
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So, what is your plan? I have one to share with you. Whether you have a passive approach and manage your money or you try to budget from month to month, you should check out my spreadsheet. This budget tracks my entire year. If I want to know how much money I’ll have for my kid’s birthday party several months from now or if I’ll have enough for a down payment on a vehicle, then I don’t have to stress and worry about it. My budget will show me what I can afford for every month of the year.<br />
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<h3>
<u>Quality Family Time</u></h3>
For me it's important to do special activities with my kids. We go to the movies, museums, or different festivals in the area, and whether the activity is free or not, I want my kids to experience all they can. New experiences are a great way to bond with your kids and they only have one childhood, so we are responsible for making it great. My wife and I like to take the kids on weekend trips to cities like St. Louis or Dallas, and we love the occasional Chuck E Cheese's trip. Whatever it may be, the kids get to try new things and hopefully have experiences they remember forever.<br />
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Even if you are spending the weekend at home, it is important to spend family time together. Play a board game or draw together. One of my daughters absolutely loves Play-doh. She can sit and play with it for hours if you let her. And she loved the day we made her very own Play-doh video; check it out <a href="https://youtu.be/-waS7z7APZM" target="_blank">here</a>. My other daughter loves to collect Shopkins and we made a stop motion film together one weekend. Check out the Shopkins Dance Party video <a href="https://youtu.be/opKcdOvdg7U" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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Money is not needed to spend quality family time together, but I love being able to take my family to the aquarium or the zoo or the bowling alley. It’s definitely a balancing act when there are so many parental responsibilities like the electric bill or mortgage. My budget helps me know how much money is in the bank. At any point in the year, I don't have to worry if I'll have enough money to take my family to do something special.
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<h4>
<u>The Spreadsheet</u></h4>
The budget I created tracks your income, bills, and savings for an entire year. I enter my estimated paychecks and bills for every month. I over-estimate any unknown numbers to create myself a monetary cushion. I move as much money as I can to my savings account while making sure the remaining balance of every future month is sufficient. I do this for every month of the year and adjust the numbers as necessary.<br />
<center>
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<a href="https://goo.gl/X51I1P" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Free Budget Download</span></b></a><br />
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<br /></div>
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Check out my colleagues' brand new site: <a href="http://ifuturedollars.blogspot.com/2016/04/monthly-budget.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Future Dollars</a>!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
They are currently offering an awesome </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
monthly budget and will have more in the future.</div>
<h4>
<u>Tips</u></h4>
<ol>
<li>Enter your starting balance in cell B1.</li>
<li>You can change each row description to what you desire in column B. I like to lump together as many things as possible to have less numbers. For example, I would enter fuel, oil changes, new tires, etc. under transportation. Make it your own and categorize your budget how you want.</li>
<li>Enter negative numbers for savings and expenses. And of course a positive number for your income. This will ensure the formulas calculate correctly.</li>
<li>The formulas are all locked, so there is no chance of “breaking” the budget. </li>
</ol>
<h3>
<br />Have a special budget request? Comment below or contact me <a href="http://dadsmagee.blogspot.com/2015/11/contact-us.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</h3>
J Mageehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03576106102266311798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2937855459824881041.post-60377856954637892362015-11-20T03:01:00.000-06:002016-04-28T14:04:25.766-05:00About Us<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/14791577/?claim=gq47ccadvu6">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW05UK7WvSEU3cMGpLf_EpTjtrA55SCbyIqVXwI0ixeszJJKSXyFmf-HXo6HOEvySyac0HGxzIuPPiSKtVoEnj1Zvd6blcD_7n0fMrHnqAVj_t0UrgdMWyo6oQB9ALS3Uqj8gkFFG9Aik/s1600/IMG_7796.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW05UK7WvSEU3cMGpLf_EpTjtrA55SCbyIqVXwI0ixeszJJKSXyFmf-HXo6HOEvySyac0HGxzIuPPiSKtVoEnj1Zvd6blcD_7n0fMrHnqAVj_t0UrgdMWyo6oQB9ALS3Uqj8gkFFG9Aik/s320/IMG_7796.JPG" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">My name is Jared Magee and I started this blog as a way to share my experiences as a husband and father. Content is growing as this is a brand new venture for me, but I plan to write more about all things related to parenting and supporting my family: a father's perspective, at-your-own-risk advice, and preparing my family (and hopefully you) for the future.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmXkZ0XnEj0C5zVWeFQiijsehfobLV8gPuAeQQmQAsWTYb2DTyn3kILxAmhe8PdQ6IXOfCxTWZU841agYYYhFzdOQMtLKxt9f_wLB1C05VMUhUQsqSzbIsS4-Wu5wJdxBlIH0sESpsibI/s1600/Spring+Break+03.15.2016+057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmXkZ0XnEj0C5zVWeFQiijsehfobLV8gPuAeQQmQAsWTYb2DTyn3kILxAmhe8PdQ6IXOfCxTWZU841agYYYhFzdOQMtLKxt9f_wLB1C05VMUhUQsqSzbIsS4-Wu5wJdxBlIH0sESpsibI/s320/Spring+Break+03.15.2016+057.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I've been married to the love of my life for over 2 years. She is gorgeous, kind-hearted, and always supportive. She puts me and our children first: her selflessness is like something I've never seen before. She's pretty out of my league. Asking her to marry me was the best decision ever. Getting married also made me a stepfather to 2 smart, funny, and beautiful little girls: I love them with all my being. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">My wife and I also have a sweet baby boy together. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I recently turned 30. I've always wanted to start some side projects, but I've never had an idea that I was completely comfortable with. I am cautious when it comes to taking risks, and that is an obstacle that holds me back. But f</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">or some reason turning one year older helped me bite the bullet and put myself out there. I still struggle with my own insecurities, but this helps me battle them. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I always wanted to start blogging. I enjoy editing and creating videos. And I love my family. Why not marry all of them together? My empire is born: Dads Magee. </span>
J Mageehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03576106102266311798noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2937855459824881041.post-49192417487307001982015-11-20T02:20:00.002-06:002016-04-28T14:03:30.644-05:00Contact Us<center>
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