Mommy's Bundle https://mommysbundle.com Early Motherhood: Love the Joy. Love the Chaos. Mon, 15 Jun 2020 15:01:58 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.9.13 https://mommysbundle.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/cropped-Favicon-150x150.png Mommy's Bundle https://mommysbundle.com 32 32 DIY Massage Shirt of Dad’s Favorites https://mommysbundle.com/diy-massage-shirt-of-dads-favorites/ https://mommysbundle.com/diy-massage-shirt-of-dads-favorites/#comments Wed, 17 Jun 2015 04:02:45 +0000 http://mommysbundle.com/?p=6981 With Father’s Day approaching, I’ve been thinking long and hard on what to create that would make a fun gift for dad to enjoy with the boys. After being inspired by this awesome massage shirt, I decided a similar craft would make a great Father’s day gift idea, but with a personal twist: I would include all of dad’s […]

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]]> With Father’s Day approaching, I’ve been thinking long and hard on what to create that would make a fun gift for dad to enjoy with the boys. After being inspired by this awesome massage shirt, I decided a similar craft would make a great Father’s day gift idea, but with a personal twist: I would include all of dad’s favorite things on the shirt.

Dad could then relieve muscle tension as cars roll up and down his back and get an awesome keepsake to remember a few of his favorite things.

Read:The Best Father’s Day Gift Ideas During Quarantine

Massage Shirt for Father’s Day 

massage shirt

To start, I made sure I got the okay to use one of his white t-shirts and gathered a large sheet of drawing paper and these specific sharpies that work well on various surfaces including fabrics. (affiliate link)

white shirt

I used a dark marker to draw out a large road by freehand on a sheet of paper and then inserted the paper inside the shirt to trace — it also helped to prevent bleeding onto the other side a bit.

tracing on shirt

race track shirt

It was a bit challenging getting a straight line on the fabric since you need to press down and release the markers as you work. So I just went with it and used a dot pattern to achieve the roadmap.

Once the track was all set, I decided to improvise and sketch out dad’s favorites, again by freehand – adding stops along the road that daddy loves: a morning coffee and donut, dino land, the beach house and his beloved dog we’ll never forget. I thought adding a few personal touches like this, would make the gift super special and memorable!

DIY Massage Shirt: A memorable Father's Day craft and gift idea including all of dad's favorite stops!

Lastly, I added in my kid’s handprint as a cute add-on (but mostly so dad could direct them to place a hand wherever he needed a rub lol). Think: Touch the pink #1 — win-win!

I was thrilled on how it all turned out, despite my artistic abilities (hehe!) but I am so excited to let him try out the shirt this weekend and unwind a little this Father’s Day!

If you aren’t so artistically inclined — don’t stress, just create simply shapes and patterns or better yet, try some fun stencils to perfect the look!

DIY Massage Shirt: A memorable Father's Day craft and gift idea including all of dad's favorite stops!

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]]> https://mommysbundle.com/diy-massage-shirt-of-dads-favorites/feed/ 7 Letters from Daddy 5/1/12 https://mommysbundle.com/letters-from-daddy-5112/ https://mommysbundle.com/letters-from-daddy-5112/#respond Tue, 08 May 2012 19:34:12 +0000 http://mommysbundle.com/?p=1193 {Letters from Daddy are a series of letters from expectant father to son, on what it means to be a man.} Dear Chili, I woke up this morning, much like any other morning. I got up out of bed, gave it a good stretch, and caught a glimpse of your beautiful mother, wrapped up in […]

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]]> {Letters from Daddy are a series of letters from expectant father to son, on what it means to be a man.}

Dear Chili,

letters from daddyI woke up this morning, much like any other morning. I got up out of bed, gave it a good stretch, and caught a glimpse of your beautiful mother, wrapped up in blankets like a burrito with a baby bump.  I couldn’t help but stare at her for a few moments, thinking to myself, “I am one of the luckiest men alive.”

I love your mom.  More importantly, I’m IN love with your mom.  Then, straight out of a Talking Heads song, I ask myself, “Well, how did I get here?”

The answer: not quickly, not easily, and not without the scars to show for it.  But let me assure you, son; the most significant challenges of character, the truest tests of one’s mettle, are never quick, easy, or fail to leave their mark. Don’t worry though, chicks dig scars.

One of my greatest hopes for you is that you’re able to find a woman who loves you as much as your great grandmother Mimi loved Charles, as much as Nana loves Pops, and as much as your mom loves me.  This journey won’t be (and shouldn’t be!) rapid or linear, but more like an unhurried river, full of winding oxbows and meandering tributaries. These paths may lead you off course, but they are critical in presenting the many options you’ll encounter.  Some fathers might chide their sons for wandering off course or chasing dead ends, but that is not what my father did, and it is not how I intend to advise you.  You must be free to responsibly explore!  You must experience what it is to love and feel loved; what it is to lose and feel lost – all so that you might find yourself again – stronger for having traveled a difficult path and better equipped with the context of actuality.

Suffice to say, a broken heart (or two) is the inevitable consequence of this journey.  It is terribly difficult to comprehend while it is happening to you, but despite the anguish you feel, understand that the world is not ending, and things will get better.  If anything, the world gets bigger after heartbreak; the raw emotion that engulfs you adds depth and texture to your character. As bad as it may get, whenever you do find the woman you’re meant to marry, you’ll think back on your past relationships, only to laugh at the thought of how upset you were.

I do not toss out this advice half heartedly, or without direct experience.  When you’re old enough and want a good laugh, ask your Uncle Crowley or your Godfather Sam about my misadventures with women before I met your mom.  They all ended with varying levels of relative comedy and tragedy, and they all had two things in common.  First, what I thought was love at the time proved, in reality, to be nothing of the sort. Second, each and every relationship was pivotal, in that they brought me closer to your mother, while providing the context in which I could eventually discover what true love actually feels like.

True love.  Is it a cliché, or is it a real thing? I can say with certainty that it is real, but I am at a loss to describe it further.  All I can say is that you’ll know it when it happens.  You must have patience and perspective, which is easy to preach but tougher in practice, because there will be plenty of times you think you’re in love, only to discover the emotion you experienced was but an empty vessel, a shadow cast upon the wall.  This can be a painful realization, but do not despair!

My last piece of advice in this long winded letter is simple: Never settle.  Do not be satisfied that you feel “happy enough” with someone.  In your search for your soul mate, never settle for second best, or be afraid to take a chance on love.  If you consider the four JCT’s before you, every one of us followed this advice; it is what makes a Taney a Taney; it is the reason you’re here.  Good luck in love, my son.  Roll them dice!

-Dad

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]]> https://mommysbundle.com/letters-from-daddy-5112/feed/ 0 Letters from Daddy 4/28/12 https://mommysbundle.com/letters-from-daddy-42812/ https://mommysbundle.com/letters-from-daddy-42812/#comments Mon, 30 Apr 2012 02:24:24 +0000 http://mommysbundle.com/?p=1130 {Letters from Daddy are a series of letters from expectant father to son, on what it means to be a man.} Commitment Commitment is what transforms a promise into reality You can hear it spoken in words of bold intention You can feel it in actions that speak louder than words Commitment is making time […]

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]]> {Letters from Daddy are a series of letters from expectant father to son, on what it means to be a man.}

Commitment

Commitment is what transforms a promise into reality

You can hear it spoken in words of bold intention

You can feel it in actions that speak louder than words

Commitment is making time when there is none

It is coming through

Time, after time, after time

It is the fuel that sustains your spirit against all odds

It is the daily triumph of integrity over skepticism

Of excellence over mediocrity

Of hope over despair

You can see it as a light in the darkness when all others have gone out

You can taste it in the sweat borne from persistence without exception

Commitment shatters the duality of excuse and regret

It leads to only one conclusion,

Victory.

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]]> https://mommysbundle.com/letters-from-daddy-42812/feed/ 1 Letters from Daddy 3/15/12 https://mommysbundle.com/letters-from-daddy-315/ https://mommysbundle.com/letters-from-daddy-315/#comments Fri, 30 Mar 2012 03:50:04 +0000 http://mommysbundle.com/?p=711 {Letters from Daddy are a series of letters from expectant father to son, on what it means to be a man.} Dear Chili, I want to tell you something that you should not be afraid of saying.  You might be embarrassed to say it, but not always.  Saying it can be frustrating, but at times, […]

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]]> {Letters from Daddy are a series of letters from expectant father to son, on what it means to be a man.}

Dear Chili,

letters from daddyI want to tell you something that you should not be afraid of saying.  You might be embarrassed to say it, but not always.  Saying it can be frustrating, but at times, necessary.  Acknowledging it should drive your curiosity, and fuel your efforts to avoid having to say it more than once in response to any question.  What is this saying; the “it” I’m continuing on about?

It’s a very plain phrase that too many people have trouble saying nowadays: “I don’t know.”

By the time you read this letter, son, it will be no surprise to you that the small bit of knowledge and know-how I do hold, I didn’t always have.  Whatever wisdom I’ve obtained, I did so by seeking it out, or simply being aware when -it- found -me-.  It is important to be confident in what you learn, but never absolute.  If this were the case, we’d still think the sun is the center of the universe, and that home prices in the United States would never go down (spot check: 2008 & The Great Recession).  The journey towards enlightenment is a constant struggle.  We cannot get there by being vain; by assuming we know everything there is to know.  Such an attitude only serves to inflate our own hubris, creating a devilishly comfortable cloud of ignorance to lay one’s head upon.  Remember, while it is vital to be conscious of what you don’t know, it is just as imperative to recognize what you do know is a construct built by facts that have been found – but there is always more to discover. Facts can be fluid, and your mind must be able to keep up.

Turning back to saying “I don’t know” in response to a question, please understand that I don’t want you to be proud, or even comfortable, saying it often.  What I do want is to raise you in a manner that will trigger a mental reflex which instinctively follows “I don’t know” with “but I want to understand”.  This does not just apply to factual inquiries, but also (perhaps more importantly), opinions.  If you do not have enough understanding of a topic or issue to formulate an educated opinion, don’t feel obligated to give it.  Defending an uninformed opinion is like being trapped in quicksand – the more you struggle to justify it, the deeper you’ll dig yourself. Beware those that would participate in such action freely, or without conscience.

An ignorant man’s opinion is a brutal cudgel, and when wielded with great emotion, can turn any conversation into a shouting match.  It is a heavy handed bludgeon, devastatingly effective against the lazy and un-curious, but ultimately prone to overreach, hubris, and self destruction.  Craft your opinion in a sword’s image; honed sharply by your wit, and properly balanced by your knowledge, you should wield it proudly as an extension of your very character.  Do not fight to win, or embarrass your opponent – fight to inform & educate.  There lies a potential ally in every adversary.  Convert the open minded, marginalize the hacks, and don’t be afraid to have your views evolve, as I’m sure they will. When you have the facts on your side, justice in your heart, and a ferocious curiosity of mind, you can stand tall against any bomb tossing blowhard.  I love you, son.

-Daddy

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]]> https://mommysbundle.com/letters-from-daddy-315/feed/ 1 Letters from Daddy 2/22/12 https://mommysbundle.com/letters-from-daddy-222/ https://mommysbundle.com/letters-from-daddy-222/#respond Thu, 23 Feb 2012 22:00:23 +0000 http://mommysbundle.com/?p=422 {Letters from Daddy are a series of letters from expectant father to son, on what it means to be a man.} Dear Chili, As I anxiously await your arrival, my mind is filled with past memories, moments, and choices that have shaped my life significantly.  Two concepts spring to mind; understanding them will help you […]

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]]> {Letters from Daddy are a series of letters from expectant father to son, on what it means to be a man.}

Dear Chili,

letters from daddyAs I anxiously await your arrival, my mind is filled with past memories, moments, and choices that have shaped my life significantly.  Two concepts spring to mind; understanding them will help you as you mature, as you face the many decisions that will determine who you are.  First, know that once a decision is made, it cannot be unmade without consequence.  Do not fear this fact of life; embrace it.  For good or ill, any choice you make will invariably affect your future decisions.  If is for this reason you cannot shrink away from your mistakes, nor sit idle when things go right.  You are human, and mistakes and successes will happen.  How you learn and adapt from the lessons your choices teach you will be pivotal on your journey towards manhood.  More simply put: As you make your choices, understand that they make you in turn.

The second idea I hope to teach you is very difficult to grasp without direct experience, but is still worth contemplating.  Whatever adventures or fortunes you may seek, you will encounter other travelers along the way.  Many will seek to confuse you or slow your progress; some will want to help you succeed; a precious few will be life-long friends.  When choosing your companions, know that character is defined through actions, not words.  While it is always important to listen to people, pay more attention to their actions.  The closer their words are to their deeds, the more reliable and loyal they are apt to be.  Trust is to be earned, not given freely.  In any case, my son, remember: There’s always a catch.  Life’s a catch, and I suggest you catch it while you can.  I love you, son.

Daddy

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]]> https://mommysbundle.com/letters-from-daddy-222/feed/ 0 Letters from Daddy 1/24/12 https://mommysbundle.com/letters-from-daddy-124/ https://mommysbundle.com/letters-from-daddy-124/#respond Sun, 05 Feb 2012 22:20:42 +0000 http://mommysbundle.com/?p=176 {Letters from Daddy are a series of letters from expectant father to son, on what it means to be a man.} Dear Chili, As I live and breathe today, you are still about four months away from emerging into this world to take your very first breath.  You will find yourself born into a world […]

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]]> {Letters from Daddy are a series of letters from expectant father to son, on what it means to be a man.}

Dear Chili,

letters from daddyAs I live and breathe today, you are still about four months away from emerging into this world to take your very first breath.  You will find yourself born into a world very different than mine, at least as of the writing of this letter.  It will be a world different to anything I have experienced, because you will be in it.  You are the difference.  Your life will be the one to change my world, and all those who may come to know you.  You carry, in your very being, all the dreams, aspirations, and love of all those who came before you — myself included.  You hold a power that few understand; a power that can be used to make the world a better place.

If I can teach you anything in this life, it would be to never forget the greatness inside of you, and to never shy away from using this power for the greater good.  Do not fear your abilities; embrace them.  Do not sit idel while others do wrong, or while injustice is levied upon the weak.  Stand up.  Stay strong.  Remember my son, the only way for evil to triumph, is if Good men stay silent.  The power of your ancestors lives within you — it makes you special, and fills you with limitless capacity.  Do right by those that come before you.  This world is what  YOU make of it.

Love,

Daddy

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]]> https://mommysbundle.com/letters-from-daddy-124/feed/ 0 Letters from Daddy 1/15/12 https://mommysbundle.com/letters-from-daddy/ https://mommysbundle.com/letters-from-daddy/#respond Tue, 31 Jan 2012 02:39:52 +0000 http://mommysbundle.com/?p=115 {Letters from Daddy are a series of letters from expectant father to son, on what it means to be a man.} Dear Chili, 2012 is gearing up to be the most amazing of my life. Perhaps it’s fitting that the year you are to be born is “The Year of the Dragon”.  Even more interesting […]

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]]> {Letters from Daddy are a series of letters from expectant father to son, on what it means to be a man.}

Dear Chili,

letters from daddy2012 is gearing up to be the most amazing of my life. Perhaps it’s fitting that the year you are to be born is “The Year of the Dragon”.  Even more interesting is the paranoia surrounding the “end” of the Mayan calendar this year.  Some easily suggestible folks believe the world might end this year, but do not count me among them.  2012 is the year the world BEGINS for you; it is the year you are unleashed upon this world, to represent the Taney name and tradition.  You come from a long line of John Charles Taneys, and you have the potential to be best of us.  There is one rule I’d beg you to follow through all the ups and downs in your life.  One rule that will help you appreciate your accomplishments; one rule that will pick you up when adversity strikes; one rule that can unlock the power within you.  If you follow this rule, there’s nothing in this world you can’t accomplish…

The rule: BE YOURSELF.

I love you.

Daddy

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