Dad Of The Month!

Brad Hansen

Where do you live?
Wilsonville, Oregon.

What is your profession?
Mortgage Banker.

What are your hobbies/interests?
Time with my wife & kids, involvement in my church Grace Chapel and leading a men's group, tennis, snow & water skiing, tennis.

What do you drive?
Mercedes-Benz E320.

What are you reading?
"Heaven" by Randy Alcorn, and "The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism" by Timothy Keller.

What music are you listening to?
When I want to listen to mellow music it's Fernando Ortega, but recently I have bought Rush of Fools and Sanctus Real for my iPod.

What's the last movie you saw?
Swing Vote - I'd give it a 2 out of 5 stars. It has some funny parts.

How long have you been married?
I just celebrated by 24th year of marriage.

Kids names and ages?
Josh, age 18 and Alisha, age 17.

Describe your favorite family vacation?
Snow skiing at Squaw Valley in Lake Tahoe.

Your thoughts on being a Dad?
I love being a dad! Having kids brought a whole new meaning to what unconditional love is all about. It is so important to enjoy every day and every stage of life with your kids. Time moves very quickly and each life stage has it's challenges and it's joys...make the most of the time!! As my kids have become young adults they think they know more than they really do. They are in the "don't know what they don't know, but think they know it all stage". Try to remember to be patient and let them learn some lessons on their own without a lecture from dad. Being a dad is one of the most important jobs you will have next to being a good husband. Modeling for my kids how to love my wife, how to respect and love others and how to put people over things is critical. Helping them grow spiritually is important as well. I have tried to point my kids to God and his word, the bible as a guide for their lives. Following God's ways will give them wisdom and a purpose way beyond anything that I can do for them!

How do you juggle family and work?
This one is always tough, but for me it is working as a team with my wife. We both have difference strengths and weaknesses and we try to use them to the benefit of our family and each other. I try to put my family first by being there mentally and physically! When I am home, I try not to bring my work home unless it's after everyone is in bed or gone. I make my kids lunches for them in the morning before school and try to communicate on their terms through email and text messages. I don't know how single mom's and dad's do it! If you are a single dad, you should find ways to bring grandparents, aunts, uncle and friends into your kids lives. You can't do it alone!

What's your favorite thing to do with your kids?
I love hanging out with my kids...going out to eat, playing ping pong, playing tennis, basketball and traveling.

What advice would you give to new or soon-to-be dads?
The biggest advice I can give new or soon-to-be dad's is to relax and have fun with your kids. Also, read everything you can especially from great sources like Focus on the Family (www.focusonthefamily.com). A great book that helped my wife and I was Parenting with Love & Logic (www.loveandlogic.com).

What is your website address?
www.myportlandmortgage.com - We do mortgage planning and financing for purchases, refinances and custom home construction.


Dad Of The Month Archives            Top