He calls him Daddy.

We take this Sunday to celebrate dads.  Dads are awesome!!  Before they were dads, they were boys.  So, fellow boy moms and dads, listen up. You are raising someone's future husband and daddy.  Raise them babies right!  Teach those boys and young men to protect and provide.  Not only to protect and be strong with physical might.. but strong in God and strong in sensitivity.. Raise them to protect their heart and the hearts of those they love.  Teach them to be providers of all things.. even emotional needs. Raise up gentlemen and heroes.  Teach that young man to stand up for others.. those who can't or won't stand up for themselves.

I love being a boy mom!  It is a great responsibility.  What makes it wonderful is I chose the man I married knowing, he will be the example of what a man should be to my children.  Let me take a minute to brag on my husband..  He is Godly, giving, kind, patient, strong, sensitive, providing, smart, considerate, intelligent, hard-working, loving, funny, handsome, protective, passionate, and caring...  Literally, he is the whole package.  He completes and compliments me.  He is the standing example to James of what a man of God is.  I am so thankful.  Some say having a child causes distance in marriage.. In my experience, having a child has made me fall more in love with my husband.  Seeing him be a daddy is everything to me.

So, single ladies.. when you are dating and deciding if a man is marriage material.. decide if he is father material.  

Picture that man not only as a husband but as a daddy.  Get him around friends who have kids, or kids that are in your life.. See how he interacts.  Ask him questions.. Questions about his upbringing.. when he is a father, what would he continue or change.. how many kids does he want.. how much of an active role will he take as a dad.. I'm not saying to do this all on the second date or bombard him with questions of fatherhood.. Don't be demanding or crazy.  I am saying these questions need to be asked when you are serious.. And it should feel natural.  When you are talking about engagement or are engaged, there are important future questions you need to ask and have answered.. that's what good premarital counseling is for, which is a whole other post for another day.

Well, I hope all the fathers had a blessed Father's Day.  I pray every dad understands the magnitude of their worth and much needed role in their child's life.  Be an active, positive influence in your child's life.  It makes all the difference.

Here are a few Father's Day pictures from our weekend <3

THIRTY & Thankful

For the past couple of years I have been saying I would start a blog.  Well, a year older always brings about introspection for me.  Yesterday, I turned the big 30.  I've put off this blog for reasons surrounding my two biggest life events: motherhood & grad school.  Now that I've conquered grad school and am embarking on my journey as a counselor, I feel it is time.  Really what I am saying is now that I don't have to write 20-30 page papers every week, typing up a blog isn't considered a chore any more but something fun.

I have thought long and hard about what my first post would be.. Surely something life changing.. challenging.. or monumental.. I am not sure any of those descriptions will stick. Instead I want to share something that is on my heart and dedicate this first post to my husband. As my 'about me' section states.. We have been happily married since 2009.. 7 YEARS this August <3 and since my birthday was yesterday, it is only fitting I share the best gift my husband has ever given me.

James Kal-El Dillon

You are probably thinking.. Cliche. Of course it she would say her son.. this adorable-blonde haired-blue eyed- sweet heart... But, it goes beyond the gift of my son & motherhood. My husband has given me the gift of being a stay at home mom for 2 years. For 2 years, I have been the sole caregiver for this little boy.  For 2 years, my husband has worked hard, been my support through grad school, and made it possible for me to stay home.

See, being a stay at home mom wasn't the plan. We didn't plan to get pregnant until after I finished grad school. Well, God had a different plan, and I thank Him every day.  I found out I was pregnant my first week of grad school.  We were elated and overwhelmed. This wasn't our plan.. I was supposed to be done with school.. have the Master's degree.. be secure in a job.  But, God knew I needed these 2 years being a stay at home mom.  Dallas worked hard to make it happen.  I can never thank God or Dallas enough for this precious gift.  James is a part of my heart.  I didn't realize how hard it would be for me to start work.  I had been a nanny for 12+ years always taking care of other mommies' littles. I never knew the struggle within. I never knew the battle of being an ambitious or a career driven woman vs. wanting to stay at home and not miss a moment with your baby. Now, I know. I know the heart ache. But, most importantly I know the 2 years I was able to be home with my baby.  I will never take that time for granted.

So, Dallas, thank you. Thank you for your hard work and sacrifice. Thank you for your support and encouragement. And, thank you for the best gift you could of ever given to me. I love you.