50 Reasons My Son Needs His Dad

The Generations

From left to right: Jonathan {Daddy}, David {Son}, Pepe {Great Grandfather}, Don {Grandfather}

I've been thinking lately how truly blessed I am to not only have an amazing husband but that he is also a great father. Today, family's are defined differently and separate from the Word of God. Some young men feel they can do as they please without worrying about consequences or their responsibility. I personally have witnessed loved ones get wrapped up in some charming guy's arms, get pregnant and then dumped like yesterday's dirty diapers. This is not how God intended the family unit to begin. And that is not what those beautiful ladies deserve.

The neglected young woman then has to try and play both mother AND father, while also struggling to figure out who she is all the while working a full time job and even sometimes continuing her education. I'm not here to boast. I am not here to "rub it in you face." I am here to say that Jesus loves you and sees you. Hold on, it will get better!

It is too easy for me to sit in my comfortable home and complain about things that some other ladies dream about. It becomes normal, to have a man that actually WANTS to be there for his wife and son. I become selfish and caught up in my blessings. It is in these moments that I need to step back and analyze what God has given me. A beautiful life and a wonderful opportunity. To have the opportunity to raise a son with moral standards and honest intentions. We {my husband and I} are a team and can teach our son to respect a woman's heart and body.

As a mother, it is easy to see what my son needs from me. To be nurtured. To be fed. To be a godly example of a wife/mother. But as much as my son needs me, I feel he needs daddy more! As I pondered why, these reasons popped into my mind. I then showed my husband and he was pleased. Feel free to share and comment if you are led to. I hope this encourages your heart and uplifts your spirit.

1.  He needs dad to bond with
2. He needs dad to play
3. He needs dad to teach him how to fix things
4. He needs dad to make mud pies with
5. He needs dad to help him develop his personality
6. He needs dad to teach him how to DO things
7. He needs dad to teach him to think
8. He needs dad to help him grow
9. He needs dad to share laughs
10. He needs dad to teach him bowling
11. He needs dad to teach him to take chances
12. He needs dad to learn to tackle his fears
13. He needs dad to encourage taking risks
14. He needs dad's life experiences
15. He needs dad to run with
16. He needs dad jump with
17. He needs dad to explore with
18. He needs dad to listen when he's hurting
19. He needs dad to speak to his heart
20. He needs dad to cry with
21. He needs dad to teach him good work ethics
22. He needs dad to learn that men make mistake too, and it's okay
23. He needs dad to know he isn't alone
24. He needs dad as a buddy
25. He needs dad to share goals and dreams with
26. He needs dad's practical approach
27. He needs dad to dig with
28. He needs dad to fish with {though mommy will happily be there :)}
29. He needs dad to go on trips with
30. He needs dad to make memories with him
31. He needs dad to teach him the value of money
32. He needs dad to make mom crazy{er}
33. He needs dad to encourage him
34. He needs dad to lean on
35. He needs dad to swim with
36. He needs dad to go on the boat with
37. He needs dad to have awesome summers
38. He needs dad to teach him wiffleball
39. He needs dad to love life with
40. He needs dad to believe in him
41. He needs dad to climb trees with him
42. He needs dad to be on his side
43. He needs dad to cheer him on
44. He needs dad to say he is proud of him
45. He needs dad to go hiking with
46. He needs dad to show him true integrity
47. He needs dad to answer his questions
48. He needs dad to teach him how to drive
49. He needs dad to feel secure
50. He needs dad to see that not all men are the same  

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Super Baby!! {DIY Children Photography}

Fighting crime, all before bedtime!

So if you haven't figured out by now, I love being creative. Go figure.

I started thinking about David's 6 month photo shoot {we love to do this ourselves; we can't fathom spending money on something that we can create, have fun with and make memories}...then it hit me...like a falling piano...SUPER BABY!!

With the release of The Avengers {and my handsome and I totally watching every superhero movie available via Netflix} it was an obvious choice. Given that I'm also an artist and grew up in a family of illustrators, I just HAD to do it. So, I set the stage...

 I love his room! Big enough to create this DIY photo booth :)

 You can do this too! Here's how:

1.) Gather some fun items for baby, like sunglasses, costumes, props etc.

2.) Doodle on some Kraft paper or hang some fabric in the background

3.) Throw down a plush blanket...wala, magic!

Tip: Use natural light bulbs in the lamps. Makes the photos much clearer.

Also, put on some cool tunes...we had some Christian jazz playing :)

And here's what happened!! :

I am SO in love with these photos {oh yeah, and the boy too.}

  Who is YOUR favorite superhero?

Dear David... {From Mom AND Friend: Letter 3}

I've started a series of letters to my little baby boy, that hopefully one day he will get to read and (hopefully) be inspired by (if not embarrassed by)

DEAR DAVID...

Recently the topic has comes up a few times about parents, especially moms, claiming they are not suppose to be friends with their children, only the parent. Now you are only a few months old now so you haven't had much drama in your life for me to sift through...however, David, this is mommys opinion...

I remember being a self-conscious, emotional teenager who needed a friend...and not just a friend to have fun with, but most importantly, to listen and give advice. I've been told that famous phrase "I'm not your friend, I'm your parent" and quite frankly, it hurt my heart. You see, son, when you are in need of ears to hear your situation or even to vent frustrations about life, you will go everywhere to find that someone who will stop what they are doing and pay attention. I want that person to be me!

So here's are my thoughts. Yes, I am your mother first BUT your friend second!! I do not have to eliminate that position just because I'm your authority and disciplinarian...I want you to feel comfortable to talk to me about anything, without the fear of me being "all business." I feel being your friend IS part of being a mother! I don't get it when someone claims they will never be their child's friend...to mommy, this is a sad statement and they are missing out on getting to know the child as a person, not just their son or daughter.

I want to know you as a human being, an individual, not just a title of son. You have your own heart and if that breaks, who will you run to? At first, I pray it's Jesus, for He heals the brokenhearted...but second, I pray it's either me or daddy (not so secretly, me first...) Most kids will run to their friends first because most of the time, the parents have never established a friendship with them. What kind of advice/counseling can  another teenager give? Most are dealing with their own problems! And though it's great to relate with someone of the same age, it is even better to go to a seasoned parent, who has been through the fire and has come out victorious. Does this make sense?

So, David boy, I want to say that you can come and talk to me anytime. Without fear of judgment or typical adult criticism. I may not be perfect and neither my advice, however I am your mother, and it's part of my job to know where you are at, mentally, emotionally and spiritually...and if you are off base, it's my job to listen to your words and your heart, to guide you towards the right choices/decisions and most of all, to be a Christ-like example of what a friend should be.

Love Always,

Mom

I'm One Month!! {already}

Hi guys!

My name is David and I am already a month old...wow.

If you want to know where my mama has been, well, she's been taking care of me! I may or may not let her come back, but for now I will give her a lil' break to brag and show off adorable pics of me...mommy & daddy took these by themselves! Enjoy!

Dear David... {Prayer Works: Letter 2}

I've started a series of letters to my little baby boy, that hopefully one day he will get to read and (hopefully) be inspired by (if not embarrassed by)

DEAR DAVID...

I feel this letter needs to go back to a basic principle.
Mommy didn't have the same upbringing as daddy did. He was blessed enough to be brought up in the presence of God, something I did not really feel or even understand until I was 22. I had values and morals, and was God-conscience, but I had never really felt His Spirit. It all started with prayer...and that's what I'd like to talk to you about.


I am already praying that you will be a better David than the one in the Bible. Don't feel pressured, sweetie!! Mommy is not trying to say that she expects you to be this amazing warrior...actually, mommy has been praying that if you are anything of a warrior, to be a warrior of love. We know our family can be, well, prideful. Thick-headed. Stubborn. Argumentative. You know I'm talking about both sides!
You are half French and Hispanic...I feel for ya kid...
But seriously, I've been praying that all that passionate emotion will be used for God's glory! Can you imagine what would happen if we took all of the fire inside and used it for the Kingdom?
I know! So mommy has been praying that you will be different and break this vicious cycle...

You will go through trials and will have to learn the power of prayer on your own. This is not something I think I'll ever be prepared for, because learning means you have to make mistakes first. I don't want my baby boy to make mistakes! But you will...and we can pray through them together, but ultimately, you will have to establish your own prayer life.

To inspire you, mommy has a story to tell. It the year 2011 that you were conceived; actually, about a month or so before. I was a camp counselor at church camp, for the junior girls. Yeah, I know...junior girls can be a little crazy. Anyways we had this BIG tornado warning...the sky turned black and everything! It was really scary especially because we were all waiting outside in line so that we could eat. The clouds swirled over our heads and the light started to fade...
Of course, the girls started to get a little frightened. Mommy could see in their faces that they were confused and terrified. Many of their parents were miles away, and the only ones who could comfort them were the counselors. And God.
Mommy prayed a short prayer for wisdom. I had to help them get their minds off the scary stuff, even though we didn't know what was going to happen. Jesus led me to gather the girls together in a prayer circle and hold hands. Girls that didn't even like each other huddled together without thinking twice. In a calm tone, I said:

"Okay girls, we are going to pray now. I know you are scared...I am too but we know that God has all the power and can take care of us. Right?" They all nodded their heads eagerly, as water droplets started to fall from above. We closed our eyes and prayed for God to have His way...for Jesus to protect us...for the storm to pass over...for everyone to be safe...for the Lord to be with us...


Then we heard someone shout. The tornado was headed right for the camp!!
The counselors tried to keep their groups together but just as we started rushing towards the safe building, a huge crash of thunder scared everyone, and started a stampede. Kids and adults started running all over the place! The clouds opened wide and dumped about an ocean of water, in big drops and splashes!
Mommy was so nervous because she wanted her girls safe but the group had split up. All I could do was run towards the safe building, gathering up as many of my girls as I could. One girl broke down in a panic, screaming for her mom...it echoed through the harsh wind...
Once inside, every person was told to go to the basement...and wait. Thankfully everyone was accounted for. While down there, the lights flickered and we lost power multiple times. The girls were cold, wet and scared. "Oh Lord," I thought, "please keep us safe."

After what seemed like forever we finally got good news...the tornado missed the entire camp ground!!
Somehow, someway, it went right AROUND us and took a different route before disappearing. No one was injured and our families outside of the camp were okay. The girls cheered and jumped for joy!
We were given the okay to call our family, allow the kids to call theirs and then continue our schedule.

The entire time we were at the cafeteria, I could not stop smiling as I overheard the conversations of my girls. It wasn't terror they were talking about...the girls were sharing with everyone how they had prayed and their prayers were answered! I overheard one girl tell an entire table of junior boys "I was really scared, but then Sis Jacy said we were going to pray and we all held hands, and prayed, and then the tornado went away!"

It wasn't me, David. We serve the all powerful God Almighty! I only yielded to His Spirit and encouraged the girls to do the same through prayer. There is power in prayer, son! Sometimes, yes, it will feel a bit silly to you. You may feel overwhelmed, lonely, confused, self conscious and whatever else. but I want you to know that God is always with you and prayer is a way of communication. Keep the lines open and eventually the storm will pass!!

"Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation. Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray. My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up."

Psalms 5:1-3 

Love Always,

Mom

Motivational/Subway Art Plaque for Nursery - DIY

 I have been obsessed with inspirational/motivational quotes & sayings since I can remember. Probably started in middle school, collecting cool things to read and jot in my journal.

So when I've been seeing all the neat subway art signs/plaques lately, it got me all giddy!

Which usually leads to a project...nothing new, right?

I knew this was something I desperately wanted to incorporate into my son's nursery, and make it myself.

After seeing this sign at Pier 1, I was on a mission:

 I loved the idea of inspiring my little one with a sign, but I wanted something horizontal.

Here are some other cool signs:

Source: media-cache5.pinterest.com via yvonne on Pinterest

Source: tarahlowry.blogspot.com via Tia on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Heather on Pinterest

Equipped with what I wanted to say and do, I asked my handsome man to cut some old wooden planks we had in the basement and adhere them together. I didn't want a square, but a decent rectangle. Small enough to look good over the crib. The wood came out to be about 2x3  feet:

BEFORE

He had one long plank and cut it in half, then used metal brackets to screw them together in the back. I wish I had taken more project photos...

It really was okay that the wood was not new! I love the distressed look and really, wood has awesome characters, I didn't want to take away from the roughness...

I spray painted it red, very lightly in some spots, not perfect. It was so fun not to worry about having everything look nice and neat! The style I was going for didn't call for that. Then I wrote out the words by hand and painted them white with a small brush. I am comfortable with my style of handwriting, since I can get letters pretty straight by hand. If you are not, you can always try a projector screen, stencils or vinyl lettering...

Lastly, I took some sand paper and went to town! Okay, maybe not all the way to town...but enough to get get the white letters to not be so, well, uptight and boring haha

AFTER

All done!! Here it is, up and ready to enjoy!

It was so fun to do, easy, quick and I had everything on hand.

My handsome man made sure there were studs in the walls, this thing is pretty heavy. Also we made sure it was high enough so when baby was bigger, he wouldn't mess with it and pull it down (ouch!)

What a special touch for our son to have in his nursery, something handmade and personal!

Can't wait to have a BIG nursery reveal post soon, with tons of photos...muahahaha, stay tuned....