Here Come The Newlywed Season 2 Winners…
Filed under: Blog Entries, Entertainment & Sports, Relationships
Last year, I blogged about the winners of Here Come The Newlywed Season 1 and was shocked at how fast the post gained popularity. The post even led to me getting an actual interview with last year’s winners, Johnnie and Crystal Moutra. So it was only fitting that I write a post on this year’s couple. The final couples were Marlo & Mark Corliss from Yarmouth Port, Massachusetts and Makayla & Kenny McMorris from Omaha, Nebraska.
I honestly feel each couple on the show learned something new about their spouses. Before the final decision was made, both husbands gave a heart-felt speech about what they’d learned in the house about their wife. Both husbands gave great speeches, but in the end it was the Corlisses that ended up winning over $400,000. That’s a nice chunk of change for a newlywed couple and it’ll definitely allow them to get started on the right track financially. I thought all of the couples this year were great and it’s good to see a show about marriage, relationships and getting to know the one you’ve married be the focus of a reality television show. This is only the beginning for all the couples. I wish them all the best and thanks again ABC for another great season.
Dang, I’m Old…
Filed under: Blog Entries, Community, Education, Entertainment & Sports, Family, Laughable, Life, Relationships, Society & Culture, Technology
Last night during our church instrumental rehearsal, I had the opportunity to speak to some of our soon-to-be high school Juniors about my education and career. While the purpose of our ministry is to use the talents we’ve been given to glorify God, the adult leaders in the group felt it was also important for us to make sure the youth could benefit from some of our life experiences as they prepare for college. We didn’t want to lecture them about the “old days” and we wanted it to be in a relaxed environment where they could ask questions.
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Happy Father’s Day: Calm & Patient
Filed under: Blog Entries, Community, Family, General, Life, Relationships, Society & Culture
If you talk to the people I hang around most, the majority will say that I’m a pretty quiet, easy-going, kind of guy. I tend to not get upset about a lot of things and when placed in a situation where some would flip out, I try my best to remain calm, cool and collected. For a long time, I thought patience was one of my greatest virtues. But then I had kids…
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Dads’ Week: Obama on Fatherhood
Filed under: Blog Entries, Community, Family, Obama, Relationships, Society & Culture
On June 19th, the President hosted a Young Mens Barbeque at the White House for students from local schools to discuss the importance of fatherhood and taking personal responsibility. The President kicked off a national conversation about the importance of fatherhood today at a White House town hall meeting afterwards. The President was joined in the discussion by well-known fathers from across the country, national and community organizations, young students, as well as five outstanding fathers from diverse backgrounds. These men shared their stories of their commitment to fatherhood and personal responsibility, covering everything from the struggles of balancing work and family to the importance of family dinners.
Following their stories, the President discussed the vital role of fathers in their families and their communities. He said he hopes this conversation will spark a national dialogue about fatherhood in America, which will inspire participants to fulfill their obligations and become positive role models in their own communities.
Dad Blog: Mocha Dad
Filed under: Black Blogger Postings, Blog Entries, Family, Laughable, Relationships, Society & Culture
I found the Mocha Dad’s blog on the blogroll of the African American Dad. I’d heard of the Mocha Mom’s organization, so it was cool to see another positive, black father sharing his experiences with his readers (it’s also a plus that he’s from Houston). This is a really good blog and the questions posed in his posts make you think about your role as a parent. Here’s a little more info on the Mocha Dad before you check out his site:
I am a native Houstonian who has traveled around the around the world. I graduated from Howard University and have worked as a mover, photographer, controls manager, quality manager, construction project manager, eBay and Amazon seller, and freelance writer.
In addition to raising kids and holding down full time jobs, I have published work in the books “Paper Thin/Soul Deep” and “The African American Book of Values” and in magazines/newspapers such as Essence, Upscale, The Houston Chronicle, Katy Magazine , Folio Weekly and Emerge.
I enjoy music, reading, photography, and surfing the web. But my greatest joy comes from spending time with my wife and three kids.
Dads’ Week: Dad Bloggers Discuss Husband Duties on NPR
Filed under: Black Blogger Postings, Blog Entries, Family, Obama, Relationships, Society & Culture
Check out this podcast I found on NPR’s June 9th episode of Tell Me More. Just in time for Father’s Day, a roundtable of “Daddy bloggers” discuss what’s new in the land of dad cyberspace. Keith Morton, who blogs at African American Dad; Jeff Steele, who blogs at D.C. Urban Moms and Dads, and Jason Sperber, who blogs at Rice Daddies discuss topics that have dads buzzing on the Web, including whether the image of President Barack Obama has put more pressure on them to perform in the husband and father department.
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Dad Bloggers @ dad-blogs.com
Filed under: Blog Entries, Community, Family, General, Relationships, Society & Culture
The blogosphere is full of mom bloggers who are very active and organized. So it was nice to see the blogger dads organize and come up with a place where dads feel comfortable visiting. From what I could find out, this is a fairly new site and was started by bloggers Pete Janelle and Joe Schatz. If you are a parent, you can join the community and get to reading posts like “What I Really Want for Father’s Day”. I’ve included an excerpt of what dad-blogs.com is all about:
Dad Blog: The Busy Dad Blog
Filed under: Blog Entries, Family, Relationships, Society & Culture
The first dad blogger on the list for All About Dads Week, is the author of The Busy Dad Blog. Just after reading the title alone, I knew this would be a blog that I could really relate with. But after reading the posts I found out the Busy Dad was way busier than I am which made me wonder how he was able to put together such a well thought out blog. To get the real deal on the life of a busy dad, check out his site. I’ve included an excerpt from his About Me page below.
I swear the last thing I remember was throwing down a couple of pitchers with the boys, and pondering my biggest worry in life: how not to appear too hung over at the office tomorrow. Then I awoke, holding my breath in front of this Diaper Genie contraption cursing myself for not leaving enough tag end to tie it off. How did I get here?
Better yet, where do I go from here?
That pretty much sums up my initiation into the world of fatherhood. Somebody shoved a scepter into my hands with the letters D-A-D on it, pushed me onto the stage and said “dance, fool, dance.”
One awesome 7-year-old boy, a lovely wife, two dogs, and a picket fence later, I’m still shuffling my feet trying to find my rhythm as a kick ass dad. And as with any endeavor of this magnitude, it deserves to be documented. So I started this blog.
Dads’ Week: Ridin’ Solo
Filed under: Blog Entries, Family, Life, Photo Phinish, Relationships
This weekend I had the opportunity to watch my son ride his bike without my help. I was in awe as he rode down the street because this was only his second lesson. The first lesson was grueling and I paid the price with a sore back due to two hours of bending over to help him pedal. After that lesson I just knew it would be a while before he caught on. I’d be showing him how to turn and he would be looking at the rabbit running across the street. It took some patience from each of us and I knew it was going to be a long summer.
After the first lesson, about a week passed because I wanted to let him decide when he was ready to go back out. He jumped on the bike and with very little assistance from me started pedaling. I watched in amazement and gave myself a pat on the back for being such a great teacher. But when reality set in, I knew he was riding solo because he was ready to do it. All he needed was a little guidance in the right direction. Once he understood the concept of pedaling, he was on his way.
I guess that’s what parenting is all about. You give your kids what they need and pray that they are listening. They will fall, make mistakes and run into curbs, but if you’ve given them a solid foundation, success isn’t far away. Next year, I’ll see how he does without the training wheels.
Dad Blog: African American Dad
Filed under: Black Blogger Postings, Family, Relationships, Society & Culture
The first dad blogger on the list for All About Dads Week, is the author of the blog African American Dad. I came across Keith’s blog when I was searching for black bloggers to add to my reading list. He had a post on potty training his son Dev and was able to offer me some advice for my son. Here’s an excerpt from his about us page. Go check it out at fatherdad.com. I can guarantee, you’ll enjoy reading about his journey through fatherhood.
When my son was born his body temperature was a bit low. In order to get it to normal he was taken away and put under a special baby-warming heat lamp. While the treatment was being explained to me I thought of flame broiling burgers at Burger King. My kid was going to be delicious.
After being out of my sight for a few seconds I decided to go looking for him. I found my brand new little guy across the hall wearing a tiny diaper and a gauze cap. He seemed vulnerable in the small room as he was slowly being warmed up. I looked him over, counting fingers and toes, and took in the fact that we shared a face. And I noted that his navel was gross.
In an instant it was like the weight of the world landed upon my shoulders. I suddenly realized I was going to be responsible for helping him become a good man – a good black man. I knew my life would never be the same again.
Eventually I built up the nerve to touch him (after a little encouragement from the nurse that had come and gone) and I placed my pinky finger in his munchkin hand. In a voice that he seemed to recognize I whispered to him that I would be there for him no matter what obstacles he may face in this life. I told him how difficult becoming a black man would be, but that together we would make it. I’ll never forget those first moments I spent alone with my son as his dad. They inspired me to continue to do everything I do today!
I graduated Cum Laude with a BA in Urban Studies from Hunter College and I recently became Business Director of a start-up charter school committed to giving quality educations to inner city children, and an a viable alternative to parents that believed they didn’t have one. This is in addition to my work with Malecare, Inc as a program director/developer. My wife Shalawn, is a licensed Medical Social Worker and psychotherapist, and my four year old son Devin is, as of this writing, unemployed.
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