Father and Family Council February 2023 vol2 ed2

Who We Are

On the way to … being a better Dad

What we can learn from the Puppy Bowl XIX in 2023!

Oh my goodness, I had never seen this before but it is absolutely too cool for words. Imagine a dozen or so adorable, energized puppies most of them traveling at the speed of 100+ oohs and ahs per minute! It made me remember why our family has always included dogs, sometimes even multiples.

It also got me to thinking about what it is about dogs that is so endearing.

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Dads Club Launch

Rosa Valdez

“

On August 6, 2017, we welcomed our first son Jamar Smith Jr. and Immediately our lives changed... ”

Jeanette Hordge-Smith

continued on page 4

Early Learning Center

Located in Tampa, Florida and supported by Cornerstone Ministries, Rosa Valdez ELC is a model in preparing children for Hope-filled lives. Through this most excellent facility and program, Dads Club will be reaching Dads at an especially important timein their child’s life!

Jamar Smith

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• Feb 3 Dads Club at Northeast HS

• Feb 9 Dads Club at Forest Lakes ES

Dads Club at Highland Lakes ES

• Feb 17 Dads Club at Charles Drew K-8

• Feb 23 Dads Club at St Pete 1st ELC

• Mar 9 Dads Club Virtual “Perseverance” 7:00pm

This Month’s Topic Gratitude

Gratitude means recognizing kindness around us. And being willing to say thank you. Being grateful helps us want to be kind to others, even if they don’t say thanks!

Starting the day with positive affirmations is a great way to keep what's important 1st!

Here are some more Gratitude Quotes and Affirmations.

Lets Talk conversation Starters:

Dads ask your Son/Daughter:

Is there something that you are grateful for? Who can you do something nice for, and what would it be?

Son/Daughter ask your Dad:

Has someone done something nice for you? How did you show gratitude?

Spotlight On Men

Jamar Smith is my best friend.

We met in 2008 through an introduction from mutual friends. Since day one he has worked tirelessly to pursue his dreams of becoming a successful family man and Doctor of Physical Therapy. After 6 years of dating, Jamar and I got married in 2014 in Negril, Jamaica. On August 6, 2017, we welcomed our first son Jamar Smith Jr. Immediately our lives changed. Within 48-hours "big" Jamar made the decision to trade in his dream mustang to accommodate our new need for car seat space. This was only one of many sacrifices Jamar made to ensure our family needs were priority. Despite working long hours to provide for our family, Jamar always dedicates time to play and love on our little ones.

After relocating from Washington, DC to Florida, we welcomed our second son on July 6, 2021, Julius Smith. Jamar’s support throughout my pregnancy and labor was simply amazing. Despite COVID restrictions, Jamar ensured that not only were Julius and I well, but that Jamar Jr. who had to stay with his grandparents still felt loved and included. A few days after giving birth I began to feel daily headaches. On the eighteenth day postpartum, Jamar decided to take my blood pressure during one of the head aches and calmly suggested we go to the ER. At 1am, we packed our bags, bundled up our boys and were headed to the hospital.

Upon arrival they immediately placed me as a high-level emergency. Luckily Jamar got me there just in time, because it would have taken even longer if he hadn’t been paying close attention to my health during those first few weeks postpartum. It was at that moment that I realized how much he truly loved us; despite being worried about me, he also made sure that both Julius and Jamar Jr. were safe before anything else mattered – such a perfect husband!

Jamar is one of the most humble and selfless people I know. He is genuine and truly strives to be the best in everything he does. He has experienced so many ups and downs in life, but his resiliency is inspiring and a characteristic I pray our sons with inherit.

Jeanette

My Father hood Story

I feel being a great father is one of the callings on my life. I have two sons, JJ and Julius. They are 5 years and 18 months old respectively. I understand the importance of my role as a father. I understand that I am the example of the type of man they will become. I am excited and look forward to spending time with my boys. My oldest is multi talented and excels in most things he chooses to participate in. I am glad and honored to say that I was present for most of those moments. Life, family, and career can be demanding, but one day, “God willing” my sons’ will be forming their own families.

Growing up I remember spending a lot of time with my uncle during my school aged years. I remember him coming to my football games, track meets and other school events. I remember his attention and the time he spent teaching me how to draw. My uncle is a great artist, but that was not my calling. What I appreciate the most about my uncle is the time he spent with me and love I felt through his support for me.

I would love for my boys to feel for me the way I feel for my uncle. I love him, respect him and look for his advice. Through that experience during my upbringing, I understand how important it is for me to spend time with my sons.

Jamar

Jeanette&JamarSmith

Julius&JamarJr.

nthewayto…beingabetterDad

What we can learn from the Puppy Bowl XIX in 2023?

Oh my goodness, I had never seen this before but it is absolutely too cool for words. Imagine a dozen or so adorable, energized puppies most of them traveling at the speed of 100+ oohs and ahs per minute! It made me remember why our family has always included dogs, sometimes multiples.

It also got me to thinking about what it is about dogs that is so endearing. Why dogs are almost universally accepted as “Man’s Best Friend”. Have you experienced this, coming home to find your dog eagerly waiting, tail wagging, perhaps jumping with excitement, intently watching and anticipating your interaction whatever it may be? I have, and I have often thought “what have I done to deserve such loyalty”!

And it hit me, there it is. Quite simple really. Our dogs accept us without judgement. I am sure they feel the discomfort of maybe not being walked on time, the disappointment of not being played with or some pangs of hunger if I am late in getting home and dinner is delayed. But they just do not seem to remember. We love our dogs because they love us regardless of our faults.

There is something universal in this characteristic of our dogs that can be wrapped up in one word: Acceptance! It is universally true that at the heart of any successful, positive relationship you will find acceptance. Think about it for a moment. We do not pick our wives or friends. Those relationships build around acceptance. Saying it another way, judgement kills relationships. At the very least, we feel uncomfortable when we are being judged.

If you are still with me, let me make one more point. Sometimes, in our relationships, we have the opportunity to offer constructive wisdom and discernment. And then we are disappointed that our attempt to influence the situation is rejected. Those of you who have children know what I am talking about. The problem often is that those attempts are perceived as judgement and that just poisons the conversation.

Here is my takeaway from this. Relationships are based on acceptance. Andy Stanley said it best, Acceptance Paves the Way to Influence. If you want to have Influence, you must first build a foundation of acceptance. This is a truism that can apply to every relationship. Acceptance cuts through doubt, distrust, anger, disappointment and all of that baggage. Acceptance goes directly to the heart. I am looking forward to exploring this conversation with you more in the installments to come.

Mark Baker Dads Club Live

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