BeautyRevealed | The Blog of Melissa J. Dillon

“A father carries pictures where his money used to be.”

-Unknown

Father’s Day was so special this year. Of course the main reason being that Mark is a Daddy to this precious little one, and I’ve been so touched to watch him love and care for her with such tenderness and adoration. Ava has been in love with her Daddy since the day she was born. Mark was the first one to hold her in the hospital, and a bond was formed instantly between these two. Then when she was transferred down the hall to the NICU, Mark went with her and did not leave her side. He held her for hours until I could finally come and join them. Even when she was just hours old, she would follow the sound of his voice and just gaze at him.

Ava lights up when Daddy comes home from work in the evenings. It has blessed me so much to find that Mark is a real hands-on Dad. He carries her around when she’s fussy, plays games with her, makes her giggle and laugh, blows “raspberries” with her , changes poopy diapers, puts her down for her naps, plays guitar and sings to her, and gives her lots of kisses. It melts my heart to watch these two, and I couldn’t have ever imagined what a excellent father Mark would be right out of the starting gate. My love for him grows stronger and stronger as I watch him in this role. He is a hero to both Ava and me. We love you, Honey. Happy first Father’s Day!

One of my most favorite things in the whole wide world is the special relationship between Mark and my Father. I think the thing that initially drew me to Mark in the first place was how much he was like my Dad. They are both extremely laid back, kind and compassionate, easy to talk to, and soooooo funny. So when we moved to Minnesota a few years back, it was a great joy for me to watch as these “two peas in a pod” developed a close and trusted relationship with each other.

Daddy leads a Bible Study in his home that Mark and I have attended for the last 3 years. Both of us have agreed that it is by far the place we have grown the most spiritually, and we’ve learned some exciting and challenging things. As the truth of God’s word begins to affect and change our lives more and more, we are so thankful for Dad’s teaching gift and wisdom… especially now that we are instructed to “bring up this child in the way that she should go!” We need all of the wisdom we can get! Thank you, Dad, for being such an example to us of a humble and faithful servant with a heart that seeks after God. I couldn’t have asked for a better father. Happy Father’s Day!

Ava loves her Papa. My Dad stops by almost every day after work to see his little “punky”, and she gives him the biggest smiles when he arrives. I absolutely love the fact that Daddy works so close to our house so he can come by often. It does my heart good to see my little girl and her Papa finding such delight in one another!

For Father’s Day, we grilled burgers at Jodie’s house and ate on his deck in the beautiful sunshine. It was such a relaxing day… naps were even involved. I’m pretty sure that most Father’s would agree that a day of rest and napping is just about as special as it gets! Ha!

Thanks, Jod, for taking such great pictures again. You have such a talent for capturing beautiful memories!

Ava’s been thinking she’s pretty big “stuff” now that she’s standing… (with assistance of course!! ).

We were blessed with a special treat this year when Mark’s Dad, Lewis, called to say he was flying up to visit us from Oklahoma the Monday after Father’s Day. We haven’t seen him since last November, so he hadn’t even met his granddaughter yet. It was a quick trip, but so special for all of us. I love these pictures of Mark and his Dad on the morning he was able to hold Ava for the first time. Lewis’ eyes flooded with tears, and Mark reached out and lay his hand on his shoulder… I was so glad to be able to capture that moment on film. I will remember it always.

It was so wonderful that Ava could spend time with her Grandpa. It’s hard to be so far away… especially when she grows and changes so quickly. For Father’s Day, we got Lewis a photo album so he can fill it up with pictures with Ava as she grows. We will send lots, we promise!

Mark was so blessed to have his Dad come… even if the time was short, it meant the world to him to be able to visit with him and watch his Dad hold his baby girl. Life takes on such a new meaning when you have a child.

What a heritage our little girl has with such godly men to love her and watch over her. These three men have a God-given authority in Ava’s life, and I will raise her to give them the honor and respect that they deserve. And I know that in return she will receive a legacy that will continue for generations to come. Happy Father’s Day Mark, Daddy and Lewis! We love you!

“One day your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it’s worth watching.”

- Unknown

It is an amazing legacy to see the fruit of someone’s life still growing strong even after they have passed away. That is such evidence of a life well lived, and it has impacted me to the core. Rocky’s funeral was unlike any other I have ever been to. Not only because of the amazing strength and grace displayed by his wife and family that can only come from the Power from on High, but because of tremendous impact he had on hundreds of people from all walks of life. And through his death there was such a testimony of God’s love, power, grace and faithfulness. The Lord was worshipped whole-heartedly in spite of grief and questions. And watching all of the hands lifted toward heaven while the tears were streaming down faces, I truly saw beauty in the midst of the ashes. It brought a whole new meaning to the scripture that says, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.” (Psalm 116.) I have since heard that over 20 people gave their lives to the Lord at the funeral service, and countless others have realized a need to change the course of their lives. Something has changed in me that day: it is a tremendous desire to live a life that is worth watching. It inspires me greatly to live an upright and contagious life… a desire to become more like Jesus. Especially now, as I am a Mommy, I want to make sure that Ava’s little eyes are watching a woman who strives to follow after God with her whole heart, mind, spirit and strength. And when my life is over on this earth, I want to walk through heaven’s gates and hear the words, “Well done, my good and faithful servant”… just as Rocky heard them just a few short weeks ago.

*photo source unknown

“The happiest moments of my life have been the few which I have
passed at home in the bosom of my family.”

- Thomas Jefferson

Ava Baby, you’re three months old today! Here are a few things about you now:

• You are so happy now in between your feeding and your naps. You play for a long time and smile and “talk” like crazy.
• Your favorite toy is your “jungle gym” from Uncle Lloyd and Aunt Inge. You play under it about 6-8 times a day and never grow tired of it.
• You are starting to laugh! You like to try to imitate us laughing or coughing. It is so cute!
• You have started to do so much better in your car seat this month… You like to go places now.

• You go to Uncle Jodie’s every Friday night to watch LOST and have dinner. But now that the Series is over, we’re going to have to find a new show.
• You love to watch your Daddy playing guitar. I think you will be very musical someday.
• We had to take you to the doctor since you were not gaining weight. Now we are supplementing with formula as well as breast milk to help you “chubby up” a bit more.
• At your last weighing you were 9 pounds, 7 ounces… so tiny for 3 months old! You are only in the 2nd percentile for weight. We have another doctor’s appointment on Monday to check your progress. I have a feeling you have gained quite a bit in the last week. (*** Update *** At your appointment we found out that you gained 1 pound and 1 ounce! You now weigh 10 pounds, 8 ounces… way to go, Sweetie!!)

• You’re still not sleeping through the night… you usually wake up once to eat, but because you’re so tiny, it’s important to give you all the feedings you need.
• You’re still in newborn diapers and outfits!
• At nap times and bedtime we swaddle you tight, give you your pacifier, and snuggle with you while we sing “Moon River”. Then we lay you down while you’re drowsy and you usually go right to sleep. It has been such a relief to Mommy and Daddy that you are sleeping so well now.

• You love to suck on your hands!
• You are doing so well with your tummy time… your neck is getting stronger, and you have more control over your movements.
• Mommy still cries when I look at you. My heart is so filled with love for you that it just seeps out through my tears sometimes.

• You really like to stay in a routine. You don’t like to change things up very often… it makes you feel insecure.
• You make all sorts of cute noises now. One of our favorites is when you croak like a little frog.
• You love to take walks now on the walking trail. At first you weren’t too sure about the stroller, but now you love to look around at the great big world outside.

• You l.o.v.e your Papa and Grandma, your two uncles and your Auntie Ang. These are the faces that you see the most, and you give them big smiles when you see them.
• Your Daddy can get you giggling really well!
• At Bible Study on Tuesday nights you are mesmerized by the guitars and the singing! You love to listen to the Worship to God.

Happy 3 month birthday, Sweetie! Daddy and I love you so much! You are more precious to us than words can express.

* All photos again by Uncle Jodie.

I’m a little behind in my posting due to some very valuable lessons in sleep that we have been giving to a certain little girl. We believe that God must have big plans for this child because she is spunky! Sleep did not come naturally for Ava at all, and she sure let us know it… but, whew!, she is finally getting the hang of it. She almost begs to go to sleep now, and we are able to lay her down and she doesn’t even fuss. Her naps are like clockwork, and Mark and I are soooo relieved (and ready to collapse from exhaustion .)

Be back soon with pictures from the last couple of weeks.

For Mark’s birthday we all went down to Jamie and Angela’s house for the day to celebrate. The car ride was long and hot with a 3 month old baby {our air conditioning is on the fritz and it turned out to be a 90 degree day! ), but we all had such a good time. We asked Mark what he’d like to do for his birthday, and he decided on visiting Willie’s American Guitars off of Grand Avenue in St. Paul. Wow, was he ever in heaven. He especially wanted to look at the Ukeleles since he’s been saving up to buy one for a little while now.

Jodie snapped some pictures of Mark trying out all the instruments… I think Mark could have stayed there all day! He says that owning a Guitar Store like this one would be his dream job.

This was Ava’s first of many, many, many visits to a music store… it could’ve gone better. Mom and I ended up walking around a nearby neighborhood with her to get her to fall asleep. She’s not big on sleeping anywhere except her crib… in a dark room… and a fan (I know, I know. Spoiled! ) Mark will show her all the Ukeleles when she’s in a better mood sometime.

After that we changed our plan from eating at a restaurant (for Ava’s sake) and ordered Applebees to-go and brought it back to Jamie and Angela’s. For dessert we had ice cream in waffle cones… yum. For gifts Mark received money towards his ukelele… he’s almost there! We stayed and visited until it cooled off outside and then headed home. Ava was zonked after such a big day!

Happy Birthday, Honey! You are such a wonderful husband and Daddy, and we love you so much. I love traveling this journey with you, Babe. I pray this next year is so blessed and fruitful for you.

A Blessing for the coming year *Psalm 128

“Blessed is every one who fears the Lord, who walks in His ways.
When you eat the labor of your hands,
You shall be happy, and it shall be well with you.
Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine in the very heart of your house,
Your children like olive plants all around your table.
Behold, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the Lord.
The Lord bless you out of Zion,
And may you see the good of Jerusalem all the days of your life.
Yes, may you see your children’s children.”

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death… You are with me.”

-Psalm 23

There is such sadness in our hearts tonight as we mourn the loss of a family friend in a tragic accident. He is my dear friend Melinda’s brother, and I ask that you would pray for her and her family as they walk through this journey of grief. He was such a good and kind man with a beautiful wife and 2 teenage children. It is so hard to believe that his life was cut way too short, and we ask God for the grace to accept the things we cannot understand. We take comfort in the knowledge that he is with our Heavenly Father now and that we will all be together again someday soon… dancing on streets of gold.

* Feel free to leave a comment for Melinda as she is a faithful reader of this blog.

“Merrily, merrily shall I live now, under the blossom that hangs on the bough.”

- William Shakespeare

Our Flowering Crabapple tree is in full bloom, so we had Jodie come over and take some pictures of our house to use for our Home Page. The blossoms smell wonderful! It finally feels like spring has turned into summer here in northern Minnesota… this week is in the 80’s and sunshiny. It’s the perfect weather to throw open the windows and let the fresh, clean air sweep through the house. I love this time of year.

The lilacs are just starting to come out… I’m sure they’ll be in full bloom in a week or so. Ava and I went for a walk today and I told her to breathe deep and smell all the wonderful smells of summer. She just looked at me. It reminded me of Anne of Avonlea when Anne says, “Smell them, Marilla. Drink them in.” It made me giggle.

They put the docks in the lake today, and there were already children swimming after school… the water is entirely too cold still, but they looked like they were having fun. It’s one of my favorite sounds of summer to hear the kids playing down at the beach. I always say this house was made for summertime.

Thanks, Jod, for being our very own personal photographer again. You capture the sweetness of life through your lens.

“If you want to be happy, be.”

- Leo Tolstoy

5 Principles of Contentment by Linda Dillow
1. Never allow yourself to complain about anything – not even the weather.
2. Never picture yourself in any other circumstance or someplace else.
3. Never compare your lot with another’s.
4. Never allow yourself to wish this or that had been otherwise.
5. Never dwell on tomorrow – remember that tomorrow is God’s, not ours.

“For most of life, nothing wonderful happens. If you don’t enjoy getting up and working and finishing your work and sitting down to a meal with family or friends, then the chances are that you’re not going to be very happy. If someone bases his happiness or unhappiness on major events like a great new job, huge amounts of money, a flawlessly happy marriage or a trip to Paris, that person isn’t going to be happy much of the time. If, on the other hand, happiness depends on a good breakfast, flowers in the yard, a drink or a nap, then we are more likely to live with quite a bit of happiness.” – Andy Rooney

“I am determined to be cheerful and happy in whatever situation I may find myself. For I have learned that the greater part of our misery or unhappiness is determined not by our circumstances but by our disposition.” – Martha Washington

“For I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.” – Philippians 4:11

“There are things that we don’t want to happen but have to accept, things we don’t want to know but have to learn, and people we don’t want to live without but have to let go.” – Unknown

“We either make ourselves miserable, or we make ourselves happy. The amount of work is the same.” – Unknown

“Wherever you are, be all there.” – Jim Elliot

“I thank God for my handicaps for, through them, I have found myself, my work, and my God.” – Helen Keller

“Being happy doesn’t mean that everything is perfect. It means that you’ve decided to look beyond the imperfections.” – Unknown

“For every minute you are angry you lose sixty seconds of happiness.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

“When life gives you a hundred reasons to cry, show life that you have a thousand reasons to smile.” – Unknown

“Taking JOY in living is a woman’s best cosmetic.” – Rosalind Russell

“Happy girls are the prettiest.” – Audrey Hepburn

“Kiss your life. Accept it, just as it is. Today. Now. So that the moments of happiness you’re waiting for don’t pass you by.” – Unknown

“Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be.” – Abraham Lincoln

*Photo source unknown