Meet Our Newest DMB Contributors

It’s not often you can begin a new year an feel like you already know fantastic things await you. This past December, we met with 4 Dallas moms we knew would make a great addition to our Dallas Moms Blog team, and it’s with great excitement that we introduce them to you! 

Please welcome and get to know the four newest contributors of Dallas Moms Blog! To help you get to know them better, we sat down emailed them and asked a few personal questions. . .

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Sloan

Sloan, a product of East Dallas/Lakewood from birth, left in 2001 for college in Nashville, then jobs in London and Atlanta only to determine in 2009 that there was no place like home. At that point she returned to “The Hood” and since then (and in this order) became mom to Georgie in 2011, married David in 2012 and had her second baby, Rawlins, in June of 2014. Sloan‘s “non-traditional” path has propelled her to examine what’s really meaningful in this life. She enjoys sharing the good, the bad and the ugly, desiring for other moms to find encouragement, camaraderie and hope in her life stories that are just plain and flat out real (you can’t make some of this stuff up). Sloan is an avid follower of the Lord, a full time working mama that consistently feels like a hot mess, a wife that often wonders how to balance it all and a human that makes mistakes constantly.

When did you become a mommy and how did it change your life?

I became a mom a little over three years ago on November 11th, 2011 (11/11/11 and not it wasn’t on purpose). As I’m sure all mom’s say, because it’s true, it changed my understanding of love. I’d never known it existed this way before, in an all out, totally selfless, I will do anything for this little being type way. My priorities changed, I no longer cared about who was doing what, but how well my babies were being loved. I also feel like as a mom, I came into myself fully. I, to this day, feel not only purpose in my mom role, but confident. It’s strange to say, but nothing has made me more me…than becoming a mom.

What do you find is the most difficult thing about being a mom? . . . the most rewarding?

Most difficult for me is two fold. One, being so fearful of everything, seeing all situations for what the bad MAY be and how that could harm my littles, instead of seeing what the good is. Second, my frustration when things don’t go my way, or my bebs don’t act the way I want them to…I like schedules, and I like predictability and as we all know, that’s pretty non existent with babies.

Most rewarding is truly just that unexplainable love between a mom and her babies, you cannot understand it unless you have a child and I would NEVER give that love away for anything in this world.

Denaye

Denaye is wife to David and Mama to a sweet baby boy, Nicolas. She is licensed and experienced as a child and family psychotherapist and behavior consultant—working with parents to troubleshoot challenging behaviors in young children. Denaye is currently wrapping up a Ph.D in Child Development with a research interest in picky eating behavior. She spends most of her days at home with Nicolas, but during nap times she continues to consult with families, conduct workshops in the community, and teach undergraduate courses in child development. In her blog,Bumble+Bliss, she writes about finding a balance between her professional training and the “on-the-job training” as a new Mother. 

Denaye also guest wrote for us this past year and you can see her post here: Stop Playing Games! :: How To Get Your Kids To Eat Well

What do you find is the most difficult thing about being a mom? . . . the most rewarding?

Time management. The one thing that no one told me was that I would be spending the first year living in 2-3 hour increments. The most rewarding thing is the snuggles.

What’s the one thing you do on a regular basis that’s just for you?

Yoga.

Lilly

Lilly, Dallas born and bred, was fortunate to live outside of Texas at a young age to know there’s nothing quite like the world class cultural melting pot, big ideas and small town hospitality of her native city. From the biggest landmarks to the smallest taco stands, Lilly has enjoyed sharing her favorite parts of the city and her family’s journey navigating life in it at her blog, Pancakes and Beet Juice. A note to the joy that’s found in balance of life’s rich and healthy pleasures, Pancakes and Beet Juice and Lilly’s writing at Dallas Mom’s Blog cover topics ranging from food, fitness, family and enjoying new experiences in the city and beyond. Her love for Dallas and adventure is only made more fun by seeing old favorites again through the eyes of her daughter, Heidi, welcomed via open domestic adoption.  The days are long but the years are short, and the whole mess is documented through various filters at her Instagram page.

Lilly also guest wrote for us this past year and you can see her post here: When Is an Adoptive Family a Family? :: From the Post-Placement Period to Finalization 

When did you become a mommy and how did it change your life? 

I became a mom on December 27, 2013 when I was called that my little girl, Heidi, had been born on Christmas Day and her birth mom selected my husband and I as her parents! Being a parent has changed me in that I was forced to let a lot of things go, but at the same time I became more disciplined. Managing and protecting my time because a much bigger priority now that I was juggling the same things as before like work, marriage and community service and now had a little person I wanted to have quality time with. My alarm used to have a 5 in front of it on productive days and now it’s a 4, but I wouldn’t trade the fullness of my life. 

What do you enjoy most about being a mom in the Dallas?

I was born in Dallas and, even in the chapters where I wasn’t living here, was out and around the city doing things with my family. It’s so interesting to experience the city again through my daughter’s experiences and get to be part of the new and revisit the old. Who knew growing up we would have a gorgeous park on top of the highway that rivaled time sliding down the planters at NorthPark? My husband and I both recall wonderful afternoons experiencing Dallas Museum of Art programming, and I can’t wait to share that with Heidi in addition to time at the new Perot Museum of Nature and Science. 

Dana

Born and raised in Dallas, Dana left only temporarily for college in Abilene. There she found a husband, Louis, and dragged him back to Dallas as quickly as she could! She used to call teaching 5th grade science her passion, but now her focus revolves around Carter (Nov. 2012) and soon Carrie (Apr. 2015), as well as her fur babies, Sadie Jo and Griffey Girl. She is still teaching part-time in Pre-K, and fills whatever space is left with reading, baking, church activities, eating Mexican food, shopping, and snuggling in front of the tv with her husband! Dana writes about her family, her fertility journey, and more over at The Palacios Pensieve.

What do you enjoy most about being a mom in the Dallas?

There are so many possibilities in Dallas! There are so many mom groups to be a part of, whether it’s through your church, neighborhood, hospital, or with momma’s you have stuff in common with, like fluffy bums, baby boot camp, or baby wearing. There are so many fun and inexpensive (or free!) outlets for entertainment. And thanks to Texas weather, plenty of sunshine for park play dates! In Dallas we have so many choices, and so many resources.

What’s the one thing you do on a regular basis that’s just for you?

When I was teaching I got a monthly massage (yes I know, it was glorious, and such a luxury). For awhile after Carter was born I’d go get a manicure or pedicure every few weeks. Lately though, it’s taking a nap… Not even kidding! My husband is pretty awesome about taking the helm whenever his job allows and letting me have quiet time, bookworm time, shopping time, whatever, but I don’t currently have a “thing”. (I’ll work on it!)

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Would you like to guest write for Dallas Moms Blog? 

Are you a local mom with something to say? A funny story to share, a local business* to rave about? We welcome submissions for guest posts!

{Note: We do NOT accept “guest post” marketing pitches from copywriters looking to exchange content for links, from writers affiliated with other sites or businesses, or from non-DFW-area writers. Due to a large increase in these kind of guest post pitches, we are unable to respond to your pitch unless you follow the guidelines below exactly.}

To be considered for a guest post, send an email to Krystal(at)dallasmomsblog(dot)org with the following information:

• Your name, kids’ ages, area in DFW where you live
• Your post idea summarized in 2-3 sentences
• At least two (2) writing samples – links to your personal blog count, but please link to specific posts (those that show off your writing chops) rather than the home page
• OR, you may submit a complete, original blog post (writing samples not required if submitting a completed piece). You can request our Guest Post Guidelines for further assistance. Please follow the guidelines carefully if submitting a completed piece; it will increase your chances of getting published.

We will respond to all pitches that follow the above guidelines within two weeks. Pitches that do not follow the above or that do not align with our blog’s brand and content philosophy will not get a response.

* If you are a local business owner and want to reach our audience, we’d love to talk to you about advertising options. We ask that guest bloggers refrain from writing about businesses with which they have a financial affiliation.