“I participated in a Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for First Response. I received product samples as well as a promotional item to thank me for my participation.”

Tomorrow is Father’s Day. Sadly, we won’t be able to celebrate right away with my husband, but we have a few tricks up our sleeve to make sure that even 1000 miles away he knows he is loved on his honorary day.

In the meantime – I thought I’d share the story of finding out we were pregnant for the first time. It all started with a First Response test (or eight…) and ended with my whispering to my husband in the light of a new day “You’re going to be a daddy.”

Two Pink Lines

We were married after dating for a couple of years on April 4, 2008. My husband was deployed with his job on May 4th, but returned home early with a knee injury on September 4th, and a month later I suspected we might be pregnant.

Together we went to Walgreens and looked over all the tests. It was really frustrating to see so many choices, but we decided to go with First Response because it said they could detect a pregnancy as early as six days before the day of your missed period.  We might have bought a few boxes of them. While in the store, I had noticed a co-worker had come in with her boys. I made my husband hold the tests and go straight to the register with them while I stayed looking at random items in case we were to be seen with them. Seems so silly now, but I didn’t want anyone to know until we knew for sure.

We went home and I quickly took one of the tests. I had drank a lot of water at that point, and so our positive was SO VERY FAINT. My husband didn’t want to believe it yet, so we tried another. However, it was the evening and by that point I had drank even more water, so it was a too diluted and my test came back negative.

We decided to wait until the morning like the directions said was best. We spent the remainder of the evening wondering was it positive? Could we be parents soon?  Looking back, it was one of my first glimpses into a behavior that I would come to know and love in my husband. He doesn’t let himself get overly excited about things like I do. He didn’t want to think we were, until we had the positive result.

The next morning, dawn woke me up. I’m not an early riser by nature, so I remember it very clearly. I crept into the bathroom and took our test. Almost immediately the two pink lines showed up on the first response test. I smiled, nervous, excited, anxious… And crept into bed and whispered to my husband, “You’re going to be a daddy. We are going to be parents.” A smile crept over his lips, and he pulled me in close. And even though it happened sooner than we had planned, I knew in that very moment what a great dad he was going to be.

A Brand We Can Trust

Recently I heard that First Response has improved the design of their tests to make taking it even easier, with a 50% wider strip to test on, a longer curved design to fit a woman’s hand better, and it can be used at any time of the day. No more anxious waiting until the first pee to test!

The last thing a woman needs is anything that makes it difficult to test, so I can personally appreciate this new design. First Response tests are widely available at big box stores, groceries, and drugstores ranging in price from $8.99-$15.99.

When it came time to test for our second, we turned to what we knew and trusted as I am sure we will do one day with our third and maybe fourth children – should we be so blessed…  Until then, I don’t really need a labeled day to celebrate the man I love and the father of my children. We are so lucky to have him and for everything he does for us.

My husband loves to BBQ so when I was trying to come up with the perfect Father’s Day gift it wasn’t too hard especially since he just got a brand new grill!  Plus BBQ gifts are also something the whole family loves because we love when he grills for us! This year I tried to come up with a gift from all of us! We had almost as much fun picking the gifts as I’m sure he will using them!

My son picked out this Captain America apron. Given how much he loves Captain America this was the perfect choice from him. I think my husband will look pretty handsome in this! Watch out Chris Evans!

My youngest son loves to dance and groove. We usually grab a stereo from the garage every time we need music so he picked out this portable speaker from Oontz. (Okay, he’s only 18 months… maybe I helped a bit!) Now our music can be everywhere we are and dad can enjoy some tunes as he cooks! He’s such a good daddy the chances are pretty high we will be jamming out to Frozen or Laurie Berkner!

Or if he’s out there grilling on his own he can use the speaker with his free Windows Audible app. We both love audible and having the app makes listening to our favorite books even easier!! If you are unfamiliar with audible it’s a audiobook service through Amazon.  Each month for a monthly fee you get one audiobook and can download others at a membership price. Since we both love books, but rarely have time to read them this allows us to listen in our free time! What’s not to love about that!

My husband loves to do different things on the grill. I love his hands, and although he doesn’t do it often I worry about him burning them. My friend’s husband raves about this Gecko Grip Gloves that are made from silicone and are heat resistant. I think he will like these. Plus they are just kind of cool looking. If he doesn’t like them I’m sure I could use them in the kitchen for taking things from the oven!

Finally, I am going to sneak this Grilling & Chilling app onto his Windows Tablet. I think he will like the diversity of it, and I will enjoy him contributing more ideas to our weekly menu plans. (Okay, maybe this one is one I will enjoy too!)  PLUS it’s free (usually it costs $2.49 to download) until June 24th!  Which is makes it the perfect compliment to our Father’s Day grilling gifts!

I’m going to predict two things will happen this Father’s Day…

1. We are going to have a very happy Daddy on our hands!
2. We will probably be spending the afternoon outside playing and grilling!

What are your Father’s Day plans?

**This post may contain affiliate links. I’m a member of the Windows Champions blogger program. As part of this program, I am loaned products over the course of year and have the opportunity to learn about Windows and Microsoft products.**

As far as Dads go, I couldn’t have married a better man.  He loves his boys more than anything in the whole world and it shows.

Sending love across the miles!

For all the rest of the dads out there…

Photo taken by TNG Photography
Written By Emily Knight

Manly Meats:

• Summer Steak – With only 3 ingredients this steak is something everyone can get behind – even the cook!
• Grilled Brats with Corn on the Cob – I know if my husband was home this one would be a hit in our home. Super simple, and very flavorful!
• Crock-Pot Chili Lime Chicken Wings  – If you have plans on Father’s Day you can throw these in the crock pot and come home to a delicious and tasty meal!
• Colossal Cheeseburger – One giant burger for the whole family?  This one will be gone before you can put it on the table!
• BBQ Chicken Tacos – Nothing like mixing two flavors to make one flavorful dinner!
• Stuffed Pork Chops with Balsamic and Onions – Paired with asparagus or green beans this recipe is a winner!
• Beef & Peppers – Another easy and awesome crockpot meal.  The flavors from this will put a smile on Dad’s face!
• Slow Cooker Cranberry Chicken – If your Dad likes his meat sweet this recipe is for him!
• Honey Pecan Pork Cutlets – The glaze on these is out of the world – Just like Dad!

Something Sweet:

• Bacon Fudge – I may be a little too excited about this one! Bacon and Fudge together as one! Yum!
• Chocolate Pudding Oreo Pie – This is an easy recipe that your kids can help you make and it only has 4 ingredients!
• Grilled Brownie Cupcakes – If your husband or father is a fan of grilling they are sure to get a kick out of these cute “Grilled” brownie cupcakes!
• Chocolate Pudding Cookie Dough Bars – This recipe may be Paleo based but it tastes AWESOME!
• Ice Cream Delight – Who doesn’t love ice cream?  This recipe is sure to have Dad asking for it again and again!
• Peanut Butter Banana Cake – A teeny bit healthier, but it sure doesn’t taste that way!
• Magic Bars – These magic bars will magically be a hit with Dad and your whole family!
• Easy Peach Cobbler – This dessert not only tastes great it is super easy to make!
• Swedish Pancakes – Sweet doesn’t have to mean dessert, this would be a great way to start off Father’s Day!

How are you celebrating Father’s Day?