About a year ago, I received the best parenting advice ever. No really.

And it didn't come from my mother or my best friend. It didn't come from a wise older woman who has raised a dozen children or a stranger who was given me unwarranted advice about motherhood.

It came from my husband.

It was a normal (busy) day for the Collins family and as my husband was getting dressed for work, I was helping our son, Preston, pick out some clothes for school. Preston was moving a little slow that particular morning and I was in a hurry to get everybody out of the door on time. Needless to say, because of my lack of patience, I got upset with Preston and raised my voice at him. He got dressed and I hurried him into the bathroom to brush his teeth so that I could get dressed. I went into the bedroom where my husband was and he said, "You're his mom. You have to be soft with him. That's your job."

Truth be told, when he first said it to me, I heard him, but I didn't feel him if that makes sense. By the end of that day, I felt exactly what he was saying in that moment.

All I could think about for most of that day was how it's my job to get everybody to their prospective places on time. It's my job to cook and feed everyone. It's my job to make sure we all have clean clothes. Right? No. It's my job to be there for my family. It's my job to comfort them when they are hurt. It's my job to love them unconditionally because the world won't. It's my job to be soft and gentle, patient and attentive because that is the true task of motherhood. To guide, teach and to be there. When I picked Preston up from school that day I couldn't help but think about my husband's words. As I observed the other parents with their children, it occurred to me that I am Preston's only mom. The only one who carried him and birthed him-the main woman in his life.

My husband helped me to realize that being a mom means always having an open heart. As we teach our children about the ways of the world, we must take it for what it is while instilling the best values and morals in our children so that they can make the world a better place. When I found out that I was having a son, I thought that I would have to be more stern or strict to raise him into a strong man. But me being "soft" isn't hindering my son at all. It is helping him in the most beautiful way. He is learning to be a well-rounded individual who loves. Even as he gets older I have learned to open my heart more, not just to him, but to the world because that's what we need-softer hearts.

Thank you husband for making me a better mom. You're a pretty awesome dad! <3

If you're like me, then you were quite surprised by the results of Super Bowl LI. Last night for the first time in years, I actually watched the Super Bowl from start to finish. My home team, the Atlanta Falcons, made it to the Big Game and they were ready to take it all the way and win it.

Yesterday brought back so many memories from when I was younger, watching them in playoff games and even coming close to winning the Super Bowl back in 1999. And just like back then, I was disappointed last night after the Falcons lost 34-28.

Now I'm not a die hard sports fan and I don't really keep up with who is winning and who is loosing, but I have to admit that I was very excited for the Falcons and the city of Atlanta. I really felt like it was our time. But alas, it was not. My husband and I were talking this morning and we still can't figure out exactly what happened and why after three leading quarters, they slowed down and let the Patriots catch up and take the game. But, I know this: it's not over.

The truth of the matter is that the Falcons had an unbelievable season and that cannot be denied. After years and years of being the underdog, they proved themselves and made it back to the Super Bowl.

So what does last night's game teach us?

• No matter what, don't give up on your dreams. The Falcons will have a chance to do it all again next season just like all the other teams. And because of their strong defense, I believe that they have a great chance of making it to Super Bowl LII. Setbacks and failures always have something to teach us and we should take those lessons and use them for the next time around. That's how we become successful.
• The Falcons still won in some regard. Even though the Atlanta Falcons weren't the champions last night, they still made history. For the first time ever, there was overtime in a Super Bowl game. There were players who have only been with the team a year or two who got to participate in the biggest game in football. The Falcons' head coach, Dann Quinn, lead his team to the Super Bowl after only two years in his position. That is some serious leadership and there are great takeaways from the game even though they did not win.
• If things don't work out they way you want them to, try again. Plain and simple. If you want something in life, go for it. And just because things don't fall into place like you needed them to, relationships are put through the ringer or you have to completely scratch your original idea and start over, you shouldn't give up. It could be the very next time that you try that ends up being the exact outcome you hoped for and more.

While the loss still stings a little right now, the Atlanta Falcons have shown us that determination and hard work can get you very far even if the results aren't what we hoped. Today, I encourage you to Rise Up and keep going. You never know where your next move may lead you.