Things Happen

Today was an interesting day. We woke up at about nine (oh how I am loving this), watched Maury of course, and then got dressed. All we had to do was make a routine trip to the doctor's office. Today it was for Mommy. Now you have to understand that it was freezing outside and the wind was vicious, which made it seem colder than it was. C.J. is all bundled up and we headed outside. This is when the day goes bad. Of course I look ahead as we walk towards the car and notice the truck has a flat tire. Just my luck. I already need to fix a bumper, the front windshield, and some other minor things and now this. Thank God we have another car that was available to use. I did not want to have my babies, C.J. and Mommy, out in the cold.

So the day was not too bad; we just had to make some adjustments. C.J. and Daddy had a good day together. Tonight was Daddy's night to give C.J. her bath. My objective was to stay dry. Her objective was to splash as much water onto Daddy as possible. I am proud to announce that Daddy was successful tonight and remained bone dry. I will admit it is funny to see her kick the water all over the place and then snicker, but I was not having it tonight. I stuck to my guns and won the fight.

Today C.J. learned a valuable lesson. She was taught that she cannot always have things her way. C.J. prefers to eat and then be changed. Daddy has bought into this process. Mommy, on the other hand, chooses to do the exact opposite, which annoys the heck out of C.J., so of course she wines and cries. I know you all probably expect me to have sided with the kid, but I did what any other good daddy would do. I used this as a teachable moment and explained to C.J. that things will not always go her way, and when they do not, she can not yell, kick and scream. After I educated my Princess, I did what any great father would do for his daughter. I picked her up and consoled her. All Mommy could do was smile and shake her head.

So the day started off good, went a little sour, then ended with C.J. falling asleep in my lap soundly. Tomorrow the objective is to fix the flat tire, fix the light and get the truck back up and running so C.J. and Mommy can ride comfortably. So as I go, I solicit your prayers as I always do because we all know that prayer changes things!

Rest and Relaxation

I just realized today that I have not been at work for two weeks now but I still have been on the go. Today, Daddy, C.J. and Mommy stayed indoors and lounged all day long. I mean for the first day in a long time I did not step foot down the stairs at all. For Daddy this is a good thing because he can always find a reason to head outdoors. So when he sits inside and gets true relaxation it is a very, very good thing.

I said to Mommy today that when it is time to return to work I do not know what I will do. C.J. and I have been hanging out for a bit now and we both seem to be getting really comfortable with that arrangement. Unfortunately we both know it must come to an end and we will have to get back to our busy lives of going and coming.

As I sit and relax at home I can only think about balance. At this point in my life I am involved in a lot of things. I can truly say that I am not balanced though. I am working towards balance but I would have to grade myself with a C-/D+. Balance is something I want C.J. to see as she grows up. It would be my prayer that she is pretty active in a variety of things. However, when one is pulled in a number of directions that person must be able to give 100% towards all in equal intervals of time. I have to master that now so she will have a strong example at home.

There are some things I have to still delete from my schedule. Some events I will have to miss. I have to read more at home, do constructive work at home, engage in exercise and recreational activity. All of this while going to work, doing what I need for church and making sure the family spends time together. It is important that I promote a balanced lifestyle now so C.J. is able to grow right into the mold. Which in turn would help her be successful in whatever she puts her mind to.

So another day is coming to an end. It has been another day full of blessings from the man upstairs. I know that with him balance will be achieved and C.J. will have her example when she needs it. Please pray for me...a lot is on my mind. I am turning it all over to God so I know things will be alright. So remember to pray because prayer always changes things. Be blessed.

Note to C.J.: When you are really involved with a lot of different things you must balance your time. When you start something you finish it and you must put 100% into all you do. So plan carefully so you do not get overwhelmed and begin to cheat yourself and not put your all into what you are doing. I love you very much Princess C.J.!

A Family Affair

What I did not know was that today was the last Sunday of 2009. So of course I was glad that the Johnsons of Old Bridge spent it in worship. I am so thankful for many things this year. I know I should not rank blessings but God really hooked me up when he did his thing yet again and blessed me with another woman in my life. I was born to my mother thirty years ago. Then almost eleven years ago he sent my help mate to me and almost five years ago allowed me to wed her. Then this year he blessed me with a princess to love, protect and nurture. When I think of all the rough spots I have gone through, just thinking about C.J. alone reminds me of how awesome God is.

Today in church during worship we were reminded of how incredible God is. This evening my family came together to remember our family members who have been called home. We had fallen out of touch for a bit. Many had never even seen C.J. before today but God is incredible and C.J. was able to meet a lot of her family today. Family is very important to me and I want her to know where she came from and where her support is at all times.

So of course that meant a lot of passing and holding which bothers Mommy and Daddy sometimes, but we bear with it. I even met the grandmother of a potential suitor for C.J. He is a little younger but he comes from a good home and a loving grandmother who understands my plan to have my princess already prepared with a kingdom while she is young. I know how to contact her so we will see if this goes anywhere.

So today C.J. and Daddy were both filled with Worship. We enjoyed our time in church and C.J. had the loudest toy for the "Toy Blessing". This is where Pastor MP3 reminds the children that their parents work very hard all year to get them some of the things they received for Christmas. He also reminds them that the birth of Jesus Christ is the true reason we celebrate on December 25th. As you know this is a message that I want C.J. to know from now until forever!

As I part ways with you tonight an older man, I implore that you always remember to pray because we all know that prayer changes things!

C.J. I want you to know that you come from a rich legacy of strong individuals that make up your very large family. When you get a little older I want you to take the time to talk with all of them. Your mother, father, aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins and anyone else to learn about who you are and the long journey that your ancestors travelled that all make you who you are today!

Happy Birthday Daddy

My first birthday as a father was great!

This Christmas

So today was C.J.'s first Christmas and of course I have a story to tell. Not only did she sleep until 11:00am but she was so not into gifts this year. She is only 4 months old, so anything we gave her she put in her mouth. She did open a musical drum and another musical cube, along with her soccer ball and basketball. So that means she still has about 90% of her stuff remaining under the tree. Now we chose not to make a big deal out of getting her stuff she would not need. One reason is because she will not remember this Christmas. The other reason is that she is not old enough to tell us what she wants anyway. This was so not a big deal that we chose not to even bother wrapping C.J.'s presents. Daddy, just being Daddy, I wrapped one and we will see how long it will take for her to tear the wrapping paper off before I go ahead and do it for her.

I have to tell you about one gift though. Of course it is the most meaningless and the one that you would think she would toss aside. However my girl C.J. actually used her feet to kick her soccer ball. I bet you will not believe it so I have a picture that will be up soon that will prove it. It is these moments that excite me because she is starting to let her athletic side peek out just a bit.

Today was a first for C.J. too. She had sweet potatoes for the first time and Daddy fed them to her. To my surprise she ate them and enjoyed them immensely and did not even make a mess. She smiled as I would feed her spoonful after spoonful until she decided to call it a day and ask for her milk.

Christmas 2009 and C.J.'s first was great. We stayed home as a family and remembered why we even celebrate this day. We made sure to offer up thanks to God for blessing us with Jesus Christ. I also again let C.J. know that this day is not about receiving gifts it is about spreading love. C.J. and I also watched basketball for the majority of the day. Our team, the Lakers took a loss but we enjoyed the game anyway. As I sign off for the last time in my twenties you all remember to pray because we all know that prayer changes things!

Note to C.J.: Today marks the countdown to our tree trimming date next year. 2010 we go live and we go early to make sure we have the proper white blinking lights on our tree. You seem to have enjoyed your parents today along with your foods. Daddy played soccer with you too. I love you!

Twas The Night Before Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house, Mommy and Daddy are stirring, and we better not have a mouse. I just put the Princess down for the night and now Mommy and Daddy have to arrange all of her stuff under the make-shift tree. We have the tree lights that I traveled the earth to find and the Christmas music playing in the background.

As I listen to the Christmas songs loop 'round and 'round, I think to myself what this is all about. This year has been a trying year for me and the holiday season has not been merry and as joyous as I would have wanted it to be. I know a lot of people have said that with the birth of C.J. this would be an exciting time for us as a family and it is. To be honest C.J. and Shatema are what fill my life with substance and purpose now, that along with God, of course.

So today as we ran around looking for things to put under the tree for C.J., I have to admit that I was losing interest all throughout. I had become a part of the masses that were out last minute shopping for no purpose. It is my desire to always be able to shower C.J. with stuff. However I want this to occur year round, not because the status quo has labeled a certain period of the calendar as such. I want her to know that this holiday is a exaggeration of a more important event, that being the birth of Christ.

Some may say I am saying these things because I am in a funk but this is part of my upbringing, which as I grow older just makes more and more sense to me. Never will I get so strong that I deprive my child of the enjoyment and the excitement that this season brings but she will know the true feelings that should be possesed during this holiday season.

So as the night fades, I forgot to make the cookies, lol! For real as I sign off I do pray that the joy I have from my leading ladies is the joy that I can spread to anyone I come in contact with. It is love, peace and good will towards all men that should be what this season is all about.

As I go, please always remember to pray because we know that prayer will change things.

Out and About

I know it is late. I had to unwind from a pretty busy day. Today C.J. and I could not sleep to late. We both had to get up and dressed so we could go be displayed at mommy's job. Since she went back they heard all about C.J., what she did, how she looked, mommy even shared with them her contemplation over a pair of boots she happened to wear today. The visit would not be easy, C.J. was acting like a diva from the moment her eyes opened this morning. This means I do not want to do anything for myself daddy and I want to be held. This is a problem because I can not shower or dress holding a fifteen pound baby.

To make sure mommy was aware of her daughters actions I informed her that if we were late or did not make it would be due to her diva daughter. (Notice how she is not cooperating so I do not claim her, lol) Mommy was OK with that and I guess she anxiously waited to see if we would show or not. C.J. did finally get it together so I could shower and dress and then I bathed and dressed her. We had to put on our good clothes so mommy would not be ashamed of us.

When we get to Perth Amboy we have to walk a few blocks to get into the school. Who ever built a school with no parking in the middle of a residential neighborhood was crazy. I guess way back when the building was built the teachers still lived withing walking distance of their jobs. Once we finally got it and met mommy the tour began. We went from room to room, this teacher and that one until we settled in mommy's classroom where the students were really nice surprisingly. One girl was thrilled with C.J., so much so that she told Mrs. Johnson that if she left her for a second she would take her. I must say she knew quite a bit about children and probably would do a great job with her. She went on and on and on about babies and how she thought C.J. should be a model and how she will have long thick hair. I guess we will see in a few years if she really was an expert in the area.

From the school we went to visit Ma Lucy (the babysitter) before she went on her trip south. C.J. has not been to the sitter in two weeks due to her being sick and daddy being on vacation. Ma Lucy was very happy and genuinely missed C.J. I told her not to get to comfortable in Atlanta because we need her to come back. She is so great with C.J. and I am glad that God blessed us with her.

From there it was back home to take a picture for C.J. Pop Pop and then it was out and about to finish the little bit of Christmas shopping we needed to do and get some groceries. As usual C.J. was great as we were out, she is such a great baby! I know she had to be worn out by the end of the night and she proved it by coming home, eating and then going to sleep. It has been fun with it just being C.J. and daddy. Now mommy is home and the two will become three. Hopefully she will let us get into a little trouble. When mommy is home she is the Sheriff and we are the crooks! We wil be on our bext behavior! You all continue to pray for us as we continue to develop a great father/daughter relationship.

As I beat the clock and sign off always remember to pray. We all now that prayer changes things.