Daddy Bath Day - January 7th, 2010

Thursdays used to be IHOP night but since the winter is upon us we stay home. I will have you know when the weather breaks we are back at IHOP on Thursday nights! So with nothing to do Thursday night has become Daddy bath night. Now if you could see how organized and systematic Mommy does this you would understand why she is a little worried when "CJ" and I get ready for bath time.

So you have to see this girl/ As soon as she touches the water she begins to cycle like she is riding a bicycle. I pause and ask her to stop. She continues to kick because it is funny to her. I tell her to stop but she looks at her Daddy and begins to chuckle like a drunk man at a bad joke. So what does Daddy do? He joins in the laughter and attempts (but fails) to stay dry.

We then go to the next phase of bath time and which is to grease her up like a turkey and get her sleeper on. Tonight we handle that without incident. Sometimes she might pee on the pamper or the changing pad or even you if you're too close. From there it was off to the task of putting her to sleep. Now Mommy usually goes in the room, closes the door makes it silent and dark and nine times out of ten she falls asleep before CJ. Daddy on the other hand stay in the living room and watches television. Tonight CJ and I watched the College Football National Championship. Well CJ did get to see the first minutes of the first quarter because soon thereafter she was knocked out. I laid her in her crib and I am out here enjoying the rest of the game alone.

So another Daddy Bath Night came and is now gone. Tonight I would give myself an A-, simply because it was a little later than it ought to have been. However, it was a success! So I am going to enjoy the rest of the game. You all remember to pray because prayer changes things. Tonight even though they are down, I still say Hook Em' Horns!

Note to CJ: Just wanted to let you know that today you wore your Giants dress. Even though we did not have a great season we support Big Blue. Next year when I buy you the next size up you will rock it for a winner!!!

Sensitive Dad

In my line of work one thing I do a lot of is reading. Today I read something that made an impact on my day. In the essay I was reading the applicant stressed the need for parents to share with their daughters how important their bodies are. She urged parents to help them understand that their bodies belong to them and that no one should abuse it in any way. She began the essay with the question, what is rape? I knew I was in for more than I bargained for from that point.

You all know I have a soft spot for women in general. No woman should ever be harmed in my opinion. When a little girl is taken advantage of, my soft spot gets filled with rage. The rage comes because whenever I speak to, look at or listen to any young lady all I hear or see is C.J. I just do not see how anyone could every even contemplate laying a hand or inflicting any type of pain upon a young child in a vulgar manner. As you may have already figured out the essay went on to announce the worse, that indeed the applicant had been a victim of rape.

Immediately my heart sank. I hurt so much that I needed to take a break from reading. I looked over at my shrine of C.J. and could only shake my head. How could someone be so cruel? Why did this young lady have to go through this? How has this affected her progress? How does she view herself now? All of these questions ran through my head. Soon a spark of light entered my mind. This young lady's grades were stellar. This young lady was able to stare her experience in the face and gain strength from it. She had taken the initiative to be an ambassador of education to parents on how to educate their children about themselves. This young lady is one who does not make excuses but makes examples for others to follow. I quickly referenced the poem from yesterday and this is a young lady of strength.

So I plan to follow her suggestion and when the time comes I plan to educate C.J. about herself and her body. I never learned a lesson from a prospective student applying to college before but today that essay changed my life. I ask that as we remember to pray we include this young lady and any other victims of sexual abuse in our prayers because we know that prayer changes things.

Quotes for CJ

Today was a great day. One of the days where I want to impart a few nuggets for C.J. to read one day. I hope that she becomes a stronger woman by hiding these words in her heart and pulling them out when necessary. So here are five that I will highlight today.

1. Anne Frank, writer Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl
Parents can only give good advice or put them [children] on the right paths, but the final forming of a person's character lies in their own hands.

2. Oprah Winfrey, American TV personality
As you become more clear about who you really are, you'll be better able to decide what is best for you - the first time around.

3. Janis Joplin, American singer
Don't compromise yourself. You are all you've got.

4. Susan B. Anthony, women's activist
A woman must not depend upon the protection of man, but must be taught to protect herself.

5. STRONG WOMAN VS. WOMAN OF STRENGTH

A strong woman works out every day,
Pride in her appearance she portrays,
But a woman of strength kneels to pray,
Keeping her soul in shape, God leading the way.

A strong woman isn't afraid of anything,
Looking forward to challenges each day will bring,
Women of strength show courage in the midst of fear,
Knowing triumph through faith because the Lord is near.

Strong women won't let anyone get the best of them,
So skilled in defense even if they have to pretend,
Yet a woman of strength gives her best to everyone,
Knowing she’s anointed with blood from the begotten One.

A strong woman makes mistakes and avoids the same for tomorrow,
Refusing to take time looking back with reverence and Godly sorrow,
The woman of strength realizes life's mistakes no matter how slim,
While thanking God for the blessings as she capitalizes on them.

A strong woman walks sure footedly with no doubt in her mind,
Again, no matter what, she’ll not make this mistake a second time,
But a woman of strength knows God will catch her when she falls,
So when a situation arises again, she’s not afraid to answer the call.

A strong woman wears the look of confidence on her face,
Always doing whatever it takes to finish, seeking only first place,
The woman of strength competes with an emotional sense of grace,
Understanding it’s more important to run a Holy Spirit filled race.

A strong woman has faith that for the journey she’ll have enough,
No matter how uneven the terrain or roads being rocky and rough,
A woman of strength knows it’s in the journey she will become strong,
And the love of God is forever with her, no matter how difficult or long.

- Used With Permission -
© 2006 by Luke Easter & Dee Cheeks

C.J. one day you will learn and memorize the poem Phenomenal Woman. It is my prayer that you will be a woman added to the list when it is all said and done. Stand proud and walk tall. You are already on your way to doing remarkable things in your life. Your daddy is proud of you!

So as I end tonight you all always remember to pray because we know that prayer changes things.

Here We Go Again

Today we began the day dark and early. If the sun was even visible when we left out I would have put bright and early. So today C.J. and I hung out once we got home. She is so interested in her thumb that I asked her to have some. She immediately put her hand in my mouth to share her nasty finger. I was just excited that she did as asked right at the proper moment. She is developing quite nicely.

When I went to pick her up this evening the sitter shook my hand and told me good job! I really appreciated that. I try to be the best dad I can be. So when someone commends me on the job it makes me feel special. It is easy though because C.J. is a fantastic baby. She allows Daddy to get his rest so he can be fully charged up when she needs him. As long as she does her part Daddy will be able to do his part with ease.

So the norm is back in place. We go and come, go and come. C.J. and Daddy will get their together time so Mommy can have her breaks too. I stop and ask myself sometimes if life is supposed to be this way? When I think a little longer a smile comes over me and I am able to say yes. So I won't be long today, you all remember to pray because prayer changes things.

A Sad Day

Good evening everyone. I am sitting here in quite a solemn state. I have not worked since the 15th of December and now the free time is over. I am on the fence of whether or not to go into work tomorrow or not. A lot of obstacles have been thrown in my way and I am dealing with them internally. With a family that has to drive far everywhere we go it means we need a reliable vehicle. Well just today the family vehicle became unreliable when we need it most. The weather is frightful and we are back to work to start the new year. I mean in a span of three days it has been one barrier then another and another. The problems have me even contemplating not going to work to tend to them. We will see where that goes.

To add to that, C.J. and I, who have been together all but two days during this break, have to part ways tomorrow. I think we both have the blues. C.J. has been quite different today. It was not until a few moments ago that I came to the realization that she might be acting up because she does not want to leave her Daddy! I mean can you blame her? When else does she get to sleep until she feels like waking up? Who else lets her make a mess while eating? Who else watches Sports Center with her everyday? Who else takes her to the mall and hangs out? Who else will play with her until she is ready to stop? Who else will let her take long naps and never interrupt her sleeping? The answer to all those questions is Daddy. We have had a blast together folks and it is hurting us both to see the time come to an end.

So today is a sad day in the life of C.J. and her Daddy. I think next year I might have to let her go to the sitter even though I am home. That will help us both not get too attached. We will get through this together though. So as always, please remember to pray because prayer changes things. It can even change C.J. and her Daddy's sad day into a good one.

When It's Cold Outside

When it is cold outside you stay indoors. I have been raving about the rest and relaxation we have had as a family. Usually during a break from work I stay busy. This year things are different so I find myself indoors a lot. Today I made a morning run and came straight back home. Immediately I needed to feed C.J., who was awake and warming up to be her perky self. For the rest of the day it was the three of us lounging.

We all had things we could have been engaged in. I could have been arranging things for work. I could have cleaned the house which was my intention...I did at least start to clean some things out. I could have worked on the certificates I need to make for church tomorrow. I could have taken the truck to get the light fixed. I could have gone to the cleaners. I will not even add the things C.J. could have been doing instead of lounging, but the relaxation feels great.

What you need to understand is that it was very cold and windy outside today and when the weather is that frigid the best thing to do stay in. Sure all the things that needed to be done are important but getting a baby bundled up to go out is a chore. The longer we can avoid the wicked air with her the better. It was not until we began the church preparation process that we saw the need to go out. We had to, C.J. needed something to wear and none of the combinations that we had at home worked. So we had to break our rule and get ready to go out and brave the cold.

I will have you know that I believe C.J. felt nothing. If she could speak she probably would say that she was hot as H-E-double hockey sticks! Whenever we have her out, especially in weather such as this, we are well prepared.

So the cold kept C.J. and Daddy in for most of the day. However, when it comes to looking good, not even Mother Nature herself can stand in the way of Daddy and his Princess. So we headed and found what she needed...I must admit that Mommy gets the Gold Star for finding the ensemble. So through the brutal weather we made it back indoors where it is nice and warm. I will close with this though. When it is cold outside the best place to be is inside. You all have a great evening and always remember to pray. I do not need to say it, but just in case you forgot the rest, because prayer changes things!

Friday, January 1st, 2010

So today was the first day of 2010 and C.J. and I spent some of it together but most of it apart. She did manage to send a greeting by way of text through her mother. I have to admit I missed C.J. just a little bit today. I know you are saying, "How could you?" Listen folks we have spent the past three weeks together. Both of us will get tired of each other at some point or another. I am not saying I was tired of the Princess but some time away from Daddy is always a good thing...for her sake, lol!

It was an interesting day to say the least. I started it by repairing a tire on my truck. I will tell you it was the last thing I wanted to do. However a man has to do what a man has to do. I had to make sure the truck was ready for Monday when we have to return to our regular schedule. C.J. and Daddy will have it rough on Monday and that seemed to be all I thought about today. That is what vacation will do to you especially when you have a bright and bushy tailed daughter to play with.

So we did not spend the day as planned watching football. I did manage to send her basketball with her to her cousins' house so she could practice her skills. I let her play with it yesterday and she showed me that she can do a no look pass. (The pic is soon to come when I figure out how to load it on here.) I know people think I am pushing sports on her but I am just introducing her to a lot of things. She reads, listens to music, has dolls and a whole lot more. I am accepting the fact that she might not want to pursue athletics, (WOW, I actually said that, I need prayer now.). Whatever she chooses to participate in I will fully support her as long as she puts forth 100%. Johnsons do not half-step at anything.

I am going to go now so in closing as always remember to pray because here at The Daddy Diary we know that prayer changes things! Have a great evening.