Quiet Sunday

When you're sitting in the front of the church and you hear a sound and you do not even have to turn around to find out who it is, you know you have a loud baby. That is normally the case with my Princess, C.J. That girl seems to like the excitement that comes along with worship service. I am always afraid that she will see me up in the pulpit and will begin to holler out to me like we are at home playing with each other. Though I would probably laugh about it later; at that moment, I would want to scold her royally.

Today C.J. was unusually quiet in church. It could be that her two teeth are hurting her that much. There is a possibility that she is actually learning that in church, especially when your Daddy is up preaching, C.J. should be quiet. Perhaps it was because her talking buddy Jayla was home sick today. Or could it have been the reality that C.J. slept through her Daddy's sermon. When I asked Mommy, who said others had remarked about her silence, she told me it was because she was asleep.

Now I must admit, Daddy really likes noise during worship, as long as it is relative to the flow of the Spirit. So when C.J. and her cousin Jaylen yell out on cue, it works. They usually can time when a Hallelujah or Amen are needed to complete a thought. It helps the preacher keep his pace steady. So today I would have liked to hear a little noise, just a little bit from my C.J. Maybe I played too much music before church, and while driving to church, and she got her worship in and then needed to rest up. In any event, she was quiet and that is a good thing. One thing I want her to learn early is that worship is exciting, but you must pay attention at certain times. I hope she also learns that sometimes you have to get loud while getting your praise on!

So today was a quiet day for C.J. and that is OK. When you're quiet you allow the Lord to come speak to you and you listen better. So keep the prayers flowing. We know that prayer changes things, people, and situations.

Humpty Dumpty

The old nursery rhyme says that Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall and had a great fall. Today was C.J.'s turn to play Humpty Dumpty. No parent ever wants to hear that sound. You cringe just thinking about it. The sound is more of a THUD! I was not here but I felt the pain in Mommy's voice when she called me to share the news. The good thing was that I did not hear C.J. All her limbs were fine and she was acting normally, so for now, all is well. Babies will fall, run into things, stumble, and a lot more. You do not wish to see it but you become faster than the speed of light when you are the witness to the great fall. You scoop your baby up and soothe them...most of the time more than they want to be soothed.

Daddy had to work today so I had to think about how C.J. was doing the entire afternoon. I would call Mommy to check in on her and she would tell me that she was OK. Truth be told, I was calling to make sure Mommy was OK. When I arrived home, C.J. was making noise like she always does. She was being her giddy self which helped me be at ease a bit. Then, I settled in and held her. She proceeded to throw up on me, which I did not appreciate, but of course Daddy did not mind. I just wanted to hold her and let her know that Daddy was home. She was still sleeping when I left out early this morning.

I just went in to check on her and she was sleeping well. I pulled her thumb out of her mouth, and as my Princess normally does, she placed it right back in with the quickness. Of course I will worry about her. What Daddy would not? She seems to be OK and I will continue to check in to satisfy myself. So today marks C.J.'s first fall. No bumps or bruises so I would say she fared well. Not like poor Humpty Dumpty, who with all the king's horses and all the king's men could not be put together again. So when you pray tonight say a little prayer for C.J. that everything will be OK. C.J. knows that prayer changes things, people, and situations.

Off to the Sitter

One thing that always sticks out to Daddy from his marriage counseling is this. "Never stop dating." So when Mommy invited Daddy out to a movie and lunch he eagerly accepted. There was only one thing wrong. Where was C.J. going to go? As of late C.J. has made it difficult to go out and enjoy a meal. She is not terribly bad but she will start whining and crying right when the food comes. LOL, we recently had to leave a restaurant because of her noise. Little did I know that Mommy had everything planned out. When you organize a date you have to put all the pieces of the puzzle in place. Mommy decided to send C.J. to the sitter for a few days this week and today would be one of those days. Daddy got up this morning and drove C.J. to the sitter, and that way Mommy and Daddy could go on our date.

Now C.J. going to the sitter is never a problem because the sitter and her family absolutely love her. They are upset when we do not bring her. I will admit I enjoy hanging out with C.J. when I am off but today was a great day just to chill with Mommy alone. Sooner than later, I began to miss my little homey so we hurried along to get her. C.J. made a stop to the beauty salon today. Daddy needed a trim so he went to Mommy's place where they have a barber on duty. Mommy came in with him and C.J. got to see a place she may frequent in years to come. The beautician was ready to go too. She asked Mommy to let her get at C. J.'s hair.

It was a great day even though the weather took a turn for the cold. Everyday that God creates is a great one. C.J. is down early tonight even though it is a Friday. She seems a bit tired and she has a long day full of her Auntie Brandie and her cousins to rest up for tomorrow. So you all continue to pray for us and others. We all know that prayer changes things, people, and situations.

Whose Loud Baby Is That?

So today C.J. and Mommy were home together. I was late to work because I was envious of their sound sleeping as I prepared myself to depart. I do not even think they heard me pray with them or kiss them on the forehead before I left. I wanted so badly to stay in the bed, but I knew I had to get down to work.

I did not get to call home much today. when I did everything was cool. I had to stay late because I arrived late. Once I did I heard a whole lot of noise. I asked Mommy, "Do you have another child there with you?" She told me no, so I said, "Well whose child is that making all that noise?" She assured me that it was my child making all the noise. She sounded like she was having loads of fun.

One thing I love about my child is that she enjoys life. She is always smiling, laughing, willing to play, and always makes a lot of noise...just like her Daddy. It is cute now but I wonder if it will remain that way?

As C.J. slept I noticed she had her thumb in her mouth, so I decided to take it out. Instantly she put it back in. So I took it out again and she repeated the same. After about a minute of this I could only laugh and leave her alone. I told Mommy she would have an overbite before having teeth, hopefully not. We still have not made it to Rita's and that means we have not been taking our walk. We have to get back on track soon.

So the loud baby is mine. She gets it honestly. Her daddy has benefited from being loud and maybe one she will. The one thing we do not do is shuck and jive. So now I am handling some business while she sleeps. You all continue to pray, as I always remind you, prayer changes things, people, and situations.

Silent Rides: CJ and The Chauffer

Well today I had a very unusual experience. It felt as if I were a taxi driver for C.J. Even though Mommy is on vacation we thought it would be best for C.J. to still go to the baby-sitter. This means that Daddy and C.J. both have to get up and get out by 6:30am. Just so you know that has not happened yet. Maybe on Thursday (C.J. will be home tomorrow) we will get it together.

Today C.J. began her bottle in the house and finished off in the car. I did not hear a peep from her. She sat back there as if she were a real Princess and I was her chauffeur. I got out, opened the door for her, and carried her up the stairs. Then I went off to work. The strange thing is that when I came to pick her up today, I found her the same way I left her, asleep. So I carried her out of the house, placed her in the car, shut the door, and departed to our destination. Usually you would hear C.J. shifting or moving about. Today on the ride home I was again the chauffeur and heard nothing.

Though weird I can not say that the silence was bad. It sure beats her whining and shrieking. She had another good day at the sitter and once she came home she was more calm than usual. Even though I do not like being the chauffer. I will serve with gladness because there will come a day she will be embarrassed to be caught riding with her Dad! A good embarrassment though.

So another day is come and gone and the night is here. Time to say our prayers and head to bed soon. When you pray be sure to pray for others! It is a fact that prayer changes things, people and situations.

NOTE TO C.J.: Prayer is essential to life. When someone asks you to pray for them or you offer to pray for someone be sure to follow through. Praying for others is a good thing because others will pray for you!

Duke vs. Butler

Good evening folks. Today is a big day for Daddy and C.J. The Duke University Blue Devils are playing for the National Championship. One day C.J. might play and get Daddy his trip to the White House. Unless he is a resident, that is. Today was weird. Daddy and C.J. had to get up and out, but Mommy was able to go back to sleep. On the ride to the sitter, C.J. was great. I did not hear one peep from her.

When I arrived to pick her up today, C.J. was not interested in leaving. She was outside enjoying the weather, and was fascinated by the train roaring by. After calling her about twice, she looked and finally I received the smile I am accustomed to getting when I pick her up. I told C.J. she could stay and I would come by to get her tomorrow. She seemed to be fine with that, as well as her sitter and her family. They all say they would be happy to keep C.J. I really like that they genuinely love C.J.

So on the way home, Daddy tried calling Mommy. He felt it was weird for Mommy not to have called to check on C.J. all day long. When she did not pick up for him, he became a little worried. When we arrived home, we both found out that she had locked herself out of the house while doing laundry. So she had to hang out in the laundry room for four hours, waiting for us to come home. C.J. and Daddy were relieved to know she was OK. C.J. will not get to see the game tonight. She is sleeping peacefully. Daddy and C.J. postponed their walk to Rita's since Mommy was not ready, and plan to go tomorrow. We will also see how well it goes with Daddy not bothering Mommy in the morning.

Be sure to keep praying. In your prayers include prayers for this hurting world. We know that prayer will change things, people, and situations.

Resurrection Day 2010

So many people sent Daddy texts today saying, "Happy Easter". The fact of the matter is that Easter does not exist to Daddy. On this day we celebrate the Resurrection and that alone. Ok, Daddy did have a fit today because he did not have one jelly bean. (That was until we arrived home, rested up a bit. Then Mommy found one inside of a basket for C.J.) Folks, do not get me wrong, I understand all the hooplah that goes on with this day and will buy a basket, boil an egg, and take a bunny pic. However I know, and state it first, that Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior rose from the dead. It is that purpose that C.J. will understand long before she plays with peeps and chocolate candies.

Today, instead of our usual Sunday feast, we decided to go out as a family...just the three of us. We enjoyed a great meal and C.J. even tasted some bread. She allowed us not only to enjoy our meal, but she let us get dessert, too. Two women were fascinated with her as she made her usual noise. C.J. was fascinated by one of the women's afro, which I might add was tight. C.J. would look over and smile as the woman smiled and waved at her. It was nice just to sit and chill with my ladies. We tried all weekend to do so and we were finally successful today!

C.J. and her cousins all matched today. Pop wanted them to wear the outfits he brought them and purple was the color of the day. You had to see C.J. rocking her lily white hat, as she looked just like a church lady. She even had her purple shades on to accent the dress fully.

So the day is gone and the night is upon us. C.J. is bathed and being read to. Daddy is relaxing and watching a little television. I urge you to take this newness that comes along with the resurrection and apply it to every aspect of your life. Let God dwell within and clean you up to be sparkling clean. So continue to pray that God moves in your life. I declare to you today that prayer changes things, people, and situations!