What A Day, What A Day!

Already running late the flat tire on my truck was the last thing I expected to find or need. The reality is that, yet again, my tire was messed up. Of course I was VERY, VERY upset. I have put so much money in that truck, and it seems like every time I turn around, there is something new needing to be repaired. After looking back at it, I have to thank God for having another car to hop into that was already gassed up and ready to go. There goes those traveling mercies we pray for daily. I was able to get C.J. safely to the babysitter and get to work. That is what matters to me most. The interesting thing is that my Princess slept through the entire fiasco. It would be a good thing too because I will admit that I had a cussing fit that she needed not to hear. Since she has been in my life, cussing has almost become obsolete from my mouth. A Princess being born will do that for you.

So now I go through a productive day at the office and I come out ready to commute back north, and I see a ticket on my car. $50 for having a flat tire and needing to drive your spare to work. I called campus police immediately, and they instructed me on how to appeal the ticket. That made me simmer a bit, but I did not boil over. So I get up north and get to the babysitter on time to pack C.J. up and carry her out to the car. The next automobile dilemma...a check engine light. That is right. Now my spare car is acting up. The only problem is I can not get the hood up to check anything so my mind starts to wander. How will Mommy get to work tomorrow? How will C.J. get to the sitter? How will I get the tire I need for the truck? How will I get to the bank? I honestly had resigned myself to waiting until the morning and wishing the light would mysteriously go out on its own, but thought later on that would not be fair to Mommy since she still needed to get to work and C.J. needed to be at the sitter. They love her there, and anticipate her coming daily. So with a determined HEART (as I said my head was made up to wait), for C.J. and Mommy, I went outside (I hope you all know I know very little about cars) and tried over and over again to get the hood to the car up. I called my dad for advice; I will admit that. Finally I got it up and checked the oil. That is taking a stick out and wiping it so I can handle that well enough. I was almost out, which as my father said, could be the cause of the light coming on. So I nursed the car to the gas station and put a few quarts in. As I came back home on my final turn the light went out. Whew, we live to fight another day, Daddy and the "Hoopdie Deluxe"!

Now this all occurred on a Thursday, which is C.J. and Daddy bath night. Of course we keep that going. Tonight I bathed her, "Eucerined" her up and prayed with her. I also read about the Berlin Wall to her. I know what you are thinking...What strange reading material. Well you must understand that my Princess is 12.5% German as her Great-Grandmother was German. Daddy believes that it is important that C.J. learns about all aspects of who she is. So C.J. will always have diverse educational experiences. I want her to be able to build the uniqueness that she has within and the only way for her to build is by exposing her to all she is. After reading I put her down and she was asleep within ten minutes tonight...Good job Daddy!

So I learned that the devil is busy, and if you continue to Praise God, he will continue to throw daggers and in my tire he literally threw one. What I have to condition myself is to automatically see the Praise opportunity instead of needing the day to pass before I remember that God blessed me with another vehicle and I did not have to miss a day of work. God is GREAT and GREATLY to be PRAISED. You all continue to pray. We know that prayer changes things, people, and situations. I think I fit into every category tonight so stay on those knees a few more minutes on my behalf!

Galatians 6:7-9

OK, I bet you are wondering why a scripture for a title. Do not be scared...go ahead and read it. Tonight Daddy left his Princess yet again and went to the last night of revival at church. The message was "Don't Give Up!" What I took from it was that I have to wait on the Lord and continue to sow good. In God's time I will reap good. I need to sow faithfulness and devotion in my marriage so I can reap endless love. I must sow love, care, support, opportunity, experiences, and education into Princess C.J. so one day I will reap a successful strong black woman. I must sow hard work and dedication at my job so I can continue to sow success career wise.

The message was so on time for me because I needed the reminder to wait on the Lord. I have allowed impatience to seep in but tonight I got the spark I needed to drive it out and allow patience to return to its rightful place in my spirit. Now you might ask what this has to do with C.J. Well, when her foundation is secure, she has the ability to stand without wavering. The message of the scripture lesson will help her along the way one day and I am glad it will be her Daddy that provides it for her. So go on and continue praying folks, prayer STILL and ALWAYS will change things, people, and situations.

April 27th Another Late Night

You are correct, it is 11:00pm and I am just getting in. Tonight I had to work up North in Livingston. As usual I dropped Mommy and CJ off on my way so I would not have to backtrack and lose time. No one would have thought that this fair would last so long. I mean I was so busy that they began to turn the lights out on some of the families still around. It was a good night at work but it wore Daddy out even more.

When I finally arrived to pick up CJ and Mommy I heard them both before I saw them. They were calling hogs! I left the car running thinking they would be ready. When I saw they were not I quickly strapped CJ and and got back to the car in a hurry. At least it was warm for them. I knew CJ was really sleep because she did not even blink when I moved her from her Grandmother to the carriers or from the carrier to the crib. Usually she would wake up to great her Daddy but that is OK, I want her to get her rest too.

These late nights are soon coming to an end. Simply because all the school will be out so their will be no evening fairs. Prayerfully the number of late nights out will change due to another calling. Lets keep praying! We know that effort will change things, people, and situations!

NOTE TO CJ: The nights get long sometime but you have to always keep trucking when duty calls. Hard work always pays off!

Something Has To Give

OK, so with babies you have to be prepared for all the changes that happen. One day C.J. is the sweetest little girl on the planet. The next day, she is not. The funny thing is that she can change from hour to hour, which has been the case from the time we pick her up from the babysitter to the hour when we attempt to put her to bed. Now I will denote that C.J. still blesses us by sleeping through the night. She has had sympathy on us since she was a little lad. However, know when bedtime comes she acts as if she does not want to go to sleep. We really try to get her down early because we know she must start her day much earlier than the normal almost nine-month-old child.

The problem with her not going to sleep is that she is loud about it. So loud that one would think that we are doing something mean to her from the sound. The reality is that it is quite the opposite. She usually has been bathed, fed, read to, prayed with, and laid in a very comfortable crib. She has no reason to be as loud and unruly as she is. Daddy usually can not take it and will go in the room to try and comfort her and then after he leaves Mommy will do the same. We both hate to hear her cry and get fussy but as Mommy says, "We can not let her play us."

So we have a 90% united front. Daddy still has a weakness but is growing out of it. As I always say, "That is my little girl and I am always going to be partial to her." I do not want to create a monster (some may say that I am already working from behind, but I am just enjoying being a Daddy and having a Daddy's girl) so I know I have to be cognizant of how I respond to her. So, on that note, be sure to pray for me as I continue to grow as a father. Pray for C.J. too because Mommy said she's gonna have to get kicked out if she continues to have these bedtime manners. We all KNOW that prayer changes things, people, and situations, even C.J.'s bedtime practices.

Gone All Day

A phrase that is becoming all so familiar with C.J. is that Daddy will be gone all day. After getting home real late last night, actually it was this morning, Daddy had to be up and at it all over again. Today was our Pastor's 3rd anniversary, which meant we would be in church all day long. Mommy had already made the intelligent decision to stay home with C.J. The long day, after the long night, would just be too much for her to handle.

So like on any day when Daddy has to go, and his girls get to sleep in, Daddy tried to get as much sleep as he could. Getting out of the bed at 7am, turned to 7:30am, then to 8:00am and then finally 8:30am. I am worn out and have to work late some nights this week, too. As I get older my body can't rebound like it once did. There were times where I only needed two to three hours of sleep and could be fully charged. If I tried that now I probably would be on truck number four from crashing them due to me dozing off.

Pastor MP3 made a statement tonight about how he thanks God that his daughter understands that sometimes Daddy is tired and they will have to do different things another day. He also mentioned to everyone how he is grateful for a wife that is home taking great care of her, which allows him to be able to put 100% into ministry when it is needed. Well I know exactly how he feels. I pray that my daughter will understand the calling on my life when she comes of age. I pray that God fixes her heart not to hurt when those next times have to come, and when Daddy can not play like she wants him too because he is exhausted. I am thankful because he blessed me with a wonderful woman who is capable of holding the family down when Daddy has to be off and running.

These past two weeks have brought me to this point but I am back to trying to lessen my load. I have recognized that I am tired and I have to begin my steps to recovery. I had it down packed previously, and I will get my MoJo back. You all pray for me and I will do the same for you. We know prayer changes things, people, and situations.

NOTE TO C.J.: Daddy's goal is to write every night. Sometimes I am not able to because I am worn out. Trust your Daddy when I tell you this, your body needs rest to operate at its optimal level. Love you a bunch Princess!

CJ Going to Work With Daddy

Just wanted to get a post for today in case we get back after midnight. I will update you on the Fashion Show Trip!

We Made It!

Another long day but we did make it in before midnight. No Cinderella here folks! I am sitting here with CJ in my arms about to go lay her down. I will fill in the meat of the day soon. Prayer changes things, people, and situations so just do it folks!