Pause for Chile!

This morning I woke up to the sound of exuberation. As I began my day I was privy to God at work as methodically the Chilean miners were being pulled from the depths of the earth one by one. These gentlemen whom I do not know have been on my mind all day. What faith they must have is what I thought to myself as I got dressed.

My CJ highlight today is her saying, "Bye Bye Da Da" as I arrived at the babysitter's house. She is beginning to utter those words daily. When I hear them I freeze and soak the moment in. Those simple words help me get to work through the hectic traffic I have to face. I am so excited about the feat that I share it with anyone that will listen. I am glad I am scribing this so she will know just how important she is in her Daddy's life. He goes through a lot during a day and having that point to recall does wonders. I will soon have to record it so I can play it whenever I need.

When I came home from work I did manage to let her know I was in. I think she waited until she heard me to lay down and actually sleep for the night. Again, something to add to my catalog of CJ moments that makes Daddy melt. I also am happy that all 33 miners have been rescued. God is all that and some more. Now as the day fades away remember to pray and add someone who you don't know within your prayers. Prayer changes things, people, and situations, even if it is through a small hole in the ground.

The Color Pink

I think everyone who comes in contact with me knows how I feel about the color pink with regard to CJ. I wanted to clear the record on my behalf. I have no problem with the color pink. In fact, I own several different pink shirts myself. Some people believe that Daddy wears the color well too. The issue I have with pink comes from by sociological background. Daddy has issues with gender identification. The color pink is associated with girls, why does that have to be the case. When you walk in a store for shoes they mess a good pair up by accenting with pink. I went to Macy's when she was first born and everything in the store was pastel pink. I mean how about some variety? So when CJ was born I vowed not to push the color pink on her simply because she was a girl. Yes I bought her boy sneakers because they were hot! I bought her a Giants jersey because that is my team. Yes she wears Jordan's and the color blue too. This is not because I want make her a boy but that blue is one of Daddy's favorite colors and CJ and I have been watching football together since she came home from the hospital. Frankly, I feel that some folks need to give it a rest and live a little and brighten their child's wardrobe with splashes of color, like CJ. She wears, brown, black, purple, orange, red, yellow, blue, neon green, and whatever other color clothing items look nice in. It was funny when we picked CJ up from the babysitter today her daughter did CJ's hair. She pointed put that she put a pink bow in her hair but she did have the color purple for me. I was just happy her hair was done and it looked cute. My rule has always been, CJ will wear whatever anyone purchases for her but Daddy will not buy her anything the color pink. OK, her soccer ball has pink in it but that is for her athletic enrichment.

So there you have it people, live and direct from the horses mouth. You probably think I need prayer right about now so pray for me. Prayer changes things people, and situations. I almost forgot CJ now attempts to say thank you when you hand her something. My Princess is balancing her rough demeanor and her daintiness quite well.

NOT TO CJ: The same person who everyone scolds for buying you a football jersey and Kobe Bryant sneakers need to realize that I am the one that picks out dresses and jewelry for you too! Love you baby, whatever makes you happy!

Little Diapers

Not much to report tonight. I caught CJ by surprise when I was early to pick her up. I found her in her onesie and socks. For business purposes Daddy had to run up north and CJ was ill prepared. When we got to East Orange we realized that CJ had no pampers. Daddy asked his mother whether or not she had any pampers and not to my surprise she did. The problem was that they were for a baby a third of CJ's size. One look at the pamper and Daddy knew that would not work.

So thankfully there was a store near by and Mommy was able to get CJ some pampers that would fit. That is all folks. Today was a simple day but one that the Lord made so I rejoiced and have been glad in it. God's will take care of all problems and situations. So folks, be sure to pray, as prayer changes things, people, and situations.

Slumber Saturday - One In A Million

Today was an interesting mix. I had to work and I wanted to see Hadi play football all while spending the majority of he day at home relaxing. Daddy would like to report that he earned an A+ today because he accomplished it all! As expected CJ woke up pretty early today. Actually when we looked over she had half her leg over her railing. So Mommy took her out of the crib but CJ was ready for action so Daddy hung out with her a bit. It was soon time for Daddy to go leave so he had to lay CJ back down with Mommy which forced Mommy to get up. (She needed to be up anyway, lol!)

Once Daddy returned home he hung out with CJ watching football as he desired to do. he allowed CJ to take a lengthy nap, something Mommy would never do. At one point Mommy let me know that CJ needed to get up. So I got her up and she went all about the house as she normally does. Mommy decided to bathe her and Daddy ran out to the store. When he returned he felt like listening to to music. (Go figure, he always does that anyway) CJ seemed to like the song so he turned it up and grabbed CJ's hands. Daddy tried to do a Chicago style two step with CJ but she was a bit to jumpy. The song was One In A Million by Neyo, link provided for you (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tpl9LtkRRw&ob=av2e) Cute little song too. So ow since CJ took a long nap it 9:00pm an she is still awake. Maybe it is my fault but I did not mean it.

So now I will go watch some more football and anything else I find on the good ole tube. Keep praying folks. Prayer still is undefeated in changing things, people, and situations.

In All Seriousness

Sometimes when you sit down to write you have to pause and think about what is going on around you. There was no coincidence that as I looked for things to watch tonight, A Raisin In The Sun was on. I caught the tail end of the movie where Sonny lost all the money but then he grew up when he would not take money in exchange for his family not moving to a new part of town. I still do not know why it has had such an impact on me but for some reason it has. There is a part of the movie where the mother asks her grandson to come watch his father sell his soul. I pondered on what CJ watches me do? I mean I go to work every day. I pray with my family. I enjoy spending time with them. I try to be an advocate of change in the community. I provide and protect my girls, and I will do anything necessary to ensure their happiness.

The question still remains what is CJ learning from me as her dad? This glimpse of television forced me to look at where we are as a family and where we are going. I'd like to say by the grace of God we are in a good place. However I know God has more in store for us. I have learned to be patient and wait on God. As as favorite song of mine says, "I can depend on God, through the storm, through the rain, through sickness and through pain, I can depend on God!" I really believe this too and I want my daughter to have the same feeling.

Just a few highlights for the day. After staying up way past her bed time last night, CJ slept in this morning. As I left for work she shifted about a bit but she did not wake up. When I came home CJ and Mommy were up and active. We are beginning to have to deal with disciplining her. I know Daddy for sure is dealing with drawing that line. Trying to decipher between what she knows she is doing versus what is developmental. It is a little difficult at this point in time but we are creating the limits and boundaries and the expectations will be laid out soon for everyone to understand. She has to learn that her pretty smile is only for the camera and to make Daddy's day when he is down. It is not meant to get her out of trouble.

As I finish up tonight remember, when you pray to include someone else in your prayers. Prayer changes things, people, and situations especially the one that prays for someone else!

Wearing Down

When I picked CJ up from the babysitter her face looked as if the week had beat her down too. She did not smile or reach out to me. She looked tired and out of sorts. When she came to she began to cry for her Daddy but that was it. She did not have the energy she usually has to be the go-getter we are use too. She was a little under the weather the sitter said so I knew she would sleep a lot when we arrived home. So when I left for church she was sleep and now that I am back home she is still asleep. So you all pray for my Princess to get well. Daddy likes her full of spunk and trust and believe Daddy knows that prayer changes things, people, and situations and can drive sickness away in the name of Jesus.

NOTE TO CJ: Get better!

All By Myself

You knew the day was coming folks. CJ is beginning to realize that she is a big girl. She is becoming more and more independent and she is exploring her surroundings even more than she normally does. She is trying to say new words and she is learning to play. Now some of you may think that one just starts to play but one must learn how to operate the different toys and objects that they find themselves around. Daddy made a statement a few days ago that he was not pleased with how she was interacting with herself. Daddy felt that she spent too much time being around Mommy and Daddy. Her being around us helps her to advance but she needed to learn how to function alone. So this week we have watched her interaction with the things she has, her doughnut tower, her farm, her laptop, and her books. It was great to see her operate her soccer ball too! I will say that she is doing quite well with things too.

Today when we arrived to pick her up from the babysitter I guess we took too long. Within a matter of seconds CJ had made her way to and out of the door. She even said, "Bye, Bye!" So I asked if she had the keys to her own car? She gave no response. It is fun watching her begin to do more and more all by herself. This shows that she has been watching and internalizing different things she has seen while growing.

So I am pleased with CJ's progress and I pray she continues to apply all she has learned. Please continue to pray that she always seeks to be independent but that she never forgets the comforts and lessons from home. Daddy knows that prayer changes things, people,and situations.