Habits

When your child is around many different people: children, adults, strangers, family, and many more, you have to watch carefully the habits they pick up. Today I noticed CJ doing some things that I did not particularly care for. Mommy feels they may be developmental but Daddy believes they may be bad habits she is picking up. So we will be monitoring her actions to make sure she is not going too far with anything. Other than that today was another day CJ and I did not get to play much. Daddy had to work so all he saw was her draped in a blanket sleeping.

So keep praying, prayer changes things, people, and situations!

The Bright Side of Things

To sum up my day, it sucked. It is really difficult producing with the devil abiding at work as well. It was so bad I needed to leave the office early to collect myself. The ride home was quiet. No music, no text messaging, no smiles or anything else for that matter. I could feel my blood boiling on the inside and I needed to calm down. All I knew was that I was beat down, beat up, beat over, beat through, and beat under. In my mind nothing would could change my feelings. As I left the office the last words I uttered was that I needed to find the bright side of things.

When I arrived to pick up CJ the bright side started to peek out. Whenever I see CJ's radiant smile it changes my day. As Sam Cooke sung, "I know a change gonna come." So I needed to feel better about myself today so I went to get a haircut. This is where God stepped in. As I sat in the chair the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir video concert was on. I Never Lost My Praise was the song that played and that is my testimony for today and the message I want CJ to always lean on. I am currently beaten, scorn, played, upset and a whole lot more but through it all I still give God the praise for all he has done and does for me. I will bounce back in the way he would have me to.

So once we arrived home CJ entertained me. Her attentiveness to the educational shows we watch and her dancing around the house always is a pleasure to see. Oh, to be a child carefree and enjoying life. So she picked up her Daddy's day. She may not know it but I thank her for helping turn my day around. So folks I've never asked this before but I am now. I am praying that God reveals his plan for me... where he is leading me, and what he wants me to do. He has better for me and is humbling me to prepare me for what he has. Pray I get out of the way, I lay pride aside and allow him to fill me with what he needs me to be filled with. Pray that I have the courage and faith to accept what this NEW thing in my life will be. A breakthrough is on the way, he would never leave his children in a place where they are not appreciated and taken for granted and used as a mule for others satisfaction. I thank you in advance for your prayerful support. Prayer changes things, people, and situations.

NOTE TO CJ: Days like today will test you. Your Daddy was at rock bottom and needed to be picked up. I want you to know that God is always in control. We may not know and understand his moves but he is moving at all times. All we have to do is trust him.

Simply Sleep

This will be quick but honest. When I dressed CJ this morning she slept. When I dropped her off at the babysitter, she was asleep. When I arrived home from work, she was still asleep. I did manage to hear her voice when I called Mommy to check in on them.

So the schedule is still tight but God is implementing that change as I type. Keep praying folks, prayer changes things, people, and situations.

Goofy CJ

Well the highlight of today could not occur in the morning because CJ slept through getting dressed and waiting on Mommy and Daddy to get ready. Then she proceeded to sleep all the way to the baby sitter's house. So when does the excitement come?

Well today when Mommy and Daddy arrived to pick CJ up we found her trying to leave with another family. One of the babysitter's friends came by and I guess CJ took a liking to her. Then once we arrived home it was all bets off with CJ. For the past few days CJ has had a fascination with the broom and the garbage can. Now I am happy that she is grabbing at the broom and when she gets it understands its function. The garbage can is another thing. She figures that everything she gets her hands on belongs in the garbage. The list includes, mail, barrettes, teething rings, toys and a few other items. We try to catch her but CJ acts quickly and can be a silent assassin at times. Daddy figures he will get her a kitchen set so she has her own broom and garbage can. That way she can put whatever she wants in there. I would bet a few bucks that whatever we can not find will be in her garbage can for safe keeping, lol!

Now we are going through some growing pains right now. CJ's back teeth are growing in and they are causing her loads of discomfort. She is in so much pain it took her almost an hour to go to sleep tonight. Mommy has already prepared the remedy for us so we should be good. Now do keep her and her agony in prayer and Daddy and Mommy too. We know that prayer changes things, people, situations, and can bring CJ through her teething battle. For now signing off, CJ's Daddy!

Sunday - Business Not As Usual

Now usually I will inform you all about how CJ behaved in church. Why not, it is Sunday right? Wrong. Today was not the typical Sunday in the Johnson house. Daddy was up early as usual to make the third Sunday eight o'clock Men's Day worship service. Today Mommy and CJ were not up with him. So he prayed and kissed them both on the foreheads as he usually does when he leaves out and made his way to church.

Also different from any other Sunday, Daddy was only staying for the eight o'clock service. Daddy is in the process of forming a mentoring program and has someone that may be interested in helping with some funding. That meant that Daddy needed to complete an informational piece that explains what the program is all about. We are happy to report that Daddy did accomplish what he set out to do. He has a few kinks to straighten out but we are confident the document will be completed when it is needed to be.

Once he was finished Daddy cleaned the bathroom and put the new accessories in. I add this just so you know Daddy does have a domestic side to him. He does what he can around the house. This will help dispel the gender roles that some people tend to promote. CJ already sees something more progressive, a Daddy who does the majority of the cooking and that decorates and accessorizes the bathroom. One role that has to stick is the garbage. Mommy, nor CJ, will need to do that task as that will be left for the man of the house.

After the bathroom it was time to hang out with CJ and I have to report that we went at it today. CJ insisted on doing what she wanted, when she wanted. Daddy wants to help her understand that when Daddy gives instructions, they are for a reason and she needs to comply with them. I know some of you believe she is too young to understand what Daddy wants but I know differently and will challenge theory and any opinions anyone would like to share. I have realized that I need to explain more instead of repeating things over and over again. Clearly that method has not worked effectively.

So today a lot was accomplished. Now let's see when this living room and bedroom get cleaned? I will be the first to say that your scheduled is altered when you have a one year old full of inquiry around. Things are looking up for CJ and Daddy though. We are growing more and more each day. Remember us in your prayers folks, ask God to continue providing the bricks that will allow us to build a strong foundation. We know that when we pray things, people, and situations WILL change.

Bad Hair Saga

Yesterday I mentioned CJ's bad hair issues. Well today they continued. After a Saturday on the job Daddy came home with the hopes of taking CJ and Mommy out for a ride. It would have been all well and good but one look at CJ's hair and Mommy said it was a no go. If CJ was a good girl and listened to her parents she would have been able to go out today. However, CJ does not like to keep her hat on therefore everyone would be able to see her jacked up hair. By the time Daddy came home today she had breakfast, lunch and who knows what else in her hair. Luckily Mommy showed mercy upon her head and washed it, greased it, and put two cute puffs in it. Now at least she could go out in public.

Daddy wishes she could have gone out. He believes that both Mommy and CJ get a little antsy when they stay in the house all day. If CJ is as much like her Daddy as everyone says she is then I know she is restless and ready to break out. We will have to work on our scheduling so that CJ gets some outside time on a daily basis. You all pray for that and it will happen for us. We will be praying too because we know that prayer changes things, people, and situations.

Wipe Me Down!

Today was different than many Friday's. Mommy decided to stay home because she felt ill. The not so bright decision she made was to keep the Princess CJ Johnson home with her. I felt it was not a good look but went along with it. I was online with Mommy during the day and the report was, Mommy was ready to hang CJ! CJ is a handful when you are well but when you are sick she is two hands full.

When Daddy came home he peered around the stairs to surprise CJ. She couldn't see him when he called for her attention but when he came up the stairs she knew who it was and smiled. While Daddy had his snack of nachos he provided CJ with some Golden Grahams so she would not come take his. After snack time Daddy washed CJ up a little and dressed her so she could accompany him to the mall. While they were gone Mommy would be able to relax with no baby to chase around. CJ's hair was a mess today. The braids that were in were taken out and anyone that knows hair can imagine what my poor baby looked like. Daddy found a hat for CJ and told her that she had what is called a "Bad Hair Day" and that she should keep the hat on. CJ did not agree and wanted to show everyone in the mall her hideous hair do.

Now the highlight of our evening was that Daddy was able to go to the mall, on payday, with CJ, and purchase nothing for her. Usually CJ gets something on a trip but Daddy was self-centered tonight and focused on his needs. Now the question is can Daddy make it through the weekend and not swipe for CJ? We shall see. Now Daddy and CJ were out a little longer than they intended to be. Daddy had just given Mommy loads of credit for actually relaxing and not calling to check up on her Dynamic Duo or Treacherous Two. (Something she always does) NO sooner than Daddy smiled and gave her mental dap the phone rang and guess who it was? Your right it was Mommy, we will just say she really missed us.

So we are all back at home enjoying the Cosby Show. Dinner was Five Guys and CJ ate all of Daddy's fries. She really enjoyed them. Daddy enjoyed his time alone with CJ, its been a while but we have a football game next week to look forward to Lord's willing. So folks please remember to pray and put someone in front of you tonight. Prayer changes things, people, and situations.