Suddenly Silent

Tonight we had company over. So Daddy prepared dinner and Mommy laid out the appetizers. Mommy really knows how to entertain. She pulls out all the stops and swears she does not like to have folks over. Anyway CJ did not want to wait for the guests. She wanted to grab all the cheese she could. She also wanted to drink from the empty cups Mommy put out. She decided she would eat the napkins too. Mommy fussed with her a bit but CJ with her determined personality kept going back for more.

The odd thing today was that CJ went silent. CJ usually has the gift of gab. She will get personal with people rather quickly. Tonight when the guests came one her cousin she decided to stay close to her Daddy. I was taken aback because CJ is a bit more extroverted than that. The behavior was new. I will also report that by the end of the night she had warmed up a lot. I guess they had to meet her approval.

So CJ, after staying up way past her mothers desired bedtime for her was taken immediately to bed once the door was locked. Mommy of course fell asleep to. She always does. So I will remind you to pray folks. Prayer changes things, people, and situations. Good night.

NOTE TO CJ: CJ, remember to always greet people when they enter into a place where you are. You should make them feel welcomed!

A Nice Ride

Today CJ and Daddy spent their quality time together in the truck riding back and forth. Mommy was a little under the weather so it was just Daddy and CJ who had to venture out today. As we traveled CJ sat in the back and bounced to the beat of the music. I get excited when I see her respond to music, she seems to really enjoy it. that is a good thing because her daddy is really into music and will dance around by himself if need to.

When I arrived to pick CJ up from the sitter she looked like she was having fun. So much fun that she acknowledged my presence and proceeded to do what she was previously engaged in. One of the kids was playing a boxing game and CJ was displaying her skills. I let her be for a few then asked her if she was ready to go home. She actually turned around and say clearly, "No!" Both the sitter and I snickered. I then asked if she wanted to go see Mommy? Again, CJ, this time without turning around said, "No!" I am really glad she enjoys her time at the sitter but want her to like coming home too. So finally I told CJ bye bye and opened the door. She heard it open then started to come towards me, then bypassed me, said, bye bye and proceeded out the door.

The evening was spent keeping CJ out of everything. Mommy was trying to straighten up he house for company tomorrow but you all know CJ, anything that she can get into she will. She went to sleep without to much fuss tonight. It has been a long week so my poor baby must be worn out. Now Daddy is just listening to what he calls his oldies but goodies. From time to time Daddy needs to listen to real music since their is not much of it left these days. So folks, keep praying, I am a living witness that prayer works. It changes things, people, and situations!

NOTE TO CJ: If you keep your room clean as your Daddy and Mommy ask you to, when company comes by you will not have to be up all night prepping. You can do something more fun with your time.

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.