Up To No Good

CJ is becoming more and more exploratory as the days come and go. The problem is that she likes to explore anything that can be deemed hazardous to her health or can cause breaks, bumps and bruises to her body. She seems to get her kicks from roaming the house and looking for things to get into. You know she is up to no good when you do not hear her. However, make no mistake about it, CJ is not one to be shy about what she is doing.

On the ride home today CJ was making a lot of noise for no good reason. She was not hurt in any way. She was not wet and she was not hungry. So Daddy needed to figure out what would shut his kid up. Then it came to him, turn on the radio. When the music came on, almost instantly CJ smiled and began to bounce up and down in her car seat to the beat. Then Jill Scott's Cross My Mind came on so Daddy felt like scatting a little bit. So he sung, yeah, yeah yeah yeah yeah! Usually the car is silent but today CJ decided that she would follow her Daddy up and sung out loud, yeah yea yeah yeah yeah! Mommy and Daddy both looked up and smiled. Daddy did it again and CJ followed him up again. I know I do not need to say it but Daddy was all smiles. As he told Mommy he is soaking it all up while he can and while CJ loves everything about him. He also notes that a day will come when she will not really feel all he says.

She went to sleep rather quickly tonight, I guess she had a long day. So as Daddy watches the Giants play Dallas and wrestling simultaneously you all remember to pray before you call it a night. Prayer changes things, people, and situations.

Taught Well

CJ's grandfather told me that

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.