Joey Fordcopyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡDIimikw602
October 12, 2016copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYDWi0g4Xe
Week 7: Journal 3copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡzueWk9otdI
My essay from last night was a little interesting. I bet Dr. Bryson's going to have a lot of fun with this one. Hey, she did say we can write about anything.copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQqFcJZJP0
Anyway, I'm feeling TONS better today. Like TONS, TONS better. I know I already said that in the update last night, but I just need to make it clear again. Right now, I just got out of my art appreciation class and I'm actually feeling really pumped to write this journal. Where do I began?copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡMlYpihqymn
So you know how I said I needed to lie and take a nap yesterday? Well, I couldn't. I couldn't fall asleep. I tried to shut my eyes and not think about anything in order to make myself fall asleep, but I couldn't. After about an hour, I just gave up. I still had about two hours before Bunny got out of school. I thought about buying the groceries that I still needed, but I didn't really feel like it. I didn't really feel like doing anything. Except for one thing.copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVS1SdagHn
So, what did I do? I drove to Bunny's school. Yes, I actually did what I had the urge to do during class yesterday. I went to Mrs. Campbell's classroom and asked if I could see Bunny for a minute. The class was circled around Mrs. Campbell for some lesson and Bunny seemed to be in a happy mood. She was sitting next to Kaitlyn and Savannah with her beautiful smile on her face. Then she saw me.copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4eqJr9JbY
And she excitingly ran over to the door and gave me a giant hug.copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXkHnCZNal
I completely broke down. We went out in the hallway and I gave Bunny one of the largest hugs I've given her in a while and I apologized nonstop for the things I said to her that morning. Then I started crying. I very rarely cry. Mainly because it's very hard for me to cry. But tears just started coming out like no tomorrow. I kept on telling Bunny that I was sorry and that I loved her so much. copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXh3Y9h9pZ
Bunny started wiping my tears and very sweetly said: "Daddy, please don't cry. I'm not mad at you. I still love you."copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡwp3LPMcYvn
And then she kissed me on the cheek.copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡXflhXITWv4
Bunny (still wiping off my face): "I love you so much. You're the best daddy ever."copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡiG2zK1I2a8
I smiled.copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Hx4tmQFkm
Me: "Thank you, Baby. I love you too."copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3iCozz7twC
Then me and Bunny just hugged each other tightly for the next several minutes. My heart well warmer and fuzzier than ever.copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOjAn4C66M
No, Mr. Doherty, I'm never giving her up. Go to Hell. Go to freaking hell.copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7uMcX93Du
Me (after we were finished hugging): "I have a little surprise for you."copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHM26lCdO8
I pulled out three bows. A pink one, a red one, and a purple one. Bunny's face lit up.copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡQnW9XjdAqk
Bunny: "Yeah! Thank you, Daddy! Thank you!"copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡmErRrEOAHs
Me: "Which one do you want?"copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡ479Q9fbLs0
Bunny: "I'll take the pink one. Because my skirt is pink. And because it's my favorite color."copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡTinQslaGVA
Me (snickering): "Yeah, I know."copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ifs9G6YgN
I clipped the bow in her hair and gave her another kiss.copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlVAb5PnQh
Me: "I'll see you after school, Baby. Have a wonderful rest of the day."copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKAMB37LJ3
Bunny (smiling with her precious front-teethless smile): "Bye Daddy."copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJmBcwiivz
Then she went back to class.copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6WU2w57ltY
For the record, Bunny's front teeth are still barely growing in. Taking a lot longer than I expected. Well, that's good. I want her to keep that cute front-teethless smile for as long as possible (though her smile is still beautiful even with her front teeth).copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRJeDkhL60
Needless to say, I felt great after that. I felt like I was on top of the world. I'm not kidding. The relief was freaking amazing.copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtKc4WInfd
Even though I knew Bunny wasn't angry with me, I still wanted to make the day extra special for her. After grabbing some lunch from Popeyes, I stopped at the store and grabbed the ingredients to make lasagna and green bean casserole. Then I bought a cute brown teddy bear. Oh man, I could hardly wait to see the excitement on her face.copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡWm9RoFXw1q
At the pickup, Bunny, once again happily ran into my arms, I picked her up and swung her around, and we hugged each other for the longest time. We both gave each other more kisses than I could even count. Then I carried her to the car and surprised her with the bear. Oh my god, she was so happy. My heart melted as she grabbed her new bear and hugged it so hard that it would have died from lack of oxygen if it had been alive (not to self: never surprise Bunny with a live animal). And everything just got better from there.copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡuEieSWyaHF
After I picked Bunny up, we grabbed some ice cream and then we went for a little walk around the block. Bunny once again rode on my shoulders the whole time. A little bit of her chocolate ice cream dripped on me, but I didn't care. I had napkins in my pocket.copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡax8UJdRsA6
And a woman once again stopped me to tell me how adorable Bunny was. Yesterday she was wearing one of her Frozen shirts (one with Anna and Elsa on the front) and an adorable pink skirt. Even though we were in a major rush that morning, her hair still looked beautiful and gorgeous. Especially with her pink bow now in. I said to the woman: "Thank you. Yep, that's my little princess."copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxtPoRvlow
Bunny (while slurping on her ice cream): "My Daddy loves ice cream."copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTb4740GeI
The woman: "I see that."copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡlofujZHari
Me (snickering): "It needs to be cookies and cream though."copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7PKWdCrz0
Around 4:30, we headed back over to the apartment. Bunny started dancing around the living room with her new teddy bear (which she named Peanut Butter) and then handed it to me.copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡYkT9o0epHs
Bunny: "Daddy, Peanut Butter wants to dance with you!"copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72RmwbmelN
Me: "Of course I will."copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDUlnRzZj8
Bunny: "He's your best friend now."copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0htUrRVFgC
She sure gives me a lot of new friends. Especially "best" ones.copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8oF0Kbb6px
After me and Peanut Butter danced for a little bit, me and Bunny had ourselves a crazy dance together, which ended with me grabbing her and giving her a belly raspberry. Oh man, I just love hearing my little girl laugh.copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVaPhxGQx0
After that, Bunny wanted to paint each other's nails. I happily painted Bunny's fingernails and toenails pink while I got to spend the rest of the night wearing sky blue nail polish on my fingers and toes. Yippee! No really, yippee! I love it when my little Bunny makes me look pretty. copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡYyirsJjopA
We spent the next while just sitting in her room and talking about her day at school as we let our nails dry. Then she flipped to goofy mode and started walking around the room on all fours.copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0yYFyJRJQh
Me (laughing): "What are you doing?"copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKdrAuYhkw
Bunny: "I'm a dog-cat! I'm a dat!"copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡhj4zKxj4WI
Me (laughing even harder): "A what?"copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXhDCPmuzd
Bunny: "Bark! Meow! Bark! Meow! Bark! Meow!" Then she started licking her hand like a cat licking it's paw and then tried scratching her head like a dog (she instead just grabbed her foot and rubbed her face with it as best as she could). I just rolled my eyes and laughed while Bunny giggled nonstop.copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQYYhytgPO
After the goofiness was over, I told Bunny what we would be having for dinner. Her face lit up like a Michael Bay movie. Holy crap, did I really just write that? That was awful. Ah, whatever.copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡM77RHSp0Wl
Anyway, Bunny was pretty excited that we had what I like to call The Perfect Combination. Lasagna with green bean casserole. Our two favorite dinners mixed together. Bunny actually suggested this herself a while back. She called it "The Perfect Dinner." I personally like The Perfect Combination better, but that's just me.copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBi0fVQCqp
Anyway, We each had ourselves about three big helpings of The Perfect Combination/Dinner. Bunny wanted even more after that, but I stopped her right there because I didn't want her getting sick. I haven't at all forgotten about the chicken nugget incident. For the record, Bunny hasn't been in the mood for chicken nuggets since. copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbfOaxmENc
Though Bunny was a little disappointed that she didn't get another helping, she said: "Daddy, that was the best dinner ever. Thank you."copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡszjAr0sR1p
Me: "You're welcome, Sweetheart."copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡcK1vKgrBTR
Anyway, I put Bunny in the bath after dinner was over. Nothing really different happened there other than Bunny farting in the tub at one point and causing bubbles to appear and her to laugh like a hyena. What is it with this girl farting so much lately? Seriously? Who taught her that farting is funny? Not me, I swear.copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0J3gxdNTSA
After Bunny's bath was over, the two of us walked over to the living room and we had ourselves another calm beautiful daddy-daughter dance with music playing. I just love how Bunny knows when to be serious. At one point, she closed her eyes and put her head on my stomach and put her arms around me. Just like a couple dancing beautifully together.copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kaqUBrnts
At one point, she looked at me and whispered: "I love you so much, Daddy."copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡMFcObX4CyY
Me (running my fingers through her gorgeous, freshly washed hair): "I love you too, Sweetheart."copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡtzHwPeKC8C
The incident that happened yesterday morning was not brought up once the whole evening. Although after we were finished dancing, there was something I really wanted to ask her. Something I wanted to ask her since we got home.copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡdeXnERZ5es
"Bunny, can I see all your drawings?"copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡy18LPjJUVh
I, of course, was referring to the drawings that she had drawn at the Bloomfields the previous day. You know, the ones that distracted her that morning and caused me to flip out on her. Yeah, I was still not done with my apology.copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpRAVGOGjW
Bunny looked at me with this strange look for a second, but she walked over to her room and grabbed all the drawings. I think there was about twenty of them total. copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwbgUQ7UVm
Pictures of her and her friends, pictures of Elsa and Anna, a picture of Olaf, a picture of a butterfly and flowers, and...a picture of her and me. This one I stared at for about a minute. "Me" and "Daddy" was written right next to her drawings of what was supposed to be me and her. I have about a hundred of her drawings of me and her, but my heart still melts every time she shows me a new one. After I looked at the drawing for a moment, I looked at Bunny and said: "Good job, Baby."copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡmuovfeOY8K
Bunny didn't say anything back. She just leaned over and kissed me on the cheek. Then I put my arms around her and we hugged for a really long while.copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1a7C6OqM7
I'm pretty sure I put her to bed later than I normally do, but I don't care. I was still going to read her a story that night. And the story that night happened to be another one of her library books. And good lord, of all the children's books in the world, it had to be this one. Love You Forever.copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5Ezlzpttl
No...just, no.copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡQPPfl4ta3C
My grandma read Love You Forever to me and my brothers several times when we were kids. And it made my grandma cry every single time. Yeah, I still remember. We would always walk up to her and give her giant hugs each time she read the book. And that's exactly what happened to me when I read it to Bunny. She had to give me a hug when I started crying. copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjE5rgbfHY
Bunny (while she was hugging me): "Daddy, you're crying again."copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡn532EpB3T4
Me: "Yeah, I know, Baby. This book is just so beautiful."copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJUeYfjrpm
Bunny: "I like it too."copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kGIq7YBnF
I...have to say it. I can't help it. I have a few words to say to my little Bunny:copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡzKKDNp2osV
I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always, as long as I'm living my baby you'll be.copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRFn6DDp53
Crap, I'm crying again.copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9nsROAQpX
God, why the hell do I not have Love You Forever on Bunny's bookshelf? First chance I get, I'm buying it on Amazon. We need that in our library. We need to read it again.copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZIgCvFFU8
Me and Bunny hugged each other for a really long time, we gave each other giant goodnight kisses, and then Bunny was off to bed. Then I remembered the depressing journal I had written earlier and I decided to update it. I just felt like I needed to.copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡBn0gK6Unv0
Tuesday was...a wonderful day. Forget how it started. Me and Bunny had a wonderful and beautiful evening together. And that's all that matters. copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡqh9OJ1CkR2
Which sadly won't be until next Tuesday. Well...the most I can do is think positive. Savor the moments during the day where I get to spend with my Bunny. This morning, I gave Bunny a braided ponytail, which came out perfectly. Boy, did she love it. After staring into the mirror with her beautiful smile for a moment, she turned to me and said: "My hair is so pretty! Thank you, Daddy!""copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡho1ZFEvkkp
Today Bunny wore her favorite unicorn shirt, bright pink leggings, and a bright pink bow in her hair to match her leggings. I will try my absolute hardest to make sure she goes to school with a bow in her hair from now on. As I dropped her off at school, she gave me a big hug and said: "I hope you have a great day, Daddy."copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVMtcxz6V5
I can hardly wait to see you in a few hours, Baby. I love you so much. I'll love you forever.copyright protection256ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lmga6iNqa
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