The best laid plans...

Yesterday was my due date. A few months ago, I was convinced that on this day, I would most likely be sitting here wondering when my baby boy's birthday was going to come. I figured I would be praying that I would not have to be induced again. And most likely, I would be hot, hot, hot - 10 months pregnant living on the surface of the sun. I figured that like his sister, he would keep us waiting and on this day we would be preparing for a LONG labor.

Well, I was wrong on all fronts. His birthday arrived 6 weeks early. I did not have to be induced. In fact, they had me lay in bed all day to try and slow the process as much as possible. I am still hot here on the surface of the sun, but instead I am post-partum. And, there was definitely not a long labor. With the Cutie I progressed from 2 to 10 in 18 1/2 hours. With Adorable- in 1 1/2 hours.

This baby boy rocked my world. I was in shock for days, maybe weeks, after his birth. He made it very clear that he was going to be his own person. He is not planning on copying his sister's every move. Not even close. And based on the past few months, I would say he doesn't want anyone trying to make plans for him. He is going to carve out his own way in this world.

A little bit about my little man:

The more noise, the better he sleeps. He is extremely portable. He sleeps well. He has himself on a strict every 3 hour eating policy. He has blue eyes and strawberry blonde hair. He is perfectly cuddly. He is strong and healthy. He is our little miracle.

Lord, thank you for loving us enough to deny our plans for our baby boy. I know that you have a bigger, much better plan for his life than I could ever come up. Thank you for our miracle. Please give us the wisdom to raise him in such a way that brings honor to you. And Lord, remind us to teach him daily about you that he would grow to be a man who loves and honors God with his life. Amen.

some photos

 2 weeks old

 She loves to hold her baby brother.

Each morning she asks if he is bigger yet.  She

is really wanting a playmate.  He is bigger- 

 a pound up from his lowest weight, but not big enough

that she can see a difference...

1 week- I love how he sleeps with his hands by his face.

It's a family trademark.  All 4 of us do it.

Just Because

Because you are beautiful, inside and out. Because you wear your feelings on your sleeve. Because you think your Daddy hung the moon. Because you love God's Word. Because you love animals, babies, and school. Because you would protect your brother from anything. Because you believe the best of people. Because your laugh is contagious. Because you reverse your letters. Because you are losing teeth faster than I have money to put under your pillow. Because you are quick to forgive. Because you mother anyone and anything. Because you love Jesus...

Because a diagnosis doesn't define you or your capabilities. Because you are smart. Because you are adventurous. Because you have the best smile. Because you say things like, "Be happy, Mommy" when you are in trouble. Because you pray to Jesus. Because you are always excited to see me. Because you love your Sissy. Because you think Grandma Poppa's house is the doorway to Disneyland. Because you would eat fruit all day long. Because you love computer games. Because you give 'Big Hugs." Because you have some fantabulous manners. Because you are beating the odds...



...I am one blessed Momma.

It's Official...

...that little baby in the isolette warmer has stolen this mama's heart.

I don't think I have looked at him one time without the thought, "He is so beautiful" entering my mind. The Lord has chosen to bless our family with the most perfect little addition. I can't wait to see how all of this adds up to become his personality some day. He has rocked our world. He has, since the day we first learned of his existance, kept us wondering what lie ahead for our family. And now, as I look at this miniature baby, I wonder, "Where are we going from here?"

I don't have any idea. But, one look at that perfect little guy and I know it's going to be good.


And if my labor is any indication, it will be quite the exciting ride...


baby update:
Yesterday he was unable to leave the isolette most of the day because his temperature would drop upon leaving the warmer. But, this morning I was able to cuddle him for 50 minutes and we were able to keep his temp up. Yay! He also nursed for the first time this morning and did a great job. He latched on and stayed for 10 minutes. He slept about half of it, but it was great for the first time. He did not eat much through the night, so they are putting a feeding tube in this morning. He will continue to nurse in addition to the tube. They tell me this is almost always the rule with a 34 week baby. They end up burning more calories than they can take in while feeding. So, he has had a few setbacks now that we've past the 24 hr mark, but they had told us to expect that also. Overall, he is doing just what they expect a baby born 6 weeks early to do. So, we are pleased with his progress. The Lord knit him together in my womb and we know that He is continuing to "knit" each and every moment.

Make him strong, Lord.

Well, I will avoid posting too much information here, because most of my readers know me in real life and have been kept up to date with texts and phone calls. But, for those of you who have not heard and just to document this crazy time in my life:

Monday at 2am, my water broke spontaneously. At 33 1/2 weeks. I was in complete denial. I kept trying to convince myself (and others) that I had just wet myself. Even when the triage nurse told me to be prepared to stay in the hospital if my water was broken, I couldn't think of even one thing to take to the hospital when you are having a baby. We had a whole suitcase when we delivered the Cutie, yet I couldn't think of even one thing. I called my bff to come stay with the Cutie and when we left I told her we would probably be back in a couple of hours when they determined I had, in fact, peed my pants. Well, long story short, I had not. My water was broken. My husband went into action and started making a list of all the things that need to be done before we can bring the baby home. (I have, of course, not done anything to prepare for bringing this baby home yet.) He asked me what else needed to be done. Again, I couldn't think of even one thing. I don't know if I was in denial or just shock, but I could not wrap my mind around the fact that this baby is coming out of me.

So, here I am in the hospital. I will be here until baby boy has made his arrival into the world. Tests have been run:

• His lungs are immature. The steroids are running their course and by tomorrow morning, I will be in the "steriod window" where we will have past the first milestone that my doctor really wanted to acheive. Good job, baby boy!
• The ultrasound shows that all his systems look good. His heart is pumping strong. His kidneys look good. Fluid levels are still in the safe range. And most exciting, the ultrasound determines that his approximate weight is about 5 pounds! That is a great weight for this stage.
• And I have not begun any cervical effacing or dialating.

So, the goals for now are that I stay put in the hospital until this baby is born- hopefully the end of next week or later. I need to stay infection free in order to provide a safe home for him to reside. And, I need to stay in the bed to avoid a contraction pattern.

I am so thankful that the hospital brought me this laptop to borrow while I stay here. Everyone is so kind and gracious. Friends and family have brought me everything I could ever need and provided lots of hours of visits to keep the boredom away. Major Hunk and Cpl Cutie have been having a great time together. Things have been going really smoothly for them at home. We have had so many prayers lifted up on our behalf. I can feel the peace of the Lord surrounding us. I will try to keep posting updates as we get any new information.

On a lighter note, we are getting closer to giving this little guy a name. And, today the bff bought our little guy a onesie in honor of our little blog. It says Captain Adorable. So, even though it totally breaks rank and is all wrong from a military standpoint, we may have to adopt this pseudoname for now. Now that this little guy is becoming more real, he really does deserve a name.

I will be back another time to post less about the informational stuff and more about the personal journey I am experiencing as we walk through this uncertain time in our lives.

Good Friday

Good Friday is a day that I believe gets a bad rap.  It is really a beautiful love story from God to His people.  It is violent and brutal and difficult to consider.  But, if there had been no Good Friday, there would be no Easter Sunday.  If Jesus hadn't died, He would not have been ressurrected.  And if not for the ressurrection, we would not have the promise of heaven.

Even though she is only 3, I have been discussing Jesus's death and ressurrection with the Cutie.  I am so amazed to see how much she "gets".  The other day I overheard he as she flipped through my bible saying: "And the people were mean to God.  It was sad.  He got up on Easter."  I was awed by her tender heart toward the Lord.  Awed by the fact that she could receive the Lord's word even when I do such a poor job explaining such a complicated and abstract concept.  

And my heart melts even more when I look in my rear-veiw mirror and see her singing her heart out to David Crowder Band's "Never Let Go".  That's what true worship looks like...

Happy Easter!

A Little Romance

So, it's Sunday morning and I should be getting ready for church. "Getting ready" can get crazy around these parts. We go to a pretty casual church, so it's not like I have to find my best dress or anything, it's just the franticness of getting 4 of us out the door with teeth and hair brushed, extra wipes and a pull up, and all the other stuff. You know how it is to get our your door sometimes. That's how it is every Sunday.

Not this Sunday. This Sunday I am listening to the birds chirp and enjoying the coolness that is our extended Spring. I'm allowing myself to be swept up in the fact that this extended Springtime (seriously, we usually have 1 Spring day, then it gets hot and we have some cool evenings) is a gift to me. From God. At a time when my heart just needed something to be swept away in. And I didn't even know it.

I'm breathing deep, smiling, knowing I've already had church this morning. In the truest sense - where my relationship with God meets my reality in life.



I think I'm in love.

Reflections

It has been just over a year since my Major Hunk returned from his deployment.  Exactly one year since he was back in my arms, I was bidding him goodbye at the airport sending him off to a training conference.  It's only a week long.  But it did get me thinking...  

Time is such an interesting thing.  On one hand, it seems like he just returned, and on the other, like the deployment is a distant memory.  

Two years ago found me preparing for our first holiday apart.  I was still strong then.  The loneliness didn't really take root until a few months later.  I had a one year old to keep me busy.  But the more she started to change and grow into a little person, the more difficult it became to accept that he was missing it.

One year ago found me a nervous wreck as we waited for those hangar doors to open.  Crying tears of relief that my love had made it home safely from war.  We were both changed people.  As we couldn't wait to be back together, we were both nervous about what it might look like in our daily lives.  Our daughter stared at the same man and wondered why everyone was so excited about him.  And then she really got nervous when he came to our house and he stayed...  And we won't even mention what she thought of him getting anywhere near her mom.

One week ago found me out of town on some family business longing for my family.  However,  my husband and daughter were having a blast and bonding in ways that one year ago didn't even seem possible.  And two days later when we had to send him off to his training, you found our daughter crying for Daddy.  Today finds her busy making plans for Daddy to take her to the park when he gets home in two days.  It makes this mama's heart melt each time I see her run and leap into his arms.

When I think back on these past 3 years in bullet points like this, it is hard to believe where we have been and where we are today.  Such is life.  As we continue this journey called life, I hope I always remember to take the time to reflect.  It is often in the reflection that we clearly see things that the busyness of life seems to blur.

Big Day

Today was my big ultrasound.  you know the one where they send you to have all the baby's systems checked out and let you now the sex of the baby.  There was a little stress when the tech kept asking me questions that I didn't think were routine.  Then the dr came in to check on some things.  I was getting nervous and the bff had bowed her head in prayer by then.  I asked the dr what he was looking at and he didn't answer.  Then I started to panic a little.  It turns out they were looking at the placenta and the uterine wall.  I was contracting through the ultrasound and that was making it difficult to read.  After a little bit of time, they were able to confidently announce that everything looked good.  We got some precious pictures of the baby's foot and leg and a great profile shot.  We even got a picture of a yawn.

And they were able to tell me with confidence that it looks like we are having a boy!

Let the great name debate begin...

**Leave me some boy names in the comments if you have some you like**

Don't let it slip away...

I have been amazed at how different this pregnancy is from my first.  More than anything, I have been amazed at how different I have been during this pregnancy.  I relished in every moment of my first pregnancy.  I was very focused.  This time, I am enjoying it.  But, I am also very distracted.  When people ask how far along I am, I have to stop and think for a second.  Well, I thought about it this morning.  I am 19 weeks pregnant.  That is almost half-way there.  Wow.

I want to document some of it here so I don't let it slip right past.  This pregnancy has been an eventful one.  We found out I was pregnant just 6 days after my husband's orders ran out and he was officially out of a job.  That also meant we were officially without insurance.  It was 6 months after Baby Blues went to heaven and only one week after I told my therapist my fears about how a pregnancy could really rock the world of our extended family in this light.  It was also one week after my bff had her tubal reversal surgery.  I was a little shell-shocked.  I also wondered about the timing.  But, knowing that His timing is perfect, I courageously stepped into this new phase of our life and didn't look back.

Now that we are halfway through it, I have all but forgotten those early fears.  I have popped out in epic porportions.  I am tired and achy and don't get nearly enough sleep.  I haven't monitored my diet like the first and I have even begun drinking caffeine.  *gasp*  (I wouldn't have dreamed of such things the first time around.)  And, I have a different perspective this time.  I am carrying life.  And, after walking through the most difficult journey of her life with my best friend, life takes on a whole new meaning.  Life is precious.  Every life.  No matter when it comes.  And none of those other things really matter.  It doesn't matter what changes occur to my body.  It doesn't matter that I look twice as big as every other pregnant lady at church.  What matters is that the Lord sees us fit to parent this child for as many days as He has ordained.  

I was chosen to be this baby's mother.  Major Hunk has been chosen to be it's father.  And the Cutie has been chosen to be it's big sister.  May we never get so wrapped up in our ideas or concerns that we lose sight of that priviledge.

21 weeks (more or less) until I have to share this baby with the world.  And, I plan to enjoy every private moment we have together until then.

2 Years Post-Diagnosis

Last year at this time, Dirty Jobs was non-verbal for the most part. He knew Santa says HoHoHo, and probably a couple of other things. I referred to him as being non-verbal in a post from last December.

Two years ago, he was diagnosed with 'Suspected Autism.'

Today, he told me a some things:
"I wan a movie. No Thomas."
"Git up Dad."
"Tickle, tickle, tickle."
"Hi Grandma."
"I wan a cheeseburger."
"I go to church."
"Bye, Ma."
"I get on"
"My turn"
"Water, please"
"Santa, Santa - ho, ho, ho"
"Help"
"Go to Target. Toys!"

And more.

So, if you have prayed for our boy, in any way, ever...THANK YOU. We are watching a Miraculous Gift being unwrapped before our very eyes!

Lord, we know you have BLESSED us with such a gift in our sweet son. Thank you for your hand on his life, your mercy on ours, and your answer being yes! We know you have given us great teachers, therapists, nurses, physicians, habilitation and respite workers. But we also thank you because we know You have done an amazing work in our little boys life. You've rocked our world, completely blown us away! We know this journey has only just begun...

Remembers for December

• To teach my daughter about the real meaning of Christmas.
  
• To enjoy time with family and friends even when my schedule gets hectic.
• To thank my husband everyday for the things he does for our family.
• To leave my financial burdens at the cross. Every.one.of.them.
• Try not to be so cranky at my family. (Apparently some hormones are flooding my body...)
• Pay attention to my body as I wait to feel this little one move inside me for the first time.
• Keep Christ in the center of all my Christmas activities
  

Dear My Deadliest Catch (Hubs)

9 years ago, I walked into a church on my father's arm and my heart set on you. You and I, we were livin on love. I vowed that your people would be my people, and your God would be my God.

We've stuck that covenant in a fiery furnace a time or seventy, and yet through the fires I've watched the impurities melt and your character emerge.

What a journey it's been, and I'm so glad I get to continue to walk this out with you.

You make me proud to be your wife everyday.

I love you. Beyond words.

With Many Thanks:

Today officially kicks off the beginning of my Thanksgiving cooking. And I am so excited! I am have some new recipes that I am really excited about making. But, more than that, I love having people in our home. I love the food and the fun and most importantly, the love that goes into all of us being together. Now, don't get me wrong, there is always the potential for a healthy dose of social awkwardness (like in all areas of my life...), but I just love me some busy family time.

Some things I am thankful for this season, and always:

• We have a family member coming tomorrow who has been unable to celebrate with us for about 4 years. We are so excited to have the whole family together this year!
• The love of a God who pursues me even when I am too distracted to notice.
• The love of a husband who loves me even more today than he did 6 years ago when he asked me to be his wife.
• A little girl who wants to hug and kiss her baby and lifts my shirt to do so, often. She brings a smile to my face every day.
• Family and friends who love me no matter how much I dork it up...
• When my belly rubs up against something as I try to squeeze through a small space, reminding me of the life growing inside of me.
• This recipe.
• Our friend and roomate has come to join our family. We are so happy that she is here!
  
• In three weeks, I will be in a cold state celebrating life and marriage and the birth of our Savior with family I haven't seen in over a year!

Happy Thanksgiving.
May it be a day filled with friends, family, food and fun.

And please join me as I pray for those who do not look forward to the holidays...

It's not about that.

So, once again, I find myself up in the middle of the night. Thoughts racing through my head. "Where is my purse?" "Why am I so thirsty?" "Why are all these difficult times happening to those that I love?" "God, can't you let these people who are going through trials, just have a break?" "Why is is just one after another after another?" "I'm hungry, where are those nuts I just bought?" I know, my mind, it's a scary and complicated place...

I pull up a blog in which the author offers to give back to her readers by praying for them. I read through the 89 comments. I have some definite prayer requests. But, as I continue to read, I realize something. The things I have been praying for are just that, "things". And, as I read, I ponder the fact that I feel far away from God in a lot of ways. The worst part is, I didn't even really know it. And then I realize...this "thing"...this situation...It is so much bigger than that. So much more important than knowing where our next paycheck will come from. It is about the fact that the God of the universe loves me enough to want more for me. Even when I am too short sighted to want more for myself.

As I began reading those comments, my prayer requests were that my husband would find a job. That we would once again have insurance. That this baby will continue to grow strong and healthy. That I could even begin to wrap my mind around bringing another life into my realm of crazy. But, as I finished reading, the Lord had spoken to my heart. This is really about faith. Those other things, they are just by-products of life, of being a human in this world. The real problem is that I have grown complacent. I have become numb to the healing touch of my God because of some hard lessons that life has thrown my way in the past few years. Life hurts sometimes, and I have become guarded. Guarded in hopes that each sting will hurt a little less than the last. (It didn't work.) But, by becoming guarded, all I have really protected myself from is feeling my Father's touch. From allowing His healing balm to be applied to my heart.

I have so many blessings in my life. I have a beautiful (and growing) family. I have people in my life who love me so big that it's incredible. I have a home, a car, plenty of food, and there is still money in the bank. I'm living the dream, really. It is what I always wanted for my life: to be a wife and mom and be surrounded by people that I love. Then, why do I still feel so dissatisfied? Because I have been going about it wrong. I have been trying to do and have all these things and calling on God when times get hard. He wants more than that for me. He wants more than that for you. I don't want God to have to rock my world in a way that devastates me before I learn to lean on Him for my every step. I want to live that way now, in this moment.

Lord, forgive me for my complacent attitude. Forgive my hardened heart and the fact that I have ignored you in many areas. Please, remind me to pray. There are so many needs that I forget to bring to you. Even though you know them anyway, help me to be obedient in my need to bring them. Change my heart. Help me to see my need for you in everything. And, please, help me to be a more joyful wife and mother. I no longer want to take my blessings for granted. And, Lord, please help me to lay it all at your feet. To stop beating myself up over the fact that I haven't prayed enough, haven't been in your word enough, haven't trusted enough or had enough faith. Help me to begin new today, right now. I love you and I want you to change my life. Amen.

Thank you God that you still change people even after you have given lots of chances. Thank you that you will still speak to me, even in the middle of the night at my computer. And thank you God that you love me even though you know I am headed off to bed with my mind whirling with new questions, "How did I get so lucky?" "How many almonds did I just consume?" and still, "Where is my purse?" But, mostly, I go to bed with a new found peace that my God, who loves me enough to wake me from my slumber, still reigns.

Yesterday, today and tomorrow.

He Is.




*When you have some time, head over to MckMama's blog and read about the miracle that is their story*

The miracle that is life.

I had an ultrasound today. The intricacies of the human body never fail to amaze me. The fact that a sperm and an egg collide and my body knows what to do with it to create a human just floors me. I have a theory that anyone who doesn't believe in the power of God should study the development of the human in the womb. It is nothing short of awe-inspiring.

The baby measured 9 weeks 4 days today. Which, technically speaking means that the baby is 7 1/2 weeks developed. The baby that we saw today had an identifiable head, abdomen, arms, legs, knees and elbows. We could also see the ear and nose. And don't forget the beating heart. So, don't tell me that's just a mass of tissue in there. Nope, it's a baby.

Anyway, seeing that little person really was emotional for me. It started out when I got in the car to go down there. I couldn't stop crying. I even called my bff to warn her that I was so emotional and allow her the opportunity to jump ship. She said the sweetest thing, "Why would I jump ship on you? You have never jumped ship on me." I just want to be sensitive to where she is in her journey of loss and grief. Because, the fact of the matter is that the last ultrasound the two of us went to was for her Baby Blues. I was a little overcome by this. But, once I got myself together, it was a beautiful time. The 3d ultrasound was amazing, allowing us the opportunity to see that little one in a new kind of clarity. To see him/her wiggling about the screen caused the tears to return. And, more than anything, I think that this allowed me to feel a connection with this baby that I hadn't yet allowed myself to experience.

Thank you Lord for the miracle of life.

Voting Day

Voting day took on a whole new meaning in our home this year. We have always taken our right to vote seriously. But, after serving in a country where it's people were under a terrorist regime, Major Hunk has a newfound passion for our electoral process. As for me, I feel as though after the sacrifices that our family made to help ensure our freedom, I would be a fool to take this liberty for granted. And, even more so, I feel that because other families have made ultimate sacrifices for our freedoms, it would be a shame not to get out there and exercise our freedom to vote.

We could not go as a family, because I forgot to transfer my voter registration. Oops. So, I took the Cutie and trekked over to our previous polling place. I was so excited to share this experience with her. She was oh-so-excited to go and vote. (Even though she had no idea what that meant.) She got up there in the voting booth with me and "voted" on my scrap paper and she helped me feed my ballot into the machine. She also got a sticker. (Even though I could tell they were a little annoyed that I wanted one for her AND one for me.) She enjoyed voting so much that she asked if we could go vote again later in the day. I hope this experience helps her to shape her love for voting and the process that so many fight to protect even as we speak.

No matter how this election turns out, I will rest in the knowledge that our God has known the outcome long before these candidates ever dreamed of the presidency. Nothing surprises Him. Thank God for that.

**So, I just learned from my local news channel that it is illegal to take any pictures or photos of your ballot. And while I hadn't written on it yet, I am still inherently a rule follower, so I had to take down the picture of my Cutie "voting".** Ooops.

Rock the Vote

I am so grateful for the privilege to vote. It's hard for me to understand why people don't use this freedom. I guess it's just too easy to take things for granted.

I decided early this morning that I would take both kids to vote. It is THAT important to me. I want my boy and girl to know that we have a responsibility for our voices to be heard. In fact, I think it more important than who actually wins this election.

Most of all, on this day of uncertainty, I am grateful that there is One who already knows the outcome of the election. He will not be alarmed, and He promises me His peace. That's something I will vote yes for every time!

Thanks, Kids.

I have some fun kids. And I am so thankful for them. Without them, I would probably have some boring, unfulfilling office job. Nice things, but not nearly as much laughter. More sanity, but less celebration in the small stuff.

My big 6 year old - she's a hoot. She is always trying to use big words in her everyday discussions. It makes me laugh! I am thankful that she is a HORRIBLE liar. I am thankful that I get to be with her each day and that I am the one who gets to teach her so many things. She has such a sweet, tender heart. I love that about her. I am thankful that she wants to do better at things she struggles with (reading, jumping rope). She enjoys the everyday special moments. She loves her family and friends. She is quick to defend her brother. She says cute things like, "pretend I'm autism," when wanting to do his speech drills. I am most thankful that she loves the Lord and desires to serve Him.

My big little guy...I am thankful that he is part of our family. He has made each one of us better people. I am thankful that this past year has brought great successes for him. Dirty Job is now talking in phrases and sentences!!! He loves to be sneaky and laughs when deliberately disobeying...not good in the future, but I am so thankful for it right now. It is the cutest. I am thankful when it's time for bed and he says, " No, mommy's bed." I am thankful that he wants to hug people when they are sad. He loves music with his therapist, and love animals and cars. I love how he uses his imagination when playing. I am so thankful that he is growing and breaking the mold of what his diagnosis says he is.

These two are my heart and I am so privileged to be their mommy.

I am thankful. I am blessed.

"Blessing is bowing down to receive the expressions of divine favor that in the inner recesses of the human heart and mind make life worth the bother." Beth Moore

November?

I can't believe that November is already here. I think part of the problem is that we are STILL running our a/c around these parts. Hello, weather? Get on board and give us some FALL!

Because Thanksgiving is the middle child in the "Trio o' Holidays," and I am a middle child (shocking, I know...I don't have ANY middle child quirks) I'd like to take some time this month and really consider some things that I am thankful for. I hope to add here and there throughout the month.

THANKFULS

I have an amazing husband who goes above and beyond to provide for our family so that I can stay home. And I mean it when I say above and beyond. He does less than desirable odd jobs, and he does it with a servants heart.

He loves our children well. He is always commenting on how great he thinks they are. My guy enjoys playing with them and makes an effort to be a part of their lives and their activities. He went to What Not To Wear's costume parade yesterday and made sure she saw him several times before he left, even though he was on a very tight schedule.

My guy is not too proud to admit when he is wrong. He wants to grow as a person and recognize his shortcomings. And he wants to lead other guys in that journey as well. I love that about him!

My man loves me "for better or worse." He leads gently, affirms often and puts up with my shenanigans. And he helps keep up the house.

I am so thankful that the Lord gave me him.