Happy Birthday, Kristen!!

Today is my little sister's birthday. She is a whopping 24 years old. I know I am just her sister, but I feel like a proud mama. If you know Kristen, you know she is a special person. Growing up we were the typical fighting sisters and usually hated each other. But as we grew older, we started a friendship. That friendship grew closer and closer throughout the years and I found myself wanting to share special things that were happening in my life with not just my other friends, but her as well. She is one of my best friends. You see, my sister has the qualities you want in a best friend. She is trustworthy, she is kind, she is HILARIOUS (yes she has book smarts, but common sense?? Hmmm!), she looks for the best in people, she is positive, she quicks you in the butt when you are out of line (and that is quite often), she is a prayer warrior, she has a heart of gold that loves people, she is opposite of drama, she is loyal, she is strong, she is just special. I am blessed to have her as my sister. Mom, did you ever think you would hear that from me when I was about 10 years old?! Hehe!

Kristen, I hope your day is filled with blessings and laughter. I am so thankful to God that he has given me a sister like you. Thank you for being my friend. I love you so incredible much!!

Back to Reality

Well...back to reality...and cold....BUT the SUN IS OUT AND SHINING! So I gotta be happy about that, right?

I had to laugh this morning when I woke up (well, I cried first after only getting 5 hours of broken sleep because of babies waking up) because yesterday when Nic and I walked through the door with the babies, I smiled and was so thankful that I had the time before we left to clean the house. I can't tell you the feeling of walking into a CLEAN house after a week of vacation. I purposely made sure all dishes were clean, all clothes were clean and put away, floors mopped and vacuumed, fridge cleared out, trash taken out, and so on and so on. Well, you couldn't tell a SINGLE bit that this house was EVER clean when I got out of bed...my 10 hours of pride was shot down when I saw our clothes EVERYWHERE, toys thrown through the house, stacks of clothes waiting to be clean, or clean and needed to be put away from the vacation, plastic bags of lotions, shampoo and conditioner, toothpaste and toothbrushes thrown on the table, stuffings from the diaper bag spilling out, suitcases being tripped over. Goodness, unpacking takes longer than packing!! Goodness gracious! But ya know, ya just gotta laugh about it sometimes. So throughout the day I would go from chore to chore forgetting the actual chore I was on and move onto something else and then remembered and well, just never stopping to sit down trying to get everything back into place. It was a little hard when I would finally get, let's say the kitchen, kind of in decent shape only to have Hayden "help" and empty the towel drawer and play house with our dog...with EVERY SINGLE dish towel, oven mit, and apron...which means I now have really clean towels:) She was also a great help when I was cleaning her room and she decided to decorate the living room with half the toys that I just put away in the toy room. But how can I get upset when she runs to me and points to her wonderful mess and says, "look, mom" with such a proud smile on her face and her eyes so wide and excited at what she did and then wraps her arms around my legs. Gosh, I love her. She even helped me with Bubby when she decided that he "beep, beeped" (pooped) and decided to change his diaper all by herself while I was going to the bathroom (when will I learn I can no longer go to the bathroom while the kids are awake?). Let's just say Bubby was laughing his head off and Hayden was once again proud of herself, but me on the other hand, am truly worried about how this is going to scar my son (I WILL NOT go into detail what she was doing to him before trying to put on the diaper). Where is Mamaw and Papi? I was very spoiled this past week with all the incredible help of my family and having Nic 24/7 to myself.

Also, another thing I noticed...I don't know if I am just crazy or anyone else is like this, but I would be putting away clothes in Hayden's room and while putting away the clothes in the drawers I would say, "hey, this needs to be cleaned out". So I would start cleaning out all the drawers making a bigger mess than I started...or putting away the diaper bag in the closet and being disgusted with the disorganized coats, purses, random things that you find in our closet so I would start cleaning it out and then have my husband come home to everything in the closet ON the FLOOR and him just looking at me like "what the heck are you doing?" In my mind I do have a purpose to all the madness...you just can't see it yet. But that's when I realized...I am a complete scatter brain! or maybe ADHD? Not sure which one!

Anyways, reality is back and so is my wonderful "kids live here" house. Someday I will get the hang of this whole parenting thing...if I am lucky I will get it before they turn 18 and are moving out of the house.

Nic went back to work and we are totally back to our normal routine of craziness and I love every single second of it...even when I want to just lock myself in the bathroom, sit in the tub and pretend my kids are perfect little angels who don't cry, don't fight, don't poop, and just want to please me in everything they can do...at ages 2 1/2 and 11 months. Hehe! But...I can't even shut the door of the bathroom for fear of safety for my children from each other.

But I don't care...who needs privacy to pee? Not me.

I know this is all over the place, but that's how I roll!

Night!

Aruba-Days 5 & 6

I woke up today dreading the fact that it is our last WHOLE day here on this BEAUTIFUL island. This vacation has been perfect in many ways and I am not ready to leave it. I am not ready to go back to real life or ready to have Nic return to work. I can't even explain the feeling of having him with us ALL day long...it is AWESOME!!! I love watching him with his babies and I love just being able to relax and talk with him...during daylight hours:)

Anyways...yesterday we woke up to an overcast morning so we decided we would spend the day just shopping and looking around the island and then come back and just have dinner somewhere on the beach. Sounds like a good idea, right?? It was...too bad the car wouldn't start!! ha. But we made the most of it and had the kids take a little nap since naptime would be during our shopping time. After the car got fixed and the kids were rested, and my book was almost finished, we headed off to town. We just took our time walking from shop to shop, from hut to hut. We even took a break at Iguana Joe's for some drinks and chips and salsa. We then headed back after the shopping trip and decided to walk to a restaurant at the hotel next to ours where we were able to listen to live music and watch Hayden and Colton in heaven at the little playground. It was great!

Today is just downright gorgeous again! We headed down to "our" hut and then Nic and I took the kids to the beach to let them play with the sand toys and run in and out of the waves (well Colton crawled). They have been doing such a GREAT job and making this a memorable experience. We spent every last second soaking up the Aruba sun until it was time to get ready for dinner. We headed out to the little stores that lined the streets and ate at Smokey Joe's...probably the most AMAZING chicken EVER! We continued down the strip of shops to just soak in the atmosphere and then headed to the beach for some pictures.

Now we are all packed dreading tomorrow's flight. AHHH!! I heard it is cold back home so I offered my parents to just leave me here:)

I hope to maybe get a little more sunshine tomorrow morning since we don't leave until the afternoon!! Please pray for our safety as we travel tomorrow and Sunday morning. We fly into Texas tomorrow night and then into Chicago early Sunday morning. Also please pray for the babies as they travel...that they will be able to relax and not SCREAM!!! Thanks!!

Days 3 and 4

Here we are on our fourth day. The last two days have been absolutely perfect. The sun shining, the breeze blowing. There were so many times I just stopped and thanked God for allowing us to enjoy his beauty and our family.

Yesterday we stayed at the pool all day. The kids were absolutely perfect and thanks to the toys that were lent to us, the kids kept VERY busy and were completely content at the kiddie pool. Our little hut that we have been reserving is right by the kiddie pool which makes it very nice! Hayden has been the restaurant's little scare crow running off the birds again...they really should hire her! She is just in heaven here. And Colt is in heaven just watching her...shortly he will be right by her side and I will be in trouble! Once again the kids took amazing naps and my father was so generous as to stay in the room while they were sleeping while I was able to relax fully and read some more. Nic got A LOT of sun...and I mean A LOT! It kinda makes me mad that he gets SOOO much sun when I am out in it longer than he is!!! Oh well...he sure is HOT!!! He is always hot...but with this tan...OH MY!

For dinner, we headed to a little spot where there are a lot of shopping places and ate at Hard Rock Cafe. It was pretty neat because we ate under this huge tent with live music. Hayden and Colt just played around the table since it was open and not really busy. We then just walked up and down the shopping areas and enjoyed looking at everything. I was so proud of the kids...they really are enjoying themselves and are just so happy...I guess that's why they call this "One Happy Island"...hehehe!!

Today was very much like yesterday...except Nic stayed in the shade all day to rest his skin. We did, however, take the kids down to the beach for a little bit and they LOVED it. Hayden chased the tide, Colton tried to do the same but decided to eat the sand instead. They both love the sand and just loved running/crawling all over the beach. Nic stayed in with the kids during nap time...he even enjoyed a nap of his own.

For dinner, we went to one of my favorite spots from last time...La Trattoria. It is the gorgeous outside restaurant that is up on a hill that overlooks the island. There is a lighthouse right next to the restaurant and it is breathtaking. The little italian restaurant is surrounded by greenery and just absolutely the most beautiful place...I keep telling both my sisters that I could see their future weddings at this place (hint hint sissies). Hayden was fascinated by the millions of steps that lead down from the restaurant. We were able to watch the sunset and to see the huge orange circle fade into the ocean (that's what it looks like) and the blue, orange, red, green colors of the sky just was another reminder of God's beauty.

Now we are back at the condo watching American Idol!! Soooo...that means I have to focus and get off of here!!!

Oh, and I am SOOO bummed I can't download pics because I want so badly to share those memories!!!!

Aruba-Days 1 & 2

We are now on our second morning here in wonderful Aruba. It is a little overcast this morning but it has been and amazing morning so far. I have been able to spend some quality time with my Heavenly Father out on the balcony. It gave me time just to reflect on everything I have been blessed with and everything I am so thankful for. From our balcony you can see the ocean...what a beautiful scene. God is truly amazing. This week I am working on memorizing Philippians 4:6-9. I have read these verses MANY times but have never truly reflected on the meaning of it. The first time that I have ever REALLY focused on these verses was with my mentor about a year ago. If you know me at all, you know that I struggle with worry...one of my HUGE weaknesses that I am ALWAYS trying to work on. These verses I have found to be comforting.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me-put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you."

God is good...and He knows my heart.

Yesterday was our first full day and let me tell you, it couldn't have been more perfect. It was a beautiful day with the sun shining and the perfect breeze. Hayden and Colton were in heaven withe the water and their little floats. It is so much fun to watch them where they are at an age to just laugh and laugh and have fun! Colton just mostly laughed at Hayden as she chased after the birds and the iguanas. Nic took the kids up to take a nap in the middle of the day while he watched some basketball and relaxed....which gave me a couple hours to enjoy by the pool with my book! I couldn't believe it...I was actually able to read...by the pool...not worrying about little kids by the pool. It was heavenly....the only problem is...my skin suffered during that time big time. I really did put sunscreen on...but the problem is I haven't even been touched by the sun since like a million years ago...let alone the Aruba sun (which is VERY different!). Let's just say it looks like my daughter put my lotion on by all the splotches and weird tan lines! HA! Actually, it isn't very funny because the pain was awful while trying to sleep and now my muscles are tensed from the stinging...BUT it was still worth it!! Maybe God knew we needed this overcast morning with a little shower to give my poor skin a break!

After cleaning up from the gorgeous afternoon, we headed out to walk around and ended up eating at Senor Frogs...which was SUPER good. I have been so proud of Hayden and Colton so far. They have been in amazing moods and just loving life...partly because they are being spoiled to death by Papi and Mamaw...and Rara.

Well, it is time to head out to the pool...but don't worry...the shade is calling my name loud and clear!

Ok....I'm back after another wonderful day. It is around 8:30 now and Bubby is asleep and we are watching Dancing with the Stars. We spent the afternoon by the pool again...except today I stayed under our little hut! Hayden took a walk with Nic down to the beach and Bubby took 2 great naps! There is a long stair type thing to the pool where the kids like to sit and play. The guy that takes care of the pool was so kind to let us borrow a basket-ful of toys for them to play with.

For dinner, we headed downtown where the big cruise ships come in. We ate a place called Iguana Joe's. We then walked down to the docks where there are yachts and we watched the sun go down. Another site of God's beauty.

Today I also realized something...my son is 11 months old...in ONE month, he will be a year old...sigh...so here is his monthly letter.

Dear Colton,

Today you are 11 months old. It is so hard to believe that in exactly one month, you will be 1 year old. You have grown into such a hilarious personality. You know what you want, and you don't stop until you get it! You are VERY active and love to crawl EVERYWHERE. You crawl faster than your mommy can walk. You are so close to standing on your own. You pull up on everything and everyone. You love to chase after your sister and just laugh and laugh at her.

You grab any food that is in sight. If you can't get to it you grunt and close your hands to make fists. It is quite the sight! You like ALL foods...except your baby vegetable foods. You prefer the food we eat and even with only 6 teeth, you can basically eat anything. You have tried hotdogs, fries, hamburger, chicken, ice cream, apples, bananas, and many more foods.

You are sleeping wonderfully. You sleep from about 7:30 pm-8:00 am. You are also taking about 2 hour long naps. You have turned into such a great sleeper and I am so thankful for that.

About three weeks ago, you came down with your first really bad sickness. You couldn't keep anything down and just wanted to sleep on my chest. You were never really cranky and just slept a lot. Your sister was also sick, so you two just sat in the recliner and snuggled with me.

You make us laugh with those eye brows and your handsome little looks. You light up when you see people you know. You love to wave and you say, "uh-oh" ALL the time!!

You love your basketball and will chase it around EVERYWHERE!! You love your bath time and keep yourself very entertained.

You are a content little old man and just love to laugh.

You are such a wonderful little boy and I just can't get enough of your big brown eyes and those wonderful hugs where you pull my neck in and just smile.

I love you so much and want to hold on to every second that I have with you.

You are my sweet, sweet son.

Love,

Your mommy

Aruba, here we come!

Yesterday we began our week long vacation. Nic and I started off by taking the kids to Chicago after he got off work to see Brooke. We started off the vacation with an emergency oil change somewhere on our way to Chicago…but…the kids did an amazing job and I was one happy mama.

We were able to see Brooke’s school, her apartment and ate at Rainforest Café. The kids LOVED it!!! Especially when it “stormed” and the gorillas were going crazy! Most kids are frightened by that…not Hayden!

We then met up with my parents at the hotel where we would only get 4 hours of sleep thanks to our wonderful 3:05 am Shuttle. Let me tell you…my kids had NO idea what was going on…it wasn’t my idea of a great way to start off the LONG traveling day! But…we made it through with only a couple melt downs and lots of bribing snacks. Hayden slept through the whole first flight to Texas….the 2^nd flight…not so much. She wasn’t naughty or anything…just very energetic…she knew she would be in paradise in a few short hours! Bubby was a little different story. He wasn’t a fan of being on a lap for hours on end. Needless to say I thought we were going to get kicked off the plane while flying through the air. But, he was OUT after all the crying! I can’t really complain though…my dad didn’t realize that when he booked the flight we were actually in first class…which meant AWESOME seats, food, and get this…I got to watch I Love Lucy on my own little TV thing that was attached to the seat! It was heaven…besides the crying! We even got our meals handed to us on trays with these tiny little salt and pepper shakers!! Hehe!

We finally arrived in Aruba. I honestly just stood for a split second to soak it all in. The smell of the ocean, the sun shining, the palm trees, the local stores and people. As soon as we got to our condo, we immediately changed into our swim suits and headed for the pool. I think I got more joy out of watching my children LOVING the water more than anything. We ate at the little restaurant at the pool and just let Hayden swim. Colt was a great fan of the water as well…even had to save him a couple of times when he likes to be fearless.

Now Nic and I are just sitting on the porch, with one child crawling all around and the other on a walk with Papi, relaxing…something we haven’t been able to do in a LONG time! I am looking forward to the exciting things that the week has to hold…but most of all I am looking forward to just being with my family…no work, no worries…just family!

I do have pictures already…but I have to figure out how to load them since I didn’t bring my cord…oops!!

Big Girl Bed, ECITED and Dedication

Well...I guess it is that time that I have been dreading (a little). It is time to change Hayden's crib into a toddler bed. I know people start that a lot earlier than I have...but for me it gave me a safe place to put Hayden where I knew she couldn't get out. Guess what?! She can now! Yesterday was the first time that she had gotten out of the crib at my parent's when Kris went up to get her and to her surprise Hayden was standing in the doorway....we had a time to laugh about it but I thought it was a one time thing. Nope...today when I heard her awake from her nap, I heard a knocking and went to see if she was ready to get out of her crib. When I opened the door, she was standing right there and just waved to me. Hmmm...I didn't even hear a crash or a noise as a sign of her climbing out of her crib! What a talented little girl we have :)

I knew this day would eventually come. However, it is kind of hard for me because it is just another way of telling me that my baby girl is growing up. I also know that lots of people have their toddler's in a big girl/boy bed A LOT sooner than Hayden, but I thought as long as she was safe and couldn't climb out that she was ok. Especially with having two young kids it was nice to know she couldn't get out when I needed her to stay put. Looks like we are going to be busy putting together a big girl bed tonight. *sigh*

Anyways,

This has been a very busy weekend! Yesterday I attended my second EXCITE training trip to Chicago. I always feel like a little kid excited for their birthday when it comes to these because it is a day that is full of AMAZING training and AMAZING people. It was such an awesome time to learn how to help people achieve their dreams as well as how to achieve our dreams as a family. It is a time to recharge and get pumped for our future. I was able to meet two awesome ladies, who are also Master Coordinators. To hear them SOOO excited about what they do and how they help others was so encouraging to me. Their knowledge in the business is incredible. They were very inspirational and I can't wait to share with other what they shared with me. They have such a passion to help others and to share with others what our products and opportunity have to offer them. I am so excited to share what I have learned with others.

Then today, bright and early, Nic and I dedicated our little Colton at church. Our church has partnered up with parents to bring up our children in the Lord's ways. We are definitely excited and encouraged to know that over the next 18 years we will not be alone in raising our children according to God's Word.

Only 6 more days until we leave for Aruba!! SOOO excited. Our suitcases are packed and ready to go!! Don't worry sun and warmth, I am COMING!

Seeing the light from sickness!

Is it just me or am I getting lazy with my blog writing? I think I am. I started this blog not as a way for people to look at me through a fish tank, but as a way for me to document our life's adventures and record events going on. I want to be able to have this so someday I can look back and remember what we have done as a family and the every day happenings that went on at home.
So...some of it may be boring, but like I said, this is my blog...don't read it if you are bored:) Anyways, I think we are finally coming out of this whole "sickness" stage with the kids and finally getting into our normal routine again. Colton continued to throw up all day Saturday and Sunday...and then had major blowouts all day yesterday. Thankfully he has been able to sleep a lot during the day. Unfortunately that makes for long nights. But, I just have to keep reminding myself this is a stage. One very positive thing that has come out of it is he has been falling asleep on my chest, which doesn't ever really happen. I love holding a sleeping baby...especially my sleeping baby:) He has also been able to stay a content, happy little boy despite the sickness that has taken over his body. He still wants to follow Sissy everywhere and laughs at her constantly.
Then there is little miss Hayden. She has been learning to test her limits and how to push my buttons...and let me tell ya...there have been A LOT of buttons in the past couple of days. She hasn't been as hyper lately, but she just has been ignoring my commands and doing her own thing. She has seen the time out chair frequently. On the other hand, at night she is all snuggles. She just wants to be close to Nic or me and wants to cuddle. I love her sweet voice as she says, "cuddle, mommy, cuddle." How could I NOT want to cuddle after that?! She has been talking A LOT over the past couple of days which has been a riot. I can't understand most of it, but I will take it! For some reason she is still not really sleeping through the night. She does occassionally but the last 2 of the 3 nights she has been awake for a couple hours straight in the middle of the night. I am not sure what is going on, but it makes for one tired momma. Maybe a growth spurt?? Her pants have been getting shorter and shorter and yesterday when I put on her pants, they were capris:)
We have had some BEAUTIFUL days lately and I am grateful for that. I can tell already that Hayden, Colt, and I will be outside EVERYDAY during the Spring and Summer. Hayden is such an outdoors girl and I love to watch her just run free and smile the whole time. Getting her inside is a different story!
I have been going into ECA the last couple of mornings to help with ISTEP testing. It is a bittersweet feeling. While I am in the building I truly miss the kids and the teaching, but once I am out of the building I know I am exactly where God wants me to be and I am thankful for that.
Nic has been working like a maniac, as usual. A security job has opened up for the past 2 weeks which has been a blessing in a financial aspect, but at the same time he is just running his body into the ground. Shaklee is doing well, and I am so thankful for God allowing that...we just need to get it really taking off so Nic doesn't have to do this anymore.
That's been really about it for the past couple of days. Oh...I did take the kids over to Tara's today after testing and let Hayden play with Alex, the little boy she watches. They were so cute together! I love this stage where she is actually interacting, even though neither one of them can be understood...I still think they have this understanding that only 2 year olds have! It was nice to just sit and chat with another human being that is my own age and not a toddler and infant!
Ok, the kids are sleeping so maybe I should get off this thing and just relax!

Not a normal Saturday

It is Saturday morning. Some people wait all week until this morning. Where usually people will get to sleep in and look at this day of spending time with family and relaxing. It is usually a day where people don't have to worry with the stresses of the work day. It is a day where people find it the only time of the week to run errands, make a real breakfast, do laundry from the week and so on.

Saturdays are usually a relaxing day for us as well...well...as relaxing as it can get with kids running through the house! It is a day where I take a break from "working" and put all my focus on my kids. And even though Nic still has to work, it is usually a day where he doesn't work any extra security jobs. Occasionally we would maybe go to one of his basketball games or a different basketball game, but now basketball is over. Such a bittersweet time...I will now have my husband at home at night for dinner and to play with the kids and help give baths and put them to bed...and for that I have a smile on my face.

However, this Saturday is proving to be very different than I ever thought as I went throughout my week. I have come to realize that with having kids, nothing really ever goes "as planned"...which is not a bad thing at all. I woke up to my precious baby girl's stomach gurgling like crazy and before my brain started working and realizing what that meant, the bed was wet from puke. Poor girl...she didn't have a clue what was happening except that she was holding her tummy and whining that she wanted to back to "nigh nigh". After cleaning everything up, I snuggled with my baby girl as she drifted off to sleep again. I was surprised to see the time when I then heard Colt talking to himself at 8 am. That meant he slept ALL THE WAY THROUGH the night! His ear must not be bothering him anymore! We ended up having to switch to a different antibiotic after he broke out in hives from the normal stuff that I don't know how to spell! I am allergic to it to so it was no surprise when he broke out...I knew right away that he was allergic as well...even though this was his 3rd or 4th round of the stuff. Anyways, at least he doesn't seem to be bothered by any pain!

So I brought the 2 kids into the living room to play. Only there was no playing. Before I knew it or could move her, Hayden started throwing up again. I grabbed the nearest object which was a cup so that maybe, just maybe, we would get lucky and aim INTO the cup...not so lucky. So, I sprayed the carpet and cleaned it up just in time to look at Colt start to cough and then, once again, failed to save the carpet. Hmmm...never quite had to deal with BOTH kids at the same time throwing up. Now all three of us were covered in a huge stink. Just the way any mother wants to start of her day...right?

My first thought was, "ok, now that they have it out of their system, there surely can't be anymore because after all, neither of them has had anything to drink or eat yet." Boy was that a stupid thought. It is 9 am and since that moment, both kids have found it their job to cover the entire kitchen and the rugs with their lovely puke. Colton at least got some of it into the sink until he turned his head and got it down my shirt and my arms. With the help of our big pup, everything was cleaned and we moved on (poor dog...how gross is that?!)

I finally got smart and got a bucket out...too bad Hayden didn't like the idea and threw up beside the bucket instead of in it. Colton wasn't fond of it either because he found that the carpet was a better option.

-------Break-------clean up more yucky stuff-----------AHHH!!------------------

Ok...it is now 2:25 and I am back! You know, I know it is never fun having two sick kids at the same time, but I have got to tell you...this morning was VERY special to me...not the puking part, but Colt, Hayden and I cuddled on the big chair and Colt fell asleep on my chest...which doesn't happen much these days. Hayden fell asleep on the chair as well. I just held my two babies and was just so thankful for that moment. I know before I know it they will be grown and not want to cuddle when they are sick. They aren't always going to want or need me to take care of them. We are now watching Ramona and Beezus for the 4th time today. I think I have this movie completely memorized word for word! The other good thing about today is I have myself and the kids packed for Aruba! Yes, I still have 2 weeks, but it never hurts to be prepared!

Even though today wasn't what I had "planned," God knew exactly how the day would pan out and I couldn't be more grateful. Hayden is finally moving around again...tormenting our poor dog and begging me to take her outside... so I think things are looking up!

Thank you, God, for allowing extra cuddles this morning and just time to hold my babies. They are growing up so fast. Please heal their little bodies quickly and return them to health. Amen.