Twenty minutes later, the thunderstorm is still raging outside, but my girls are huddled together in the middle of my bed snoring softly. I’m edged out of bed by tiny feet. Grinning, I make my way down the hall toward the kitchen, when I hear Manny Junior babbling happily. I stop in his room and see him standing up in the crib trying to climb out. He’s almost eighteen months old and probably ready for a toddler bed, but we haven’t done that yet. Karcin’s new little brother and sister are coming this weekend for an extended stay while the general and Lorin take a vacation. We’ll convert it after they go back home.
“Hey bud. Why are you up, hmm?” He babbles and drools. “Are we getting a new tooth?” I pick him up and carry him over to the rocking chair by his crib. I sit, rocking him gently. He settles into my chest and calms down. This is the life. Just four short years ago, I never would have thought I’d end up here. Prior to meeting Karcin, I was a career solider. I would have worked though my injury and went right back to it, but she changed me. I thought I was going in for rehab of my injury but instead she rehabbed my heart and I thank God every day for that.
I can’t wait to see what’s next for Karcin and I. The family we’ve made is all that matters now.