NATCHEZ &8212; Jarrius Rice&8217;s daughters piled on the couch with him Saturday at their 116 A Ram Circle home, glad to have their dad around.

Two years ago, Rice was working as a bricklayer when he made contact with a power line. The shock damaged his spine and made everyday tasks difficult from then on.

&8220;I had to learn to walk all over again,&8221; Rice said.

Now, he stays home and takes care of his two daughters and son while his wife works.

And his daughters are happy to have him home. Rashonae Rice, 10, said she picked up basketball, her dad&8217;s favorite sport before he had the accident.

She said, in a way, she would rather have her father home than her mother sometimes.

&8220;When my mom&8217;s at home, she gets mad at me when I don&8217;t do anything,&8221; Roykeria said.

Rice agreed.

&8220;I let things slide sometimes, but their mom shows them no mercy.&8221;

He said most of the time, he enjoys being able to spend time with his children, but he missed being in the workforce.

&8220;I miss working,&8221; he said. &8220;It was something to do.&8221;

With the holidays approaching, the Rices&8217; tree was already up, and their front door was wrapped in bright paper.

Christmas, too, is a family affair, Rice said.

&8220;We sometimes have family in from Chicago and New Orleans,&8221; he said.

On Christmas Day, the family will open presents at the house, then go visit relatives in town.

&8220;It&8217;s usually an all-day thing,&8221; he said.

Bathed in the lights from the tree, Roykeria Rice, 7, sitting on her father&8217;s knee, smiled up at him.

&8220;I like it when he&8217;s home,&8221; she said.