Sorry for posting late. Forgive me.

I will try to post more later, but for now, hello everyone.

Everyone keeps asking me when I start my own blog. I guess it is just me being shy. I don't really like being out there. I tend to "lurk" in bulletin boards (usually scrapbook related), but I almost never post. So, that can be a bit of a problem. My other problem is once I start talking, I usually don't know when to stop. Maybe I get that from Dad ;)

Anyway, life is good, really. We are all healthy--well, mostly; we'll cover that later. When I think about how we generally stay pretty healthy and active, I am grateful. I know that's not true for everyone. It is a blessing.

Last week we drove to San Diego to go to Sea World with Britt's brother J.C. Hall and his family. They wanted to create some special memories for their son Steven, because in May, just after he turns 5, he is having major heart surgery. Steven was born a little more than a month after Rachel. But before he was born, J.C. and Kathryn were told that he only had half a heart. If he even survived birth, life would be a precarious struggle, involving several medications and surgeries. His health has never been very good, but he has surprised some family members (not on our side, of course) who didn't believe he would even make it to 2 years old.

Several family members, brothers sisters, parents and step-parents came to Sea World. We were able to take a guided tour that included petting and feeding some animals and even going to some behind-the-scenes areas. Steven's face just lit up so many times. He doesn't really talk, but you could tell he was thrilled.

And I was amazed at how well-behaved my 5 children were. We thought we were going to be at Sea World on a less-busy day, but the park was full of classes on field trips and lots of other Spring Breakers like us. And then, with our large group (35 total), it could have been easy to lose track of someone. But every time I fell behind a little, I would catch up to them, and there they would be, all staying together, like they were keeping track of each other.

I won't name names, but part of our group had their kids on leashes, and it's a good thing they did! I couldn't believe how--can't think of the word--hyper or something. Anyway, they were just really hard to control and keep reined in. My kids weren't like that at all.

And when we went out to eat, more than once people commented on how well-behaved our kids were. You know, I guess it could be because we eat together all the time. Most families don't. I suppose we do actually have some stability in our lives. I am always feeling guilty about not being structured enough. Maybe we are not doing so bad.

But then, besides the compiments a lot of stares and comments: "All yours?" My goodness! Now I get some idea of what Mom used to go through with us. Usually (on my good days) I really don't think five kids are that much. And there really is some truth in the fact that the older ones can help with the younger ones.

Before we had more than 2 kids, I remember watching friends of mine opting to limit their families. I thought that was so selfish. But since I have made that decision myself, I have no regrets. I love my family. I feel like I can because I am not overwhelmed by taking care of another little one. When I hear of someone else becoming pregnant, I honestly don't sigh and wish that was me.

By the way, congratulations Chrislynn. And Eryka. And Kd, if I never said that. I am tickled pink that you are having another baby, and I look forward to loving them to pieces as their aunt. I really can enjoy them so much more now. Don't get me wrong. Chrislynn, I can remember after Garrett was a year old, I felt like I couldn't get pregnant fast enough. I really enjoyed my two little boys. My girls I know have missed out on some of that enthusiasm. That's okay, I'm getting better. Just stretched a few more directions.

So, onto the health of my family. I know you have all heard. But this is me Monday night: I had just finished my running class, and I drove down to Billy Flannery's house to pick up Cole who had been playing there. It was a little after 7:00, so I figured we could still have a short family home evening and then bedtime. When I drove up, Britt's truck was gone. Had he gone back into work on home evening night? Was he out somewhere on our property working, like he often does in the evenings. I was a little perturbed. We are not always perfect about having a lesson and everything, but we try to at least do something together.

I ate what was left of dinner, and then asked my kids where Dad was. Olivia said Daddy broke his arm and he went to the doctor to get it fixed. Rachel said he was out working on the tractor. The second was more plausible, so I didn't think much more about it. I just went to work on getting the kids ready for bed, and basically forgot about it.

About an hour later, he came home his arm wrapped up, in a sling. Two of his friends had been in the clinic when he came in, so they insisted on driving him home. (He was on a fair amount of pain pills) Yes, he broke his arm. Olivia, my two-year-old knew what she was talking about. He had just started his motorcycle, which he hasn't ridden for some time, because of his Ironman training. Anyway, a minute later, he was on the ground, his handlebars twisted, and immediately in a fair amount of pain. So, he went inside, undressed, took a shower, told Garrett where he was going, and drove himself to the clinic.

He's okay, other than his arm is broken. We just saw the orthopedic surgeon in Cortez and he said Britt probably won't need surgery. Good news! Anyway, Blogger's not going to let me post, so I better just shut up.

Love, NAN