Howdy!

I've had a computer virus for a while that limited my participation in, but not my enthusiasim for, the Family Blog. I should clairify that I didn't have a computer virus, but my laptop computer did. Thanks to my friend Morty for helping me fix that. I hope to that the virus software program will keep my computer free of such problems for now.
I don't really mind, not using the blog as much, as the course of events in Maricopa unfolded, I'm happy to use my cell phone and minuites to stay up on what is happening with the family there.
It is the answer to many prayers, said by many people, that Mason was diagnosed and treated. Thank God. I'm happy that Mom/Helen is avalible to go down and help out too. She is where we'd all like to be, caring for our family in a way only an excellent Grandma can do. Thank you Mom. About the ordeal of Mason's illness I'm remind that the problem is often defining the problem. The solution(s) to a problem exist, but the problem is knowing what the problem is.

As promised, here are a few pictures of what I've been doing: a fishing trip off of Lewes, DE. It was the most fun that I've had on a fishing trip ever. I caught over 10 fish and kept and ate everything over 12 inches(Except the sand shark). I'd like to go back this fall and fish for yellow fin tuna. They are about 60 lbs on average. That is bigger than most of my nephews! You are all invited to come fishing with me out here. Good times. More posts and pictures to come.

Back in the medical saddle

I read a friends blog the other day after she had spent the weekend in the hospital with her husband, who had a burst appendix, she had listed the people in there family who had been helped and maybe even saved due to modern medicine. All of this got me thinking about our past experience with Clint and our current one with mason. My conculsion is that I am not sure that the beauty of modern medicine did/has really helped us in these cases. Its a frustrating thing not to have the answers, and be able to make everything all better. I am glad that I didn't go into the medical feild, sorry Jeff. Anyhow taking Mason to see the PA yesterday, and then spending the rest of the morning having his blood drawn and lab run (he handled it all like a tooper, I am sure this will amaze those of you have seen Masons usual demenor and attitude doing anything or having anyone do anything, or think about doing anything that he doesn't want done) put us back in the medical help path again. Last night as I was ready for bed, the PA called with some of Masons lab results, low sugar and low potasium. He needed to be taken to the hospital. Now before we set off any alarm, know that he has done this before, and it really is not a very big deal. Clint took him in last night and I haven't heard from him yet this morning, but I will keep everyone up to date. I still hope he barfs all over the drs. I know you all are with me on this!

Sharing our family moment

We blessed Ruby on Sunday. No middle name, that was the final verdict. Clint did a great job. Ruby looked very cute in the blessing dress Becki lent us, kind of an Ezrie look-a-like, no complaints about that. It was a bit strange to celebrate such a big day in a quiet way. While we are lucky to have mom here it was not the usual family affair it can tend to become. I am sure that holidays away from family will always be a little like that. Rubys arrival was celebrated by all of you and we appreciate that very much. We have great family.
We have enjoyed having mom around, she has been a huge help to me. I am afraid that the boys are going to expect too much from me when she leave. She has probally had her share of babysitting as we have done it for two families since she has been here, and she has watched the kids for me several times too. I have been able to go swimming, go visiting teaching, go to the temple, and go to the dentist minus one or more kids thanks to her.
Arizona had a big dust storm the other day. Some of you may have seen it on the tv. It was pretty cool (because we had shelter), I didn't even think to take pictures, but it wasn't as cool or dramatic and the news was able to make it seem (as with most things the news "covers").

Life Quadrified

The arrival of the Break Away interns has made life feel quadrupled in the best of ways. There are many more conversations that are taking place outside of my own mind with many more perspectives. There is at least four times the work being done at work, with projects actually being completed. I had the sense that I wasn't able to get much done, but they've made it very clear with their own task lists that Break Away has much more work to do than people to do it. It's a good problem to have, I suppose. So, we've got Lucia from Florida International, Nicole from Tufts, Shaneka from UMASS, and Samantha from Eastern Michigan. And in true Break Away fashion, we are now together 24-7 until the summer is over. Great frienships have been born from this crucible over the years. I'll be too old for it soon.

Many thanks to those family members involved this weekend in my adventures into fixing alternators. Many lessons were learned. First, it is important for people to express their confidence in you if you are to take the leaps into learning something new. Second, lessons are easier to learn when you don't think you'll be electrocuted, so disconnect the battery. Third, people at car places can be really nice. Fourth, public libraries rule and should always be consulted first. They are a bit warmer in nature than the internet, but the internet is certainly making gains. Fifth, don't give up. That last one came compliments of Ezrie. I'll post pictures of that adventure soon. So far, so good on the car running. The wireless internet in the house also got fixed, so it seems like it was a weekend full of phone-try-phone-try-phone.

Congrads again Mom on your sweet entry. Keep that up. I think now all we need is an entry or comment from the South Florida Piacitelli's and the Pop. It was good to see Elisa posting too. Okay, off to pay bills - a happy Monday to all!