You wouldn't believe (or maybe you would) how many times our family is asked this question. It seems that everywhere we go people look at us and begin to count... one, two, three, four... How many are there? Nine!?! Are they all yours?

Sometimes being the novelty everywhere you go is kind of fun, but most of the time it is very weighty. We are always being watched. It seems everyone in the world feels that our lives are for public consumption. Perfect strangers walk up and ask very personal questions: Don't you know where kids come from? Are you planning to have any more? What religious belief are you?

Now how many times have you walked up to someone you've never seen before in your life and asked such questions? It's just not normal, that is, unless you have a lot of children. Then, it seems, everyone feels the liberty to investigate who you are and what you believe.

So, we've decided to start putting our thoughts here ...