The Jordan Welch Family

I adore this picture. I love this little family. So fun to watch our family grow!

Awww….

Jordan and Lindsey's Wedding

Jordan and Lindsey were married on Thursday, April 18, 2013 in the Seattle Temple. It was such an amazing thing to be in the House of The Lord to witness the sealing of my son to his chosen wife. It was even better than I had imagined over the years. It makes me a bit glad that I have so many children. I will get to witness many more sealings!

We had a wedding luncheon (0 pictures) following the sealing and pictures. We held it at Lindsey's home ward building which was only a few minutes distance from the temple. My favorite part was watching two of Jordan's buddies help a couple of guys with a car issue who had pulled into the parking lot. They were in luck, because Tyler happened to have his tool chest in the back of his car and was able to help them. We tried to get them to come in out of the rain and have some food, but they weren't comfortable with that. We did take some food out to them. Jordan has some great friends, I was very impressed with all of them.  

Later that evening we attended the reception which was held at a yacht club. It had begun raining/drizzling while we took pictures at the temple and by the time of the reception it was quite rainy. Which was too bad because it would have been nice to use the outside areas for the reception. The reception was so nice and I feel bad that I didn't get to do much more than chase my little boys around. They were the entertainment of the day and night. Sigh. Oh, well. Lindsey's mom and family did a great job with the reception and it was very lovely. There were a lot of people there to support them and celebrate with them. I was thankful to have Grandma and Grandpa Welch and Aunt Nicole, Aunt Michele and Uncle Erin there to celebrate with us! 

We are so happy to have another daughter and so happy that they have found each other and made eternal covenants with each other and with Heavenly Father. Another 'forever family' has begun!

Mr. and Mrs. Jordan Welch

Three handsome, little men waiting to head to the temple.

Soren enjoying the 'candy bar' at the reception.
It was a hit with the kids! (and most of the adults too!)

Gearing up for that sugar high!!

A view of the reception. In the corner of the room to the left
of the open door you see was the Italian soda bar.

In the corner by the windows was the ice cream sundae bar.
They had lots of yummy options.
Her brothers and brother in law were the Ice cream and soda server guys!

The cake. The table had white lights under it and they surely intrigued James all night.
The whole set up was lovely.
Love the baby pictures of Jordan and Lindsey on the tables in the back.

The happy couple cutting the cake. 

First dance as a married couple. They are both stick people!

The sendoff! We all had little streamer rings to throw as they ran to their car.
Not exactly riding into the sunset but away they went.

life now

So that's how it ended and where we are today. When I got home I continued the Lovenox until I had enough Coumadin in me to stop the Lovenox. Thankfully, the Coumadin is about $8 for a month's worth of meds. It is not something I wanted to be on forever, it is not a thing you want in your body, they use it for rat poison! But it is effective and so I took it until the six month mark from my PE. It made my hair brittle, but I didn't notice any really bad effects from it. I am thankful that it kept me from forming any new clots while the old ones aged and hardened and didn't launch any more emboli.

Last week I went to see Dr. Black and look at the results of the blood tests I had done in Sept. He said that he could not see any reason to keep taking the Coumadin.  My test results all indicated normal blood clotting. He did ask me to take a baby aspirin daily for now. I am happy to do that. 

After getting the okay to be done with Coumadin, I had a ceremonial smashing of the remaining pills. I hope I never need them again. I hope this was an isolated incident and that there will not be a repeat of it.

Its an interesting place that Curtis and I find ourselves now.  We have been having children for so long, that's really all we know. I don't think  either of us had any idea we'd have so many, but we are thankful for the wonderful family we have. As we look to the future, we are excited to be moving to the grandparent stage, where the new people entering our family are coming by marriage and someone's womb besides mine. It is a bittersweet thing to come to the end of the childbearing era, and we mourn the child that could have been. I know that Heavenly Father knows the end from the beginning and will make all things right for that child as well as for me and that he knows that in a different situation I would have been willing to try again to give that spirit a mortal body. As it was, it just couldn't be. I have felt His comfort as I have pondered and mourned this event. I am thankful for the knowledge of the plan of salvation and happiness that gives us understanding of this mortal journey. It surely brings peace to know that someone is in charge and all will be made right. And that someday we will understand why things had to be as they are.  

In a couple of weeks, Jordan will be married. He met his fiancé, Lindsey, in ID and it has been such a good thing for him. He has direction in his life now. He is registered to start school and knows what he wants to study. We are so thrilled to see so much good in his life. The gospel is such a blessing. The sealing of two people to each other is such a blessing.  We cannot wait to be part of the beginning of yet one more eternal family in the Seattle Temple. (pictures will be forthcoming)

Cedar Breaks Reunion-Fun We Had

Nina helping James "swim"

escaping to the playground while the adults sort out the room assignments.

Nina was a huge help with James. He wasn't too excited about slides.

This is Cambria riding a skateboard in the parking lot. The little boys thought it was great.

Charlie's new truck!

On Thursday we all went down to Parowan to the local LDS chapel. We figured it was the only place large enough for us to all be together comfortably for a dinner and games. Grandma and Grandpa had put together a delicious meal. Nicole had brought stuff to do some craft activities, Richard and Donna brought some Minute to Win It games, and we also had "Grandma's Goodie Grab" That is a favorite activity. Grandma likes to bargain hunt and when she finds a good deal she buys the item and stashes it. After a while her stash is big so she loads it up and brings it to a gathering. There she sets all of it out and we play her game. She calls a letter and if your names starts with that letter you get to go pick something out. We keep going around until all the goodies have been grabbed. I ended up with a set of books for my library, there was jewelry and toys and clothing that came home with us. Pretty cool game!

Soren helping Brian with his new train set.

Ford and Hannah learning how to make paracord bracelets.

Nina yakking with someone. More bracelet making.

Spencer showing off his skills.

We were divided into teams and each team had to introduce themselves with a chant, cheer or dance.
Spencer's addition was pretty cool.

Come on Jordan, hit that bucket! 

Bobblehead game. There were some tired necks.

Hannah trying to get her pompom stuck to her vaselined nose. Isabelle beat her.

Soren giving it a go.

Cambria attempting to be Nina, the Green-nosed Girly.

Curtis the Blur! 

Sadie accomplished it.

There was a keep the balloon up game for the younger kids.

Bobble Head Jr. version

Charles jamming out to some of Ford's or Jordan's tunes.

Trying not to smile.

Making new friends at the country store. Charles looks a little apprehensive.

Not Nina!! I like this boyfriend. You can keep him, Cambria.

There were other fun things to do at Brian Head. Kyle took his kids on a hike, we talked about going to Duck Creek, or Navajo Lake, or hiking to the falls, but it was pretty rainy that day so we mostly hung out in the rooms. We also had a spa going on in Nicole's room with finger and toenail painting, and an essential oils class taught by Lori.

When there are this many people around, there is always something fun to do!

He's Home After Two Years!!

After two very long and short years, the day we've all been waiting for finally arrived. Elder Welch was flying home from Montana,

due to arrive at the SLC International Airport at 9:10 am on Thursday, May 27, 2010. Here is our little welcoming party.

We weren't able to bring all the kids since they were still in school. It's also not much fun since you can't go anywhere inside the airport to greet them. Just wait at the baggage claim area.

So we left the school aged kids home and told them to make a big banner to welcome him home.

As we parked the car and entered the airport we went past little family groups who had missionaries leaving that day. Lots of tears were being shed and faces were sad. It made me really glad we had listened to the counsel given to us at the MTC about not going to the airport to see our missionary off. Saying goodbye once at the MTC was enough.

It sure felt good to be there to welcome a returning missionary.

I knew there would be tears but ones of joy not sadness.

His bag was the first on the baggage claim carousel. So we thought he would be down quickly. Imagine our feelings as we watched missionary after missionary come down those stairs, be greeted by his/her family, gather bags and depart and we were still sitting there.

I finally saw a pair of feet step onto the escalator and as they descended I saw a young man leaning GQ fashion against the handrail and KNEW it was my son. I think Charlie knew it too because he began walking to this 'unknown' man. Then Soren came flying by, yelling, "Jordan!" and leaped into Jordan’s arms. That's all it took and the awkwardness was gone. We gathered up our son and his things and headed home.

He looks just like we remembered. Not much about him physically changed in those 2 years.

On the other hand, he is so much more spiritually mature now, he is truly a man. It's amazing to witness that growth in your own child.

He has jumped right back into family life. He has easily taken back the title of 'biggest tease' although he's nicer about it now.

It feels so good to be a 'whole' family again.

The countdown goes on.....

Down to 17 days.

We actually got to talk to the 'mish' for a couple of hours last night. It was so wonderful to hear his voice and realize that in a few short days that voice will be booming through the house again.

He took the time to talk to each of the children individually. What a precious gift to his mom. They are all so excited to have him come home. He has, however, promised each of them certain things that will take place when he gets home, such as bike rides and triple dates and such. I hope he's up to fulfilling all those promises.

This month is shaping up to be a very busy one so I'm sure the next 17 days will fly by. Between talks in church, a pioneer vignette for Youth Conference, Activity Days, Father/Son campouts, and just the general end-of-school-year rush, May 27 will be here before I know it. I probably ought to get to work on some of that stuff......Cya!

Lovin that Ticker

Yeah, that one right over there. The one that tells about how many days I have left til I get to see my boy!

I can't wait.

It's going by pretty fast at this point too, which is fun and scary.

Scary cause I'm not exactly sure where we are going to put this 'boy' when he gets home. We're working on it.

Just Random Thoughts and Pics to Share

Another of our 'fun' inquiries. The girls were to research and make a "macaroni" hairdo out of shaving cream. You can't tell from the picture but they each had either a 'queue' or ponytail hanging off the back, or a bun. This was tons of fun for them until it came to the clean up part. They had shaving cream EVERYWHERE!!!!

Just a few pictures from Halloween. If you know me, you know I have an intense 'dislike' for Halloween. Therefore I do not go all out for it and I'm happy(?) to note that my attitude seems to be rubbing off on the kids. All but the youngest two decided not to dress up and go trick-or-treating. (14 year old changed his mind at the last minute and went out with friends). But we confined our celebrating to carving pumpkins, answering the door to trick-or-treaters, and eating the leftover candy--trick-or-treaters were gone by 7:30. We made jack-o-lantern pizzas and watched a movie as well. We did dress up the Soren and Sadie and let them go up one side of our street and down the other. Can't figure out why the girls laid out the plastic and then carved the pumpkins on the concrete anyway. What was the point?

Curtis has been working on building himself a larger shed in the place our old small one used to be. Part of the project included removing the concrete pad that was the floor. It was such a difficult task, he had to recruit some 'help'! Any bets on how effective this 'help' was? It was the cutest thing ever. You should have seen his eyes light up when Curtis asked him if he wanted a turn. (he does have eye protection on, it's just hard to see)

Pregnancy front: Just did the glucose screen last week. Haven't heard back yet, but don't anticipate any problems. I did get a call that my iron was low, so back on iron pills I go. Ick!! I've only had problems with this in these last two pregnancies. Wonder if it's because I'm so "old"?

Mission front: Doing well, from what we hear. Still busy working in several small towns. Has one really good investigator family they are working with. Hopefully, that will lead to some baptisms. He loves that he is within the two hour radius of the temple in Billings so that he can attend the temple once in a while. He was able to go last week. He said it's getting cold, and snow has been seen. Hope he's warm enough. I need to get some Christmas things together for him. 

So excited for Thanksgiving. It is my favorite holiday!! Interesting that it follows on the heels of my least favorite...Hmmmm. Looking forward to time with family and lots of yummy food.

Never Thought It Would Happen....

A month or so ago we had a little issue with a child checking a book out of our library that I wish had never come into my home. Let's just say that I was shocked and appalled when I found out. I learned a few things, first, the library will allow anyone to check out anything at anytime.
Second, I better make sure I know what my kids are checking out and looking for at the library.
I had to go in and make some changes so that they are now not able to check anything out without my presence and permission. I also sat down and wrote a letter to the library expressing my disappointment that such a book was in the young adult section and that minor children were allowed to check out such books. I asked them to consider removing it from the library or at the very least marking it in some way that would make it impossible to check out without a parent's permission. I sent it off, never dreaming that they would do anything about it or even respond. Imagine my surprise when I received a letter in the mail this week from them. It stated that they understood my concerns and that they had discussed this book more than once since receiving my letter. The most that they felt they could do was remove its Young Adult designation and put an adult designation on it. Granted I know that in reality that means nothing, since all the YA and A non-fiction books are shelved together, so if a person looks up said book, it's probably still in the same place. I am just amazed that they took the time to discuss the book and the issue of its place in the library, and also to write me a return letter.

And, yeah, we have had a good, long chat with this child about what happened. I hope that now we are clear on what is and what is not allowable in the way of media in our home. I guess up til now I've still been in that blissful place called Naivete'. No longer, I've just had a rough landing in the land of Reality!

On the Primary front: As of tomorrow we will finally have a new Music Leader. HOORAY! I'll be glad to hand off that responsibility! Still working on the secretary and some new Nursery Leaders. Ugh!

Mission front: all's going well. Sent home some wonderful pictures and funny video clips from the MTC. With one of them I didn't realize it was a video until I saw my son walk across the room. That really gave my heart a leap, to actually 'see' him after so long. It was awesome. They were playing tricks on the elders just coming in that day and hiding in the closets! Silly boys!

House front: had our last building inspection yesterday with the city. They passed us on everything except we need to get our cabinets in the office area, to conceal the wires sticking out of the wall. Hooray!

School front: Boys are gearing up for school, we got all their school supplies this week, just need to get a few more uniforms for them. I have lots to do to get things ready for school here at home. Need to get a costume made for our first historical 'visitor' of the year. That's the most pressing issue right now.....getting excited to get going!

Have a great weekend!

Nutso-rama!

I was really thinking that our summer was going to be so laid back. We didn't have any grandiose plans to go anywhere and with the cost of gasoline, we were just going to kick around at home. Oh, well, yes, there are a couple of scout camps in there. . . . and a youth conference. . . . . and a trip to see some plays at the Shakespeare Festival, but that's not much. HA! I'm starting to feel like this June was a repeat of last June. We didn't go big, fancy places, but one or another of us has been gone to something, somewhere for the last 4 weeks. Montana and Ford have been gone to Youth Conference since Tues and should be home sometime today. It's been rather strange and VERY quiet around here. Next week Ford heads off to one last Scout Camp at Entrada, near Moab. I think he's about worn himself out. On the missionary front: Jordan is now in his first area; Helena, the state capital. He likes his companion and had dinner with some people who knew his Grandpa Welch, but that's about all we've heard. He's never been one to use too many words. (roll eyes) We miss him a lot, but are getting used to only having six kids at home and all fitting around the table for meals. On the Addition front: We are this close to getting our addition done. Siding is on, not painted yet. All the lights and outlets are connected, just need to do one more thing in the breaker box, or something, not sure I understood what he was saying to me. The wood floor is gorgeous, I love it and I'm so glad I got what I loved rather than settling for something cheaper. We will have to wait a bit on cabinets now, but I'm okay with that. I'm looking at cabinets for my scrap/office area. Just the cheapest white ones at IKEA. I am going to get the upper ones now, and just use the long banquet tables til we can get the base cabinets and countertops. So excited to get all this stuff out of my bedroom! On the Homeschool front: After learning about EPIC Adventures and how they can work within a TJEd framework and heeding the feeling that I really needed to concentrate on the Founding of America this year, I am excited to have found at a bookstore in Cedar City a pre-written Epic Adventure called A Noble Birthright, Defending the Title of Liberty. I had looked at purchasing a downloadable version but really wanted to see what the inside looked like first, as I already had a type of US History format I was going to use. I was thrilled to find it at Classic Books in Cedar City and to find it for $10 less than the download price. I have read through it twice now and yesterday I took the time to plot it all out on the calendar so I could see how it could all fit in the Sept-May time slot. This will be mostly for me, I have felt so strongly the need to study this subject more, but this will be such a fun way for me to do You, Not Them and Inspire, Not Require and just invite them to come along for the fun with me. I have also already come up with some ideas for another Adventure, maybe for the following year? Not sure I feel up to writing my own, but maybe I'll feel braver about that after doing this one. The kids are doing well, the youngest girls are gearing up for their birthdays in the next 2 weeks. Hannah will be 9 and Sadie will be 7. Then Montana will turn 16 in August. He just got his wisdom teeth out plus another tooth for some orthodontic work, so that will put back his Driver's Ed for a while. Even with ins., the dental work was spendy! Ouch! He was such a cute little chipmunk! Thought we got a picture of him, but can't find it on our digital cards. Oh, well. Soren is getting to be quite the 2 year old. He is getting very ornery about helping out or picking up messes he's made and is so bold as to tell his parents "NO!" when asked to. He's learning to sit on his bed until he's ready to do what he's asked to do. So fun! He's still such a joy, though, and he makes us laugh all the time. He's just testing out his limits a bit and we know he's really a sweet kid, somewhere under that two-year old cover. Whew! If you made it that far, give yourself a smack on the forehead! You've got better things to do than read this.

Oh, Summer, Where Art Thou?

We seem to have missed most of spring this year and I'm wondering if we will miss summer too. This has been the coldest, dreariest spring I can remember. My poor little garden plants are in stasis, I think, because they have grown to a certain point and there they sit. I'm not sure they dare grow anymore. Summer break has not begun as I would have liked. I've had some medical issues that have kept me from being as active and getting the kids up and going as I would have liked to have done. However, I'm on the mend and soon we'll be charting course for the summer break. I'm trying to set up a reading group/discussion with my boys. We have talked about a book we could all read and discuss, but we haven't pinned one down yet. I really want to start a study of the Constitution of the U.S. and the Founding Fathers, so I'm leaning to The Real George Washington or Thomas Jefferson, or the Autobiography of Ben Franklin or something of that sort. We'll see how it goes. I've also discussed with Cambria about setting up a reading group with her friends where they all read the same book and then we have a fun discussion/activity to go along with it. I think it would be good for her. Hannah and Sadie just got invited to become part of a 4H club that meets weekly. They are excited about that. We are a family club but we haven't done much yet. We'd like to make some things to put into the county fair. I'm getting excited for my excursion south with Ford to the Shakespeare Festival. We are seeing three shows this year that I absolutely love: Taming of the Shrew, Fiddler on the Roof, and The Sound of Music. It's an intense three days, but so much fun. I'm sure if I didn't go with the 8th graders I wouldn't get there at all. Jordan is still doing well. Only a few more days in the MTC, then it's off to Big Sky Country. It's probably cold up there, since it's still a bit nippy here. Hope he bought good warm clothing!

He's Alive!

It's so weird to not hear from your son for 6 days! Nothing, no email, no letter, nada.

I had to go with the 'No news is good news' theory on this one. I figured if he was not doing well, they would certainly let us know.

Today, a lovely little white envelope showed up in our mailbox. It was short and sweet, though.
He says he's doing quite well, learning a lot, (quickly and efficiently were his words) and that he likes his companion who is anxious to serve.

After years of seeing his face every day or at least being able to call him or email or text him when he was out of town, this has been really difficult. There are so many things I keep wanting to ask him.

Like: "How in the world do I unlock the screen on your(now my) Ipod so I can use the blasted thing?"

"What do you want me to do with all the clothes you left hanging in the laundry room and in your hamper?"

"HOW ARE YOU DOING TODAY?"

I miss him. . . . . .

I am officially a Missionary Mom!

Well, we did it! Finally got all his stuff put together to take, all his other stuff boxed up to store, fed him well, and put him in the MTC. I have been through that experience once before, when Curtis and I went with his brother, Nathan, when he left for his mission to Chile. Let me tell you, it's a lot more emotional when you're there as the mom rather than just a Sister-In-Law. I really didn't want to cry, I didn't even take any Kleenex. But, I did. I guess I wasn't ashamed to let my tears roll down my face for all to see. I'm going to miss him a lot, but I'm so happy that now he's moving on, with a purpose to his life. He's been in such a limboland, playing the waiting game for months now. I'm excited for all the experiences he will have and the spiritual growth he will have. He was quiet and pensive, but he said he wasn't really scared or nervous. He said it wasn't nearly as bad as it would be if he were leaving the country. He didn't cry much, that I could see, (which wasn't much cause I was crying) He's going to be a GREAT MISSIONARY!

Update

Argh! End of year stuff drives me nuts! 

  ~Last Friday we were able to go to the temple with Jordan in preparation for his mission.

SWEET experience.

I've thought for years about how it would be to go with my child and it exceeded my thoughts. It has finally hit me that he is really leaving for 2 years. I didn't think I'd get all choked up about it, but I'm sure I'll be a blubberer when we drop him off next Wed. 

  ~Got to attend Lauren's wedding on Sat. Another fantastic experience, since my son was able to go with us and see what a temple wedding is like. It's always fun to have family in town and of course we had to get together to talk and eat way too much, as usual.

~Our newest niece, Emma, was born on Tues morning, just after her grandparents flew home. This is beginning to be a pattern, as that's what happened when I had my youngest. They had been here for two weeks at Christmas and I had my baby the day after they left. Oh, well. We're happy that our new niece is here safely, mom and baby are doing well.

~Got the Mother's Day song for Sacrament meeting over with. I spaced it off and we only had two weeks to practice. It was a mix of two different songs so it was a bit for the kids to learn, but they did great. We were even in our new chapel and we had a different pianist and it still came off. Whew! I had a nice Mother's Day. There were lots of leftovers from the wedding luncheon the day before so we ate those for lunch on Sunday and I got a nice nap. What more could a girl ask for than to not have to cook and to get a nap in? Cambria got me a darling little figurine of a mother and daughter that says 'Forever My Mother, Forever My Friend'. That really touched me because she and I have our days!

~It finally feels like spring here and we have loved being outside more this week. Yesterday I took the girls to Bicentennial Park and we had a great time looking at the wildlife: ducks, butterflies, dragonflies, birds and we walked on the boardwalk through the wetlands and learned about why wetlands are important and what purpose they serve. I think we will go back often until the mosquitoes come out in full force. The girls have worked really hard this week and have added lots of corn to the corn jar. It will be full soon and we will then have a new trampoline in our backyard! 

~Tonight is the 8th grade's production of 'Much Ado About Nothing'. They have been performing 1 act all week during school and tonight they will do the entire play for the public. I'm looking forward to watching the play, but we will all be glad to have it done. Only one more week of school!

The envelope, please!!!

It finally came! J sent in his mission papers on the 2nd of Feb and we've been waiting anxiously for a certain white envelope to be delivered to our door.

It didn't come in the expected way, however.

On the morning of the 14th we got a phone call from our neighbor and home teacher asking us if J had gotten his mission call yet. I told him that we had put the papers in and were just waiting. He said that he had a large white envelope addressed to Elder Welch at his home and was wondering if we would like to come get it. I woke J up and sent him over for it. (we often get our mail mixed up, as their house number is 1156 and ours is 1165.

All the members of the family had picked where they thought J would be going and H had chosen Boise, ID, since she has recently watched The Singles Ward. When J opened the envelope, he started laughing and laughing. We asked him if he was going to Boise, and he said that it was pretty close.

His call is to the Montana, Billings Mission. It covers the entire state of Montana and about half of Wyoming as well. This is quite exciting since most of his family on his father's side is from that part of Wyoming, so it will be like going back to his roots. I admit to wishing that he was going someplace exotic that he will probably never have any other reason to go to, but we're excited about the connections he will have/find in the mission he is called to. He enters the MTC on May 21.

MORP

J got asked to MORP Tues night. SO FUN!

A girl left a stack of underT's on the step with a note that read, "I'd love to take you to MORP, but my name got lost in a crowd. You'll have to wash these shirts and the only name that remains is mine." All the tshirts were covered with names written in colorful marker. Most were kids from school, in his A Capella group, but there were some celebs mixed in. Some of the funnier ones were Queen Elizabeth, Brittany Spears, Anna Nicole Smith, Paris Hilton, Mary Poppins, Hilary Clinton.

He thought they were so fun and didn't want to wash them. In fact, he wore one to school yesterday for fun. But he had an idea who had asked him, so he washed the one with her name on it and, of course, her name didn't wash off. So now he's trying to figure out how to reply in a fun fashion. I'll let you know what he does.

I did take pictures of the note and the fronts and backs of all the shirts. That girl has some great handwriting. I think I need to hire her to do my titles in my scrapbooks. Seriously, cool writing!