It Will Never Happen to Us

But it did.

Apparently, we are just one of 10 million Americans that are victims of identity theft.

Actually, I take that back.

My 5-year-old daughter is the victim of identity theft.

A couple of months ago, Jason and I decided that we wanted to purchase the peace of mind provided by an identity protection service. We (actually, Jason did all the hard work) did a lot of research into whether or not we wanted to protect our identity ourselves for free, or hire a company to do the hard-work for us. We compared several companies and decided to go with Debix. We felt the price was right and liked their proactive action.

After enrolling, we started getting reports on our credit and everything was clean. Except for Lucy. Apparently, someone in North Carolina and California has used her Social Security number to secure over $12,000 in car loans and debt settlement payments. The good news is she is not financially responsible. The bad news is she would have had severe problems in the future when applying for jobs, college or her own loans. Thankfully, that's all being taken care of now.

Yesterday, I took her to the sheriff's department to file a police report. On the way, she asked why we had to see the police. I told her that she had her own "special number" that was for her to use and for no one else. Someone else was using her number and the police were going to help us get it back. She really loved the idea of having a number that was hers and hers alone and was angry that anyone else would use it without her "permission."

The few hundred dollars that we've spent on Debix has already paid for itself. I highly recommend their service to anyone. In fact, I have a "friends and family code" to use if you would like to join up with them. But whether you go with Debix, another firm or choose to protect your identity yourself, take those steps.

Take them now.

Wise Cracks

All the world is abuzz over the news of Jon and Kate Gosselin's separation. On this morning's news, a commentator asked an "expert" if the stress and fame of being on TV brought about the end of this marriage. The expert said no. "The cracks were already there," he said. "Being on national TV just exposed them."

So, I've been thinking a lot about "cracks" today. I can't think of a single marriage that hasn't had some kind of cracks- some created by the couple themselves, some created by choices made, some because of what life has thrown at them. I believe it's what you do with these cracks that determine the longevity of a marriage. Let me illustrate . . .

Once upon a time, there was a young married couple. They got into a fight. Words were said. Feelings hurt. The wife angrily stormed out of the house. Shortly after she left, the husband received a phone call that his brother had been in a serious motorcycle accident. He scribbled a note to his wife, explaining that he had gone to the hospital and left. Somehow, that note disappeared. And when the wife came home, her husband was gone. And gone for a long time. Thoughts raced through her mind, that her husband had left her and left for good. She realized how silly the argument was and what her marriage meant to her. When he returned home and explained what happened, they determined that nothing was worth fighting over again. My mother says that was the only fight she and my dad ever had. Sure, they disagreed at times. Everyone does. But my parents never used words that were intentionally hurtful or demeaning to us or to each other. There were plenty of potential cracks in their marriage- constant moves and long separations due to military assignments, snotty children (not me, of course), and financial stress- but my parents sealed up those cracks to prevent them from destroying the foundation of our family. That was the kind of home I was raised in and the kind of home I wanted to have myself.

The night before I married my amazing husband, I stayed awake thinking about the changes the next day would bring. I wanted a marriage like my parents, but knew that simply being married in the temple was no guarantee. I wondered what would guarantee a long, happy, eternal marriage. I determined that there was nothing that could guarantee freedom from divorce, because I can only insure my own actions and choices and no one else's. But what could I do that would guarantee that I wouldn't erode the foundation Jason and I were about to establish? I decided that there was one little thing that I could have complete control over- and that was the words that came out of my mouth. I promised that I would never deliberately say anything meant to hurt my husband, nothing that I would regret later. While it's a little thing, I can honestly say that I've kept that promise to him. I've said plenty of things that are hurtful, but usually because I've opened my mouth before my brain had fully processed my words. I've never said anything to deliberately wound him. Because once they've been said, that hurt can never be truly undone.

I am in no way judging the Gosslin's, or any other family, for that matter. They have plenty of finger-pointing and enough of advice to choke a horse. I just want to publicly thank my parents for their example and to express my love for my own true love. He is always right beside me, expertly spreading mortar in any cracks that happen to appear.

The Big Announcement, Part II

Despite our prayer and contemplation, it looks like the Welker family is NOT moving to Singapore, but is staying in the good ol' USA. Apparently, I jumped the gun in making the big announcement. The problem is my husband is too good at the job he does, and too many projects want and need his skills. Although the Singapore project desperately needed him and was willing to pay enormous amounts of money to transfer our family out of the country, the project here -that was supposed to end last spring- won out and we are staying put.

During this entire process, I constantly prayed that the Lord would put us where He needed us and in a place that would be best for my family. While I am a little disappointed about missing out on an adventure, I confident that He has heard our prayers and that we still have more growing to do here in Texas.

MIRACLE!

This is why mothers have to sometimes sit back, relax and let their kids just be kids. Because sometimes, an honest-to-goodness miracle just might happen.

Since Jason and I both have stake callings, all of our kids "get" to go to the various ward conferences we must attend about once a month. Today, church was at 9 am, instead of in the afternoon. Jason had meetings before, which meant I got all the kids to church by myself- which in all honesty is much easier now than when he was in the Bishopric. Then he drove them all home while I stayed for 2 1/2 hours of more meetings. I tell you this so that I can set the stage for my mental state when I walked in the door at 3 PM.

My beloved husband had "linner" (lunch+dinner) on the stove. It smelled delicious. The kids were in the front room, playing a made-up game that involved four different puzzles and all their various pieces. The family was called to the table. Randy and Tyler were up to their usual silliness. I was too tired and hungry to attempt to call order to our meal. I just wanted to eat.

The prayer was said. The silliness continued. Randy was imitating everything that Tyler was doing. It started as silly faces, but quickly escalated to arm flapping and waving. In the mean time, Jason and I are serving food on plates- tilapia, peas, cornbread (Oh, I love my husband.) The only thing Randy will touch of this meal is cornbread. He's attempted a pea in order to get dessert. But the fish? Just have a piece on his plate will usually send him into convulsions of revulsion. But today, Randy was distracted by Tyler and didn't notice that there was protein sitting in front of him.

Tyler picked up his glass. Randy did too. Ty took a drink. Randy did too. Ty picked up his fork. So did Randy. Ty picked up his knife. So did Randy. Tyler cut a piece of fish. Randy continued to copy him. By now, the entire family is frozen in place, watching the drama. We all knew what Ty was going to do. Who was going to fold first? Would Randy "lose" the game by quitting? What would start tonight's temper tantrum- losing or eating?

Tyler speared a piece of tilapia onto his fork. Randy copied him. Tyler lifted the piece of fish to his mouth. Randy followed suit. Tyler put the fish into his mouth, chewed and swallowed. All eyes shifted to Randy. Randy lifted his fork, slid it into his mouth, chewed and swallowed as well. Then he looked to see what Tyler was going to do next. But Tyler was gaping at him as much as the rest of us were.

Randy ate fish and didn't run screaming to the bathroom!!! We sat there in silence, our mouths open in shock, all eyes locked on Randy. Jason finally broke the silence and asked, "How was it?"

"Not bad."

"Would you like some more?"

"No."

"Randy. You just ate a piece of fish."

"Yeah."

Jason kept saying, "I can't believe you ate fish!" He gave high-fives to Randy and Tyler and I awarded each of them lavishly with 10 whole tokens- which is big money in our house.

This might not seem like a bid deal to anyone else. But I think this is the first time that Randy has willingly eaten something from the meat side of the food pyramid. Without a giant production to get him to that point. And without the lecture on how disgusting that food was following. I just had to chill and let kids be kids.

Wow. Who knew?

Sounds like Fun!

One of my favorite annual activities is attending the Houston Symphony's free summer concerts, called "Sounds like Fun!" We try to get their early so that the kids can participate in the musical instrument "petting zoo." Tyler enjoyed showing off his trombone skills- playing Darth Vader's march and getting a round of applause from everyone in line. This year, we went to a beautiful Presbyterian church for the concert, instead one of the local high schools. The acoustics were incredible! Since there was a smaller crowd, our kids were able to interact with the conductor more. I loved being three rows away from the musicians. There is no better listening experience than sitting in an intimate atmosphere- engaging your eyes, your ears, even your heart which seemed to keep time with the music. This year, they played one of my favorite pieces of music- Stravinsky's Firebird Suite. On the way home, we tried listening to it in the car. All of the kids agreed that it didn't sound anything like what they had experienced live.

On another note, I have to say that my little "field-trip" was so enjoyable for another reason. I think this is the first year that I was able to take all four of my kids out in public without suffering from any form of anxiety. Not only were they perfectly behaved in the concert, but I also knew that all four of them- Randy included- would stay with me and not wander away at the smallest distraction. Tyler and Emily are old enough to be a huge help to me. And- bonus- I didn't have to haul a diaper bag or worry about any potty accidents! In previous years, we would have to do trips like this on weekends or when Dad had time off. Now, I can picture myself taking all the kids to our favorite museums, movies, maybe even- gasp- the beach on my own. Actually, Daddy was sad he didn't go to the concert with us, so maybe we'll wait for him anyway.

Tagged- Top 8 (in no particular order)

My 8 Favorite TV Shows

1- The Office

2- Lost

3- Lie to Me

4- Fringe

5- Ace of Cakes

6- Biggest Loser

7- Mythbusters

8- Jon and Kate Plus 8 (although I might quit watching.  This season depresses me.)

8 Things I did Yesterday

1-Laundry

2- Worked on Scout Day Camp plans

3- Worried

4- Fixed dinner

5- Showered

6- Helped with homework

7- Discussed future with my husband

8- Crochet

8 Favorite Restaurants

1- Papasito's

2- Melting Pot

3- Taco Grill

4- Chick Fil A

5- Alamo Drafthouse 

6- Pei Wei

7- That good Middle East place

8- Anywhere that serves good sushi

8 Things I'm Looking Forward to

1- Closure

2- Scout Day Camp to be over

3- Starting college courses

4- A mission with my husband

5- Weekends

6- New Zoe Keatting album

7- Being a grandmother

8- Bedtime

8 Things on my Wish List

1- Happy, independent children

2- A trip to Belgium

3- A cure for autism

4- A clean house

5- Cute shoes that fit my freakishly large feet

6- An eternal family

7- A news source that is truly fair and balanced

8- A reunion with my mission companions

Now I tag 8 people

1- Jason

2- Suuuuuuuuuuuusan

3- Heather

4- Brooke

5- Kim (I know she doesn't blog yet, but I'm hoping she will.)

6- Melanie

7- Robert

8- Tara