Flexibility!

No, this isn't a blog on yoga.  It's about gingerbread houses.  Duh.

We planned on making gingerbread houses right after we got home from our Thanksgiving trip.  I knew we would be busy, but all the kids were looking forward to it and I thought it would be fun.  One of Jason's favorite childhood holiday memories is going over to his Aunt Elaine's to build gingerbread houses with his cousins.  She made dozens of them every year.  

We told the kids we would build them "on Saturday," and then "next Friday."  But something always got in the way-  illnesses, football games, root canals, recitals, play-dates, shopping trips to Best Buy (Merry Christmas to us!!!)  Our kids, especially Emily, would be disappointed at each postponement.  I finally told her that I was trying to teach her "flexibility."  I don't think she bought it and probably thought it wouldn't happen this year.

Finally, today, each of our kids made their own gingerbread house, just like at Aunt Elaine's.  And I have the pictures to prove it!  Each of them designed their personal house.  I only assisted with adhesive application, which is hard for me because I tend to want to "Martha Stewart" it.  By holding back, I was able to glimpse each one's amazing imagination.  Our ledge between the kitchen and living room has a little village on it now.  (At least it does until Bullet figures out how to get to it.)  

We had a great time.  I even think Emily agreed it was worth the wait.

Rant updated

I haven't received any response from Wal-Mart, but I'm not surprised.  I'm still shopping there.  And what's on the TV's?  Rudolph, Horton and Wal-Mart commercials.  On several shopping trips to different stores, I haven't seen anything disturbing on the televisions (unless you count Rudolph as disturbing.)

I was starting to feel pretty good about all this.  Until I got a note from my sister who lives in Mississippi.  Guess what was on the TV's at her Wal-Mart?  "The Dark Knight"  And my wonderful sister wrote a letter.  I hope it does some good.

Nativity Wars

I bought a small nativity scene during my visit to Germany a couple of years ago.  It sits on the ledge that separates the kitchen from the living room.  Unfortunately, that nativity has become the family battle ground.  Here is my evidence . . . Apparently, some members of my family believe there is a right and wrong way to display this scene.  Every five minutes, I'll hear a disgusted sigh and it has been moved again.

I don't really care which way it goes, I just want to know who put the fingerprints on it!

'Tis the Season . . . continued

Emily has been VERY busy this December.  Her Challenge class opened their "Living Museum."  Each student researched an artist or musician and then became an exhibit.  They dressed up and held a pose until a patron activated them.  Emily was Belle, I mean, George Gershwin.  (Family joke)  Here she is in action.

  

She's also been going early to school three days a week to participate in the school choir.  She was selected to be in the bell choir as well and loved doing that.  Here is the video of her recital.  Her back is to us (all the way on the left) but you can still see her talent.

Tyler is still playing trombone for the Katy Junior High band.  He, too, had a concert, but I forgot to bring the cameras with me.  He looked pretty spiffy in his red bow-tie and cummerbund.  I would have taken a picture at home, but the school keeps the "uniform" and justifiably so.  I'm really bummed that I don't have pictures or video, but he'll be in his "costume" again in the Spring.  

A friend from church invited Tyler to attend the Texas state champ football game yesterday.  While Tyler is supposed to go to Morton Ranch High in a couple of years, our hearts are with Katy.  Tyler admits that he's probably the only kid in junior high that isn't a football fan.  But he knew this would be a great game to attend.  And it was.  We are very proud of Katy's back-to-back state championships- first time in Texas history!

School is now over and the count-down to Christmas is in full swing.  The kids have big plans for this break- play dates, movies, gingerbread house and cookie decorating.  It's a wonderful time of year in the Welker house.  We hope y'all have a very Merry Christmas, too!

'Tis the Season . . .

This is the time of year that gets so crazy trying to keep up with all the events are children are involved in- recitals, field trips, and general holiday fun.  This is my attempt at catching up with my kids.

First up is Lucy.

  

My baby's last year of preschool!  How did that happen?  There was no shyness or insecurity this year.  Just my adorable daughter.  (Pardon my gushing.  And all the camera flashes in the video.  That was me, trying to capture the moment for Daddy who got stuck at work.)

Randy was busy in December too.  He had the traditional 3rd grade choir performance, but I didn't get any good pictures or video of that.  I did get to chaperone his field trip to the Children's Museum of Houston.  We've been to this museum before and Randy was very excited.  There were two displays he wanted to see.  But because the busses got caught in our lovely Houston traffic, the kids only had 90 minutes of tour time.  His favorites were not in the three galleries we got to visit.  In the past, this would mean a dramatic temper tantrum- crying, kicking, weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth.  This time, Randy let us know he was sad and disappointed, but he recovered.  What a miracle!  I'm so grateful for the progress he's made.

Next post . . .Ty and Emily!

Happy Anniversary!

This month, Jason and I celebrated our 16th anniversary.  Since the "traditional" anniversary table quits keeping track after 15- probably because few marriages last that long- we made it our "meat" anniversary by celebrating at Fogo de Chao, a Brazilian "churrascaria."  (For those of you who don't know what churrascaria means,  its rough translation is "lots and lots of meat.)   This was our first trip there, and it was delicious.  

On our way to the restaurant, Jason surprised me with a gift from my favorite jewelry store- James Avery.  He bought me a beautiful fresh-water pearl necklace and bracelet.  (Apparently, he hadn't consulted the tradition anniversary table, because pearls are the 30th anniversary gift.  I'm not complaining.) 

Better than our delicious dinner and my wonderful jewelry, the best gift I received is my husband himself.  He is a good provider, a fantastic father and amazing husband.  He is talented in everything I lack, so I think we balance each other.  I love to watch him interact with our kids.  Nothing sounds sweeter than my husband and children laughing together.  It's been a great 16 years and I look forward to many, many, many, many more happy years ahead.   

Rant, rant, rant

(Warning:  Karen is on her soap-box again.  Just pat her on the head and tell her that it will all be OK.)

Lucy and I had to go shopping at Wal-Mart this morning.  Something happened that has occurred frequently before.  I've made comments to employees, but it comes back over and over.  I called the manager this morning, and then wrote a letter to corporate headquarters.  Here's what I said . . .

This morning, my four-year-old daughter and I shopped at Wal-Mart #3226.  My children enjoy shopping with me and it is necessary that they accompany me when I need to do my errands.  As we walked into the electronics department, I was dismayed to see a number of large televisions displaying "The Dark Knight"- a PG-13 movie.  This is not a movie I would take any of my four children to see, since they are all younger than thirteen.  When my oldest son was four, he was traumatized by a scene depicting a decapitation he saw on a big screen at Sam's Club.  He had nightmares for weeks and didn't want to accompany me when I had to go shopping.  

I don't understand why Wal-Mart, a generally family friendly store, insists on showing inappropriately violent and graphic movies for all ages to see.  I understand that Wal-Mart wants to show the "latest and greatest" movies to advertise their products.  I've made comments to the employees before and they've always been kind and understanding. Today, I called the store to speak with a manager.  I was told that the choice of movies shown comes from "above".  

Wal-Mart should adopt a family friendly philosophy by only showing age-appropriate movies when advertising their televisions.  Frankly, some of the new animated movies will show off the amazing graphics of a new TV better than the ones you've been showing.  Right now, "Horton Hears a Who" is new and has amazing animation.  I know my daughter would insist we stop to watch, which would make me want to shop more, instead of speed-racing through the department so that she doesn't see anything violent.

I do most of my grocery shopping at Wal-Mart and Sam's Club.  I am in a financial position to pay higher prices if it means protecting my children from disturbing images.  I will be speaking to my friends and family about our experience and will also be posting my opinion on my blog.  I will be happy to pass on any response from Wal-Mart corporate offices.  Please feel free to respond or call.

I don't know if this will do any good.  I'll be sure to post any response I get (or more likely, lack of response.)  I don't know if anyone else even feels the way I do.  If you do, I ask you to write a letter or make a phone call yourself.  

If you don't, would you mind running to Wal-Mart for me?

Pizza for Thanksgiving

Yep, no turkey, no stuffing, no pie.  But what an amazing Thanksgiving it was.  The Welker clan- including Grandma and Grandpa- trekked out to the Land of the Mouse for Thanksgiving week.  I wouldn't want to celebrate Thanksgiving this way every year.  We had a great time.  And as delicious as that pizza was, I miss seeing the rest of my family.  And pie.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words.  So here are a few pictures and the stories behind them.  

After 16 hours of driving, this sign was . . . 

 . . . a very welcome sight.

The view from our room

Grandpa admiring the view from their adjoining room.

Jason wasn't impressed with the interior of our rooms.  But he's a world traveler that gets to stay in some pretty fancy-schmancy hotels on his business trips.  I liked that nothing screamed Disney, but it was there if you looked for it.  Lucy found a tiny "hidden Mickey" in the pattern stitched onto the fabric of the futon (on the right side of the photo).  Very subtle and very cool.

On our first night, we rode the boat from our resort- the Contemporary (in the background) to Fort Wilderness for dinner. The food was good, but extremely over-priced.  The boat ride was my favorite part.  By the time we headed back, it was really cold.  But Tyler, Emily and I still decided to ride in the front of the boat instead of inside where it was warm.  We took the wrong boat and ended up headed for the Magic Kingdom instead of our resort.  What a great mistake!!!  The castle was lit up with its Christmas lights and was simply beautiful!

This is how we started every morning- the kids on the floor with breakfast in front of the TV.  One of the channels shown in our room had old Disney shorts.  The same episodes were shown on a loop over and over.  Our kids must have seen the same cartoons at least a dozen times.  But that didn't stop them from entering their zombie trance every time it was on.

Two of my favorite things in this photo- grandparents and the monorail.  We LOVED having Grandma and Grandpa with us.  I didn't stress as much as I would have had they not been with us.  It was great watching our kids connect with them.  

The one thing Lucy talked about in the weeks proceeding our trip was meeting Cinderella.  When we stood in line to meet the princesses, the cast-member told us he couldn't guarantee that we'd meet Cinderella or Belle- Emily's favorite.  But when we entered the room- there they were!  I almost cried.  Lucy was so excited to see her, but got very shy and quiet when it actually came to her turn to say "hi."  

When Emily walked up to her favorite princess, Belle smiled at her and said, "Have you been in my wardrobe?"  Emily just grinned and was just as shy as Lucy.  My princesses also met Aurora (Sleeping Beauty) and Ariel.  More pictures to come when our Photopass CD comes in the mail.

On Tuesday morning, we ate at Chef Mickey's in the Contemporary.  This was another exorbitantly priced buffet- this time breakfast.  The kids got to meet Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy- Randy's favorite- and . . . 

. . . Pluto.  Each of the characters came to our table.  So the kids were able to get hugs, pictures and autographs from each one without waiting in line, which was almost worth the amount of money we spent.

Avoiding lines was the name of our game.  So when we saw a character spot with no line, we jumped in.  We were lucky enough to find Pooh, Eeyore and Tigger- Tyler's favorite Disney characters.

I think Lucy and Emily's expression says it all!

Like I said, the monorail was a surprise favorite of the family.  It runs right through the Contemporary.  So it was very convenient to walk over and ride it to where we wanted to be.  A couple of times, we were lucky enough to ride with the pilot.  Here is Lucy taking her turn in the pilot's chair.

Of course, no trip to Disney World is complete without the rides!!!  Here we are waiting for our turn outside Test Track in Epcot.  How was it?

Randy gives it two thumbs up!  In fact, he liked all of the fast, exciting rides.  Lucy did too!  She rode Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain and thought they were great.  (In case you are wondering about Randy's fashion accessory- we brought some industrial ear-protection that someone might wear around power tools.  These saved us!  Randy handled everything so well.  We only had one melt-down on our very last day, and that was basically my fault.)

My favorite ride was The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.  The theming was perfect and the ride was great.  Emily and Jason liked it too.  Tyler and Randy didn't like it as much as . . . 

 . . . Rock'N'Roller Coaster!  This ride goes from 0 to 60 in a matter of seconds, with a couple of inversions thrown in the mix.  Tyler loved the ride so much, he bought the souvenir photo with his own money.

I think their faces say it all.  Emily didn't love it so much.  She wouldn't go on it again with us the second time.

But if you ask him, Tyler will say that his favorite ride was Expedition Everest in the Animal Kingdom.  Ty and I had to (got to) sit in the front on our ride.  I agree, it was great.  The park was beautiful.  This picture doesn't do justice to how amazing the mountain looked.

The 3-D shows were a lot of fun, too.  Randy, Emily and Ty model the Bug Goggles for "It's Tough to Be a Bug" show.  Awesome.  Make sure to stay in your seats until the very end!

As great as this trip was, it was exhausting.  We only made it to one "finale"- Fantasmic in the Hollywood Studios-  and didn't see any fireworks or parades.  We figured we'd leave some surprises for our next trip.

Both Randy and Lucy pooped out pretty early.  We converted our single stroller to a double a couple of times.  By the end of the trip, that stroller was toast and we ended up leaving it there in the hopes another family could use it.

Poor Lucy got sick on the trip.  She was a trooper.  We'll go back in about 3 years when everyone's endurance is a little bit better.

All in all, it was a fantastic trip and we'll definitely go back.  

Now, on to our next adventure- Christmas!!!!

Stay-at-Home (?) Mom

It's crazy to be a "stay-at-home" mom that never really stays home.  Here's what happened today.

6:00-  Wake up

6:01-  Pray

6:05-  Wake up Ty

6:06-  Read scriptures.

6:11-  Shower

6:21-  Greet Lucy  (She's already up?!)

6:22-  Wake Emily; start first load of laundry

6:24-  Greet Randy (Always an early riser on "cereal" day)

6:25-  Gather remaining laundry from various baskets

6:35-  Give Ty morning drill-  "Do you have your homework, shoes, teeth brushed, taken your medicine, jacket?"

6:37-  Blow dry hair, start to apply make-up

6:44-  Start morning drill with Emily and Randy

6:55-  Say goodbye to Ty

6:58-  Finish make-up, get dressed

7:09-  Tell Randy to go get dressed.

7:10-  Feed Lucy

7:11-  Unload dishwasher

7:18-  Tell Randy the time.  Tell him to get dressed.  Again.

7:20-  Eat breakfast and watch weather 

7:25-  Yell "Randy?!  You're not dressed!  Go get dressed right now!"

7:26-  Finish breakfast.

7:27-  Brush my teeth

7:28-  Get Randy's clothes out of his drawer and hand them to him

7:29-  Threaten Randy

7:30-  Pack Randy's lunch

7:39-  Brush Lucy's teeth and get her dressed

7:46-  Yell "Randy!  We are leaving in 10 minutes!  GET DRESSED!!!!"

7:48-  Search for Lucy's shoes

7:49-  Dress Randy while muttering about nine-year-old boys

7:56-  Search for Randy's shoes.  (Where were they?  The closet!  Who would've guessed to look there?)

7:58-  Herd everyone to the van

8:00-  Drive Randy and Emily to school

8:15-  Arrive back home and put on TV show for Lucy

8:18-  Start 2nd load of laundry

8:19-  Resume search for Lucy's shoes

8:25-  Found them!  (Where were they?  Not in the closet.)

8:26-  Shod Lucy.  Comb and style her hair

8:36-  Watch "Imagination Movers" with Lucy.  Her request.  Honest.

8:46-  Drive Lucy to preschool

9:05-  Volunteer at elementary school book fair

10:45-  (15 minutes later than I signed up) Leave school

10:46-  Errand #1:  GameCrazy for Emily's gift

11:10-  Errand #2:  Petco

11:40-  Errand #3:  Hancock Fabrics

11:50-  Wait in line for Lucy

12:00-  Errand #4:  Wal-mart

1:15-  Arrive home and unload car

1:17-  Remember 1:40 appointment!!!

1:20-  Grab lunch for Lucy.  (When did she fall asleep?)

1:30-  Drive back to elementary school

1:40-  Teach Junior Achievement to Randy's 3rd grade class (my favorite part of the day)

2:30-  Drive to junior high school

2:40-  Pick up Ty and five additional teens

2:45-  Host Destination ImagiNation meeting

3:40-  Drive to elementary school (fourth time today!)

3:45-  Pick up Randy and Emily

4:00-  Drop off Randy.  Nag Ty about homework.  Pick up Lucy

4:10-  Drive to get haircuts for myself, Emily and Lucy

4:40-  Say "No Thanks" to blow-dry and style

4:50-  Say "No Thanks" to color job (even though I need it)

4:55-  Say "No Thanks" to a manicure

5:25-  Leave hair salon

5:26-  Fight traffic

5:45-  Pick up pizza at Little Caesar's

6:00-  Supper!  Ask Ty about homework

6:20-  Send kids to clean up toy room.  Put groceries away.  Wash breakfast dishes

6:45-  Give Emily birthday presents, since we'll be driving 10 hours on her birthday

7:00-  Start 5th load of laundry (I did loads #3 and 4 somewhere today)

7:10-  Finish cleaning kitchen and destruction after DI meeting.  Nag Ty about homework.

7:30-  Dress Lucy in PJ's.  Get me some four-year-old squeezin'.  Wishing for some husband squeezin' (on a business trip to the Netherlands)

7:40-  Check email.  52 messages!!!

7:50-  Prayers and brush teeth.

8:00-  Email Jason

8:17-  Blog to avoid laundry

8:30-  Make a list of the things that didn't get done today that need to be done tomorrow and other appointments:  Emily's morning announcements, brake check appointment, Katy ISD Special Ed advisory committee meeting, Primary stuff, fold laundry, bathrooms, family scriptures, lunch

8:37-  Make a list of all the things that have to be done this week:  Parent/Teacher conference, Scouts, get home in-law ready, pack, lunch.  

8:38-  Contemplate dessert

I'm not complaining.  I love my job.  I wouldn't trade it for anything.  I'm just wondering what I could call myself besides a "stay-at-home" mom.  Any suggestions?

All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Primary

My favorite Sunday, after General Conference, is the annual Primary Sacrament Program.  In my new calling, I've had the chance to attend five different programs over the last couple of weeks.  There were a few differences between each congregation- one branch had six children and a couple of wards had over 100-  but more things were exactly the same.  Waves to the parents in the audience, someone with stage-fright, someone who "projects" into the microphone, beautiful singing and of course, the sweet spirit that surrounds children.  

Because my dad was transferred often, I attended Primary in five states and two foreign countries.  As a child, I found great security knowing that we would find Primary wherever we lived that sang the same songs and taught the same gospel.  I can't honestly say that I remember any specific lesson from Primary, but the principles that were taught there guide my life today.  I still sing Primary songs when I need those gentle reminders that I am a child of God and that He hears my prayers.  While I don't remember any of my Primary teachers', presidents' or music leaders' names, I remember the testimony that they helped instill in my heart.

I know the Lord loves little children.  I feel my Savior's love when I get to serve in Primary today.  I know it is my calling to serve in Primary at this time, but I feel as if I'm the one reaping all the blessings by being surrounded by His choicest spirits.

Color Blind

Years and years ago,  I worked in a large department store selling men's shoes.  Actually, it seems I spent more time giving directions to other sections of the store than I did selling anything.  One day, an older gentleman asked me where he could purchase socks.  I pointed to another sales associate on the other side of our department and told him the socks were next to the belts and "behind that man."

"That black man?" he asked.

I nodded and said, "That man in the navy suit."

"That black man?" he repeated.  

"That tall man in the navy suit," I replied.  

"That black man over there?"

Another nod, and still pointing in the right direction.  "That tall man in the navy suit with the red tie."  

Now you have to understand, this was a pretty dead time in the store.  There were no other men in our section.  The only man I could possibly be pointing at is tall, in a navy suit and standing next to the belts.  And, yes, he happens to be black.  But why does his race have to be the confirmation I give?  I don't know why this customer's questions bothered me, but I didn't want to acknowledge my friend's race, to give in to the easy way out.  This back-and-forth seemed to go on for a ridiculous amount of time- the customer asking about the associate's race and I giving further physical clues.  Finally, the older man was able to find and purchase his socks.  I don't think this man was racist.  I simply think that he was a product of his time- a time when race is the first thing anyone noticed in another person.

I think our time is different.  Not different enough, but we're heading in the right direction.  Forty years after Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated, our country has elected a man of "color" to it's highest political office.  I, personally, did not vote for Barack Obama.  I do not share his political views at all and disagree fundamentally with just about everything he stands for.  That is why I voted the way I did.  I feel that most Americans cast their votes for or against the Republican and Democratic nominees for the same reasons I did, not because of "the color of [the nominee's] skin, but by the content of their character."  

I will honor and support the office of the President of the United States of America.  I am disappointed that the nominee I supported was not elected.  But I am very pleased and grateful that we live in a time when I can choose between John McCain and "that one."  Not "that black man."

Happy Birthday, Randy!!!

(Due to technical difficulties, this was posted the day after his actual birthday- Nov. 4)

Randy's 9th birthday is today.  We knew Jason would be out of town, so we celebrated on Sunday with presents and "cake".  (FYI:  Since May, Jason has been traveling to New Orleans every week- flying out Monday morning and returning home Thursday night.  This is the last week of his "six-week" project.)  Randy is the easiest kid to buy presents for.  He opens each gift with unrestrained glee and showers you with gratitude.  Pictures can't do justice.  Even a cheap, worthless present from Walgreens gets high praise. 

As you can see, his favorite dessert is cereal, which is pretty difficult to decorate with candles.  We still wanted to sing to him and let him blow out birthday candles.  So, we used a week-old cupcake, stuck nine candles into it, sang to him, and then I ate the cupcake.  Hey, a mom's gotta' do what a mom's gotta' do.

This morning, Jason called to wish Randy an official "Happy Birthday."  Randy's face lit up when he heard his dad's voice.  He said, "Thanks.  I really appreciate it."  It was so cute to hear such grown-up words from his mouth.

For dinner, we took him to his favorite restaurant- IHOP.  Not my favorite choice, but any place that has "Pancakes" in it's name is good in Randy's book.  He knew exactly what he wanted and cleaned his plate- pancakes, eggs and bacon.  Unbelievable!  I've never seen him eat so well in a restaurant before.  As we were leaving, he told us that he is going to take his wife and kids to IHOP "every day."  

As we ordered, Randy could barely keep still in his seat.  We explained to the waitress that today was Randy's birthday and he was super excited to be there.  Halfway through dinner, she and two other servers brought Randy an ice-cream sundae and sang "Happy Birthday" to him, which he loved.  The ice-cream sundae?  Not so much.  If it was plain vanilla ice-cream, I think he would have ate the whole thing.  But since it was covered with chocolate chips, whipped cream, nuts and a cherry, he only took a few bites and then was willing to share.  

Randy said he had a great birthday, and we had fun celebrating with him.

Happy Halloween!

Last night was our ward's "Trunk or Treat."  Our kids had a great time dressing up and acquiring vast amounts of candy.

Can you tell what Tyler dressed up as?  He was a little sad that more people didn't ask what his costume was, because he had candy in his pockets to give out as clues.  He said most people assumed he was a scare-crow.

Randy's costume is my favorite.  Because he dressed up as Megamatic- his own invented superhero- for the 3rd year in a row.  All I had to do was find his costume at the bottom of the dress-up box.

Emily is Belle.  Grandma Scott made the two princess dresses.  I like Emily's version of this dress better than Disney's because it is MODEST, and my daughter is simply precious.  We will be taking the princess dresses with us to Disney World next month.  Thanks, Grandma!!!

Lucy dressed as her favorite princess- Cinderella.  A couple of months ago, she got into my make-up bag.  I told her that she could wear make-up only on Halloween.  I think she was just as excited about the blush and lipstick as she was the candy.  She walked around the carnival in a pucker face all night.  It was adorable.