What My Kids Learned from the President of the United States of America

(This is in no way a political post. I will not get into the details of whether or not the President should or should not be addressing America's children the day before he addresses both houses of Congress. Just wanted to share our discussion at the dinner table.)

While dishing dinner out tonight, I asked each of the kids what was the best thing that happened today. Emily said that she got to miss the President's speech by going to a doctor's appointment. Randy perked up and he said that he listened to the President's speech. I had read the contents of the speech earlier and was curious to see what he had picked up. Randy answered,"If I don't learn, I get kicked out of the country."

Lucy chimed in that she saw "Brock O. Bama." When we asked her what she learned, she said, "Um, I learned that the United States is really real."

So, there you go, America. That's what your children got out of your President's big speech.

Happy Mother's Day

Fourteen years ago, Tyler was born into our family. Even after all these years, I marvel that I am a mother. Even more, I marvel that such amazing children were sent to our family. I've spent the morning thinking about Ty as a baby, as a little boy and now as a young man.

Never, in the history of mankind, was there a baby as cute as Tyler- until Emily, then Randy and of course, Lucy came along. We would get stopped in public and everyone would want to touch his "baby mohawk," the fluffy hair that could not and would not be tamed. Just before his first birthday, we showed up for extended family pictures with his hair slicked back and neat. My family had a fit. It just wasn't "him." Maybe that's why he wants to keep his hair so short now, because it was a big attention-grabber when he was little.

When I had my first parent/teacher conference during Tyler's preschool years, his teacher told me that she had never met a four-year-old child, much less a boy, that was as empathetic and considerate of his class-mates as my son. He is still extremely concerned about how others feel. Even though he has a core set of best buddies, he often invites kids from school and church over to our house that don't often get included in other's groups. I'm grateful that he has kept that empathy and I think that trait will bless him in the future.

Tyler has always been extremely bright. In elementary school, he would often ask me complicated scientific questions. My answer was always, "I don't know. Ask your dad." He loved sitting next to his dad at the dinner table discussing math and physics- stuff that was way over my head. One day when he was about 10, as we were driving in the car, he told Emily all about "splitting atoms" and causing nuclear reactions that would result in catastrophic explosions. Amused, I listened to his explanation, marveling at how much he knew. Emily was skeptical. "Mom," she asked. "Is Tyler telling the truth?" I told her that with the tiny bit of nuclear physics I knew, it sounded like he had the right idea. Her eyes grew wide and she said, "Well, I hope we don't accidently break any atoms."

Like every teen-ager I've ever known, Ty has struggled a bit in the transition from elementary to junior high school. However, I'm marveling at the difference a year can make and about how mature this fourteen-year-old Tyler is. As he left for school this morning, he came back into the house for one more hug and to tell me that he loved me. I hugged him back and kissed the top of his head, and wondered how much longer it would be that I would be able to do that. Will he ever outgrow the need for his mom's hugs? Will he outgrow me physically? Emotionally? Spiritually? I can't think about the answer to those questions for very long. Of course, my deepest desire is that Ty grows and matures into a responsible adult that might not need his mother's security and strength. But for now, I'm grateful he does. And I'll hold onto that as long as I can.

Happy Birthday, Tyler!

I love you!

Pearls

One of the best parts of teaching early morning Seminary is what I learn while preparing to teach. (The hardest part of teaching early morning Seminary is that it occurs early in the morning!) Periodically, I come across perfect pearls of wisdom and knowledge. Periodically, I'll share them with you.

Elder Neal A. Maxwell: "The most important question in human history is one which echoes down through the corridors of time; it will not go away: 'Jesus asked them . . . what think ye of Christ?' (Matt. 22:41-42) Sooner or later, this will be the vital question for all mortals, including you, my friends! A failure to answer this question is an answer." (Ensign June 1985, p. 69)

First ER visit

A couple of Sundays ago, Jason and I were sharing with some friends from the ward that none of our kids have ever been to the Emergency Room. After fourteen years and four kids, our streak has been broken. Here's our story.

After Andrew's graduation (see previous post), he had a town pass. On Saturday, we visited the Tower of Americas and had an expensive, but delicious lunch up there.

Then we went to Malibu Castle- similar to Golf N' Stuff in Tucson. They had bumper boats, mini-golf and go-carts. On Randy's first go-cart drive, he was bumped from behind and crashed.

Jason was taking pictures from the stands, and could tell by the way the attendant had to support him that Randy had really been hurt.

We put ice on the purple bump on his temple and I monitored him while the rest of the family continued to play. After a while, it became obvious that this was a serious knock and needed some attention. Had we been in Katy, we probably would have watched him from home. But facing a 3 hour drive ahead of us, we (I) wanted to make sure he was OK.

After some confusion, we found Methodist Children's Hospital. Andrew carried him in, and the attending RN wouldn't even let us sit down. He was immediately taken back for an assessment and then put in a bed. The doctor saw him within 10 minutes of walking in the doors.

Thank goodness Andrew was with us. He had made a first-aid assessment of Randy and relayed his symptoms perfectly. He stayed out in the waiting room with the other kids, so that Jason and I were both able to go back with Randy for his head CT.

Randy was diagnosed with a concussion and is going to be OK. He's on restricted activities for the week- but can still go to school. (Rats!) We got home to Katy at about 2 AM, but everyone was safe and accounted for. I'm just counting my many blessings.

However, I think the Welkers are finished with go-carts.

My Kid Brother

My youngest brother, Andrew, was born six weeks after I graduated from high school. I moved into my first apartment before he was six months old and left for my mission when

he was three.

This is my favorite picture of him from that time. He is asleep on the kitchen floor with a spoon in his hand. Mom said that he wanted ice-cream and cried himself to sleep demanding it. Unfortunately, that's how I've always remembered him- my kid brother, forever 3 years old in my mind.

This weekend, we had the opportunity to go to San Antonio to watch Andrew graduate from Basic Military Training in preparation for his service in the Air National Guard. That's him, directly behind the flag-bearer, first row- all the way on the left because he was an "Element Leader." It was surreal to see him marching with his flight, being congratulated by his fellow airmen for earning four commendation "ribbons," to be thanked by the public for his service.

That image of the three-year-old is gone, replaced by a dignified, respectful, mature young man. He is an amazing uncle- cool enough to still know Pokemon, responsible enough to respond in an emergency (more on that later) and patient enough to respond to Lucy's calling him "Uncle David" all weekend. (Give her a break. She's got a boatload of uncles to remember.) I'm so glad we had the opportunity to see his graduation and spend time with him.

Congratulations, Andrew! We're proud of you!

(Mom, this picture is for you. We thought you might like some proof.)

First Day of School

Monday was FINALLY the first day of school. Lucy was the only one thought the "finally." We are all usually ready for school to start, but this year, all of us wanted one or two more weeks of summer.

A couple of weeks ago, I was asked to teach early morning Seminary for our ward. I enthusiastically accepted the calling. I am teaching Book of Mormon again. While I am extremely excited, I wish I had a couple more weeks to prepare. My first day of Seminary was my kids' first day of school too.

Sadly, Tyler and Emily (Yes, Emily is in Junior High!) leave for school before I get home. So I didn't get to take pictures of their first day. Emily was a little worried about the locker and finding her way in that huge school. She is very excited to have the same lunch period with her best buddy and loves her first period- Theater Arts. Tyler is king of cool- a vet at this whole Junior High scene. His favorite class so far is Elements (?) which is a PE course, where they don't dress out. I'm not sure how it works but he thinks his teacher is great.

Randy was not at all excited to go back to school. After all, he's now in 4th grade- notorious for the oppressive amounts of homework required. However, once he returned for his "Meet-the-Teacher" Night, he was all grins. He knows everyone in that school- kids, administrators, teachers of all grades. He was dismayed to find out that "Michael" (names have been changed to protect the innocent) is in his class this year. He and Michael were in the same preschool program and there had been a fighting incident that year. Randy said, "Oh, no. My nemesis." We talked to him about how long ago that fight happened and that Michael could be a nice kid now. After the second day, Randy told me that he had asked Michael for "forgiveness." And so far, there has been no homework, so 4th grade has been OK. So far.

Lucy thinks Kindergarten is "AWESOME!" She has been visiting that school since she was 3 weeks old and she is so excited to finally be an Eagle. Unlike Randy, she was thrilled to finally have real homework to do. She ran to the table to start it. Although, she's only been in school 3 days, it seems she has grown up so much. Parents were allowed to walk their kids to their classes the first 3 days of school. On the 2nd day, Lucy told me that I could drop her off at the door like the rest of the kids. Apparently, she got lost. As she was telling me what happened, the tears started up again, but she fought desperately to maintain some emotional control. And she was perfectly fine being dropped at the door the next day, all grins as she skipped into the doors.

I think it's going to be a great year.

Dunk'd

Our stake hosts an 11-year-old day at Girl's Camp every year. This is a chance for all those who are too young to attend camp to sneak a peek at what's in store for them. I volunteered- enthusiastically, actually- to drive the four girls from our ward- my daughter, two of her good friends and a girl who had just moved into the ward. It was early in the morning when we left and the trip was unusually quiet on the way up. The quiet didn't last long, though.

At camp, they toured the facility, ate lunch, swam in the pool, did crafts and went canoeing. All of the girls had been told to bring swimsuits and towels in anticipation for these events. I, however, did not, figuring I'd be the official photographer.

This was not to be. Apparently, every canoe needs an adult- seaworthy or not. And the camp committee had counted me as one of those adults. If I didn't canoe, some of the girls wouldn't get a turn. Not wanting to spoil the fun, I stepped up to my responsibility. I warned the girls that I didn't come prepared for a swim and that we would have to canoe carefully. I'm sure you have already figured out how this story ended. Yes, the canoe tipped and everyone went in. The girls loved swimming around. Me? I am still shuddering when I think about stepping on the bottom of the lake, ankle-deep in gunk and muck. Nasty. I was wearing my nice, cool tan capris for the day, which happened to be pretty transparent when wet.

Apparently, not very good swim attire.

On the way home, the girls sang all the silly camp songs they'd learned and giggled. I think in just a few hours, they had captured the spirit of Girl's Camp- mostly just forming and cementing friendships, singing a lot and giggling even more. It was wonderful for them to get a taste of what they are in store for next year. They are all really excited to go for the real deal.

And, yes, I'd like to go again too, even if I have to canoe.