Realistic Goals


We are 3 days into the new year and I keep running across other people's goals via the computer or just in conversation. And for some reason I am having difficulty pin pointing my own goals for the new year. As usual, I try to set goals in the Spiritual, Physical, Mental, etc.. I have even visited some "Take the Pressure Off: Goal Setting" websites and yet I still feel unmotivated and not up for the task of setting this year's goals. I don't know about you but come April I've usually forgotten what my goals were anyway, and seem to even do worse at accomplishing the dumb list and I think I might have done better had I not even messed with the goal in the first place. With that in mind here are a few of my realistic goals:





Watch more T.V.
Sew less/craft less
Yell at my kids more
Try to keep the spare tire around my waist and fatty deposits on my legs and arms
Cook more boxed dinners/go to Del Taco more often
Don't enrich my children's lives by driving them to their after school events
Read 1st Nephi 12 times (once a month)
Spend more time on the internet
Don't worry about debt
Make everyday be about me
Try and increase my "carbon footprint" by using paper products for EVERY meal.
Make 72 hour kits into 2 hour kits/allow food storage to go out of date
Check my e-mail more
Bring a $5 buck pizza to the Ward party instead of the brownie dessert I was asked to bring
Hot glue on merit badges/use safety pins to make adjustments to kid's costumes
Never take pictures of my children so that I don't have to scrapbook
Always drive with the gas light on
Quit ironing altogether (wrinkled is the new style)
Buy more underwear rather than do the laundry
Never apologize for anything; in particular not showing up when I promised, a messy car during a carpool, no meal on the table for the 5th night in a row
Teach the Sunday lesson by reading out of the manual
Forget about the growing ring in the tub and toilet especially when company is coming
Try and be as flaky as possible
Throw away clothes that need mending, ie buttons replaced
Always overstay my welcome, especially when Visiting Teaching or "taking a casserole in"
Rather than completing family history buy and read more Harlequin Romances set in "the West"
Always be 10 minutes late to everything

Toothie Grins

Thanks to my brother Dan, our blog had a mini-makeover. I choose this picture for the header, it shows our real smiles and it feels more genuine than almost all our posed pictures, it isn't a perfect picture but that is why it is one of my favorites. I have yet to master the other page elements- one step at a time. . .

Wouldn't this be great??





















As a whole I really enjoy being pregnant. But there are moments that are just too much work. For instance, cleaning the tub is a joke and I feel like a joke when I do it. How bad do you think the ring in the tub would get if I just waited 10 more weeks before cleaning it again??

Why can't I just have my spouse take a turn just every once in a while. . . I'm not insinuating that he doesn't help around the house because he does a great job trying to make things easier for me, I just really think it would be nice to hand over the pregnancy bump every once in a while.

Grief Stricken

It was that time of year when the car needed to have the Safety and Inspection done. We had high hopes for our Honda Accord. We knew she had some problems and so we showed her around town to four different shops hoping that someone would take her under their wing and fix her up right.

She just couldn't pass inspection, unless she had some serious work done. More money would have had to go into her than she was worth to make her safe for the roads again. You should have seen the look on my face after hearing that we should just take her to the "Pick and Pull". How could we do that to our little car that we have loved so much?

After serious thoughts of just keeping her around to rot in our front yard, we finally decided to pull the cord, or cut ties if you will. We sold her to the highest bidder for $100.







This is Ben and I in the final scene with her. In the end we left her with 226,000 miles, no power steering, no air conditioning, a bum battery, she needed new rear breaks and tires, a new steering pump, a new timing belt, new alignment for the engine block, as well as a handful of other smaller items that needed repair in the immediate future. One blessing of this car is that when one thing went wrong the rest of her decided to go shortly thereafter. No terminal illnesses for us. Quick and fast should be every cars ending. She was amazing.



We left her for the larger, younger version and managed to stay in the same family. Even after bringing the new "Honda" home I was still battling with my pride. I DID NOT want to be a van owner/driver. Men look awful driving mini vans, it is acceptable like on road trips and on the way to church, but as a whole I was thinking this look would be devastating to Ben's manhood.









A few weeks have passed and I'm now of the opinion that I can't see how I got along so long without this van. The doors are automatic, the kids can get in it by themselves. Errands have never been so delightful. In a few weeks we are making the journey West and I'm actually looking forward to the awful salt flats and boring scenery in the newest member of the family.

We love her and are still working on a name for her. As for my pride, it has not taken the hit that I thought it would, rather it has gone the other way, I'm a proud owner of a mini-van.

As for Ben driving the van. . . his manhood is still in question.

The Husband Tag



Where we met: We met in London. In the parlor of the London Centre. He walked in with a bunch of friends, I was laying on the couch trying to get over my jet lag. I thought he was so cool and funny.

How long we dated before we got hitched: We knew each other 9 months before tying the knot.

How long have we been married: 8 years.

What's my favorite feature about him: His way of thinking, his five o'clock shadow, his knees and calves.

What's my favorite quality about him: His priorities are the right ones. Our little family always comes first. School, work, internship, and church calling all take a back seat. That doesn't mean we don't have Ben-less days around here, but it does mean that when he is around he makes it count.

What's his nickname for me: Share, Shara, Hun, Sweetie.

His favorite color: BYU Blue or maybe black? This one is hard to figure out. I don't even think he could give me an answer.

His favorite food: Every type of food you can think of. He is a master at finding excellent restaurants or awesome recipes to try out.

His favorite sport: Golf hands down. Although he seems to know the scores and results to every major sport out there. You name it, if the game was important he knows the outcome.

Who said the L word first: I think it was me. These details are sketchy in my mind. I'll have to look it up in my journal.

First kiss, when and where: About one month after spending every day together. It was night time in London. We were walking home from the Paddington Library together. He decided to hold my hand and kiss me the same night. The street name was Prince Court. I cried. Partly because kissing him seemed like the right thing to do (or perhaps it just felt right), and partly because I had a boyfriend back in the states that would need an explanation later. Ben knew this information and still took the chance. Very brave if you ask me, but hey, I wanted it to happen.

Favorite couple thing to do: Go out on dates. We mostly go out to eat at some top rated restaurant. Don't confuse that with top dollar. Cucina Toscana was SLC #1 Italian 2008, and it also won #1 overall. Settabellos -I think is #1 for pizza joints. These are our favorites at the moment.

How many kids: 2 and 1/2

His hidden talent: He is a good writer, although most already know that. He is also good at Rummikub, competitively speaking. He tries to limit his games due to how freakishly good he is at it. He has many others though. Like how good he is at putting tights on Rosie, or gardening, taking care of cars, and cooking. I play the sues chef more than he does these days. Wow, he is good.

His age: 31 years

His favorite music: He likes something from most generations but as a whole I would say alternative, such as Coldplay. I'm also surprised at the number of Butt Rock hits that he knows. Those come from his high school days I think.

What I admire most about him: His goodness. His desire to learn regardless of subject (like one semester he took a auto mechanics class, and oh yeah, he took First aid and CPR. He took them for the practicality of knowing the information, which has come in handy). Finally, his desire to make me happy, he is very good at this.

His favorite pastimes: In no particular order; golfing, reading, and spending time with the family.

Will he read his: Only if I tell him to check the blog.

Oh Brave One























My cowboy dad entered into surgery about 20 minutes ago. 3-4 hours from now he will emerge drowsy yet cancer free, and oh yes, minus one sick gland.

I'm so happy that he was able to come to Utah to have the surgery done here. I feel like I can be more a part of the recovery. I remember many days and nights when I was sick I'd just call his name and he would right every wrong in my eyes. I doubt that I can right every wrong, but I'd like to try, or at least do what I can. (If that means taking his wife shopping so be it;). What ever it takes right?

Last night my dad was acting stoic, cracking jokes, and enjoying the family here in Utah. I'm guessing even though the next week or more of his life will be spent in bed, he will still be fun and acting silly with the grandkids, trying his hardest not to look or act sick.

Dad, Pacha, Grandpops, Oh Brave One. Good luck today. I love you.

A Very Happy UnBirthday To . . .

A Happy 31 years Ben!!



Seriously, who has time? December couldn't get any busier could it? In 8 years of marriage we have only celebrated Ben's birthday once on his actual birthday. Ben has been in school for so long that he has either been studying for a final, taking a final or giving a final on his birthday. And good luck trying to reschedule a date night in December. There are so many ward functions, concerts, and family parties to attend that why even try and cram it all in, and even if you did, how do you find a babysitter? How can a birthday be truly special when it is just smashed in between finals and other parties? Not possible I tell you.

For approximately 6 years we have been celebrating Ben's birthday two months early to the day. We felt like there were already too many birthday in November (on my side) and thus we chose the slower month of October to really spend some time together. Slowly but surely we have managed to persuade our extended families to also celebrate early with us as well. This is no small task I assure you. My family decided a few years ago to get on the celebration bandwagon and they have almost forgotten that his real (he calls it his "biological") birthday is in December.

This year, the Welch family finally consented to a birthday dinner and cake on his October UnBirthday. Ben and I managed to fit in 4 night get away with just the kids up at the cabin as well as some nights out on the town with just the two of us, oh and some birthday shopping, and a Sunday family birthday dinner. Now tell me, would that really fit in the average December schedule?? I think not.

Just to be clear. Ben, my dear, I will celebrate your birthday whatever month you want it. And if you feel like moving your birthday to even earlier in the year that is fine by me. So long as it is not in August;)

The Vote
November 4, 2008

Dear Wiley,

In the days leading up to the election, you were learning about how our government functions. The school was getting the kids interested in the elections and even letting them simulate participation. The older kids wrote debates, and kids could campaign for their favorite candidate. Every student also got to vote.

On November 4th, you came home with pride in your eyes. You couldn't stop talking about your day. You were so glad that you got to vote. You told me all about the debates. (I actually was at the school to hear two of the arguments.) You were one of only two students that voted for Barack Obama in your classroom. I'm so proud that you voted for who you wanted to, and that you were not afraid to be different and to think differently from the "crowd." This attribute will serve you well in the years to come.

That night, while Dad and I were upstairs hanging shelves in the playroom, you were the one downstairs watching the numbers come in on CNN. You kept running in and giving us the update on who was winning the election. Finally, you came in to tell us Barack Obama had won the whole thing and you were so happy that you voted for him.

When I asked you why you voted for Barack Obama, you got out your yellow, 1990s GameBoy Pokemon game and told me there was a Pokemon character that looked like Barack (which, I can verify, actually does look like Barack), and that there is a Pokemon card with the word "Rock" in it.

Wiley, my sweet boy, you voted for Barack because of your love and devotion for all things Pokemon. Dad and I laughed and laughed. We all stayed up and watched John McCain's concession speech and Barack Obama's acceptance speech together. You listened to every word.

Wiley, please stop growing up. It is moments like these that I realize that you are not my little "Frogger" anymore. I worry that my time with you is passing too quickly. Even at age six you have found your little voice, and this is not the first time. Thanks for being the boy that you are, -- sensitive, outgoing, strong in your convictions, a leader, and so full of energy (as any primary worker can attest). Thanks for the little hugs and kisses that you offer me just because you are happy. Everyday with you is such a gift, I just wish I acted like it more often. I love being your mother. I promise to buy you more Pokemon cards if you just stay my little "Scooby."

I love you,
Mom

Dress-Up Flashbacks
























Click on the picture to see it larger.

I could write a page on each one of these dress-up moments, but I won't. I just want to say that I have had some fun dress-up moments over the years -- whether with old roommates, my husband, and especially with the kids. P.S. Just for the record: some of these ensembles never left the house -- so don't be too shocked ...

Dress-Up Continued. . .

I love to dress-up -- not just in a dress or some other formal wear, but also to dress-up in something totally different. As such, Halloween is one of my favorite times of the year. Here are just a few dress-up moments from the past few months.

This is Ben and me this year. We went as LEGOs, just in case your imagination didn't tell you that we were Legos.

FYI we won the "most creative" trophy.

Wiley was a Magician this Halloween. He performed his tricks (with his usual comedy banter) at two different venues -- the Welch Family Halloween Party and the Dyer Halloween Party. Wiley did well at both performances. I just wish I had them both recorded. We "ohhed," and "ahhhed," and laughed the whole time. He ate it up. Most of his tricks are sleight of hand -- making things disappear and such -- mostly packaged tricks like you'd buy at a truck stop. But the grand finale is all his own -- he turns into a black rock. Houdini has nothing on our boy.

Sweet Rosie went as Ariel from the Little Mermaid this Halloween. How Ariel would keep a puppy alive "under the sea" is a Disney mystery. But Rosie doesn't go anywhere without puppy, so what do you do? Also, careful viewers will notice that Ariel is wearing a "shade" with her seashells -- yes, they make shades for toddlers.


















This is us at the Ward Sock Hop. We had a great time. They even had two teachers come and teach some dance moves. By the way, Ben's costume is his real letterman's jacket from high school. He also rolled up some Altoids in his sleeve to look like cigarettes.
















The Welch Family Fall 2008

















Just for a point of interest, I thought I might reveal where my love of dressing up came from.

My mother, my Aunt Julie and Aunt Liza have been dressing up for years at various family reunions and singing hilarious songs. Every year my parents also host a "Tacky Party" -- a party where everyone comes dressed in tacky clothing and presumably makes tacky comments. I can't think of a year that my parents didn't dress up for Halloween. We've even had themed Christmas dinners where costumes are a requirement.

Thanks mom for passing on the dress-up gene. Rosie and Wiley also have it.