Simeon Graduates

Simeon graduated last night from Southwest High School here in St. George.  He signed up to get a GED a couple of weeks after returning from his mission.  He hadn’t finished high school in Guyana – dropped out so he could find a job to help his family – but felt strongly he needed to cross that finish line in his life.  A few days into his studies at SWHS, he decided he wanted to get a diploma instead! 

In an effort to complete the required 22 packets, his studies frequently kept him up until midnight or later after a full work day in the hot sun … but, not only did he complete 13 credits, he did so in record time, finishing faster than any student had EVER done at SWHS - and with 20 A’s and 2 B’s.  Then to cap off his successes, he was asked to be the commencement speaker!!!

We are so proud of this great young man who is hardworking, determined and anxious to succeed in school and in life!

My Mysterious Malady

A few months ago I changed the brand of caffeine free Diet Coke I have been drinking for "forever" and almost immediately noticed it tasted bitter.  Then it occurred to me MOST of what I was eating or drinking tasted bitter.  My quick internet search about this malady revealed this is not really all that uncommon, and I have since found several people who either have this problem or know someone who does. I made an appointment with a local ENT specialist who did every test known to human kind.  His conclusion, "can't find anything.  You're just going to have to live with it!"

Not a lot of fun because most food - especially anything sweet - tastes terrible and because food is one of life's great delights!  The good news, however, is I have lost 15 pounds!!!

Summer with Taisley

Taisley will be spending each Monday and Tuesday at our house throughout the summer, so she doesn't have to be home alone while everyone in the Welch home is off at work.  Our first week together was Memorial Day so, after Grandpa got home from the golf course, we loaded everyone in the car and headed for Pine Valley for a picnic and to play in the water.  On Tuesday, I had several things on my "to-do" list, but we managed to fit in baptisms for two women in my family and two of the women in Selwin and Simeon's family with Taisley as proxy.  We also took in a nearly free movie - "Miracles from Heaven" - then talked about death and prayers in the parking lot before kissing Taisley goodbye for the week ... well, actually two weeks because she has Girls Camp next week.  I have lots of fun things to share with her while we are together making memories.

We hope our summer will also include visits from Charlene, Bob and Tiffany, David and his boys; EJ, Larry and a WIM couple or two.  There is likely to be gardening and canning, a trip to Montana to visit Kaytee and to celebrate Adyn's 8th birthday and her baptism, a visit with Michael and Kelly on on our way to and from Montana; and a trip to Denver to visit David and Jan'L for the occasion of David's birthday and to tour the new Ft. Collins Temple before it is dedicated.  In short, its going to be a busy couple of months.