When Jolene Welch gave birth to quadruplets on Jan. 5, 1982, and literally doubled the family overnight, the experience was a bit overwhelming for the young 23-year-old and her 27-year-old husband, Jeff.
Eight years later, the still-youthful mother of eight finds the challenges haven't diminished - they've just changed in scope.A visit to their home reveals a giggling, animated mass of little bodies who thoroughly enjoy each other's company, yet are very obedient when Mom asks them to try and sit still. Looking and sounding every bit like the normal, healthy second-graders they are, the quads have a seemingly inexhaustible supply of energy; that's especially astounding considering they were born more than two months premature, and the four of them totaled only 8 1/2 pounds at the time. (See Church News, April 17, 1982.)
Since the births of the foursome - Andy, Tiffany, Natalie and Ashley - two more have joined the family: Heidi, 5, and Jake, 3. Tenille, 13, and Trent, 11, round out the rest of the diverse and highly individualistic family.
"They all have very distinct personalities," Sister Welch said of the quads. "No two of them have ever been the same."
Andy is "very much a boy and loves sports," according to Mom, while Tiffany is "sensitive and very much into her friends." Natalie is vivacious and "loves to make me happy," and Ashley, her identical twin, is "competitive, outgoing, and can't stand it that she's not a boy."
They also have their own assigned chores, which may explain why such a large and busy home - where even rampant chaos would be forgivable - looks disarmingly immaculate and organized.
"We all help clean up the house!" exclaims Tiffany with great enthusiasm. Her siblings then all try to explain, simultaneously, how the Welch system works: Mom and Dad periodically give them tickets redeemable for about 20 cents each; when they don't do one of their jobs, they have to return a ticket.
In the rush to be heard first, their words tumble over each other and the four end up in a fit of giggles.
"Their teachers say they're very popular at school, that everyone loves them," said Sister Welch. "They tell us, `The bond between them is great - you really have to see it to believe it.' "
That bond was most recently evident at the quads' baptisms on Jan. 6. The Welches are members of the Crescent 24th Ward (Sandy Utah Crescent South Stake), where Sister Welch is compassionate service leader, and Brother Welch, a construction worker, is Sunday School president.
"They just wanted a small birthday party, but they were so excited for their baptisms," Sister Welch said. "As they went in order into the font, the others would stand off to one side, dripping wet, and watched each other be baptized. It was so exciting to see how excited they were for each other! We hadn't told them to wait or anything; they just did it on their own."
As for presents, she added, "all they wanted was their new scriptures."
"They love to read them; for family night, we just do a little singing and take turns reading scriptures. Afterward, Dad pulls them all together -"
" - and we all fall down in a big hug!" Natalie interjects.
The foursome's love for each other is readily apparent when they start talking about each other's qualities:
"Tiffany's sweet and kind and she shares her crayons." - Natalie.
"Natalie plays with me and helps me with my jobs." - Andy.
"Andy's a buddy at school, he lets me use his soccer ball!" - Ashley.
"Ashley's cute and nice; she helps me read." - Tiffany.
Among the four of them, they have a multitude of varying interests and talents. They've taken lessons in ice skating, clogging, skiing, gymnastics, and karate; now, they say, they're ready to start piano. Tiffany's favorite class at school is P.E., Natalie's is spelling, while Ashley and Andy both love art best.
But one thing they'd all like to do is serve a mission. And, they all agreed with Natalie when she said, "Heavenly Father's given me nice sisters and brothers and good parents."
"We really have been blessed," said Sister Welch. "They're all so healthy - I can't remember the last time I've taken them to the doctor. My brother-in-law called them 'little miracles' once, and told them 'You have a very important mission." I see them, and think, I know they're going somewhere."
Andy, Tiffany, Ashley and Natalie all nod solemnly in agreement.
"My family's my hobby," continued Sister Welch, who was married at 18 and always wanted lots of children. "As long as they're growing, that's what I get excited about."
