A Study In Sugar

I LOVE sugar in all it's decadent dessert and fancy candy forms. I have a sweeth tooth dipped in chocolate, drizzled with caramel and white chocolate, and covered in sprinkles. I LOVE sugar.

I have tried to go a week without sugar in the past just to see how I felt. I have heard from many people who have gone sugar-free that it is a wonderful thing and they felt amazing, but I've never been able to make it because I like sugar too much.

And then I read about a recent study showing that sugar added to depression. The idea being that one who eats sugar has a quick "sugar high", but then crashes even further down than their usual baseline after that euphoric period ends. Being one who suffers from depression, I was curious to find out if this was true. Would I feel different if I cut sugar out of my diet?

For five days I pushed aside cupcakes, apple pie, ice cream, candies, and every other kind of treat that seemed to appear. (You know that when you are trying to be good it seems that all of a sudden there is a plethora of sugar in the house.) I felt good, positive, and energetic, but I wasn't sure if that was from not eating sugar or just mentally wanting it to work.

Then I had lunch at new diner, where I tried their sweet cream pancakes. Divine perfection in pancake form! But they were also sweet. Afterwards I felt so tired and sluggish. I was ready to curl up for a nap. That night I had some chocolate lava cake given to us by a thoughtful friend. (I figured I might as well enjoy my day of sugar. Why stop now?!) Again, within a half hour of eating it I was ready to put on my jammies and go to bed. It was hard to keep my eyes open. This wasn't just a random occurence, there was a definite correlation between eating sugar and how I felt. Shoot! I mean, amazing!

Now I know I will not be able to go sugar-free for my entire life. Let's be realistic people! But I do think I am going to try to avoid it more seeing the amazing difference of how I felt without it and with it in my diet. I'm glad I tried the sugar experiment so I could learn more about my body and what works for me. Anything that can help me feel better about myself is something I am all for!

A whole new phase of life

It's funny how with all the kids, minus Jacob, in school I thought I'd get more done. Ha! Real life never slows down. Plus it seems I never get to do what I want, mostly because of my silly boot. Only two more weeks until I have my check-up. Please can I get it off? I hope!

The biggest news is that we are getting a pet. I am sure we are insane, but what can I say? Our neighbor has a cat that had four kittens. Our kids love them and visit them as much as possible. It has actually helped them get over their fear of animals. So much so that they have been begging for a kitten. Seriosuly, begging and pleading and more begging. Sweet motherly Rachel was the worst. She really really wants a kitten to love and let us know over and over again. Marshall and I both grew up with cats and so weren't opposed to the idea, though I have developed an allergy over the years. I did a few tests with the kittens and haven't had any reactions yet. Plus I would really like to have a kitten to pet and snuggle. Good therapy! As soon as the kittens are weaned from their mom, we are getting one. Eeek! The kids are so excited and so are we. We're pretty much nuts!

The other thing is that I LOVE having Jacob potty trained. It's so freeing. I can go to the store with just a purse! I felt so naked the first time without my diaper bag. But I love it! Going to Costco and NOT having to buy diapers or wipes?! I am so giddy I can hardly contain it! The money saved and now can be used for other things, like food or clothes for my ever growing boys. Vacations and outings are going to step it up to a whole new lovely level. I love it!!!!!

Healthy food in disguise

Remember being a kid and having to take that nasty bubble gum flavored penicillin? I can still recall the smell, thick consistency, and horrid taste. I don't know what was worse, being deathly sick or taking the medication.

I find it amusing that food companies have gotten smart enough to do the same thing to us now adults. They try to sneak in some healthy goodness into what should be delectable desserts and treats. The sad thing is, I will always be able to taste the penicillin underneath all that bubble gummy flavor.

I have tried Fiber-One brand granola bars and found a few kinds actually good, despite the fiber-y after taste. Like most adults, I need more fiber and I will disguise it any way I can to get more into my body. Fiber-One recent came out with 90 calorie brownies stocked full of fiber. Since I had a coupon, I was curious and decided to try some.

Well, it was like a chocolately flavored fibery snack. Mind you, it didn't taste horrid, but it wasn't a moist-barely-cooked-chocolatey-melts-in-your-mouth-death-by-chocolate brownie. You could tell it was a healthy something that was posing as a dessert, but not actually the real thing. I guess it would be impossible to make it 90 calories, healthy, and have it taste like heavenly chocolatey goodness.

You'd think with all of our modern technology we could make medicine and such lame attempts at treats taste better. Give me some penicillin that actually tastes like I am chewing some Bazooka Joe or biting into a plump fresh grape. Or how about a low-fat and high fiber treat that gives See's Candy a run for their money. That, my friends, would truly be a modern marvel.

Still booted

I am not a patient person and I know that is why the Lord sent me Jacob and my boot to deal with at the same time. I really must be impatient because my patience is being tested to the highest level.

For those who have asked, I still have my cursed boot on and will for another month. My doctor told me it takes at least 6 weeks for a stress fracture to heal. So my visit with him last week was more of a "how is it going?" type thing. Sigh. A month longer with the boot?! Seriously, this has been my own personal hell. I thrive on activity, being able to exercise, and chase around my toddler. Having this heavy boot clamped on my leg is killing me and dragging my spirits down. I feel like I am going to go insane. But I keep reminding myself that it'll be worth a healed leg.

Have you ever met Jacob? He has this way of making me feel like such an inadequote mother because he has me running non-stop and even then I only can catch him 1/3 of the time. This morning I took him to help me make copies at school for Kindergarten. During the process he found it a great game to shove little pieces of paper into the copier to "help", which caused paper jambs. He also put a Pull-up in the washing machine, spreading gooey gel-like stuff all over the clothes. All in one hour! I love that sweet boy, but wish he wasn't so curious.

But I am learning. It's a tough road, but I am trying to get it into my head that I can let some things slide and give myself a break as I heal from this injury. It's just hard for such a busy person to do! Hmmm, I wonder where Jacob gets it from?!

Just a few things I am grateful for . . .

-Being able to stay home full time with my kids. I know not all women can do that, but I am grateful I have always been able to be at home. I was reminded of this today as I cared for a sick, miserable little Jacob. I was so glad I could be the one who held, rocked, and laid with him. I hated to see my guy feeling so cruddy, but was so happy I could be with him. I love being at home with my kids, to be there for them during the good and bad times in their lives. I sacrifice my sanity and the ability of buying lots of cool things I don't need thanks to another income and I do not regret it for a minute. My little monkeys make me laugh and brighten my life.

-Having a husband with a job that allows him to be home regularly. With my boot impediment and drama that is life,I am so grateful I have a husband who works regular hours and is home in the evenings and on weekends. I so appreciate his love and support and I love that he can be involved in the children's lives. Plus it allows for the time he needs to be bishop while balancing a family. He may not be the richest attorney out there, but he's one of the happiest. I'd give up a bigger paycheck for that any day!

-Children who read and love the scriptures. Last night I was in charge of a YW activity were we did scripture stories Pictionary style with Play-doh. It was fun to watch the girls try to portray some events from the scriptures. Just as equally amusing was Anna's shock that not everyone knew who Abinadi was or that it was Moses who parted the Red Sea. "Everyone knows that, Mom." I explained that not everyone does because not everyone reads scriptures as a family or has read the Book of Mormon like they have. I am glad I have children who love the scriptures and a husband who has helped make that happen.

Never Forget

Now, brothers and sisters, we must do our duty, whatever that duty might be. Peace may be denied for a season. Some of our liberties may be curtailed. We may be inconvenienced. We may even be called on to suffer in one way or another. But God our Eternal Father will watch over this nation and all of the civilized world who look to Him. He has declared, "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord" (Ps. 33:12). Our safety lies in repentance. Our strength comes of obedience to the commandments of God.


Let us be prayerful. Let us pray for righteousness. Let us pray for the forces of good. Let us reach out to help men and women of goodwill, whatever their religious persuasion and wherever they live. Let us stand firm against evil, both at home and abroad. Let us live worthy of the blessings of heaven, reforming our lives where necessary and looking to Him, the Father of us all. He has said, "Be still, and know that I am God" (Ps. 46:10). -President Gordon B. Hinckley

My Jacob

I don't think I have had a more pleasant child than Jacob. He is so happy, friendly, and outgoing. Not only does he look like his father, but he acts like him too. It has been so fun to have him all to myself these past few weeks since school started. Potty training him has been as good as it gets. He loves being a big kid and is so proud of himself. He thinks peeing while standing up if the coolest thing. He'll run out back and drop his pants if ever the urge hits him. Thankfully, he mostly goes in the potty, but every once in a while he likes to bond with nature. I noticed today while he was outside playing he pulled his pants down, watered the lawn, and pulled them back up. Although I am happy for his independence, I hope the grass can survive such freedom. Yet I can't imagine Jacob doing anything different than that. He has a huge personality and is all boy. What a cute little nut!

Fun Visit

                                                           Cute Whitney

Her twin brother Tucker with his classic raised eyebrows

Autumn, Mandy, and I

This weekend two of my dear roommates from BYU came for a visit. They arrived Saturday afternoon and stayed until Monday. We had a wonderful time playing and catching up. Mandy came down from Seattle with her 19 month old twins, Whitney and Tucker. She met up with Autumn in Salt Lake and they drove down for a visit. It was so much fun for us all, even Marshall as he knew them well when we were at BYU. We stayed up giggling and reminiscing one night. It was great!

Tucker and Whitney charmed us all with their pleasant natures. Whitney is the quiet one, while Tucker can babble away. Plus Tucker has this awesome raised eyebrow face that he makes at everything. They are a hoot. It was so fun to get to know them better. Jacob even survived sharing his house with other children. The kids all enjoyed Autumn, Mandy, and the babies. Rachel was very sad when it was time for them to head home. She just loved the twins.

What a great weekend! And it was wonderful to see them as happy and active in the Gospel as when we were at school. Love my roomies!