Who needs it?

You might think that I've fallen off the wagon because I haven't posted for awhile, but I'm happy to tell you that that is not the case.  I'm still holding strong.  Even though this week I have faced the following.

Tuesday:  Homemade Apple Pie ala mode.  Our Bishop came over on Tuesday and my husband told him that I would make an apple pie.  I really, really didn't want to, but I did.  And I know when my husband asks me to make an Apple Pie he'll ask if there is vanilla ice cream to go with it.  I hadn't made any pie since I left Albania.  My mom had given me some pie plates, but I didn't remember, until I was in the middle of making the pie crust, that I didn't have a pastry cutter or a rolling pin.  I made due without the pastry cutter, but I had to get a rolling pin, which made the whole process much more irritating. 

Later I made some "poptarts".  I only had enough leftover dough to make three.  I ate two and Sweets had the other one.  It was made with nonsugaric jam.  Not so pretty, but I was happy to be able to eat a little pastry.  BTW, I had to stare at the leftover apple pie for 3 days and I still didn't succumb.

Wednesday:  I went to a Relief Society Activity (the women's organization of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints).  It was a pool party, but it was too cold to swim.  I had been looking forward to it for 2 weeks, but Bumbles had a fever on Wednesday.  I did go to my activity for an hour.  There was a counter with desserts, but I just didn't really look at them.  I did notice there was a lot of whipped cream involved, but I just kept walking.

Thursday:  Bumbles was miserable and at one point the only thing I could find to make him stop crying was some of this.

Usually when something like this is sitting in my cupboard I have a few handfuls a day.  I haven't touched this bag.  If I really need something sweet I just have a little box of this.

Saturday: donuts. As I mentioned we'll have 4 new grandkids this year.  One was born last week to my youngest sister.  There is another one on the way in early July.  I went to that sister's baby shower on Saturday and there were donuts.  I resisted them.  I ate fruit and corn muffins and deviled eggs instead.  They were so yummy who needs donuts. 

When I got home my kids had their junk - Snickers ice cream.  Even when you don't want to eat things if you are serving them to other people you tend to lick your fingers or the spoon or something.  I've almost done that so many times without thinking.  So far I have caught myself and resisted.

Last night I went for a late run to the grocery store and to get gas.  I bought my husband his father's days present.

One of his favorites.  I knew I had had a lot of temptation and a rough week so I thought I'd better get a treat for myself to help me maintain my nonsugaric status.  Now if I had been in Albania there would be no hope for me, but here I have a secret weapon.

These are so wonderful.  They have a million flavors.  All the bars only have 5 or so ingredients and there is never anything like sugar in them.  They usually have dates and some kind of nut.  This one had coco powder in it and almonds, but no sugar.  And I mean no sugar of any kind.  Not even fake sugar.  You've got to try them!!!!!!

So when I got home my husband had a bowl of ice cream and I ate my Larabar.  We were both happy.

Satisfying Shapes and Colors

We had a crazy weekend.  I was supposed to go to my little sister's house and see her new baby, but I had a very sore throat and I didn't want to get the baby sick.  Sweets cried when she found out we were going.

It was nice to be together with my little family for a whole day.  We had a big breakfast of eggs and bacon, YUM.  When it was lunch time we were so full from breakfast that we decided to just eat the cookies for junk day.  My kids called it a cookie party.  Bumbles would take one bite out of a cookie and try to give the rest to me, but I told him to give it to his dad.  It was really hard to resist those cookies.

Then there was the rootbeer.  We had to get some for BD's Webelos Hike.  We had left overs and there were rootbeer cans everywhere.  You have no idea how many times I almost picked up a half drunk can and had a swig.  But because I knew I would have to report to all of you I resisted everytime.

Then on Sunday I had to resist the big plate of brownies that my sweet sister-in-law made.  But I did it.

Monday I we were finally safe from the sugar.  I was really craving some, but I found joy in watching my children play. 

They were all begging for watching TV, but I resisted and suggested blocks.  They had so much fun.  They were so busy that I had time to put some of Super Jack's blanket together.

I love the way he is holding it up with his chin and still smiling.  I decided that I really like primary colors and basic shapes.  Somehow I got the same kind of satisfaction from looking at color and shapes as I do from eating sugar.  My cravings went away. Especially after I saw this sweet smile.

So Many TREATS!

Ever since I told the whole world that I'm not eating sugar it got a lot easier.  I was just mixing a batch of chocolate chip cookies and didn't take a lick.  My daughter saw me toss a small piece of dough in the sink and was shocked.  Then she realized I'm a nonsugaric again.

Last night when the kids were in bed I was REALLY craving a treat.  I thought about opening the chocolate chips and having a few.  I thought about having some grape juice, but then I realized I got a lame kind that wasn't 100% juice (I'm still getting used to grocery shopping in the States).  I thought about having a piece of bread with nonsugaric jam, but . . . . . I knew I was on the verge of getting heartburn so I just told myself that what I needed wasn't food.  I got busy knitting, which to me is a super treat.  I just can't get enough of it.  Plus, going to sleep with no heartburn was a REAL TREAT!

I'm knitting a blanket for Super Jack.  We realized Sweets and BD and even Bumbles had a special blanket, but Super Jack didn't.  So Sweets, BD and I are knitting him one.  It is going to be really cute.  We have to knit 48 squares and we have completed 14 with a 15th on the way.  That only took us a week.

One little note, you may be wondering why on earth I would be baking chocolate chip cookies when I'm trying to avoid sugar.  I'll tell you.  Since I last posted regularly my family has decided to have two junk days a week.  We don't call them treat days because they really aren't a treat to anything, but your tongue.  I want the kids to know that it is just junk.  So we have junk on Wednesdays and Saturdays.  My baby sister just had her first baby and I'm planning to go spend the day with them tomorrow so I had to make the junk today so it would be here for the kids while I was gone.  This will be the first time we've made cookies and not eaten them right away.  I told my kids it is a test.

I am so proud of my little sister.  Her baby was born on Thursday.  Since she is too far away I've been calling her regularly to see how feeding is going.  Her baby is eating and pooping like a champ!!!!  Nothing makes me happier than helping a Mamma feed her baby!  What a treat! 

I just have to mention one more treat.  While we were in Albania we made some friends from the UK and they told us about an author, Enid Blyton.  They especially recommended one of her series.
Malory Towers  BD, Sweets and I are almost done with the second book.  We are crazy about it.  We never thought we'd find anything we loved as much as Little House on the Prairie, but this is great.

Sugar Babies

I'm back in America and back in the saddle.  I have been eating plenty of sugar since my last post.  But I am determined that this was my last indulgence for awhile.

Many things have happened since my last post and I certainly cannot write them all here.  Let's just say that we had to leave our dear Albania.

This was very hard for us to do.  Then we lived with some wonderful, dear and generous friends for 5 months.  That's right, they let a family of six stay with them for FIVE MONTHS.  We pray often that the Lord will bless them for their great kindness towards us.

We do finally have work and a place of our own. It is just an apartment, which in America seems strange to have a family of 6 living in an apartment, but in Albania it is normal.  As you know, we will always be a little strange no matter where we live.

The kids have gotten bigger.

And so has my belly

That's right everyone.  Number 6 is on the way.  Some of you might be wondering why I'm saying six when I only have 4 kids, but let's not forget our dear sweet girl Lili May who is waiting for us in Paradise.  It was a tough decision, but I did finally decide to try once more.  They say it is a girl, but I'm not sure I believe them.

I also have two pregnant sisters and a pregnant sister-in-law.  There are going to be a lot of sweet and sugary babies around here. 

I've been trying to be a nonsugaric for a month without success.  I've decided that I need to write on my blog in order to make it happen.  I need accountability.  I really want to be a nonsugaric until this baby is born.  I usually have big babies and I'm hoping by not eating sugar I can have a smaller, healthier baby and mom.  So please support me in the effort and cheer me on as you have done before.