The Long Week

I have an addiction. Addiction is a word that I do not say lightly. I know that some people have very real struggles with drugs, alcohol, smoking, etc. and I truly put myself in the extreme category. My addiction is anything sweet. I cannot stay away from candy and desserts of every kind.

I am pretty good about exercising. I lift weights regularly. Last week I walked a couple of days with my friend Roni, went for a few runs on my own and Rachel and I walked a total of ten miles together. That sounds impressive, but it is not enough to remove these last 7 pounds.

The problem is that I will run four miles and then come home and treat myself to a big slice of cake. I have no problem downing two donuts for breakfast, a brownie for lunch and several Hersheys Kisses for snacks followed by a Rice Krispie Treat for dinner. My favorite all time concoction is Cocoa Krispies mixed with Cool Whip, drizzled with chocolate syrup and topped with chocolate sprinkles. (I thought of this recipe all on my own)

Mark has that little internal switch that tells him when he has had enough sweet. I don't. My body has the extraordinary ability to consume sugar. I don't get stomach aches, headaches and I haven't had a cavity since 1994. The phrase "too rich" is foreign to me.

I have tried to cut down for years now and I can't stop myself. Don't get me wrong, I eat good foods too. I stay away from regular soda, fried foods and chips. I will have a salad for lunch with no croutons or cheese and hardly any dressing on it so that I can justify the ding dong that will follow. I only allow my family to have treats very sparingly because I know this is not healthy. I want to skip the desserts but I can't stop.

So, last week I said to myself. "Enough is enough!" There was only one thing to do. I had to find a twelve step program of sorts, so I joined Weight Watchers. I marched into the office near my home. I paid my $109.00. The nice lady weighed me. I received my booklets and I went to my first meeting.

My first weigh-in will be on Friday, so this week I have gone cold turkey. Sunday will be my free day to eat one dessert. Last night was a true test of commitment when our friends dropped off a big plate of homemade chocolate chip cookies. I had to leave the room while everyone else enjoyed them.

I am going on day two with no sweets. This is hard, really hard. I will probably get grumpy and develop a headache from with drawls. Any suggestions would be helpful. Roughly 120 hours until Sunday..... it's going to be a long week.

Grandma's Hands

Mark's grandma lives in an assisted living home near us. Samantha and I are regular visitors there. My grandmother passed away a little more than a year ago. I miss her. Maybe that is why I am so drawn to visit Grandma Sanders.

Yesterday we stopped by to say hello. Grandma was busily working on a puzzle. I held Sami with one hand and helped assemble puzzle pieces with the other. Grandma would hand pieces to me and Samantha to try on our side. It was then that I noticed our hands.

Samantha's hands, so tiny and soft. Her little fingers barely able to grasp the pieces. Her hands are still new to the world. She is just discovering that they are good for a few things like shaking a rattle or putting a couple of fingers in her mouth when she gets hungry. Those precious little hands have so many adventures ahead.

I then looked at my own hands. I have never liked them much. They have always looked older than they should. Somehow though, they looked a little different to me. Maybe for the first time in my 38 years, I appreciated the way they have served me. My hands have held the hands of a wonderful man who shares my life. They have nurtured and cared for my three joys. They have cleaned the house, pulled the weeds and folded the laundry. They have made hundreds of meals and done hundreds of dishes. They have clapped at little league games and wiped the tears away at dance recitals.

Next, I studied Grandma's hands. Her fingers, bent and weathered and yet somehow, she had the most beautiful hands of all. A lump formed in my throat and tears in my eyes as I imagined those hands, once small like Samantha's. How quickly the years pass and how her hands have evolved.

Grandma's hands have worked hard her entire life. She raised five sons and a daughter and now they all have children and grandchildren. How many skinned knees those hands have bandaged, how many story books they have held, how many birthday cards written and faithfully sent, how many cookies, popcorn balls, pies and rolls they lovingly made.

She had a garden like no one I know. Those sweet hands have grown most every kind of fruit and vegetable and then turned them into jams, juices, salsas and bottled goods. Although Grandma didn't have a fancy house, it was always clean and polished. The cookie jar usually full. For weddings and new babies a hand made quilt given. Can you imagine all the stitches?

Grandma has lived a life of service to others. She took care of her mother, her uncle, her sister in law and her brother in law. She set aside her own life as she lovingly took them into her home. When Grandpa became sick, she took care of him too. I remember seeing her hands gently wash and then curl Aunt Gladys' hair. More than once we walked in on Grandma giving Grandpa a haircut.

Grandma's hands are my example. They have spent over 90 years doing good and blessing the lives of others. Grandma's life is winding down. Her hands are slower than they used to be. One day, God will reach down and take her by the hand and lead her home.

Until that day comes, I am learning from Grandma. Being around her is good for my spirit. I smile at the way she takes Samantha's hand in her's and says. "This is the cutest baby boy I've ever seen!" and how she always finds a piece of candy to send home with us.

I hope that someday my hands will be old and worn out from loving, serving, and working hard. In short, a life well lived.

A Mean, but Funny Trick

Friends

I have a magnet on the fridge that says, "In the cookies of life, friends are the chocolate chips". How true that is. I am so thankful for good friends. I'm not talking about sisters or sisters in law or cousins, I mean the women in my life that have no blood or marital tie, but have been with me through the joys and occasional sorrows that make up life.

I have been blessed with good friends from the time I was young. Kirsten and Sarah were my BFFs growing up. People wondered how a set of three could get along so well. They are the ones who got me through my teenage years with never a temptation of trying alcohol or drugs. We did some crazy but harmless things. We grew up and went our different directions, but they remain in my heart.

As I look back now, I see how wonderful friends were placed in my path at the time I needed them. Tina and I were roomates while we waited for our missionaries. My friend, Trudy helped me get through my senior year of college. Shannon and Jodi are women I grew to love when we were newlyweds, just starting out.

I have so many special friends in our neighborhood. Roni is my running partner, confidant, and cheerleader. She cried with me when my dog died, she celebrated when Mark got a big promotion and she got me through four solid months of morning sickness. She is the big sister I always wanted. The day always goes better when I have a little dose of Roni.

Jenny and I have the same way of looking at things. Several times we have met at events wearing the same clothes. We pretty much agree on everything from parenting styles to vacations. Jenny was almost as happy as I was when we found out about Samantha. Typical Jenny: last week during a blizzard, she dropped off a beautiful tulip with a sweet card attached.

Mindy and Linda live across the street. Mindy has a heart of gold and I know I can call on her any time. Linda takes care of us. She is the one who waters my plants when we're out of town and she keeps us in fresh vegetables all summer long.

Michelle and Suzy are who I will call when I decide to get fashionable. Aimee is one who gets gets the job done (remember her name, she will probably be a mayor or a senator some day). Jen is far away now and I miss our long talks.

Jolynn has a Christlike heart, I admire the relationships she has with her husband and kids. Amy R. makes me want to do better, I love her example. Amy D. is a girlfriend that I love to hang out with. Tammy wins the ultimate nice person award.

Julie is a kindred spirit, I think we were friends before we came to earth. Heidi has the most positive attitude of anyone I know. Jana is quick and funny. Deborah and I will have a lot of fun watching our baby girls grow up together.

I hope these women know how much I love them. I wish I could take them all to lunch and tell them how I appreciate their kindness, their example and friendship. If I could, I would buy them a fancy lunch of their choice but for dessert, I would give them each a cookie, loaded with chocolate chips.

The Book of Mormon

Last weekend we finished reading The Book of Mormon again. It was our sixth time reading it together with the twins.

Before Lincoln and Rachel could read, we would look at pictures from the Book of Mormon and talk about the stories that went with them. We did this nearly every day from the time they turned two. When they started first grade, we began reading together before school each morning. The first time we read it cover to cover, it took us a solid year.

Some may wonder why we do this. Many years ago while preparing a church lesson I came across a quote by President Marion G. Romney that had a great effect on me. He said,

"I feel certain that if, in our homes, parents will read from the Book of Mormon prayerfully and regularly, both by themselves and with their children, the spirit of that great book will come to permeate our homes and all who dwell therein.

*The spirit of reverence will increase.

*Mutual respect and consideration for each other will grow.

*The spirit of contention will depart.

*Parents will counsel with their children in greater love and wisdom.

*Children will be more responsive and submissive to the counsel of their parents.

*Righteousness will increase.

Faith, hope and charity - the pure love of Christ - will abound in our homes and lives, bringing in their wake peace, joy and happiness."

I can testify that these things are true. I have tested this theory and it works! We have ups and downs like most families, but respect and consideration outweigh contention. Our children are obedient for the most part, and there is a continual feeling of peace and love in our home.

If you are not reading the scriptures daily with your family, I invite you to start. If you have never read this marvelous book, I invite you to learn more about it and other teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints by visiting lds.org

Girls' Day Out

What to do when the boys are spending the day at winter camp?

....Have a girls' day out!

First, get all dressed up. Wear a pink hat because it's a special occasion.

Next go shopping and spend a little more than you planned.

Then, go to lunch with your mom and sister. Talk about important girl things like school, dance, how you are going to decorate your room, and how old you have to be to tweeze your eyebrows.

Stop by Grandma's for a visit. After all, she's one of the girls too!

It's been a long day so head back home. Get a foot rub then paint your toes red.

Happy Valentine's From Little Cupid