All hail the graduate!

Well, it's official. Natalie has graduated from preschool. I will be the mother of a Kindergartener in just a few short months, and Bea will be in preschool herself.

The graduation ceremony was very cute. The preschoolers marched up onto the stage to "The Ants go marching one by one, hurrah, hurrah...." Then Ms. Samantha led all the kids in singing some of the songs they've been singing this year, including "It's a Small World," which stayed in my head for two days. Natalie absolutley loved being on the stage (shocker) and sang along to all the songs and did all the hand moments. She stared at us the whole time with a big smile on her face.

The microphone was passed to all the students so that they could introduce themselves. I was impressed with how clearly Natalie spoke into the microphone. "My name is Natalie Louise Fear and I am four years old and next year I will be in kindergarten." Then Samantha handed out the graduation certificates. We clapped wildly for Natalie and it was obvious that she was very proud of herself.

Next year Beatrice will be in the same preschool and I'm sure she'll get as much out of it as Natalie has. Hopefully I will be at home by then, so I will be the one volunteering in the classroom. I know Jay has enjoyed volunteering because he was able to spend more time with Natalie as well as have a more intimate knowledge of what's happening at school. I will be happy to have that same opportunity.

The rest of our lives are moving along smoothly. Beatrice is growing and learning every day and both girls are very excited to take dance classes in July. Dexter is also growing like a weed. He's still in 3-6 month clothes but I won't be surprised if he grows out of them soon. He is usually a happy baby and my favorite part of the day is coming home from work and being created by his smiles and by big hugs from my girls.

Next up: Natalie's birthday and Jay & I's 6th anniversary! Time really is flying...

Finally an update!

Hi everyone! Yes, yes, I know we've been total slackers at writing since our "30 days" experiment ended, but here we are now, isn't that all that matters?

We've had a lot going on. Dexter is 8+ weeks now and he's sleeping through the night (knock on wood) and smiling a lot, as you can see. I can't decide who he looks like, although most people say he's a "mini Jay." I think he looks a lot like Natalie did when she was a baby, but when he smiles he looks an awful lot like Bea.

In the beginning of May both girls got their hair cut for the summer by Auntie Jen. It was Bea's first haircut and she wasn't so sure about it, but both girls ended up looking very sweet. I tell ya, it is a blessing to have a hairdresser in the family!

Beatrice (a.k.a. The Blond Bomber) had her third birthday in May. Man, time sure does fly, especially when you have kids. I know everyone says that but it is true. Anyway, all Bea wanted for her birthday was a purple cake and a Larry Boy toy, so that's what she got. I'm glad she's relatively easy to please. Of course, that will probably change as soon as she turns 13, but I'm trying not to think that far ahead.

Natalie is doing well and will celebrate her 5th birthday in a few weeks. She also graduates from preschool on Tuesday. She has truly enjoyed her preschool and I know she will miss it, but she is also really looking forward to kindergarten. We've discovered something about Natalie in the last few weeks... she is an extremely gifted hula-hooper. I know that comes as no surprise, given the astounding hula-hooping genes she's inherited from both sides, but I'm serious... if there was hula-hooping in the Olympics, I'd be the mother of a gold medalist. ("I think she gets it from me.")

Let's see, what else has been going on? Well, we blessed Dexter on May 20th, and that was wonderful. He was quiet during the blessing, which was a bonus. We had several people there to celebrate with us: Jay's mom Betsy, my mom Louise and her boyfriend Roy, our friends the Hartley's, and our friends the Sihler's. It was so nice to have everyone there to share the special day with us.

As far as Jay & I go, we are doing great. We are still waiting on the official word regarding Jay's acceptance into the CHP academy, but it looks pretty good. He should go in the academy in October. The great thing about that is that his close friend Craig will be going to the academy in October as well. It will be fantastic for them to be there to support one another. Not to mention they will probably have plenty of opportunities to continue their ongoing friendly basketball rivalry. Jay currently holds the championship... yeah, that's for you Janet!!

I am back at work after a wonderful 8 week maternity leave. Work is... well, I can't say what I really think in case I'm being monitored. :o) But, in general, life is great. We are very happy and we are looking forward to a nice summer together. Hopefully we don't fry ourselves in this oven we call a house. If you don't hear from us by August, you'll know what happened...

My Friends....I have officially fallen off the proverbial horse

It was a crisp Monday morning. 13 days into my no sugar/flour days. I was out early helping my brother move some of his stuff to a storage unit. I hadn't been to Monterey for a long time. We were done early so we decided to drive around and check out my old Pacific Grove stomping grounds. We were heading up Highway 68 to leave PG when I saw it.... It was my old favorite place to stop and get breakfast on my way to work. The wonderful smelling Bagel Bakery. I remembered all the times I had spent with a pastrami and cheese melt that they make and all the fresh bagels with a little bit of strawberry cream cheese. (Ya I know I am weird)
Right at that moment my brother (In his defense he knew nothing of my 30 day goal) said I'm kind of hungry do you want to stop and get something? I said to myself I'm sure they've got something without sugar or flour. (ya right) Sprouted wheat bagels anyone? Needless to say I caved. Without a mention of my 30 day plans I walked in there and ordered my pastrami and cheese melt! (They were lucky they still had one left. It could have gotten ugly.)
It was just as good as I remember it, but was it worth it? In a word NO!!! That moment sent me careening into the sugar/flour pit of despair. We went to the movies and I had candy. I ate pizza at work on Friday. Bea had some good B-day cake. Man I was frustrated.
13 Days! That is all I could do. For those 13 days I have gained a new appreciation for those who suffer from addiction. Whether it be cigarettes, alcohol, hookah, the reefer :o) - it doesn't matter. It is very difficult to quit something you love doing. I would find myself thinking of ways to cheat. Ways to sneak away from Amy and get candy. Not that Amy would get mad or anything, it just made me feel like I needed to be hiding. I know this sounds silly but it is true. I felt like an addict trying to find my next fix.
I have in the past been very critical of those who were addicted to something. I thought "hey what is your problem just quit" I learned in 13 days it isn't that easy.
As far as the rest of the 30 days I am back to eating right. I am going to focus on my exercise and getting ready for the academy.

Well, it happened...

We missed a day reading our scriptures. We had been doing so well until one night this past week when we both feel asleep watching a yawner of a movie. When we woke up on the couch we both immediately went to bed and forgot all about reading. *Sigh* We got right back on track the next day but I am a little disappointed that I won't have 100% perfect attendance, as it were.

Incidentally, if you're ever having a hard time falling asleep, just rent The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill and Came Down a Mountain.

Dexter's announcement

Pretty cute, if I do say so myself...

How's everyone doing?

Today is day 6 of 30. Things are going well. Jay is staying strong. He has found solace in corn chips, which contain neither flour nor sugar. He's not eating them by the bagful or anything, but it is a little bright spot in his otherwise snack-free life.

My scripture study with Jay is moving along smoothly. We haven't missed a day yet! (Although admittedly we're falling shy of 5 pages a day.) Studying the scriptures this past week really prepared me for church today. I felt more in tune with the Spirit and was better able to understand what was being taught in class, etc. I am definitely motivated to continue with our studying. I am hoping that one of the benefits I receive from this is an increased measure of patience. Hasn't happened yet, but I'm hopeful...

How is everyone else doing on their 30 day goals? I hope that everyone is staying strong! Feel free to write us (or post a comment) to let us know how you're doing! We want to hear from you!

Man this is hard!

It is day 3 of my 30 days of no sugar no flour. This is a lot more difficult than I thought it would be. You never realize how much stuff we eat that has flour or sugar. You know things like Snickers, Reese's, M&M's, Bagels, Sourdough bread, English muffins, Cake, and Peanut Butter Capt'n Crunch, Etc...... All the good stuff.....so it would seem.

I am also having "mood" cravings. IE the girls are fighting or whining and I immediately want to turn to something sweet, and sugar free sour mints don't quite do the trick like a bag of Reese's peanut butter cups would.

I am proud of myself though. I have had many opportunities to eat junk. On Day one I had to go back to work at Domino's.(I deliver pizzas a few nights a week for extra cash) That was not fun. When I got to work my boss offered me some Cinnastixs that he had recently made. Oh man they smelled good. Later that night he asked me if I was going to make a pizza. I had to say no but man it sounded good. The smell of all of it was tempting but I stayed the course.

On day 2 the girls were restless and wanted to get out. Bea had done the deuce on the potty so we had to get her a reward. So we combined the two and went out for ice cream and crepes at a place nearby. The girls just got Ice cream, Amy got a strawberry crepe, and I got a diet 7up. I again stayed the course. It was hard but it is worth it.

I also was suffering from a bad headache on day 2. I remember a similar feeling when I stopped drinking caffeine in high school. Nothing a few Aleve couldn't take care of.

I have enjoyed the food I can eat. I have had home made tacos(corn tortillas only), brown rice pasta and sauce, tuna salad on sprouted wheat bread(in every other state this is called coardboard but thanks to Hippies in California we now can consume it) I also eat eggs and lots of fruit.

I'm feeling a lot better today. To quote Sheridan Whiteside "My headache is gone with the wind" Things don't seem to be as tempting as they were two days ago. I hope that will be the case the rest of the way.

Day 1 & 2 (Amy's Thoughts)

Amy's thoughts (Day 1)
Jay has done well with eating no sugar and no flour. I haven't noticed much difference in his temper as he comes off the sugar, but we'll see what happens over the next few days. *wink* I know working tonight (he delivers pizzas part-time) will be a challenge, but I'm certain he can overcome it.

We also started studying the scriptures as a couple today. We decided to read the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke & John in the New Testament). We use the LDS (Latter-Day Saint) King James version of the Bible. We read 5 pages today. One of the benefits of being on maternity leave is that we were able to read during the day, which eliminates the "falling asleep" factor that tends to happen to me when I read my scriptures at night. Don't get me wrong, it's not the content that puts me to sleep... I fall asleep reading anything at night.

Amy's thoughts (Day 2)
Today we continued studying the scriptures together but we read late at night, after we had put Dexter to sleep. I almost forgot about our goal, but I'm glad I didn't! We started where we had left off and read the Sermon on the Mount as recorded in Matthew. We read 2 chapters, and they are two of my favorite chapters in all of the New Testament. I was struck when I read "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matt 6:33) Am I doing that? Am I putting the Lord first in my life? It has definitely given me something to think about...

As far as Jay is doing, I think he is doing well. When he has time to post I'm sure he'll have more insight, but he has stuck to his "no sugar or flour" goal for two days, even while the girls and I had dessert at Banana Crepe in Japantown. (Going there was his suggestion by the way... I wouldn't be that cruel to tempt him like that! He wanted to reward Bea for continuing to um... go #2 on the potty.) Anyway, on Day 2 Jay was a little grumpier and had a sugar-withdrawal headache, but I'm sure his body will adjust soon. He definitely has more will power than I have.