I haven't blogged in two weeks. I've had plenty to blog about, but not much time (or motivation) to get it done. This post is to let you know that I am still here and to let you know that I have books on my nightstand. (I am sure the grandparents would rather see pictures of their grandkids. Sorry.)

I am currently reading Stuck in the Middle . It was free for the Nook, so I grabbed it. It's okay, but nothing fabulous.

Coming Up:

The Space Between Us by Thrity Umrigar: I am excited about this one. It's different than from my recent reads; I hope it will be a story that really pulls me in.

Dancing on Glass: A Novel by Pamela Ewen: This is an advance copy for review. The cover is beautiful, so I hope the story will be as well.

Beyond This Moment by Tamera Alexander: This is a library book for my Nook. I read the first book in this series, and I enjoyed it, so I hope this one will be as enjoyable.

The Complete Walt Disney World 2011 by Julie Neal: Yes, I can't get enough of WDW. No matter how many times I visit, I can go again. No matter how many books I read about it, I am ready for another.

I really have more books, but those are next in line. Head over the 5 Minutes for Books to see what others are reading!

Labels: Books

I have so many ideas for posts, but not much time to write. Here's a brief update on what I've been up to lately:

Two weeks ago, I started the GAPS program, which is a nutritional plan based on the Specific Carbohydrate Diet. The SCD was designed to heal the digestive system, and it has been proven to help a wide range of conditions from autoimmne diseases to autism. The more I learn, the more I am convinced that so many of the medical issues in our country are directly related to the food we eat. I highly recommend the book Gut and Psychology Syndrome if you are interested. The conditions listed on the cover are very serious, but don't be fooled. Most of us suffer in some way from the standard American diet (or we will), and the information in this book is invaluable. It is a pricey book, but worth every penny. (The link is actually for the GAPS book and a cookbook, but you can by both books separately as well.)

This diet is not easy. Basically (and this is a very simplistic version), I can't eat disaccharides, which means no sugar, no starch, no grains. I can have fruit because the sugars are monosaccharides. Thankfully, I don't have to cut out baked goods completely, but I have to make them using coconut flour or almond flour, and I use honey as a sweetener. I was able to make some muffins this week using coconut flour. The taste is a little different, but still satisfying!

I really can't believe that I am able to say that it has been TWO WEEKS since I have had SUGAR or GRAINS. The first two days were somewhat difficult (kind of like withdrawal), but it has gotten much easier. Almost immediately, my eczema started to disappear, and as of today, I can tell that my reflux is improving. I really believe that this is going to work, and that is a huge motivator. I am not doing this to lose weight, but I certainly don't mind that I have lost 5 pounds in the past two weeks as well. I hope to stick with this for at least six months (you are supposed to stay on it for at least six months after symptoms go away, so we'll see what happens). I'll keep you posted on my progress!

In other news, I will be installed as the 2011-2012 PTA president for my kids' school on Tuesday. Am I crazy? Probably. BUT, I am going to be co-president with a good friend, and we have a great group of ladies to work with. It will be a huge job, but it will be fun, and I am excited to play such an active role at the school.

Both the kids are playing ball, and I admit that I enjoy it as much as they do. I love spending time at the ballpark and watching them. Oreo attended her first game of the season on Sunday afternoon, and I think she loves baseball games as well. I guess it runs in our family.

That's what's going on with me in a nutshell. Hopefully, I will have time to post again soon!

Labels: Me

Thanks to other mothers, I was able to get a few pics from my kids' opening weekends. In the softball picture at the bottom, everyone is saying "Go Boom!" My Best Girl is standing with her mouth wide open in front of the female coach. In the team baseball photo, my Favorite Boy is on the bottom right. Be sure to check out the white pants. Only someone who is not responsible for laundry would choose those. :)

Labels: My Best Girl, My Favorite Boy

It's been crazy around here the last week. I guess it's always a whirlwind when you return from a vacation. My husband and son, however, didn't stay home for long. They left Friday afternoon for my Favorite Boy's first baseball tournament of the season. The tournament was in Jackson, Tennessee (about two hours away), and they enjoyed a full-filled weekend at a hotel with the rest of the team. My Favorite Boy's team won their division, so I hope to get one of the other moms to email me some pictures of the boys and their trophies.

My Best Girl and I stayed home because she had her first softball game on Saturday. She enjoyed it, and I couldn't believe how much she has learned since her first season last fall. The change was obvious, particularly in the field (she spent most of last fall playing in the dirt, so her active participation in the field is noticeable). :)

My Best Girl and I also took Oreo to the park for the first time this weekend. It was a beautiful day, so the park was filled with people and pets. Oreo was SO excited when we got there, and she enjoyed every minute of our two-hour stay. I am so excited that spring is here, and I am looking forward to all of us spending more time outside, whether that time is in our yard, at a park, or at a ball field!

Labels: My Best Girl, My Favorite Boy