Update Pic!

Here I am 76 lbs lighter. Feeling great!

Loving IT!!

Wow! It has been six weeks since my surgery and I can't believe it! I have lost 50 lbs so far and am feeling fantastic. Man things have changed so much, but are all for the good:) I am able to wear clothes that I haven't been able to wear in probably three to five years.......unbelievable! I now eat to live, instead of live to eat which I never thought was possible. I love the feeling of not being hungry.

It is truly amazing what this procedure can do for a person (if and only if they follow the doctor's orders!!!). If I had it to do all over again, I would do it over and over. I am so thankful for all of my family and friends that have supported me though all of this. Most of all I thank God for keeping his hand on me from day one, he has brought me though it all!!

Love to all!

12 Days & Counting!

Well, today I had my last pre-op visit with the surgeon and everything is good to go. I am still excited, and haven't really worried about things as of yet, but I'm sure I will as the days get closer. I personally can't believe it's only 12 days away. Wow how time has flown by. I am however going to enjoy food for the next 10 days. Someone told me I should create a "bucket list" so to speak of the things I want to eat the most and make sure I have them before my surgery. I've kind of been doing that just from memory. Some of those include Japanese, Red Lobster, Full Moon, Zaxby's, Mexican, and much more! Surprisingly, according to the scale at the doctor's office today, I haven't gained any weight in the past two months which is good.

Anyway, enough for tonight. Talk to you again soon!

Major Change In My Life!!!

Wow! Has it really been almost a year since I last posted?!?!?! Well, I am bound and determined to continue updates regularly now. This is where I will be placing updates going forward regarding my up coming surgery. The main reason for this is 1. I don't want everyone on Facebook to know the personal details of my life and 2. this is a great way to let everyone know what's going one without having to send out fifty emails. So, here it goes!

At the beginning of 2008 I decided that something had to be done about my continuous weight gain. Being sick all the time for different reasons has not been fun. I had been going back and forth with different options, and honestly didn't want to do anything drastic. However, after several sick spells and doctors visits I knew that something had to be done. I started seeing my primary care physician in Dec 2008 and we began discussing what my options were and what would be best for me. She is not crazy about the Weight Loss Surgeries (WLS), but after working with me for as long as she has, she felt like this would benefit me greatly. Because she knew the basic reqiurements of BC&BS, we started the 6 month supervised diet plan in order for me to qualify for Gastric By-Pass. (Side Note: That technically began last March, but I would get nervous or scared and skip a month, thus having to starting the process all over again.) Finally I made my mind up to follow through with all the visits regardless of whether or not I had the surgery.

In March of this year, I went to the initial consultation with Dr Ronald Clements at UAB. I personally knew someone who had the surgery done by Dr Clements and found out that he is one of the leading physicians in Bariatric Surgery, and is known nation wide. The visit went well and I was more than confident after his presentation and in seeing how thorough he was with each patient. I still continued to pray about all things involved and I prayed that God's will be done. Not mine but HIS! I am a firm believer that what happens, happens for a reason. There is no such thing as coincidence. I prayed that if it wasn't meant for me to have the surgery, that God would prevent it.

Every test, trial and application was passed with NO issues, not one. On June 3, 2009I learned that my insurance had approved the surgery! My surgery date is scheduled for July 29th, and I am ready to face the task at hand. So in less than 50 days my life is going to change dramatically. I ask that all my friends and family pray for me as many times as God lays on your heart. Pray specifically for a successful procedure and most of all for the doctor performing the surgery. I have learned that Dr. Clements is a very good Christian man and firmly believes in prayer. Pray that this change in my life will bring Glory to God, because after all that is what we as Christians should do in ALL things. Pray for Lee and Madi. This is going to be a huge change for the them as well and I'm sure it will cause tension at certain times. Pray that God guides me when dealing with those issues. Pray that I will be understanding and that my thoughts will always remain positive.

So going forward, I will be posting out here IF you want to know what's going on with me and my new adventure. I will respond to your emails & questions at anytime, so please don't stop that just because I've started this posting.

I love you all and thank you for being so supportive of me no matter what. You will never know how much it means to me!

Soli Deo Gloria, Glory to God Alone!

Dizzy Dean World Series Softball 2008

Madi was invited by the 10 year old Hayden All Stars team to play in the world series tournament in Southhaven Mississippi. That is where I am typing this blog from right now. Madi left on Thursday with her coach from the regular season and they had opening ceremonies at an amphitheater that night. The parade and all other outdoor activites for that night were rained out. They had a dinner for the girls and coaches only, and they swapped pins and goodies alike with other teams from all over the southeast. Needless to say, Madi was in awe for the first couple of days.

At 11am on Friday they played their first game, unfortuneatly they lost 7-1. Because they lost they played this afternoon at 12. They lost that one. The had the next game at 4pm. And again.....they lost. Our team's defense was INCREDIBLE, however the bats just were not there today. I don't know what happened to them. I was however extremely proud of my little girl, as she was the only one who got a hit in every game. Go Madi!!!!!!!!!!!

We drove up this morning and were able to catch both games and spend the day in the blistering sun. Wow was it HOT!! Thanks to Bubba and Mandi, we had a tent to setup and man was it wonderful. I don't know what we would have done without it.

Here are some pictures of Madi and her teammates during the Dizzey Dean World Series 2008. Go Wildcats!!!!

Our Trip To Atlanta

Well, what can I say. We absolutely love Atlanta!!!! This trip was sort of a get away for Lee and I and we have really enjoyed ourselves. The main reason for this trip was for Lee to get his new Tattoo, and these are the pictures. The guy doing Lee's Tattoo is Sean. We met him in Birmingham about four or five years ago when he did Madi's portrait. So Lee doesn't want anyone else to do them now. So, since Sean moved to Smyrna, that is where we go! Sean is a awesome artist and he always does a great job! Needless to say Lee is very pleased.

FYI: Just in case anyone doesn't know what it is, it's a Koi fish.

Happy Easter

Easter has to be one of my most favorite holidays. All the different types of candy, hiding the eggs, and most of all our risen Savior and King, Jesus!!! I just get so excited when thinking about what happened at the tomb that day. We have been singing and practicing one of my favorite songs for Sunday, Arise My Love. Just listening to the words of that song pumps me up!!! Man....if that song don't light your fire, then your wood is wet!!!

I absolutely love this little picture and though it has nothing to do with the true meaning of Easter, it is so funny to me. God bless and I love you!!!