I sit here on a Sunday morning with my SF, LF soy latte in hand and listen to the birds outside.  My family is gone for the week so I have the house all to myself and I've taken this time to reflect.  To reflect on my life, my family, and my WLS journey.  In the hustle and bustle of everyday activities I think I take for granted the wonderful things in my life and instead focus on how much I have to do and how many people I have to take care of.

Yes, this is going to be one of those deep, meaningful posts...

My husband...He is by far the most wonderful man on the planet.  Sorry gals, but I've got him and I'll never let him go.  Of course he has his flaws...I didn't say he's perfect.  But wonderful - yes.  He's the kind of man who helps lost dogs and stops to help ladies with car trouble.  He'll spend hours talking with elderly folks who don't have anyone else to talk to.  He loves to spend time with his family and goes out of his way to make sure that our daughter always has the best experiences possible. He loves me, respects me, and is my best friend. 

My daughter...she's the oldest 6 year-old I know!  She is beautiful, smart, and kind. She has her daddy's good nature and she is so logical sometimes that it's scary.  She gets mad at me if I find a lizard in the house and bring the cat to get it for me...she says "mom, he only wants to go to his family - just catch him and put him outside..."  She has a soft spot for animals.  She is definitely going to go places in her life - hopefully we can give her the confidence and foundation to do whatever it is she decides to do.

My sister...she's 3 years younger than me but we've been told we look like twins. She is always there for me and always seems to understand me.  Sometimes I feel like she's the older sister because she calms me down and brings me back down to earth just when I need it. She had RNY 4 years before me and she is my role model.  My goal was to be successful...like her.

My sister-in-law...for whatever crazy reason she married my brother.  I love her to death and I can't imagine life without her.  She's the nostalgic one that loves to look at baby pictures and scrapbooks and helps remind me where I came from. She is starting her WLS journey and I only hope that I've been an inspiration and a positive role model for her as my sister was for me.

My friend Moni...she performed my surgery. Normally she assists the surgeon, but he pretty much let her do my case and he assisted her - LOL! She has been my friend since PA school and she is my confidant and my voice of reason.  Even with the turmoil in her life...she is always there for me and would come if I called at 2 o'clock in the morning.

My friend "Susie"... I'm usually quite introverted and don't make friends easily.  But I met Susie on OH and we just clicked.  I feel like I've known her my whole life and like we've been bff's forver.  We understand each other and spending time with her always feels like a vacation.

The point is...I've got some very wonderful people in my life and I don't ever want to take them for granted.

Me... Not only do I have wonderful people around me but I feel that in all other areas of my life I'm successful as well.  I am a Physician Assistant and have a wonderful job where I'm well respected and appreciated. I'm in the process of starting up a side business doing metabolic testing for weight loss/weight management. I own 3 homes.  I say these things not to brag, but to tell myself how good I've got it.  Like I said - things get so hectic that I forget to see what I have and to take time to appreciate what I have.

My WLS journey has been essentially uneventful but successful.  That's a good thing!  No complications other than occasional dumping.  I take my vitamins religiously and I still meticulously track all my intake.  I had plastic surgery on 8/13/08 with Dr. Quiroz in Tijuana Mexico and it was a wonderful experience.  I'll have to write a separate post about that, but I'm very happy with the results.  I had a lower body lift and a breast augmentation.

My husband teases me that my new hobby is being thin.  It's sort of funny but sort of makes me sad too...I don't really want that to be a "hobby" but I never want to be fat and unhealthy again so out of necessity...I guess it is my hobby.

I've been away from the gym for a while because of plastic surgery but I plan on going back in another week.  I think I'm ready and I'm actually looking forward to it.

Overall I'm extremely happy.  My health is the best it's been my entire adult life and I wake up every morning feeling like I have a new lease on life.

Life is what happens while you're making other plans...