Hi family!

I know, long time no see. I just have a few minutes but will set aside some time tomorrow to read through everyone's posts to try to catch up on your lives. I've been living life and LOVING it. I had forgotten how exciting and energizing it is to interact with people, even strangers, and not feel completely inept and unworthy of eye contact so I have been do that. A lot! I talk to everybody and have gotten myself knee deep in activities at my children's school and such. I continue to work out 5 days a week on the elliptical (45 min or so on level 17) and weights. The gym is my home away from home and I love it as well as the good friends I've made there. My husband and I are leaving in a week and a half to go to New England for our 10 year anniversary honeymoon! What a time we'll have and if I think about it too much I'll get weepy at what I could have missed out on had I not had Dr. Clark to take me on. He will never know how pivotal he was in the lives of myself and my family. Beyond words. I'm going to hike through the mountains with my husband in hand and my heart will feel so thankful. I've updated my pics but they're so out of order. Anybody know how to switch them around without erasing and starting again? I'm weighing in at 204 now and am awestruck that I can even be in the same ballpark as 200 lbs. I honestly didn't think it was possible for me. My love to you all!

Lauren, you look wonderful. You sound wonderful. In fact, I'm thinking that you ARE wonderful! Congratulations on living such a happy and full life. Everything is possible. You are proof of that! Enjoy every moment and thanks for stopping in to give us an update. Hugs, Stephanie

Oh thank you sweetheart. I feel like I have so much catching up to do that I am literally on the go all day while my babies are at school. I just love it! Before, it was normal to not leave the house all week because of how winded I would get just walking so now I feel like the world is my oyster. As Rick says, life is good.

Lauren, I am so glad that you have found contentment and true happiness with the new you. Your life is so much better now because of the changes you have made. I understand what you mean about mourning for the "way things could have been". I have been having trouble with that myself lately. Congratulation on your success and living your new life. TAke care, Rick

And speaking of Rick, hello friend! All of us have been given a great opportunity to turn our lives around and sometimes it's hard to handle the gratefulness and magnitude of it all. It seems to be the small things that hit me hardest like spending a morning picking up little pieces of trash at the elementary school. Two years ago I could barely walk into the building for a teacher conference without gasping for breath and resting on a bench. Rick, congratulations on your successes and new life as well. I am very proud of you and all of the Marchers.

Hey, are you talking about me? You are close, I used to say life is good, now I say "Life is great" and I mead it to. I too, am proud of all of us "Marcher's" Rick