Good Evening, Just got Alex packed for her first day of Fifth grade tomorrow. She has been waiting all summer for this day. Each day she said I wish school was starting. Where does the time go? She also thinks Iowa as her home. It has not even been a year yet and she gets homesick, or asks can we stay here until atleast I graduate.

I have reached the mid-20's now, losing 68 pounds since Jan 24th. I have about 50 more to lose to be where the doctor wants and about 80 to be where I want. We will see. I have pushed through tough pain with foot but well worth it. I try to walk 5-7 miles a day with some being none due to the pain. I am very thankful to Sarah for helping motivate me and sometimes having me tag along with her. I appreciate her walking my speed so I have company. She is doing great as well.

I am traveling the next few weekends then hope to finally be home and go to my church and just relax. I enjoy driving but there is also a time to just be home and not have craziness around you.

Be praying for my friend Gregg and his family as they still struggle with his heart condition and also financially. Another friend has a sinus infection that seems to be staying too. The pastor I worked under back home his son is in hospital due to serious infection to colon so keep him in your prayers. Continue to pray for my cousin's family as they are grieving the loss of Barb.

What a summer it has been. God has provided for Alex and I and we are doing well. Even though hours got cut at work, the front of store has helped us out and also picking up at other stores too. I have still been able to get my 40 hours a week unless I take off extra time to travel with Alex for her visits back home. She has been to 2 church camps and now off visiting grandma and grandpa in Indiana. I have walked 30 miles in the last 5 days and as long as I keep on my medication for foot my injury seems to keep up with the workout. In December I weighed nearly 300 pounds and now I am almost to the 20's. Some keep saying I am not eating but I am. I just am not hungry like I used to be. I eat very little. I am happy again and living life. In two weeks I will be taking motorcycle lessons. Just something I have always wanted to do and finally getting the guts to do it. Still debating if I will buy one to ride or not but until then I will be content in learning and riding on ones with friends. I have also come to the conclusion that I don't want another child, but want companionship. I miss just sitting with someone just talking, playing games, watching a movie or even going for a walk. Iowa is our home now and feels like home to both of us. I have great friends out here which I am thankful for. One is family but seems more of a close friend than a relative. I love God so much! Just wish I wouldn't turn to my own desires first alot of times. School starts in 3 weeks (Aug 18th) I can't believe she is in 5th grade. Before I know it she will be off to live her own life. Then what will I do? Hope you are doing well.

Good early morning, I am doing well. This week has been difficult to a point. Monday I was off due to switching another so he could go to his mothers for mothers day. I found out I didn't like days off during week while Alex is in school as the day was lonely. Wednesday, I saw the vein doctor and found out I have circulation and no blodclots so back to no idea what is causing the swelling and pain to foot. Thurs. had to deal with some things that was not pleasant. Friday, I spent the day working then two movies then to walk on treadmill to just appease my lonliness. Alex was at a friends house for the night. It has rained for a week now and finally yesterday and today the sun came out. I haven't slept much this week. Usually I don't get a restful night once or twice a week but this past one seemed like every night was sleepless. Again, it is 3am and I am awake. I get about 3 hours in a night and was thankful to have Saturday morning to sleep in so I got 6 hours. Today I took it easy as I didn't want to overdue my foot as I did work it Friday. It was nice to go do errands with Sarah. I agree with her it is so much more fun to do it together. I actually even got some lunch items while going with her. I am so thankful God has blessed this friendship with her, started out rocky but the rockiness when worked through builds stronger foundations. I am thankful for the friends and people God has put in my life to help make life better. I would be on here for days and it would be a novel if I would list all and how they are special to me. Just know that I hold all of you dearly and close to my heart and pray for you often. God has truly turned a bad thing into greatness. Thank you God and I am forever grateful.