What a difference a few years can make

Three years ago right after a tornado, no sleep and starting a new job.

A lot of friends find it funny that Penny and I have known each other since elementary school, active in the same activities in high school and even marched toghether in college and didn't have our first date until 2000. How quickly things can change. In 2001 we got engaged, married in 2002 and 10 months later in 2003 had our son James, 2004 Charles joined us, 2005 moved to clever and 51 weeks later was relocated to Nixa thanks to a tornado. Then in 2007 we moved back to Clever in a different house in a different location.
One other big change for me was having Gastric by-pass surgery in 2007. I was a borderline insulin dependent diabetic, I really probably should have been on insulin. Since the surgery in April of 2007 I have not taken any medication for anything other than sore muscles after thinking that I'm still 18, or a headache after the boys have decided that the house is too quiet.
I have lost 120 pounds and I am almost to my high school playing weight from my senior year. 50 more pounds to go to hit my goal. 10 more pounds and I will be under my senior year weight. Many of my friends after high school have never seen me at this weight and they are amazed.
Some people wonder why I talk about the surgery the way I do. First, it's the only surgery I have ever had. Did I pick a doozy or what? Also, this surgery has returned me to quality of life that I thought I would never achieve again. With two small boys I wanted to make sure that I am around to see them grow up, play ball with them, be able to catch them when they run from me because they are in trouble. :)
It does require a lifestyle change, but it is also a great kickstart to a healthier life. I am trying to find a good before and a good after picture to post and I will get them posted when I have them. The before pictures are hard to find because I avoided, and still try to, cameras.

God bless!
Eric
After: Today actually