I have been really absent as of late on the blogging. I feel like I'm just kind of living now, and sometimes don't even realize I have the sleeve anymore. Eating small portions, drinking fluids, having a snack here and there is all so "normal". I guess that's what I can call it because it's just the same thing day in and day out. I don't really have a lot to report on the sleeve journey.

In other news, we are still trying to conceive. I will start the ovulation monitor thing again because my charting was off. This fertility crap is confusing. I remember when I was paranoid about getting pregnant, and avoiding it all costs. Now, that I actually want it, it's not happening. But, such is life, and I'm trying to be patient. It just isn't working out so well.

John was promoted to his next rank. It's a big jump in pay, and we won't see it until next year because of how the AF promotes people, but hey we'll at least get it. Plus, this opens many, many doors for him in his career. We're both ecstatic to see what the future holds.

I'm also considering going to school. The military will actually pay for me to get an associates or a certification in portal, high demand career. I've been looking at pharmacy tech, or radiology tech. I'm not a fan of school, and have zero desire to go 4 years to get a BA/BS when I know so many people with degrees that are working outside of their field due to the craptastic economy. At least with pharmacy or radiology tech, I will be able to find a job fairly easily as I've been researching different options, in different areas of the country. I have to think "future" because we never know where the AF will send us. Honestly, it's just a crapshoot away for us to end up in Minot, ND, and I pray daily that we do not get sent there. I just have to be prepared and know that I have to choose a career path that will benefit us now, and in future. John will retire at the age of 38-40 from the AF. We've talked about what the future will hold. I want him to take off a couple of years, and finish out his Masters degree. He can play Mister Mom while I go back to work. I could do insurance, or something else based on the certification I get. With his retirement pay, and me working full time, we would be sitting pretty. I'll be in my mid-40s when he retires, and could easily support our family. Caysen will be in college or out on his own by this time, and God-willing, we'll have at least one more baby in the house. Can you tell I'm a planner? I know that one of my "faults" is over-analyzing or trying to plan too much. With the military, the best laid plans will be ripped right out from under your feet, and you have to start all over. I've learned this in the last 4 years, but it doesn't keep me from being somewhat prepared.

I am working on getting a blog set up on blogspot.com and I'll share the link when it's ready and I start blogging over there. It's not going to be about just the sleeve. It'll be my recipes that I tweak, life happenings, and some of writings/poetry tossed in there for good measure.

Life is good. At a year out, I can honestly say a lot has changed. But, thus far, it's all changed for the better.