What Will They Say?

It has been a really rough week. 2 Funerals and my husband was out of town for the weekend for work. The husband being out of town was not the hardest part, but when you add that to going to a funeral by yourself, its 10 times harder. The first was for a family friend/relative. Technically we are related, but its distant. This is a person, that as a little girl, I spent many summers in their pool and knew well through church. He was the husband to my grandmother's best friend and the father to my mother's best friend. He was the grandfather to one of my longest friends. I am guessing you are seeing the trend here. This was not just a distant relative... we were intertwined.

The second funeral was for a very special woman. This is the woman who was the mother of my mom's absolute dearest friend. This was the most Godly woman I have ever known in my lifetime. She had the best heart and an amazing spirit. I have known her my entire life, I'm sure she is one of those people that held me in the hospital. She lead me through a lot of my relationship with God as well.

Going to these 2 funerals in one week, has made me start thinking. If I were to die today, what would people say about me? This has prompted my "New Years Resolution" for 2012. My resolution is to be a better person. I want to be a better Christian, wife, sister, daughter, aunt and friend. I want to give back more to the community. During college this was one of my greatest joys. WSO showed me I had a love for helping those in need. I may not have all the money to donate to causes, but I can help in other ways such as just donating my time. So, this is my goal for 2012. To just be a better overall person. To love others and to love myself. To not worry so much, take care of myself and my amazing family. Both funerals I went to this weekend were for 2 amazing people that led amazing lives. They both had full lives and were "ready" to go if there is such a thing. Saying that, doesn't make it any easier for those left here to be without them. I will miss seeing them at church or certain functions, but I have amazing memories of them and I will hold them in my heart.

I would like to take this time to brag on my amazing husband. He is a 5th grade teacher and has an amazing ability to reach these children. Not one student in his 4 years of teaching has failed a standardized test. That being said, he was asked by his prinicpal to attend an award convention for something to school won. There are only 2 schools in the state of Texas that won this award and Danny's school was one of them. The principal asked him to attend this convention because "of everything he has done for the school, it only seems right for him to take part." I could not be more proud of my husband. He is an AMAZING teacher and these kids absolutely adore him. They look up to him. He is such a great man for so many different reasons. I'm just so proud.

Last but definitely not least, the above picture is the newest addition to the Hulshult family. Meet Millie! She is a black lab pup that is making her way into our home this upcoming Wednesday. I'm a little nervous about how Mackenzie will handle this since she has been an "only dog" for 8 years, but she has met many new dogs that she now gets along with. I know she will be mad and probably do some things to don't make me happy, but I have faith that eventually...she will learn to love her new sister. I'M SO EXCITED!

Tis the Season!

Welp, Its that time of year again kids. Time for Christmas lights, baking, ornament exchanges and holiday parties. Unfortunately for me and my family, its also a time of rememberance for Bud. I think my last post was actually about him on his birthday, ironic I guess. Bud passed away on December 27th when I was 21 years old. Right in front of me. In previous years this hasn't been as difficult, but given some extenuating circumstances, I'm feeling it a little bit more this year. I have been married for over a year now, I have this amazing man that I love more every single day and it still breaks my heart that they never met. I still sometimes think that Bud had something huge to do with the timing and me meeting Danny. I can't help but think it. Whenever I envisioned who I would end up in this life, it was always someone a lot like Mr. Smith. Danny proves to me daily that he is so much like him. I dont want this post to be so sad and dreary, but I did need to let a little of this saddness out. I miss him everyday.

On a second note: I dont think I've done an update since reaching my "goal weight". With that being said, holidays are impossible! With as much as I love to cook and bake, Im making it more difficult on myself. Lets see, what else has happened since my last post.

Miss Alicia got married. Its still weird for me to say her "husband" at times. I could not be happier for them and more relieved that my toast at the reception is over with. I was shaking like a leaf.

I went to visit a friend in Austin. That was a great time and all we did was shop and hang out. Didn't go out at all...which is surprising for Austin, TX.

I hosted my very first thanksgiving dinner at my home. I managed to make a beautiful turkey and some of the trimmings. I was SO stressed about that, I can't even explain it to you. Not to mention that my entire family was coming. Both sets of parents including my dad. I was so happy he came!

I have hosted my 5th annual ladies xmas brunch with my mom. I can't believe we have done this 5 times now. It was a pretty good turn out. I hope all the ladies had as much fun as I did.

I guess thats all I have for now. I'm doing my best to keep my emotions at bay and not let them get the best of me. I have to remember that he is always with me, even if I can't see him.

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and a very Blessed 2012!

Love you!

August 15, 1946

Ok this date, Harbert Smith Jr. was welcomed into this world. What an amazing man he proved to be. A man with so much love in his heart for others that is still astonishes me today. I was so very blessed to have had him as my stepfather for almost 9 years before he passed away. How truly lucky am I to have known him. There are many times when I miss him and wish he was here to see what my life has become, or how I wish that he would be here for my future children, because I know there is nothing that would have made him happier. I love him and miss him still and seeing as yesterday was his birthday, it only seems right to think of him a little more and share a little with you, whoever you are that reads this. With always the best stories and a way of talking to me like no one else could at the time, he was a best friend, an AMAZING parent and someone that I will always hold very closely in my heart.

To "My Bud", as I used to call him,....I love you always and you are always with me.

I am seriously missing someone today....

So...its been a while!

Hey there folks! I haven't posted on here in quite some time as you can tell. Lets see, what has changed.

1. Left QVL. - It was a beautiful romantic story but when it came right down to it...horrible fit for me

2. Started at MGM - Love it..couldn't be happier..and i have a 15 minute commute. Not too shabby.

3. I am now 6 lbs away from my original goal weight. This is very exciting for me. I'm wearing items I haven't been able to even think about wearing since college.

4. The hubs and I have almost been married for 1 year. It is insane to me how quickly time has flown by. We are planning a trip for our anny and its going to be absolutely amazing! I can't wait!

As it is coming up on June and half way through the year, lets look back at the new years resolutions.

#1: to lose weight...so far so good on this one. Weight Watchers is an amazing tool and I have definitely revamped my entire lifestyle.

#2: Worry less: I think I'm doing pretty well on this one.

#3: This is the last one: to find a church and actually start going. The first move has happened though. The boy has mentioned that he's started to get ready to start looking for our church home. This made me SO happy! So...I feel like we are in a good place on this one.

One Word

1)Where is your cell phone? on the charger next to me

2)Your hair? Brunette

3)Your mother? Strong

4)Your father? Rangers

5)Your favorite thing? punkin

6)Your dream last night? no clue

7)Your favorite drink? sweet tea

8)Your dream / goal? to be happy

9)What room are you in? office at work

10)Your hobby? working out?

11)Your biggest fear? losing someone i love

12)Where were you last night? Xd2

13)Something that you're not? confrontational

14)Muffins? Blueberry

15)Wish list item? no idea

16)Last thing you did? post on my WW message board

17)What are you wearing? dress

18)Friends? Amazing!

19)Your mood? Happy

20)Drinking? water

21)Your car? Maxine

22)Something you're not wearing? earrings

23)Your favorite home goods store? kirklands?

24)Your Favorite Color? Purple

25)Your favorite place to eat? Taste of italy

26)Favorite place I would like to be right now? Home with Danny

11 Pounds to Goal!

Good Morning! Can I just say that I am super excited after yesterday's weigh in. I definitely thought I was about to hit a plateau but I lost 3 more pounds. I am only 11 pounds away from my goal weight! I couldn't be more excited. I can definitely tell a difference in my body all over now. I'm hoping the pounds keep coming off at this rate!

On a different note: I'm assuming the drama at my mom's house has calmed down a little bit. I haven't seen my stepdad since everything happened and I'm pretty much ok with it. My brother seems to be afraid of him and I think that is a healthy fear. I would be too. He is not a small man. Mom says that at dinner this past week there was a little tension but nothing crazy happened which is good.

Kyle, Stephanie and Izzy came over on Saturday night. That might have been the 2nd highlight of my weekend. Isabelle has gotten so big and she is just so adorable. She is a little ball of personality when she is around people she feels comfortable with. Not to mention she is a gorgeous little girl. It was great to spend some time with my brother and Steph also. I feel like the only time we see them is holidays and birthdays and I really want to make a better effort at seeing them. Even if that means I have to drive to Roanoke more often. They are family. Thats all I have as of right now.

Oh...I could show you a face "before" and "where I am now" picture.

Before:



Where I am now: