Horton Happenings

Bitter Sweet!

2010-02-24T04:55:00.000-08:00

Today is the 1^st official day our house is on the market. It’s bitter sweet, I know it being on the market means that we are almost done with Residency but I can’t help being sad. We LOVE our house, from the moment we first walked in (it was still in the building process) we both fell in love. I’ve known we would have to sell but it always seem so far into the future not reality. Even last night when the sign was being put in the yard it didn’t hit me. This morning when I got up and check my email and our realtor had already emailed me about someone wanting to see the house, it HIT ME! It hasn’t made to realtor.com yet, it’s only been in the MLS since 4pm yesterday and someone wants to see it already!! Like, our realtor (who is also a friend of mine) said it’s a good sign. I found myself thinking they can’t see my house. This is the home we brought both of our children home to it has their nurseries. I spent hours working in their rooms. Alana first steps and words where in the house. Davis, crawled for the first time here, and at some point he will take his first steps. Our house means so much to us, the memories. We have a picture of John and I in the front courtyard the day we found out we where expecting Alana. Those are memories we will take with us forever. The sad truth is Alana and Davis won’t remember this house. Through pictures Alana might remember but even then I don’t think she will. There are so many things about this house we will miss. We have our close friends two doors down, it will be so sad to leave them. Just yesterday, the kids where playing and Owen (the Brown’s little boy) looked right at us and said, I love her meaning Alana. It was so sweet! They are going to miss each other so much. Alana thinks he is moving with us. She keeps telling him when we move to Portland, we can play with more of my toys, my mommy had to put them in storage. It will be one sad day in June when we drive away from this house. I will miss driving up the hill to the neighborhood, going down and Alana telling me we are on a roller coaster and putting her hands in the air! Camino Del Sol, it’s been a good 6 years we will miss you like crazy!

Back to Blogging!

2010-02-20T12:20:00.000-08:00

It's been a few months since I last posted, busy life of a mother of two. Now, that Davis is getting older I’m hoping to have more time to blog. Since we are moving 2,000 miles away in 3 ½ months, I think it will help for family and friends to keep up with us.

We are doing great, preparing for our move to Portland, OR. Lots to do between now and June but it’s all coming together. I can’t believe we are in the final months of Residency. Time as gone so fast, it feels like it was just yesterday that John told me we where moving to El Paso for Residency. That was over 6 years ago! When I was a kid I would have given anything for time to go faster now as an adult I wish it would slow down some. Our kids are growing up fast. I love the stage of life we are in right now. I wish I could freeze time.

Like I said before, John is in his final months of Residency, you would think 4 years of under grad, 4 years of Medical School and 6 years of Residency would be enough schooling for him but not my John. He has 2 more years to go. He is going to fellowship in Pediatric Surgery! I sure hope he is done after that for a while!

Alana is just prefect! She is 4 going on 25, there is never a dull moment with her. I love being her mommy, she is an emotional train wreck most days, but they say that is Girl for you. She has taken to being the BIG sister like a duck to water. She loves Davis, always worried about him. If she isn’t wearing a princess crown then something is wrong. It’s a daily fashions statement in our house. I have to wear them at times only because she tells me every princess needs a Queen! She can’t wait to move to Portland. Over the last few months I have been putting things in storage Alana has been great about it. Telling me “Mommy, I will play with that again, it just needs to put up for people to buy our house”. I expected it to be a lot harder on her but she once again shows me how easy going with change she is.

Davis…. Oh my sweet baby boy!! He is 8 months old now, and gives me a run for my money daily. I have to watch him like a hock. He has thrown himself out of his high chair, turned the hot water on himself a few times, fallen off the bed a few times. If you set him down he will take off, he is crawling backwards and sideways. He can go front wards but realizes he can get there fast by rolling. The other day he got himself stuck in under my dresser. His favorite place is under my bed, he laughs when he gets under there. He is busy. He up to 17 pounds and doing great!!! For be a 33 weeker the kid has caught up, no delays at this point. We have been told that if there aren’t any developmental delays at this point he won’t have any. I sure hope he isn’t walking before we move, he can be delayed on walking mommy would be just fine with that.

I hope to blog more over the coming months.

Please Pray for Olive Hope

2009-09-29T12:46:00.000-07:00

Rusty and Lynette Polinder have been working with the Akha Youth Development Center in Chiang Rai in Thailand as missionaries for the past couple of years and have been expecting their first child. Last Friday Lynette went into labor and gave birth to a baby girl 2.5 months premature. Olive Hope Polinder

This is a friends brother and sister-in-law they had their sweet baby girl Olive Hope at 28 weeks. As a mommy of a preemie I know their pain for first hand. I was lucky enough to carry both of my children closer to term than Lynette was. Being a preemie parent is the hardest things I have every done. Watching my children struggle in those first few weeks of life, is a pain I could NEVER explain. Watching a machine breath for them because their lungs are too weak. Only being able to touch my sweet baby's when I was told I could by a nurse. Not being able hold them because, they where to weak and sick. Is a pain no mother or father should ever go through. I have cried everyday for Lynette and Rusty. Even though I don't know them personally I feel close to them, I wish I could wrap my arms around both of them and hug them as tight as I could.

I found this prayer on Lynette sister blog, I thought it was a beautiful prayer and have been saying it myself all daylong. Please Pray for this Family. I know that prayer is what got John and I through Alana and Davis's NICU stays.

Carrie’s Prayer for Olive Hope

Olive Hope, The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17)

May the power and the blood of Jesus wash over your little body. Lord Jesus, I pray that you would surround Olive with the protective cushion of Your Spirit. I pray that you would wash healing all over her body, around her cells, through her organs, through her brain cells, renewing and restoring. Lord, restore the damage that has been happened with bleeding. Take it away and replace it with cells that are new, that are uninjured. Protect her body from bleeding – keep her cells tight and whole and immune to damage. Keep her from infection. Keep her vital signs stable. Protect her eyes. Protect her vision. I pray that her vision would be restored, and she will be able to look into the eyes of her mommy and see her. Wrap this little being in your presence, around and around with protection, comfort, and healing. Let the power of your kingdom be evident in her tiny body. Jesus. Mend Olive. Make her whole. Restore and protect her. Let her hear her mommy and daddy’s voice even when they are not with her. Let her rest and heal. Give Lynette and Rusty the strength and endurance they need. Give them words to pray, songs to sing. Hear the cries of our heart, Lord. Turn our tears into tears of rejoicing. Give Lynette and Rusty restorative sleep.

In the name of Jesus who died for us and brought us life and the light of your kingdom here on earth,

Amen.

Heavenly Days

2009-07-07T16:27:00.000-07:00

Davis Daniel Horton

June 9, 2009

4lbs 5oz, 16 inches

Loving came home on

July 6, 2009 at 2:00pm

5lbs 4oz

28 long days in NICU

Welcome home Sweet Baby Davis. We love you more than you will ever know. You complete our family in more ways than one. You are truly our little miracle.

Bed Rest... 32 weeks TODAY!!!

2009-05-30T14:19:00.000-07:00

It’s been 3 weeks and 3 days since I was placed on bed rest. I thought I would blog about my doctor appts to keep everyone informed. For those of you who don’t know why I am on bed rest I have Pregnancy Induced Hyperion (High Blood Pressure). I know crazy a marathon runner with high blood pressure. It’s even hard for the doctor to wrap his mind around. It just goes to show you it can happen to anyone.

So here is some background this DID not happened out the clear blue, I have been running high since my first appt at 9 weeks. I don’t think anyone was super surprised since I had Alana 6 weeks early due to Pre-Eclampsia. After being monitor very close for a few weeks I was place on medicine for the high blood pressure. It seemed to help in the beginning bringing it down into a more normal range. At my 20 week appt it was getting a little higher but still in a good range, at that point the doctor was more concerned about my lack of weight gain. I was so sick for the first 22 weeks, at my 20 week appt I had only put on a half a pound. The baby looked great to me that’s all that matter. Once we got over the morning sickness I starting putting on weight and looking pregnant. We were back home and in normal life, to be honest life was prefect.

At my 24 week appt my pressure was getting high again, so we upped my meds hoping that would help and it did for a short time. At this point I was seeing the doctor once a week for pressure checks. Things where going fine until my 28 week appt. I started running 160/105 again. I was placed on modified bed rest (6 hours a day of laying my left side) I just stared at him, the really crusher was NO MORE RUNNING. I was heart broken but I would do what ever I had to do to keep this little boy inside me. It didn’t hit me how serious this was until I was driving home. I was in total shock, if we didn’t get this under control my son would be here before he was ready. Thinking I’m super mom I thought I could do it all be on bed rest and take care of our 3 year old. It took John and my mom beating it in me for a few days before I realized that I needed help if I want to carry him longer. So, as many of you know my parents took Alana with them to Dallas for a week so that my mom could get things in order to move in with us until the baby is born. Watching them drive away was the hardest thing I have ever done, sending my daughter away so that my son can stay save inside me. It was a longest week of my life. I’ve NEVER been so happy to see my little girl.

That week at my doctor appt my pressure wasn’t much better, so he started me on steroids to get the baby’s lungs ready for delivery. Here I’m a not even 30 weeks pregnant getting steroid shots so my son lungs are ready. He also moved me from 6 hours a day of bed rest to 8 hours a day and upped my meds. Telling John and I this should get us to 32 weeks. When we walked out of there I was a mess. I did everything I could to hold it together. I walked around with a heavy heart, praying for God to give us more time. I already watched my daughter fight for her life in the beginning I couldn’t do it again with my son. I just couldn’t go through that again. I must have cried a 100 times that weekend. I know people talk about how amazing their husbands are all the time, well mine really is. He is so supportive and understanding. He really helped me get through that ruff patch. Reminding me that I am doing everything I can do to keep him inside me, that many things are working on my side. At the same time understanding why I felt the way I did and reminding me that it was OK, I had every right to be scared. He was just as scared as I was but felt we could get me to 32 weeks. The doctor let me call in my home blood pressure that week, in hopes that would be lower and THEY WHERE!! That meant the bed rest was working. I was getting some really good pressure it was answer to all of our prayers. My baby girl was home, screaming and running around like the crazy princess she is, my pressure where doing great and I was getting spend time with my mom. Life was so good that week. I even went to Circus with Alana and John, it was some well deserved FUN.

The silly, mommy I am I quit taken my pressure at home, afraid they where going up. I liked living in my prefect little Blood pressure world. Well, my fear was right as this past week went on my pressure where going back up. It makes me want to cry right now, they weren’t too bad but slowly getting higher. On Thursday, I got a 153/94 read I knew I the doctor was about to change things up again. If you wondering how I knew, the headaches. They haven’t been bad but the week that we got good reads I didn’t have a single one. Once, I got one I knew it was going up again.

So, on Friday at my now almost 32-week appt YAY!! 32 weeks!! WE MADE IT!! My pressure was 155/94, which for me was OK, not better but not worse. The baby looked GREAT weighting 3 lbs 7 oz, he has chubby checks just like his sister. (The joys of being high risk I get a 3D Ultra sound every visit). The doctor spent quite a bit of time with us, telling us what was ahead. Basically he told us that we have 30% chance of the high blood pressure affecting the baby. That at this point I could go at any time depending on how I’m doing and how Davis is doing. Then he told me the words every mother facing delivery 2 months early needs to hear YOUR BABY WILL BE FINE, if HE IS BORN. That everyday we get past here is gravy for us. The plan of action from here is that I will be seen twice a week to get Non-Stress test on the baby to make sure he is still doing OK. After, we where done talking to the doctor John and I walked to another room where they did the first Non-Stress test on Davis. Let me tell you, he DID not like that at all. He starting kicking the nurse before she could even get me hooked up. I have been telling John that we are in trouble with this little guy he NEVER stops moving, well he showed his daddy, the doctor and nurse that he was in control. He kicked the leads off twice. It’s just what I needed hearing his heart beating and feeling him kick me like crazy. I walked away with a smile as big as Texas on my face. I knew our son, was save in side me for a few more days.

I've had my moments over the last 24 hours that I feel like I could lose it any minute with all the stress. My mom and John keep telling me just feel it, be upset it’s OK. I know that this is in God hands. He knows what is best for Davis. A big pray was answer this week, I am 32 WEEKS today. 3 weeks ago I would have given anything to be here and now I am. My goal now is 34 weeks. I am going to take it 2 weeks at a time. I believe in my heart I can carry this little man until mid-July. As, long as I keep positive and know that it’s going to be 6 weeks of ups and downs.

Please keep us in your prayers, as I said before it’s going to be a lot of ups and downs. I now face that the baby could come at anytime. Lots of people have walked in my shoes before and they carried their babies to term. I pray that I can do that. To be honest I just want to carry him to the end of June.

Alana Hospital Stay:(

2009-04-26T08:58:00.000-07:00

Most of you know that Alana was in the hospital this past week but don’t know why. Well, it because she was throwing up blood, yes I said BLOOD. It all started on Tuesday when Alana woke up she was off but couldn’t tell me what was wrong. I went ahead and took her to school but she cried when I left (SHE HAS NEVER DONE THAT BEFORE). After coming home and running, I just couldn’t get her little face when I walked out of her class room off my mind so I jumped in the car and went and got her. As, I walked in she seem OK, her teacher told me that she wasn’t herself. I knew I was right in coming to get her early. She fell asleep in the car on the way home, I moved her to her bed, and about 45 minutes later I heard her crying. I went in to check on her and she said, I need BIG HIGSS and KISS and then turned her head and throw-up all over me the bed, wall, with some even making it across the room. It was VERY VIOLENT. That evening she wasn’t great but never throw-up again not until Wednesday morning around 4:30am. She started crying, when I went in her room. I could see spots of stuff on her sheets and stuff all over face. In my own sleepy state I ask her if she had pooped and she starting crying say NO mommy, then realized it was blood. At first I thought she had a bloody nose and went to get some thing to clean it up, once I got her clean, I laid with her and a few minutes later she started throwing up everywhere. I ran and turn the light on and all I could see is Alana sitting in a pool of blood. I called John who told me to call the doctor. Well, I didn’t have time by the time I got Alana changed and moved to the couch I was cleaning up blood again in the living room. This happened a few more times, before I was able to call John back and tell him that she had done it again. By, now it was close to 7am. He told me to call the doctor (he was trying to figure out what ER he wanted me to take her in the mean time) I was able to get her into the doctor 45 minutes later. From there we went to the local Children’s Hospital where she spent two days on IV fluids. What they think happened is she busted a blood vessel in her esophagus. Which caused her to throw up blood. Her labs came back all out of whack, she was VERY dehydrated. It took a little over 24 hours for Alana to pee, that is how dehydrated she was.

Alana is doing so much better now. She is still sleeping a ton it will take some time for her little body to rebound. She has lost a few pounds, so her clothes are hanging on her, I am sure it will come back over the next few weeks. I pray this NEVER happens again. Every time Alana gets a stomach virus I am going to be on pins and needles.

I have a few pictures of her when she was so sick but they make me sad so I am going just post the ones of her feeling better.

This is on Thursday afternoon about 30 hours of IV fluids she started coming back into her own. Her cousin Emily sent her this HAT. She loved it. Thanks Cousin Emily!!!

I love this picture!! This is a sign that Cousin Emily and Will made her. my mom helped her hang it in her room. My mom fly out on Wednesday, with John in Residency and on call, I spent Wednesday morning by myself and you could say I was an emotional train wreck. He was able to be with us, that afternoon but not on Thursday. It was a god sent having my mom there. Alana was a bit of handful on Thursday.

The interviewing is over…. Now the wait begins!!

2009-04-15T06:48:00.000-07:00

On Friday, Alana and I picked John up for the 15^th time in 2 months from the airport. On Tuesday he left for Canada for his last 2 out of 19 interviews. I am so glad that it’s OVER. It has been a very long two months. We spent most of the time he was gone interviewing in Denver. You could say, Alana and I where lonely we missed John and our friends so much. By the end of March when John left for a 4-day sweep of interviews Alana asked me “Mommy, why can’t we go home?” I said to her that daddy had to work in Denver for a few more days. Her responds was “But Daddy is never home, he keeps going on big trips.” (That is what we called the interviews to her). I just smiled and thought poor baby, she can’t understand why she can’t have her house, friends or daddy. I am grateful that she is so young she won’t remember how little John is around, she will just remember the fun they had when he was. The hardest part of the last two months was when she would get sad and tell me “But mommy, I just miss my house and friends so much.” I would tell her they miss her too. It would break my heart because I missed them just has much as she did. Most, of you know that we have been traveling in and out of El Paso for the last year for John to do away rotations. The longest we came back for was 2 VERY SHORT months. I’m super glad John is done interview but even more glad that we ARE HOME for GOOD!! John will have to go back to Denver next year but we aren’t sure when or for how long. Something I don’t plan to put on my radar until next fall.

We find out about Fellowship in May. We both have prayed and believe that if this is God’s will then, it will happen. We feel it’s in God’s hands now. John has done the best he can. I ask that you pray for John, that no matter what the decision is in May that John finds peace in it. We know that the first year of applying is a long shot.

For those of you who don’t’ know John will start his last year of Residency on July 1^st!! Yes, we still have one more year but after 5 years we are taking this year head ON!! Besides, it will be one of the best years of our lives, Davis will join us and complete our family.

Davis and I at 25 weeks!!

2009-04-11T11:59:00.000-07:00

Well, tons of people have asked again so here you go! My sweet little boy has finally popped out!! It only took 24 weeks! I love it!! I think I am finally passed the morning sickness well for me it was ALL DAY SICKNESS! It’s been a week since I last got sick, I am starting to branch out on what I eat. Praying it won’t come back up, and it hasn’t THANK GOD!! As, I posted before he is a mover, the little man never stops he wakes me up at night kicking me. Once, I move he stops I am telling you he is going to be just as strong willed as his sister. He’s not even here and controlling what I do. John and I feel so blessed to have both of them. I think me being pregnant again is starting to hit John. He came home on Monday from work, and jumped back when he saw me. Then, he smiled and said “YOU HAVE A BELLY”. I just smile and said yea, there is a kid in there. He smiled and said, “I know, I know but you have a belly.” That made my week. I can’t hide Davis anymore you can see him in everything I wear.

This is me with Davis at 25 weeks….

This is me with Alana at 25 weeks…..

Davis's and I at 23 weeks!

2009-03-28T09:34:00.000-07:00

OK, so lot's of people have asked me how big I am... Since, we aren't home or near any family. I thought I would post a picture of us. In the last month I have doubled in size. John and I think I am showing BIG TIME but people who don't know me say I just look like I ate too much. You can judge for yourself. I am way bigger at this point with him than I was with Alana. When we look at the pictures of me from Alana's pregnancy we both laugh, we thought I was big with her. He is a mover way more than Alana, he lets me know if he doesn't like the way I am laying or pants I'm wearing. I had to put away my favorite pair of jeans because he would kick me so much in them. They didn't feel tight to me but he sure didn't LIKE THEM.

Davis's Bedding

2009-03-04T17:20:00.000-08:00

Here is a picture of the bedding we got Davis!! I LOVE IT!!! I can't wait to get it and paint his room. We also got him a new crib, it's cherry wood, so it won't be as dark!! Yep, I'm going all BLUE!!

Is Alana going to have a baby Brother or Sister?

2009-02-18T20:08:00.000-08:00

On Valentines Day John, Alana and I went to have an ultra sound. Due to work John can’t be at my 20-week sono and we didn’t want him to miss out on finding out the sex of the baby. What a wonderful way to spend our Valentines, John says it’s the best one he has ever had. I have to agree!!

We are proud to say that Alana Marie is going to have a BABY BROTHER!! She is so excited to meet him, kissing and hugging him all the time. Telling him that she is here. So cute!! She had been telling us that it was a baby sister, I was worried how she would take the news but she has run with it. I mean RUN with it, tells everyone. At the museum the other day she walked into story time and announced that she was having a baby brother. I am so glad that she as taken it so well. Asking me if we can go to Costco and buy him some clothes (her favorite place). Her and I are going shopping this weekend while John is in Houston for him. Not at Costco but I plan to stock up on BLUE!! Since, I went all PINK with our princess we are going to have to re-buy everything. John says I would have re-brought everything anyways boy or girl, he is probably right.

John and I are beyond excited most of you know that medical I shouldn’t have anymore children now I feel like my family is complete. I always wanted four kids but was willing to settle with three but now I think two will be fine. John says lets give it a couple of years before we make a final decision. I know he had his heart set on three as well. I will leave this up to God for now, time will tell.

My pregnancy is coming along I am much bigger than I was with Alana but still not huge just a small baby bump, if you know me you would see it immediately but to people up here in Denver I am showing at all. I think I am just hiding it well. I have already hit a bump in the road at my 15-week appt I was put on blood pressure medicine, it running kind of high. The doctor tells me there is nothing I can do, I am in great shape, small and listening to him. He hasn’t taken running or anything from me. He says we will talk about it more in a few months. I am fine for now. The only thing he told was, watch the weight gain the more I gain the higher blood pressure will go. Then followed that with I feel like I should tell you to gain more, you are so skinny. I only gained 18 with Alana and I wasn’t watching it, so I am not worried about that AT ALL.

I know you are wondering what he is name is going to be… Well, I am not 100% sold on his name but Alana and John are. After, the sono we gave her a few names to pick from and she picked Davis, and hasn’t let go of it yet. When I tell her that it might be Grant or Reid she gets upset and says “NO, IT”S DAVIS”. So, he name is going to be:

Davis Daniel Horton

The Daniel is after his Daddy and his Ho Ho (John’s Dad).

Happy 3rd Birthday Alana!

2009-01-13T19:40:00.000-08:00

Three years ago today a prefect little girl enter our life. Thinking back all I remember is how scared John and I where that she was coming early but excited to finally meet our daughter. I only got to see her for a second before they took her away. I didn’t know at the time how sick she was, it was only a few hours later when I asked for the 100th time could I see my daughter. When the doctor came and told us that she had to be placed on a vent, but she was a fighter. My heart sank, as any mothers would. I love her beyond words at that moment but the love I have for her now is so much stronger. It’s funny how our love for our children counties to grow with them. Alana is a fighter the doctor knew what he was talking about. It still amazes me how her strong willed nature showed at 1 day old, when she pulled her vent out. It was a long 5 days before I could hold my precious baby. I remember the feeling I had when they put her in my arms. It’s a moment no mother or father should wait 5 days for. It brings tears to my eyes thinking about how hard it was not to touch or hold my baby. It a feeling you can’t understand unless you have been there. People gave me such a hard time for holding her all time in the beginning but they had no ideal what it felt like to not hold your child or really even touch her until she was 5 days old and even then it was very limited. John and I held her non-stop for the first 6 months, we would fight over who was going to hold her or wear her. It’s funny, to think about it now.

Alana is one strong willed child, as I said before she has been since the day she was born. When she was 18 months old, it really started to come out. I smile to myself thinking of the head butting I did with my 18 month old. I would say to John, man we are in for it, she is only 18 months old. He would smile and say, it’s good to be strong-willed she will be the leader of the pack not the follower. He was just trying to make himself feel better. I showed her who was boss, well I pretend I was but knowing all long that she was the BOSS.

When Alana turned two, she was still VERY strong willed and very mommy depended. That is was is so amazing about a year in a child life how much they change. A year ago she was still a baby in every sense of the way.

Over the last year our baby has become a BIG girl. To think just yesterday she was 2 and today she is 3! She is very proud to be 3 like her cousin William. She has told me at least 10 times today “Now I am 3 like Will”. She just wants to be like her cousins. Here are some things Alana has learned over the last year that has taken her from beginning our baby to our BIG girl.

In March she spent her first week away from Mommy (harder on Mommy than Alana)
In May she learned to spell her Name.

In June she told me “I not wear diapers anymore, I wear panties.” She has been wearing them ever since.

This summer she learned all 26 Letters and most of their sounds. (Now she knows them all)

She can count to 20.

She knows her colors and shapes.

She can buckle herself into her car seat.

She can get herself dressed, if she is in the right mood.

She can put her shoes on. don’t tell her if they are the wrong feet because she will tell you no there not

She knows her right from left (most of the time)

The most important one of all to Alana… She is going to be a big sister in July.

Wow, what a difference the last year as made in her life. I can’t believe it myself she is a little person now. Over the last few months, life with her has really gotten a lot easier she knows the rules more important she follows the rules most of the time. I’ve heard 3 was harder than 2 but for us I think 3 she is going to be much easier. Guess time will tell…
Here are a few pictures from her day. She had a party at school and a party with John and I. Her favorite part was that she got 2 cakes today. Her friend party is at the end of the month.

Christmas!!

2009-01-09T13:55:00.000-08:00

I know it’s been a few weeks but I’m getting there. We had a wonderful Christmas. We made it back to El Paso just in time to celebrate it. Alana had a blast Christmas morning, she open the present in record time. We spent the day with our close friend The Hansen’s and Smith’s. The kids run round and played but Alana couldn’t get back home fast enough to ride her new bike that Santa got her. Here are some pictures!!

We woke her up!
Alana not really sure what is going on.
Her new Bike... It's all she wanted for Chritmas!

Her new doll house!

Taken OFF!!

She loves Tea Parties!!

Still more to go!!

Lovin her New Princess Bike!!

She loves her new desk, because she has to work.

What a mess!

Alana's new baby, she is going to make a wonderful big sister!

Coming Soon!

2008-12-29T12:28:00.000-08:00

Yep, we are having a baby! After 7 different kind of pregnancy test and a heart beat of 175 I am proud to say we are expecting baby # 2 in July. If you’re doing the math, I did run 2 marathons, 10K and half marathon all before 8 weeks pregnant. I figured it out around mile 5 of the San Antonio Marathon, by the time I crossed the finish line I was 100% sure I was pregnant or something was seriously wrong with me. The fear of another pregnancy test being negative stopped me from testing right away. I waited a few days and tested, to my shock it was POSITIVE!! So, after 7 more test I believe it!! This something John and I have been hoping for a year. I wouldn’t say I have a hard time getting pregnant I would say I have major obstacle in my way such as a spinal tumors. I can’t begin to put into words how excited we are. Alana can’t wait to be a big sister! She talks about the baby all time, asking if it’s sleeping or swimming. As all moms due I worry how she will handle the new bundle of joy. They are going to be exactly 3 ½ years apart, a lot farther apart than we where hoping for but at this point I will take what I can get. So far this pregnancy has been a lot harder than Alana’s. In fact that is how I knew I was pregnant in the marathon the nausea. Its overwhelming at times, I started taking medication twice a day to help it. If I don’t take it I can’t get out of bed. I try not to complain because, it’s for my baby and I welcome it, and I would have given anything to be this sick with a pregnancy a few months ago. My blood pressure is high, part of the course I pray I can keep this baby in until July 1^st. I don’t care what I have to do I will do it. I’m seeing the doctor again in two weeks to see how my blood pressure is doing. I am hoping its better by then but I know in my heart its part of pregnancy for me. I will keep everyone updated as the months go on.

WE ARE HOME!!

2008-12-22T14:51:00.000-08:00

I am so happy to say that The Horton’s are back in El Paso, for 5 weeks but who cares we are home. I forget how much I love our house. There is nothing better than sitting in your own home, watching TV or cooking dinner. Those of you who don’t travel much miss out on the best part… COMING HOME!! I love to travel but I love coming home even more.
Over the last 3 month Alana and I have travel the country while I ran marathons and spending time family. John has been working. Poor John, but someone has to pay the bills and I am just too busy running and visiting family to think about getting a job.
In October, John headed to Houston for a two month rotation in Pediatric Surgery. Alana and I stayed behind for a little over a week and went for a visit only to come home for 3 days and head to Washington for me to run in The Marine Corps Marathon! We had a blast in Houston and in DC.
We made our way back to El Paso for a short time through Houston. Our time in El Paso was short and BUSY. I had so much to do to leave again and not return until Christmas. Alana and I got our Christmas tree up at the end of October. I wonder why it doesn’t feel like Christmas… I put my tree up 2 months ago. I was so glad when I walked in our house and everything was ready to go for Christmas!! Taking it down after only being home a week that’s another story.
At the beginning of November Alana and I headed back to Houston! John was ready for us to be with him longer than 4 days at a time. Little did he know, bring a girl this close to her family and expect her to leave and go see everyone. We had only been with John a few days and my mom and sister came to visit us in Houston. We had a blast, the kids loved being together. My sister really wanted to take Alana home with her, as much as I wanted the time with John it was hard letting her go. I kept telling myself it was only for 5 days. She would have so much fun it would be worth it. John loved the thought of having time together. I am telling it sounded great until day 2 when I was ready to have my princess back. It was weird having so much time with John without Alana running around. We had a great time going out to dinner and talking. We did talk about how lazy we must have been before having Alana.
I met my mom and dad in San Antonio the following weekend to get Alana back and run the San Antonio Marathon with my good friend Jennifer Smith. I was so happy to see Alana who by the way wanted nothing to do with me. Alana throw some good fits for me to show me what she thought about me leaving her. I didn’t care, I was so glad to be with her again. We had fun in San Antonio but Alana was ready to be with her daddy. So, we packed up once again and head for Houston. This time staying longer with John, well kind of we were at his brother’s house. He came out when he could, by Thanksgiving he was with us out there.
We had a wonderful Thanksgiving, spending it in Houston with John’s family. We don’t see them much. It’s hard for John to get time off so we don’t make it down there but every few years. It’s not a bad thing but his family isn’t big into traveling so they don’t get out too see us much. We are big travelers so it’s fine. I ran in a 10K race on Thanksgiving with Johns’ brother and sister in law. It was their first so it was tons of fun!
The Sunday after Thanksgiving we packed up and headed to San Antonio for John to do his burn rotation. Alana and I where only in San Antonio a few days before we packed up again, this time heading to Dallas to spend some time with my family and for me to run the Dallas Half Marathon with my Aunt. I always find a way to get my runs in there one way or another. We spend 11 days in Dallas. You could say John was ready for us to be home. It was icy the day I left he told he didn’t care just drive slow but come back. I was glad to be back with John but more than ready to be home in El Paso. By then Alana was more than ready to home also. Asking me everyday if we where going home today. She would tell me she could see our house in El Paso. She is such an amazing kid, not once did she give me a hard time about flying or driving some where she took every trip as it came and had a blast. She just adapts to the situation, still sleeps through the night and everything. Really, we are so blessed with such a wonderful little girl. I hope our next one adapts as well.
After only being back in San Antonio for a few days, just long enough to finish Christmas shopping and go to Sea World we headed home! Leaving John behind of course but just for a few days he will be home late Wednesday night.
That’s our last 3 months in a nut shell. We had a blast the whole time. So, much happened while we where gone. I will have to blog more about parts of our trip in the coming weeks. I haven’t wrapped any gifts, so I better get busy. We only have 2 days before Christmas!!

John has been released from the Army for fellowship!!

2008-12-17T09:04:00.000-08:00

This morning John got the call that he has been released from the Army to do a Pediatric Surgery Fellowship! I am SO proud of him. I can’t begin to put in to words what I felt when he told me. I was so excited at the same time sad that we have 3 ½ more years of training instead of 18 months. I know this is something he wants more than anything I want to support him but, I also want a normal life again. I watch people around us graduate and have time together that you don’t have in residence. I know that no doctor works 8-5 but at least they are around more. The hardest part of residency is you never know when/if they are going to be home. I spend my life waiting for John to call and tell me he is on his way home. This won’t change in fellowship in fact it will be worse. The hours will be longer and the call will more intense. I know that John is meant to become a Pediatric Surgeon. I don’t want anyone to think I don’t want John to do this I do because I do. I know he will be a wonderful Pediatric Surgeon. I just hate the hours that come along with it. I have been telling myself that residency is almost done. The loneness you feel is overwhelming at times. I looked forward to the end of it. Alana and I eat alone almost every night. After, I put her to bed I spend the evening sitting and watching TV alone. I know the next 3 1/2 years will go fast the last 4 1/2 have anyways. Before I know it we will be sitting and talking about the old days in residency. I am not complaining at all! I am SO PROUD OF HIM!! We had been told it was a long shot for John to get released from the Army this year. It is a true blessing!! The hard part begins now, getting a spot in Pediatric Program. Please keep him your prayers about 70 applications will be applying for 32 spots. If it’s God’s will he will get a spot.

2 Marathons in 3 Weeks!!

2008-12-03T12:21:00.000-08:00

On November 16, 2008 I ran my second Marathon in 3 WEEKS!! My goal since 2007 has been two Marathons a year and I wasn’t going to let a spinal tumor get in my way. In July I started the 4 month training program, back then I was having more pain than I wanted to admit to. The first few weeks of training was very hard, there where times I wondered if I would be able to run 26.2 once let alone twice in 3 weeks. In July I kept telling myself, the pain was so much worse in March, I can do it. I never missed a training running, knowing it would only make me stronger. I am so glad I didn’t give up. I have said this before but…. PAIN IS ONLY TEMPORY…… THE GORLY OF RUNNING TWO MARATHONS IN 3 WEEKS WILL LAST A LIFE TIME!!

This was a sign on I-10 on our way to the Marathon!

That morning I woke up and said a prayer asking God to give me the strength to get through the pain I was about to place upon myself. I felt the pain in the Marine Corps Marathon around mile 16. I had a plan in place, I was going to take Advil at mile 10 and I would put Advil Cream on my back before the race started. I knew the pain would get bad but I was ready for it.

My good friends Jennifer Smith ran this marathon with me it was her first. What an honor it is to run next to someone who is first-time marathon runner. I love seeing the emotions they go through as you run through the miles.

My dad got up, to take us the start line. You should have heard us in the car, I was clapping and all excited and Jenn was in the back telling us she was going to throw up. My dad got some good laughs out of us that morning. The traffic was really bad. It was getting close to 6:45am and we hadn’t moved much. I was starting to get worried we wouldn’t make to the start line by 7:30am. So, we did what any runner would do we jumped out of the car on the highway and walked almost a mile to the start line. We didn’t make it to the start line in time because we where in the line for the bathroom. Once, we got the start line we jump in and realized we were with the half marathon runners. Which made it very hard to pass people, we where running as thick as it can get with people. We spent the whole first half of the race passing people, in the long run it hurt our time but we had fun and that’s all that matters. We ran together until mile 18, you see mile 18 is where the marathon starts for me. I love running 8 miles. I have trained myself to pick up speed in the last 8 miles.

I told Jenn to put her iPod in both ears and run. I would see her at the next water station. I got set in my grove and realized I had past the next water station without stopping. So, I stopped at the next one at mile 22, once I stopped the pain set in, I couldn’t move my arms with out pain, every breath hurt. The pain was starting to get out control. I waited for her for good 5 or so minutes and then knew I had to keep moving or I wouldn’t finish. I slowed my pace knowing she was fast and would catch me. At mile 24 I was fighting tears, so I took more Advil and pushed through to the end!! Once, I got to mile 26 I could see a hill and thought WHERE IS THE FINISH LINE? I did what I trained to do I picked up my pace and ran like the wind up that hill and down the small stretch, to the finish line. I came across jumping up and down!! The pain was there but I didn’t care, I had just completed a goal that even I had wondered if I would be able to do! I RAN TWO MARATHONS IN 3 WEEKS, 8 months after having a tumor removed from my spine!! ALL I COULD SAY IS I DID IT!!

I found our families, and asked if Jenn had come across the finish line yet, they said no. I asked for the camera. I wasn’t going to let her First Marathon go without a picture of her crossing the finish line. I ran back to the finish line area, where I almost passed out because of the pain. A nice woman held my arm, asking me a hundred times if I was OK. I smiled and said YES! She was so kind to put some more pain cream on my scare which helped a ton. By, the time Jenn come across I was ready for her.

Her time WAS 4:44:04

This was my slowest marathon running it in 4:29:59 but I had a blast! I loved running with Jenn it was so much fun, we laughed a ton. She said it will be awhile before she will do another but I know she will and I will be there with her.

After 5 full marathons I am going to run my first half marathon in Dallas on December 14th! After that I am going to take some time off. My body will be so grateful!

Jenn and I after the Race!

Alana and I after the Race!!

Happy Anniversary John!

2008-11-02T13:07:00.000-08:00

Today is our 7th wedding anniversary. WOW, seven years seems like a lifetime at the same time it seems like it was just yesterday when he walked into my life and changed it with one single look! I love you more than words could ever express John. You are truly the love of my life. I thank god daily for you and Alana.
John and met on August 11, 2001 and got married on November 2, 2001, I know many people didn’t think we would last year let alone seven! I knew we would, our love has stood the test of times, in the last seven years. Just when I think we can’t take anymore, we are hit with something else. We always take it head on and come out the other side so much stronger. I can’t tell you how many times, he has looked at me with those big blues and made me feel better. He and Alana both have a way with their eyes that make my heart melt. (They have the same eyes) Even with all the heartache we’ve had (especially over the last year) I wouldn’t change a thing. It has made us a stronger.
The next seven years will be just as wonderful as the first seven!! I know no matter what we face you will take me by the hand and face it head on. I couldn’t ask for a better life!

I love you!!

Happy Halloween!!!

2008-11-02T12:20:00.001-08:00

I wanted to post a few pictures of Alana on Halloween night! She had a blast Trick or Treating, she loved getting the candy. We went with some friends, poor Alana was a house link behind the older kids, she couldn’t keep up. She tried her best too, at one point she told me she wanted her daddy, I think only because she knew he would carrier her. I made her walk, such a mean mommy I know. By the end of the night she kept telling me her bag was too heavy, but she wanted more. What I didn’t know was how much work Trick or Treating was, this was my first year as an adult to go. I was so tired by the end of the night. As a kid I could go for hours and hours. Man, my age is catching me…. Thanks Mom and Dad for always taking us! I always loved Halloween, it was never work for me back then!!

Princess Alana

Maddie, Lexi, Parker, Cade, Carter and Alana

Batman and his Ornage Princess
Jenn, Me and Amber
Hunter dancing with Alana and Cade!
My Prefect Princess!!

Marine Corps Marathon!! 4:21:49

2008-10-29T16:09:00.001-07:00

On Sunday I run a marathon 7 month after having a tumor removed from my spinal canal and my chest wall!?! I did it in honor of Jamison he is little boy who lives in Tennessee, who can’t run. What an honor it was, to run through our nation’s capital for Jamison and myself. There were points at the race, when I was yelling “I AM DOING”! Sitting here I get chock up at the thought of what I have been through over the last year.

This was right before the race!

Right after I crossed the finish line!

It was the hardest marathon I have ever run, not because of the course or the mileage it was because of the pain in my back. I try so hard to pretend that the pain is gone but the truth is it’s not gone, and it showed its ugly face around mile 16 of the race. By mile 22 I was in tears running but I wouldn’t stop. I wasn’t just running for myself, I was running for Jamison and I wasn’t going to let him down for anything. When I came across the finish line, I came to my knees. I know I did not run on Sunday alone. I run saying prayers the whole race. I couldn't have done it without the Lord by my side. He carried across that finish line. Giving up never crossed my mind. I knew I could do it. Pain is only temporary the glory of running a marathon for Jamison will last a life time.

Special Kids Marine Corps Marathon Team

The best part of the Marathon was that my older brother Eric and Cousin Angela ran the marathon with me and my Aunt Veronica ran the 10K. It was truly a family event. We had a blast! It was Eric (my brothers) first marathon, he did Awesome. He beat my first marathon time by 5 minutes!! Way to GO ERIC!! Angela is my cousin who lives in New England we see her every few years, this was her second marathon. I loved sharing the road with both of them, running at different points with both. I remember telling Angela at one point, that 7 months ago I was lying in ICU with a chest tube and now I’m running a marathon! I didn’t get to run next to Veronica but I was so proud of her for coming out to DC and RUNNING a 10K. She has lost a ton of weight over the last 2 years, and never though she could have done this. I knew she could, we are running the Disney Goofy race in January 2010 together! Yes, she is running a marathon!! It’s amazing what a race can do for you. We plan to run it for Special Kids so get your check books ready again!

Eric, Angie and Me before the race started

Everyone before the race!
I have to blog about the rest of our time in DC because it was so much fun!!

The first night we got there, we where all having a good time. When we heard the door, it wasn’t some one knocking it was so someone using a key to get into the room. At first, we thought it was my dad playing around. Then all the sudden my dad said, there is two men from China at our door with a key. They had double booked our room. YES, they had key that worked on our room. We laughed so hard, about our visitors. It all got worked out and gave us all good laugh.

Veronica, me and my mom On Friday, my parents took Alana to the DC ZOO she had a blast more on the metro to and from the ZOO. While, they hang out at the ZOO my Aunt and I went to the expo for the Marathon. Let me just tell you if you haven’t been to an expo you should go just for all free food alone. We ate the whole time we where there. On our way back on the metro we both had a stomach ache. We both got some really cool marathon gear that you can’t find in stores. My favorite is my new hair band that says “MARATHON MOMMY”!

That night, we where all so tired from the day of actives we where in bed by 8pm. Alana was playing around us and then all the sudden she climb in the bed and went to sleep. We all slept through the phone ringing at 10:30 that night but not Veronica she answered it. I was out, I didn’t even know the phone had rang until the morning when my mom asked her who called. She looked at my mom and said the phone rang? She didn’t remember the phone ringing let alone answering it. We all had a good laugh about that.

On Saturday, we woke up to pouring down rain. It was cold, windy and rainy. My brother and his family had come in so we all went down to the mall area to meet them. Alana loved having her cousin there. I wish we could have spent more time with them. I miss seeing them so much, we try and see them a few times a year but with the distance between us it is becoming less and less. Now, that Alana is older I need to go there more, she was so sad when they had to leave.

Brandon, Justin and Alana We spent Monday being tourist around DC. We went and watched the changing of the guards at the Arlington Cemetery. I have been many times but it brings tears to my eyes every time I see it. This time it really got me, I think it because one of my close friends husband is over in Iraq. It hit close to home for me. Did, I say how COLD and WET it was! OMG, it was WINTER. The day before it had been 71 and I think the high on Monday was 40! I felt great that day I walked around and had just a little soreness. I was so glad for that because Alana was a handful for me. Of course she was an angel for my parents, that’s all that really matters.

When we got back to the hotel that afternoon, I got an email from RUNNERS WORLD!! I had sent them my story and few months back. They had actually contacted me on Sunday after the race but I didn’t check my email. I was in shock to say the least! I don’t know if my story will get picked up or not what an honor it was to be considered for it. I should know in a few weeks, I am so excited!!

Me, Angie and Eric after the race!We had a great time! I can’t wait to run The Marine Corps Marathon again! I don’t want to run a race twice but this one I could 100 times and still walk away wanting to do it again. If you want to run a marathon and don’t where to start this is a great race! I am doing it again on November 16, 2008 in San Antonio. So keep my legs in your prayers they will need it!

At the Start of the Race! Baby Kyle
Julie and Eric

Our Weekend in Houston!

2008-10-22T07:28:00.000-07:00

This past weekend Alana and I went to see John and his family in Houston. We had a blast!! We got to see John’s Brother Peter and his wife Micah a ton. They have a niece (Grace) that is three weeks older than Alana, Alana feel in love with Grace! By the end of the weekend you would have thought the girls had known each other for years. The weekend went by so fast, before we knew it Alana and I where boarding a plane to come back to El Paso. Here is a recap of our weekend.

On Friday, while everyone worked Alana and I went to the Houston ZOO and had a blast. She is getting so big she walked the whole zoo no stroller for us anymore. We got to see some baby Elephants, that where born the same year as Alana. She thought that was so cool, we spent a good 45 minutes checking out the Elephants. Then we fed the Ducks, again Alana was so excited. She was showing them her back pack. I tried to explain to her that they couldn’t understand her but she is 2 so you know how that turned out. I can’t wait to take her back. It’s really close to the hotel John is staying at. I’m sure we will spend many mornings there in November.

On Saturday, we went to the Children’s Museums with Grace. Alana and Grace had matching outfits on that my mom had made them (thanks Mom) they looked so cute together. They run around as fast as they could play with stuff, it was a busy couple of hours but all in good fun. At lunch, the girls had a blast running around, dancing. They put on show for us. I know Micah and Peter loved seeing the two together. I just wish we could get a picture of them together, but they are both 2, that won’t happen.

On Sunday, we went to Micah and Peter’s church that John and I love. Every time we go, we leaving wishing we could find a church like that here in El Paso. Alana went into Grace’s bible class like she owned the place they said she had a blast even singing the songs. She is so easy going when it comes to new places, just adapts, like she has done it 100 times before. I’m so grateful for that, I think back when she was a baby and nobody but I could hold her. Life has changed so much in her short little life.

Alana did great when John took us to the airport, I was so worried she would cry but she surprised both of us and had a big smile and said see you in two weeks daddy. It was hard to watch him walk away wishing we could stay with him, but we had to come back to catch our next plane for DC. It was a nightmare getting home on Sunday night, we boarded our plane and they shut the doors and everything. Then all of the sudden the pilot came on and said we have to de-board the plane due to mechanical issue with the left wing. In the end we didn’t get home until 1 am. Alana did GREAT!! She is such a trooper she just went with the flow. Thank goodness for my friend Ingrid, she picked us up. By the time I got to her and handed Alana off so I could get my bag, I was barley moving. It had been a long day! She was right there taking Alana with a smile. Good thing for GREAT friends. They make life so much easier. She is the one picking us up next Tuesday night when we come back from DC, we are on the same flight let’s hope we get home on time.

Another Conversation with Alana:

2008-10-20T18:52:00.000-07:00

On the way to school on Thursday, I was telling Alana that I would be picking her up with Auntie Ingrid and we would get on a plane and go see daddy. This is what happened after that:

Alana: (with her hand near her ear) Mommy do you hear that??

Mommy: Hear what Alana?

Alana: I hear Carter crying in his bed!!!

Mommy: Really, why is he crying?

Alana: because he needs me, hurry turn the car around. We better go get him!

Alana loves her Carter. She told me today that Carter was her best friend. They are going to miss each together so much over the next few months!!

Alana wants to be an Astronaut!

2008-10-15T13:23:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I was telling Alana that I loved her to the moon and back. Here is our conversation after that:

Mommy: I love you to the moon and back Alana

Alana: I want to go the moon mommy….

Mommy: You have to be an Astronaut

Alana: I want to be an Astronaut and fly on Rocket to the moon with Caillou!

Mommy: Really, when you grow up, you want to be Astronaut?

Alana: Yep, when I get big like Daddy, I want to be Astronaut.

Mommy: You mean big like mommy and daddy

Alana: No silly mommy you’re not big like daddy!

So, I guess I’m not big like Daddy! Alana is so much fun to be around these days, she is always making me laugh.

Alana First Roller Coaster!

2008-10-12T08:11:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, some girlfriends and I took our kids to Western Play Land a local amusement park. We had a blast the kids run around the park wanting to ride everything even the biggest Roller Coaster they had. For some reason I was the adult who took the kids on the FUN rides. I love Roller Coaster so, in the end I think I had more fun than the kids did.

They had a kiddy Roller Coaster Carter, Cade, Lexi, Madison, Parker and Hunter jumped on so of course my little I do everything they do had to ride it.

Alana and I before the ride

Me telling her one more time!

After the ride!

At the end everyone was clapping for Alana. Alana looked at me and said “I NOT DO THAT AGAIN, IT SCARED ME”. She couldn’t wait to tell Daddy about her roller coaster ride though. I still can’t believe my 2 year old went on a roller coaster. She has to do what everyone else is doing let’s hope she becomes the leader of the pack before long.

Here are some more pictures of the kids. Alana loves hanging out with her friends, she ask me everyday “Are we going to see my friend’s today mommy?” One Friday she cried when we saw Jenn, because Jenn told her that her kids where in school. She was so upset, we tried to tell her that she would see them later that day but Alana wanted them right then! Of course, when she saw them a few hours later she was so excited, jumping up and down.

The Mom's

Alana loving the Car Ride

Alana and Carter

Hunter

Alana and Madison

Lexi and Carter

Carter, Cade and Parker

Madison and I

Parker and Jenn getting Hunter

Amber, Cade and Lexi

Us before the BIG roller coaster!

6 long months away from Home!

2008-09-29T13:38:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow afternoon John is heading to Houston to start six months of away rotations. The first rotation is the most important (to John at least) Pediatric Surgery in Houston. Last December, he came home after his first day with the local Pediatric Surgery here and told me he had changed his mind from Transplant to Pediatric Surgery. I had been praying about his decision for months and knew he was making the right choice. John is an amazing surgeon. He can do some much good for young children. He can walk into the OR and not see the child there but a patient that needs an operation. When he tells me about his young patients I find myself so upset for their parents. He just smiles and says “Babe, you can’t think that way”. We made a deal that he won’t tell me about the really sad ones. I tend to wear emotions for the child and their family’s. He is going to have a blast over the next two months. Long hours, yes but John loves being in OR helping children. In December we will go to San Antonio for him to due a Burn rotation, then we are off to Denver CO in January until April 1st! Good thing we love to travel!

Alana and I will stay here in El Paso for the next 2 weeks and then we will join him in Houston for a long weekend come home for four days and then off to Washington DC for me to ran the Marine Corps Marathon on October 26th! After, that we are going to join him in Houston for good, with a few trips planned over the next few months. Most of you know that I am running 2 marathons in 3 weeks! I know, I am crazy but hey… When your husband works close to a 100 hours a week a girl has to find something to do!!

In December we will find out if John has been released from the Army to apply for a Pediatric Surgery Fellowship. We have been told that the first few years of applying are a long shot, but there is always a chance. I have been praying for months about God’s plan for us for the coming year. So, much is happening applying for fellowship, away rotation, and in an about 14 months we will rank the city’s we want to move to after Residency. I can’t find peace in any of the places we could move. It puzzles me on why, we could pick Fort Hood and live close to family, (close meaning 3 hours away) but for some reason Fort Hood isn’t sitting right with me. I know we have 14 months to make this decision but the last four and half years have flown by and I know the next 14 months will also. OMG, we are the downhill side of residency! What a wonderful feeling, to think 19 months from now I will have dinner with my husband every night, he will be here on Saturday morning to watch Alana while I run. I long for that life, I know he will still be busy, he is a surgeon after all but nothing like it is now!

So, I ask that you keep us in your prayers of the next few months as we travel around Texas and then up to Denver as well as our future. I will keep everyone update on are happenings. I know there is BIG changes coming to the HORTON Household!

Alana’s new Hair Cut!

2008-09-16T04:16:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I had 3 inches cut off Alana’s hair. Call it peer pressure, two of my close friends have been telling me for months how cute her hair would look short but I just didn’t have the heart to cut it that and John would kill me. When I would tell him that Amber and Jenn think I should cut her hair short he would say “What, they should cut their hair off”. Well, it got the best of me and I did it. It looks super cute and she LOVES it. Alana was such a big girl she sat in the chair and did what Mrs. Mary asked of her. What two year old has enough hair to have 3 inches cut off, and still has a head full?!? She has my hair, poor baby. John hasn’t seen it yet, but I am sure he will love it.

These pictures are of Alana and her new winter hat. Since we are going to be in Denver for the winter, she needs a new warm but cute hat. She loves it. We are having pictures done with Jessica in a few weeks I’m going to have her take a few pictures of Alana in her new hat.

John’s 32nd Birthday!!

2008-09-07T07:40:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was John 32nd birthday! He was on-call Friday night and again today so, he slept most of his birthday away yesterday. Since, it was a power weekend for him this weekend. We had a party for him on Monday he was born on Labor Day, so it's all the same. We had a great time celebrating it with close friends. We did have a family party for him last night, Alana baked his favorite cake. Since, we celebrated it couple of days early a girlfriend and I ran a German 5 mile Fun Run, and then we all went out to dinner. Here are some pictures from both parties. Alana loves cake!! she thought it was so cool to have two cakes for daddy!

Alana loving Daddy's Cake!
Alana helping daddy with the Candles!
Alana and Daddy!!

Apple Picking

2008-08-31T13:29:00.001-07:00

We went apple picking this weekend with our favorite Hansen’s Family. Alana was SO excited to pick apples with Cade, Carter and Lexi. It was about to rain so the kids where picking as fast as they could. Uel climbed up the tree to throw apples down at us, the kids had a ball. By, the time we where done the rain was coming down super hard, which Alana loved. She kept telling us she was all wet and needed a towel. After, we got back in the car Alana was smiling from ear to ear telling us how Amber and Daddy had to help because the apples where too high. John told her that one day she would big and tall Alana said “first I have to have my water to get big daddy, like the trees”. So, we started talking again about how everything needs food and water to grow. Then she told us that Apple starts with an “A”, I tell her that all the time, I’m so glad she has been listening. At dinner later that night, apple picking is all she could talk about, to be two again life is so simple and prefect.

Alana and Carter
Alana having a blast!
The rain was really coming down

Cade hanging out the in the Tree
Uel picking the good ones for us!
Amber and Lexi

Alana all wet in the car! Carter looking so CUTE!!

SUMMER TIME FUN!!!

2008-08-26T15:55:00.001-07:00

Summer time is coming to end very fast! We started the summer out in Omaha, NE where Alana did a painting class and went to swimming lessons. The weather in Omaha was weird, it rained almost everyday and had some mean storms but when the sun was shinning it was BEATIUFUL!! Alana and I went to the Zoo, Botanic Gardens and all the local parks. We even made it to the College World Series, which made John’s summer.

In July we came back home to THE HEAT!! OMG, the highs in Omaha had been in the low 80’s, but even with the 100 agree heat we where SO glad to have our house back!! After, being home for a short 10 days Alana and I headed to Dallas for Miss Emily Grace’s 6th Birthday! What a blast we had but again we where ready to be home in our beds, by then Alana and I had been gone for almost 4 long months!! The rest of the summer was spent in EL PASO, enjoying the friends we had missed so much. As I posted before Emily and Will came for a visit, which was a blast but exhausting. John made a trip out to Spain over the 4th of July for conference with work. So in all we had a great summer, it’s sad to see it end because my best friend (Amber) and her family will be moving next June. I have known since starting residency that she will leave me behind but I find myself sad at thought that she won’t be here next summer. The pool won’t be the same with out The Hansen’s! She keeps telling me it will go fast but it just won’t be the same. Alana is going to be so sad when Amber moves with “HER BABY LUKE”. Amber is pregnant and Alana tells everyone about it and then follows it with but there’s not a baby in my mommy’s tummy just in Ambers. It’s super cute, when I tell you she tells everyone I mean it, her teacher asked me who Amber was. Just tells you how much we are together. It’s going to be a lonely summer next year, but it will be our last here in El Paso, so there is good with the bad.

Alana starts School!!

2008-08-24T11:42:00.000-07:00

On Thursday Alana had her first day of Pre-School. She was SO excited to go to school. She couldn’t wait to have lunch with her new friends. The whole way to the school she kept saying “I go to school and have lunch with my new friend’s mommy”.

It was bitter sweet for me, having a few hours a week to myself sounded wonderful but she is my baby. As we walked up to her classroom she was jumping out of excitement. I put her pack away and turn around, she was gone playing with her new friends. I watched her for a second and blow her a kiss (she was way too busy to kiss me goodbye), as I walked out the door sadness over came me for only a second, I knew we made the right decision! She was more than ready for Pre-School!

I had a great day, I went and spent the day with my girlfriends getting a pedicure and having a mommy only lunch but 2:30 couldn’t come fast enough. I was more than ready to see her. When I walked into her classroom she was sitting in her teacher’s lap reading a book, when I said her name she just looked up and smiled. She could have cared less that I walked in. Her teacher told me she couldn’t believe how well Alana talked, and knew so much. She also told me Alana was the most well adjusted kid in the class. My baby is growing way too fast, I wish so much she could stay 2 a little longer.

Yaya Papaya

2008-08-14T12:19:00.000-07:00

Alana had her picture taken in the cutest TuTu EVER last month. When People walk in to my house it's the first thing they comment about. They are having a great giveaway. Check it out!!

http://www.yayapapayatutus.blogspot.com/

Alana can Spell her name!!

2008-08-13T13:24:00.000-07:00

So, a few days ago I posted that Alana couldn’t spell her name... I was so wrong (I thought she could and was pretending she couldn’t). Today, we where driving down the road and she was sitting in her car seat looking super cute with her sunglasses on and her juice box in hand. She said "A L A N A... ALANA" I started clapping yelling yea, you can spell your name and she did again "A L A N A". I get my phone saying let's call daddy and spell your name for him, Alana said "I not spell my name for my daddy, he at work". He was so excited when I told him she could spell her name. She catches on to things so fast, it was so hard for me to understand why she couldn’t spell her name. I think she had our number on this one, just waiting for the prefect moment to show me her new trick. The joys of mother hood, it’s moments like this that make life as a mother so wonderful.

Alana knows her letters!

2008-08-11T19:04:00.000-07:00

OMG, I am so proud of Alana. I have been working with her all summer my goal was for her to know all her letters, birthday, and count to 20 and spell her name! I was never so socked, when John was getting her out the car yesterday at Lowe's, he had a RICE Baseball shirt on, Alana pointed to all the letters saying what there where. Then she did the word baseball. I smiled at John, he told me I couldn't teach her them all by the end of the summer… I guess once again mommy knows best! She can count to 15 but not 20 yet at least. She also knows most of her shapes; she knows her colors but likes to pretend that she can’t remember. Her name is a little harder, she gets confused with all the A’s in it. She can tell you all the letters in it but when you have 5 letters in your name 3 of them are A’s that is what happens! I will have to post a video of her saying her name the way she says Alana Horton is super cute. Not so cute when she calls John and I by our names. On Saturday night, I was walking home with her from our neighbors and she starting yelling “JOHN HORTON COME HERE” it was super cute. He of course came running. He is in so much trouble when she is 16!!

Owen and Alana

2008-08-11T16:09:00.001-07:00

Well if you know us at all you know, Owen is Alana’s little friend who lives a few doors down. They love each other, over the last 5 months they haven’t seen each other much, with my surgery and then our two months in Omaha, NE once we got back The Brown’s left to go back home for a month. Well, he is back and they where so excited to see each other. Here are some pictures, of them on Saturday night, we love having them right there.

Emily and Will Visit!

2008-08-11T15:52:00.000-07:00

Last week, Emily, Will and Nina came to visit for a week. Alana was so excited to have her cousins come out to see her. We spent the week shopping, going to the pool and hanging out with friends. Really, all the kids wanted to do was play together. They had a BLAST! I love seeing the cousins together. They get along so well. Since my mom came out with them, John and I went on our first date since my surgery. We celebrated being together 7 years a few weeks early. John loved seeing the kids, since his work schedule is so busy he can’t see them as much as I do. The time flew by before we knew it the week was over. The day they flew home Alana cried telling me “I go on a plane too mommy, big trip.” She is referring to our BIG Omaha trip a few months ago. Alana loves to go! Emily is getting so big she is starting Kindergarten in a few weeks. Super William is such a delight to be around, loves taking care of his sister. I wish so much they lived closer. Last year, Will was still too young to come out, we where all so worried that he would get home sick but he didn’t in fact he as already packed to come back next year! We can’t wait! I wish I could have my other three nephews come also.

Princess Alana and Princess Haley

2008-08-11T15:36:00.000-07:00

We had dinner with some friends a few weeks ago and I had to post the pictures. Alana and Haley had so much FUN! Most of my girlfriends have boys so I don’t see Alana around other little girls very often. It was SO much fun to watch them. We had Princess Haley as Cinderella and Princess Alana as Bell. OMG, you should been there. Alana cried the whole way home and then slept until 10am the next morning. The first thing she said to me was “I go back to Haley’s house”. We plan to get the girls together more often.

Alana and Her Tea Parties!

2008-08-11T15:30:00.000-07:00

Alana has really started to get into Tea Parties. I most of had a 100 a day with her in the beginning, now it’s just once or twice a day. She got a tea set for doing so well with her potty training. She is 100% potty trained now. It didn’t take much, she told me back in June “I NOT WEAR diapers, I wear panties". She is a very strong-willed child. She knows what she wants, just ask her she will tell you all about it.

Forgot that we had a blog spot!

2008-08-05T13:27:00.000-07:00

Today, I sat down to start a blog spot for Alana and found that I already start one last November. I remember now starting it. Life got really crazy for us after that. Most of you know that a tumor was found in my spine in January and I under went surgery on March 14th! So, I guess I will use that as my excuse.

Our First Blog!! November 2007

2007-11-04T17:24:00.001-08:00

Hello Family and Friends,
Since we live so far from all of you, I thought I would start a blog about Miss Alana. That way you can all keep up with her. I will post from time to time and let everyone know what she is doing, she is a handful (as all 2 year olds are) so bare with me.

Halloween has come and gone but I wanted to share some pictures of it. We had a blast. Alana loved hanging out in her cow outfit. She had tons of friends come and trick-treat her. She was snow white at a block party we had and a cow on Halloween night. We are so bless John’s mom (Grandma Sara) makes Alana Halloween costumes, they are always amazing. This was the first year, we stayed and pasted out candy and man did we go through the candy. It was CRAZEY!! Fun but the door bell rang way past Alana’s bed time.