Found!

I finally found my camera cord. It was sitting on top of my dresser, behind a picture frame. I know I had looked there at least three times! Actually, I didn't find it. Jason did. Here are some pictures from the last month.

Andrew and I making cupcakes for Valentines Day. We intended on giving them out, but we ended up eating them all ourselves!

This is the best part!

Thankfully there are two!

Miss Madelyn watching the snow. I didn't have the right snow gear for her to get out in the snow, so she watched Jason and Andrew play from the window.

We measured 26 inches on our driveway.

Jason cleared a trail for Andrew to walk on.

Madelyn enjoys brushing her teeth!

We were watching the Grammys and Andrew went and got his microphone and guitar. He watched the singers on tv and tried to do what they were doing. Don't worry- we didn't let him see Lady Gaga! Ha!

Andrew and his friends decorating Valentine boxes at school.

Miss Madelyn at her 15 month checkup

Weight: 21 lbs 3.1 ozs- 24%

Height: 28 1/2 inches- 8% (I didn't know there was an 8th percentile!)

Head: 46 inches- 54%

After the snow, the weather dramatically changed and we had 60 degree temps! We've played outside a lot. Andrew has enjoyed pushing Madelyn in his car.

That's about it for us! We've just been enjoying the nice weather after all the snow. Jason and I are sponsors for our church youth retreat this weekend. We are heading to OK to spend the weekend with 23 teenagers. I don't know what we've gotten ourselves into!

LOST!

My camera cord has gone AWOL!! I am about to go crazy. I have pictures from the huge snowstorm, Valentines day, Madelyn walking, etc. But, I can't upload the pictures because I cannot find my camera cord. I have looked everywhere for this thing, but I just cannot find it. I am going to have to buy a new one, I guess. Thankfully, my aunt took some pictures of the kids this weekend while they were visiting Mimi and Grandad. It just blows my mind how big these two are getting! Madelyn is FIFTEEN MONTHS OLD!!! I can't believe it! She is the happiest and sweetest little girl. She is walking everywhere and trying to run after Andrew. Andrew loves her 90% of the time! He is very nice to her, but he does like to tackle her. She can hold her own with him pretty well! They are at such fun ages. Andrew talks all.the.time and says some of the funniest things. I get a good laugh from him multiple times during the day! So, here are a few pictures of how they have grown!

Surgery and Snow Days

We have been buried in the snow around here! It has actually been kind of nice. I have really enjoyed my time at home with the kids, but we are all looking forward to getting back to school. Although, it may be March before we do! There is another winter storm system coming our way this week. Last week-before the snow storm-Andrew had surgery. It was a left hydrocelectomy. He had a lump in his "male parts" and we were referred to a urologist. The urologist made a 2 inch incision in his abdomen (it looks like a tiny version of my c-section scar) and went in and drained the fluid from his "part" and then tied off the area that was causing the fluid to leak. This could have eventually caused a hernia. The procedure was about an hour, but we had to be at the hospital at 7am for pre-op. Andrew said, "I am not sick. I am feeling very much better. We can go home. I don't need any surgeries." I felt pretty sorry for him! He was doing alright once we got there and he was able to watch Mickey Mouse!
After the surgery was over he was FURIOUS! He had an IV in his arm and he did not like that one bit. He wanted it off and he wanted it off right then. They couldn't take it off, because he had to drink some juice and use the bathroom before we could be discharged, and then they would remove it. My mom came up to help (THANK YOU!!!) and she and Jason went downstairs to get us some lunch. Andrew saw it and wanted to eat, but they said he couldn't eat until we got home. So that caused another problem. The kid was starving! They informed us that it could be 5-6pm before we would be discharged, because most little ones refuse to go potty. I told Andrew that the only way we could go home and he could get his IV out was if he would go to the bathroom. He said, "I want to go. I have to potty." We took him to the bathroom and he was successful! He walked out and went to the nurse and said "Will you please take this off of me." She did and we were gone by noon! He is a determined little boy! He also didn't seem one bit fazed by the surgery. He was doing everything they told him not to do- lift things, ride his bike, push things, run, etc. It took all of our energy to keep him still! We are just so glad it went well!

So, after one week of surgery recovery we headed back to school on Monday. Then the big snowstorm came and we spent the rest of the week at home! We have watched the Toy Story Trilogy over and over and over and over and over! We have also watched so much Mickey Mouse Clubhouse that I have almost called Toodles to bring me the Mouse-ka-tools when I needed help! Ha! Here are a few pictures from our lazy snow days!

Miss Madelyn and her pig tails! Her hair is growing and she looks so cute with them pulled back!

I've also let her feed herself, because she refuses to eat otherwise! She isn't that bad at it!

They did some cleaning in the kitchen drawers.

Madelyn modeled her cat ears from Mere and Don.

Andrew refused to nap this week. He passed out at dinner one night. Yes, he is wearing a swim shirt!

Andrew enjoyed eating ice-cream in bed while watching Mickey Mouse.

Madelyn even watched Mickey! She found herself a new pillow.

Mickey Mouse is serious stuff!

Andrew played a little dress-up!

We finally got out in the snow today. It was just too cold any other day. He really wanted to build a snowman. He has watched Frosty the Snowman a few times and said, "I am going to build a snowman and it is going to come to life and then I will name him Frosty. He will say Happy Birthday and then I will take him to the North Pole."

Not quite Frosty, but he will do!

Oh, Madelyn has become a full time walker over these snow days!

She really wanted to go and play in the snow, but she has had a runny nose and I wasn't going to chance it! She was content just to watch Andrew play and Jason shovel the driveway through the window!

It's Been A While!

It's been a while since I've had a chance to update this blog! We are just having a good time around our house. Madelyn is beginning to walk, which is very exciting! She has a difficult time, because she really just wants to take off running, so she trips over her feet pretty easily. It doesn't stop her though, she just picks herself up and keeps on going! Andrew is growing and growing! He cracks me up each day with the humerous things that he says. He is also having surgery to repair a hernia tomorrow. It's a little nerve wracking for me, but it should go just fine. Here are a few pictures from the past few weeks.

Andrew got a new table and chairs for Christmas and he and Madelyn have enjoyed eating breakfast together in the mornings!
Madelyn is officially only eating table food. My grocery bill has been much nicer! Here she is eating some spaghetti. She couldn't get it fast enough!

On New Year's Eve I made a cake for dessert to take to the Hinds' house. Andrew insisted on having candles on the cake and singing Happy Birthday, so we did!

Little Miss Madelyn! She loves to push this shopping cart. It is almost twice her size. She also is a very difficult child to get dressed. I have to put her diaper on while she is standing up. She refuses to lay down and stay still.

Andrew showing off our first snow!

Madelyn at 14 months. I was trying to get a decent picture, after 20 attempts this was the best I could do!

Still loving her bath!

Enjoying our second snow! It was much bigger this time and we got two days off from school. Andrew loved rolling around in the snow. He and Jason did try to build a snowman, but it didn't work out too well.

Miss Madelyn today at school. She just hates it when I leave her classroom. She throws herself to the ground and screams! It's so nice to feel loved! Ha!

Well, that's about all we've been up to these days! Just trying to stay warm and stay well. We've all had that cold/flu thing! Yuck!

Recaps and Resolutions

I can't believe that 2010 is over (or that my computer is highlighting my text in blue)! We had a fun year and it went by way to fast! Here is a recap of the highlights from the Horn's in 2010.

In January we had a HUGE snowstorm. School was canceled for about a week and Jason was off work. I fashoned what I like to call "The Redneck Snowsuit" for Andrew to wear and stay dry in the snow.
In February we took our first family of four (plus Gracey dog) trip to Gaston's. It was a very relaxing weekend and it proved to me that we could take two kids on a trip by ourselves. We hope to continue this tradition every year!

I was able to accompany Jason on a business trip to Lake Tahoe for a couple of days. I relaxed in the hotel spa. It was fantastic!

In March Madelyn was dedicated at our church with most of our family present. It was another HUGE snowstorm that everyone braved to travel up our way for Miss Madelyn! It was a very special day.

March also marks my job change as director of the preschool at our church. It was a welcomed change for me, because I can be apart of the kid's lives every day, even when I'm working. We are truly thankful for God's blessing he poured out with this opportunity!

In April we celebrated Easter! We had a great church service, followed by lunch at our house. We died Easter eggs, but Gracey ate them all during the night!

In May we bought the double stroller. You know you've got your hands full when this becomes a necessity!

In June we took our family vacation to California! We went to Disneyland, Sea World, The San Diego Zoo, and the beach. We met Mimi and Grandad out there and also got to visit Emily. It was a fun time! I can't wait for this year's vacation!

July was spent doing a lot of swimming and playing outside! The kid's spent quite a few days at Mimi and Grandad's while I got things ready for school to start.

School started back in August and it has just been wonderful for all of us! We feel so at home at our church and with the people that we are around each day. I am so happy that the kids have wonderful teachers who love them and care for them! Most of all, I'm happy to be there with them every day!

We said "farewell" to Jason's appendix during a shocking visit to the doctor one Wednesday afternoon!

Andrew turned 3 in September! We celebrated with a big Sesame Street birthday party in the gym at our church. I cannot believe that this baby is 3 years old! I love this boy more and more each day! It is such a joy to watch him grow and see him learning so many things!

In October we went on our annual pumpkin patch trip! I love the fall and everything that comes along with it...Razorback football, pumpkin pie, cooler weather, chili, taco soup...

We celebrated Grandma Horn's 90th birthday and got a chance to spend some quality time with the Horn family. We are anxious to spend more time with them in the coming year!

Little Sister had her first birthday in November! I am amazed at how time flew by! She is just the sweetest little one and has such a kind and gentle personality- with a great determination to do what she needs to do! I love watching her grow into a "little girl"!

Oh yeah, I turned 29 in November...but, no one remembered seeing as it's the day after M's bday, so I'm actually going to forever be 27 since that's the age I was when she was born and no one remembered my bday last year either! Except for the nurses at the hospital who had it on their computers! Ha!

Jason and I also took a trip to Washington DC. It was great to get away by ourselves!

We celebrated Thanksgiving and had many blessings to be thankful for!

Jason got a promotion at work! We were very excited about it! God's timing is perfect! Jason has enjoyed his new responsibilities very much. We are so blessed to each have jobs that we truly enjoy.

Oh, and the kids both got tubes and Andrew got his adenoids out. November, I think, could have been a year in itself!

And here we are on Christmas Eve! What a fun month December was, filled with Christmas programs, parties, and activities! It was great to get to see our family that we don't always get a chance to see. I loved watching Andrew enjoy the Christmas season and learn about baby Jesus! It was so exciting to hear him tell us about baby Jesus and the nativity. I loved hearing him sing his Christmas songs about going to Bethlehem and performing in the preschool program. I can't wait until next year for Madelyn to understand what Christmas is all about and see her response.

As I am typing this, I'm realizing just how fast this year has gone by! I am amazed at how much Andrew and Madelyn have grown from January until now. I am proud of the changes that they have made and the milestones they have reached. My heart is filled with such joy to see them growing up knowing and loving Jesus! I am also pleased that we made it through this year without many difficulties and that I kept my sanity...for the most part! Having two kids this close in age is really a challenge! I have such high expectations for myself as a mother and sometimes it comes down to just appreciating life as it is, instead of as I think it should be. I'm also re-thinking the title of this post, because all of my resolutions totally contridict the aforementioned statement! Ha!

I will leave you with my-lengthy-list of new year's resolutions. Please remember, these are coming from a perfectionist who has a TOUCH of add and ocd! Ha!

1. Be On Time (maybe this one should be in all caps!)- I am never on time for anything anymore. I used to be on time, if not early, all the time. Now, I am always 10-15 minutes later than I should be. I've even convinced myself that it's alright to be this late. Andrew has started saying "are we late, mommy?" every time we get in the car!

2. Decorate/update my house- I have several projects that I want to complete around the house. I have a typed up list for each room and what I want to do in it. Along with a list of what I need to buy to accomplish my goals and an estimated timeline and budget (note the ocd & add). I know that we're going to be in this house for quite a while (which is fine, because I love this house) and I want to make it feel more homey!

3, Be smart with our finances- budget better, pay off anything and everything, put more into savings, etc. etc. etc. This one is boring, but it's also necessary- in my opinion!

4. Teach Andrew to be obedient- reward his good behavior, give him a "chore chart" with responsibilities that he is able to do and have him earn an allowance when he does those things. I want him to understand what it means to obey and why we do it. I also want to be consistent and fair in disciplining him.

5. Read 1-2 books a month- I just enjoy reading and I think it's important for me to do something that I enjoy. I feel like a lot of times I am just engulfed in what the kids are doing or want me to be doing for them. Granted, this is my job (and the greatest/hardest job I'll ever do), but I need to have some sort of something that is just for me!

So, those are the goals for 2011! If it goes as fast as 2010, you'll have an update on how this went in no time! I hope that everyone has a great year!