three years ago...

My heart has been incredibly tender today as it is the three year anniversary of a day that changed my life forever. Three years ago today, Carrie went into surgery to fix her scoliosis. In all my life, it seems that my family is the “one chance in a million.” That horrible day is one that is cemented in my memory. Melanie and I were home and I knew something was wrong even before my dad called. I tried to stay busy to keep my mind from imagining all the things that could go wrong. Since that was the case, the phone call occurred while Melanie and I sat in the Reams parking lot. The surgery was filled with complications and Carrie had no feeling in either of her legs. We had no idea the road that lay ahead of us. That road included Carrie in a coma, forced to relearn how to be the dynamic redhead we all know and love, and living for three months in Primary Children’s Medical Center.

Today, three years later, we have traveled far and few things remain as evidence for everything that we endured. Still, this tricky road isn’t over and we continue to live one day at a time. I would never assume to think that I had the short end of the stick in this situation! Carrie is my hero and always will be. She has more strength and faith than all the stripling warriors combined! She faced  devastating odds and has conquered them repeatedly.  I strive to be a better person daily because of her amazing example.

I have too many things to be grateful for today. I wouldn’t have made it through that summer so long ago without my parents, my sisters, our ward family, and my wonderful friends. Somehow my parents instilled in me the ability to laugh through the pain. While Carrie spent 73 days in the hospital and it became my home, we were able to have fun. I look back on those days and I can still smile! We had countless parties including a number of root-beer floats with our favorite nurses. We met a number of wonderful people that still remain a part of the family. 

It is crazy to think that PCMC is one of my favorite places in the world. Still, it is home. I know the hallways backwards, forwards, and sideways. I could tell you when and where to get the best sugar cookies in the history of sugar cookies (besides the Hortin originals, of course). I can play UNO with the best of ‘em. And if you ever stop by for lunch, grab a hamburger on wheat with Swiss and a little BBQ and think of me. The Hortins have certainly made their mark on that place. Heaven help us that we only have to go back for checkups in the future…

Can you see how far we've come? Happy Three Years to Us!

catching the wave

(May 1^st! We’ve made it all the way to May 1^st! I can’t believe it, especially because of the flurry of snow I met this morning as I climbed down the stairs.)

Two of my closest and dearest friends leave on missions today. Aren't they beautiful???

Blaze and Sushi aka Sister Blazzard and Sister Stack

In fact, at this point I believe one is in the air headed to the MTC in Guatemala while the other just walked into the MTC doors of Provo. These two make missionaries #8 and #9 in my little Brighton 2012 family and I couldn’t be more excited for these darling sisters to go and conquer the world by sharing the Christ-like love of Brighton and their unstoppable testimonies. Still, my heart fractures slightly to know that I will not see these wonderful individuals for a full 18 months. Time goes quickly and before I know it, we will all be reunited again. Today, right now, it doesn’t feel like it. I feel my heart going with them.

I know I am not the first to feel this type of heartbreak and I will most definitely not be the last. With the large wave of missionaries headed out in response to the prophet’s call, I’m sure that everyone has their own experience. These girls mean the world to me!

Go forth and serve, my friends. God be with you til we meet again :)

accountable

I made this blog years ago because I thought that was what the cool kids were doing. “You have a blog? Then, maybe I should have a blog….” After I graduated from college, I used it as a way to continue writing after doing so constantly for my degree. It was my own version of Continual Education. I was going strong there for a good year or so and then the craziness of 2012 happened. A number of my wildest dreams came true and I found myself barely able to keep up with the changes. Thus, the blog suffered. Why do you care? You probably don’t. But…. I’m going to keep writing anyway.

Those of you who know me and follow my blog know that I work for Deseret Book. (How could you not know…? Seriously, I’ve beaten that dead horse so far into the ground, it’s ridiculous.) While working in marketing, I’ve learned all sorts of things including the fact that bloggers are one of our biggest tools. We send out countless books for blogger reviews that help to further publicity. We recently published a book with the astronomically popular blog “Six Sisters Stuff” because we can. And we should. For books that we want to make a splash, we set up a “blog tour” where 50 or so bloggers post repeatedly.  I recently bought tickets for some in the department to attend a blogging conference the end of next month to learn more how we can connect and increase our reach. Point being- blogs are still what the cool kids are doing.  In fact, even more cool kids have jumped on the bandwagon. And I’m a cool kid, right?

I realize that I don’t have the skills to make this into anything famous or life-altering for anyone but me. I don’t know much about cooking. I do not have a husband or children that are picky eaters and require a home cooked meal every night. If I had time to sit down and craft, I would rather spend it climbing a mountain, playing at the park, or finding some way to bask in the sunshine. Yet, I feel the void that neglecting this little blog friend of mine has created. 

Therefore, I’m back! I don’t pledge that great things will come of this. It is more self-serving than anything else but I miss it. I miss writing. I miss this social channel and its ability to connect to people, even if those it reaches are related to me and hear the same stories on Sunday. Starting today, I will post at least once a day. I know that this means less to you than it does to me but I thought I should make myself more accountable from this point forward. 

Thank you for reading my longwinded ramblings. Hello friends! I’ve missed you!

that awkward moment when...

you fall asleep on a stranger's shoulder.

(P.S. This happened weeks ago. Did I mention that my sister's wedding was the end of February? I was a little preoccupied...)

Here's my story:

A little while ago, I went with some friends up to Lava Hot Springs. I had never been before and I had no idea the fun and relaxing time that awaited me. The occasion came about because I was conversing with one of my best friends about the craziness that is my life at the moment. After my venting session, she invited me to tag along with the "Sandy Crew" (my personal name for the group) and head up to Lava.

I left work a little early to pack my overnight bag and to wait for Britt and Mel to come and pick me up. We left Salt Lake and the muggy air while jamming to Backstreet Boys and N'SYNC. (Shout out to my elementary years!) When we had traveled as far as Ogden, it was time to stop for some food. I found out that others have as much trouble picking what to eat as I do. Lucky for us, we found an exit with a Subway right next to a Wendy's. Mel and I headed over for some flat bread and sweet onion teriyaki and met the other girls to eat next door. We were talking about this, that and the other when all the sudden, I'm on my knees. Wearing my slick leather boots on black ice- not a good idea. Correction. Black ice - not a good idea. I hit the ground hard and scratched up my knee. Awesome.

Back on the road, we sang harmony to Sara Bareilles and Ingrid Michaelson and bonded with the Idaho stars. I've seen my far share of beautiful night skies and let me tell you - that was a beautiful night sky. After a few detours and u-turns, we pulled into Soda Springs and the fun little lodge that we had rented for the night. It was huge and yet so cozy. We met up with the rest of the crew and they wanted to give us a little tour. Actually, they wanted to show us the creepy basement. Dave and Loni were staged in a little room trying to freak us out. Poor things hung out in the dark basement for almost an hour and I think they only kinda scared Justin. One out of fifteen.

We spent the rest of the night playing games and eating food. When it was far past the time to go to bed, everyone went their separate ways.We awoke early the next morning and I learned that I make a mean pancake. I've watched my dad make pancakes almost every morning for the past 25 years and tried to make him proud. A number of compliments later, I felt pretty accomplished. I'm not saying that making pancakes is neurosurgery, but hey, I'm pretty good at it.

The springs were fantastic and super relaxing (besides the fact that I was in a swimsuit). Check that off my bucket list- I have been to Lava Hot Springs and even hung out in the Fire Hot pool or whatever the super hot one is called. We stayed for a few hours and were completely relaxed by the time we headed back south for dinner/lunch at Maddox.

Here is when things get awkward: Remember when you hang out in a hot tub and get super relaxed and then all you want to do is sleep? Well, I do. I tried, friends... I honestly tried to stay awake. I was sitting in the back of Tamra's car next to Dave and Nate. I know Dave a little but not enough to sleep on his shoulder. I was awake and talking and chilling out when suddenly..... BOOM! My head hits Dave's shoulder. Hard.

If only I could have swayed towards the window. If only I could have slept funky and ended up with a crick in my neck. If only I could have stayed awake...then what followed for the rest of the trip would not have happened.

I woke instantly and apologized. I wasn't completely awake so I don't remember exactly what happened in the next few minutes but I do remember being accused of "putting the moves" on Dave. That was not even close to my intentions but try and convince my friends of that fact. The entire time we spent eating lunch was accompanied with jokes pointed at my ability to "put on the moves."

Have they forgotten they forgotten the incident since then? Ha, in my dreams...

words to live by

new year

Happy 2013 everyone!

I'm only a few weeks late in wishing you a happy new year. 

(Don't judge. It could be much worse.)

 I know I should be looking towards the new year with enthusiasm. I am in a way. This year will prove to be one of many changes in my life- most important of which is that I will have a BIL as of February 28. Weird. 

On the other side, I have a funky feeling about 2013. Last year was one of the best! EVER! So many of my wildest dreams came true that now I don't know where exactly life will take me. What dreams do I have left? (Other than the obvious of finding Mr. Right...)

During my trip to Oregon at the beginning of December, my friend, Kuhn, asked me what plans I had for my future. I sat there and mumbled something but I've realized that I don't really know. I suppose I should get cracking on it.

While considering this great dilemma, I found this article from Elder Jeffrey R. Holland.
Enjoy!

https://www.lds.org/ensign/2010/01/the-best-is-yet-to-be?lang=eng 



I choose to believe it is true- that the best is yet to be. Here's to a great 2013 with all of its ups and downs!

happy Christmas shopping...

Not to be a walking advertisement for the place who writes my paycheck, but I thought that some may want a little bit of help in their holiday shopping. And if so- I've got some great ideas for you! (All pictures belong to Deseret Book.)

1)

New from Elder Holland- Honestly, that is all you need to know. But I'm gonna tell you about it anyway. I've known about this book for awhile and was even given the opportunity to read it before it was published. Believe me when I tell you that this book will hit the mark of any person on your Christmas list. This book contains Elder Holland's own reflections of the Psalms with a specific attention to the Messiah and the 23rd Psalm. EVERYONE will benefit from this book!

When I first opened the manuscript months ago, I was encouraged by the fact that it was all new writings from one of my favorite apostles. Little did I know the peace and the healing balm that his words would be on what I considered an untroubled heart. His writing is personal. So much so that I felt as if he were speaking directly to Jenny Hortin through the pages. Could he have had me in mind when he wrote it? Slightly, but only because we all deal with the same troubles. We are all trying to do our best and make it from day to day. This is the answer to the problems you didn't know you had.

AND not only is it a wonderful book, but it comes with a DVD with 2 HOURS OF ELDER HOLLAND answering questions about life. A friend of mine was able to attend the taping and she said it was a life-changing experience to sit at the feet of an apostle who knows what we are going through and wants nothing more than to help bring us closer to the light of the Gospel. If I haven't convinced you to buy the book, buy the DVD and you'll get the book for free! :) (In a manner of speaking)

2)

 This book has been out in our stores for some time but if you haven't grabbed a copy, one for your mom, or your sister, or your grandmother, or those you visit teach, then you need to! This lovely book is exactly what it appears. It contains divine instruction from Joseph Smith during the first meetings of the Relief Society in Nauvoo with personal insights from my friends, Sheri and Virginia. (They don't know me from Eve, but I figure if they did, we would be friends.) This book is a great reminder of the power of women and the role we play in the grand scheme of things.


3)

I love this book! I may or may not have two copies of it on my bookshelf at home, one being signed by the author.... In my personal, unbiased opinion, every single girl should read this book! It will make you laugh, possibly cry, and will most definitely make your romantic heart race. If I could find a man like Phillip, I'd marry him. Just sayin' Buy one for your mom, sister, and your best friends. Read it in Book Club. Carry it with you while riding public transportation. If you haven't caught on yet: YOU NEED THIS BOOK!


4) For the kids on your list:

This is the second of The Candy Shop War series so go ahead and buy the first as well. You say the name Brandon Mull and you know you are in for a good treat. Any fans of Fablehaven, or the Beyonders will be a fan of this series. I feel a personal connection to this book because of the massive marshmallow war that I helped with---if I haven't told you that story yet, it's a classic. Ask me about it one day.


5) Get a jelly watch from DB! I own the pink and through my family, we own all but the orange and green. Still, it is only a matter of time before I storm the store and grab everyone for myself. Act fast!

 

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