Crazy, winding, bumpy roads

Hello friends! Remember how I said that I was really bad at posting on my blog? Well, it's still true. In case you didn't know, I graduated from high school in June and am now officially a college student. This fall I will be attending Salt Lake Community College working on a degree on Occupational Therapy Assisting. I'm starting to get really excited and can honestly say for probably the first time in my life, I'm excited for the school year to start! But let's not get carried away, I do still want to enjoy the summer. I'm so grateful for all the people that have helped me along this crazy, winding, and bumpy road, I never would have made it without them.

My amazing parents

My crazy sisters

And brother-in-law

Wonderful Grandmothers

And all other family and friends that have helped me make it to this milestone in my life, thank you so much for all your love and support!

Becoming an adult

6 days from today will be my birthday! The baby of the Bret Hortin clan will be an adult! So here's a secret wish for my birthday. I really want someone to make a big deal out of my birthday. Because of recent events with a certain someone, I'm worried that no one at school will even remember that it is my birthday. I kind of want to get surprised at school with something that will tell people that it is my birthday. (like a crown. balloon, sign, or something) or perhaps a surprise lunch. Also a wish for my birthday is that I want to make homemade rootbeer, mostly because I want to go legally by dry ice. Other things on my birthday list include:
Tickets to Catching Fire at midnight
Monsters U
Castle season 5
Ephraim's Rescue
itunes giftcard
iphone
New bookshelf
New pants
Other cute clothes
Short coat
Across the body bag
Utah zip-up hoodie
Manicure and pedicure
New shoes

For a special someone....

This video goes out to a special sister that I know could use some comfort right now. Just remember Sis, "come what may."

 

 

I love you Sis, and I wish I could take this hardship away from you. I know you will make it through, you are one of the strongest people I know. You are my hero and I love you more than words can express. Just know that I will always be here for you. Love, your baby sister.

Music in my head...

So my friend showed me this song and I just fell in love with it. I thought I would share it with all of you!

Make Me Smile Monday

That's right folks! Two posts less then a week apart! I'm on a roll! Make me smile monday is making a comeback!

Things I smiled at today

My Dad, who carried my stuff next door for me

watching an episode of Castle

Knowing an answer in my review this morning that no one else did

wearing my daddy's t-shirt to school

Season Finale of Castle tonight

The Day My Life Changed....

So I'm really bad at writing on my blog consistantly. If you happen to look at my blog daily (basically only my Mom does that) you will note that the last time I wrote on my blog was over 6 months ago. (Yeah, pretty inconsistant) But today my heart is so full that I just felt the need to put it into words. Three years ago today, my life was permanently changed. I underwent a spinal fusion to fix a scoliosis curve that was causing me EXTREME back pain. While in this surgery, I lost all feeling in my legs and the ability to move them. Through a dramatic turn of events, I ended up in a coma and lost the ability to talk, see only one image, swallow, and be the spunky, hard-headed red head that I am. This series of unfortunate events left me in the hospital for 73 days. My day was full of physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and occasionally music therapy. (That was my favorite kind) and I even got to work with a therapy dog sometimes. I was fed through a tube in my nose, had to have a shot twice a day, and was worn thin. It took me months before I was even allowed to leave the hospital for an hour. During those three months I lost weight (not in a good way), mostly because I didn't eat much. In my defense, everything made me sick. I spent most of my extra time sleeping, or talking with my sisters. Honestly I could have never made it through without my three amazing sisters, my ever-loving parents, my Aunt Patti that would sometimes stay nights with me so that my parents could get a break and actually go home, my Grandma that gave me a present and homemade card every day, and my constant visitor, my Oma. Especially when she brought my fresh yellow roses that just brightened my room. Many other family and friends came to visit me, the list is way to long to type out. The 73 days seemed to last an eternity, but eventually I came home. You would think the struggles would end there  but no. The first time I had to climb the stairs up to my bedroom I though I was going to die. But slowly, trough the help of family and amazing physical therapists at Neuroworx, I got back to myself and here I am before you today. I am so thankful to my Heavenly Father for helping me get through this because honestly, I never could have done it on my own. I'm so happy to be here with my family today!

 My amazing Sisters!

My amazing Grandma!

 The greatest Oma in the world!

 I'm finally home!

Canada! (Day 1)

At the beginning of this month, my family got the chance to go outside the country! We got to go to Vancouver, Canada. We had so much fun! The trip started out a little rocky, but it turned out to be great! Sadly, my sister Jenny was not able to come with us because she was previously committed to working up at Brighton Girl's Camp. My Dad had a business trip there and we decided to make it a family vacation. My parents flew on a flight directly to Canada and my two sisters and I flew to Seattle Washington and then drove to Vancouver.

We had a bit of trouble getting there because our flight was delayed and then they told us that they couldn't fly because the water heater was broken. Then they got another plane, but it was considerably smaller and some people coudn't get in the flight. Luckily....

We were chosen!

 So, we got in the plane and flew to Seattle. Now, considerably behind schedule, we got the rental car and began the drive to Canada. We had not had anything to eat since the bagels and scones we got at the airport, other than the peanuts they give you on the plan, which was definately not enough. After a while of driving, trying to make up for lost time, but not having much sucess, we stopped for some food. Melanie and Maggie both got a Diet Coke for a drink

Guess which one is Melanie's

Then began the trip across the border, The sign estimated about a 45 minute wait...

Better start thinking like a Canadian....





The supposed 45 minute wait, turned out to take over an hour. Ugh! But we finally got through the border and for the first time in my life, I entered another country.

 Before we returned the car, we needed to fill it up. Oh boy was that a headache. We got off the freeway, and followed the signs that said ther was a gas station. Well, we found no gas station, we only found farmland. Then after we drove a little farther and got off the freeway again, we finally found a gas station.

Gas before pass! (Canada, that is...)

Then we finally got to the airport and returned the car. We took the sky train to the stop by our hotel, and after more than 8 hours of traveling and separation, we were finally reunited with our parents. We walked to the hotel and got checked in. Instead of expoloring the hotel or and fun stuff like that, we just shared our experiences with the parents, and went to bed.

Goodnight Maggie!