Spring has Sprung

The past month and a half have been filled with so many things to be thankful for. The coming of Spring always brings about a sense of new hope and joy and wonder. It is a time for renewal and moving forward for good things to come.

Early last month, both my father, Leo, and my brother-in-law, Chris, who is married to my youngest sister, Tina, underwent surgery. My father had been on dialysis for quite a few years and was taken off the kidney donor list when he was diagnosed with lung cancer (he had to be cancer free for 5 years before being put back on the list). Thankfully, the cancer was removed. The only way my father could get a new kidney (besides waiting for 5 years) was to have one donated to him. Chris volunteered to get tested and it was truly a blessing to find out that he was a match. The surgery was supposed to be scheduled in December but more tests had to be run on both my father and Chris. So, finally on March 6th, after much anticipation, the surgeries took place. Both my father and Chris had their own surgeons. Chris was in the hospital for less than a week and my dad was in VICU for about a week. Both are recovering well. I am truly grateful to Chris for going through all this, taking time from work, to help my father, someone he is only related to via marriage. I am so proud and honored to have him as part of the family.  My father is looking great and he is not as tired as he used to be, especially after coming off of dialysis. This is truly a wonderful blessing!!

Alex turned 15 1/2 last month...which means he got his learner's permit!! Boy, do I feel old!! Ted is teaching him to drive stickshift. I haven't been in the car with Alex yet, and I'm not planning to anytime soon. VA law requires that the learner must have his permit for at least 9 mos. before getting a license. And, in the fall, he will be getting required Drivers Ed in school. Besides learning how to drive, Alex has done well so far his Freshman year at Hampton High School. On Friday, Ted and I attended an awards ceremony/reception at his school. Alex was recognized for making the Honor Roll. He has been busy practicing soccer for about a month now.He finally got to play his first game yesterday and his team won 4-3.


Alex receives his Honor Roll award from the Hampton High Principal.

Sophia is done with her YMCA swimming for the season. She had her Championship Meet at the Yorktown Y today. She did well, placing 3rd in Breaststroke, 4th Place in both the Medley Relay (she swam the breaststroke portion) and the Freestyle Relay, 5th in Freestyle and 4th Backstroke. She still plans on swimming this summer again and will be doing conditioning a couple times a week with her summer swim team. She is growing like a weed and I can't believe she will be turning 13 in a couple of weeks...another teenager in the Van Horn house...YIKES! She recently completed a Red Cross Babysitting Training Course and is now certified to babysit. I know she is looking forward to making some money!!

Sophia swimming the breaststroke portion of the Medley Relay.

Matthew just turned 9 yrs. old on March 31st...he is growing like a weed too!! Like Alex, he has been practicing soccer for about a month now and had his first game today. His team one 2-1.  I enjoy watching his practices and seeing how much he has developed as a skillful player over the past few seasons. At this age, it is neat to watch him and his teammates finally learning to play like a team and working with each other.


Matthew celebrates his 9th Birthday!!

Alex's spring break was a week before Sophia and Matt's spring break (overlapping by a few days), so it really hasn't been much of a break for me. But, I enjoyed hosting Easter for my family. It's times like this when I really feel grateful to be living so close to them.


Kids on Easter Sunday.