My First Half Marathon

On October 23rd, I did my very first half marathon. A couple of friends and I have been training since May. We were nervous and excited for it to finally get here. We met up in Conway for 13.1 miles. Two hours and 35 minutes later, I crossed the finish line! I was such a GREAT feeling. All of the entrance fees benefited the Soaring Wings Ranch, which ministers to young people.

Me with Heather and Tami, my running buddies

Lots and lots of runners. I kind of felt like I didn't belong. Ha!


Leah Thorvilson. She came and spoke to the Women Can Run clinic I started running with. She is amazingly FAST! She is trying out for the Olympics.

Derek was so sweet to meet me every so often on the course. It would give me a burst of energy to see him.

Soooo happy to be D-O-N-E!

Me and Kris. She also helped me train. She knows A LOT about running.

We did it!
Kind of felt like going in to the Dora "We Did It" song she sings at the end of every episode. Ha!

Heather gave us these stickers for our cars! Love it!

Derek and me afterward. I was SO tired.

I have never been a runner. Seriously, ask my junior high track coach. I have found that I really enjoy it. My toenails may never be the same, but I have loved the health benefits, the stress release it gives me, and the GREAT friends I have made through running. Heather and Tami are trying to convince me to go for the Little Rock full marathon. I just don't know about that! 13.1 felt far enough. I can't imagine doubling that! We'll see. =) For now, I'm just glad my first half is behind me.

Walk Now for Autism Speaks

Little Rock had their very first Walk Now for Autism Speaks Walk October 2nd. We formed a team for Evan called "Evan's Voice." We raised over $2,000. We were so excited and so moved by all of the support of family and friends. A group even joined us on the day of the walk to walk with us. It meant so much to us! God had His hand on the entire event. The weather was beautiful and all the children had THE best time. Praying for a cure and prevention measures!

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this boy!!!
Also so proud of his report card. He got such good grades.
He is SO AMAZING!

My Baby Girl Turned FOUR!

On October 21st, Ella Grace turned four! I just can't believe how fast time has flown. It seems like I just brought that baby home from the hospital! We celebrated at the WonderPlace. She had lots of friends and family come and celebrate with her. Such a fun time!

All ready to go. She was SO excited!

I thought she looked like a princess. =)

Playing market with her good buddy, Elijah

Having pizza with her BFF, Kaitlyn

Singing Happy Birthday to my sweet girl

Enjoying princess cupcakes

My girl and me. I am SO blessed!

Derek and I are so proud of Evan and Ella Grace. EG was really grateful for all her gifts. She told me, "I love you the whole weekend for my party." She thinks the weekend is a really long time. =) Evan had a great time, too. I never could get a good picture of him. They are all action shots. He was running around having a ball!

I took these on her actual birthday before school at church.

So thankful for both my beautiful babies! Now, quit growing up so fast!

My Kids' Closets

I'm a big fan of consignment sales. I'd much rather do that than have a garage sale. I sold a lot of things at the first sale in town, but we've been so busy lately that I missed the last local sale. So, I'm doing what I said I'd never do again...preparing for a garage sale! In the process of organizing that, I have found some good stuff that I wanted to offer to my friends first. If you are interested, let me know. I can bring it to you! We are planning for our garage sale at the end of the month, so if I don't sale it here, it will go in the garage sale.

Tumble Top
$25 (I paid $86 + S/H)

Minnie Mouse Dress & Headband Costume
$8 (paid about $27 for it)

Melissa & Doug Abacus
$5 (retail $15)


Phone Smart Teaching Telephone
This records your voice, helps learn phone numbers, etc.

Like new
$7.00 (retail $23)

Gator Golf
Like New
$5.00 (retail $17)

SOLD
Toy Story Soldiers Bucket
Like New
$4.00 (retail $13.00)

SOLD
Melissa & Doug Round Safari Puzzle
$4.00 (retail $13)

SOLD
Disney Minnie Mouse Slippers, Size 9/10
$5.00 (retail $24)

SOLD
Wooden Car Set
Like New
$14 (I paid around $50)

Cinderella Talking Vanity and Accessories
$40 (Retails four around $130)

Gymboree Shirt (Size 4), Dot Pants (Size 3), Leggings (Size 4), Hair Barretts
$17 for all

StrideRite T-Strap, Silver, Size 8.5 , From Heel to Toe

$12.00 (Paid around $40 f0r them)

SOLD
Footmates, Red, Size 9, From Heel to Toe
Probably only worn 3 times
$16 (Paid about $52 for them)

Animal Print Slippers, Size 9/10
$4.00

Mermaid Slippers, Size 9/10
$5.00

I'll be updating this post as I continue my organizing. =) Email me if you have any questions: leighahorton@sbcglobal.net

Thanks!

My Shy Little Girl

Ella Grace is VERY shy. She will even tell strangers she is shy when they try to talk to her and she isn't interested. With children, she wants to play so bad but sometimes is too shy to ask others to play. She wants ME to ask them. I'm trying to help her come out of it a little. She did so good today!

We have the sweetest little girls that live next door. They have been over to swim a couple of times, we shot fireworks together and have played in our yards together. We haven't seen them in a while, but tonight we were playing out in the backyard and so were our neighbors. I told EG to invite them over to play. She told me to. Ha! I told her if she wanted to play, she had to invite them. For a while, she was fine talking to Alexandra through the fence, passing leaves and sticks back and forth and even trading silly bands.

Finally, she got up the courage. The girls came over and they jumped on the trampoline, played on the swing set and played hopscotch. EG had such a good time and almost cried when they had to go home.

Such sweet times. Such a sweet girl.

I can't believe she is going to be FOUR in 21 days!!!

Oh, and right before she drifted off to sleep tonight, with eyes closed she said, "You're my best friend." My heart is full!

A-Camp

We are gearing up for the first ever Walk Now for Autism Speaks in Little Rock next weekend. Our family is completely overwhelmed by the support of family and friends that have walked with us through this entire journey. The support is so evident by the $1,900+ that has been raised for Autism Speaks in Evan's name ("Evan's Voice," our team name). There is still time to join our team or donate by going to:

http://www.walknowforautismspeaks.org/faf/search/searchTeamPart.asp?ievent=335892&lis=1&kntae335892=E155F47CC9F64287BA19CA674DE9A655&team=3782242&tlteam=0

We are immensely thankful and blessed by everyone's support!

With all that said, I wanted to share some pictures of Evan from A-Camp. What a wonderful experience for these kiddos (who just happen to have autism) to get a true camp experience. I'm so incredibly grateful.

Probably my favorite picture from camp. Evan and Ms. Ashley watching canoers. Evan really took up with her and she was so good with him.

Loving on his lead teacher, Ms. Carol. Precious, precious lady!


Making a yummy snack with Ms. Rachel (She is Evan's speech therapist and has worked wonders with Evan's overall communication. Just amazing.)

Dancing with Ms. Ashley

Craft time! They made the cutest crafts every day!

Hat is complete. This picture cracks me up!

Evan and one of the many volunteer counselors that made camp possible.

Catching a bug. It lived on my kitchen counter for a week. =)

As much as I wish Evan didn't have autism, I have made some of my best friends through our journey. They love my kid and they love me. They are some of the most self-LESS people you will ever meet. People that want to make a difference and DO...one child at a time (and one parent at a time).