What's in a Name?

Esther May Hawley Van Horn and Guy Elliott Van Horn

Howard Alexander Thon and Vernice Brauer Thon

(pronounced "Tone")

Kelsey and Covey were throwing out possible names for their future little munchkins (no, they are not expecting), and a favorite of mine is Kingsley, just because we would have too much fun with Kingsley Cole ("Ol' King Cole was a merry old soul...."). I told them how much I've loved having family names for my girls (Elaine, Sarah, Barbara and Caroline are all family names--a few from my side of the family and a few from Steve's side) Just think, if we kept going we could've had an Esther, Vernice, Guy, Elliott, Howard or Alexander running around. Maybe one of my girls will choose to bestow one of these names on a child of theirs some day. That would be sweet.

"A rose by any other name would smell as sweet."

We. Are. Family.

All my brothers and sisters and me.

This is the Van Horn clan. Growing up, we were the Herdman's of our Orem and Bellingham neighborhoods. A favorite collective memory: mom, at the end of her rope, throwing golf balls at the retreating backs of my brothers and their friends while yelling, "I have had it!" We are not perfect. Our kids are not perfect. But together, somehow, we are perfect. We have all been down the road to hell and back, and I can not think of a more reliable and non judgemental group to have in my corner. We will move heaven and earth to be there for each other, and have done so many times. We all have helped each other in our own little ways, whether it's financial, or moral and physical support. We have flown to Pete's bedside when he suffered electrical burns over a huge part of his body. We answered the call to go to Bellingham to help look for our missing niece and console our grieving sister. We have gathered together to say a final earthly goodbye to our brother, Mark, and sister, Julie. We will go and watch Pete perform his music in many different venues. We prayed for Jeff when he fell off the roof. We have prayed for Tommy and John and their families. They have prayed for me and my family. Whether it's weddings or funerals--and all of the joys and sorrows of this life--we are there for each other.

The Clan: Karen, Jackie, Mom, Dad, (back row) Tom, Jeff, Peter, Matthew and John. In memoriam: Mark and Julie...we miss you!

The Boys: Tom, John, Jeff, Peter and Matt.

Whenever we get together you can bet that they will bring out the war stories of their childhood exploits. They still laugh raucously at their twistedness. Ah, the good ol' days...

The Girls: Jackie and Mom are the best of friends. They have to talk to each other by phone at least three times a day. That is a little much for me, personally, but I love these two women to the moon and beyond. They are two ot the most kind hearted, generous, compassionate and fun women I know.

The Mordue Girls (and honorary Boy): Markelle, Madi, Ashley, Covey and Kelsey. It is my hope and dream that these girls will be as good to one another, and there for each other, as my siblings have been for me.

And then there's Steve and I: we are hanging on by our fingernails and enjoying the ride. 25 years and counting, baby. As my dad just told me (like two minutes ago, when he asked about our anniversary), "You're half way there!" (which I promptly replied that I hope I get more than another 25 years with this guy!)

Lucky 13

Friday the 13th does not scare nor bug me. However, this past Friday the 13th certainly made itself known. First off, did you know that this will be the only Friday the 13th we have this whole year? And when Steve and I had a few minor mishaps with our anniversary trip (nothing we couldn't shrug our shoulder at, or at least get over very quickly) we definitely spooked ourselves a teeny tiny bit when we noticed that our hotel room was on the 13th floor. But the biggest annoyance of Friday the 13th? It definitely had to be when Blogger shut down and lost everyone's latest post. I really hope they find and restore my latest post, because it was a tribute to my siblings and their awesomeness, and I just don't think I have it in me to recreate it. I'm crossing my fingers!

On a good note about the 13th: Steve and I flew up to Boise, stayed at the lovely Grove Hotel, ate a long and leisurely meal at The Melting Pot (and we had the place to ourselves, as they had just opened for lunch time this week) and was served impeccably by the very attentive Hunter, and then we went to see the play, "Wicked." Incredible as it may seem, I have never seen this play. I bought tickets on KSL.com and so, being Friday the 13th, I was definitely saying my prayers and crossing my fingers that we didn't get ripped off. I loved the play, the humor, the music, the energy of the show, the crazy costumes (Lady GaGa inspired). What a wonderful way to celebrate being married for 25 years to my darling man. I am lucky.