Oct 13, 2009 10:30 pm US/Central
Horton Family Update: Quints Turn 5 Years Old
LOGAN, Utah (CBS) ―
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Dad Josh Horton with six children: four of whom were born as quintuplets (one died). Mom Taunacy now raises the kids in Logan, Utah after her marriage to Josh ended.
CBS
Their story made news around the world: he was injured in Iraq; she gave birth just days later to their quintuplets. Believe it or not, it's been five years since we first introduced you to the Horton family. We've learned their path has taken some tough turns, but there's been joy, too. CBS 2's Kristyn Hartman reports.
The babies of 2004 are growing up fast. Home for them now is Logan, Utah. Their mom, Taunacy, says it's also wherever people love them.
So, Sunday, as Caitlynn, Portter, Lachlan and Coira celebrated birthday number five – and remembered Addyson, who rounded out their quintuplet ranks – thoughts turned to the Chicago area, where there story began.
"The people there in Chicago played such an important part in our story," said Taunacy Horton. "They knew so much about us. They helped us so much."
But the help couldn't prevent pain.
Back in 2004, days before the babies made their grand entrance, their father, Josh, a Marine, was seriously injured in Iraq. He was in a hospital states away when the kids were born. And before he could make it home, Addyson died.
Josh returned to a mix of emotions, a much bigger family and a daunting recovery.
"It's just really nice to be home," Josh Horton told CBS 2 back then.
In reality, in his words, 'it was pretty tough.' He and Taunacy say he came back from war a different man. The marriage dissolved.
"While I know so many people were pulling for us and wishing for the best, that's the reality of our story," Taunacy said. "We're both in a better place now, and we're OK."
These days, Josh is the provider from afar. He's an Aurora police officer, and Taunacy is a stay-at-home mom. She chose Utah to start fresh and because she has family there. That's important to both of them.
"We do the best parenting that we can," Taunacy said.
They're proud they're working together. They say there's joy in raising distinctly different individuals who share such a unique common bond.
"I can't wait as the babies get older to show them pictures we've saved, to say, 'look where you've come from and look at the peoples' lives you've touched,'" Taunacy said.
The Hortons say they wouldn't change a thing about their journey.
The four 5-year-olds have an older brother and sister, too. Their mother hopes she's an example to all her kids, that life isn't always how you plan it, but how you handle what comes your way.
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