Thornton Mom

M. Russell Ballard, The Sacred Responsibilities of Parenthood It can be equally destructive when parents are too permissive and overindulge their children, allowing them to do as they please. Parents need to set limits in accordance with the importance of the matter involved and the child’s disposition and maturity. Don’t make mountains out of molehills, and don’t produce what to a child seems an interminably long list of rules. Help children understand the reasons for rules, and always follow through with appropriate discipline when rules are broken. It is important as well to praise appropriate behavior. It will challenge all of your creativity and patience to maintain this balance, but the rewards will be great. Children who understand their boundaries through the consistent application of important rules are more likely to do well at school, to be more self-controlled, and to be more willing to abide by the laws of the land. This so describes this morning...

Samantha taught Family Home Evening last night.  It was on the Word of Wisdom.  I was proud of how she took the information I had given her and came up with a lesson all by herself.  She is a wonderful girl and I am proud of her. Sitting "reverently" for Family Home Evening   M. Russell Ballard, The Sacred Responsibilities of Parenthood Part of the . . . role in presiding in the home involves learning about each individual’s needs and aspirations. Brigham Young advised parents to “study their [children’s] dispositions and their temperaments, and deal with them accordingly” (JD 19:221).   My question is how?  How do I study my children's disposition and temperaments?  I guess I am studying it daily but I wonder if I need to spend more time pondering each child and less time reacting to them.

Over the weekend we went to a place called The Three Bears.  They had lots of fun for us all to do.  Despite a case of the grumpy's when we arrived by the end everyone had fun. Maddie in a mud kitchen.  Life is sweet. Michael found a toys with noise in a sand box.  He couldn't be happier. Samantha taking aim before her big shot. Elizabeth trying her skill with the bow. Daddy and John Derek after their paddle boat ride. M. Russell Ballard, The Sacred Responsibilities of Parenthood As clearly stated in the proclamation on the family, men and women, though spiritually equal, are entrusted with different but equally significant roles. These roles complement each other. Men are given stewardship over the sacred ordinances of the priesthood. To women, God gives stewardship over bestowing and nurturing mortal life, including providing physical bodies for God’s spirit children and guiding those children toward a knowledge of gospel trut...

We played in the rain.  It was fun spending time with my cute kids. M. Russell Ballard, The Sacred Responsibilities of Parenthood Apathy can overcome even the active members, keeping them away from the temple and weakening their capacity to be effective leaders and teachers—thus leaving countless lives untouched and slowing the Lord’s work. And the Internet, when not properly used, is a vicious influence in the home. So we know, without question, Lucifer is the enemy of the family!  I know it is easy for me to think "I am doing a good job, I am keeping the Word of Wisdom, I go to Church."  But the gospel is so much more than that.  I need to go to the temple where I receive strength and insight, I need to read my scriptures that I might know the Lord's will for me. M. Russell Ballard, The Sacred Responsibilities of Parenthood  Many of you will remember that I have spoken at some length recently about the need to raise up the greatest generation...

I have two beautiful daughters.  They are smart and sweet and a joy to our family.  I don't know what I would do without them. Recently I took them both in for a physical.  I was aware that they are large for their age and knew that they were "out of shape or husky."  But I found out that one had gained 30 lbs. in the last year.  I was in shock.  How could I have let this happen? Blood work was requested for both of them.  After many tears and a lot of prayers the blood work was submitted.  Today I received a call that the other daughter has high cholesterol and extremely high triglycerides.  Again, how could I have let this happen? After the initial shock and the wondering, "what do we do now?" I was given peace from my Father in Heaven.  I was reminded that I have continually tried to help my family be healthy.  That we are human and don't always eat or exercise as much as we should but I have never given up.  I was rem...

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Today Elizabeth received an award for Straight A's.  I am so proud of her.  She is so good at doing what is required of her.  She does her home work without me telling her to.  She studies for tests and even recruits her parents to help her study.  She goes above and beyond what is required on all of her projects and does them as soon as they are assigned.  She is a fabulous student who works hard for her grades and does well.  What a blessing she is to me and our family. Book of Mormon, Mosiah 2:1 "1 And it came to pass that after Mosiah had done as his father had commanded him, and had made a proclamation throughout all the land, that the people gathered themselves together throughout all the land, that they might go up to the temple to hear the words which king Benjamin should speak unto them." This reminds me of General Confe...

I have the best husband in the world.  He knows what is important to me and gives me that time and attention.  He is so busy with work and Church but still finds time for his family, he usually doesn't give much time for himself.  When he got home from work yesterday and was frustrated about some things that had happened he went outside and played kickball with the kids.  I heard him laughing with the children and making them feel loved.  He then came in and helped me clean up dinner, helped put kids to bed, and then listened to my day.  What a great unselfish man.  I am so blessed.   Book of Mormon, Words of Mormon 1:18 "18 Wherefore, with the help of these, king Benjamin, by laboring with all the might of his body and the faculty of his whole soul, and also the prophets, did once more establish peace in the land." Riding ...

Gingerbread Houses Elizabeth loves to put furniture in her house. John Derek made a home for candy worms. Samantha made a 4 story house. Maddie just added more and more candy until the walls could not contain it all. Every Christmas we have a tradition of making gingerbread houses with all of the left over candy from Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas.  This year we did not get to it until April.  The kids had a blast adding frosting, eating candy, making tables and chairs or just dumping it in as Maddie did.  All have the philosphy more is better. Omni 1:25 "for there is nothing which is good save it comes from the Lord:" I remind myself of this over and over. That the good I see in the world around me is a reflection of God. As I see my neighbors out helping each other, as I see people hold the door open for me as I push a stroller through, as I see children hand their mothers a dande...

Happy Easter!!  I want to share with you my gratitude for my Savior Jesus Christ.  I am so thankful for Him and for His sacrifice that He made so many years ago.  I have been reading and studying more and more about the Atonement of Jesus Christ.  My eyes are constantly being opened to His love for me and all the world.  I know that as I try to turn my life over to Him that I will find true happiness.  I know that He is interested in everything I do and I know that if I take my questions and problems to Him He will help me to solve them and He will give me the guidance and direction that I need.  How grateful I am to my Savior. I hope you enjoy this video.  We were watching something on YouTube and it came on.  I was captivated. 

We have had fun during our track out.  Here are some pictures of us at the library and the park. John Derek Michael reading at the library Samantha helping Michael Elizabet trying to dodge the camera Maddie The Infinite Atonement (Illustrated Edition) by Tad R. Callistar Pg. 187- Elder Spencer W. Kimball told of Holman Hunt, the artist, who one day showed a friend his painting of Christ knocking at the door.  Suddenly the friend exclaimed, "'There is one thing wrong about your picture.'" "' What is it?' inquired the artist. "' The door on which Jesus knocks has no handle,' replied his friend. "' Ah,' responses Mr. Hunt, 'that is not a mistake.  You see, this is the door to the human heart.  It can be opened only from the inside.''  Elder Kimball then continued: "And thus is is.  Jesus may stand and knock, but each of us decides whether to open."  Priesthood leaders may warn,...

I am just amazed at how the Lord works.  He really is amazing.  Today I took Elizabeth shopping for clothes and then to the doctor for a physical and to get her ears pierced.  She had received money for her birthday and couldn't wait to spend it.  I asked her if she was going to pay tithing on the money that she had and she was not happy about that.  She got very defensive.  I then remembered what my Grandfather said in his journal.  That we need to listen to our kids more than lecture them and they will turn out all right.  So I stopped talking and in a few minutes she handed me the tithing money.  We shopped, went out to lunch at Char-Grill, a hamburger joint she really likes, then on to the doctor's.  She was nervous but did a great job.  We even ran into some trouble with the second ear but after lots of hand squeezing everything was okay.  When she got in the car she screemed, "I HAVE PIERCED EARS!!!!"  On ...

This morning was hard getting the kids ready for Church.  I was tired from staying up chaperoning a youth dance.  After trying to take a nap and being interupted every 3 min. I prayed for help and felt that I should get up and have scripture study with my kids.  Two of my nephews and my niece and a friend of theirs at a youth dance. My nephews are such studs. Today was Elizabeth's first day in Young Women's.  She had gotten a new dress and really wanted to wear it.  But it needed a few alterations that I thought I could do in about 5 min.  It took 35 min .  Elizabeth wanted to wear makeup for the first time 10 min . Samantha had a talk that I had forgotten about so she and I worked on it another 10 min .  I had a lesson to give and needed to print it out 7 more min.  Then as we were walking out the door 15 min . late for Church Elizabeth stepped on her dress and ripped it.  At this point I took many deep breaths said a prayer ...

I love family moments.  Moments that are every day things but if you take a step back they touch your heart and let you see the joy in family.  Derek, John Derek, and Maddison Reading stories is one of those moments I love.  Especially when I get to observe my Husband being Daddy.  He is so sweet and tender with our children.  They love him so much.  If they have a choice of who is going to put them to bed they usually choose "DADDY!!" Lexia and Michael I love it when my kids fall asleep in my arms.  It does not happen very often but I feel privileged when it does.  I feel their trust in me and am happy they feel confident enough in me to hold them and let them relax and escape from everything around them. Book of Mormon, Jacob 5:66 "66 For it grieveth me that I should lose the trees of my vineyard; wherefore ye shall clear away the bad according as the good shall ...

Everyone had fun in between General Conference Sessions playing football with cousins and Aunts and Daddy as well as climbing, running, playing, and enjoying the beautiful day. John Derek with Daddy and Tyler Michael I have been reading my grandfather's journal.  He talks about when he was Bishop he was worried about his family because they were fighting a lot.  He decided he was going to go home and lay down the law and explain to his children why they should not fight.  Before doing so he decided to pray and ask Heavenly Father if this was the right thing to do.  He instead felt that he should talk to his children and explain his feelings.  As a family they decided to start praying that there would be less fighting in their home. Maddison This experience parallels my family perfectly at this time.  But instead of Derek receiving the revelation I was honored to know that I was being told that our family needed to start including ...

We went to Myrtle Beach for Spring Break last week.  We had a lot of fun.  Here are some pictures of our adventures: Michael loved the beach.  He was covered from head to toe in sand.  He couldn't b happier. Elizabeth met a boy at our hotel and the two of them spent most of their time boggy boarding.  The water was freezing but they loved it. Maddie gathered seashells for us.  She wanted to put them back together. John Derek wanted to be buried in the sand. Michael loved keeping him in one spot. Family fun in the sand. Mom and Dad Everyone loved the lazy river. Surfer Girls The Lord allows us to be tried and tested, sometimes to our maximum capacity. We have seen the lives of loved ones—and maybe our own—figuratively burned to the ground and have wondered why a loving and caring Heavenly Father would allow such things to happen.But He does not leave us in the ashes; He stands with open arms, eagerly ...

Saturday and Sunday we watched General Conference.  This is a time for us to hear from the Prophet and the 12 Apostles.  I remember when I was a child how I dreaded this time.  And now as an adult I cherish and look forward to this time.  My Spirit is lifted by the words of our Church leaders and I feel that I receive the guidance and direction I need from the Holy Ghost. We spent the weekend with our family.  It was so fun to hang out with them and enjoy thier spirits and see their commitment to the gospel. As a mother I enjoyed watching my younger children cuddle up with cousins and grandparents.  Having them see others doing this really lets them know the importance of this wonderful event. Men and Women in the Work of the Lord  M. Russell Ballard  "The gospel and doctrine of Christ give all who will accept it power to achieve eternal life and power to find joy in the journey." I love this idea.  That if...

Happy Birthday Elizabeth!! Elizabeth is 12 today!!  I can't believe it.  I can't believe that 12 years ago today I was going into the hospital to have our first baby.  And now here she stands ready to enter Young Women's, a very mature 12 year old who is so good in heart and soul. I am so grateful for her and her love.  Elizabeth is my rock.  I know that I can count on her and that she will stand by my side.  She has matured so quickly and has grown so beautifully.  What a joy she is.  She it a talented girl who plays the piano, sings, acts, cooks.  She is a good friend to those around her.  She is beautiful.  Her eyes are a beautiful dark brown and are complimented by her fabulous eyelashes and dark hair.  Sometimes I just stare at her in amazement of her beauty.  She is a wonderful oldest daughter.  When people find out that I have 5 children I immediately give credit to Elizabeth and her he...