Thornton Mom

Michael loves Aunt LaLa. We love spending time with cousins. Our Cousin Cody came for a visit.  It was so fun to be with him. Our Cousin Tyler!! Elizabeth snuggled up at Lake Gaston Tubing is our favorite activity. My husband encouraged me to read over my Patriarchal Blessing (Patriarchal blessings include a declaration of a person's lineage in the house of Israel and contain personal counsel from the Lord. For more information click here .)  I have had some worries on my mind, worries about my children, if I am a good enough mom, the temptations of life, my future, my role in this world and in my church, those I Visit Teach , and many more.  As I read I was given peace.  I was reminded of the talents I have received from the Lord.  I kept reading the words, "you will be able to  . . ." this gives me power over the doubts put in my mind from Satan.  This reminds me that a Loving Heavenly Father knows my weaknesses and gave me power to ove

 Swim team is over but we had a blast.  Here are a few pics from our last few gatherings: Raggedy Ann Elizabeth. Raggedy Ann Maddie. At one of our swim meets we had crazy hat day.  One of my friends let us all try on their fabulous wig!! Elizabeth and Samantha got to sing the National Anthem. Maddie received the blowing bubbles award. John Derek received the best backstroke award. Samantha received the best sportsmanship award. Elizabeth received the water baby award (she is always helping Michael when we are at the pool.) Book of Mormon, Mosiah 2:41 "41  And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember

Maddie found a "giant" dandelion John Derek shot a rocket off with his dad. Maddie loves to collect sticks on our hikes.  We have now had to limit it to one for each hand. Making Ice Cream in a bag.  Easy, Messy, and Fun!! John Derek rescued one lizard and two toads from the pool all in one day!! Book of Mormon, Alma 60:22-23 "22  Yea, will ye sit in idleness while ye are surrounded with thousands of those, yea, and tens of thousands, who do also sit in idleness, while there are thousands round about in the borders of the land who are falling by the sword, yea, wounded and bleeding? 23  Do ye suppose that God will look upon you as guiltless while ye sit still and behold these things? Behold I say unto you, Nay. Now I would that ye should remember that God has said that the inward vessel shall be cleansed first, and then shall the outer vessel be cleansed also." Is this what we are doing in the United State

 My beautiful daughter Elizabeth went to the temple for the first time.  It was such a delight to have her there.  In our Church the temple is the House of the Lord and the closest you can get to heaven while on this earth. (Click here to learn more about our temples.) In it we make special covenants with our Heavenly Father for ourselves and for decesed ancestors.  At the age of 12 our young men and young women who are worthy can enter the temple and perform baptisms for the dead. (Click here to learn more about baptisms for the dead.) Elizabeth had worked with my mom and found 3 names to take to the temple.  It was such a tender mercy when I saw the names that they had found: Sarah, Elizabeth, and William.  Her first and middle name and her baby brother's name.  What a blessing. She had a beautiful time, even her Aunt who was working that night was able to peak in at just the right moment and watch her.  What a great blessing we have to have the temple near us an

Monday night we have Family Home Evening (FHE).  It is a time for our family to get together, to learn, to teach, and to have fun and there is always dessert (the bribe to sit nicely during the lesson.)  Sometimes we invite others to join us, this particular day the Sister Missionaries came and taught the lesson.  John Derek enjoyed having on the Armor of God.  He loved it when we had to think of a temptation and then throw fiery darts at him and he defended himself against them.  Maddie had furn with her two friends. Family Home Evening is strongly encouraged in our church.  I firmly believe that if we have FHE, scripture study and family prayer on a regular basis that my children will be protected from the fiery darts of the adversary and will be able to return to live with Heavenly Father and Jesus.

Samantha had to give a talk in church the other day.  It was on the gift of the Holy Ghost.  We both prayed to know what story she should tell.  She was reminded of a story that had happened not long ago.  She was supposed to go to bed but was staying up longer than she should and happened to see a scary scene on the television.  She could not sleep.  She was worried and scared.  Derek told her to pray and to read her scriptures.  She followed his advice and "the Holy Ghost brought me peace and I was able to forget the scarey scene and go to sleep.  Now when I am scared I know I should pray and read the scriptures and the Holy Ghost will help me forget."   The Infinite Atonement (Illustrated Edition) by Tad R. Callistar Pg. 281--Cannot God, the creator of all, fashion, shape, add to, modify and help overcome any weakness of any faithful, humble person?  Was that not the promise from the Holy One himself? When I think of the weaknesses that I have I am overwhelmed,

Our 4th of July consisted of sparklers and fireworks.  We were up at my in-law's Lake House and we had so much fun.  We played on the lake during the day and in the evening we let the kids do sparklers.  After putting them to bed Derek, Samantha, and I went out on the boat to see fireworks. I remember as a child going with my parents and grandparents to see fireworks in Salt Lake City.  My dad would always make a great effort to get us all there because he knew Mom loved fireworks.  (My husband has followed this tradition) We would usually end up at a park and lay on the grass and watch the fireworks as we listened to the radio play patriotic music.   At a young age I was taught the importance of our country and the blessing it was.  Patriotism was celebrated, honored, and expected.  What a great love I have for my country, my freedoms, my ancestors sacrifice, my religion, and my family.  I feel so blessed to be born into this great country. What a loving Heavenly Fath

Out of town again . . . Here is the next part of our summer: I recently celebrated my birthday.  My sweet sister in law knew my husband would be busy so she invited us over for dinner.  Instead of a card we went around in a circle and everyone said something they liked about me.  Maddie said she liked that I let her watch TV when the kids are at school.  Derek said that I am the most compassionate person he knows. Amber said that she enjoyed babysitting for us especially when I would drive her home and she would get to talk to her aunt.  Angela said that she knows I am a woman of faith.  That she knows how difficult things can be with her husband's calling and she has 3 older children and I am doing it with 5 young children.  It was nice to see that my influence is for good.  It was a good reminder that all I do does not go unnoticed. Book of Mormon, Alma 58:10 "10  Therefore we did pour ou

Maddie and Samantha Derek, Michael, and Elizabeth What a cutie!! Derek and Elizabeth got home from camp.  They had a lot of fun.  Elizabeth loved the zip line and loved the independence.  It was fun to see her so grown up.  She was able to feel the Spirit of the Lord and I know that she is growing into a beautiful young woman and I am excited for her to learn more from the gospel. They joined us up at the lake and we had lots of fun playing together in the water. The Infinite Atonement (Illustrated Edition) by Tad R. Callistar Pg. 264--We must do all we can, and when we have reached our limits, when we have asserted all our mental, moral, and spiritual energies, then the powers of heaven will intervene." This is a good reminder for me.  As I struggle with weaknesses I am reminded that the atonement will make up the difference.  I will still do the best I can but what may seem impossible will be accomplished with the help of the Lord.

Maddie wanted to do everything Aunt KoKo did Maddie is too cool John Derek loved playing with his cousins Ammon drove the jet ski all over the lake Amber will leave us at the end of the summer to attend school Michael and Samantha have fun with the water and bubbles With Derek and Elizabeth involved in different Girls Camp activities we decided to spent time with Derek's family at his parent's lake house.  It was fun to visit with family, play games, play in the water, and just relax.  I love my in-laws, they are wonderful people I am so blessed to be part of their family. I remember the first time I was in their home (on a blind date with my future husband) and I felt a great amount of love in their home and thought that whoever was part of that home must be very blessed.  Little did I know that I would be part of that love and it is such a blessing. In this Communication Age, How Effective Are Your Prayers? Contributed By By Sister Linda S.

Samantha at a Swim Meet  We went to the kids swim meet (Elizabeth was still at camp.)  Samantha got to help sing the national anthem.  She was so excited. Michael with Grandmommy  Michael loves to be a the Lake, he especially loves to sit on his Grandmommy's lap and eat the treats that she brings out. We were happy to spend time with Tyler before he leaves for college John Derek idealizes Tyler.  Tyler is a great young man who is always happy and never seems troubled.  He plays with John Derek and the other children.  Everyone loves Tyler.  He couldn't be a better role model for this little ones. The Atonement  Elder Russell M. Nelson Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles   "The ordeal of the Atonement centered about the city of Jerusalem. There the greatest single act of love of all recorded history took place

We spend a lot of time at the pool.  Our kids are involved in a swim team so we practice every evening and then we still enjoy going to the pool with our friends.  This particular day we got to play with some dear friends before they moved to another city.  We will miss them. New Testament, 1 Corinthians 12:12-26 "12  For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 13  For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. 14  For the body is not one member, but many. 15  If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 16  And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 17  If the whole body were an ey

What a busy summer break we have had.  I will start today and blog the highlights for the next few days.  Most of the time we were out of town and I was without a computer so I could not blog. Everyone was excited to be with daddy.  He had been gone on a High Adventure Camping Trip with the Young Men in our church ages 16-18.  Needless to say he had quite the welcome home hug. Elizabeth was able to go to Girl's Camp this summer with our Young Woman Church group.  She loved the independence and the zip line.  We missed her smiling face and the joy that she brings to our family.  I am amazed at the love she has for her siblings and am so glad to see her growing and maturing into a beautiful young woman. After getting home she was having difficulty adjusting back to family rules and expectations.  Sunday we had a nice long talk.  After realizing that nothing was working I felt prompted to complement her and tell her why she is such a great young woman.  It was fun to s