Thornton Mom

 The kids got to hang out with Aunt Angela, Uncle Will and Ammon over the weekend while Derek and I went on an overnight-er.  The kids had a blast.  The girls got to sleep in Amber's room and Saturday they went to a preparedness fair and got to see a real fire truck!  Michael could not stop talking about it.  They even got to go inside!  "The Sunday afternoon last conference when Elder Nelson talked about the Sabbath day. My body was planted in front of the TV broadcast, but my mind was bouncing somewhere between a game of Angry Birds and the Wikipedia entry for History of the chair . But I managed, in spite of myself, to glean a key point: what if, instead of treating the Sabbath as a list of do’s and don’ts, we treated it as a sign to Heavenly Father—a chance to express our love, gratitude, and discipleship? Maybe your sign is joining ward choir or taking a walk with your family on Sunday to enjoy the beauties of creation. Maybe it’s ...

We celebrated John Derek and Aunt Angela's birthdays this past week.  It was a delight.  Aunt KoKo pulled out her amazing skills and made John Derek a football cake.  It was amazing and delicious.  She also made Angela her famous Chocolate Moose Cake.  She truly is an amazing cook!! We love being around family.  We wish we could have them all around us all the time but it is a delight that we have some.  It is nice to have that love continually around us.  We are very blessed. Book of Mormon, 3 Nephi 9:14 "14  Yea, verily I say unto you, if ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life. Behold, mine arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I receive; and blessed are those who come unto me." Christ makes it so easy. We just have to turn from our natural man and turn to Him. Sometimes this can be hard but as we continue to try and do it over and over again we will...

 We had our July 4th swim meet.  The kids got to put patriotic tattoos all over themselves.  They thought it was awesome.  Only after a few races we had a huge storm blow in and the meet was cancled.  When I told our coach that our family would not be there the next day because we were out of town she was not happy.  My family leaving takes 4 of her swimmers.  It was one time that I felt like having a big family really does make a good difference. Our next meet I missed as I have my broken foot.  My sweet sister in law and mother in law took them to the meet.  Derek was out of town.  It was very sweet of them. Angela has taken such good care of me.  She got the kids to the meet, invited the girls for a sleep over with Amber before she left on her mission.  Will brought JD home from the meet.  Then at 12:30 in the morning I got a call from Elizabeth and Maddison was throwing up.  Will cleaned her up and got h...

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 ...

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 ...

Friday evening Derek and John Derek were at a camp out for the Father's and Son's.  I had been busily running people and things all over and was ready to settle down.  Michael had been in the car with me and needed to get out some energy.  I gave Maddie and Michael a ride in the wagon and then we went in the back yard to play.  We have an awesome play set that my husband built when we moved in.  It is right off the deck and has swings and a twisty slide and a rock wall and more.  I got distracted by the weeds growing in my garden and just allowed the two to play.  Then I heard a eery cry and then silence.  I turned around to find Michael and he was no where to be seen.   I ran and found him at the bottom of the 7 foot climbing wall face down in the dirt but crying.  He was okay.  A little scratch on his nose but miraculously fine.  After texting Derek we decided it would be best to take him to the ER just in case....