Thornton Mom

We slept in and then went to the Biltmore House.  We were amazed that as we drove through the gate we still had over two miles to drive before we would arrive at the house.  The amount of land the estate is on is amazing.  The landscaping was beautiful.  We laughed as we saw employees pulling weeds out of the natural areas. With the threat of rain we decided to start in the gardens and then move to the house.  It was beautiful.  I took pictures, Derek gazed at every babbling brook, getting ideas for what he wants at our home someday.  We loved it. The House was amazing.  Just the idea of when it was built and the modern conveniences it had was astounding.  We felt it was totally worth the trip. We spent 6 hours on the Estate and finished the evening off with dinner at Cracker Barrel and Ice Cream in Hendersonville.  What a wonderful day. Drawing on the Powers of Heaven , by Grant Von Harrison Pg. 3--"An individual with grea...

I love early summer evenings when the air is cool, the mosquitos are not out yet and the family plays outside.  Today was one of those evenings: One of my never ending battles seems to be not eating healthy and not exercising.  I am again back in this struggle and know that it is part of life . . . but today I had a ray of hope sparkle as I read these words: "I give unto men weaknesses that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them." (Ether 12:27) Today as I began my scripture study I started with prayer and prayed for help, this was the first thing I read.  A direct answer to my cry for help.  What a blessing that if I am humble and turn to the Lord for help He can make my weakness become my strength.  I put my trust in Him and will have faith that He can help me overcome this weak...

Elizabeth's Pop Star Birthday Party: We had some older girls from church come teach some line dances. Elizabeth was glowing. She was so happy.  It was so good to see her enjoying herself. Elizabeth loved her decorations. All the kids helped decorate.  Samantha put all this together. She is so beautiful. We had my friend Michelle come and do each girls makeup. Today we are going to have a family council about our eating and exercising habits and how to improve them.  I have been praying about how to present this to my family without giving them a solution.  Yesterday I had the idea to read them the book The Berenstain Bears and Too Much Junk Food.  Today as I went to look for it I was directed where to find it (inside another book) at it is just what I want to tell them without me saying a word.  I prayed in gratitude and felt the need to read my scriptures.  As I read I felt the Spirit remind me to include the Atonement in ...