Thornton Mom

I am trying to have a lot of faith in my Father in Heaven to help me with Sundays.  This past Sunday I went to visit new families that have been added to our ward.  When I came home the children had been watching television and making neckaces.  I have found more and more the benefit of turning off the television.  So we turned it off and Samantha wanted to frost the cupcakes she had made.  I told her she had to let the little ones help. She and John Derek did a great job.  JD helped Maddie and Samantha helped Michael.  They worked together, there were pleasant words being shared.  My heart swelled.  It was so good for me as well as for them.  I was so grateful to my Father in Heaven for helping me know what to do that we could make our Sabbath more meaningful and more of a delight. Your Next Step ...

 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...

Maddie was feeling very alone and frustrated.  She is my girl who will keep everything below the surface.  She is usually very obedient and easy going.  Of late things have been hard.  I feel like she is at the bottom of the pile and everything else comes before her.  We decided to let her go up to Lake Gaston a day early with her grandparents.  She was so excited. I wish I had taken a picture but just picture this in your mind . . .  She ran down the stairs grabbed her pink bag ran outside and sat on the edge of the driveway waiting for her grandparents.  I brought out her pink car seat and she sat in it with her pink bag and waited for them to arrive.  She was so eager to go it was delightful.  I am grateful my Father in Heaven gave me that idea. The Brother in my ward who talked about "Turning Weaknesses into Strengths," said this, " In preparation for this talk I looked up Perfect on Wikipedia it had definitions you would expe...

For our family activity this week, as a reward for filling the jewel jar we played Minute to Winit.  It was a blast. I had so much fun seeing my family be goofy and laugh.  Everyone's favorite part was a spontaneous marshmallow war that erupted when we were trying to throw marshmallows into our partner's mouth.  This was fun and simple.  I defiantly think we will need to do this again. The Virtue of Kindness Joseph B. Wirthlin, April 2005 General Conference "When we are filled with kindness, we are not judgmental. The Savior taught, “Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven.”" I need to follow the Savior and be more kind. Especially in my own home. How am I goin...

 My Aunt and Uncle came to visit the other night.  We hadn't seen them for a while.  It was so fun to visit with them.     My Uncle was so kind to my little John Derek who kept throwing balls at him, and tagging him.  I always loved his kindness and playfulness to me when I was a child and it was a delight to see the same kindness and playfulness shown to my children.  My Aunt was so patient and understanding with all the noise and chaos that accompanies a family.  It was so good to visit with her and hear about all the good work she is doing and her faith in the Lord.  She has always been such a strong woman full of goodness and kindness.  She has always been good to me, she even took me shopping one time as a child, just the two of us, I felt so special.  She still makes me feel that way.  What a joy to be part of such a wonderful family.   Book of Mormon, Jacob 4:10-11 ...

My sweet Samantha and Maddie made Family Home Evening treat.  I am delighted that they work so well together.  Such cuties!! Patience—A Heavenly Virtue Thomas S. Monson, October 1995 General Conference "Sometimes the tables are reversed. A dear and cherished young friend, Wendy Bennion of Salt Lake City, was such an example. Just the day before yesterday, she quietly departed mortality and returned “to that God who gave [her] life” ( Alma 40:11 ). She had struggled for over five long years in her battle with cancer. Ever cheerful, always reaching out to help others, never losing faith, her contagious smile attracted others to her as a magnet attracts metal shavings. While ill and in pain, a friend of hers, feeling...

Today I was reminded of an experience I had last year that I need to write down.  I have a sweet and loving daughter who has fallen on some hard times emotionally.  Things were getting so difficult that Derek and I decided to seek help from a counselor.  We knew that if we did not get help now that when she hit her teen years we would have no way of helping her.  We wanted her to learn how to deal with these difficulties now so that when she was older she would know how to handle them.  She started to see a counselor and eventually was tested by a psychologist.  After the testing was done but before we knew the results I had an experience that made me realize how much the Lord is aware of us and loves us. We had to get our flu shots.  I had made an appointment with the doctor for all of my children.  As I waited in carpool line I felt very strongly that I should not tell the children where we were going and what we were going to do until ...

Michael woke up with throw up in his bed.  He was sluggish most of his waking hours.  He slept from 9:30 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. when I finally woke him up so we could pick up the kids from school.  At one point I was upstairs helping someone and came down and Michael was all snuggled up in Elizabeth's lap. It was so cute.  I tried to get a picture but then he realized I was there and wanted to be in my arms. I am grateful for John Derek reading Michael a story. I am grateful for Maddie who loves to smile and play. The Infinite Atonement (Illustrated Edition) by Tad R. Callistar Pg. 200--"The Lord loves and longs to forgive each of his children.  If we will but repent, "He will abundantly pardon" (Isaiah 55:7) . . . It is as though the Lord wants to bless every attempt, however small or feeble it may be, to put our life in his hands." Last night was bad.  I was not very happy and compassionate.  I am so grateful for a Father in Heaven who love...