Thornton Mom

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 gr...

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 Lo...

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 Sist...

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...

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 su...