Thornton Mom

JD and Christian  We had our first swim meet.  Heavenly Father encouraged me to get someone to watch Michael and blessed me to get one of my sweet friends to watch him.  That made the night so easy.  Each of the kids did great.  It is so fun to see them swim, to see them hang with their friends, and to see them happy.  I think that swim team is a very good thing for our family. Book of Mormon, Alma 46:39 "39  And it came to pass that there were many who died, firmly believing that their souls were redeemed by the Lord Jesus Christ; thus they went out of the world rejoicing." This is how I want to go "out of the world" I want to rejoice in my Lord Jesus Christ. I am so grateful for His love and kindness to me. I am so grateful for His atonement. I know it must have been so hard but He did not give up. He deserves every praise. I am so grateful for Him.

Samantha was able to get a butterfly to land on her hand.  You can see it right on the tip of her fingers near her nose. The butterfly hung around.  It even came and visited daddy and Michael.  It was so fun as it allowed us to pick it up and allowed us to hold it.  This was on Friday.  It was a fabulous day.  Derek had returned from Ireland the night before and was able to just hang out at home on Friday.  We went to Elizabeth's drama class play that afternoon and then we all went to the pool that evening for swim team.  I don't think Derek got a break from the kids for the 4 hours we were there.  He is a wonderful husband and father. Book of Mormon, Alma 46:8 "8  Thus we see how quick the children of men do forget the Lord their God, yea, how quick to do iniquity, and to be led away by the evil one." I d...

Elizabeth's Little Mermaid Move Hanging out with friends at swim team. Getting ready to swim fast Swim team still takes most of our time in the aftenoons but it is good for me and for the kids.  It allows them time to be with friends and to exercise.  I am grateful that we have this opportunity and that my kids have made some good friends. Monday night I decided that I really wanted to finish painting my entryway.  I had taped the walls a few months ago and had slowly trimed all the edges.  My sister in law had come one day and helped get all the trim done.  But still it sat.  I had friends offer to help but wouldn't take them up on it.  I had finally decided to do it Thursday and would ask my friends to help.  But things didn't work out and I found myself emailing friends Monday night for help on Tuesday.  A friend showed up early and we got the first coat on.  As soon as she left my visiting teacher showed up in her p...

Maddie with some of her friends. Swim team began yesterday.  The kids are so excited.  On the way to the pool John Derek kept asking me "How much longer?" every two minutes.  He was so worried we would not get there in time (I had left 10 min. early.)  They were just so excited.  Swim team has its advantages and disadvantages.  I do love that it gets my children outside and moving for several hours.  Such a stark contrast to what we do at home.  I wish there was something that we could do similarly during the fall and winter.  But I am grateful that they can all play in the water and do their individual lessons.  I am grateful that we have this opportunity. Book of Mormon, Alma 29:16 "Now, when I think of the success of these my brethren my soul is carried away, even to the separation of it from the body, as it were, so great is my joy." ...

 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 happines...