Another Swim Meet/Being taken care of/Teaching my Children

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 her to bed. The next morning Angela picked me up for my doctor's appointment. While in the examination room Angela got a text that Maddie was still sick. Will had given her a blessing and Amber was taking care of her. So Angela kept Samantha and Maddison all day. Maddie finally felt better and at 6:00 my girls came home. Angela came to put the kids to bed and Amber took Elizabeth to the mall. I don't know what I would have done without them.

As I sat on the examination table and heard what was going on I burst into tears. So frustrated that I can't drive, I can't take care of my kids, my kids are sick and my inlaws are having to do so much. Later Angela texted me reminding me of the tender mercy that Maddie got sick at her house because there is not way I could have taken care of Maddie by myself at home. So what a blessing that she was with people that could help her.

We have had so many kindnesses. We have had meals every night, people have taken my kids for playdates, pool time and even the movies. Others have come and cleaned my house and one friend even shined my sink. I feel very well taken care of by my ward and family.

Derek is finally back in town. He was only gone for one night but it seemed like forever. He is very overwhelmed with church and work and home. My heart goes out to him. I wish I could make it easier for him. I was grateful that he was able to go to the temple last night and be reminded of how much his Heavenly Father loves him.

Derek is my rock, my comforter, my best friend. Just having him near makes the world a better place.

I am grateful to a Heavenly Father who loves me and takes care of me. What a blessing to be His daughter, to know His love for me and to see His hand throughout this trial. I am so blessed.

I really liked this Mormon message. It helped me feel that even though I can't be with my kids at every moment and make everything entertaining and perfect for them that I can be there at the important times and teach them the love of their Father in Heaven.

WE ARE EXPECTING BABY #5

Yes, you read it correctly. The Thornton Family is expecting a new baby in Dec. 2012. We are very excited. Today we made the announcement to our 4 children and I am sure that each of you heard their screams of excitement. Maddison immediately told us that it was going to be a boy but then after a few minutes decided that we need one boy and one girl. John Derek would like the baby to be a boy so that he can have a brother. Samantha would like the baby to sleep in her room. Elizabeth would like the baby to have brown hair so that more kids in the family would look like her. Then the conversation turned to names. Here are some of their favorites: Elizabeth wants: Sarah, Eva, Evelyn, or Eve, and if it is a boy Phineas or Ferb Samantha wants: Sam or Ammon John Derek wants: Johnny Maddison wants: Cinderella and Johnny So here we go. Taking on a new adventure of 5 children with faith that we are following our Father in Heaven's desires for our family. In this last conference Pres. P

Lessons from Friends/Faith

I had a fun visit with some of our friends yesterday. We talked a lot and I learned a lot. At one point she said that she has to rely on the Savior and the Atonement to make up for the love that she cannot give her children. She loves them but her weaknesses do not always show that and she prays that they will feel loved through the Atonement. I loved that idea. In my life right now I am functioning good but not perfect. I need the Atonement to make up for what I cannot give my children right now. She also talked about how important siblings are. That in China one of the problems with only having one child is that there are no aunts, uncles, or cousins. The family network is gone. How as parents we may not be able to give our children all the love that we would like but they are still getting loved from their siblings. That as children we fought with our siblings but now as adults we are closest to our siblings. This gave me great hope for my children, yes they fight an

Anniversary Day 3/Weaknesses can Become Strengths

We slept in again, oh so nice. We didn't leave the hotel until 11:00. We went to a local pancake place and had a scruptious breakfast. We then went in search of apple orchards as this area is known as Apple Country. We ended up at a place called Grandad's Apples. I was in 7th heaven. We bought a full bushel of apples and then more for making apple sauce. I loved it. We then went to down town Ashville and bought chocolates at the Chocolate Feddish. Mmmmm . . . Then we headed home. It was a wonderful time to be together with my best friend. I am so grateful to my loving Heavenly Father for helping us have such an enjoyable anniversary. We felt truly loved and blessed by Him. We enjoyed our 15th Anniversary and are looking forward to an eternity more. . . Book of Mormon, Ether 12:27 "27 And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that the

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