Thornton Mom

Annelise and My's 2nd day of Girls Weekend. Michael, already so proud of his facial hair. John Derek's gift from Aunt Annelise We have been hearing a lot about the Sabbath Day.  As I have thought more and more about the Sabbath day I have felt a need to change.  My Sabbath Day consists of bidding my husband an early good-bye, getting kids ready for church, tying to feel the Spirit as children are noisy and fighting etc., a game of chase as we try to get all the kids in the car.  Home where everyone is famished and wants to eat right now! This is where I typically throw my hands in the air and give up.  The rest of the day is spent with kids on computers or television, me trying to calm down and cook so my husband can eat a nice meal with us and watching the clock tick so I can stop feeling guilty and we can be done with Sunday. I realize that this is not the way to keep the Sabbath Day holy and to make it a delight.  Today I ran across this Art...

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...

Recently I had a really bad day.  I was overwhelmed and under appreciated and frustrated.  I asked God, "Is it worth it?  Is all the diaper changes, tears, cleaning, mothering, etc. worth it.  Is it really worth it?"  This question has continued to be on my mind.  (Now before anyone worries that I am having major doubts about myself or the path that I am on let me say that I know I am where I need to be.  I know that my Heavenly Father loves me, I know in my soul that this is worth it but I want that knowledge to grow.  I want it to make sense in my head.  I want to feel it and to not question it. I want the knowledge and not just the faith.) I have also been studying the Atonement.  Studying how Christ gave everything He had, His whole life, soul, heart to us.  This made me wonder "Was it worth it?"  Did Christ feel, after He performed the Atonement and died for all of us, that His sacrifice was worth it to Himself?"  S...

Derek was sitting in the recliner and I was laying on the couch.  We had just finished watching TV.  Derek has been overwhelmed with work and Church which of course causes me to worry about him.  I turned to him and tenderly asked, "Hey sweet heart what is on your mind?"  He replied, "I have a problem," expecting some sort of profound and burdened explanation I braced myself for his next words, "There is a plunger on the armoire and I just don't think it goes with the decor."  Sure enough I looked up and sitting on top the armoire was the bathroom plunger. Putting pieces together came up with a probable scenario.  I had asked Elizabeth to watch Michael while she watched a show on the computer and I took a nap.  Knowing Michael and his newly found fascination with the bathroom I bet he toddled over and found a new toy in a plunger and brought it to his sister to share.  Being the good girl she is she took the plunger from him and put it where...

Elizabeth told me to watch her eat this sour candy.  I grabbed the camera eager for a classic sour face.  But to no luck.  She kept her composure well especially with the added knowledge that I was going to put this on my blog.   Today I read a talk given by Linda K. Burton the Relief Society General President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. ( click here to read/listen to this talk) I recently met a dear new friend. She testified that after she had received her temple endowment, she felt strengthened with the power to resist temptations she had previously struggled with .--I have to admit that a temptation I have that I find very difficult to overcome is eating.  I love to eat, and not just because food is good but because I truly feel addicted to it.  I can be bursting at the seams and still want to put something in my mouth.  I justify why it is okay to eat all the time.  I can't by snacks for our home bec...

I read a talk given by Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. ( click here to read/listen/watch this talk) The power of God’s holy priesthood is found in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I testify that as you worthily participate in the ordinances of the priesthood, the Lord will give you greater strength, peace, and eternal perspective. Whatever your situation, your home will be “blessed by the strength of priesthood power” and those close to you will more fully desire these blessings for themselves .--My home is blessed by the priesthood.  I am so grateful that it is a part of my life. As men and women, sisters and brothers, sons and daughters of God, we move forward together. This is our opportunity, our responsibility, and our blessing. This is our destiny—to prepare the kingdom of God for the return of the Savior. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen .--Being a woman in this day ...

In the morning Derek is so sweet and takes the kids to school for me.  We first started doing this last year as I was pregnant and so grateful for the extra sleep.  Maddie always had a hard time saying goodbye so she and I would sit on the steps of the garage and make faces and blow kisses to Daddy, Elizabeth, Samantha, and John Derek.  Michael has now entered the family so when we sat on the steps he hoped on my lap and started waving both his hands as hard as he could.  This got everyone waving as hard as they could and I couldn't help but share it with all of you. It is hard to see in the truck but I just loved everyone waving as hard as they could.  What a joyful family. I am grateful for the priesthood.  (The priesthood is the power of God given to man, as in anchent days was given to the apostles.  Today the priesthood has been restored through the Prophet Joseph Smith.  Every worth male member of our church has the opportunity to ...

Michael has a six sense to know when I am up blogging.  I usually try to get up before my kids but the last few days he has woken up within 10 min. of me waking.  Even now it is 1:00 in the morning and I keep hearing him move around. Maddie's cousin Amber took these pictures last November. Maddie was evaluated for her speech today.  Early in her life I always felt that Maddie was ahead of the curve, especially in her speech.  Then when she was about 3 I noticed that everyone had caught up to her.  But then by about 3 1/2 I noticed her falling a little behind.  By 4 she was becoming hard even for me to understand.  When we put her in preschool she would come home in tears telling me that no one at school understood what she was saying.  I decided to do something about it. There is a program here in Wake County, North Carolina, called Project Enlightenment that works with children who have not entered Kindergarten.  I had reache...