Thornton Mom

We celebrated John Derek and Aunt Angela's birthdays this past week.  It was a delight.  Aunt KoKo pulled out her amazing skills and made John Derek a football cake.  It was amazing and delicious.  She also made Angela her famous Chocolate Moose Cake.  She truly is an amazing cook!! We love being around family.  We wish we could have them all around us all the time but it is a delight that we have some.  It is nice to have that love continually around us.  We are very blessed. Book of Mormon, 3 Nephi 9:14 "14  Yea, verily I say unto you, if ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life. Behold, mine arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I receive; and blessed are those who come unto me." Christ makes it so easy. We just have to turn from our natural man and turn to Him. Sometimes this can be hard but as we continue to try and do it over and over again we will...

Little People/Come Unto Him Got to love "new" old toys.  As Michael and I have sat around for over a week we have gotten very board.  When the big kids went to school we got really board and a little stir crazy.  One day the kids asked if they could get the large Fisher Price Little People out of the attic.  I thought this was a great idea.  We put some of our toys that we were tired of playing with in the attic and got down the Little People.  They had a blast.  It kept Michal entertained for hours.  That was such a blessing.  Even the big kids came home from school and played.  Book of Mormon, 3 Nephi 9:14 "14  Yea, verily I say unto you, if ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life. Behold, mine arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I receive; and blessed are those who come unto me." Christ makes it so easy. We just have to turn from our natural man and tur...

My wonderful Elizabeth.  She was inducted into the National Junior Honor Society yesterday.  She was very excited.  I am so proud of her.  She works so hard at school and tries so hard to be good.  Her teachers think she is wonderful and she is such a good girl.  This is what I wanted.  This is what I hoped for my children in living away from Utah.  That their goodness would radiate and impact the lives of those around them.  Elizabeth is a living example of that.  I am so so proud of her. ook of Mormon, Alma 26:19 "19  Oh then, why did he not consign us to an awful destruction, yea, why did he not let the sword of his justice fall upon us, and doom us to eternal despair ?" God is always merciful. Even to the wicked. He gives us every chance He can to change. He will provide every opportunity we need to chang...

John Derek has been struggling with his reading.  I mentioned this to a friend of mine and they suggested I try reading the Book of Mormon with him.  I looked into it and found some books that actually put the Book of Mormon into reading lessons with sight words and everything.  I felt good about it and got the first book.  Before I told John Derek, I happened to pick up an Ensign and read an article about a man who suffered for years from ADHD and had a difficult time reading but was able to overcome by studying the Book of Mormon.  I related the story to John Derek and didn't really thing he was paying attention.  A few nights later he had to give the lesson at Family Home Evening.  He decided to teach about faith and related this very story.  I was so happy to see his faith growing and his trust in the Book of Mormon and Heavenly Father. We make a game out of his sight words.  He is trying to get across the room without touching o...

Sunday I took a walk with the kids up to the park.  Elizabeth started to complain about how hard things are because we have such a big family and how if we wouldn't have had as many children as we do things would be so much easier for her.  I remember feeling the same way when I was her age. I said a silent prayer for the right words to say.  We talked about how the person who makes her the most happy is Michael.  She loves to be with him.  The first person she wants to see in the morning is him, when she gets home from school he is the first to get a hug.  She is really good at taking care of him and helping him with his needs.  She is such a nurturer and will make a fantastic mom.  If anyone needs a good babysitter I highly recommend her. As we talked her heart was touched.  I love it when as a mother you can reach into your child's soul and help sooth a trouble.  I was grateful for that experience. The Infinite Atonement (...

We have had fun during our track out.  Here are some pictures of us at the library and the park. John Derek Michael reading at the library Samantha helping Michael Elizabet trying to dodge the camera Maddie The Infinite Atonement (Illustrated Edition) by Tad R. Callistar Pg. 187- Elder Spencer W. Kimball told of Holman Hunt, the artist, who one day showed a friend his painting of Christ knocking at the door.  Suddenly the friend exclaimed, "'There is one thing wrong about your picture.'" "' What is it?' inquired the artist. "' The door on which Jesus knocks has no handle,' replied his friend. "' Ah,' responses Mr. Hunt, 'that is not a mistake.  You see, this is the door to the human heart.  It can be opened only from the inside.''  Elder Kimball then continued: "And thus is is.  Jesus may stand and knock, but each of us decides whether to open."  Priesthood leaders may warn,...