Thornton Mom

My kids laughed with me Saturday night when I realized that I had super glued my thumb and index finger together.  It was so amazing to me that I could not get them apart.  I am so grateful that I had finger nail polish remover and after a long time was finally able to get them apart.  It made me grateful for all five of my fingers. Last night as I was getting Michael ready for bed John Derek was sitting next to me and just started talking, I wasn't even sure if he was talking to me until I hear him say, "Thanks for helping me with my homework . . . all year I guess, and when you talk to dad tell him I said thanks for playing outside with me."  It really caught me off guard but was so sweet.  Just what I needed to hear. Saturday was a very difficult and emotional day.  But it was only one day.  I was so grateful for that. Book of Mormon, Alma 43:9 "9  And now the design ...

Maddie found a "giant" dandelion John Derek shot a rocket off with his dad. Maddie loves to collect sticks on our hikes.  We have now had to limit it to one for each hand. Making Ice Cream in a bag.  Easy, Messy, and Fun!! John Derek rescued one lizard and two toads from the pool all in one day!! Book of Mormon, Alma 60:22-23 "22  Yea, will ye sit in idleness while ye are surrounded with thousands of those, yea, and tens of thousands, who do also sit in idleness, while there are thousands round about in the borders of the land who are falling by the sword, yea, wounded and bleeding? 23  Do ye suppose that God will look upon you as guiltless while ye sit still and behold these things? Behold I say unto you, Nay. Now I would that ye should remember that God has said that the inward vessel shall be cleansed first, and then shall the outer vessel be cleansed also." Is this what we are doing in the United State...

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...

As we arrived at swim team the rain started to pour down.  It was team picture day.  On a typical week day we leave our house at 3:15 (if all the planets are aligned :-) and pick up Elizabeth from school then drive to the pool and arrive before 4:00 for the oldest girls practice.  Maddie practices at 5:00 and JD at 5:45.  We then leave after his practice at 6:30 (again if all the planets are aligned :-)  But this day was different.  We were early and arrived at 3:30.  As we drove into the parking lot it started to pour down rain.  We waited in the car for about 15 min. when the storm lightened and everyone decided to play in the water.  It rained off and on until 6:00 when the picture was finally cancled and we all went home without anyone entering the pool.  The Infinite Atonement (Illustrated Edition) by Tad R. Callistar Pg. 264--"One element is yet lacking for a fulness of freedom.  It is the power to execute or to carr...

I was cooking granola and really trying to get it done before the other kids got home.  Maddie so wanted to help and was great at mixing.  When Michael woke up I put him in the high chair and gave him raw oatmeal.  He and Maddie had the best time playing.  It was a stupendous idea.  It mad an amazing mess but was easily cleaned with our wonderful wet/dry vac. The Infinite Atonement (Illustrated Edition) by Tad R. Callistar   Pg. 263--We can accept the Atonement, a choice that leads to eternal life (the ultimate in freedom); or we can choose the way of the Evil One, a choice that leads to destruction, chains, and captivity (the ultimate in bondage).  As we choose the Lord, he gives us more ropes' as we choose Satan, he tightens the noose until we are in his grasp.   Satan would have us believe that keeping the commandments is a restriction of our agency and a type of bondage.  But I know how free I feel as I come closer to my Sa...

Derek got a new truck as an early Father's Day present.  He is quite excited.  But his excitement is only magnified by how much Michael loves the truck.  When Daddy comes home Michael immediately darts out to the truck.  He complains when Daddy gets in the truck and Michael has to get in my SUV.  This one is all boy.       Book of Mormon, Helaman 14:30 "30  And now remember, remember, my brethren, that whosoever perisheth, perisheth unto himself; and whosoever doeth iniquity, doeth it unto himself; for behold, ye are free; ye are permitted to act for yourselves; for behold, God hath given unto you a knowledge and he hath made you free." God is not compelling us to choose His will. That freedom to choose is a gift He has given us, another example of His love for us. He is not seeking power nor is He puffed u...