Thornton Mom

I am trying to have a lot of faith in my Father in Heaven to help me with Sundays.  This past Sunday I went to visit new families that have been added to our ward.  When I came home the children had been watching television and making neckaces.  I have found more and more the benefit of turning off the television.  So we turned it off and Samantha wanted to frost the cupcakes she had made.  I told her she had to let the little ones help. She and John Derek did a great job.  JD helped Maddie and Samantha helped Michael.  They worked together, there were pleasant words being shared.  My heart swelled.  It was so good for me as well as for them.  I was so grateful to my Father in Heaven for helping me know what to do that we could make our Sabbath more meaningful and more of a delight. Your Next Step ...

Several weeks ago Derek was driving to work and saw a new sign for Hope Reins . It in a new ranch admidst lost of ranches along his way to work.  But this one stood out and he looked it up when he got to work and found it is a ranch that uses horses to help children who are struggling usually with a major trama like death or abuse, etc.  He mentioned it to me and I put it in the back of my mind. A few days later I was driving to his work and saw the sign, it jumped out at me.  So I did my own research and felt that I needed to get Samantha into this program.  I wasn't sure if they would accept her as she suffers from anxiety without any major trama.  But I applied and got a call a few days later.  As the woman talked about the program I felt that this is exactly what Samantha needs.  The woman told me to bring Samantha the next day and take a tour and if she liked the horses they would allow her in the program. Samantha loved the horses and was ...

Elizabeth tires on a cat costume.  What a cutie!! The Pleasing Word of God Francisco J. Viñas, October 2015 General Conference "He will give us strength so we will not have to suffer any manner of afflictions save they are swallowed up in His joy (see Alma 31:38 )." How does that work? We can have joy during our afflictions? I would love to know how to do that. "Having the companionship of the Spirit will make us better people. “It will whisper peace and joy to [our] souls, … it will take malice, hatred, envying, strife, and all evil from [our] hearts; and [our] whole desire will be to do good, bring forth righteousness, and build up the kingdom of Go...

Elizabeth had her last home game for Middle School.  The Athletic Department gave all the 8th graders red roses to say goodbye to them.  Elizabeth is a great girl.  She has worked hard at volleyball and I am proud of her persistence even when things don't go the way she wants.  She was expecting to play a lot this year but new coaches were put in and they have different ideas and Elizabeth has spent most of the season on the bench.   She still presses forward and fulfills her commitments. Derek and I took Samantha to the Lego Store for her birthday.  She loved it.  We then went to the Cheesecake Factory and had Cheesecake.  It was delightful.  We are so happy for our sweet Samantha and so glad that she is part of our family. Recently I talked about wanting to find out what brings me joy.  I had read a book about motherhood and how to be happy in motherhood.  The author talks about how she loves being a pediatrician....

When we were planning our vacation to Disney we planned it around the idea of keeping the Sabbath Day holy.  The plan was to leave early Monday morning after General Confrence and then come home the following Monday so that we would not travel on Sunday.  The weekend before we were to leave brought a huge storm with lots of rain.  Most of the storm hovered over South Carolina for several days.  We felt an urge to get packed in case we needed to leave Friday night.  By Saturday we were almost ready to go and felt good going into conference.  We went back and forth hourly about when we should leave.  We didn't want to travel on Sunday but were worried about the roads in South Carolina. Conference was just like it is every year with children.  They are excited about the candy (this entices them to listen to the speakers) and then there was a bonus candy if they listened to a member of the 12 and wrote what they had learned on a sticky note....

Samantha was in her 4th grade play yesterday.  It was awesome to see her so happy and enjoying it so much.  She did a great job.  She was not shy, she stood up and delivered her lines, she didn't even need a micraphone because she could project her voice so well, she smiled and was genuenly happy. Samantha had really wanted a lead part.  She worked really hard to memorize her lines.  She was the only kid in her class who go to be on stage for the whole play.  When the kids tried out the performed in front of their peers and then the peers voted.  Samantha won hands down.  Her teacher said she was by far the best and that no one came close to doing as well as she did.  She is such a joy and it is so fun to see her do something that she enjoys so much. Alma 43:14-15   14  Therefore, my son, see that you are merciful unto your brethren; deal justly , judge righteously, and do good continually; and if ye do all these thi...

Elder L. Tom Perry died last week.  He was a member of the Quarum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  He has been one of my favorite apostles.  When I was a teenager I remember my mom sitting at her sewing machine listening to something that was on TV in the other room.  She said, "I think that is Elder Perry talking, will you go tell me if it is?"  I replied, "I don't know what Elder Perry looks like."  She said that he was tall with jet black hair.  I went into the other room and looked at the television.  I saw a happy, jovial, friendly face with white hair and couldn't tell how tall he was.  I reported this to mom and she said, "Yes, that is Elder Perry."  Since that moment he has been one of my favorites. Book of Mormon, Alma 36:21 "there can be nothing so exquisite and sweet as was my joy." ...

 The other day I went for my morning walk and was accompanied by Samantha.  It was a delight to walk with her.  She helped push Michael, we talked, we observed nature.  She is a good girl and such a sweetie.  I enjoyed having her around that day.  I wish our walk had been longer. As we finished our walk we saw a crane in the water catching fish.  Samantha took my phone and started taking pictures.  Here are some of my favorite. October 23, 2001 BYU Devotional In the Strength of the Lord  David A. Bednar I am not trying to suggest that the redeeming and enabling powers of the Atonement are separate and discrete. Rather, these two dimensions of the Atonement are connected and complementary; they both need to be operational during all phases of the journey of life. And it is eternally important for all of us to recognize that both of these essential elements of the journey of life—both putting off the natura...

My nephew left on his mission almost a week ago.  We missed his farewell talk and saying goodbye because of sicknesses.  I am so proud of him and the decision he has made.  My little John Derek really looks up to his cousin and I am so grateful that he  has such a wonderful role model to follow after.  John Derek really wasn't excited about him leaving so we asked if John Derek could sleep over one more time.  John Derek loved it.  He got to hang out with two of his favorite cousins and really felt like he was as big as they were.  What a blessing to be surrounded by such wonderful examples of truth and righteousness. Recently my sister sent me a link to a talk she read.  As I read the talk this morning I was reminded about what I have been learning about the atonement.  How it is more than just a way to be forgiven of our sins but even more so a way to live in this world.  Here are some of my favorite quotes from this talk: ...

 Today Derek and I attended Elizabeth's Choir concert.  She sang a beautiful duet and blew us all away.  Last night she sang in the school talent show and did a fantastic job despite the terrible sound system.  Tonight she has a basketball game and on top of ALL this she is a strait A student!  She is also involved in her YW and is persuing her first value completion.  At home she keeps things calm when I am having a difficult time, she helps her siblings, and she is amazing. I am amazed and humbled by all that she does.  It seems that whatever she puts her mind to she goes into it with her whole heart and soul.  She is always willing to try and not afraid of failure.  Her bravery and courage are a divine talent she has been blessed with.  I am in awe of what an amazing spirit she is.  Heavenly Father has something in mind for this beautiful Daughter of God. Today as we sat in the concert.  The teacher singled Eliz...

I spent the other night playing with Michael and Maddie.  They loved it and so did I. Samantha got to go to a cat themed birthday party.  It was purrrfect for her. Elizabeth and Michael love to play with my camera and always take fun pictures. The Infinite Atonement (Illustrated Edition) , by Tad R. Callister pg. 334, 336-337--"Was a Sacrifice Required: Amulek also gave us an insight into the purpose of the atoning sacrifice when he said, "This being the intent [i.e., purpose] of this last sacrifice, to bring about the bowels of mercy" (Alma 34:15).  In other words, the magnitude of suffering was so intense, so deep, so overwhelming and unrelenting that perhaps all of the spirits of the universe, even the most hardened, may be cried out in universal accord, "It is enough." The collective spirits of God's handiwork may be been so touched, so moved by the awesome intensity of Christ's suffering that they would yield to his request to save...

Cute Kids!!     Book of Mormon, Mosiah 24:11-16 "11  And Amulon commanded them that they should stop their cries; and he put guards over them to watch them, that whosoever should be found calling upon God should be put to death. 12  And Alma and his people did not raise their voices to the Lord their God, but did pour out their hearts to him; and he did know the thoughts of their hearts. 13  And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord came to them in their afflictions, saying: Lift up your heads and be of good comfort, for I know of the covenant which ye have made unto me; and I will covenant with my people and deliver them out of bondage. 14  And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and th...

Michael was sooooo cute today.  We had to mow the lawn it had been almost 3 weeks and the grass was taking over the back yard.   At first Michael was afraid of the lawn mower and would go to the neighbor's house and hide until he heard me turn it off.  Then he would toddle beside me as I emptied the bag.  But as soon as I returned to the lawnmower he was gone again. Then he found a toy lawn mower at the neighbors and "borrowed" it.  He then was right behind me.  Mowing up any spots that I missed.   Michael helped mom mow the lawn!  He is so cute!!! I don't know who is more tired Michael or Mommy? Going . . . When I had about 20 min. left of lawn mowing he asked to go inside (I knew he was tired because he never asks to go inside.)  I put him in the swing and would push him when I mowed near him.   Going . . . .  Finally he fell asleep in the swing.  He was so cute.  I truly enjoyed Michael today....

I went to the grocery store with Michael and Maddison.  We piled and piled the food into the cart.  When buying groceries for 7 people it feels like you are buying the whole store! When we got to check out the cashier couldn't fit it all into one cart so she split it in two.  I took the two kids out with the first cart and started loading it into my car.  Then the debate started: do I leave my kids in the car while I walk in and get the other cart?  Or do I have them both come in with me?  Before I answered this question there was a woman at my side asking if she could get my other cart for me.  (She had seen me going through the line with Michael screaming and Maddie "trying to help.")  I was delighted to take her up on her offer.  She brought out the full cart and even took the empty one back for me.  I whispered to Maddie, "I think she is an Angel sent from Heavenly Father to help us."  Maddie smiled and responded, "Let's say a p...

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...

Saturday Samantha slipped going down the stairs and landed on her foot.  We iced it and gave her Advil and went on with our day.  Sunday evening she was complaining that it really hurt.  I told her to pray about it and if she felt that we should go to the doctor Monday we would.  Monday morning she said that she had prayed and felt that we should go to the doctor.  Away we went.  I was quite skeptical.  But she was right.  She has two fractures on her ankle.  She was in a splint for 4 days and today she got a boot put on, so much easier, what a blessing. 2 Nephi 8:11 "11 Therefore, the redeemed of the Lord shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy and holiness shall be upon their heads; and they shall obtain gladness and joy; sorrow and mourning shall flee away." This will be a good day. The rig...