Thornton Mom

Sunday Maddie really wanted to play on my phone during sacrament meeting.  I don't usually allow my kids on the phone but she outsmarted me by asking to read the scriptures.  Then when I showed her how to write in the Gospel Library she was hooked.  Here is her emoji testimony: I love Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father so sod (should) you.do,t (don't)  📥 (put)  your faith in a📦 (box) take it 📤 (out)  .📨 (send) your📩 (message)  to heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and they will know.I took my faith📤 (out) and I 📨 (sent)  my 📩 (message)  to heavenly father and Jesus Christ and I know they loved it and the name of Jesus Christ amen. MADDIE Thornton 11/27/2016💴✉💲📧💹💳💳✉💶📧 The weekend before Thanksgiving Derek and I were able to take a trip by ourselves to Salt Lake.  My grandfather's favorite yearly event is a Boy Scout Auction.  I hadn't been for 13 years and had always thought that someday I would go. ...

My husband is the best!!  When he gets home from work or church all the kids come running.  They love to be near him.  He is fun, exciting, and full of love. I am grateful for the love that we share.  During all the trials that we face our love is constantly growing.  It is a delight and a privalege to be his wife. Your Next Step Randall K. Bennett, October 2015 General Conference "I promise that each faith-filled step will be met with help from heaven. Guidance will come as we pray to our Heavenly Father, rely on our Savior and follow Him, and listen to the Holy Spirit. Strength will come because of the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. 19 Healing and forgiveness will come because of God’s grace. 20 Wisdom and patience will come by trusting in...

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....

 I remember 16 years ago thinking I would never forget that day.  That was the day I married my best friend and we would always be newlyweds . . . Fast forward 16 years 5 kids, busy work schedule, church schedule, 9 year old's birthday, oldest returning from a trip to Utah, and a broken foot and you get our life.  We woke up on a normal day, went about our normal activities of dropping kids off at school and going to work.  It wasn't until lunch time that one of us remembered it was our anniversary.  So Happy Anniversary to my still very best friend.  When I am in your arms I do still feel like we are newlyweds.  I wouldn't trade these last 16 years for anything and I look forward to another 16 years and infinity more. Chapter 15: The Sacred Callings of Fathers and Mothers ...

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." ...

Okay you ask, "Why do you have a picture of your sink?"  Let me tell you.  About 2 weeks ago I started a program called the Flylady .  It is a cleaning program but goes so much deeper than that.  It helps with my protectionism, shows me why I have been living like I do, fills in a lot of questions about myself, teaches me to accept me for who I am, to enjoy life, to not get angry at the little things . . . in other words, I really do like the program.  I feel like it is helping me to be a better person for me and my family. Well the Flylady's signature 1st step is to clean your sink, to make it shinny.  This you are supposed to do every night before you go to bed so that in the morning you are greeted with a clean sink.  And so for the past 2 weeks before I go to bed I have shined my sink.  Last night I was tired,  I had not slept well the night before, was not myself all day, had the kids help me clean up before dinner because they we...

Sometimes I forget how therapeutic it is for me to write this blog.  I get turned around in the winds of life and loose sight of what gives me the help I need.  I sometimes justify why I am too busy to read scriptures, and that listening is good enough.  But then as I sit and write I hear the Lord speak to me, through the words in my mind.  I am energized, brightened, and given peace. It is amazing to me that we human beings so quickly forget what makes us truly happy.  The words of the Lord, exercise and fresh air, healthy nourishing foods, being in the company of loved ones.  I find myself too often thinking that watching one of my favorite movies, or eating chocolate, or just having a few minutes alone will bring me peace.  But the truth is that being with my husband, reading to my children, reading the scriptures, writing in my journal, exercising regularly, and eating God made food is what nourishes my soul and body. In this video, the woman s...

Michael woke up with throw up in his bed.  He was sluggish most of his waking hours.  He slept from 9:30 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. when I finally woke him up so we could pick up the kids from school.  At one point I was upstairs helping someone and came down and Michael was all snuggled up in Elizabeth's lap. It was so cute.  I tried to get a picture but then he realized I was there and wanted to be in my arms. I am grateful for John Derek reading Michael a story. I am grateful for Maddie who loves to smile and play. The Infinite Atonement (Illustrated Edition) by Tad R. Callistar Pg. 200--"The Lord loves and longs to forgive each of his children.  If we will but repent, "He will abundantly pardon" (Isaiah 55:7) . . . It is as though the Lord wants to bless every attempt, however small or feeble it may be, to put our life in his hands." Last night was bad.  I was not very happy and compassionate.  I am so grateful for a Father in Heaven who love...