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...

Those who knew me as a teenager are stunned when I tell them that I have 5 children.  As a teenager and young adult I lothed the idea of being a stay at home mom.  IF I had any children it would be one or possibly two and I would not stay at home with them.  The truth is that in my heart I knew that I would have more children and the thought of being a stay at home mom and "not doing anything with my life" scared me.  I saw no worth in motherhood. This morning I was reading someone's blog and they talked about how much they enjoy motherhood. I love being a parent. It's the toughest job I've ever had. But it's also the sweetest and most fulfilling. I understand why "multiply and replenish the earth" was God's first commandment to our First Parents. (Where would we be without that admonishment?) It is the step, if we choose to take it, that can bring us the most joy, and bring us the most personal growth. Parenthood is trul...

I have the best mom ever.  Today is her Birthday.  Happy Birthday Mom!!! Christmas 2012. She MADE pillow pets for all of my kids.  Amazing!! I love that my mom reads my blog.  Many times she will call me up and talk to me about what I wrote.  One time she called me as I drove home from the temple.  She said, "I almost called your earlier but thought that you would still be at the temple."  "How did you know I was at the temple?" I asked.  "Your blog!!"  I had written a few days before that I would go to the temple and she remembered.  What a sweet woman. Saturday night was another example of her sweetness. She called all excited, "I found 3 names for Elizabeth." "What?" I asked.  "You said on your blog that you wanted Elizabeth to have names to take to the temple when she turns 12 so I found 3 names.  Now we just need to get her and me on the phone and on the computer and I will show her how to find the names and then s...

My Mom is the BEST!!  She calls me whenever I need to talk to her, even if I don't know I need it.  She called me today as I was driving home from the temple.  I was still overwhelmed, better but overwhelmed and she told me what I needed to hear.  She praised me and encouraged me and gave me the strength I need to go on.  She reminded me that we all wish we could do more but we shouldn't do more than we have strength.  Some of the things I had been praying about would have been too much for me and my family and by doing them I would be taking away from my family not helping it.  My Mom and Samantha 2005 She encrouaged me to look at all the thinks I am doing instead of what I am not.  So for her and my benefit here is a list: My kids have clothes to wear. My kids have clean clothes to wear. We have breakfast, lunch, and dinner, usually home made. I try to go to the temple once a week. I go to Church every Sunday. I teach Relief Societ...