Thornton Mom

Our last day in Disney World was spent at Animal Kingdom.  We got there late so that we could sleep in.  Our adventure began at Mount Everest a fabulous roller coaster that even goes backwards!  Maddie sat next to me, we always keep our hands in the air when we ride roller coasters and Maddie is no different.  As we began our hands were up but as we went backwards and upside down my hands came down.  After a few moments I felt Maddie's arms against my shoulder, they were sill up!  I was being bested by my 6 year old!!  My arms shot back into the air and my respect for Maddie and her love of roller coasters increased dramatically.  She really loves fast roller coasters and can keep up with the best of us. While we switched around with Mount Everest we let Michael play in the Bone Yard.  As I was coming back from the ride Derek informed me that Michael almost cut his eye open.  I started to panic.  I wheeled as fast as I could to...

This past week for our marble jar activity we had a Minion party.  I knew that one way to spent time with my children would be to make food into Minions.  And so we created Minions out of bananas or twinkies.  It was a lot of fun.  We used yellow and blue melting chips and black frosting for the details.  The kids favorite part were the edible eyes.  Michael came over as I was finishing the first Minion and sat on my lap.  Once I got the eyes and the mouth on he screamed in delight, "Minion!!"  Then every 2 min. he was asking if he could eat a Minion.  He just did not want to wait until the party.  We did Pin the Goggles on the Minion and Minion Bingo.  It was so fun to see everyone so happy. The Power, Joy, and Love of Covenant Keeping ...

We celebrated John Derek's Birthday this past week.  He has been so excited for it.  He reminded us for at least two weeks how long we had until his birthday.  We took him to Mellow Mushroom for dinner and then on to a toy store where he bought a Spinner.  It has been fun to see him play on it. John Derek is a good kid.  He truly tries to do what is right.  After we got his toy we picked Elizabeth up from the airport.  John Derek and I dropped Daddy off at the counter and we parked the car.  He was a perfect gentleman.  Helped me pull into the parking spot, opened the door, and even pushed me in a wheelchair (It was fun he went as fast as he could go down this long stretch.  I laughed and giggled it was fun to move so fast.  When he came to the end he said, out of breath, "Mom, your heavy!")  I am grateful to have him for my son. Chapter 1...

Sunday brought a flood of emotions and gratitude.  We had Stake Conference, (a meeting where several local congregations gather together to hear from our local leaders.)  This meeting was a little different because two of the counselors in the Stake Presidency were released.  Two new counselors were called one of which is my brother-in-law.  The rest of the meeting was given to testimonies from the former and new counselors and their wives.  Throughout the testimonies there was a constant theme of being raised by goodly parents .  I reflected on my own goodly parents and reflected on the blessing of my husband's goodly parents .  I listened to great women that are such an example to me and was given the incite that they are just like me.  Doing the best that they can one day at a time.  That they are goodly parents and so am I.  Growing up in Utah and living here in North Carolina I get a different perspective on things.  He...

Elizabeth and Michael playing in the rain and with the hose. Have you ever seen a fuller diaper? It has rained all week.  Elizabeth took Michael outside when the rain had stopped for a few minutes.  They played on the slide and swung in the swing.  I was inside with the other children when Elizabeth came in sopping wet laughing and smiling.  "Come out, you have GOT to see this."  We all went running outside, the rain had picked back up and Elizabeth had the hose out and was playing with Michael.  We heard lots and lots of laughter.  It was such a delight.  Michael loved it and Elizabeth was happy. Chapter 14: The Gift of the Holy Ghost Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Fielding Smith, (2013), 181–90 "Reyn confided that...

M. Russell Ballard, The Sacred Responsibilities of Parenthood It can be equally destructive when parents are too permissive and overindulge their children, allowing them to do as they please. Parents need to set limits in accordance with the importance of the matter involved and the child’s disposition and maturity. Don’t make mountains out of molehills, and don’t produce what to a child seems an interminably long list of rules. Help children understand the reasons for rules, and always follow through with appropriate discipline when rules are broken. It is important as well to praise appropriate behavior. It will challenge all of your creativity and patience to maintain this balance, but the rewards will be great. Children who understand their boundaries through the consistent application of important rules are more likely to do well at school, to be more self-controlled, and to be more willing to abide by the laws of the land. This so describes this morning...

Over the weekend we went to a place called The Three Bears.  They had lots of fun for us all to do.  Despite a case of the grumpy's when we arrived by the end everyone had fun. Maddie in a mud kitchen.  Life is sweet. Michael found a toys with noise in a sand box.  He couldn't be happier. Samantha taking aim before her big shot. Elizabeth trying her skill with the bow. Daddy and John Derek after their paddle boat ride. M. Russell Ballard, The Sacred Responsibilities of Parenthood As clearly stated in the proclamation on the family, men and women, though spiritually equal, are entrusted with different but equally significant roles. These roles complement each other. Men are given stewardship over the sacred ordinances of the priesthood. To women, God gives stewardship over bestowing and nurturing mortal life, including providing physical bodies for God’s spirit children and guiding those children toward a knowledge of gospel trut...

I have two beautiful daughters.  They are smart and sweet and a joy to our family.  I don't know what I would do without them. Recently I took them both in for a physical.  I was aware that they are large for their age and knew that they were "out of shape or husky."  But I found out that one had gained 30 lbs. in the last year.  I was in shock.  How could I have let this happen? Blood work was requested for both of them.  After many tears and a lot of prayers the blood work was submitted.  Today I received a call that the other daughter has high cholesterol and extremely high triglycerides.  Again, how could I have let this happen? After the initial shock and the wondering, "what do we do now?" I was given peace from my Father in Heaven.  I was reminded that I have continually tried to help my family be healthy.  That we are human and don't always eat or exercise as much as we should but I have never given up.  I was rem...

Michael is becoming more and more independent.  Instead of staying right by me all the time I find him all over the house.  He has discovered that he can open drawers and pull out all the clothes, he loves to knock down towers, and enjoys playing with (destroying) whatever his siblings have put together. The Sacred Responsibilities of Parenthood By Elder M. Russell Ballard Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles From an Education Week devotional address given on August 19, 2003, at Brigham Young University. ...