Thornton Mom

Michael had me make a truck. (I have to say I was impressed with what we created.)  Aunt Annelise brought us stuff to make Gingerbread Houses with.  It was so much fun.  Elizabeth got to use the frosting tools she got for Christmas. Samantha was able to put more candy in hers than anyone else. John Derek stuck as much candy on the outside as he could. Maddie's came tumbling down but she still smiled. Today as I was making my bed I was pondering on a statement that frequently runs through my head when I am depressed and frustrated. "This is not what I wanted my life to be!"  I was reminded of a talk I gave years ago after studying a lot about Christ.  I learned that life was not easy for Christ.  That even He didn't have the life that He wanted.  That He may have know about what was going to happen but He was not prepared for His Father's comforting spirit to leave Him.  But God knew He could do it and He had faith in His Fa...

Derek is having a hard time.  Yesterday was particularly difficult.  I was amazed how the Lord worked in both of our lives to help lighten his burden.  For me He helped my mood ant the mood of the home.  I have more patience right now, more strength, stamina, and joy.  Each of the children have had several breakdowns in the last few days but I have not flown off the handle and have been able to be calm and helpful in getting them through.  I can only attribute that to my Heavenly Father.  I am amazed that many times when the kids or Derek are off I am strengthened and not also off. The blessings I received today started with he kids being happy, they played quietly and let me rest.  When I prayed for guidance on what I should do while I sat with my foot hurting I was given the incite to do some work that needed to get done on the computer.  Then with my foot well rested I could go start dinner.  During dinner we had good conversatio...

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...

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...

Waiting for the rest of the family to gather for early morning scripture study. "My default assumption is that good sense and patience will triumph in our many challenges in life.   If we live wisely, our lives will go smoothly.   LDS folks may especially be vulnerable to the rosy world view.   We expect to be blessed for doing what is right.   Then the sky falls...We ask, What did I do wrong?   Didn't I have enough faith?   Is God mad at me?   It turns out doing good does not guarantee a life of contentment and fulfilled dreams.   We may be blessed for our efforts with the gift of serenity or new challenges.   God will provide precisely the experiences that can lead us to greater faith and a closer relationship with Him.   We can move resolutely and peacefully to our next rendezvous with God or shake our washing machine hoses at heaven....Maybe life is designed to deliver a solid and growing measure of failures for each of us--e...

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...

My sweet John Derek is struggling right now.  He has a difficult time reading and we are working hard on helping him with that.  Recently he has gotten more and more frustrated and he does his homework less and less.  Yesterday the Lord helped me realize that he was embarrassed.  His homework is different from his peers and he is embarrassed when they pull him out of class to work with him.  I don't know how to help him, but I am grateful to a Father in Heaven who allows me insight and understanding that I would not normally have.  I know that JD will get through this trial and will conquer. Book of Mormon, Alma 21:15 "15  And they went forth again to declare the word, and thus they were delivered for the first time out of prison; and thus they had suffered." They did not give up. It is interesting that they were delivered for the FI...

We went to the beach for Spring Break.  One of my favorite things to do there is go crabbing.  I did a bunch of research and found a great spot that even has a playground next to it and we go crabbing.  When I was a child we would catch crayfish off the dock of Starvation Reservoir.  We kids LOVED it.  We would put a chicken leg attached to a string on the floor of the lake.  Then we would attach the string to the dock.  The water was shallow enough that we could see the leg through the water.  Then we would wait . . . in a few minutes crayfish would emerge from hiding and start eating the leg.  If we were quiet and careful we could slowly pull the leg up until we could reach a net underneath and scope the crabs up. We apply this same technique to catch blue crabs.  The biggest difference is that we are on a pier about 10-15 feet above the water.  We put the chicken leg in and here come the crabs....

Dressing up for Sunday!  Got to love my cute kiddos!! On another trying day a friend of mine reminded me of the Mormon Messages " Daily Bread ."  These three videos reminded me to take each day as all I have to do.  To not worry about tomorrow, to trust the Lord and ask for His help to get through today.  This is something I have to be reminded of almost daily as some of the trials get hard and the moments seem overwhelming.  But I am so grateful to a Father in Heaven who loves me so much that He has provided a Savior for me.  Someone who has suffered all I have suffered and knows my pain.  I know that I do not even come close to understanding the Atonement but I will continue to ask for His help, to use His Atonement, and to press forward one day at a time.

Well my last post about the Refiners Fire was all too true.  Elizabeth is really feeling the heat as she is on this basketball team.  It is pushing her further than she has ever gone.  Since I have experienced life I know she will come out of this and learn something from it, but she cannot see that.  And I understand because there are some lessons in life we can only  learn through our own experiences.  Being a parent has taught me more and more about God and the patience He has for us.  When I look at her and tell her that she will get through this and she doubts my words am reminded of the complaints I send Heavenward when things are going wrong.  I know my Father is telling me that I will come off conqueror but it is hard to know that without experience. So I guess I am grateful for my trials, and am very grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who will listen and will bring me peace.  I hope that with His help we can bring that peace t...

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...

Derek and I chaperone the Halloween Dance at Church Look at all those wrapers!! My princess of organization!! Sorting candy, building towers and enjoying candy! Book of Mormon, Alma 1:26-28 "26  And when the priests left their labor to impart the word of God unto the people, the people also left their labors to hear the word of God. And when the priest had imparted unto them the word of God they all returned again diligently unto their labors; and the priest, not esteeming himself above his hearers, for the preacher was no better than the hearer, neither was the teacher any better than the learner; and thus they were all equal, and they did all labor, every man according to his strength. 27  And they did impart of their substance, every man according to that which he had, to the poor, and the needy, and the sick, and the afflicted; and they did not wear costly apparel, yet they were neat and comely. 28  And...

Daddy, Michael and Maddie Maddie as Elsa, she threw her cape like that at every house we went to.  She wanted to make sure they knew who she was. John Derek as a bat who plays soccer. Michael as a little monster, but with that smile you would never think that.  So Cute!! Elizabeth as our beautiful Cookie Monster (I have never seen Cookie Monster look so good.) Samantha as a TY inc. Angel Bear Ready to take the neighborhood by storm. We had so much fun trick or treating.  Michael would go to a house collect his candy (usually about 10 feet behind his sisters) then get to the end of the driveway and shout "Go."  Then he would run as fast as his little legs could carry him to the next home.  It was the cutest thing.   I have really been trying to follow the Spirit and as I look back on this Halloween I am amazed at how involved the Lord was in getting the costumes and for the right price. Elizabeth really wanted to b...

The kids have started school (at some point I will talk about the first day :-) But she really wanted to have school lunch.  She was just so excited to be in kindergarten that she wanted to do everything she had seen her siblings do.  Finally I told her that if she would clean her room she could have school lunch.  Later when I went to check on her she had cleaned everything.  I had never seen her do such a good job before.  She was delighted to have school lunch and can't wait to do it again.  Our family did a good job getting marbles in our marble jar so they earned the Family Bingo Night at the YMCA with a special guest.  What a delight and surprise to discover that the special guest was a mermaid.  Maddie danced up and down "Mermids are real, mermaids are real, mermaids are real!"  Samantha and her had a delight getting a gold coin and following the mermaid as she swam around the pool. ...

My sweet Samantha and Maddie made Family Home Evening treat.  I am delighted that they work so well together.  Such cuties!! Patience—A Heavenly Virtue Thomas S. Monson, October 1995 General Conference "Sometimes the tables are reversed. A dear and cherished young friend, Wendy Bennion of Salt Lake City, was such an example. Just the day before yesterday, she quietly departed mortality and returned “to that God who gave [her] life” ( Alma 40:11 ). She had struggled for over five long years in her battle with cancer. Ever cheerful, always reaching out to help others, never losing faith, her contagious smile attracted others to her as a magnet attracts metal shavings. While ill and in pain, a friend of hers, feeling...

Michael loves Aunt LaLa. We love spending time with cousins. Our Cousin Cody came for a visit.  It was so fun to be with him. Our Cousin Tyler!! Elizabeth snuggled up at Lake Gaston Tubing is our favorite activity. My husband encouraged me to read over my Patriarchal Blessing (Patriarchal blessings include a declaration of a person's lineage in the house of Israel and contain personal counsel from the Lord. For more information click here .)  I have had some worries on my mind, worries about my children, if I am a good enough mom, the temptations of life, my future, my role in this world and in my church, those I Visit Teach , and many more.  As I read I was given peace.  I was reminded of the talents I have received from the Lord.  I kept reading the words, "you will be able to  . . ." this gives me power over the doubts put in my mind from Satan.  This reminds me that a Loving Heavenly Father knows my weaknesses and ...

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...