Thornton Mom

Aunt Ruth came over yesterday and brought coloring book shirts for the kids to color.  It was really cute.  They had a lot of fun coloring and being together.  We also spent a lot of time with our little cousins.  Everyone really enjoyed holding Aurora and taking care of her.  It was fun to play with such a cute baby for the day. We celebrated John Derek's Birthday this week.  He was so excited to have his birthday in Utah.  Grandma Christensen had us sing him happy birthday and she put a candle in his pizza for lunch.  Michael insisted on us singing both birthday songs.  John Derek loved having family over and loved all the presents.  I think his favorite one was a real life jaw breaker.  He is still working on eating that o ne.  John Derek even decorated his cake.  He wanted a football field.  He did a great job.  I was struggling with the goal posts and fina...

Early in April Elizabeth celebrated her 14th birthday.  We celebrated at the Lake House with the rest of the Thornton family. She is really into "fandoms,"  Particularly Captain America, Avengers, Super Natural, Sherlock, and Dr. Who.  The last three are so popular that they are grouped together and called "Superwholock" by fans. The last few weeks she has been so incredibly wonderful.  She doesn't get as frustrated, she is more patient, more kind, helps her siblings, helps me, cleans without being asked, it is fun to see her turning into such a wonderful young woman.  I feel very blessed to be her mother. “Apply the Atoning Blood of Christ”  Neal A. Maxwell “If I am sufficiently humble, which personal weakness could now become a strength?”" As I read this phrase I was taken aback. I know I have heard this before, that our weaknesses can become a strength, but really? Could the things I am struggling with r...

 Last week we had some sick kiddos.  Samantha was very sick.  She missed school on Friday, Monday, and Tuesday.  She and Michael had fevers and even threw up some.  It was not a fun weekend.  But we got over it and no one else got sick.  Knock on wood.  I think this means we are clear for Christmas Right?? Samantha Made a Snowman Chocolate Covered Pretzel.  She is very creative. I came home from running earrands and found Michael sitting at the table asleep.  He is having a hard time finding time for a nap, not wanting to take one, and dealing with the consequences of no nap.  But oh so cute!! Ether 2:15  "I will forgive thee and thy brethren of their sins; but thou shalt not sin any more, for ye shall remember that my Spirit will not always strive with man; wherefore, if ye will sin until ye are fully ripe ye shall be cut off from the presence of the Lord." Jared sinned. He knew what he was do...

This was by far my favorite day on our trip.  It was a tender mercy from our Father in Heaven and we really enjoyed it.  We started off on the Jungle Cruise and laughed at all the corny jokes. When we had been in Adventure Land the first time the kids saw Aladdin's Magic Carpets and really wanted to ride them.  My favorite part of the ride was wen we flew by a camel and got wet.  "Watch out, they spit!"  He spit at us.  It was awesome!!  We were told that the best place to get a treat was the Dole Pineapple Stand.  Wow!! Amazing!!  It was pineapple ice cream put in pineapple juice for a pineapple float.  Or you could just have the ice cream.  Derek and I were in seventh heaven.  The kids got slushies and we all loved it!! Aren't they just so cute?  We went on the new ride the Seven Dwarfs.  On our previous visit we had been blessed when an employee just handed us some fast passes which w...

 Our Second Day in Disney began at the Magic Kingdom.  We were tired from the day before but got up and pressed forward knowing that we would get to return to the hotel and rest.  After several rides we ended up at Be Our Guest Restraunt.  We were here for the ambiance and so just ordered cupcakes there was one that even boasted "try the gray stuff it's delicious, don't believe me ask the dishes."    We were in the Beast's Room and sat right next to the rose.  There was continaul thunder and lightning going on and it made Michael very uncomfortable.  He wouldn't eat his cup cake so we got out the ear protectors I had gotten.  As soon as we put them on he smiled a huge smile and began to sing "Under the Sea" as we had just gotten off that ride.  The ear protectors were a huge hit throughout the trip.  One of Elizabeth's favorite princesses is Bell.  She was in Seventh Heaven.  After Be Our Guest we retur...

My birthday was last week.  It was a memorable birthday, I have never had a broken bone on my birthday before.  We woke up and cleaned the Lake House and then drove home.  Dad T. drove my car and Mom T. drove his.  We stopped at Wendy's for lunch and then were back on the road again.  About 20 min. away from Wendy's I realized I had left my purse at Wendy's.  With the crutches in my hands I had forgotten to grab my purse.  We raced back, said lots of prayers, and were blessed that someone turned my purse in and nothing was harmed.  What a great blessing!!  What a great birthday present. John Derek made me this cute flag out of legos as well as a sign that read "Happy Birthday" out of legos.  Derek brought me home an orchid, my mother and grandmother got me a beautiful church outfit, Mom and Dad T gave me a beautiful scarf, and I bought myself feather dusters.  I told my children they were magic and they didn't believe me.  ...

 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...

Elizabeth just finished her first season playing Volleyball for Durant Middle School, Go Dolphins!! Samantha wrote this poem about if she were in charge of the world.  I love reading my kids work and getting a clearer gimps of who they are.  Like, canceling mushrooms, permanent markers, candy bar would be a vegetable and if a person did not brush their hair they could still be allowed to be in charge of the world. “Lord, Is It I?” By President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, October 2014 General Conference "well-being. If our weaknesses and shortcomings remain obscured in the shadows, then the redeeming power of the Savior cannot heal them and make them strengths. Ironically, our blindness toward our human weaknesses will also make us blind to the divine potential that our Father yearns to nurture within ...

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 ...