The Thriving Thorntons

Finally....A New Post!

2010-11-21T19:22:00.000-08:00

I know a few of you have been wondering....when in the world is this girl going to get a new post up??? Well.....here it is. Lots have happened in the last seven months. So, here it goes! Jarom turned 10. I can't believe how time flies by! Kaylee turned 5, and she is still a pistol as ever! Azelynn turned 2, and Blair turned 1. It seems like yesterday that they were all just babies, but they have to grow up sometime. They sure are a joy to have in our home. Next I think the biggest accomplishment....I FINALLY finished my degree! WAHOO!! Yes, after 10 long years, I finally received by bachelors degree in business management. I'm so proud of myself for sticking it out and not giving up! The next best thing...is I landed a great job as a claims adjuster for MetLife Insurance Company. Now, I'm so grateful that I was able to get such a wonderful good paying job, but at the same time I'm so sad to leave the kids. I have been home for 18 months, and I have loved every minute of it! I wouldn't change it for the world. I really hated staying at home when I first quit work after I had Blair, but now it's going to be really hard going back to work for 8 hours a day. I know that everything happens for a reason, and I would not have gotten this job if it was not meant to be. I contemplated applying for this job for 2 weeks. I finally got up the nerve to go ahead and apply, and thought if I get it great and if I don't that's okay too. Well, not even a week later they called me for a phone interview, then a few days after that, I was called in for a face-to-face interview. Everything just fell into place, and I knew this is what was meant to be. This company seems like a great organization to work for. They have wonderful benefits, 401K, sick leave, and even have tuition reimbursement. I start December 6th. I'm excited, nervous, and scared. I know I will do fine, but it's just the thought of starting a new job in a new environment. I have more posts coming...I didn't want to bombard you all with a huge long post, so I'll do it little by little! lol. Wish me luck! ;-)

Early Easter

2010-03-29T21:52:00.000-07:00

So, I'm a ding-dong and totally forgot that Sunday was our "early Easter." I mean since this coming Sunday is General Conference, the kids had to wear their Easter outfits the Sunday before. It was totally poor planning on my part. Thank goodness I had bought the girls' dresses the week before. Thanks g-ma Fern for such cute dresses! They looked absolutely adorable! Jarom looked handsome as ever. I swear he looks more and more like Jesse everyday. After church we went to our good friends the Mannings, for a wonderful feast. Alicia cooked such an awesome dinner, and we were so grateful to them for having us over. The kids played and had fun. It was great day!

Walking With Dinosaurs

2010-03-29T21:13:00.000-07:00

Last Wednesday evening, my sister and I took Jarom and Kaylee to see Walking with Dinosaurs. She was able to get free tickets from a lady at work. How grateful we were to be able to go. We had really good seats, and sat actually pretty close. Can I just say, that this show was just awesome!! I even enjoyed it! The guy that was narrating the show, was absolutely phenomenal. They had huge real-life dinosaurs come out such as, T-Rex, Ankylosaurus, and the teradactyl. They really made you feel like you were "walking with dinosaurs." All in all we had a fabulous evening.

A Good Laugh at Mickey D's

2010-03-18T21:23:00.000-07:00

So, I have to say that ever since they have built the new McDonald's on Losee we have been frequent customers during lunch time! It so happened this week, my dad took us there for lunch, except this time we did a quick run through the drive-thru. After I got done placing the order for everyone, Kaylee decides to roll down the window and yell as loud as she can to the lady taking the order....."and one ice-cream to go!!" My dad and I just looked at each other and started laughing so hard. I felt so bad for the poor lady taking the order! When we got to the window to pick up our food, the lady asks me.....so which one of your girls yelled....."and one ice-cream to go???" I just started laughing and told her it was Kaylee, my four year old. She laughed and said that all the workers in McDonald's heard what she said, and they all got a good laugh for the afternoon. I swear Kaylee definitely keeps us going, and she is one funny girl!

Our Trials in Life

2010-03-04T22:30:00.000-08:00

I normally don't write about church material, but this time I was compelled to write about our Trials in Life. As I sat and read this months Ensign, most of the articles within talk about our trials and what we have to deal with here upon this earth, in mortality. I'm not going to say that the past week has been the easiest, but being able to take it one day at a time has really helped me. I'm not one to talk about our problems, but I wanted to share some thoughts I had from this month's Ensign. I have found myself becoming closer to our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, more than I ever have. I know I'm not the only one who feels like this....but when trials come our way, don't we pray harder, work harder, and turn our thoughts more to thee? If we could only do this on a daily basis. I know I'm striving each day to become a better person, and know what I have to do to improve myself. In this life we will experience grief, trials, misfortune, and heart-ache. It is up to each of us how we will deal with it. We must have the ultimate faith to endure to the end, and return to live with our Heavenly Father. I really liked this quote by, Apostle Orson F. Whitney: "No pain that we suffer, no trial that we experience is wasted. It ministers to our education, to the development of such qualities as patience, faith, fortitude and humility. All that we suffer and all that we endure, especially when we endure it patiently, builds up our characters, purifies our hearts, expands our souls, and makes us more tender and charitable, more worthy to be called the children of God....." Whatever trials we are faced with in this life, we can exercise faith to make it through them. President Harold B. Lee stated, " Sometimes when we are going through the most severe tests, we will be nearer to God than we have any idea." This statement was so profound to me! When I think all is lost, and there is no light at the end of the tunnel, I turn to our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ to pull me from the darkness to light. Our trials will try and test our faith, but if we remain faithful, and endure we will be blessed beyond measure! God is always there, he watches over us, he knows us better than we know ourselves. If we will let him in "always" he will guide our feet in paths of righteousness. Whatever trial each of us is going through, know that the Lord is there, he lives, and he loves you, and will give you the strength to endure to the end!

Blue & Gold 2010

2010-02-22T20:39:00.000-08:00

Jarom received his citzenship beltloop

Jarom's Blue and Gold this year was on February 16, 2010. The theme this year was, 100 years in scouting. Every year they have all the boys make cakes, and bring them to the Blue and Gold dinner. Usually they have the dad's help make the cake, but can you see Jesse making a cake?? I didn't think so! lol. So, like always I take it upon myself to make the cake. This year I had the cutest idea. Not to say the least, it wasn't very easy to make. This was my first attempt with fondant. It looks so easy on the food network, but actually it is quite hard. The first time I rolled out the yellow fondant for the bottom cake, it looked great but, it was too short on one side. So, I had to peel it off and start again. I tried and tried to get this dang cake perfect. After a few words flew out of my mouth, Kaylee comes in and says, "Mom maybe you should call Cake Boss, he could help you make the cake!" Can I just say, I haven't laughed so hard in a long time! It was quite an adventure to finish this cake, but I was pretty impressed with the finished result. Jarom didn't win, which I was really bummed about, but next year, we'll make it even better! We had fun making it, and that's what counts!

Mom's 50th Birthday Party

2010-02-16T10:18:00.001-08:00

I am way overdue for making this post! January the 15th was my mom's 50th birthday. I can't believe she is 50. She sure doesn't even look like it. I always tell her, mom you don't even look your age. Thank goodness for that, because now I know what I'll look at her age! lol ;-) We had a great time together as a family. We all went to P.F. Chang's and had some wonderful food. After dinner, we came back and had cake and ice cream at our home. She opened up one of the best presents you could ever receive. My grandma and grandpa are taking her to Hawaii in June. Needless to say, my and I were a little jealous. We said they could totally pack us in their suitcase, and not even know we were there! I hope they have a fabulous time in beautiful Hawaii. Happy Birthday Mom, we love you very much!

Love Day

2010-02-16T07:53:00.000-08:00

My brother-in-law decided he wanted to be the "Love Doctor!"

Jarom wasn't quite awake.
He wished he could have slept in a little longer.

For our Love Day I fixed the kids pancakes, with all the Valentines trimmings that go with it. Azelynn was the only one downstairs, and wanted to help decorate. She kept eating all the sweethearts, and kept me pretty entertained while I cooked pancakes. It's never a dull moment when she's around! ;-) Later that night, we had my family over for dinner. I fixed BBQ Root Beer beef sandwiches, which was a big hit with everyone. It sure tasted yummy! All in all we had a good day.

Kids Say the Funniest Things....

2010-02-04T09:13:00.000-08:00

So, first I have to say that my kids are totally obsessed with Beethoven the movie. Especially Azelynn. We have been trying to convince Jesse to get a dog, but he won't give in. The kids would like to have a Beethoven dog, as would I. So, today I loaded up all the kids and took Jarom to school. On the way home Kaylee asks me, mom I wonder if BUCK is a boy dog. Now, BUCK is my mom's black chow-lab. I proceeded to say yes, BUCK is a boy dog. She says, Ummm...well Beethoven is a boy dog too, and he got infected by a girl dog and that's why they had so many boy and girl dogs. I have never laughed so hard in all my life. I swear I laughed all the way home, and still laughing walking into the house. Kaylee saw me laughing in the car, and she started laughing too. Kids are funny and you can always count on a good laugh!

It's That Time of Season

2009-12-22T14:34:00.000-08:00

Well......it's that time of season AGAIN!!! I can't believe that Christmas is this Friday. Where has the time gone?? I haven't blogged since July! I know....some of you have been pestering me to update...but with four kids, school, a house to run..blogging just has not been on top of my list. lol. Nothing too exciting has happened in the Thornton home. Jarom got straight A's on his report card, and we are so proud of him! He's an excellent reader and truly loves school and his teacher. Kaylee is loving pre-school. I swear that girl is 4 going on 13. It's scary because, she reminds me so much of myself, and that is a scary thing! lol. I know nobody will every be able to push her around when she gets older, she truly has a mind of her own. Azelynn is my sweet little girl. She is so loving. We finally got rid of the bottle, within one day! Thank goodness for that! I was getting tired of washing two sets of bottles. We are trying to potty train. She went once, but nothing since then. I'm hoping she'll get the hang of it real soon. Blair is truly the best baby ever. She is so happy and we just love her to pieces! I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. May we remember what this CHRISTmas season is truly about.

Summer

2009-07-11T19:24:00.001-07:00

Can I just say that having four kids is a little crazy!! I thought I was busy with three, but four sure does take the cake! Now that I have been home and am a stay-at-home mom, I have had quite a bit of adjusting to do. I wasn't too keen on the idea of staying home, but I'm getting adjusted to the idea. I remember one of my good friends saying, once you are home, you will think how did I ever work, go to school and have kids and still get ready for the day. I couldn't even imagine getting myself and four kids ready everyday, and getting me off to work. Don't get me wrong I am thankful I can stay home, but I do miss my paychecks and especially shopping!! For anyone that knows me, I do LOVE LOVE TO SHOP!! lol. I know it will get easier as the days go on, and especially when Azelynn and Blair get a little older. I am having fun watching the kids grow and change everyday.

BABY BLAIR EMMA

2009-06-18T22:43:00.000-07:00

Well....our new little addition to our family has arrived. Blair Emma was born June 3rd. She weighed 8lbs. 20 1/2 in. long. I'm so glad it's all over with! Now I can get working on fitting back into my old clothes. lol. We sure do love her. She's a great baby, but won't sleep in her own bed. Hopefully she'll break that habit has she gets older. She will only sleep at night if you are holding her in your arms or she's laying on your chest. Needless to say, I have had many nights sleeping in the recliner. That's okay though, because she's so worth it, and they are only little once. I hope you all enjoy the pictures of our new addition.

EASTER

2009-04-13T14:39:00.000-07:00

I have to first start out with a little Easter story about Jarom. So, on Friday morning, I'm getting ready to leave for work, and Jarom and I are in the kitchen. He is starring at the calendar and totally has attitude written all over his face! I asked him, what's your problem? He's like nothing, I'm fine! So, I kept pestering him wanting to know what was wrong. He finally said...Easter is Sunday. I said yeah, why? He's like well......I need to make my Easter list. I said wow there buddy this isn't Christmas! He looked a little disappointed for a moment. Then I went on to tell him that the Easter Bunny is on a budget this year, and won't be bringing any video games, only candy, and a few "little" things. I think he had no choice, but to accept the fact that he wasn't going to get a Wii, or a Nintendo DS game this year. I guess I have been spoiling them way too much over the past years! I would swear that kid didn't have anything, by the way he acted that day. I think we need to have the lesson again, on what Easter truly means.

Sunday morning I fixed french toast for the kids. Every weekend the kids request either pancakes or french toast, so for Sunday morning Jarom and Kaylee both wanted french toast. Breakfast was yummy and then we were off upstairs to get ready for church. The kids looked so cute in their outfits. Sacrament was really good, I actually got up and bore my testimony, which I haven't done in such a long time. I thought that maybe if I took Azelynn up with me, I wouldn't cry. Well no chance there, of course the second I got the pulpit I started crying! I swear I inherited that from my grandma. I am the emotional one out of our family, but I really felt good after I bore my testimony and knew that I needed to get up there. Later on that evening, we had all my family over and I cooked ham dinner. That was for sure yummy for your tummy! My sister and I made the cutest centerpiece for our Easter dinner. So, all in all we had a pretty great day!

Nothing Too Exciting!

2009-03-17T11:11:00.000-07:00

As you can see I'm still trying to get the hang of this whole blogging thing! There hasn't been anything too exciting going on with us. It's actually been pretty quite, since I've had my surgery. For those of you who don't know, I had surgery about two weeks ago. I had to have my gallbladder removed. What I thought was terrible heartburn from being pregnant, turned to be gallstones. I kept having horrible pain, and finally went to the ER, and that's how they found out I had gallstones. They had to hurry and do surgery that next week, because there is only a small window that they can do surgery with being pregnant. I have four incisions, that are healing well. I'm glad that it's all over and I don't have to be in pain anymore! Now it's just counting down until this baby comes....and boy I can't wait!!! I NEVER want to be pregnant ever again!! lol.

MEET THE THORNTONS

2009-02-10T15:37:00.001-08:00

Our little family isn't so little anymore. We were blessed to have another little girl, Azeylnn Elizabeth, born May 20, 2008. She is such a blessing and a wonderful baby. Big brother Jarom and big sister Kaylee are a great help when it comes to Azeylenn.