A Silver Lining Perhaps...

I called Karen the Diagnostician this morning to touch base and see where we were in the process. She has the preliminary report and told me off the record that Ty will qualify for services in Math. On a much happier note, she told me that he scored off the charts in several areas. His letter recognition, reading fluency, and some other language skills registered 3-4 standard deviations ABOVE the norm. His long term retrieval was very low, but I think we all expected that.
Now, we all have an idea what Ty's STRENGTHS are. There will be a new focus on building on his strengths as well as his weaknesses. I feel that we can all really boost his self esteem and confidence in those areas he excels. So, it's a happy day at the Thornton casa. Peace and love~

Reflection and Repentance

Lent is a season of soul-searching and repentance. It is a season for taking stock and reflection. When we observe the 40 days of Lent, we imitate Jesus' withdrawal into the wilderness for 40 days. Lent can be viewed as a spiritual spring cleaning; a time for taking spiritual inventory and then cleaning out those things which hinder us from a closer relationship with Jesus Christ and our service to Him.
This isn't exactly how we explain it to the little ones. I explained that Jesus went into the desert, fasted for 40 days and was tempted by Satan. Chrstians give up something during Lent to remember the 40 days that Christ spent in the desert. I explained that I gave up Diet Dr. Pepper and every time I think I want one, I just remember that Christ suffered and went without food so I think I can do without a soda. I asked them to think of some things they could give up. Several mentioned special toys that they like to play with. My daughter raised her hand and I was interested to know what was on her heart..."HOMEWORK! I could give up homework!" Out of the mouths of babes.
When we are choosing something to give up during Lent, it needs to cause some amount of discomfort. Choosing to not eat eggplant when you've hated it all your life isn't really giving up anything. Peace~

How to change the WORLD!

I was searching blogs and I came across a poem of sorts. It was the author's look back on his life. When he was young, he set his sights on changing the world. When he grew into adulthood, he realized the world was too big so he decided to change his country. As he grew into his twilight years, he thought he would have a better chance of changing those around him, his family and friends. As he lay on his death bed he realized he would've accomplished so much had he only focused on changing himself. He might have inspired his family to change. Who knows? He may have reached the WORLD.
Hmmm, something to ponder. Peace and love~

Find joy...Live longer.

Last year, an article published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology showed a correlation between longevity and positive feelings in the diaries of a group of nuns. Those who lived the longest expressed the most joy about life. I've been paying very close attention to the people around me, family, friends, grocery checkers, my children's teachers, etc...there is a big difference in health, happiness and quality of life in people that try to focus on the positive. This is certainly not a new concept, just one I've set my sights upon. There have been times in my own life that it felt like happiness and joy were just out of my reach. I was focused on why I wasn't happy; therefore, I wasn't. I try to focus on things that do make me happy and blessings in my life instead of what DOESN'T please me. I'm letting those unpleasing things have less importance. Miraculously or maybe not so much, they have less power over my happiness.
I've compiled a list of some things I do or would like to do that promote joy and happiness. Feel free to join me!
1. Pray. It doesn't matter why, just pray. There's no special or right way to pray. I pray at red lights, I pray in the shower, I pray on the treadmill. It puts me in an attitude of thankfulness which only promotes my joy.
2. Hug. Hug your children, hug your spouse, hug your parents, hug your friends. Hugs can relieve pain and depression. Hugs can make the healthy happier.
3. Go outside. Fresh air boosts your mood.
4. Exercise. Release those natural mood elevators.
5. Cede. Be the first to relent in an argument. Acknowledge the other person's viewpoint.
6. Pet a pup or scratch a kitty. Pets relieve our stress.
7. Go to bed earlier. An extra hour of sleep can brighten your outlook.
8. Volunteer. Give your time to build someone's future. volunteermatch.org
9. Buy something beautiful for yourself; a piece of art or handmade vase. Display it in your home and admire it often.
10. Take lessons. Hobbies are fun and relieve stress.
11. Add some green. Plants are proven mood enhancers.
12. Create a new recipe. Discover your creativity.
13. Care for yourself. Brush your hair 100 strokes, use a face mask, give yourself a manicure. The ritual is relaxing.
14. Write a letter. Use your best stationery.
15. See a funny movie and laugh out loud!
16. Give gifts. When you give to others, the world seems more generous.
17. Sing in your car. Put on your favorite CD that you know all the words to and sing!
18. Be silly. My kids and I take pictures of each other making silly faces. It's fun and we all end up giggling.
19. Bake cookies and take them to work.
20. Play with your children. Swing with them, play tag with them, slide down the slide.

Make your own list and enjoy your life! Peace~

uh-huh...uh-huh....

I do not now nor will I ever enjoy one-sided conversations. You know the ones....those conversations where all YOU ever say is uh-huh because that's the only thing you can get in there. A word will not fit edge wise. It's funny, but it's not. When I hang up the phone, Big Daddy says "so and so?" to which I just roll my eyes. The not funny side is that it makes me feel less than, like what's going on with me and my life is inconsequential.
Thank you and goodnight~ Peace!

I heart BABIES!

I have a new niece, Khloe Faith Stacy. She was a blessing that our family had been praying for and now she is here. Her middle name was chosen because she was a very direct result of faith in a community. Her mommy and daddy were prayed over in church after trying to conceive with help from doctors. Lo and behold, with no intervention from man but from our heavenly Father...here she is!
When my older niece was born, I was not able to be a very big part of her early days for reasons I may or may not divulge at a later time. Yesterday, I was overcome with JOY~that today I am able to be a part of a joyous time in my families life. I thank my Father for his Grace~and babies are YUMMY!!!! :)