Happy Father's Day

Seriously,  I never love my husband more than when I see him with our boys,
especially if they don't know I'm watching.
It is an overwhelming emotion that I can't explain, and I am sorry for that.

Because it is truly a feeling that makes tears come to my eyes
and my chest hurt with the pride that swells in my heart.


I love you Mike Thornton
aka the Tickle Monster

Those big boy talks on the bed

California SCREAMIN' - Disney CA

calm reassurance

December 31st 2000 - Texas
Isaac just a few hours away from turning one!

Zion's birthday
8-7-2001

Mike, Isaac and Michael - August 6th 2001

Pearl Harbor Hawaii - Spring 2005

History lesson at the Arizona Memorial

Mike and Zion - walking and talking

boogie board lesson - Hawaii 2005

The famous TUCK and ROLL

He still does this with Zion - the other boys, NOT

Michael was never that good at the TUCK part

Waiting for bumper boats

Ferris Wheel

Isn't it cute that Zion thinks he is the one driving?  

Yeah, he totally thinks he is driving....

Guam - 2010 



Father's Day 2009 - Mike and Isaac



Happy Father's Day Mike

also

Happy Father's Day to my dad

David Garrison

And the best grandpas three crazy boys could ask for!

Thanks for loving them all for who they are.

Papa Gwen

and Papa Jack

We Love You!!!!

End of school - bittersweet

I don't know what it is:

Maybe just me.

But the end of school feels different this year than it ever has.

Maybe being in San Diego for six years made summer easier,
because we knew we would see everyone again, "next year". 

We did have friends come and go - but nothing like the small island of Guam.

It's a mass EXODUS for the month of June.

In fact, I would say at least 150 students out of 800 from the school are already gone.
(*that's a rough guess and since I suck at math and estimates, it could be way off)

I stopped by the boys' classroom (well, Isaac and Zion) to take a few last photos.

Even Zion's teacher is moving, and she is amazing.

I don't think students can appreciate a great teacher as much as a parent can.

Seriously, Kimberly Simpson............."Uh-Mazing!"

Instead of having a 3rd grade assembly.   The 3rd grade teachers had awards in their classrooms.
It was really nice, because it was more personal, and gave the teacher a chance to say more about each student.   Zion was the 'math whiz'  and that he is.  (thank GOD he has Mike's brain)

Zy and the home fries 

Isaac and his teacher, Mrs. Atiogue -
This woman really must be working on sainthood.
She has had some crazy boys this past year, and Isaac was no exception.
But she's a "been there, done that" teacher and never loses her cool.

Some of Isaac's 100% boy buddies

The end of school also means our last few days with the Gillams,
which, I admit I have been quiet about.

Avoidance can be a great tool for coping. 

So I haven't been talking about it, and have been "shhh-ing" anyone who brings it up.

But we had our last outing to Pizza Hut today after school.

Which was one of our first outings together when we came for Christmas in 2009.

Kevin was too busy at work to make it - but all the Thorntons were there and the Gillam girls.

Disney Monopoly was the big hit

Sam let them open it, and Maddy, Ellie and Zion played for  almost an hour without even eating lunch.

It was (always is) nice to spend time with the Gillams -

even if it's short

and even if it's nothing special

and even if, they are leaving us.

But along the lines of avoidance - I'll see them Sat. and Sunday!  :)

Michael's Awards Assembly

So proud of Michael as he heads into his last year of middle school.

He will be taking two high school credit classes next year.

Algebra and Spanish

We hope it gives him a jump-start into high school.

And I hope Mike is home to help with the homework.

(the algebra of course)

Seriously, the school has such a nice stage, with lights,
that they don't use.
It would be nice for those of us with brown children.
I mean really, Navy blue school uniform shirt
against a Navy blue stage curtain
and a Haitian

NOT GOOD FOR PHOTOS! 

7th grade soccer players

This is Michael's favorite (and best) teacher - Mrs. Kukes -(*for math) - she is like, literally, a rocket scientist or something with 3 degrees but teaches middle school math.  Amazing lady!  She obviously cares about what she does,  cause she could be making LOTS of money doing something else.

Anyway,  a great school year and so proud of the second tallest boy in 7th grade.

Love you Michael!

Blog stalkers and netglow

There is this super, cool, hot chick named Tara Livesay that lives in Haiti with her family.

She (*and her family) work with John and Beth McHoul that we adopted Michael from in 1997.

They also work (and are dear friend with) the Hendrick family,
that we went to church with, when Mike was in grad school at Texas A&M in 2000.

But the truth is..........

I have never met Tara, or any of her family.

Although, I could tell you enough about each of her kids that you would think I had been her neighbor,
once upon a time.

I don't really fit the definition of "Blog stalker" though, because, Tara knows I read her blog and I know people that know her...........doesn't that give me points on the normal side?

Well, maybe not.   (*since I stole this picture from her FB page without asking, I'll take 1/2 stalker credit)



Troy and Tara



But she introduced me to a new term in her blog recently.

It's called, "NETGLOW"*

And it's basically the idea that, by reading someone's blog - or knowing them "online" one creates an idea in their head of who they are - and it may not be "all that".

Now, as you know - I tell one story to get to the next.  SO........all that you just read was the preface.




Because Guam is small and completely behind the age of technology, it has come to my attention that my blog pops up when certain things are typed into "Google" 

For example:

Yogurtland -

if you "google" it - you will see my blog and not a website for Yogurtland.

((*sidenote:  if you are a computer person and also good with marketing skills - you could make a lot of money on this island getting websites for all kinds of places - seriously, you can't find anything on Guam via Google))

So -  if you have happened upon my blog trying to find something else - welcome!

If you are reading regularly - you might have a bad case of NETGLOW.

Let me help you with that, right now.

We are real people.

Don't judge me if you see me on base and I am losing my mind with my kids.  Okay?

But, if you find yourself here with questions about the random craziness that comes out of my head into cyberspace..........please, let me know!

If you have a passion for some of the same things I do - JUMP IN and help.

Here are a few links for you.

Our beautiful Beth and Heartline Ministries can be read about HERE.

Beth and one of the many Haitian babies she has loved over the last 25 years!

The Hendricks in Haiti HERE.

And the Livesays that I also stalk follow HERE.


*for the record, I don't have NETGLOW about any of these people,
I know they are awesome!Not because of where they are,
 but WHO they are,
in Jesus.
Walking daily in faith and grace.

Isaac's promotion

Isaac is officially a middle-schooler.

Let's us all bow our heads for a moment of prayer.

Dear God,
Please help Isaac memorize his schedule.
Please help him to find the right classroom at the right time.
Please help him to put his homework in his folder,
take it to school, turn it in to the correct teacher,
and if possible, on time would be fabulous.
Thank you for this sweet and special boy and all the unique
things that make him the Isaac that we love.
Prepare the hearts and minds of the 6th grade teachers at McCool
over the summer so they will be prepared for what will hit them
late August.
Amen

Isaac is very special for all the things that make him Isaac.

President's Award for Honor Roll  - so proud of you Isaac!!







Zion's play

The third grade teacher block let the children choose play parodies to preform for their other classmates.

The team that Zion was on did a play called, "The Three Little Elephants" (instead of the Three Little Pigs) The "big bad wolf" was a mouse - played by Zion. He was also the narrator and took his role

very seriously, memorizing and practicing lines at home for the big event.

His teacher assured me, from set design to costumes, the play was completely student run.

They did a great job and of course, they were adorable!! :)

Here are a few photos / videos.

Setting the stage

Zion as the narrator

Zion changing into the mouse!

Zion (*the big bad mouse!)

One of the elephants houses

The cast of "Three Little Elephants"