Random Cell Phone Pictures For Your Enjoyment

Here is a picture of Abby that I have been using as my phones background. I can't put my finger on what I like most about it.

Here is a good one of Ella. This is the day we moved into the new house. Appearently we couldn't unpack fast enough so she just found a nice soft spot to fall asleep.

It's twice as fun when you say it like Jerry Seinfeld, SALSA! Everyone else was eating it so Abby couldn't be stopped.

Rare photographic proof that I do exist.

Katherine and the girls headed to Colorado Springs on Sunday to get a head start on Thanksgiving. Fudge and I drove up on Wednesday. Now if I could just get him to buckle up.











Whenever we visit Grandma's house we always make time to feed the ducks and geese. I don't know who was braver, the girls or the birds.

This is a lousy picture but Gunda had to see this... Fudge was snoozing on the couch and Cleo wouldn't stop bothering him.

A TEENSY bit of Nostalgia

As I was driving home last night the clouds hung low around the mountains, illuminated by city lights. It was mystical. And maybe it's because I'm saying goodbye to home (or probably I am a bit lonely) but two decades of memories began rushing back to me. Twenty-two years is a long time to call someplace home.

Those "mystical" winter clouds pulled me back to 16, and my first real boyfriend. No matter how cold, we would spend hours walking outside... talking about who knows what. I can still recall the coolness of the air on my breath. That's Colorado. A couple years later, with a close friend at my side, we sealed memories of that boyfriend in a bottle and tossed it in a lake. Give me a break. I was teenage girl.

The last few days have been filled with performances by Ella in my parent's backyard, but those aren't the first theatrical debuts on Westcliff Circle. Her mother could be anyone back there, and was.

Colorado gave me a lot of firsts. My first kiss, first car, first broken bone, first apartment, first job, first true love, first marriage (j/k Jared), first home, first (and second) daughter, and first move.

I've stolen moments in the past few days to say my own quiet goodbyes to those places of "first." Quiet, minus the 4-year-old in the back seat of my Jeep singing Hannah Montana, and the toddler trying to sing along. We've fed the ducks at the lake where that bottle lies hidden at the bottom. I have performed with Ella in the back yard. She always gets to be the princess. They aren't old enough to remember, but I showed my girls where mommy and daddy danced together when they got married. And last night we drove by our little home. Ella cried as she said goodbye. Mommy pretended not to.

So, as I say goodbye to Colorado, I am sad, but blessed to take all of those memories with me. And blessed to know I will make more in Texas. Anywhere my family is will be home.

Here's to the next 20 years. May they take their time, leave no wrinkles, sag no skin, and be blessed with the fortune of the years past.

Farewell KKTV

Writing. I love to do it, so you may hear from me more often on this blog now that my days at KKTV are over (for now.) Writing for work every day made it difficult to log on to my blog and write more.

I wasn't with KKTV long, just a little more than three years, but while there I made some of the greatest friends; lifelong friends. When asked what I'll miss most I can't think of one thing or one person. A long list runs through my mind: the adrenaline rush from breaking news, beating the competition, Lauri, Double Deckaroni (sp?) Fridays, sharing stories that have a real impact, writing news we may not want to hear but understand it's importance, McKenzie, Don Ward's wit, drooling over the cute Newspath reporter, content, showcasing, talent, Liz, knowing every day is a fresh start, always being informed, Leslie, the challenge of a deadline, a space-heater in the middle of August, Shannon, slicing and dicing a reporter's script, reading numbers to hopeful Powerball ticket buyers, an exclusive story... etc. I could keep going, but I won't bore you.

My TV career isn't over. I'm just on hiatus. My expertise is needed elsewhere. Okay, so maybe I'm no expert. In fact, I would rate my first week as a stay-at-home mom a 4 on a scale of 1-10. I'll spare you the details... but let you know: I'll get better. My girls are counting on me. They need me more than the TV News world does. It feels good to be needed, loved, adored... they deserve the same.

So bare with me, send your prayers, well wishes, and good thoughts as I venture into this new era of my life. (And ask my girls to do the same!)

Goodbye KKTV. I'm missing you already.

They threw a going-away party for me... even my folks and kids were invited! (Jared, too... but he was in TX.)

Me and the Skunk

The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo brought a unique guest to our 9:00 a.m. show today... a skunk. Tigerlilly was very friendly... not at all afraid of people, and fortunately "de-stinked."

(That's me with morning reporter Eric Lupher.)

Remind me to tell you the story some day about 3 skunks, my parent's back-yard, a frightened cat... and a mighty showdown.

Borger Bound

It's official... we are moving to Texas. "Where in Texas," you ask. Borger, TX.

I can hear the foreheads wrinkling as I type. "Where is Borger?" Click on the link below.

http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Borger&state=TX

Jared has accepted a job there. In fact... he has already moved there! Today was his first day. The girls and I will join him next month.

We are so excited to go for so many reasons. Number 1 being I get to be a stay-at-home mom. (We'll see how I adjust!)

We spent almost a week there during his interview process and fell in love with the community. Population 15,000 will be a big change from Colorado Springs, but the people in Borger are wonderful!

So wish us luck on this next adventure. It will be challenging, stressful, and daunting. But anywhere my family is I call home.

I attached a couple of photos we took on our road trip to Borger. (It is only 5 hours from Colorado Springs!) Jared had given Abbigail some chocolate. By the time Ella snitched it was too late! Abby was a mess. I love my girls!

Girls Love Shoes

I'm just like my Grandma Gunda. I love shoes. I can never have enough. My daughters are the same.

Ella first fell in love with shoes when she was about 18 months old. I bought her a pair of Crocs. They were a couple sizes too small, but she wore them anyway. And then when her toes started poking out the little holes... she didn't care. She wore them anyway.

Abbigail doesn't care what shoes she is wearing... as long as she is wearing shoes. I believe partly that has to do with the fact that shoes are worn outside, and she loves being outside. But I also believe she inherited this trait. Now... at only 18 months old... she can walk in heels.

Yes... these are plasitc dress-up shoes. Yes... they scratch up my wood floors. Yes... it reallllly smarts when she steps on your toes. Yes... she falls down a lot. Yes... they are way too big.

All that said... doesn't she look great in heels? And the best part... Ella actually shares her shoes and has a great time parading around with her baby sister, showing her how to pose and swing her hips. Ella learned those things from her dad. Her love of shoes... she got from me and Grandma Gunda.

My Heart Told Me

A few days ago as we were leaving for church Ella said to me, "Mommy, you look really pretty." How sweet, I thought, and then I asked her if her daddy told her to say that... to which she replied, "No. My heart told me to say it."

I love this little girl!

Miss Independent

Abbigail has a new thing... feeding herself. She has no problem shoveling the food in with her hands, but now she is trying to master utensils. This morning Ella left her yogurt within arms reach for Abby. The little monster didn't miss the opportunity and started spooning it in... well, as much as she could. She made quite a mess.

P.S. She also thinks she is such a big girl that she has to wear her sister's pajamas.

When good DESKS go bad

Abby was playing with some stuff this afternoon and all was going well until all of the sudden I heard Abby screaming from the office. I ran to see what the problem was and Abby had an unswollen ear that wasn't dripping blood anywhere. As I was taking care of her , I was asking Abby what happened. She was crying and holding her ear. I'm not sure what caused the incident, but it didn't end well for poor Abby.

As you can see, Abby's ear is quite unswollen. I guess Jared's going to have to show her how to chop the desk up into kindling wood because that desk sure can pack a punch! LOL. My poor wife isn't going to understand what happened to our new desk. No worries though, it just means that Abby gets a free shot at Jacob for no good reason! hahahahaha LOL!!!! Just kidding!

"You Ruined My Life!"

So... Ella is only 4. Barely 4, and today I ruined her life.

What did I do? There was only one fruit-roll-up left, so I tore it in half so she could share with her sister.

Wow, you wouldn't believe the drama that unfolded. She actually laid down on the kitchen floor and through sobs managed to tell me, "You ruined my life!"

Where does she get this from?

Can't imagine what she'll do when she is 16 and I won't let her have the car for the night.

Girls Will Be Girls

Sisters fight. I fought with my sisters. It is inevitable... my girls will fight. I just didn't think it would come this soon. Last night as we were getting ready for bed Ella and Abbigail started pushing and shoving. Ella asked, "I didn't teach Abby to hit. I taught her to bite. Why is she hitting me?"

Ella better watch out. She is on the petite side. Abby is not.

It's so funny to watch the two of them together. I'm not sure how... but Ella understands everything Abby is trying to say. Somehow they communicate. When they play together I love to sit outside their bedroom door and listen to them giggle. They'll laugh over just about anything. When they fight, watch out! Ella can run fast, but Abby has a firm grip. If she gets a hold of something she wants, it's hers.

Some funny things they've been doing, saying, up to lately...

Ella: A few days ago she was playing in the back yard with a bunch of her friends. She came inside sobbing... literally sobbing. I thought she had gotten hurt. When I asked her what was wrong she said, "Kayden won't marry me!" Kayden is a little boy in our ward she plays with frequently. After a short talk with his mom, Kayden changed his mind and told Ella he would marry her after his mission. Life is right in the world for Ella again.

Abbigail: If you tell her not to do it... she'll do it. Her biggest thing right now is throwing things away. Keys, pens, phones. The good thing is, she'll only do it if someone is looking because she gets a reaction. At least... that is what she wants us to believe.

Ella: High School Musical. My 4-year-old loves, as she calls it, Highsical Musical. Jared called me one night while I was at work. Ella was upset because he couldn't guess the song she was singing (at the top of her lungs on the back deck.) She got on the phone crying and said, "Mom listen... WE ALL SPIT TOO-NETTER." Please Jared... don't you know your Highsical Musical? That's "We're all in this together."

Abbigail: She loves to watch her big sister ride her bike, but you can see her little mind just spinning... deciding how she is going to do just the same. So, she has taken up riding Ella's scooter. She is not quite tall enough, not quite sure enough in the legs to push, and not quite steady enough to balance. But she is quite sure her mommy or daddy will push her around. So... she grabs the scooter, looks at you with these adoring blue eyes, and whines until you do what she is telling you to do. That means holding her on the scooter, bending over to the height of a small child, and pushing her around the block. No wonder it gets harder to move the older you get.

Ella: This crazy kid LOOOOOVVVES to ride her bike. We've been trying to get her to do it for a year now, but she refused to even try. Then one day a few weeks ago she asked her dad to take her on a bike ride. She jumped on and off she went. You can hear her chanting as she pedals down the sidewalk, "Up, down, up, down." I love watching this kid grow up!

Abbigail: This girly girl has discovered makeup and hair brushes. She loves to help mom get ready for work every day, especially when it comes to putting on makeup. She'll sit with me and continually beg for more makeup so she can make some sort of mess with it. I love having girls!

Fathers Day: A Dedication

Be the first to say that you saw the earliest performance of future pop princess Ella right here at "the Colorado Thornburghs".

Thats right, if you pay close enough attention to the lyrics you can hear mention of Fathers Day. For bookings and special appearances contact her father right here who will be taking care of all her future finances.

Congratulations KKTV!

A big shout out to my comrades at KKTV! At this year's Associated Press awards we reeled in some big honors. Our 10pm newscast and our 6am newscast were named best newscasts in the Colorado Springs market. Betty Sexton won 1st place for best Investigative Reporting. And Jesse Kurtz won 1st and 2nd place for best feature. I'm so proud to work with a team of professionals who give their all every hour of every day!

In the picture from Left to Right:

Liz Haltiwanger (News Director), Kat Thornburgh (Executive Producer), Jesse Kurtz (Sports Reporter), Shannon Brinias (Main Anchor), Don Ward (Main Anchor), Stacia Naquin (Morning Anchor), John Harding (Morning Anchor).

Memorial Day Fun.... and Food, too much Food

So this past Memorial Day weekend was great. All of Jared's family was in town and we had fun eating, shopping, eating, playing board-games, eating, catching-up, eating... and just plain gettin' fat. I have to admit, my pants are little tight today, a bit snug around the waist. It doesn't help when I come to work and there are stacks and stacks of cookies, cupcakes, donuts... you name it threatening me with their tempting yet delicious calories.

For those who know me, and know me well... all my life I have battled what most women fight against: self esteem. I don't want to be fat. I don't want to feel fat. And I fear getting fat. I've had my chubby moments (high school and college were not good to me.) But post-college were some good skinny years. Then came the kids. Then came the extra pounds. (Just check out the double-chin in the photo!.) Unfortunately for me, dieting doesn't work. I have no self control when it comes to food. OK, so that is not totally true. I can stop at a certain point... but the only thing I have going for me is exercise. Something I don't go a day without doing... but it doesn't seem to make the slightest bit of difference.

For instance, today I ran four miles pushing my girls through the rainy weather in the running stroller. It isn't easy... but I do it. So tell me, how come I'm still a chubby bunny.

During my sorority days those girls would drink the calories in, make late-night Taco Bell runs... and thought exercising was walking around the campus fieldhouse. Meanwhile... I didn't touch the "devil juice" (as a good friend of mine calls it), I've never indulged in Taco Bell (yuck), and I went to the gym every day: running, kickboxing, step aerobics, pilates, yoga. So tell me, how come I'm still a chubby bunny.

I'll take any tips out there. Any pointers that will get me down to that coveted size 4. I've done it before... but can't figure out how to do it again.

Hurry, summer is here, and Ella wants to go swimming. But I promise you... swimmers don't want to see me in a bathing suit!

Abbigail Growing Up

I just want to take a few moments to weep, shed some tears... and complain about how quickly my baby is growing up. It feels like it took FOREVER before Ella turned 1. But Abby has already passed that, and is getting bigger every day! Unfair!

Anyways, shes finally walking without the use of her little push-toy. She loves to dance. She loves to laugh, and we can really get her going if Ella is laughing. The two of them together are so magical. It is true what they say in Peter Pan: when a baby laughs for the first time a fairy gets her wings... or something like that. Abby's laughter is so infectious.

I love being a mom. No better job in the world. The hours are lousy, the pay is even worse... but I've never found greater joyl

25 Things About Me: Kat

Since Jared did it...

1.) I have trichotiliomania (i pull my hair out).
2.) My biggest fear is hitting a pedestrian while driving.
3.) I love to-do lists.
4.) I love clothes, shoes, purses...
5.) My left foot is bigger than my right foot.
6.) I love to ski/snowboard but I hate being cold so I don't do it.
7.) I had cat-scratch fever as a kid... no joke.
8.) My favorite sport to watch is college basketball.
9.) My favorite sport to play (by default) is soccer.
10.) My biggest pet-peeve is tardiness.
11.) I hate texting. Just call me.
12.) My greatest accomplishment is my family.
13.) My greatest regret is a missed opportunity for a great relationship with Jared's youngest sister.
14.) I'm a Democrat.
15.) I'm highly patriotic.
16.) I'm a very picky eater.
17.) I have horrible hand-writing.
18.) I love 80's music... Depeche Mode, A-Ha, New Order, Erasure.
19.) My dream job would be on broadway... or the voice of a Disney character.
20.) I've been bitten by a bird, goose, cat, dog, and mouse.
21.) C-sections are the best way to give birth!
22.) I can touch my nose with my tongue.
23.) I'm saving up for lasik eye surgery.
24.) I just read my list... I'm boring.
25.) Some day I want to get a degree in Criminal Psychology.

Hello Sir

Siblings often have nicknames for one another. Growing up I called Janiel "Shadow" and Mandy was "Lunchmeat". Leanne has asked that her nickname no longer be mentioned so to honor that request I won't post it here but it is alive and well and every time she calls me on my cell phone I am reminded of its greatness.

Ella is no different. On any given day she might call Abby "Abby-Cadabby" or "Abracadabra" (which is very different from Avada Kedavra). But most recently Ella's nickname of choice for Abby is simply "Sir".

Working Mom: Swine Flu

Swine Flu. So apparently it's threatening to be a pandemic. Dozens of cases already in the states, nothing yet in Colorado. But when I talked to the El Paso County Health Department tonight that's exactly what Susan Wheelan said, "Not yet. Not if, but when."

Great.

So my husband, Jared, called in a panic tonight because our 14 month old has a 104 degree fever. And what do I do? I think about Swine Flu.

As I have transitioned in this career from being a young working professional to a working mom, the way I look at news and how it affects me has changed as well. With a three year old and small baby at home stories impact me differently, and this one is no different. Before, news had a "distant" impact on me. I recognized, and sympathized with victims, but never empathized. Now, I can put myself in the shoes of parents who have lost a child... scared to death it will some day happen to me. Now, when an illness poses a risk to our community I pray, "Please, not us!" Now, when a crime happens near my home, when natural disaster strikes, when a car accident takes a life I wonder with fear, "What if that happens to me?"

On the reverse side, the education and information I receive in this job gives me the proper perspective. The swine flu may threaten to reach pandemic levels, but I know how to protect my family. I know most crimes aren't random. I know how to safely install a car-seat.

I suppose that is just one reason I love what I do. Being well informed, though it comes with it's downfalls, definitely comes with it's benefits.

Friends and family are always saying that I'm full of useless information. I would argue I'm well informed.

A Random List of Things About Me.

There was a Facebook deal going around a while back, 25 Things about me, that I never got to do since its blocked here at work. But I made a list anyways and i'm going to publish it here. Enjoy...

- I don't like candy.
- When playing soccer my shirt is always tucked in the first half and untucked in the second.
- I'm creeped out by feet with more or less than five toes.
- Rice first, then beans, always.
- As a kid my motivation for playing soccer was cheesecake.
- Standing in lines makes me hate the people around me.
- I try to make phone calls as short as possible.
- I was soda sober for over four months (I recently fell off the wagon).
- I only chew a half stick of gum at a time and I always save the wrapper.
- I carry a little notebook to record my random thoughts.
- The past tense of the word Squeeze should be squoze.
- No one should ever blow there nose in public.
- If I watch the Colorado Avalanche play they lose. So I don't watch anymore.
- I can't hold a pen or pencil without twirling it.
- I do not own any white socks.
- If I'm walking up or down stairs I'm counting them.
- I have a bigger problem with public doorhandles than I do with public toilets.
- If I were excentrically rich I would never wear the same pair of socks twice.
- Animals should never have human names.
- While driving I constantly calculate velocities and estimated arrival times in my head.
- I don't like my laugh.
- When I was fourteen, while on vacation in Bavaria, obsessively playing the arcade game Ten Yard Fight I started doing this odd finger stretching/pointing thing that I still do today.
- I've always wanted to have glasses and braces.
- I hate watching commercials.
- When traveling alone, I fantasize about being in a plane crash. But only on landing, I'm not crazy!

There it is twenty five things.

Whitney Hendrickson

I never met her. I don't know who she is, but there are times when my work-life seeps in to my real-life and I have a hard time reconciling the two.

Whitney Hendrickson was pumping gas Tuesday afternoon when the unthinkable happened. A freak accident. An SUV raced through the 7-Eleven parking lot, slammed into a pick-up truck and that pick-up pinned Whitney between the gas pump and her mini-van. The pump exploded, and Whitney burned to death. She was only 18, home from college for spring break.

This is where my two lifes collide. As a journalist it is my responsibility to learn as much as possible about Whitney. Can I track down her family, friends? Can I get them to talk on camera. Some of you are probably thinking, "How insensitive!" But as viewers and as a viewer myself I know what story wants to be heard.

Who was Whitney? What was she like? Whose lives did she impact? What will she be remembered for the most? And her friends and family shared so many stories: Whitney has a twin brother, she was known for her sense of humor, infectious lust for life... and her dad said she was ready to take on the world.

So this week at work has been hard as I try to understand why this happened to Whitney. Truth is, every week brings some story I'm forced to find somewhere in my mind and heart to place. Why would a parent hit their toddler so hard in the head it kills her? Why would a mother allow her boyfriend to sexually abuse her daughter? Why would a teenager gun down his friends on the way home from school? Why would a gunman open fire in a church filled with thousands killing two sisters? Why would an infant be born with cancer and never live to see her first birthday?

These are stories I tell every day. Stories like Whitney's that make this job hard. But because of these stories, my faith is strengthened every day. I find strength in the gospel, and the knowledge of our Savior's plan. A plan that gives me hope, and gives me the ability to share stories like Whitney's.

Think of her family this week, pray for them. They'll need the added blessings.

Santa Delivers!!!

Hey Uncle Jared, will you watch the kids tonight?

I will never say no to babysitting. But be warned, I have a camera, a sense of humor, and nothing but girls toys to entertain the kids with...

Christmas with the Thornburghs

I have been delinquent in posting for a long time so I thought I would start with some pictures and if you're good I might even give you a video later. Enjoy!!!

For years I have intended to hang Christmas lights. This year I made it happen.









"I didn't ask Santa for clothes!!!"

Abby had a great time as well. Ella named this horse "Mayonaisse"

Kat has a bowl of cereal every night when she gets home from work.

Kids are so easily pleased. Arial has since found new permanent residence at the bottom of the toy box.

Pokey watched from a safe distance.

Bad Haircut

Jared was going to post this... but I'm going to beat him to the punch.

He's been begging me for months to cut his hair. And I've been telling him for months that I'm not a hair stylist. I'm a writer. So Monday he went out and bought a hair buzzer thing... (see, I'm a writer.) When I got home Monday night he was cutting his own hair. "Great, " I thought, "I'm off the hook." But then he asked for help. He pointed whre he wanted me to start... so I put the razor to his head, pulled down... and this is the finished project. He is still dead-set on teaching me to do this, but why would he ask me to do this a second time? Really Jared, I love you, but spend $15 and go to SportsClips.