With Love, to "My Heart with Clothes On"

Ella:

A six-year-old going on 16. This girl is so ready to grow up, and I wish I could sit her down and tell her to "WAIT!" Sure, I could. But I don't think she would understand.

Being a kid is so much fun, and growing up I had so many great friends. Such great friends... Jaimi Bertelson, Marie Wichterman, Marci Waite, Heather Warren, April Mako, Melissa Schults, Trisha Haws, Nancy Newman. Some are childhood - some are from getting old: but with them I can still be a kid. With them I can still confide secrets. With them I can still act stupid and they understand. That is what being a kid is all about.

So if there is one thing I could tell my little Ella: enjoy being a kid. Lavish in it's freeness. I'll take care of all your worries. I'll swallow all of your anxieties.

A friend of mine put it best. These children are just our hearts with clothes on. (Thanks Loree.)

Abbigail:

My heart is breaking a bit today.

We fought today - me and little, gentle hearted Abbigail. Of course it was about makeup. That's what girls fight about. But it stings so deeply when I hear her cry. Not the fake, tantrum, "I didn't get my way!" cry, but the cry where you know her feelings have truly been hurt. And by me, her mom.

I think as parents we all have those moments. When we want to say yes, but we have to say no. My other two girls handle it differently. But for some reason, Abbigail handles it internally and you can see her sadness.

So that is how I left today. Her sadness seeping from her eyes. Sad because "Mommy was mean" but sad also because she knows I'm sad she won't let me comfort her.

In the end, just before I walked out the door, she relented with the anxiety that I would leave her without that goodbye kiss. We hugged, she cried, I held her tighter, and hearts were comforted. But I'm still sitting here, thinking about my sweet Abby and hoping her day is filled with laughter and fun instead of tears. She wears her heart on her sleeve. Is easily hurt, but easily loves.

These pictures are a little old, some from summer - but they capture I think some of her finest qualities.

We have a great neighbor, Kay, who ADORES Abbigail. And Abby isn't too shy about taking advantage of that. This 3-year-olds daily routine includes walking next door (typically barefoot), ringing Kay's door, and spending sometimes hours just chatting, talking, playing, dancing - whatever with this wonderful neighbor. I can see why Kay loves Abbigail so much. She's just between that stage of being a toddler and a kid. Her voice is sweet, her laugh infectious, and she pronounces all "K" sounds with a "T".... adorable. When she comes home Kay has loaded up a bag full of animal crackers and marshmallows - and usually some extra bags for her sisters. We love Kay, and Kay loves Abbigail. It's easy to see why.

Rarely do I get a nap out of this crazy kid anymore. So. Much. To. Do!

But there are days she is so worn out from play dates, school, visiting neighbors that she'll ask to watch some TV (something rare) and within minutes she is asleep. On this day, Miley the cat took advantage of nap time and curled up with Abbigail. Nothing more peaceful than watching your kid nap. Of course, usually a mid-day nap means bedtime is going to go haywire.

I love this picture! "Why," you ask? "Your kids are fighting!" "Hair is being pulled!" "Teeth are used as weapons!"

I'll tell you why I love it. About 30 years ago this was me and one of my sisters. We fought. We pulled hair, kicked, bit, and pistol whipped with fake guns (thanks Erica, still have that scar.)

But my sisters are my best friends, and so what do I see when I look at these pictures? A future where they will have best friends that will never go away. No: I don't encourage the fighting. Yes: I try my best to intervene. But still, it's good to know they are headed in the right direction... I think.

CLAIRE:

It's unfair how fast she is growing and changing, but I love catching new glimpses of her personality. She's cute, she knows it, and she uses it to the best of her advantage.

This tent has an extra opening. Claire likes it because she can get out even when it's zipped shut. But let me tell you the story behind the extra opening.

One day Ella and her friend were playing in the tent when it was set up in the front room. Well, they couldn't get the zipper down and were "paralyzed with fear" that they would be trapped there forever. So they came up with a solution. They rolled the tent into the kitchen, stretched the netting far enough they could reach their 6-year-old hands through, opened a drawer and used a very sharp knife to slice the hole in the tent. They were free!

Where were mom and dad, you ask? Well, mom was at work. As for dad, who knows?!?!?

Claire also got her first haircut. She sat in the chair, watched the sharp scissors move around her face and walked away with a beautiful new do. Too much growing!

Popsicles were a neighborhood favorite among the kids. We'd let them play for hours, sweat in the sun, run in the sprinklers, and annoy the neighbors. But if all the big kids in the neighborhood were sucking on Otter-pops, then you'd better make darn sure Claire had one in her hand or she'd rip one from somebody else. It's only fair, right?

And bicycles. No she's not that big. No she can't reach the pedals on a tricycle. No, she can't even walk a straight line. But put a helmet on the kid's head, and she is just as much a bike pro as the others.

A baby's face covered in ice cream is just too good to pass up.

This is one ride Claire could handle, sort-of. Of course some adult (usually me) would have to do the pushing, and her little feet would drag on the road, but we allowed it she would do it all day. Even just climbing in, and climbing back out is enough to make her happy.

Our Claire-Bear. This smile says it all. She is always happy. Always smiling. Always making us smile. There are just so many things about her I could tell the world: she just learned to kiss, really kiss with smacking her lips. She loves jello. She loves shoes. Her tantrums include hitting, screaming, throwing herself to the floor, but can easily be solved by a tickle. She bites. She adores her sisters. She blows kisses. She sings when I play the piano. She snuggles with a teddy bear when she sleeps at night. She's perfect. We love her.

Pictures Galore

Okay, prepare yourself for a lot of pictures. I haven't done this in a while, and since we've been in SLC I've been a bit lazy about updating this blog. So I won't go into the details behind every tender moment that of course accompanies these photos, but maybe it will catch you up a bit on our life in Utah. We'll always be the Colorado Thornburghs. We've just moved to Utah, that's all.

Abbigail was feeling a bit mischievous on this day and wanted to take pictures with my phone. Every picture of her is adorable.

Not long after I started at KSL they turned to me and asked me if I wanted to go in the helicopter for a story on the other side of the state. Immediately I responded, "Yes!" Then in my mind I quickly remembered that I have three little girls. What if the chopper crashes. Eh, I'll take my chances. The pictures are posted so I made it back alive.

Jared and I live in a great neighborhood. We don't get to see a lot of each other because or opposite work schedule, but this night we were enjoying a beautiful Utah summer night with the neighbors. Not the most flattering picture... but I love this guy!

Since we've moved to Utah Claire has gotten teeth. A lot of teeth. I think we are working on number six right now. But despite the pain, this kid is always smiling. Just staring at this photo I can feel the strings of my heart wrapping around her.

Bedtime is sometimes a nightmare at our house, but there are a few nights it runs smoothly. Usually that requires copious amounts of reading. Hey, that is fine by me. I'd rather they go to sleep with their imaginations in full swing than images from some TV show.

Lately the big thing in the neighborhood is camping, sleeping outside or building forts outside. So I was not surprised when one night I came home to find most of the blankets and pillows in the house on the front lawn. Who can complain when they are having fun.

There are the rare occasions that we all get to be together as a family, sit-back, watch a movie, play some Wii. Jared tried to capture the image of one family night. You can see Claire is not willing to pose. She is ready to play.

I can hear my mother groaning now. Yes, Ella got a red streak of color in her hair. She loves it. She was so excited to go to school and show all her friends. Our neighbor is a hair stylist and did all the kids in the neighborhood. Don't worry mom, it will grow out.

Claire is so ready to be a big kid. When the older kids race down the street her little legs carry her as fast as they can to catch up. Or, in moments like this, she works desperately to figure out the scooter works. Usually it requires mom pushing her around. As long as she is smiling...

This is typical Abbigail. Hotwheels trike, tennis shoes, and a princess dress. She is full of personality. I hope it never fades.

Grandma and Grandpa were in town for Labor Day weekend and discovered that Claire loves ketchup. (Doesn't every kid at this age?) She would dip the french fry in and just suck off the ketchup. Every few dips she would actually take a bite. Yummy and messy treat.

Abbigail is officially a pre-schooler, and can't you tell how proud she is? All that morning before we left for school she was wearing her backpack, jumping up and down and screaming, "I'm so excited for school." When we got to school I explained I had to stay for the first half hour. She replied, "You will leave, won't you?" Miss independent.

And she is so lucky to be going to school with her best friend Ashley who happens to be the daughter of my best friend (and life-saver) Melissa. When you get these two together dangerous things can happen.

Ella turned 6 this summer, too. And since then she has lost two teeth and another is making it's way free. The first few days of 1st grade were a little tough, but she has adjusted beautifully!

Dirt. Claire loves it. We'll wake up, get her dressed and cute and the first thing she wants to do is go outside and dig in the dirt. It gets everywhere. All over her clothes, in her hair, in her diaper, under her nails, but the kid is having fun. Why stop it?

Ella wanted a picture this day because she said she was feeling, "Extra pretty." She is always pretty, but she does look great in this photo. And she loves this dress.

I always thought it would be Ella and Abbigail that would spend the most time together playing, but Abby has found quite the friend in Claire. I think it partially has to do with the fact she can boss Claire around. But the two spend hours together every day playing, getting dirty, fighting and giggling. I love sisters.

And if Abbigail isn't playing with Claire, visiting our neighbor Kay who has taken a special liking to my little girl, then she is running up and down the street with her friend Korina. I won't mention the part where they cut each others hair.

That's not all we've been up to. There is plenty more. Most of all we miss all our friends and family in Colorado and Texas. It has been hard starting over in a new city, with new friends, new house, new ward, new jobs... but it's amazing what can happen when we stick together as a family.

So Lucky...

So, I know everyone says they have the best parents in the world, but before you make your argument listen to mine.

Frank & Kuu. Aren't they a cute couple? Too this day, nearly 45 years of marriage, they still behave like newly weds. "Yuck," you are probably saying. But for me it is inspiration. I still hear my dad whisper to my mom in a sweet voice, "I love you." "You look pretty." "Give me a kiss." Mom still makes dad those yucky bologna sandwiches that he loves. She goes for rides in his bumpy truck. Their love is spoken and unspoken. I aspire to it with my own marriage. Sure, I'm only eight years in, but I know we'll make it because I have the best of examples.

But that's not the only thing that makes them so great. I don't want to brag or anything, but look at their kids! College educations (and more), temple marriages, careers, and seven terrific grand-kids with one more on the way! Sure, I would like to take credit for all that I've accomplished, but really it is mostly in part because of who showed me the way.

To top it all off, because there is so much I could tell you about them, one thing I know for sure: I can always count on them. The unspoken but understood love I feel from my father. The quiet and supporting advice from my mom when I least expect it. Digging me out of a "cave" so deep I thought I would never feel happiness again. Sticking by my side when I'm stupid. Loving me without the slightest bit or notion of judgement. Never playing favorites. Ask David, Gunda or Erica... they all know. We got lucky. Not sure if they picked us or we picked them in the pre-existence but I know that the four of us kids came out on top.

I love you mom and dad and can't say thank-you enough for all you have given me and done for me.

Once Upon a Time...

Once... I didn't mind putting on a swim suit.

Once... I didn't mind getting my clothes & hair wet.

Once... Lemonade in the sun tasted sooo yummy.

Once... I was a little girl, and I miss that little girl. I miss being carefree and uninhibited. I miss lounging around on a beach towel and not scrutinizing if I'm thin enough, tan enough, pretty enough.

These girls remind me of what it is like and I hope they hold on to it for a long, long time.

We had a hot morning here. No, not "Texas Hot" as all my Texas friends are probably bemoaning at this point, but hot enough for us to break out the sprinkler and spend a while jumping through the cool spray. And when I say "us" I mean the kids... cuz I am inhibited now as an "old mom" and cringe at the thought of getting soggy wet in my clothes. Claire is my excuse. So I live vicariously, and say to myself, "Someday I'll join in." Perhaps someday I will. I'm working on that.

The sprinklers were Abbigail's idea on this day. It beats staying inside when mom is busy packing.

Ella loves the water... however she gets it. She would swim for hours if we let her, but the sprinklers never disappoint, either.

The girls have a friend across the street, Sarah, who they spend their mornings and afternoons running around the neighborhood with.

A Little More of Us

The summer has started for the Thornburghs, and it is starting out big.

First off... Ella graduated from kindergarten, and in just a few days she will be 6. Not sure how that happened or when... but she is growing up.

Things she looooves right now: making videos, dancing, singing, Angry Birds, and anything Disney.


For the humor in our family we turn to Abbigail. The kid mooned me the other day shopping. She mooned me! She doesn't even know what that word means, but she knows how to do it. We had the chance to spend some time at my aunt's home... and immediately Abbigail went for the dress-up clothes and then to the drums. Love her!

We spent about two weeks in Utah and loved being able to spend time with Ladd, Erica & Cooper. The girls love their cousin and fought every minute.

We spent many-a-nights snuggled up in the comfy beds of Marriott along the way. (Thanks Meme!) Somehow I always get kicked to the couch and the girls get all cuddly in the bed. Still... you can't help but be crazy about them. (Notice how Abby is pushing her tiny behind right into Claire's face!)

And now that school is wrapped up and a summer trip is out of the way it is time to get down to business. Business includes: finding a new home in SLC, moving from Texas to Utah, celebrating a 6th birthday, starting a new job at KSL, celebrating a 1st birthday, and celebrating a 29th birthday for the sixth time.

Wish this summer luck!

What We've Been Up To... Sort Of

I'm not one of those moms who carries around a camera wherever we go. In fact... I am horrible at taking pictures. I bit ironic for a journalist. I'm no good with any type of camera. But since it has been so long since I have put anything up here I will add what few photos I have on my iPhone.

On a beautiful Saturday morning the girls toured the grounds of the Denver Temple while mommy had the chance to spend some time inside. It was a wonderful respite. Afterwards the ward met for a picnic at a nearby park. So, when talking with their dad he asked what they came away with from their temple trip (besides a sunburn). Abbigial promptly replied, "Daddy they have a waterfall. But you can't put money in it." Well, I tried.

Yet more proof that I am raising my grandmother's great-granddaughters: they love shoes! They could get that from my Grandma Gunda, but more likely they get it from me. Today's choice of shoes (with pajamas, of course): tap shoes and white church shoes. Can Abby tap? No. Does she try? As loudly as possible.

Now this picture has nothing to do with what we have been up to, but I wanted to add it because I think I actually did a good job taking it... check out the lighting! Of course it was a happy accident. Also... isn't this a great cat. A happy, fat, great cat. He weighs more than Claire!

What else have we been up to? The zoo, It'z, Chuck E Cheese, the park, playdates, birthday parties (Abby turned 3!) and so much more that we do have photos of that I will post someday. Until then... these will have to do. Besides... they still show just how darn cute these kids are.

And how much fun we have together as a family...

And at times, no matter how crazy or upside down life can be... we are a family close together or far apart. And these sweet faces, with all of their tantrums, quarrels, and hijinks.... these faces make it all worth while.

The Oldest Sister

I'm not old enough. She can't be old enough! My baby has finished kindergarten. Today was Ella's last day of kindergarten. She had a wonderful teacher... Mrs. Huebner. The class called her Mrs. H. Ella loves her, and I am amazed at how much Ella has learned from her. She is doing math, counting money, and writing stories. Every day she leaves me a little to read. Such a sweet heart...

She loves to learn... when she isn't at school she is finding new ways to keep learning. The best way she has found is making up songs and then writing down the lyrics. And if they aren't her original songs she is writing down the words to songs she hears on the radio. So smart...

And we are so proud... she is such a well behaved little girl at school. Her grades are strong, teachers love her and are always using her as the best example.

The entire kindergarten class put together a program called, "Going On a Picnic." The girls dressed as ladybugs, and the boys dressed as army ants. Ella knew every word of every song, and her choreography was right on cue. This kid is going to grow up to be a performer. She was the only girl who made her own costume for the program!

Probably what we love most about Ella is how protective she is of her little sisters. Of course she and Abbigail fight. Sisters do, but she is always the first to defend, protect and comfort Abbigail when something goes wrong. Just look at how the two cuddle up together like a couple of kittens in bed!

And her love for her baby sister, Claire, is adorable. She is always wanting to hug and kiss her youngest sister. Ella even has nightmares about Claire falling out of bed or down the stairs.

There isn't enough to say about this sweet girl. She is smart, beautiful, funny, kind, sweet, forgiving, compassionate and a true friend. My best friend. She loves to sing, dance, pretend. She is shy but loving. Sneaky but sincere. And always persistent. She is always so beautiful... we can't wait to see how much more beauty she brings to our lives.