August ?!

It's already August?! July flew by, and now we are preparing for school. Brittany has an orientation for intermediate school on Wednesday. We continue to pick up school supplies as they go on sale, and shopping for school clothes, shoes, and backpacks is done. I hope there will still be plenty of time for relaxation and fun before school starts. I will miss the full house as they go back to school.

There will be several milestones this year, as Josh starts Kindergarten and Brittany starts Intermediate school. I will have just Paul and Erica home. (Funny perspective - "just" 2 children home from school.) Speaking of milestones, Paul decided on Friday that he was ready to use the potty, and I went along with it. He is not doing great, but OK. I hope he gets it down faster than Josh did, but I don't have much control over that.

Before school starts, we will celebrate both Brittany's and Paul's birthdays, and Brittany will spend a week with Grandma - just her. She is very excited.

I have been working on reading the Book of Mormon. In July, the Young Women started a challenge to read the whole book by September 2nd. It was supposed to be 9 pages a day, but I started a week late and missed a few days. I now need to read 14 or 15 pages a day. So I have really been trying to read every day, and I have been reading for a longer time. Sometimes I have felt that I am just reading but not focusing very well or learning very much, but I have kept doing it. I have been more consistent than I have been for a long time, and I have seen a difference. The Book of Mormon is powerful. I have not struggled nearly so much with my temper. I have been better at staying calm and not yelling. All I have done differently is read The Book of Mormon, and it has made a huge difference. I think is because the Holy Ghost is better able to speak to me. I am grateful for The Book of Mormon.