The Magical Magic Eraser

I've heard people talk about magic erasers and how great they are, and today I became a believer! :) I finally gave in and bought a package in hopes of just cleaning up a few scuff marks on my old linoleum floor. When I sat down on the floor to try it though, I wiped across the scuff mark, and seriously - just the one swipe - and their was a white streak through my graying tile. Whoa!

 Just once, when we first moved in,  I spent several hours, over a few days with scotch cleanser and SOS pads scouring this floor. Somehow, maybe because it's just so old, my weekly mopping only gets the spots off but it has taken some serious scrubbing to get to the real layers of dirt. But, I spent an hour this afternoon with a couple of magic erasers - no intense scrubbing, just regular old cleaning like you'd do if you were washing the table - and got the entire floor clean! Just amazing! I had to know how these things worked - check out the wikipedia article  if you're interested too in the wonder of this great cleaner! :)

Being Nice

I've been taking a water aerobics class at BYU for about 3 years or so and I just love it. I've gotten to be good friends with the instructor and a few others who have also taken the class for a long time. This past month, our teacher has been out of town on vacation and somehow the substitute didn't show up for 2 classes in a row. It was a pain to show up all dressed and ready to swim, just to have to get dressed and drive back home again, but I was excited on Wednesday to have a substitute there. :)

Afterwards, in the locker room, a girl from the class asked "Oh, would you like to sign a form about how our teacher has been such a flake?" I was startled and said something like "No, I don't think so... I'm not so upset and I think I would feel bad about something like that." But, it  I left and was just wishing I had said something better like "No. Amanda's my really good friend. or I think Amanda does such a great job. or I just appreciate Amanda taking time away from all of her little kids to come and teach... Hmmm. Sometimes it's hard in the moment to know just want you want to say. 

Yesterday I went through the drive-thru at Taco Time and when I got to the window I was startled to see a woman who just moved from our ward a little while ago. This is the cutest lady with just a darling family, a beautiful home... My thoughts (besides why is she working at Taco Time?) were -- was I kind and friendly when I ordered my food? I worked at a fast food place for just a few months in high school and it was the hardest job I've ever had. Trying to figure out the cash register and the ordering and trying to understand what people are saying through the drive-thru window... It was so hard for me! So, I always try to be nice to whoever's working at these fast food places, but there are always those times when I'm just hungry and worn out or Landon's cranky or what-not... But seeing this sweet lady from our ward made me want to do better at always being nice and good and friendly. 

So, I've had some good reminders of just being kind. I've been trying to teach Landon about what is 'nice' and 'not nice' and I guess that's something we all have to remember sometimes. :)

A Fixed Computer

Jordan's computer broke last week (for anyone who knows Jordan, you know this is a BIG deal!) We took it in to see how much a repair would be -- they told us something like "This is probably going to be absurdly expensive." Yikes!

But,

It turned out that his computer was still under warranty, just until next month! Hooray! Jordan just bought it used from somebody last year, and apparently they had bought the 3 year apple care plan which runs out in August. What a wonderful blessing to have his computer back and in working order without costing us a fortune that we don't have! Jordan said "doesn't it make you wonder if Heavenly Father somehow made their computer systems glitch to make it so our computer was covered under warranty?" :) 

What a blessing! 

Happy days with our little boy

Making the most of his motorcycle riding while it lasts... Drew bought a motorcycle a few months ago and even though Landon's totally fascinated by the "Brrrooom, Brrrooom", he knows (or so I hope) that real motorcycles are not for him! :)

What a happy little boy we've got! In the morning after breakfast, Landon is really good at playing by himself for a bit while I clean up downstairs, and one of his favorite spots to play is right under the kitchen table. Who could ever resist such a smile as this?

Just a content little guy on a hot summer day with a popsicle from his Daddy!

We finally made it to the 4th of July balloon launch for the first time this year. Since Landon wakes up between 6:00 and 6:30, for once it wasn't too hard to get there by the 6:30 launch time. :) Such a fun event, especially in getting to see Landon so excited and in awe as all the balloons filled up and took off. 

I just love this little boy! 

Money Matters

"I urge you, brethren , to look to the condition of your finances. I urge you to be modest in your expenditures; discipline yourselves in your purchases to avoid debt to the extent possible. Pay off debt as quickly as you can, and free yourselves from bondage.
This is a part of the temporal gospel in which we believe. May the Lord bless you, my beloved brethren, to set your houses in order. If you have paid your debts, if you have a reserve, even though it be small, then should storms howl about your head, you will have shelter for your wives and children and peace in your hearts. That's all I have to say about it, but I wish to say it with all the emphasis of which I am capable."

The past few months have been quite precarious in terms of our finances as Jordan's company has faced some rough times. We have been so grateful through this that we have had just a bit of a reserve, so that we really could have peace even when things have been difficult. This past weekend we encountered so many stories on the radio and news and in talking with others all about various types of money fraud and scams and people making poor choices in their finances.  This month's Ensign had an article - Protecting Family Finances by Avoiding Fraud - all about avoiding these kinds of things. What a blessing to have such great counsel from our leaders and what an even greater blessing to follow this counsel and have peace of mind in return. 

Hip, Hip, Hooray!!

Our little Landon is finally, finally starting to sleep through the nights!! He's slept all night till at least 5:00, and usually later for about 5 days in the past week -- oh hooray!

The Bronze Bow

I read this when my ward book group was reading it last year, and again read it just a few weeks ago with Jordan. (As a side, there are not many things that I love more than listening to Jordan read to me!) This book is just beautiful. It's a children's fiction book that takes place during Christ's ministry and tells the story of a young man fighting against the Romans and searching for the Messiah to redeem the Jews from their oppression. When I read it, I gained such a new perspective of what life was really like then and what it was to know the Savior when he was on the earth. Because it details the lives of these few people, even though fictitious, you can really imagine what their thoughts and feelings were and their wonder at this man who really was the Messiah. It was neat to see the depiction of how ordinary people may have reacted to Jesus Christ and his teachings and miracles as he worked among them, and wonderful to see examples of his healing sickness and anger and despair, just as he truly does.