The presents of God.

Sunday, our pastor spoke about family. And what family means during Christmas.
He spoke of how psychologists say that the single most important thing that family gives us is a sense of belonging. And how that seemingly simple emotion is so important to us as human beings, that children who don't feel a sense of belonging at a very early age, may never develop a healthy self-esteem or emotional well-being.
And he shared with us something that he told his children when they were growing up. And I loved the message of it so much, that I wanted to share it with you:

I do not love you because you are smart. Though, you are very smart.
I do not love you because you are beautiful. Though, to me, you are very beautiful.
I do not love you because you are good. Though, you are very good.

I love you because you are mine.
And because you will always be mine.

Can't you hear God saying that to all of us?

And if you, like me, you were not lucky enough to have that sense of belonging here with your earthly family, you can rejoice and rest assured that there is always someone to whom you do belong and you always will.

Dilettante . . .

Dilettante.

Yep.

I am.

I'm a writer. Well, that was a long time ago. Not so much anymore.

I scrapbook. Sometimes. Digital and paper. But not much. Not for a long time now.

I knit. Well, I know how to knit. Crochet, too. I haven't actually made anytime in years and I never made much to begin with.

I create graphic art. Templates and logos and stuff. But only when I feel like it, which isn't very often anymore.

I'm a semi-retired part-time seamstress/designer. I like to sew. Sometimes. But not right now. Just not feeling it.

I'm an amateur photographer. Sometimes. But only when it suits my mood to be one.

All of these things are things that so many people are so passionate about. I want to be passionate about something. I just can't decide what. I keep hoping it will pick me.

Until then, I create whatever, whenever the mood strikes me, and go where the wind blows . . .

TOTAL dilettante.

We're going to Disney World!

Okay, well, actually we've already been to Disney World. But I'm a little behind here. :)

We all enjoyed our first trip to Disney World back in September. We were able to be there for Rowan's 5th birthday. It was an amazing vacation. We all had such a great time.

We rode rides:

This is the kids and me on Dumbo.

We also loved Peter Pan's Flight, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Goofy's Barnstormer and the Pirates of the Carribean ride.

And, of course, to my great embarrassment, both of my kids started yelling when they saw the Johnny Depp animatronic character in the Pirate's ride: "Mommy, look! It's your boyfriend!" Thank goodness it's dark in there!

But, just in case you wanted to see too, here's my boyfriend:

We also got to met lots of "real" characters, too!

With Mickey at his house in Toon Town:

With Minnie in her Safari Gear at Animal Kingdom:

Meeting Buzz Lightyear at MGM:

The Power Rangers at MGM:

With Jessie the Cowgirl at MGM:

And, of course, we met the princesses!

On Rowan's birthday, we had lunch with Cinderella at her castle! Rowan was in awe the entire time. It was such a special treat for her!

The kids got their faces painted at the African Village in Disney's Animal Kingdom. Don't they look awesome!

Some of my favorites parts of the entire trip were the parades! The parades at Disney are AMAZING! I took these photos of some characters during the afternoon "Stars and Cars" parade at MGM!

My favorite - Luke's father:

The rides, the parades, the shows, everything was just so awesome and so amazingly done! I can't wait to go back!