Loves of My Life.

Of course, my family my greatest priority. That is, I believe, as my Heavenly Father would have it and I feel good about the choices I make that allow me to be here with them during the day. I love to be the one caring for my little ones. I love to pick my children up from school and be the one to hear all that happened, good or bad, in their days. The are the loves of my life. As we all go through the years, however, they need less and less of my constant attention. They have interests too - it's not all about Mom anymore for most of them. Can I just say, Thank Heaven!

I realized that I haven't sewn much since Q was born. It's too scary. I have recently started a project that has been waiting for at least three years. It has been so much fun - except for the part where Q is nearby and there is a real threat that he may push the pedal down when I'm not paying attention. Like I said, it's scary. I take my health into my own hands, but I love fabric. I love working with patterns and colors. I love making beautiful things for my home and family. I've made several wedding dresses. I have skills, and I really enjoy it. Those skills have often blessed my life and through them I've been able to bless others, also. I love my family, but I'm glad that I can sew. It is one of the loves of my life.

I haven't done much scrapbooking in the last couple of years, either. That said, I never dreamed I'd enjoy doing it as much as I do. I get the same thrill from working with paper that I do when I work with fabrics. The colors, the patterns and the joy of putting it together in unique and creative ways. I've done much more with cards, and have been able to bless people with my card making skills. I've been able to donate cards to a silent auction benefitting a friend with cancer. I've been able to give sets of cards as gifts and in gratitude for kindnesses done for me. I love that it's fast and so creative. Paper crafting is one of the loves of my life.

Lastly, I have truly enjoyed writing. It is like painting with words. I enjoy writing to friends and keeping a journal. It is therapeutic. It is like having a friend who is always listening, but never judges. I can look at my thoughts in black and white and see what makes sense and what doesn't. I can go back later and easily see how I've changed for better or for worse. Starting the blog may be one of the best exercises in writing that I've ever done. I feel more focused in my writing now than I ever have been before. The process has contributed so much to my well-being over the last year that I hesitate to guess where I'd be today without it. That sounds like an exaggeration, but it's hard to estimate the value of something that has been instrumental in putting so much happiness back into my life. I love to write. It is definitely on of the loves of my life.

I love my family, but they are not me. When they think of me, they will probably remember a lot of love and conversation, my devotion to God, and the three things I've mentioned above. That is the essence of my soul. It is a good thing to know who you are and what you love. It makes life meaningful and fills it with joy. These days, my life seems very full of both of those things. Thank Heaven for that.