Magic Kingdom is my favorite park in all of the world (Disney World, that is). It makes me happy every time we go! When you first arrive, you walk down Main Street U.S.A. and see places like the town square, bakery, confectionery, barber shop, and so on. It is like a little town of its own. It was actually inspired by Marceline, Missouri, the small town where Walt Disney grew up. It is also special because the buildings down Main Street are not facades like most of the other buildings in the parks. They are completed buildings being put to full use for the park.

Before we left home, I researched special things to do with little ones while you are there. I read about a special deal they have for baby’s first haircut. Now, between you and me, Micah has had a few trims from Mommy, but never a real haircut. The barber shop on Main Street is fully functional and the barbers are available all day. We decided this would be a special treat we would always remember. With his haircut, Micah got Mouse Ears, stickers, a certificate, and his sweet little locks were bundled up with pixie dust as a souvenir. It was shocking to all of us that he sat VERY contently playing with stickers while this stranger cut his hair. It was amazing really!

After that, we headed over to get a silhouette done of Micah. Jonathan and I had one done on our honeymoon years ago. We thought it would be nice to have one of Micah to hang by ours. He was a little less cooperative for this endeavor, and he had to do a lot less. All he had to do was sit in Mommy’s lap and be somewhat still. He didn’t really have to be very still, just still enough for her to look at him for a bit. Well, he did not want to sit with Mommy one bit. So, his silhouette could be of some other kid in her memory for all we know!

Micah really enjoyed the rides! He loves seeing the dancing dolls in It’s a Small World, and riding Dumbo with Mimi and Da. In fact, he was a little upset when he had to get off. He loved staring at the Dormouse in the teapot when we rode the Tea Cups.

We tried to ride everything he was able to handle. He loved it all! However, I think his favorite thing to do was meet the characters. He would spot them and immediately want down to see them. He would stand patiently in line waiting, and then go touch their nose and giggle. He always gave them kisses. I was very happy because I actually worried he would scream and run or something. That would have been so sad for him to be scared of Mickey Mouse!

On one of the days, we caught the afternoon parade and evening fireworks. Micah was impressed with both. Thank goodness for the Luper family. They are the ones who invited us on this trip, provided an awesome condo, and saved us perfect seats at the parade. We were running late for the parade because we were waiting in line for Mickey Mouse. Thankfully, we made it to the parade in time and got to visit with the Luper family for a bit.

I think we managed to squeeze most of this park in this time. There are still a few things that will be new for Micah the next time we go!

 Finally, I am ready to report on our family vacation (that happened over a month ago!). We were very excited to go on this trip because we really wanted to see Micah enjoy Mickey Mouse for the first time. We also had Jonathan’s parents coming along for the fun.

We spent many long hours trying to find the cheapest airfare possible. We discovered that if we arrived a day earlier, it would cost a lot less. So, we booked one night at Disney’s Pop Century Resort. This entitled us to free shuttle from the airport to the kingdom (another savings for us). The first night, we decided to go to Downtown Disney and eat at Planet Hollywood. We got a voucher for a free entree when we checked into the hotel (another bonus!) and a free souvenir (just a silly keychain). Jonathan found a new dish to try to create when we can at home. It was called the LA Lasagna. It was really yummy. We found a recipe online that is supposed to be it, but it has a ton of different ingredients, so I am not sure when we will tackle this one.

Micah showed us a new talent while we waited to be seated. If you have ever been to a Planet Hollywood, you know it is loud. Music is playing very loudly and it is hard to hear yourself talk, but it is fun. Micah got out in the middle of the floor and began dancing his heart out. We have never seen him dance so much before in our life. It was cute! He was even spinning in circles.

After dinner, we hit the shops. I had one thing (and one thing only) on the brain. I wanted Mr. Potato Head pieces! I filled a box to the brim and I still wanted a few more pieces, so at the end of trip I went back for a little more!

Pop Century was a very cool place. When we got up the next morning, Micah and Daddy went swimming. Micah loved the water spouts they had at the kiddie pool. He would inch his way to it, get wet, and scurry back to Daddy, and then do it all over again.

Today I am pondering… I wonder, does God get really tired of His children behaving badly when He is trying to teach those who aren’t His children the way? Does that make sense? I can imagine God taking His children out for an outing of some sort and inviting other children along. In His mind, He wants those other children to see His love and joy through His own children, and is so disappointed and embarrassed by their behavior. How are the other children going to desire His ways when His own children disregard Him and disobey so frequently and habitually. Not only do they disobey, they harm each other maliciously and forget the love He placed in their hearts.

I imagine He would become discouraged and frustrated. He knows His children’s potential and yet they fail Him over and over. Amazingly, His love never wavers. It never stops. It grows with each day and He longs for His children to just honor and obey Him, so He can shower them with all He has in store for their lives.

Why do we harm one another? Why do we break God’s heart over and over? What message do we send to those who need Him so much? Do they get to see His love through us?

Unfortunately, they often turn away from God because what they see His children doing is no different than their own life. We are all sinners, but we are to be transformed! (Romans 12:2) Our desire should be to build one another up, CARRY THEM, EVEN! By this will they know us!

My heart aches as I see God’s children hurting one another. The body cannot function properly if one of it’s parts is trying to harm the other. It becomes ineffective and useless. We can’t possibly be the light when someone keeps trying to grab the candle. Lord, help us to turn to You and get rid of self. Otherwise, we are useless to You, and shame on us for it.