You gots to find the good stuff

 

While 2012 won't go down in the annals as "my favorite year", to not look and see the good stuff would be a huge mistake.

 

While this year challenged me personally and professionally on an almost daily basis, there were amazing moments of respite and rare joy that I might never get to really experience much in my life.

 

And its best to be careful in daily life, I guess, because it is really easy to miss them, and not know when these little moments will pop up.

 

Like when you are on a family vacation when everyone is grouchy, but there is this awesome little 3 year old who decides she is going to pretend that she is a Solid Gold Dancer.

 

At the beach in August.  I am sure none of you ever have family vacations that get to be challenging.  And I am really certain that you don't have a child that chooses to do impromptu dance routines involving pink homemade play doh.

 

But if you do, isn't it awesome?

 

And isn't it a game changer to have this persistent joy in your presence?

 

It's like having a puppy, only better.

 

And this is what cameras are for.

 

And this.  Because blue bubble gum ice cream in August and being 3 are things that only happen once.