A Year in the Life

...and some of us try really hard to get it.  Once in a while we'll catch it, and the rest of the time we chase it. I have realized that I'm a mediocre photographer at best.  Like that blind squirrel, I will occasionally find a nut.  When I take that one really great picture, you better believe that I will get it printed & share it!  I used to think I had potential...but sadly, I don't.  I'm just going to keep hoping I get lucky, and celebrate when I do. You might be wondering what helped me realize my mediocrity?  It was my daughter, Elizabeth.  A few years ago I was taking pictures at one of Hop's football games & she wanted my camera to take pictures.  I thought, ok, why not?  She was only 12, and it was a chance for her to learn a few things about basic point and shoot photography.  I didn't see my camera for the rest of the night.  Now that I really think about it, I didn't see my camera a lot.  I was fine with...

Well, the pretty pretty princess has developed a bad case of swimmer's ear.  I really didn't want to go to the doctor's office today.  I really didn't want to go to the doctor's office today.  I really didn't want to go to the doctor's office today.  Did I mention...well, you get the idea. I decided to try some homeopathic remedies to see if I could get them to dry the water in her ear, and possibly clear any infection..  First I made some homemade Swimmer's Ear.  Equal parts white distilled vinegar, rubbing alcohol, and a little water.  Just in case you don't know:  the vinegar kills any bacteria because of the acidity, and the alcohol helps the water in the middle ear evaporate.  I filled a dropper with the concoction, and then proceeded to burn her ear.  Yep, I did.  She immediately told me it was burning her ear.  You know what that means?  She as an infection.  The alcohol was irritating the inflammation....

I have the most unselfish daughter of all time.  (She's not whiny or high maintenance either.)  She is the kind of sweet I wish I was.  She is caring and beautiful not only outwardly, but most important inwardly.  She can hang out with boys just as well as with girls.  She is the child you would give a paper sack to and she would say:  "Oh, you thought of me!  I think I'll go make a puppet."  And she would be truly grateful.  She brings grace and beauty to our family. All the boys left today to go hunting.  I had them strip their beds so I could put clean sheets on them.  I didn't ask Elizabeth to help me, but she jumped in and didn't complain one bit when we straightened up all the rooms as well.  How she blessed me today!  To be honest, she blesses me everyday ! I love you Pitty Pat.  You are so precious to me!!! Celebrating Life! ~ashley