August 29

There are few things more enjoyable than picking blackberries with your toddler, blowing on them to clean the dirt off and simultaneously eliciting a deep belly laugh so engrossing that blackberry juice and drool drip down her face because she is crackinmg up so hard she can't keep it in her mouth. We ruined an entire outfit, but it was so worth it.

August 28

I’m not feeling very appreciative lately. There are a lot of bad things going on, but I do feel grateful to be able to handle them, as unpleasant as they are. A few years ago I would have given up, making myself suffer more than absolutely necessary, but now I feel strong enough to do what I need to for Taryn’s sake

August 5

He didn't clean a single thing today, not even himself, but I appreciate that he cooked some awesome BBQ: ribs, eggplant, corn and garlic bread, for Taryn and I.

August 1

I really appreciate that I can stick my foot so far down my throat that my toes are peeking out of my butt, and I can still apologize to my friends. And they TOTALLY understand what I was meaning to say, even though it came out completely wrong.

July 26

I'm thankful that I have enough room on my credit card to buy our plane tickets. I'll be paying them all off for the next two years, but these memories will last forever. Not only for us, but for the great-grandparents as well.

July 18

Even though I don't get it now, I'm compiling a list or resources and skills. One day I'll get it right.

July 12

I'm grateful that Taryn has the good sense that when she puts a dog treat in her mouth when I'm not watching, she spits it out, squinches up her nose and does her baby "yeck" to show her unappreciation for that particular taste. A foodie in training?