Day 206

Today is the two year anniversary of the passing of my father, the great Bobby D. Instead of talking about my Thanksgiving or the week that was, I want to talk a little about what I am thankful for. As you know, we have gone through a lot of hardships over the past 2 years. On the positive side, things seem to be turning around for us.

I am thankful for the so far healthy and growing baby boy that is currently in Leah's stomach. As the days go by, I get more and more impatient and I cannot wait to meet him. Everyone keeps telling me to enjoy my time now, and we are trying to do so, but the suspense is killing us.

I am thankful for having such an amazing, beautiful, and patient wife. Dealing with me on a daily basis is not easy - I will be the first one to admit that - but she does it masterfully.

I am thankful that our journey has brought us back to Cleveland, the city where I was born and raised. This town holds so many incredible memories for me and I cannot wait to make more while watching my children grow up as I did - full of C-town pride. It is funny, last night I was over at my friend Allison and Lindsay's house and our friend Betsy G, who no longer lives here, was discussing growing up here. She said that there is just something special about growing up here, it seems like everyone really had a pretty decent adolescence here and how fortunate we all were to grow up in a place that is so easy to raise a family. I couldn't agree more. My friends from Chicago always bust my balls about it because everyone from Cleveland's go-to line is "yeah, but its a great place to raise a family." Its the truth.

I am thankful for having an incredible group of friends and family that have been an amazing support system for me. Whether over email, on the phone, or in person, you all are what defines me. I deeply miss all of my Chicago crew, but through the power of email, I feel like while I don't see them as much, I am not missing a beat. While we are not blood, you are all my family.

I am thankful for having the best dog in the world. Casey has truly changed me forever as I am now dog person #1. She is on her little month vacation in Arizona and I miss her deeply. I promised Leah that I wouldn't mentioned how she cried when we got home because Casey wasn't here. Chalk it up to hormones. I am also thankful that for the last week, I have been sleeping better than I have since we got her three years ago.

I am thankful that I was blessed to marry into a great family. My in-laws are truly second parents to me. Jessica and Scott are like siblings - They have been in my life now for 12 years. Unbelievable. I am even more thankful that my in-laws live in Scottsdale and that I can make it a vacation spot twice a year!

I am thankful for my family, both nuclear and extended. Since moving back here, my mother has been pretty amazing. Being back in Cleveland and seeing her as much as we do is good for both of us. My brother and his children are lights in my life. You all should see Reese now. She has put on a clinic thus far in the last two days. I swear all she wants to do is hug me. I am thankful that my little guy Jace is so full of energy that he keeps MD on his toes. Not only am I thankful that my brother is my best friend, but more so I am completely impressed with his parenting skills and patience. The guy has to be commended.

Lastly, I am thankful for the 28 years I had with my father. The best father, role model, and friend and son could ever ask for. You've read time and time again how much I revered this man, but it bears repeating. Nobody disliked him. He was one of the most well-respected, intelligent, and flat out funny men that there has ever been. Not a day goes by that I don't think of him and smile. I wouldn't trade my years with him for anything. Later today I will go see him at the cemetery and tell him so in my own way.

Song of the Day: "That's The Way" by Led Zeppelin