Thanks

Every moment is a feast of grace.



In no particular order, here are some things (trivial and all--and in no particular order) that I'm thankful for this year:

• Skype - I really don't know how people lived overseas before this.  Total game changer.
• Public Transportation - I couldn't speak more highly of Moscow's public transit.  We are completely content not owning a car here.
• My Wife - On a year that's been particularly tough for her, she was tough right back.  I am so insanely proud of her for all that she's been through.  During those days where she had to walk on icy streets in below freezing weather to get to her doctor appointment, she didn't complain about all the stuff she would have been perfectly justified in complaining about.  She just did it.  She's an incredible woman, wife, and mother.
• Liam - Becoming a parent is the scariest thing I've ever done, probably.  It still is pretty terrifying.  But there's just something so amazing and exciting about it that I can't imagine life without him now.
• Strawberry Pretzel Salad - No explanation needed
• Family and Friends (in the States) - Thank you so much for keeping up with us.  It's been so meaningful to us.  I can't begin to say how much we have needed it.
• Friends (in Moscow) - We have been so incredibly fortunate to have amazing friends in this large and overwhelming city.  We are thankful for them all.
• Florence and the Machine, Arcade Fire, The National, Janelle Monae, Shad, and etc. - I don't know how Liam would get to sleep without these songs --- OH NO..... Liam's already turning into a hipster!!!
•  Living in Moscow - Living in and experiencing another culture, while difficult at times, has been an absolute excitement and joy.  Anything I say about this will only sound hokey and cliche, so I'm afraid to say anything more.  But it's been amazing.
• YOU