I'm thankful for ... brands

Our regular programming will return next Monday. This week I reflect on things I'm thankful for. 

Yes, I am so clever I am being thankful for brands here on Black Friday. But without all the brands I have had the honor of working with during this past year, I don't know where my brand is. Thank you for sending me checks, but also thank you for helping me do fun things with my kids and sometimes leaving my comfort zone. I won't list them all but know that I am humbled that both major national brands and local businesses have chosen to work with me. I hope that I can continue to work with you and other brands in the future.

What is great about working with brands is they are becoming more and more receptive to a dad's point of view. And while I am more than happy to write straight from the brand bible, I really like being able to weave a brand's message into a story I want to tell. So thanks for allowing me to make sponsored content actually readable.

I'm thankful for ... Nugget and the little guy

 

Our regular programming will return next Monday. This week I reflect on things I'm thankful for. 

On top of being so awesome, both in your completely different ways. I am taken back by the things I learn about you guys every single day. You are tough, resilient, adaptable and are turning into amazing little people.  Nothing in this world makes me prouder or more thankful than being your father.

I'm thankful for ... Scouting

Our regular programming will return next Monday. This week I reflect on things I'm thankful for. 



A year ago, I left  Woodbadge course N2-388-16 abruptly on day 4. There was a family crisis going on and I needed to be home. We got back on a path to eliminate most of that crisis. And I contacted the course director of the next course and asked about getting on the staff. He really wanted to choose as many newcomers as he could but said he would get back to me. A few months later I got the email and immediately said yes. The course N2-640-17 was a masterpiece, yes we were behind schedule all the time. And yes that ticket pajama party lasted until 3am, and then the next night was until at least 2am, but it was great. The best Woodbadge experience I ever had. I'm going to write more about it at a later date but just wow.

And back at my home units, I have never been prouder of my team. They have stepped up in their roles and have added other roles to build up our overall group. When I was at a parents night and there were rows of blue shirts looking at me (or off into the distance) as I talked about registration I thought in a few years there are going to be rows and rows of brown shirts and it starts here. We have to keep doing what we are doing on the Pack side and keep working on the troop side. We won't be denied.

I'm thankful for ... my friends

Our regular programming will return next Monday. This week I reflect on things I'm thankful for. 


Friends are great to have. And I am very lucky to have a great group of friends. I have gone through a tough time this year and I have been lifted by my friends, two in particular. One who was constantly on top of me, keeping me distracted and caffeinated. Another who kept a little bit of distance, but was clandestinely checking up on me every day. I knew about that because the other guy can be sloppy. Both ways were exactly what I needed. You guys will never know because I don't have the words, how much you helped. So if I win a lottery and one day a boat is parked out in front of your house ... it is from me.

And to a friend from long ago ... I hope we are on a road to becoming friends again. 

I'm thankful for ... dad bloggers

Our regular programming will return next Monday. This week I reflect on things I'm thankful for. 

To all my fellow dad blogger/vloggers/male identifying influencers ... basically, anyone in the Dad Bloggers Facebook group that Oren started, thank you, guys. You have been an inspiration to me to work harder, even when I haven't felt like it. You have been a bar I strive to reach for. You guys have hooked me up with great contacts that have helped me do awesome things. You guys (well two of you) have an awesome podcast that I really really like and speaks to me on a professional and personal way (I'm sure others of you have podcasts too but I don't listen to them). 

I also want to thank you guys for not being competitors but for being a real community. A community that is there for each other, like you guys were there for me when I needed it. 

Our time has not come yet. But we are ready at that door to smash it down ... together.