I’ve said before that I hate shopping. Hubby and I both. We just think it’s a bunch of wasted time. Zipping in and out of stores, keeping your patience in check (not so successfully) as you navigate through the hordes of shoppers, and it’s only going to get worse as Christmas approaches. So last Thursday, the 15th, was our monthiversary. We’d been married 17 years and 11 months. We went out for an inexpensive dinner at Chipotle. Then there was Panera. And Christmas-shopped for the kids. Online. In the comfort of a warm place. No braving the already wintry weather, no carrying bags while running to the car.

We had my laptop and the list of gifts the family had agreed on when we had our gift-meeting. And we shopped for each child, narrowing in on the items we really want, the shops/stores we were going to get them from, etc. In the process we talked about each child, how they’ve changed, about their strengths, their interests, our dreams for them, their own dreams, etc. Shopping was never so much fun as it was that night. So different from the rush of Christmases past, though of course, many such shopping trips do hold beautiful memories for us as well, despite the crowds and the misadventures and the tantrums.

But how wonderful that things have changed. Sometimes I don’t like technology all that much, though obviously I’ll be one of the first to admit just how many benefits it has brought to our lives and our family. This is one of them. Can’t wait for Advent. If things go as planned, this Advent will be the most *real* Advent we’ve ever had. Prayers appreciated!