A Good Wait

S~ As Teresa and I look back at this past year, we realized we have done a lot of waiting... actually, that is putting it mildly. We started the year eagerly waiting for the arrival of Clare. Then we were waiting to find out what her diagnosis was, then we have done a lot of waiting as they performed her three catheters, and, lastly, waiting while they did the open heart surgery. Now as we are just starting the second week of Advent, we are waiting again. This time for something a little better - we are waiting to celebrate the birth of Jesus.

Teresa and I really enjoy Advent. We have an Advent wreath on our kitchen table. Every night, we light a candle and read about the upcoming birth of Jesus from a family Advent book. We have an Advent calendar that Jamie gets to open a door and pick out a piece of chocolate (which makes him really like Advent as well), and, this year, we decided to say a decade of the rosary together as a family. The important thing is that it is a quiet, peaceful waiting.

Yesterday, we went to the mall for a Build-a-Bear birthday party. So we decided to go a little early to bring Jamie to see Santa. Within ten minutes, both Teresa and I were done - done with the crowds, done with the lines, done with the rude people cutting us off so they can run into the Discovery Store to get the robotic raptor that will be broken by New Year's. (Jamie was fascinated by it, and we almost made the plunge.) Teresa and I have finished our Christmas shopping. We usually try to get it done before Thanksgiving. We do this for two reasons: 1. to avoid the crowds, and 2. so we can truly enjoy the Advent season. We spend our nights looking at the Christmas tree and village, or we get the kids in their pajamas and drive around looking for Christmas lights. So for those of you who have not finished your shopping, get it done and spend time with your family for the remainder of Advent. Do your shopping online, be done with it, and drink some eggnog in front of the tree. I hope I haven't stressed any of you out, but Advent is a time of eager anticipation. How can you do that if you are too busy shopping? Merry Christmas!