November 29

I genuinely look forward to Black Friday each year, and the 2024 edition was no disappointment.

Abby and I headed out to begin our shopping extravaganza at a little before 8 AM. We started off at the Mother Ship (of course) with an oat milk peppermint mocha (for me) and a hot cocoa (for her). From there we made stops at Walmart, Five Below, Ulta, Old Navy, Target, JoAnn, Wendy's (for a salted caramel Frosty for her --which she proclaimed tasty-- and a diet cherry vanilla Coke for me), and a variety of stores inside the mall. The longest line we experienced was (by far) at JC Penney, but even that one moved pretty well. We finished up with lunch at the Cheesesteak Shop to appease my girl's desire for beef and cheese. 

After a mid-size pitstop at home --where Adam had erected the artificial tree in the front window and put out decorations by the front door in our absence-- we headed back out with our boys to choose a family room Christmas tree. We took some photos and trolled the lot for the perfect pine (or maybe it's a fir; my tree identification skills have faded with age) before making our choice and hauling it home on the roof. Adam got it set up with an assist from Isaac, and I dozed while the kiddos played Mario Kart.

Then this evening it was a screening of "Daddy's Home 2" --which Abby dubbed her favorite Christmas film-- while we dined on takeout cuisine from Black Bear Diner.

And now, well, now I'm pretty tired. But my heart feels full and I know I am blessed. So for all of that --for a heart brimming with gratitude for a great shopping trip with my daughter, a visit to the tree lot that conjured up memories of my sweet Logan, and time laughing at the antics of Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg-- I am very thankful.