December

 This December definitely felt different than the past five or six have. There were no school projects to finish or class parties to help out with. There were no social engagements, no friend gift exchanges, no choir practice, no multi-family dinners, no ward Christmas activities, and no caroling. I missed the camaraderie, but at the same time, the holidays felt much less hectic. We spent many more evenings sitting together in the living room enjoying the lights and decorations, and found less time consuming ways to reach out to far more people than we have in the past. Houses in the neighborhood went all out and our street glowed every night with lights. We went crazy on gifts, but spent far more time talking about the opportunities we wanted to give our kids and less time out shopping. I think on the whole, we were more conscience and less busy. This was the first time that I wasn't quite ready to take down the decorations and move on, which I think is a good sign that it was a successful holiday season.

Other happenings this month: we caught two rabbits in our trap that we set up at the Jolley's, I finished up the seminary semester, Matthew turned 36, we purchased and played a lot of Dragon Quest VI, we finished 18 weeks of homeschool, I finished my 6 week FTP cycling training, we all finished reading the Book of Mormon, we won the HOA ugly sweater contest, Hyrum and Abraham both lost teeth while eating candy, Sarah and Austin came to visit, and Hyrum turned 12.

Covid Stats: Two different vaccines have been approved and they've started administering them to health care and front line workers. I don't think regular people like our family will have access to it until late Spring or early Summer, but it is a promising step towards a return to life as we knew it.

World: 83M cases, 1.81M deaths

US: 19.8M cases, 343K deaths

NM: 141K cases, 2,438 deaths

Mission Prep:

I was very dedicated, worked hard, and watched what I ate and the results mid-December were very encouraging. My average weight was 123 and despite some injuries (falling off the trainer and slipping on ice) I had finished the training program on the bike. I did an FTP test and went from 120w to 127w. It wasn't as big a gain as Matthew was anticipating and was a little disheartening, but I still felt proud to have improved. Then the Christmas baking started and I wasn't tied down to a training plan. I wouldn't say I fell off the wagon entirely, but for the last couple weeks I've barely been hanging on. I've had a lingering headache and have been a different kind of tired. As lovely as the holidays were, I really struggle without the structure and schedule of regular life. Both personal and family scripture study continue as they have. Consistency in this area is the key. It's been nice to be back at church every Sunday, and I look forward to when we are able to do second hour as well as Sacrament meeting in person. 

Meals:

Chicken and dumplings

Chicken Alfredo and Caesar salad

Waffles and breakfast sausage

Pizza

Homemade brats with caramelized onions

Hamburgers

Broccoli cheese soup and soda bread

Chicken pot pies

Tater Tot casserole and corn

Gyros

Leftovers

Chicken and pesto pasta with corn

Grilled cheese and tomato soup

Orange Julianne (orange Julius made from school lunch drinks)

Tuna noodle casserole with salad

Macaroni and Cheese and Chicken nuggets

Crepes and bacon

Tamales

Breakfast bowls

7 grain porridge

Rabbit stew and rye flat bread

Caesar salad

Chicken and waffles

Cheese ravioli with sundried tomato pesto