We got COVID. So about half of this month was a wash. But there are plenty of activities in December to document, even if you only get 15 days of them.
The month started off pretty well, we got our tree all decorated and the gingerbread house set up next to it, and it looked great! Dec 5th we had an outdoor Christmas party with the ward and then a dinner with the Searcy's for our Christmas gift exchange with them. Karli was having a baby any day so we wanted to get it done early. They treated us to dinner at Maria Bonita's and we did a treasure hunt to give them their gift card. It was a fun day.
The 7th is when all the sick fun began for me. I had a medical procedure to help with my heavy and irregular (too frequent) periods, a uterine endometrial ablation. I took the 8th off work to recover and was at a psychotherapy conference the rest of the week, but sadly on the 9th I came down with a fever and body aches. Jared had a cough so we all three got tested. My symptoms got worse and weirdly Jared's test came back positive and mine negative. I had a fever for 5 straight days, and developed a cough on the 11th, that made it hard to sleep. On the 14th I still had a fever so I got another COVID test, two days later it came back positive. I took the 14th and 15th off work but tried to go back to work on the 16th. Admittedly it was really hard and I wish I would have taken the whole week off. By the 17th I felt like I had pneumonia (and all the while was recovering from the ablation as well), and then my taste and smell went away. It felt like a bad head cold and I was wiped out until the 21st. I still went to church on the 20th to do my musical numbers, I relied on a lot of prayer that my weak attempts at practicing would be sufficient. On Christmas Eve my smell and taste came back and it was so overwhelming I teared up for joy, but sadly after Christmas I caught a head cold...thanks December...and its off and on now.
Weston quarantined at home and was very sad to miss the last week of school before the break with all the tests and concerts and whatnot. I was very sad to stay apart from my son for 10 days, and really missed him. Jared actually worked from home for the quarantine, and brought his computer to his room.
We were very grateful to Heidi and Gabe bringing us dinner while we were sick. They had already gotten COVID and therefore had immunity. It was nice to have some company and loving service.
Then we celebrated Jared's 43rd birthday on the 22nd. I made him a light breakfast as he was planning on going to Tucano's with his staff for lunch. We had a little celebration in the middle of the day at Priority Law where we finalized our Estate Plan and trust, and set one up for my parents as well. That was an important milestone!
Christmas eve pajamas were opened that night, Savanna's were too big and Weston felt his were a little juvenile, but they tried to have fun with them.
Jared's christmas gift was a smoker. I was happy to be able to taste the smoked salmon he made on Christmas. We took an exercise bike from my aunt Betty Ann over to my parents and set it up and passed each other a few gifts. Then we took a "merry christmas from the Schauers" photo since we were all 5 in one spot for once.
And last but not least, the Barrett family picture party on New Year's Eve. When we didn't have everyone at the Barrett family reunion I got this idea in my head that we could have a "reunion reunion" after the 2 babies were born and Joseph was home from his mission in order to get a nice family picture. Jesse made a reunion video and we had a big dinner and party at the Veteran's Hall in Lindon. They made us do temperature checks, have a seating chart, and wear masks but still a good time was had. Jared made all the food and my friend Cami took professional photos, the ones here are just what I took on my phone. Can't wait to see the results!
After we recovered we made some treats for our friends. Fiora made hot chocolate bombs from silicon molds. I thought they were pretty cool. I gave out some candy cane posts and miniatures so people could make their own grand gingerbread house.
Dec 21st I ventured out of the house to West Valley so Savanna could do my nails for Christmas. I've never had such pretty gel nails before! She did an amazing job. I'm a little obsessed with them and don't ever want them to come off.
Christmas eve was different without the Schauers progressive dinner. We visited Heidi Weight and her family to give them their gift and that was a nice treat. She even fed us dinner.
Christmas eve pajamas were opened that night, Savanna's were too big and Weston felt his were a little juvenile, but they tried to have fun with them.
Christmas morning! I was struggling with feeling inadequate as a gift giver after the Christmas jammies fiasco, but the kids were all very gracious receivers and seemed to love their presents. We of course did the service box and shared what services we had done throughout the month. Mine were lean but then again I was really ill.
The theme this year was "prepared for the future." So the girls got things they could use when they move out, and Weston got a suit and a lego temple to prepare for a mission. Also he got his Taylor guitar which he loves and can play forever.
Happy New Year!
