New tradition - Christmas star gazing

I read online last week that the Geminid meteor shower was peaking this past Sunday. Because I loved the ones we saw this Summer I was really excited to go check these out.  Even better was the fact that they were going to be most visible from 8:00 - 2:00 am so we wouldn't even have to get up in the middle of the night to go view them. The weather was so cooperative too, clear skies and it was still in the mid 40's when we got there around 8:15.

We bundled up, made hot chocolate and headed over to Chris Greene to view them.  They were so beautiful.  We saw so many shooting stars it was magical.  As we laid in the grass watching the sky we sang Christmas carols and talked about shepherds and how they were doing something so similar on that important night.  Those two activities were not planned and it was so special.  I felt right away that this would be an important memory for us all.  I loved it so much and know I want to add it into our yearly Christmas traditions. Hopefully the weather will be cooperative and I don't forget each year! How have I never thought of doing this before? I think Jesus Chris knew I needed some extra help this year. I truly felt the Christmas spirit and was filled with so much gratitude and love for my family and Savior.  I was content and it was so nice. 

When we were driving around doing our deliveries we listened to a podcast that talked about the different groups of people on Christmas night and their personalities, how they reacted to the news of Jesus's birth. We were asked to think about who we were most like out of the characters.  Lydia and I said Mary, not to put us on the same level as her but to sit back and quietly take it in and be willing to trust God that it would work out.  Mark picked Joseph and Jared said the Wise men.  It was a great listen and it matched up so well with this activity.  It was just a really special evening and I was so grateful. I didn't expect anything spiritual and was given such a tender mercy.  

Gingerbread houses, Virtual Tacky Christmas lights run, new hike and gift delivering and caroling

We've never really made gingerbread houses at home, its not one of our yearly traditions.  The first few years we lived here the library made houses and provided all the candy so we attended their event. I think once or twice we made them with friends but they did most of the work we just brought candy.  I have always preferred making sugar cone Christmas trees as they require a lot less work and patience but this year we have plenty of time and Jared and Lydia are old enough to successfully make a house so we went for it.  We were at Target one day and walked by their display of various buildings/vehicles and saw a kit for 4 mini houses.  This sounded manageable to me and they were so excited to make them.  We made them after church one Sunday and while it did take a lot of time and patience it was a fun way to spend a Sunday afternoon together.  The kit came with icing but I knew we would have a more enjoyable time if we weren't all waiting on the same bag of icing so I looked up a recipe and made some homemade icing and it turned out really well, just like glue. I sent a picture to my family to see if anyone wanted to guess which house belonged to who and my sister Katie gave it a try.  My family is not big on group texts.  Mark's family does some and I know some people use them every day but that is not the "Fieth's".  I am glad making these houses could make Jared and Lydia so happy.  I did enjoy decorating them but putting them together, not so much.  Mark took care of that step and did a great job. 

In order:  Mark, Lydia, April, and Jared
A day or so later Jared and Lydia asked if I had taken pictures of them and if I had could they please destroy them and eat the candy so that was the end of the gingerbread houses.  I think they used the rolling pin and made quick work of it.  They really only wanted the skittles. 

One of my favorite Christmas traditions is participating the in the Richmond Tacky Christmas lights run.  The starting point is normally a winter wonderland with music, lights, inflatables, hot chocolate, cookies, picture spots and Santa pictures.  It is such a fun and festive atmosphere, definitely my favorite race.  This year of course the race was virtual so the set dates were Dec 11 - 13th but it was just the race ad you could complete it whenever you wanted.  The weather was really nice last Friday so we went down with some friends and Mark, Jared, myself and Chris all ran the course together while Julie walked the neighborhood with Tyler, Lydia and Derrick.  Even without the other events it made me so happy and gave me so much Christmas spirit. Jared has not ran at all since his 10K training this Spring and yet he just started running and did awesome!  He appears to have inherited Mark's natural running ability and I think it would be great for him to pursue it. Our total route was 3.4 miles but some of that was walking on a super decorated street.  It was amazing but just too much to see to run it and there were tons of cars on that road.  I did miss having all the roads closed like the have been other years for the race.   It was the perfect outing to get me out of my pandemic funk.  We met up after running and stopped by Chick Fil A for milkshakes and then toured another neighborhood with lights.  It was such a fun night. 

Saturday afternoon we checked out a new hiking spot. Ragged Mountain Reservoir is about 25 minutes from our house and has lots of trails that go around the reservoir.  For whatever reason we had never been there and since it was over 60 degrees a hike seemed like a great idea. Mark had met a co worker there a few months ago to go on a trail run (Mark is running like crazy, all these years of never running and now he easily runs 20 miles a week). He did not enjoy the trail run but thought it would be a good place for our family to try out and it was. There was some definite complaining from Jared and Lydia but in the end they enjoyed it for the most part.  I was happy to be outside and check out a new place. We hiked about 2.75 miles as Mark had a baptism to go to at 2:00. That evening Mark and I had a Christmas Stocking Stuffers date and got everything we needed.  We are finished with all our Christmas shopping and everything is wrapped and under the tree.  Jared and Lydia are so happy to have presents under the tree.  

These carvings were a fun distraction as we hiked. 

Sunday we baked some Christmas treats and put together some gifts to deliver to the members of the Bishopric who help Mark so much.  We knew some would not be comfortable with baked goods so we put together some bags of wrapped candy for them and each family got some wrapping paper and bags of bows.  Mark loves caroling so if the family was comfortable with us singing, outside, a good distance away from each other we sang to them.  It was nice to deliver some Christmas cheer and see 2 families we haven't seen for months.  One family lives out in Orange a very small community about 40 minutes from our house and it just happened that the downtown district of Orange (one street) had taken their annual gingerbread display contest and spread it out in various window fronts of businesses on Main Street.  So after visiting them we drove downtown and walked down their adorable Main Street.  There were only 10 houses displayed but it was a wonderful safe outing that felt nice and Christmasy. It was after 6:00 so the stores were all closed and we didn't see anyone else. It was so nice to be out and enjoying an event.  Not far from Orange is Gordonsville another small, cute town. Gordonsville is known for doing a really nice job with their Main street so we drove through there as well and it was so pretty.

Quite a few stores had really fun window decorations.  It was just so quaint, like an old fashioned small downtown.  I loved walking down their Main street and checking it all out.  It is not a long walk just enough to make you smile. 

We also had the good luck to catch the fire-fighters from the station near our house spreading some Christmas cheer.  After church we were pulling out of the parking lot and saw an ambulance, police car and fire truck turn into the neighborhood across the street.  They used their sirens (on low) to call people out to wave to Santa Claus and played some fun Christmas music. It was such a sweet surprise. I am not a big Santa Clause person.  He doesn't play any part in our Christmas but this gave me all the feels. It was such a good weekend. Safe yet it felt normal and it was exactly what I needed. 

Pandemic Blues (and school update)

 I was so sad and angry last week.  It was by far the worst week of the pandemic for me.  I was impatient and irritable and had zero Christmas spirit.  I was over everything and nothing mattered. I'm not entirely sure what triggered it because it was a pretty normal week but I was miserable. I think Covid finally just did me in.  I had bad days before but not a whole week where I just didn't care about anything.  I didn't enjoy what few Christmas activities we did, skipped all of the Light the World prompts and our nightly Christmas devotionals made me angry.  I was so impatient with Jared and Lydia and really just didn't care.  It bugged me so much how people keep talking about how horrible 2020 has been (overall they are right) and how they are so glad its almost over and I just don't really see why 2020 ending really matters.  Even with the Covid vaccine the first 3 (or more) months of 2021 are going to be the same as 2020 has been only colder! This shouldn't bother me, but its just an example of how I was feeling last week.

Through out this whole pandemic I have felt we had been spared most of the pain others are feeling and have always felt guilty complaining about anything.  We haven't lost our jobs or home.  We never ran out of toilet paper or any food items really. We haven't lost loved ones to Covid or Covid related illness, we've barely gotten colds.  We haven't had serious lock downs and have had more than enough space inside and out. Who was I to complain about my situation when I had lost almost nothing.  But I felt the feelings, complained to a few friends and just let it happen and am feeling much better this week. It may will likely happen again and I will let myself feel the feelings again but I am very grateful I was blessed throughout this year to maintain that feeling of gratitude and hope in this bizarre situation. 

This was in the morning before classes started.  

School update:  Last Tuesday, Albemarle County decided to move the last week before Winter break and the first week after Winter break back to all virtual instruction.  Lydia loved being in school while it lasted.  It was really good for her to get to go to school and interact with her new teacher and classmates. Wearing a mask was no big deal for her and all the kids in her class did a great job wearing them and following procedures as far as I know.  I was so impressed with how well Baker Butler handled all the requirements. At least for us it was a very positive experience. Her teacher was happy to be teaching in person and so lovely.  When we go places now Lydia doesn't even bother taking her mask off when we are back in the car because she is so used to it.  I was so concerned about consistency this Summer and it made me very hesitant to send her to school when the option came up but it was worth it for her.  Today was the first day of all virtual and she gave it a 10!  It seems Ms. Stern is a much better fit for Lydia so sending to school and ending up with a new teacher was such a benefit. I have no idea if it will stay that high but am so happy she had a great day.  She is now in a morning session which I think is good for her.  We also told her she has to participate at least 5 times per session to earn her free time on the computer for Fridays. (They earn computer time on Fridays for participating in school and good piano practicing. They can earn up to 50 minutes and she is highly motivated to earn that time to play Minecraft on Friday) She sad she did it even more than 5 times.  Maybe she will finally believe us that school will be much more enjoyable if she doesn't just sit there. Jared is doing well with his class.  He would love to go to school but even if he has the option in February (they will assess if they can move to stage 4 or go lower again) he wants to stay with his teacher if he stays virtual.  I am grateful it has been as positive as it has for him.  They are good kids.  Mark feels discouraged a lot that kids won't engage more. He is working hard and can see work from students but teaching would be a lot more enjoyable if kids shared some thoughts.  His 1st block does pretty well, 3rd is pretty hit and miss and 4th is so hardly anything.  Its such a long day for those middle schoolers.  Its unfortunate. 

New bike ride and Christmas cheer

We found a new bike ride to try out, the Crozet Blue Ridge Tunnel. The tunnel used to be part of a railroad and has been under construction for the last 20 years.  The tunnel itself is just under a mile long and so dark inside.  At first Mark suggested we walk it because it would be so dark inside but I didn't think that would be as fun so we took our bikes.  He was right, it would have been smarter to walk it first. The biggest problem was how many people had the same idea as us. We made the mistake of going on the Saturday after Thanksgiving and it was so crowded.  There are 2 entrances and both had full parking lots. We tried one then drove the few miles to the other entrance to find it full too.  We decided to try the first lot again and it had cleared out enough to park and go ride.  I did not expect it to be so popular. I talked to a friend about the tunnel the next day and suggested they go on a week day and they went and had it all to themselves. It was fun and also pretty nerve wracking to ride through.  Near the beginning the tunnel slopes down on the edges for a good while so you don't have as much space to navigate and since it was our first time in the tunnel we weren't aware that it sloped down.  While trying to avoid crashing into people who stepped out in front of me I had to veer off to the side and slid down the slope.  Nothing happened but it was pretty stressful. My head lamp was super dim so I had to ride with my phone out and the flashlight on which is slightly awkward.  Jared and I started out and got a bit ahead of Mark and Lydia so I was worried about how Lydia was doing.  She also had a really dim headlamp (we didn't know it was dim till we got in that really dark tunnel) but was close to Mark the whole time and did well. It was a cool thing to go do and different from any other rides we have done. Next time we will go during the week and hopefully there will be less crowds.   

It starts as exposed brick and then turns into the wall of the mountain they blasted through.

I have a few discussions with friends about things we can safely do this holiday season.  So many events have been canceled or moved online and with good reason.  Covid cases are going crazy here and its just the beginning of the holidays and winter hasn't even fully set in. We will just adjust and look at a lot of Christmas lights as those are the main things still happening. I know we can still have a magical Christmas season. We were able to make our own Light the World calendar with ideas from the official site and its been nice to do those.  I wasn't aware you could make your own until a friend told me after church last week.  Jared, Lydia and I chose the things we wanted to do on Sunday and the first week was a success.  We've done an ornament each night from our 25 days of Christ set and I found a really simple nightly devotional from one of the hosts of "Don't Miss This" which has been perfect.  We've made some Christmas crafts and treats.  We will make it a fun month!

Reindeer donuts for a breakfast appetizer + new Christmas pajamas

Light the World Service:  Toy lift, books to friends and holiday cards + small gifts for an assisted living facility

Jared Lydia and I picked out a gift for the Toy lift and then Mark and I dropped it off as part of our lunch date Friday.  I am glad that we could still donate even if the activities were not available as they usually are. 

One suggestion was to send a letter or book to a faraway friend.  We have Jared and Lydia write letters to friends/family members every Sunday so we went with the book option.  We chose to send books to some cousins in California and Arizona.

  

Masks were helpful in this situation as Jared (and Lydia to an extent) was definitely not happy with me.  I wasn't that happy with him either.  He and Lydia have been so physical and aggressive lately.  They aren't doing it because they are mad at each other its just how they are choosing to play and it is driving me crazy.  They are loud and always pushing and being aggressive. I had just gotten after them and basically told them to knock it off, that they were driving me crazy and making it incredibly hard to feel any Christmas spirit.  I know I can always choose how I react and I have not been handling it well this week and hope to do better from here out. 

Typically we go Christmas Carol at an assisted living facility each year.  Last year we went and sang and then played Bingo with them on Christmas Eve which was really nice.  As they are all on lock down this year I called ahead to see what we could do.  She suggested a few simple gift ideas and cards so that is what we did.  We spent Saturday morning listening to Christmas music and making cards together at home.  It was really fun and festive. That afternoon we drove over and dropped everything off. I hope it brings some Christmas cheer to the residents. 

Gettysburg and Lancaster PA

 The day after Thanksgiving we hopped in the car and drove up to Pennsylvania. I've had a soft spot in my heart for Pennsylvania ever since I first visited the state back in 2003 through BYU Idaho's Mormon American Travel Studies Tour.  Its completely random but I love it. We have not been there much since we have lived out here so it was nice to go back.   

This has been our year to see/visit as many of the things we moved out here to be near as we safely can so the trip itself was not random at all.  We headed up to Lancaster County first and stopped for donuts at Beiler's. After perfect donuts we took a driving tour of Downtown Lancaster which is a really cute downtown area and then drove out of town to view Amish neighborhoods.  We enjoyed describing their simple lifestyle to Jared and Lydia.  We had fun counting how many clotheslines and horse buggies we saw and taking in the beautiful farms.  We also ended up having an unplanned discussion on forgiveness with help from Elder Faust's talk from 2007 on the "Healing Power of Forgiveness" and the incredible example of this community.  I hadn't made the connection but Mark did, he's really good at that. 

The morning was pretty gray and chilly but by the time we reached Gettysburg it had turned into a really nice Fall day.  As we were driving to the National Battlefield we passed a yard sign that made a big impression on me. It read, "The battle was fought here because black lives matter."  It felt right to me.  It was a good talking point for us as we toured the battlefield. A battle that was not planned but accidental.  Both sides just sort of ran into each other there and a horrible 3 day battle took place. Gettysburg the city/battlefield is a complicated place. People come to visit the battlefield for a lot of different reasons and based on articles I read the last 6 months have been pretty tense there.  There was nothing happening while we were there but its not hard to see why it would be a tense place.

We stopped in the visitors center to grab a map and get a few tips from a park ranger but didn't visit any exhibits. We saw a few people riding bikes to tour the battlefield which looked so fun. We had talked about doing that but knew there would be way too many hills.  Maybe if we all had E bikes, that would have been the best but driving worked just as well. We were also lucky to have our own personal tour guide with us.  Mark did a good job explaining things to Jared and Lydia on their level. 

Gettysburg Address

We stopped at a few of the main sites, Seminary Ridge for Pickett's Charge (Confederacy), Big and Little Round Top (Union), and The National Cemetery. It is always enjoyable to learn about things on site and we are glad we are glad we made the trip. 

   

It's always a little odd to me to see how beautiful battlefields are.
At least ones we have visited since living out here.

Little Round Top

National Cemetery

I loved the curved branches of this Sweet Buckeye tree. 
Its kind of nice to see trees without their leaves sometimes. 

We saw pennies placed on multiple headstones and wondered what they meant.  Different coins are used to show a deceased soldiers family that someone came to pay their respects. A penny means the spot was visited, a nickel means they trained together at boot camp and a dime means you served together.