I've debated about posting anything at all this week. My life obviously wasn't directly affected by last week's events, but my heart was. I have avoided the news much of this last week because I cry every time I listen. My prayers are with the families, first responders, and the community in Connecticut  My opinions, my civic duty and expectations of my elected representatives and my desires have been steeled in their resolve.

My blog is different. I conscientiously avoid posting my political or social opinions. It isn't that I don't have them or that I don't feel them strongly. But I want this blog to be for family and friends and a memoir to my children a peek into our life and the joy of our family. Not a place for debate or social commentary. There are plenty of venues for such discussions and I believe them to be important. This just isn't one of them. (Sorry, my house, my rules.)

However, this week I can't share flippant, random, or hilarious peeks into my life, for 27 families have lost the ability to have those moments. So consider this my (long and wordy but loving) moment of silence.

I actually sent out Christmas cards this year!! Most of you do this every year so it is no big accomplishment but I am pretty darn proud of myself. If you don't get one in the next few days it is because I don't have your address. Email me so I can send you one.

In the last week and a half I have paid for six doctor's visits, one chest x-ray, a myriad of prescriptions and finally....finally have no weazing children and only minimal coughs. But of course now Russ and I are sick. My voice switches between a man voice, a nine hundred number voice, and a squeaky mouse.

A husband of one of the random bloggers I follow was just diagnosed with cancer. I don't know this person at all. I found them by accident, and am still so incredibly saddened for him, her, and their family.

One of our Christmas traditions is to drive around and look at Christmas lights. A few years ago we started rating some houses to try to help the girls choose a favorite. But rather then helping them pick a favorite it has  devolved into them judging houses, and being concerned about how people will judge our house. "Mom! People will drive right by our house and give us a 0!" (We have no Christmas lights up at all.) Yes. Yes. Apparently I am not only teaching my children to judge others by their appearance, but also to be very sensitive to others' judgement. Because I am an awesome mom.

Don't worry,  I just keep racking up the mom points. While on the drive Abbie starts developing a scheme to sell her homemade crafts door to door. I try to turn the focus to cookies (which people will find value in) to no avail. After about a 15 minute discussion, Abbie sighs.."What I really want.....is money." Yup...I'm teaching materialism too.

That said I am getting pretty excited for Christmas. I hope, hope, hope, think I nailed this year!

I should probably stop being amazed at how fast my girls' room can go from being completely clean to total disaster but it still blows me away.

Last week a spider was floating down from the ceiling in the middle of the kitchen. I gently grabbed the thread and carried the spider over and put it in the garbage. Abbie lost it. "You killed it mom! You killed it!" Tears were streaming down her face. I haven't seen her that upset in a long, long time. When it comes to spiders in my house I am not humane...for Abbie, all life is precious.

We've had sick, sick, kids around our house this week. Fever, cough, and congestion. My only consolation is that maybe...maybe we wont be sick at Christmas. (fingers crossed)

Last night was our ward Christmas party. I have never seen someone go through so much decorating for an event that lasted an hour. To each their own I guess.

Sick croupy kids mean no sleep for me. I am SO very tired.

I at least ordered Christmas cards this year!  Maybe...maybe I can get them out!