Why I Choose to Celebrate Halloween with My Kids (and Why I Totally Respect You if You Don't)

I know I promised more posts about mental illness, and they are coming, but this is a timely subject on which I feel led to share my thoughts.

Halloween is such a controversial topic in Christian circles.  Many choose not to celebrate, some celebrate with alternatives such as "Harvest Festivals", some celebrate traditionally (with or without feeling some measure of guilt).  My extended family has fallen into all of these categories at different points in time, and it is only recently that my husband and I have chosen where we want our nuclear family to land.

I have chosen (and Hubby has been reluctantly supportive) to celebrate Halloween in a semi-traditional-but-slightly-unique manner.  We made this decision for 2 reasons:  1) Halloween is a popular holiday in our neck of the woods, and the neighborhood is out in full force.  Participating affords us the opportunity to get to know our neighbors, and let them get to know us.  This in turn has led to open doors for witnessing to at least one family, and we hope more in the future (Matthew 5:16; 1 Peter 3:15). 2) We don't want our kids to live in fear of any day, or to see anything as beyond the redemptive work of the God who created every day/thing and is going to redeem them all (Romans 8:19-23).

So how do we celebrate something with so many evil associations in a God-honoring way?  We must be careful not to fall into blindly going along with all of the world's traditions. (Colossians 3:17; Romans 12:2).  This is a difficult line to walk, and I have great respect for those families who choose to "run to the other side of the street" as it were.  Here are the guidelines that rule our family Halloween celebrations at this time.  We are open to changing them, or giving up Halloween altogether, if in the future we find that these guidelines no longer meet our goals for raising godly kids.

Decorations
We do decorate our house for Halloween, mostly the front porch area which will be seen by trick-or-treaters.  We want our home to look festive and welcoming to our neighbors, so that they will know we are "open for business" on Halloween, and so they will want to come interact with us.  We don't do anything scary, undead, or occult, though.  Mostly we use jack-o'-lanterns, with a few kittens, bats,  leaves, and scarecrows thrown in.  More on jack-o'-lanterns...

Jack O' Lanterns
We have lots of cardboard jack-o'-lanterns for the windows, as well as real and faux lighted ones.  One specific faux lighted pumpkin (Funkin) is painted teal (more on that later), and now that Buddy Bear is old enough to help, we are starting to carve real ones each year.  Before or during carving, we read The Parable of the Pumpkin Patch by Liz Curtis Higgs--which I encourage you to read no matter what you choose to do about Halloween!  As we decorate with jack-o'-lanterns, we remind each other that Jesus cleans out our gook (Psalm 51:10, among others), and makes us a Light for Him (Matthew 5:14).

Costumes
I'll be honest, there is no deep spiritual significance to our use of costumes at Halloween.  We just like cosplay for fun.  We wear Halloween-style costumes for birthday parties and our annual church New Year party as well.  We like to play dress-up.  But we have very strict rules about the nature of our costumes.  Nothing undead.  Nothing occult.  No serial killers or anything bloody like that. Nothing too sexual/revealing.  Weather appropriate.  We mostly choose cartoon characters, literary characters, superheroes.  I like to do group costumes.  Sometimes it is a struggle to get Hubby to participate, but he's coming around to it (this applies to other times of year as well, so I see it more as him being a fuddy dud that is learning to have fun).

Trick-or-Treating
I'm kinda not a big fan of trick-or-treating, for various reasons, but we do it as long as we are going with other families with whom we are trying to build relationships...sometimes the walk on Halloween is the only time I get to chat with the other busy neighborhood moms, and the kids bond as well.  If there is ever a time that we don't have friends to go with, we will stay home.  And there is never going to be a time when I let my kids go without me--it is a witnessing opportunity for me as well, plus a safety issue.  If they are too old to take their Mommy trick-or-treating with them, they are too old to go.  Period.

Treats That We Hand Out
Some kids have allergies.  But even kids who don't get waaaaaay too much unhealthy candy on Halloween.  So we give out allergy-friendly, non-candy items.  This year, we've added a teal pumpkin and a sign to our decoration, so that families with dietary restrictions know that it's safe to come to our house (check out this link and this link to learn more about the #TealPumpkinProject).  In striving to be a witness to our neighbors, we also make sure that these items have some sort of Christian message, or at least Christian symbolism on them.  It might be as simple as slapping a cross sticker on a cheap bottle of soap bubbles, but it lets our neighbors know that there are Christians in our home.  Especially because we make sure that what we hand out is safe for everyone, it shows that we as Christians care about our neighbors.

There are lots of good, Biblical reasons NOT to celebrate Halloween.  We have close family and dear friends who are adamantly against it, and we would never try to force our choices on them.  I consider this one of what the Apostle Paul referred to as "disputable matters" that should never be divisive within the Body.
Romans 14:5-6
In the same way, some think one day is more holy than another day, while others think every day is alike. You should each be fully convinced that whichever day you choose is acceptable. Those who worship the Lord on a special day do it to honor him. Those who eat any kind of food do so to honor the Lord, since they give thanks to God before eating. And those who refuse to eat certain foods also want to please the Lord and give thanks to God. 
(NLT)
Colossians 2:16-17
Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.
(NIV)

Keep It Kute!

Family Command Center

So, the Bear has been taking an interest in doing chores and earning money lately.  I don't mind paying good money for the housework to actually get done (since I rarely get a chance with Bitty Bear still nursing 'round the clock at almost 13 months). But it was hard to keep track if I didn't want to go help him fill his piggy banks after every chore.  So...

The Family Command Center was born.  At first, I was just trying to find a chore chart...but then I remembered that I needed to replace the wall calendar...and that Hubby is always losing my keys because he forgets that I commandeered the hat hook he had before we were married...and that Hubby and I had never remembered to put the diaper bag in the same place twice...and that we all constantly forget to take our vitamins...and that the Bear frequently misplaces library books (we've only been late once, but I don't want to become that homeschool mom).

I'm just going to be real with you.  This got way more expensive than I planned.  I told Hubby that I'd seen other bloggers do stuff like this for about $50.  Those other bloggers obviously weren't at the end of their rope, needing to get organized yesterday, and had time to wait for everything to go on deep clearance.  But even though Hubs is usually the frugal one, and I was in tears over the price tags, he said we needed to do it right the first time, since we are planning to use it at least until we have an empty nest.  I love that I have finally gotten through to him that it is cheaper to buy quality the first time than to constantly replace.

Here is the Command Center in all it's glory.  No, we can't open the pantry door/back door all the way anymore.  What of it?

I got the big chalkboard at my local teacher supply store.  The parts that I wanted to have on there permanently (calendar grid, menu grid, family "established" sign, Bible verses) were done with oil based paint pens (black, white, silver, gold).  "Funny" story about the days of the week being black on white.  I had written them all in white, but I decided to decorate around the ones on the calendar with silver, and it ended up looking kinda stupid.  Then I put Monday first on the menu and basically had a meltdown. So I used Po-leesh Remover of Nai-eel to get some of the paint off, then painted over the damaged area white (because acetone does damage chalkboard). Then I re-wrote the days of the week in black. #problemsolving  Each member of the family has his/her own chalk color, so that we know if an event/shopping list item/memo is specific to someone (and so we know who is responsible for feeding us on any given night).

I got the hooks at my fave craft store Hobby Lobby.  They were closed when I came up with the bag idea, so I got the canvas bags, fabric markers, and stencils at Michaels.  "Apothecary" holds our daily vitamins, "Bon Appetit" has things like bibs, and "Al Fresco" contains reusable snack containers and other things we need for eating outside of our home.

I got these babies at Hobby Lobby, also.  I couldn't bear to use the oil based paint on them, in case I ever wanted to do something like this. I made those nice, straight grid lines with masking tape. All of the chores the Bear can earn money for are listed, and we can check them off as he does them each day of the week.  That way, we can wait until Saturday night to pay him.  His check marks are blue...presumably someday Bitty Bear will add pink check marks.  We had extra room on the second board, so Hubby came up with the idea of checking off if we remembered our vitamins.  We have spaces to mark for who gets to take what day as a Sabbath each week, and plenty of room leftover for prayer requests.

We keep our chalk markers in this little tin bucket (yay for no chalk dust in the kitchen, plus wet erase means the kids can't accidentally rub out important info), along with an envelope sponge and a scat and snot wipe for erasers.

I can pretty much guarantee that Hubs won't put his hat here, knocking my keys into his snow boots or behind the shoe bench.  Bonus, enough room for the far-off day when the kids need keys.  Command Picture Clips hold important mail that we need to see again (like this postcard from Sherlock's vet...although I *still* haven't remembered to call). I'm thinking about sticking the wedding invitations we have lying around up there, too.

Hubs has always kept his lunch box in this area.  It is now also the designated diaper bag spot (no more searching an entire floor--or 2--when running late) and I've added the basket I used to use for Bitty Bear's photoshoots as a place to keep library materials (and outgoing Mary Kay products that I need to remember to bring to my clients).  Sherlock seems to approve of the new arrangement.

Keep it Kute!

Flu Season

First of all, let me apologize for neglecting y'all.  Life is hectic when you're raising a toddler...even more so when you are raising a toddler and are building a whole new human being inside your belly...yes, if you didn't know, I'm pregnant again!  Someday we'll talk more about that, I hope.

I'm lazy. I got motivated to make this blog entry because doing so enters me in a contest for $1,000.  Let's just be honest about that from the start.  I probably won't win, but I'll be glad that the contest motivated me, because this topic is important.

It's flu season.  Especially being pregnant this year, people keep asking me if I've had my flu shot.  Well, no I haven't, because I'm not sure what I'm allergic to in flu shots, but I've had very strong negative physical reactions to every flu shot I've ever had in my life.  And because I don't know what in my biology causes those reactions, I don't know whether I've passed that trait on to the Bear.  So he doesn't get flu shots either.   I know, I'm a terrible mom, and a terrible human being who is destroying herd immunity.  But seriously, with no flu shots for us, we have to take other measures to prevent from getting the flu.

This winter we are concentrating on hand-washing.  It's a big deal right now anyway, with the Bear potty-training.

Also, I am a fan of disinfectant.  The contest for $1,000 is sponsored in part by Clorox, but even if it weren't, I'd pick Clorox as my go-to product when I need something with bleach.  Clorox makes good bleach, and I will stand by that statement even if I never win prize money or get any other reimbursement from them.  Hopefully, plugging another brand won't disqualify me from the Clorox contest (and I am in no way reimbursed for this statement), but when I need not-bleach, I like Babyganics.  They smell good, and it probably wouldn't even hurt the Bear if he drank a bottle of it. Oh, I like Clorox disinfecting wipes, too. So those are my disinfecting go-tos: Clorox and Babyganics.

The Bear is still struggling with the elbow cough and the tissue cough (although he is getting good at the less-effective hand cough).  If I'm wearing the right kind of shirt, another trick I like is lifting the collar of my shirt over my face when I cough or sneeze.  Of course, it doesn't work if your shirt is too short, too tight, or too low-cut (nursing shirts, anyone, on the low-cut?).  But it's another option.

We're doing a pretty poor job of exercising and eating right since I got pregnant.  Morning sickness will do that (although I praise God I don't have hyperemesis gravidarum like I did with the Bear!).

So, that's what our family is doing.  For a slightly different perspective, you can check out http://www.howdoesshe.com/to-clean-or-not-to-clean/comment-page-1/#comment-150659 (and I guess you could enter the sweepstakes, too).

How does your family keep healthy during flu season, or the rest of the year for that matter?

B-Day Gifts and Mother's Day Gifts

The art from Casey's  b-day card

I made sidewalk chalk with eggshells and food coloring and paste.  The  cupcake crayons were melted broken crayons.  You can get both of these recipes from this book.

The Mollster and the doll hat I accidentally made for her.

Sarah looking at the amazing card I designed for her.

Sarah's Card

My portrait of Sarah

My first attempt at making corsages with Azaleas and Lilacs from my own garden.  My Mama Bear and I wore them to church on Mother's Day.

The hat and scarf I crocheted for Mama Bear.

Close-up of the flower on the hat.  I made it up as I went along, and I doubt I could duplicate it.

The other hat I crocheted for Mama Bear.  I always giver her a bear of some sort for Mother's Day.  Also, we are doing a panda theme for Bible School this summer.  I am going to make one for the Bear and one for myself.

The portrait of her kids and grandkid that I made for my MIL.

Keep it Kute!

Attention: Mommies of Boys

I know it's early (8 months) but we are starting to think about potty training the Bear (he already used his froggy potty once!).  I've several times been tempted to buy these.  Then I realized I already own some, thanks to Mary Kay!  Next time you receive a package in the mail, check to see if the packing peanuts are biodegradable (it should say on the package that they are, because going green is something companies love to brag about).  Or you can ask your friendly neighborhood Beauty Consultant to hook you up.  I've got a bunch saved up for the Bear, but I might be able to spare a few for those who live near me (you know who you are--hit me up on FB). 

On a semi-related note: Do any of you keep potties in multiple bathrooms?  Have any of you tried the Peter Potty?  The froggy is working well for now, but we are trying to decide what to do when we get serious about it (most likely when he can walk and talk, lol).

Keep it Kute!

New Pasta Sauce!!!

I invented a new pasta sauce last night that I thought I'd share with you.  I need a name for it; if anyone has a suggestion.
I made this for 2 and had a little leftover for lunch.  You may need to modify it for a larger family.

1. Start the sauce with a roux.  I use stick margarine and white flour.
2. Add about half a package of Kraft Triple Cheddar with Philly.
3. Once the cheese is melted, add heavy whipping cream until the mixture is smooth and there is enough for your meal.  I used ~1/2 pint.
4. Add 3-4 cloves of freshly pressed garlic, a dash of cayenne, a dash of crushed red pepper flakes, and a dash of parsley.
5. Simmer until you are ready to serve your pasta; keep it covered; stir occassionally.

It's very sticky and spicy, but, oh, so good!  Even reheated in the microwave the next day.  I served it over angel hair pasta with a side of garlic/bacon green beans and Beddar Cheddars.

Keep it Kute!

WinterJam 2011!

Hubby and I were priveleged to attend the very last night of the WinterJam2011 tour.  Since Hubby works with the J-hi kids at Intersection, we even got into an exclusive youth pastor meeting with some of the stars.  We got to hear a personal message from Tony Nolan, Jon Micah Sumrall, Jason Castro, Duncan Phillips, and Michael Tait.  And we got a free bag of stuff!  WinterJam partners with Holt International, so we decided to sponser a child on our way out of the meeting.  Well, I made Hubby late to the concert because we looked at EVERY SINGLE FOLDER trying to find the Bear's b-day.  We didn't; but we did find a little boy only 9 days older than the Bear.  He lives in India.  Maybe someday they can be pen-pals.

 Jason Castro

Duncan Phillips and Michael Tait

The concert was SPECTACULAR!  We got to see the tail end of NewSong, the founders of the concert.



Some youth pastors shot t-shirts into the crowd.  No way they could have reached us in the nosebleed section, though.

Next up was Francesca Battistelli.  Omigoodness!  I love her so much!!! I became a huge fan of her music through WCIC.  I totes had to buy both of her cds because her lyrics speak to me so much.  I also got a cute T-shirt with some of the lyrics to one of my fave songs, This is the Stuff.  Her hubby plays drums, just like mine, and he looked like Luigi with a bowtie.  Poor girl was getting over strep and said she might sound like a goat; but she really had her own beautiful voice.  Her dress was really unusual and cute, too.  I just can't even tell you how much I love her!!!

.

Then there was Kutless.  The first time I had ever seen them was with Hubby at AgapeFest in like '06. The name and the clothes make them seem like hard rock, but I'm always surprised by how traditional and worshipful their music is.  I really like them.

During intermission, I got some piccies of the Intersection peeps.



Me and the Wizzle.




Me and the Hubby.

 There was this group called Sidewalk Prophets that I was not familiar with...until they started singing.  I recognized most of their songs from WCIC.  Love them!  They have great musicality paired with a great message.

Tony Nolan gave his testimony and also shared some of the amazing things God is doing through WinterJam and Holt International.  Can't wait to read his book, Hurt Healer.  We got a free copy when we sponsored our baby at the youth pastor reception. 

The final act of the evening was the Newsboys.  Except, since the lead singer is no longer Ausie, Hubby says they aren't really the Newsboys.  We are both Newsboys and dcTalk fans from way back.  We decided now that Michael Tait is the front man, we shall call them newsTalk.   They promised not to leave the Civic Center until all the [2 for 1!] copies of their new album were sold AND AUTOGRAPHED!!!   They had these awesome platforms that let Jeff Frankenstein and Jody Davis float over the crowd, and Duncan Phillips spin like a Ferris Wheel.  When I asked him how he stayed on his drum throne, he replied, "Buns of Steel".  Then he told me he really liked my "Play Like a Girl" t-shirt.  He was even more impressed when I told him it was BarlowGirls.  Then he let Hubby take my pic with the band, even though the security guards got totally mad at me and were yelling "Move along!"  I <3 the Newsboys!!!

I think Duncan Phillips is my first friend who was born in Australia.

Since it was the last night of the tour, we got to see something no other city saw.  The entire cast and crew came out and led us in singing "Soon and Very Soon, We are Going to See the King". Followed by the Chicken Dance.  Yes, the Chicken Dance.

We didn't get home until about midnight.  The Bear was already in bed; but it sounded like he had a good time with Auntie Sarah and Uncle Lucas.

Keep it Kute!