MarytheKaytheBlog

Sometimes doing the hard thing is...really hard

One of the hardest things I do as a parent is:  Making my kids do hard things.

Do you know what I'm talking about?

Making my kids finish something they've started--even when they beg, cry, pout, get sick, get a headache, are exhausted, and beg some more.  Wanting them to finish strong, so they don't learn to be a quitter.

I'm talking about when my kids beg me at the beginning of the year to take certain classes or play certain sports...and by the middle of the year are BEGGING to quit.  And when begging doesn't work, and their parents tell them they have to finish out the year, they move on to bigger and better tactics--like claiming headaches, exhaustion, and (SHH!  Don't tell them this) the one that works the BEST on a tender-hearted mama: "Mom, don't you sometimes just need a little break from something?"

In the past couple of months, a certain class has become DREADED at our house.  This was a class my daughter has always wanted to take, has dreamed of taking.  She was exhilarated at the beginning of the year finally to be able to sign up for the class.  But, it didn't take long for the class to become difficult.  I watch this class, and I see.  It really IS difficult.  I can see--weekly--how it challenges my daughter.  It challenges her not only physically, but mentally. 

And the most difficult thing of all for this tender-hearted mama?  I can see how it challenges her emotionally.

Every. Single. Week. we have a pep-talk before the class.  I tell her that I know she can do it.  I tell her that she is strong, and can face hard things and DO them.  I remind her how much she wanted to take this class.  I also remind her how some weeks she has a good time with her friends there.  I tell her that I'm proud of her for finishing the class.  I try really hard to be a good empathetic listener as she tells me--weekly--how hard the class is, and how MUCH she doesn't want to go.  I tenderly smooth back her hair when the tears roll down her cheeks.   

But, I must admit to you.  It is really HARD as a parent to see my sweet daughter struggle so hard to quit something...and have to look into her eyes, and tell her, "Sweetie, I love you.  Because I love you, I want you to finish out this class.  You ARE going today.  Now, please go get ready."

I want to tell my daughter that she is not the only one doing a hard thing.

Sometimes, her mama really wants a break, too.

Weekend Adventures: Mary Poppins, Kids' Musical, and Running!

 I know I'm a day late and a dollar short on my weekend post here...but my bed was calling my name last night, and I obeyed.  May I just say that a good night of rest can do AMAZING things to a girl's day.  I woke up feeling so rested, and so ready to tackle today!  Note to self:  I need to get good rest more often.

We had a full weekend of fun adventures.  However, it didn't feel rushed and busy--it was just the perfect amount of fun adventures, and laid back weekend time.  I wish all weekends were that way.

We started off with a very fun 5K run--Run Like a Kid--benefiting Kids Across America Kamps.  It was organized by a friend of mine, and she did SUCH a great job on this inaugural event.  I sure hope she makes it annual.  It was a small race this year--which was so fun because we all knew each other.  Little secret here:  (shh!  don't tell!)  Knowing so many people also made me RUN FASTER...'cause you know...don't want anyone thinking I'm a slacker.

No, I'm not going to tell you my time.  I will tell you that I shaved 10 MINUTES off my last (and first) 5K.  However, I'm still slow.  I may start running a few bursts now and then to increase my speed just a bit.  That way, I won't be at the BACK of all the runners.

Sara Beth wanted to run, and ran the first half of the 5k.  I was so proud of her!!  Rebecca and a couple of her friends were asked to sing and dance--and I was equally proud of her, too!

After the 5K, all the kids gathered for a 1-mile fun run.  I LOVE living in a small town, where my kids can join in activities like this, and know half the kids.

 

Saturday night my friend Janna sent out a couple of Evites to celebrate her 37 1/3 birthday with dinner and a movie.  Dang--I forgot to give her 1/3 of a birthday present...  We sure did laugh a lot!  I love these girls!!!

Yeah, evidently, I did not get the  memo to wear black and grey...

Sunday morning, our girls participated in our church choir's Amazing Grace Race musical.  It really was a darling performance.  Rebecca sang such a beautiful solo!  All the kids sang beautifully--even down to the youngest soloist, little Leah!  So darling!!  It's neat watching these kids grow up, and hearing their voices mature through the years.

 

Right after the choir performance, we hopped in my mom's car and headed to Fayetteville.  My mom had given us tickets at Christmas to see the Broadway musical Mary Poppins.

We all agreed--Mary Poppins was one of the BEST musicals any of us have ever seen!!!  I would compare the quality of it to The Lion King.   

I can't imagine trying to write a stage musical to rival Disney's movie version of Mary Poppins.  The movie is pure magic.  I mean, how do you top Dick Van Dyke and Julie Andrews?  However, the musical was smart to be a little different than the movie (maybe it's more true to the book??), because the whimsy and "magic" in the set design, and the dazzling choreography kept delighting the audience as each scene unfolded. 

I love that "Nana" took her granddaughters to the musical, just like her mom, my Grammy, took my sister and me to our very first Broadway musical--Peter Pan (with Sandy Duncan).   I hope our daughters tuck away special memories like this into their hearts, just like I did as a young girl...in my black patent shoes dangling from the red velvet theater seat...

 

Sunday night, I could barely keep my eyes open after all the weekend adventures.  I sure hope your weekend was full of adventure, too.

What's your favorite musical / or musical memory?

Am I passionate about my job?

This magazine came in the mail the other day.  As soon as I saw the headline, I stopped dead in my tracks:

Am I passionate about my work?

You mean--my work here at home?

My job as a (dare I say it???) housewife, mom, and homeschool teacher?

"Well, of course I'm passionate about my job!"  I say

I nodded my head, and walked around my house, I mean my workplace...

Why, JUST LOOK at all of my job perks!

(Also, don't forget how FANCY my workplace is...)

So, yes.

Yes, I am *passionate* about my job.

Although..."passionate" may not be the most accurate choice of words...

What do you think?

Are you *passionate* about your job?

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Inadequate

Sometimes this old world can feel overwhelming, and overpowering.  Some days I feel surrounded by people who are hurting.  And some days, I am the one hurting.  Some days I look around and see darkness and evil lurking in tragic news stories, in movies meant for entertainment, and even in the sex trafficking at the Super Bowl.

Sometimes, I feel overwhelmed and inadequate with my small light in a dark-feeling world.

I feel inadequate in raising daughters who love themselves as God does.  I don't know how to raise daughters who respond in kindness, yet are bold enough to speak up.  I don't always know how to balance grace with tough love in my parenting decisions.

Today, I feel inadequate--and frankly, worn out from loving, caring, listening, talking, encouraging, and making decisions.

Today, more than ever, I am feeling drawn to pray, and to stay plugged into the only power source that is lasting.  Actually, that's not quite saying it right...  Lately, I've felt like I'm in a swirling sea--and the only sure thing is God's amazing life buoy.  And if I don't cling to Him with all my might, I could be swept into the swirling darkness all around me.

I don't know about you, but this darkness makes me MAD.  Sometimes I want to cling to God out of pure stubbornness--just to show the devil that he cannot have me, and he cannot have my family. 

Today, I am doing battle with my inadequate feelings by praying.  Praying for my hurting friends, praying for protection for my family, and praying for the sweet daughters I don't always know how to raise.  And I am plugging into God's Word to find the energy to keep my little light shining in this dark world.

How about you?  Have you felt inadequate about anything lately?

“But you, Israel, my servant,
   Jacob, whom I have chosen,
   you descendants of Abraham my friend, 
I took you from the ends of the earth,
   from its farthest corners I called you.
I said, ‘You are my servant’;
   I have chosen you and have not rejected you. 
So do not fear, for I am with you;
   do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
   I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

  “All who rage against you
   will surely be ashamed and disgraced;
those who oppose you
   will be as nothing and perish. 
Though you search for your enemies,
   you will not find them.
Those who wage war against you
   will be as nothing at all. 
For I am the LORD your God
   who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear;
   I will help you. 
Do not be afraid, you worm Jacob,
   little Israel, do not fear,
for I myself will help you,” declares the LORD,
   your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.

                -Isaiah 41:7-14

When my words are not enough...

My 11-year-old Rebecca and I have been having some really good heart-to-heart talks lately.  It's not easy being a tween girl.  Especially a tender-hearted girl who longs for close friends--heart friends who are loyal and true.  I try to tell my daughter that navigating friendships is not easy.  That the difficult lessons she's trying to learn now in cultivating friendships will be lessons she'll use the rest of her life.  Lessons that even old ladies (like her mama) still need to remember with their old lady friendships.

But, you know what?  Sometimes I find myself talking, and talking, and explaining.  And probably saying too many words.  I try really hard just to listen.  Listen, and understand.  Because I remember.  I remember how important it is to feel heard.

And, when I am to my absolute limit of listening, and talking, and understanding (pre-teen girl issues take a LOT of all 3)...I realize I need stop talking, and let the most important One do the talking. 

The other night, after a marathon of late-night mother-daughter talking, I pulled The One Year Mother Daughter Devo book back off the bookshelf.  I snuggled down next to my sweet Rebecca, and read that day's life-affirming, God-breathed words of encouragement.

Since that night, Rebecca and I have been snuggling at bedtime, and reading that day's devotional.  It's amazing how many days the words we read address exactly the latest conversation we've had.

I have to tell you--it's amazing to have God's Words answer Rebecca's questions and frustrations.  I just pray she latches onto His Truth, and tucks it into her heart...so that when friendships are hard or sparse, she has that Truth to lean on.
Do you remember your own pre-teen years? 

What helped you navigate through them?

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Because I am shameless...Here is Rebecca's solo

I'm sorry, but proud mama here just cannot help herself.  Our sweet 11-year-old Rebecca sang a solo with our church's adult choir last Sunday, and my heart nearly burst with pride.  Not because Rebecca got a standing ovation (she didn't), or had a perfect performance (it wasn't), or anything like that... My mama heart was proud of my shy daughter getting up on stage, conquering her fears of messing up and getting criticized, and using the gift God has given her.

Ever since she was a little girl, we knew Rebecca had a gift with music.  It took a good friend to point out, one time when 2-year-old Rebecca was singing a song.  My friend commented, "Do you realize she ALWAYS sings on-key?"  I hadn't noticed before that.  Since Rebecca was our first, I thought all kids sang that way.  As she got older, I noticed how she always perfectly "mimicked" whatever was being sung.  (We had to really work on one of her first solos--because the girl on the demo cd sang through her nose.)  Rebecca's poor piano teacher has to give her lots of "new" music, so that she will READ the notes, rather than play the song by ear. 

Heaven knows neither of our daughters are perfect.  Hang around our house long enough and you'll hear me yelling at them for something.  (Huh.  Mama's not perfect, either.)  On this blog, I want to make sure to record some of the good things our girls have done.  Cause, goodness sakes, I sure like to tell funny stories of how they can make me crazy.  I just want to be sure to record their happy milestones here, too.  Right now Rebecca is teetering on the edge of teenage-hood, and womanhood beyond that.  Eeek!!  To me, this solo is a perfect example of her tender age, and the very sweet gift of music God has given her.

Thank you for letting this mama be cheesy and sentimental today.  I promise to be back to mean and cranky tomorrow.

(Click here if you cannot view the video below.)

 

What do your kids do that make you all cheesy and sentimental?

I leave the house for half a day, and LOOK what I came home to!

I left my husband in charge of things while I got to go to a fun breakfast and a haircut appointment...and LOOK what I came home to!

I gotta tell you--I may NEVER leave the house again.  Would you look at my poor little darling girls!!!!

This is exactly how I found my sweet Sara Beth...

And if you think THAT'S terrible...wait until you see our Rebecca!!

 Okay, okay...so here's the TRUTH of it all.  One picture is REAL, but the other 2 are fake...  I really did find Sara Beth that way.  She couldn't WAIT until I got home.  I heard little feet running towards the bed when I walked in the door, and she was propped up on the pillow looking miserable.  Her big sister had a great time using her expert make-up skills to help her look all beat up and zombie-like. 

As you can see, Rebecca is quite talented with the make-up.  In fact, when people ask her what she wants to be when she grows up, she says, "Either a cosmetologist...or a cardiologist." 

We're hoping for the cardiologist part, of course.  I want to be taken care of in great style when I get old and feeble.

NOW...on to the FOOT CAST PICTURE.  Unfortunately, that part is not fake.  Rebecca has cracked her 2nd metatarsal (Or, in layman's terms--one of those really long skinny bones at the base of your toes.)  If you'll remember, Rebecca broke the same foot just over a year ago (Summer 2010).

Here's how it happened:  Just this past weekend, we were at a local theme park and it was PACKED with people.  As we were standing in the very crowded line to get in, a man in one of those motorized scooters ran over her foot.  My husband and I didn't even see it happen--that's how crowded it was.  A man standing nearby did see it, and kept asking her if she was okay.  As we walked around the park, we could tell how much pain she was in, and how difficult walking was--and that's when we realized that her foot may be broken.

So...my sweet daughter who loves her pointe ballet class, and loves running around...is moving a little slower these days.  Over the Christmas break, I actually had been praying about which activities we needed to simplify for my over-scheduled daughter...and it looks like that has been answered for at least the next 6 weeks.

But, you know what?  A slower pace for 6 weeks may be more of a blessing than we realize.  But, in the meantime, it sure is hard for a mama to see her sweet daughter in pain...

The TOP TEN Things that Shouldn't Surprise you as a Parent (an oldie, but goodie)

 While the management at www.marythekay.com is enjoying Christmas break, we are running some of our favorite past posts--some oldies, but goodies!

This one ran last April...and it is one of my all-time favorites.  Probably because every single one of the Top Ten has happened in our family.  And also--to be completely honest--because it contains the word "poop." 

---------

 
 Consider this a New Parent (or Pre-Parent) Primer.  Or, just consider it a treatise in helping you understand that group of people (parents) who will not shut up talking about precious little Johnny and Susie, who frankly, are not that interesting.  This TOP TEN list is my gift to society.  My Parenting Public Service Announcement, if you will.

But, I must warn you.  Prepare yourself before reading this list.  These items may terrify you, as you peer down at your rosy-cheeked baby sleeping in her little crib.  How can your precious little rose ever do the things I am about to detail? 

Well, honey, I don't know.  But, somehow these precious babies of ours grow up with a 1-track mind: Make. My. Parents. Looney. Bin. Crazy.

And I gotta tell ya--they all succeed.  One crazy story after the next.  The list below is not an exaggeration.  Sadly, each item is scientifically proven to be fact.  At least at our house...

The TOP TEN Things that Shouldn't Surprise you as a Parent:

10.  Blood-curdling screams.  Indoors, preferably.  And when Mommy is on the phone.

But, remember--don't let this surprise you.  Babyface hasn't gotten stabbed or lost an appendage.  I am sure her big sister just took the Barbie shoes that she wanted.

9.  A bathtub full of mud.  I don't mean muddy footprints.  I mean physical mud that you can pick up and make 6 whole pies.

Just remember--at least you got to enjoy that 5-minute call to your best friend.  All alone and locked in your bathroom.  Don't try to figure out how 1 small child can create 15 pounds of mud and transport it to the bathtub without a front-end loader.  Where messes are concerned, children have magical powers.

8.  Sometimes a quiet 3-minute time out means a warrior will emerge from the bedroom, happy, but covered entirely with Maybelline war paint.  Or Bobbi Brown war paint, as the case may be.

You might want to be shocked at how quickly and how expertly the war paint is acquired and applied...to your child's entire body.  I have found that where make-up is concerned, children are professionals.  Heaven knows why we don't put this skill to use, and have our darlings working in the cosmetology business.  At least maybe then they could afford to replace the $458 worth of ruined "war paint." 

7.  No matter how much advance notice your school-age children have, all major school projects will be started the night before they're due.  And usually when the printer is broken.  And your husband is out-of-town.  And 1 or more females in the house have PMS.

This should not surprise you.  Especially since it is the exact way you got through high school and college. 

6.  A bathroom trash can overflowing with toilet paper.  And not just any bathroom--your very own precious Master Bath.  Where you long for privacy, but somehow never get it.

As you peer into the 2-foot pile of toilet paper, wondering what is on said paper, you should not be surprised.  There is always a logical explanation.  Sometimes a hurt elbow needed a cast.  Other times your darling angel needed to blow her nose 87 times in a row.

5.  While we're in the bathroom...I might as well be honest...Because no one else will tell you this.  But, you should not be surprised to walk by the toilet and gasp when you see the largest and longest...well, poop, if you must know. 

I'm sorry, but it's true.  Every parent in history has a story.  The poop will be so abnormally large and long, that you will be convinced it is a world record.  You will peer around the corner at your darling toddlers, and for a moment worry that the stubble-faced man next door has come and left a deposit in your child's bathroom.  Don't even try to understand the physics of size and input and all that.  It won't make sense.  Physics just doesn't apply to large poops.  Just do what we all do--call your husband on the phone and describe it in great detail.  You'll be tempted to take a picture, but please, decide right now to draw that line.

4.  The worst screaming, pinching, hitting, pushing, wrestling, yelling fight ever in the history of the world.  Or the history of this week, if you have especially active hoodlums.

Try not to be shocked when you are finally able to calm the savages enough to understand their words...that the sibling revolution began because, and I quote, "ShelookedatmemeanandthoughtIwasstinkybecauseIamlittlerthanherandshealwaysbesmeantomeandI'mgonnashowher."

In other words, "She looked at me wrong."

You may be surprised to find yelling coming out of your own mouth.  And you may also be surprised at the ridiculous things you are yelling: "Stop looking at your sister.  You are forbidden to look at each other.  You are forbidden to talk to each other.  You are also forbidden to breathe each other's oxygen.  And I might even forbid you to breathe altogether, if you don't stop fighting.  Now, go play.  And just be nice to each other. Please."

3.  When looking for a missing tennis shoe under your daughter's bed, you will instead find weeks-old cookie dough.  And typically the brightly-colored slice-n-bake kind with cute pictures in the middle--like pink bunnies and yellow chickens.

Face it--brightly-colored cookie dough is irresistible to children.  And, let's just be honest--if our husbands wouldn't find out, we would hide cookie dough under our beds, too.

2.  No matter how clean you leave your kitchen and living room, if your husband keeps the kids while you get a much-needed night out, your home will be a disaster when you return.  Even if you're only gone an hour and a half.

Now, please hear me.  I am not criticizing dads.  My kid's dad is a rockstar of fun.  Which is the problem, actually.  I will return home to find a kitchen counter filled with empty Cold Stone cups (even though there's ice cream in the freezer), water color paints and masterpieces drying across the entire kitchen table, a kitchen sink full of dishes and pots and pans (because he kindly told me not to worry about dinner), half-eaten bedtime snacks of sandwich bread and several mostly-eaten yogurts, and a gigantic living room fort using at least 23 blankets and sheets.

And yet, I still smile as I walk into the dark and quiet house.  Because I really did have a great night out.  And face it--dads are fun.  Moms just have supernatural multi-tasking abilities.  (Which also translates as:  Moms are not as fun.)

1.  Even though it's a rule not to have drinks in the living room, and even though I don't even buy grape Kool-Aid for this very reason...

In the time it takes me to type out this blog post, someone will spill an entire quart of grape Kool-Aid onto my best wool rug.

And blame it on her sister.

Heaven help me. 

Excuse me, while I grab the paper towels...

Some thoughts about Michelle Duggar

The Duggar family is in the national news again.  Tuesday morning on the Today Show, Michelle revealed that she is three-and-a-half months pregnant with her 20th child. 

I have seen a LOT of reactions to Michelle's pregnancy announcement already--in e-mails, texts, and Facebook.  Frankly, most of the reactions I've seen have been negative.  Things like,

"Why in the WORLD would she want another baby?"

"Those poor older kids now have another child to help take care of."

"She's too old to have another baby."

"That's just selfish to bring another baby into the world...especially when there are so many orphans in the world who need adopting."

While I totally understand each of those sentiments, I want to be careful here.  As I've gotten older, I have learned a lesson the HARD WAY about judging someone's choice. 

I have learned...

To wait, before speaking.  Be quiet, listen, gather more information before speaking.  So many times I have spoken out too quickly, and later regretted what I said.

Also, I have learned not to judge too quickly...especially without having walked in that person's shoes.  I can't count the number of times I have harshly judged someone, only later to regret my harsh words when I realize I didn't know the whole story in the first place.

The Duggar family is a difficult family for me to judge harshly.   As with every television star, all you have to do is wait a little while for true character to show.  Look at the recent Kardashian wedding.  It only took 72 days to answer everyone's nagging question about the over-the-top lavish wedding:  Is this marriage for real, or is this all a big show for the ratings?  72 days later, I think we can guess the answer.

But, the Duggar family has stood the test of time for me.   You might not care for their family planning beliefs or methods, and you might not agree with their homeschooling philosophy, or their no television, no dating standards.  You might even find their show completely unexciting--since everyone seems to get along, and nobody's yelling or losing it. 

But, what none of us has seen is a family scandal.  This is a big family that has spent hours and hours, and over 5 years in front of television cameras, and not one scandal has surfaced.  Not one time have we seen a hint of the family not practicing what they're preaching.  I'm not saying that a scandal won't ever happen.  But, so far--all of the kids seem well-spoken and happy, and seem to believe what they are saying to the cameras.   

And I have to admit--every single time I hear Michelle answer questions meant to be controversial, or meant to stump her--every time I am impressed with her answer.  That doesn't mean I always agree.  Because I don't.  But, her answers always seem sincere, well thought-out, and most of all--humble.

Humble.  That's a big one for me.  I can't think of ONE other television star who has that quality like the Duggar family.  Humility goes a long way for me.  This is a family living out what they believe to be right and good, and besides living life in front of television cameras--they are leading quiet lives.  Lives that are meant to show the world what they believe, rather than tell us.

So, cut to the chase.  What do I think about Michelle Duggar getting pregnant with her 20th baby?

I sure wouldn't have 20 babies.  Heck, I can barely handle 2.  But, I respect Michelle Duggar.  I don't want to trade places with her--but, given the opportunity, I'd LOVE to sit down with her and ask 100 questions about how she does it all, and even why. 

Since I probably won't get to sit down with her and ask those questions, I'll continue watching her family from afar.  I'll continue being impressed by her family's commitment to what they believe, and their graciousness and courage to continue answering questions meant only to ridicule those beliefs.   

Why would I ridicule a woman trying to live out her convictions?  Isn't that how I want to live, too?  Living out my own family's convictions with humility and grace.  Maybe we're more alike than I think...

Okay.  Your turn.  What do YOU think?

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Why I Don't Boycott Halloween Anymore, Round 2

Last year, around this time, I wrote a post about why I don't boycott Halloween anymore.  I got some great discussion in the Comments.   Just in case you missed it last year--or if you'd just like to add some discussion--I'd sure love to hear what you think about Halloween.  Do you and/or your kids dress up?  Or...do you avoid it like the plague?  How do you handle this sometimes controversial holiday?

Oh, and while we're talking Halloween, check out some cute costume ideas our family has used over the years...

..........

 

 Here is my Baptist girl disclaimer about celebrating Halloween:  I know.  I know that many Christians boycott Halloween, and I really do understand why.  In fact, I used to semi-join in the boycott.  When our kids were younger, we shied away from calling it "Halloween," and were thankful to attend a good friend's Fall Party every October, so that our kids still had the opportunity to dress up.  "Come on, kids--let's get your Fall Party costumes on!"  But, the older I get, the more I shy away from hard and fast decisions that I don't necessarily embrace 100%. 

Boycotting Halloween never felt right to me.  I just didn't feel that strongly about it.  I know our family doesn't celebrate ghosts or evil spirits in our Halloween dressing up and trick-or-treating.  We don't put any scary (cheesy?) decorations in our yard.  You will never ever find me purchasing a red devil costume at Walmart because that is not the least bit cute--it is evil and damned. (Not that I feel strongly about it--HA!!!)  And when we pass grown-ups dressed in gruesome costumes who (scare my children and) are actually trick-or-treating (without kids), I have to control my urge to point my finger and tell them, "Well, that is just STUPID!  Get away from my innocent children, stupid person!"

I understand that Halloween might have origins in Druid or Celtic practices of offering treats to the spirits of the dead returning to the earth.  But, OUR family certainly isn't celebrating this, and our kids have no idea about the origins.  They just want to dress up in cute costumes and get to fill their sacks full of candy one day a year!  (And truthfully, I just want to help make their creative costumes!!  Oh yeah, and take some cute pictures!)

Can't you remember dressing up as a child, ringing your neighbors' doorbells, being offered gigantic bowls of individually wrapped candies, and selecting as many as you could get away with--politely?  Going home afterwards and having the best time sorting out all the candy, comparing it with your sister's and brother's piles, trading for your favorites (Reeses, please!!), and talking about which neighbors had the best candy selection?  Such fun, fun memories!!

Our calendars are FILLED with names of Roman gods and goddesses--the names of our months and days of the week--but yet we don't boycott any of them.  We don't boycott Mondays, a name dedicated to the goddess of the moon.  I mean, I'd like to boycott some Mondays--but not because it has any evil implications. 

Like I said above, though, I understand why some people boycott Halloween.  You won't hear me disagreeing with those people.  Because, I understand, I get it.  I can appreciate the stand they are trying to make with their families.  I am ALL FOR families that stand up for good.  I am ALL FOR families that stand against the tide of popular sentiment.  In fact, our little family is committed to teaching our daughters how to stand alone, how to say a firm no, and how to rely on the Bible when everyone around them disagrees. 

But, when it comes to Halloween?  I just don't feel strongly enough about it to boycott it anymore.  I am saving my boycotts for causes that I DO feel strongly about.   And, there are plenty, I am sure!

All right, let me have it...What do you think?

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