Why We Don't Celebreate Halloween

Well, it seems that I have been asked this question pretty frequently lately, even from some of my children.  The main reason that I do not celebrate Halloween is because I want to honor God in my life and Halloween is a pagan holiday.  Yep, pagan! Halloween may be fun and candy to some but it is really much more. 

Have you ever gone and researched how Halloween came about?  It stemed from pagan worship and even today, true pagans and witches do esteem Halloween as a high holy day.  I consciencely can not partake. 

I grew up celebrating Halloween because I did not know what it was really about nor did my mother.  But now that I know the meaning behind the trick or treating and dressing up I am convinced that it is not pleasing to God.  Not because I am more righteous or holier than anyone else, simply because I have been given the truth and, again, I want to please the Lord. 

The History Channel has a pretty good little documentary about the origins of Halloween if you are interested.  If you want to know that truth about Halloween you can simply look it up.  The truth about Halloween is obvious, if you are willing to look for it.

Like if you read this article about the origin of Halloween, you would read that dressing up for trick or treating was done because people wanted to blend in or copy the dead spirits.   Did you know that many have lost their lives on Halloween because they were sacrificed to false gods and spirits? Sounds cozy, right? Hmm, no thanks.

I think sometimes as Christians we forgot or are just not aware how massive the demonic/ spirit realm is.  The Bible says it best...
Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

I heard a message from Focus on the Family several years ago about a man called Chief Shoefoot.  He was Shamian before God saved him.  When he came to visit the United States around the time of Halloween he said that the spirits of that holiday are the same familiar spirits that he used to deal with.  To him it was obvious and grieving.  This was very eye opening to me. 

I just imagine that Satan is in all his glory when people, especially of the Christian variety, are partaking his high holy day. 

I am sure that reading this might not settle really well with some but I just really felt the Lord put it on my heart to share this truth. 

I know that many of us can get cozy in our traditions but we {including myself} must be careful..
Colossians 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

Have you considered taking this matter to the Lord and asking Him what he would have you to do? Have you asked the Lord if Halloween is something you should be doing?

TOS Crew: Marshall Publishing Review

What boy doesn't like fire trucks, right?!  When I saw the opportunity to review the Lots & Lots of Firetrucks & Firefighters from Marshall Publishing I just knew my boys would LOVE it.  And they do!

We received the Lots and Lots of Fire Trucks & Firefighter DVD and book combo set to check out.  The boys could hardly contain themselves! The girls enjoyed reading the book and the watching the video too but it was the boys that were really impressed.

My kids have had a little bit of a fascination with firefighters ever since we did a unit study on them.  I really wish we had this set to go along with it! 

First, let's talk about the book.  It is a 124 page soft cover book that has colored and black & white photos.  Here's what's included:

• Meet Firefighter Joe
• Firefighter's Tools & Equipment
• Rescue Vehicles - Pumper Truck, Ladder Trucks, Specialty Vehicles
• Fire Fighting Facts
• Fire Science Basics
• Fire Prevention & Safety Tips
• What is a Firefighter?
• Firefighters in action
• Words of the Firefighter - Fireman's Prayer, Fireman's Wife's Prayer, Ten Commandments for the Firefighters, Firefighter's Commitment, The Last alarm, a Firefighter's Pledge
• Old Time Firefighter's Alphabet
• Classic Fire House Traditions
• History of Fire Trucks & Fire Fighting
• Antique Fire Trucks
• Greatest Fires in History
• Firefighting Timeline
• Fire House Museums
• Cool Fire Related Websites
• Lot and Lots of Fire Trucks Sing-A-Long Song Lyrics

As you can see, Lots & Lots of Fire Trucks & Firefighters has tons of great information.  We loved the information about Fire Safety, Firetrucks and all the really cool equipment. 

Reading the Fireman's Prayer and the Last Alarm really gave us a better appreciation for what firefighters do.  This book really helped us to see the ins and outs of a firefighter's job and how they lay their lives down daily for complete strangers.

The Lots & Lots of Fire Safety Songs and Tips was a great video.  It was good for the kids to see the firefighters in action as well as how to stop, drop and roll.  We all really enjoyed the songs!  The segments included are:

• Lots and Lots of Fire Trucks
• Call 911
• Fireman Jim's Safety Tips
• Stop, Drop and Roll
• Your Home Safety Plan
• It's An Emergency
• Heroes Brave and Tall
• Great Big Fire Trucks
• Fire Trucks in Action

Many of the Song Lyrics from the DVD are included in the Lots & Lots of Fire Trucks.  Which was pretty helpful because the kids like to sing along. 

Overall, I think the Lots & Lots of Fire Trucks & Firefighters book and DVD is a wonderful set.  Whether for school or for fun, I don't think you will be disappointed.  The book and DVD set are regualrly priced at $49.90 but right now they are on sale for $29.95. Since I know ya'll love a good deal, you can use a special coupon code that Marshall Publishing gave to the TOS Crew.  If you use Coupon Code TOSF1 you can get the set for only $19.95.  What a deal! 

Marshall Publishing Company is USA based company that makes family friendly media products for the whole family to enjoy!  I love company's that have a family friendly focus! Anyhow, they also have lots and lots other books, videos and cds. 

One of the other videos that Marshall Publishing sells is George Washington Carver - His Life and His Works, which we also got by accident.  So, I wanted to mention it as well.  This video is a wonderful documentary about the George Washington Carver's life and how he became known as the peanut man.  Included in with DVD is a study guide.  This also would be great to incorporate into homeschool.  It is also available directly through Marshall Publishing and currently on sale for $19.95.

We recieved Lots & Lots of Fire Trucks & Firefighters and George Washington Carver - His Life and His Works free of charge for review purposes.  We were not compensated in anyway, the opinions expressed here are mine.

My new love... Pinterest

I have been spending a little of my time on Pinterest lately, which I think most people have heard of by now.   Oh the wonderful ideas that can be found there.  I was just telling a friend this morning that I think my Pinterest browsing is getting dangerous.  So many ideas and not enough time! {sigh}

In the last 24 hours I have decided that I think I really want to paint my kitchen table red...

Don't you just love the table, and the little wreaths and the bead board!  I guess I just love the WHOLE kitchen!!  You should take a peek at this make over at a blog called Lemonade.  I mean WOW!!  While your there can you ask her if she will come and make over my kitchen too!

Then I came across this black table and thought, hmmm that could work too!  I am not sure which color but I definitely want to paint my table and I want to do it in the next few weeks before it is too cold.  Can you tell that I have a table that could totally use refinishing?

Then I came across this mirror.  May not look like much BUT to me it does.  I have this very mirror!  It is the mirror that goes with the girl's old french provincial bedroom set.  I say old because we just got them another set on of Craigslist (which I LOVE for furniture!).  Still have the mirror but wasn't sure what to do with it until NOW.  For those of you don't know, I brown is like my F.A.V.O.R.I.T.E. color.  So this mirror is just perrrfect! 

These are just a few of the reasons I love Pinterest! 

TOS Crew: Say Anything Family Game

I love playing games together as a family! We recently got to review another great game from North Star Games, if you remember we also just reviewed Wits & Wagers Family (which we really loved).  This game is called Say Anything Family. 

The game includes:

• 60 question cards, which includes 360 topics
• 6 dry erase markers
• 6 white boards
• 12 game tokens
• Score board
• Select-O- Matic 6000

Say Anything Family is a game about what you and your family think.  This game is geared toward ages 8 and up and allows for 3-6 players. First, each person takes a turn taking a card and asking a question.  The other players then answer the question one their white boards and place their answers in the middle of the table.

Next the player that asked the question secretly selects his or her favorite answer, then selects that players color on the Select-O-Matic 6000.  After placing the Select-O-Matic face down the other players are then allowed to select who they think had the best answer and place their game tokens accordingly.

After everyone has placed their tokens, the Select-O-Matic is flipped over and points are awarded.

Say Anything Family is another keeper from North Star Games!  Another great game to give for the up coming holidays.  You can purchase Say Anything Family at several national retail stores or online through Amazon.com - Say Anything Family.

We were given Say Anything Family free of charge for review purposes only.  We were not paid in any way and these opinions are my own.

TOS Crew: Wits and Wagers Family Game

We received the Wits and Wagers Family Game from North Star Games to review for the TOS Crew.  Let me just tell ya, we LOVE this game!  Even The Hubs loved it! 

Wits and Wagers Family is a like a trivia game but all your answers will be numerical.  Let me tell you how to play so you get a better understanding of what the game is all about.  First, one of the players asks a question, like "How many Disney Princesses there are in all?"  Each person writes their answer on their little white board and then everyone's guess gets put into number order, right after the #1 that is already provided for you.  Next, everyone places a "wager" with their meeples (cute little wooden people).  Like if I think I am absolutely correct with my answer then I may put both of my meeples on my board.  If my answer is the closest to the real answer without going over then I get 3 points. 

If I am not really confident in my answer I can place my meeples on someone else's answer, if their answer was correct then I would get points for placing my wager on their answer.  If I think we have all gone over in our guesses then I place my meeples on the #1 (already provided).  There are 300 family friendly questions in the game and the first person to get 15 points WINS!  I really hope I am not making this sound difficult because it really is simple to play. I think it took us a few minutes to read over the rules and we all got the hang of it after the frist round.  

The Wits and Wagers box says that it is geared towards ages 8 and up but we all played together.  Lil Bits and I were on a team together.  He liked placing our meeples for us and wiping our board.  Alpha Boy played on his own and did just fine. He came up with all his own answers, although most of the time his answer was 2,000.  No matter the question.  If the question was "how many different colored fruit loops are there?" His answer was still 2,000, really!  He loved the game too!  Some of the questions are easier and some are more difficult. I think the 8 and up range is good but I still think its a game that the little ones will enjoy joining in on.

Up to 10 people can play at a time.  You can either play 5 single players or 10 if your doing teams.

For the record, I was the winner!!  I was pretty excited because I never win anything : )  This game is a definite keeper and I am not just saying that because I won. We had so much fun that I think we are going to bring family game night back through the fall and winter! 

Wits and Wagers Family would be an excellent holiday gift or whenever gift for that matter.  You can purchase you very own Wits & Wagers Family game on Amazon for about $15.00 (and it's eligable for super saver shipping).  You can also find it at variety of national retailers. 

Hope you all enjoy Wits and wagers Family as much as we have! 

We recieved Wits and Wagers Family Game free of charge from North Star Games for review purposes only.  We were not compensated in any way for our review