Categories
Chase Adventures

Giddy as a Schoolboy

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Chase is now a “real” preschooler! See how hardcore he is??? haha. After failing to find a nearby, quality preschool for 3-year-olds, I joined with two moms from church to do our own little preschool for the kids.

We rotate teaching them out of our homes, twice a week. 2/3 of us follow the classic Joy School lessons (which are great)! Chase absolutely loves going to “school,” and I love it just as much as he does! Chase’s behavior & obedience have drastically improved recently, which could be a mere coincidence, but I think not. (He still likes picking his nose for the camera!) I will post more action-packed “school” photos soon.

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Categories
Personal

Out of Small Things…


Something that’s been on my mind throughout this “rollercoaster” of motherhood is that it’s so great, yet it’s also hard! It’s tricky not to get discouraged by all of the daily mundane activities that seem to matter so little to the world. I’m sure every mother knows that feeling! But what comes to mind sometimes, when I am cleaning up yucky messes and answering Chase’s long streams of questions, is the Savior, washing people’s dirty feet and spending time with the Little Ones.

I also feel comforted by the concept of “times and seasons,” as I think about how many of my interests and talents are being buried under the daily care of my little family and home. I often think, “I am such a boring, spacey person these days.” Yet I know, deep down, that motherhood is the most important role I can play right now. I will be able to pursue all of my own personal interests soon enough… I know that my children will only be small for a short, fleeting time, and that I will later regret it if I don’t throw myself into this great work called motherhood.

Here is an account by a young mother who learned a very sacred lesson about this everyday home life:

“It spilled out of me all at once– the frustrations and doubt, even anger, as I struggled to determine my own identity as a mother. I had three little preschoolers, and although they brought great joy to my life and I loved them with all of my heart, I wondered if the endless work I was doing was even important or worth the effort.

“Aloud, I cried to God, almost resentfully, going through my routine: ‘All I do all day is get kids dressed and undressed, cook for and feed them, clean up a million messes, change diapers, care for every physical need, and then do it over and over again, every day. I didn’t know this is what motherhood was all about. I’m tired of it! Is any of this even important?…’

“After I got it all out, I humbled myself and asked for help. I needed comfort and encouragement from my Heavenly Father if I was going to make it. And I needed it now. ‘Please help me,’ I prayed. ‘Help me see the purpose in all of this.’

“Suddenly, I felt the love of the Lord reach out to me from deep within my heart. First, he affirmed me: ‘You are a good mother. You’re doing your best. You are giving your children care and love while they are little. They need you, and you are doing a good job.’ The message gave me much needed affirmation and comfort, but the next impression gave me peace. It came so strongly that I couldn’t deny it was my answer from God: ‘Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great’ (Doctrine & Covenants 64:33).

“I had loved this scripture for years, but now it was meant for me: a struggling, frustrated young mother with three children to care for. The Lord was telling me that I could not afford to be ‘weary’ in my ‘well-doing’– the day-to-day nurturing of my children– which took up so much of my time. These early years would be a foundation for their lives; and from these ‘small things’ would grow something ‘great.’

“Many years later, I now have a clearer perspective, and I’ve even experienced some ‘pay days’… I’ve come to find that no service, love, or work on our children’s behalf is ever wasted; rather, it serves as the foundation for their lives. The Lord’s promise is being fulfilled right before my eyes. Although my children have normal struggles and problems as all children do, they are maturing into responsible adults… I now know that from the foundation of ‘small,’ but significant, things ‘proceedeth that which is great’ ” (quoted in Contentment by Maria Covey Cole, 37-39).

Categories
Work

Design Yo Self Something


So I found this cool site where designers and artists share their creations. It’s very cool seeing some things people think of. I especially like the collections they put together, like the one on ninja turtles, or this one on best super heros, or this photoshop master. A lot of stuff comes from Deviant Art. Check it out, I think you’ll like it.

Categories
Deals

Need a date night?


If you are looking for a date night this October 1st, make sure to sign up for the free Crucial Conversations for couples at the Provo Library. Get the details and sign up now!

Categories
Married Lessons

What a Good Sport!

Pace has watched 2 chick flicks in a row with me!!! 17 Again, and Julie & Julia. This is a big deal. I was pretty excited when he said that we could go see Julie & Julia for our date night the other night– yes, without the kids (thanks to the McGrandparents)!

Today, Pace spent several hours helping with various tasks (preparing some Joy School materials, taking care of the kids, fixing my computer problems, cleaning things up when the messes were stressing me out, etc.). We have learned a lot being married nearly 5 years– things like praising one another, and doing things that make the other person’s life happier and more enjoyable. I am grateful that Pace is so service-oriented and involved with our kids. (Not to brag, just to give some credit where it’s definitely due! And if you get sick hearing someone’s praise for another person, then something is wrong with you.)

One more thing: Last night, we went to Pace’s work party at a nearby aquatic center. Pace loved the FlowRider surfing machine they had there, and found a lot more success on the boogie board than on the surfboard. I watched him do a flip AND then a somersault! I was so proud and excited for him. That’s my MAN!!!

Categories
Ranting

Google ‘Plastic Continent’

Of course this goes right along with the Story of Stuff, and again, it’s all up to us.

Thanks Cynthia

Categories
Personal

Grain Challenge

The month of September this McCulloch family is going to have a grain challenge. It includes eating more grain focused foods. No we are not going to cut out meat completely, b/c that’s disgusting. But we are going to get more grain and oats.. so who has any ideas or proven recipes, because some of these don’t sound too good. Some these kinda do though. So far I thought to have spaghetti with whole wheat noodles, and some whole grain cereal.

Who wants to take the challenge with us?

Categories
Tech

Tank Wars

Feeding my addiction last night I played Gino in battle tanks for “practice”. It would’ve been a pretty standard game except for the fact that Gino hadn’t learned the lesson that Cotton taught me. Watch this:

Categories
Ranting

Is it Pop, Soda, or Coke?

I found this on someone else’s blog, and thought it was interesting. I have noticed that people here in Utah call it “pop.” I’ve wondered if it’s weird for them to hear me say “soda,” because I sure think it’s weird to hear it called “pop!”

Categories
Personal

Draft Day!!!

Saturday is draft day for McNFL, in case anyone involved has forgotten, the LIVE draft begins at 12pm eastern 10am mountain time. This will be the first year we have a live draft and I am eager to see how many people show. The draft determines where the best players will end up so your whole season can start off very well or very wrong depending on the choices made under the pressure of the clock! See you all tomorrow….