June 15, 2013

Daddy's Day!

Today we celebrated the amazing Daddy that this man is!  He is top notch people!  He's a strong leader, an incredible role model, very hands-on with his boys, and a humble servant.  The list could go on and on....

Highlight of Micah's day-CAKE!

 Jojo lost his good watch during our move from MD to KC so we decided to replace it for him!  



Next year I plan to make it a bit more of a relaxing day for my man....giving him time and space to do something for himself!  But this year we had my fam over and Joe did the grilling.  Nothing like putting a daddy to work on Father's Day at what men do best-the GRILLING! :)

We also shared a little surprise today!  When the beeper went off on the oven timer, we asked my sister to grab an oven mit and get the bread out......  didn't take her long to figure out that we have another BUN IN THE OVEN!!!!!

This time next year Joe will be a daddy of FOUR.  Remember that relaxing day I mentioned?  Well it might have to wait a few years...... :) 

May 25, 2013

Spring Snapshots

Micah learned to drive the truck!  He's got some brave passengers.
Daddy came home from 'the range' today and the boys were very intrigued with all of his gear.

First lesson in gun safety!  It's interesting to me how much has changed since kids.  Before, Joe would come home and leave his loaded gun on the kitchen table (which always freaked me out!).  Now that we have kids, if a burglar got into our house, the gun would do us no good.  It's in a lock box with a lock on the trigger!  But I'm glad this daddy takes time for gun safety and role play in case they would ever see a gun at a friend's house (that thought scares me to pieces after just watching a 60mins episode about kids and guns)
Trying on Daddy's gear....



Springtime marshmallow roast

No words.  Typical day in the McCulley house

Have I mentioned that we have the most FUN cul-de-sac of neighbors?  We do, indeed.  Andrew's Papa made him a barrel train for his birthday and gave the neighbors unlimited rides! 

Love this!  Isaac made himself in the activity table drawer!

Little spring bug for my Ike Bear.  Such a trooper he is.

Little visit to Nana and Papa's in IA....  marshmallows and jeep rides!


Making good use out of our Zoo pass.  These boys are at such super fun ages!

May 12, 2013

Mother's Day, 2013

These sleepy boys beat me downstairs to prep a little breakfast and put out a gift for me....

Isaac was waiting for me to see the balloon he picked out with Daddy and then as soon as I saw it and told him how much I loved it, can you guess what he did?  Nope, he didn't pop it!  He ran outside and let it go watching it fly high into the clouds.....  So much for that $8 balloon!  Oh Isaac, how I love thee....



Best Gift Ever!  All my loves, fresh flowers, and a handmade card.  We enjoyed a day at the zoo together!  It was altogether a  fabulous day!

I am so BLESSED and thankful to be celebrating the gift of mommy-hood today. 
May I be a mommy:
1) Who makes a renewed choice daily for joy
2) Diligently teaches my children to seek wisdom, be generous, and be good stewards of their gifts
3) and is fully present.
 
"Wherever you are, be all there.  Live to the hilt any situation you believe to be the will of God." -Jim Elliot
"Weigh down this moment in time with attention full." -Ann Voskamp

Being present in these little years (a little more floor time, less computer time, and more memories).....

April 25, 2013

These days.....

I can hardly believe 2 years of preschool are already under Wyatt's belt and he's getting ready for Kindergarten!  The past 2 years have been such an adventure and sweet celebration of growth for our Wy Guy!  I remember him holding tightly to my leg the first day week semester of preschool. Now he jumps out at the curb with confidence and sometimes without even giving me a kiss.

Refection Time!  What is this mommy learning?
I'm learning to hold onto these days (the semi-frustrating moments and all) a little bit longer--you know, the days of having a preschooler holding onto your leg not wanting to go into his class, a toddler running through the building with no fear and trying to get the turtle out of the tank, and one infant crying because he needs to be fed.  These days I so vividly remember-but not with frustration anymore.  Funny how a couple of years and some perspective turns these moments into treasured memories.  Would I do the past 2 years all over again?  You betchya!  But I wouldn't be frustrated or frazzled or wish the moments away the second time around.  I would hold on longer to that little boy wrapped tightly to my leg.....because now I have to ask for a kiss! :)  These days.... Give me grace for the moment, Lord, to do them well! 

Ok, back to Wyatt and CELEBRATING his growth over the past 2 years. At end-of-the-year conferences, Miss Mary said that Wyatt has great character!  Could anything make a parent more proud?  I say this not to boast, but to celebrate my baby boy growing into a little man of character.  Isn't that the purpose of these days anyway?  He doesn't know all of his letters or their sounds, he doesn't count to twenty five without skipping a number here and there, he doesn't even have much of an interest in learning any of these things that the world counts as success, but he has CHARACTER and that's the heart of the matter.  And character is what gives this momma confidence in closing the preschool chapter and sending Wyatt off to Kindergarten, to spread his wings, and build some more character (and hopefully gain some interest in the academics along the way!)...  
The big day!  Kindergarten Round Up....
Wyatt was SO excited that I could hardly get him to stand still for a photo.  If only he knew how important pictures are to a momma's heart! :)  I'm gonna want to look back on these days, you know


Exploration Day at Aldersgate Preschool!  Wy's preschool is very hands-on and non-traditional!  So in place of a boring ceremony, we spent the day exploring with our kiddos and celebrating these days....






Have I mentioned how honored I am to get to be this boy's mom?  Wyatt, I love you soooooooo very much, Warrior!  I am so proud of you, my son.

When Wyatt came home, he had to show all of his exploration treasures to his bros
Last day of school, complete with 3 flowers for his 3 teachers!




Last day of preschool drop off.  Sniff-sniff.  





Celebrating and holding onto these days.  Good bye preschool, hello Kindergarten.................

April 7, 2013

Chugga Chugga TWO TWO!

Micah Jay is TWO!  Of course we took his two year pictures in his choo choo shirt because he loves TRAINS! :)  Just can't get enough of this sweet face....




Last day of being ONE.  I'm learning to record the 'lasts' because sometimes they are even more precious than the 'firsts' in life!  I savored this 'last' day of Micah being one and welcome tomorrow for the new adventures that comes with being TWO...





Micah always tries to where big bros' boots so we decided to get him a pair that don't look like clown shoes on his feet and actually fit!

He also got lots of a few new art supplies.  So simple.  If only I were still content with paint, markers and a pair of angry bird boots....  so much to learn from the simplicity of a child! :)

Micah LOVES to blow out candles so we started off his day with a cinnamon roll with a candle on top!

Simplicity, I tell ya!  I love it!


Lots of lovin'....  everyone adores Micah!




Mimi and Poppy came over to help celebrate...


We spent the afternoon at Deana Rose.  The sandbox is Micah's FAVORITE....



....and so are CUPCAKES!



Wyatt and Isaac got their first pony ride of the season.  One more year Micah and you will get to ride too!


Auntie B is another fav in Micah's world.  Oh, how he ADORES his auntie!

Love this!  Poppy and Wyatt chillin' on the swing together having their own little conversation.


Micah Jay Jay, we love you beyond words.  You have added much CALM to our crazy storm of 3 boys in 3 years!  You go with the flow, are mostly compliant, always affectionate, smart, thankful, snuggly, eager to help and learn new things, tender, compassionate, independent......there's really nothing to not love about you!  I always say that if you were my only child, I would think I was a pretty great momma-that I had it all together in the world of parenting! :)  But you've got bros who keep me very humble! lol.  Your sweet nature is credited to the One who knit you together!  We are thankful to be the mommy and daddy chosen to raise you and love you.....  you are so very easy to love! :)

I love you.  I'm proud of you.  I'm so very thankful to be called your mom...