Halloween 2008

This year the McCulloch family on 19th Street went from having three boys and a girl to having a Storm Tropper, Commander Cody, a mermaid named Ariel, a cute little froggy, and a "ferocious" little lion. This cute ensemble accompanied Amber and I around our neighborhood for some "old-school" trick or treating. Next, we headed over to Colonial Woods for some "new-school" Trunk or Treating. After about 45 minutes, Logan and Scout had had their fill. Of course, Logan KNEW the evening was not over as we still had a Halloween Party at Aunt Renee's to attend. Complete with Renee's usual crazy games and a "haunted hayride", the kids stayed up almost until midnight. The highlight of the party was definitely sitting with Logan as "insane clowns" and other monsters jumped from behind trees and tombstones to scare us. While Scout was completely oblivious to these haunted attacks, Logan shot at them with his Storm Trooper gun. At the party, Amber proved her flexibility was amazing as she was a finalist in a game that involved picking up an ever-diminishing Captian Crunch box with just her teeth....don't ask...no, we weren't drinking.
The weekend was complete with parties as we celebrated Aunt Renee's and Uncle Larry's 25th Wedding Anniversary at the American Legion in Smith's Creek. Amber and I got them "I love my husband." and "I love my wife." shirts. It was great celebrating and seeing Bobby and Jessica from Pittsburgh.

Mr. and Mrs. Joe and Michelle McCulloch!!!

After much anticipation and planning, the fairy tale ending arrived. Last night, at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, September 26, 2008, my brother Joe got married. Little Quaid was in their wedding and did just a perfect job.
May God be the base and foundation of your life together. Congratulations Joe and Michelle.

One of My Best Days....

The other night I enjoyed one of the best nights I have had. I got to spend some relaxed, fun moments with my three younger brothers, Jon, Joe, and Tim, and my dad, as well as with Scott Simpson, some of my brother Joe's in-laws, and a few other ruffians. For my brother's bachelor party, my brother Jon put together a little football, bonfire, and barbecue night for Joe. It was perfect.

Most of us played some football near the water tower at Eddy Elementary in St. Clair. We climbed into the back Jon's old, now Joe's current, white truck and went down a few blocks to the field. While I played my usual crappy game, it was fun just running around the field. Joe's father-in-law, Mike played better than all of us who were a few years younger. Poor Scott, suffering from some nasty chronic pain, still insisted on playing long into the night.

After taking some post-game pictures, we headed back to Jon's place for some awesome barbecue ribs, chicken, kielbasa. Jon really outdid himself and made me jealous, as did Joe, with their awesome stainless steel grills. This was a GUY'S Feast!!! We just sat, ate, talked, and enjoyed each other's company by the camp fire. It was just great hanging with guys that I love and making memories.

The Joys of Lightsaber Beach Baseball Tag

After a great morning of church and eating some McDonald's with my parents and Tim and JoAnn's family , Quaid and Sawyer observed the Lord's commandment to rest on the Lord's day. Logan and Scout had other plans for their mom and dad. In our side yard, I've been inventing games with the kids that involve hockey sticks, soccer balls and endless boundaries and goals. Today was Amber's turn. As I came outside to see where she and the kids had gone, I discovered Amber chasing Logan and Scout with a beach ball.
It did not take long for me to get involved in this game which involved Logan's lightsaber, someone pitching a beach ball, hitting the beach ball, and running all over the year trying not to get hit by the beach ball being thrown by the pitcher. Did you get all that?
Yesterday's afternoon highlight was riding with Logan (with Scout squished in the baby seat on my bike) to downtown Port Huron. Perhaps Logan's longest bike ride, we rode over 24 city blocks and then some. A highlight was sitting by the Military Street Bridge and watch it go up for the sailboats. Scout loved playing school with a statue of a girl in a little park by the Military Street Bridge. The weather was perfect. The memory was irreplaceable.

Nightly Rituals...

The chocolate-covered face of Quaid is supposed to be here, but Quaid's picture just never happened. As I was beginning to take his picture, both Amber and I realized that the word he kept repeating was sounding alot like "pee". At that point, I went over and discovered a pool of pee in his seat. Chocolate ice cream face and pee just don't mix, so that picture just wasn't shot.

I'm continuing to discover the joy of nightly rituals. With no Mariner Drama (yet!!) and little church involvements, I'm getting the chance to come home, cook dinner, eat with my family, and do a little activity with my kids before they head to bed. Last night, we took our third bike ride of the week. Actually, it was Amber and my second bike/walk outing. Amber and I push Sawyer and Quaid in a stroller and Quaid's "vroom-vroom" (little car), while Logan and Scout zoom ahead on their bikes. I'm gonna really miss this when the snow starts flying.

Man do I love this time. I love the peacefulness of walking with my family and where my kids are at with their ages. I love AUTUMN. Last night that cool, crisp breeze as I walked around with Amber and the kids was so refreshing. I'm looking forward to pumpkin patches and apple crisp and the turning of the leaves. I'm looking forward to the Halloween stroll in Sanborn Park and jumping into leaf piles with my kids. But....don't come too quickly. I'm enjoying bikes rides in September, eating Extreme Moose Track Ice Cream with Amber, Logan, Scout, Quaid, and (someday) Sawyer (Sorry pal, strained and blended green beans will have to do for now.)

Well, I'm at my desk and have a pile of quizzes to grade.

A Tradition Continues

So tonight, Logan and Scout both began their first adventures of learning to play the piano from dad. I've been reluctant because things did not go so well a year ago, but tonight was great. After a night of gymnastics, I first sat down with Scout, taught her where the C note and D notes are, and showed her how each finger has an assigned number. Logan suprisingly could not wait to begin his lesson and mastered the first part of "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star." I was very impressed with both of them, and I'm glad to have something where I MUST sit down and spend time with each of them. Of course the ever-lovable Quaid wanted to be part of the action. He may have to wait some time.
I've been reflecting in the midst of this economic turmoil today about the uncertainty of the future. Even at our school staff meeting, we talked about how bad the economy is for kids. This got me thinking about how over blessed I am. I have more than I could ever want. I remember Francis Chan saying in a recent message that even at my poorest, I have more than most people do in other countries. That I would have to "work hard to starve." And it is easy to write these words about my blessings, may I truly live in the awe and in the remembrance of how blessed I am. May I do something more than just be thankful with the abundance God has given me.

I Love Bike Riding

This summer, as you see in this earlier picture from July, the training wheels came off. As I'm writing this Mark Schultz's song, "He's My Son" is playing in the background. That's just not fair. I'm not going to be able to finish this blog.
Anyways, it's so funny what we get lazy about or slow to get to doing becomes such a realized joy. It's one of those..."Why didn't I do this before? I LOVE THIS!!!" I love riding bikes, but somehow, I managed to do very little bike riding with Logan and Scout this summer. Now that I'm back at school, we've gone on several "little adventures", as I like to call them, around our neighborhood. Luckily for my kids (and myself) our adventures always end up at a McDonald's or Jimmy's Frozen Custard which are right around our house.
Last night, seven years after I thought the world was ending (9/11), with Quaid on the back of my bike, Scout struggling to get her green and white bike with training wheels over the bumpst in the sidewalk, Logan zooming around the neighborhood, and Amber pushing smiley, little Sawyer in a stroller, we rode and just enjoyed being around each other. Of course, the trip ended at Jimmy's which meant a BIG chocolate ice cream for Logan, pink ice cream with sprinkles, vanilla with sprinkles for Quaid, and two Coke coolers for mom and dad. Quaid just gulped his down. Scout enjoyed hers as slowly as she could. As we left, Amber rushed Quaid over to the side lawn to go "potty". Scout and Logan both wanted to go "potty" on Jimmy's lawn but had to wait until we got home.
After the kid's went to bed, Amber and I attempted to watch HBO's dvd JOHN ADAMS.

Life is good. It's Friday. God has blessed me with a great family.

Another School Year Begins....

On Tuesday, Sepetember 2, 2008, Logan, Scout, and I began another school year. Sadly, unlike my children, I am destined to have at least 20 more years of going back to school in the Fall, but Logan begins Year 2 as a FIRST grader. My little princess, Scout, is now a KINDERGARTEN student. Where has the time gone?
It's odd that this year I find myself a little less into the beginning of the school year. As I write this blog, things are getting better now that routine is beginning to set in. I'm loving the routine, but after two bouts of stomach flu and a rather busy summer, I was very drained and unprepared (mentally and spiritually) for the school year. I usually find some time to relax at Brown City Camp, but four kids and the responsibilities of speaking at four meetings made this year's camp a little less relaxing. After camp, we had a fire, which I may blog about more indepthly another time. That was probably the proverbial straw that broke this (being me) camel's back. So I find myself less certain than a year ago.
Last year, I was very gung ho to be the ultimate God-loving and God-representing teacher, and for the most part, it was probably one of my better years. This year my heart is not so much into things, but again, I blame my recovering mental, spiritual, and physical state to that.
My plan is to blog more. I don't know who will read this, but I'm realizing that blogs aren't always for the reader as much as they are for the author. If anything, it will be a place to sharpen my writing, my reflecting, and my spirit.
God, I pray for a renewed passion and the authenticity that you have been making me hungry for. I pray that every action, every lesson plan, every word, every moment will be according to Your plan and Your authority and Your divine insight. May I continue to feel in a state of starvation and utter thirst for You, so that I long for nothing better than You in this life.

amen

From July...An unfinished blog

" If I can't impact the world, I don't want to live in it." -Francis Chan

"We're always praying God change things rather than God change me."

- Francis Chan

It's a typical (and somewhat depressing) summer occurrence for me. What happens is not depressing, but the fact that I see a cyclical pattern in my life. What is this summertime event? I find that during the summer I draw closer to God. I spend a "little" more time in God's Word, listen to more sermons, read more "spiritual" reading, and in the summer, I find that my reserve tank is refilled. I feel refreshed, and find that within the chasm that has grown in the past nine to ten months betweeen me and God, I am now closer. The distance is not so far.

This is depressing to me because I want this closeness, this peace, this passion all of the time. I think it is good to have a season of refreshment, but I want to further along in my faith.

No I'm Not An Extra For a Harry Potter Movie...

Last Sunday (June 1), I attended graduation ceremonies which mark the end of my ninth year as a teacher. It has been an interesting journey this year, where I find once again that I am not ending the year quite as I began it. I began with three children and now end with four. I began very pumped and excited about ministry potentials at Colonial Woods and now I'm uncertain. I'm in the midst of a spiritual and mental low and lull right now.

This really came out of nowhere but is not totally unexpected. I feel like I've been racing down the side of a mountain in the midst of an avalanche that just won't stop. I desire so much a long summer day with no responsibilities and no worries. I've also caught myself in a very bad web of just being negative.

Sunday, I really laid on the line with God, confessing that I'm trying to do way too much without His input and help. I'm certain I'm right where the devil wants me...feeling down and defeated...but that is NOT where I'll stay.

Thoughts....

It's been a crazy couple of weeks. This Wednesday (April 2) will mark four weeks since Sawyer Finn has arrived on planet Earth. Since then, I have played Pontius Pilate, began directing JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, spoke twice about SEX AND LOVE and LUST to our church's senior high youth group, and experienced the extreme rush of shopping with FOUR CHILDREN at both Target and Super Walmart....
It's been pretty hectic, not to mention that I'm preparing to begin Romeo and Juliet with my ninth graders.
I love my ride home. First, because I'm heading HOME!! But also it is a mental re-sorting time. A time for a little spiritual workshop. And I've been burdened by the attitudes of various people in my life. This was quickly attacked today when God reminded me that many of the sins and failures I point out in others reside within me. I'm quick to celebrate that downfalls of others but spend little time examining my own heart.

Micah 6 reads...
Verse 8
He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.

May I too ACT JUSTLY, LOVE MERCY, and WALK HUMBLY.

What Life Is All About....

Wednesday, March 5, 2008---7:13 p.m., weighing in at 7 pounds 13 ounces....

SAWYER FINN MCCULLOCH arrived in this world!

What an amazing blessing to see how God planned life to begin! It was an amazing day.

Ummm....Not Yet.

February 25, 2008

This was last night at about 1 in the morning. We thought THIS WAS IT. It wasn't. We were sent to Kmart at about 3:00 a.m. to walk the store. It is now 4:45 p.m. the next day. No baby. Tired wife. Tired kids. Grumpy dad.
This is life at its finest...you gotta love it.

A Little Rob Bell Love....

My lover is mine, and I am his.
Song of Solomon 2:16

I believe that this verse from Song of Solomon was the exact verse that was on Amber and my wedding invitations. I hope I'm not falling into the fate of so many men that forget things like...wedding anniversaries and birthdates and the date of the day that you became engaged...and....and....I'm in big trouble.
Today, for a Valentines Day visual prompt in my Creative Writing class, I'm showing one of Rob Bell's Nooma videos, FLAME. It may be a little risky for public high school, but I love the visual Bell gives on different types of love: "raya", "ahava", and "dod". It is sad that LUST has become more important than love. Many of my students, even my ninth graders, are very open about caving into the pressure to have sex before marriage. I love how Bell illustrates that there are different types of love that are vital upon each other in order to have a lasting, solid relationship. Jumpin to the intense level of physical love before establishing friendship and commitment (marriage) creates a relationship that has no foundation.
Pray for my class that God will use this visual lesson to challenge their ideas and views about the fullness and wonderment that we call LOVE.

Have a wonderful Valentine's Day.

The True Self

Most of my weekend has been one that has reflecting on the TRUE SELF. Who am I? What has God created me for? I can look around and find the obvious answers...I'm a husband, a dad, a public school teacher, and it all makes sense. But within that life, where I claim to be a Christian, am I really a follower of Christ. I just watched Rob Bell's EVERYTHING IS SPIRITUAL dvd and love how he states that not just certain moments or certain aspects of our lives our "spiritual". Everything is spritual, but what is the quality of my spiritual life. Is it wasted on the "things of this world."

I thought about how I present myself, the Christian teacher, in my classroom, but I still manage to compromise the true relfection of Christ. I have myself convinced that I am the ULTIMATE, but I'm so far away from this. I am humbled by the revelations of God's spirit that I need to BE what I say I am.