Final Moments in Ashland

For my last post on our Ashland trip, here are some pictures of when we were just chillin' in our apartments. 

Dad gave Melanie and me plenty of breaks and watch these two kiddos for us.  Anthony loved pushing James around in the stroller.

Anthony and James played chase and laughed and laughed!

They had so much fun together :)

Sweet baby Lucas

Gotta give that baby a kiss!

Going in for another kiss!

Having fun with Aunt Mandy

Dad trying to work some energy out of busy James :)

haha... my silly husband

We had such a good time and will treasure the memories!

Ashland, Ohio (part 4)

I am almost through posting my Ohio pictures.  But this post is the most important of all!  It is the whole reason we went to Ashland.  We had the honor of watching my dad graduate from Ashland Theological Seminary where he was hooded as a Doctor of Ministry in Formational Counseling.  

Formational Counseling combines Biblical and clinical counseling, spiritual direction, and formational (or healing) prayer.  My dad had to write a dissertation where he focused on the development of a healing prayer model teaching an individual to attune to the Holy Spirit's truth in the present moment to overcome lie-based thinking.  Wow!  I was thoroughly impressed!  So were his examiners!  

Dad, I am so proud of you and all your accomplishments.  I have seen you work so hard to get where you are right now.   It's so neat to see the paths God takes you on to get you where HE wants you!  I am looking forward to see what God has in store for you next!  LOVE YOU!

The program.  My dad is William M. Bellican, second from the top!

Almost there...!

Dad being hooded.

It is finished!!!  What a great feeling!

Both James and cousin Anthony wanted to sit in Meme's lap during the two hour ceremony.

James loves Anthony and would just stare at him :)

A hug from Michelle :)

Cute married couple!  Can't believe a year has already gone by!

A hug from Melanie and Anthony :)

Proud Papa with James

Family picture with Dad.  Love the hat!

(you can tell that James is losing it!... need that nap!)

Ahh... at last.  The car ride to the restaurant!  Both James and little Lucas fell asleep quickly.

Ashland, Ohio (part 3)

Another one of our adventures in Ohio was going to an Amish Farm.  We learned a lot of interesting facts about how the Amish lived, cooked, farmed, went to school, went to church, and took care of the animals.  Here are a few pictures of the beautiful scenery.

This is the school house where multiple grades would gather in one classroom to learn.

Justin, James, and I chose to sit in the back row.

(Justin was a math whiz while the "teacher" was calling out flash cards to us!...He knew every answer!)

We all got to go on a horse and buggy ride through the farms.

Here is my sister's sweet family.

Melanie and Anthony are in the back.

Mario with new little Lucas are in the front.

Me and my dad in the back of our buggy :)

Justin held James in the front.  James LOVED the ride.

He even rode again with Meme!

James gives cousin Anthony a sweet hug!

Headed to the restaurant.... I think James is a little young still to be driving!

Cutie

The whole family relaxes in front of the amish restaurant.

Haha... thought the look on James' face was pretty funny.

He was pretty tired if you can't tell.

Good ole country mashed potatoes will get your energy going again!

To be continued.....

Ashland, Ohio (part 2)

One of the days we were in Ashland, we decided to take James to the park.

Here are some cute pictures of our day:

Justin helps James climb up the slide.

(Actually, James climbs up all by himself, but daddy is there "just in case")

James loved playing with Meme through the clear plastic parts of the playground.

Happy boy

James loved going back and forth through the long, colorful tube bridge.

Isn't this face hilarious??

Hahahaha...this one too!

(I love how his little hand is squeezing out with his face :)

Playing with Josh and Meme on the .....what do you call those things?

Daddy is so much fun to swing with!

Hi Mommy!

Ha.... Josh and Justin decided to swing too.

They got really high and were having lots of fun.....

They even jumped off at amazing heights....until....

well...I guess we missed seeing this sign when we walked into the park.

Josh and Justin are obviously a little older than 5, so they got in trouble by this big man talking to my parents.  Is he tattling on us??

Cute picture of Mom and Dad

Park family picture :)

More to come......