Father's Day in Memphis

On the evening of Father's Day, we were back in Memphis, and we had my family over to our house to celebrate some more!  

Well, if any daughter took exactly after her father, it's ME!!!

I definitely resemble my dad in looks.

We both move at an extremely slow pace!  Haha.

(some of you know all too well)

We drive slow

We walk slow

We think slow

We talk slow

We are also both pretty corny at times :)

BUT...

I also picked up a good many traits from my dad that I sure do appreciate.

He has always been a godly example that I have tried hard to imitate.

My dad is one of the most patient men you will ever meet.

My dad always thinks the best of everyone.

My dad knows how to love unconditionally.

My dad is not afraid to show emotion.

My dad always told his daughters how much he loved them and how much he was (and is) proud of them.

My dad turns to the Lord first in all situations.

My dad taught me how to pray and modeled prayer on a daily basis.

I want to be that kind of parent to my children.

Thanks Dad for all that you taught me.

I LOVE YOU!

Papa with James.

James loves his Papa and gives hugs, and stares, and leans toward him all the time!

"ooohh, you are going to let me play with your phone??"

Meme playing with James!

Grandad and Billie came to join in the fun.

I realize that I am getting more detailed in my blogging recently and consequently did not tribute my mom and mother-in-law on Mother's Day like I did my dad, father-in-law, and Justin.  

No worries!  Birthdays and other holidays are just as good as any time! 

Father's Day in Nashville

Justin, James, and I were in Nashville on Father's Day weekend.  We went to church and then spent some good family time with Nonie and Pops.  Below are some pictures from that weekend.

But first, I just have to say that Justin is such an incredible father.  He loves spending time with James.  He is so hands on and always willing to help me out with him.  He has changed a million diapers (some pretty bad ones at that), helped me through some late nights and early mornings, is learning how to lovingly discpline, and puts James to bed just about every night (puts pjs on, reads several stories, bottle, and prayer).  One of my favorite things to do is just watch Justin play with James.  They play so hard and the room just fills with giggles.  God sure did know what I needed in a husband... a husband that was this kind of father to my children. :)

Thanks to Justin's dad, Pops, too.  Justin sure did have a great example of a dad to look up to and learn from.  I am sure that so many things that I love about Justin, he learned from you, Pops.

Father and son

Love this silly face

One of my favorite pictures ever!!!

Pops, Justin, and James

Pops with James :)

Great pic!

Sweet family picture

James eating fresh peas from the garden

Being silly with Nonie

Hanging out in the yard

James plays with Kramer

More Father's Day in Memphis to come......

Redbirds Game in June

Well, here I go again with more events from June.  Sorry I am so behind!  I am determined to catch up over the next couple of weeks.  

Justin, James, and I went to a Redbirds game with some great friends from church.  We had such a good time..... it was just SO HOT!

Poor James.  You can see how red his face got just from the 3pm heat.

Haha... we wanted to put sunscreen on James' head, but it just made a greasy mess in his hair.  So what does anybody do in that situation???  MOHAWK!!! 

Our good friends:  the Coplins and Vitullos :)

Both couples are pregnant!!!  Can't wait to meet those babies!

14 Months!

I still have several events from June to post, but I am taking a quick break to celebrate another month in James life :)

I am not sure when you stop saying how old your child is in "months" and just start saying, "He's ____ years old".  But right now, my sweet baby is 14 months!

14 months and hopefully we have hit 20 lbs.

This is our first month to NOT go to the doctor for a weigh in!!  woohooo!

I love how he is crossing his legs in this picture :)

Goofy

Here is James being hilarious.  He thinks he is pretty funny.

(notice the different shirt... this is what I had him in at first to take his 14 month picture, then I looked back at his 13 mo pose, and this is the exact outfit he was wearing then! oops.... guess mommy really likes this shirt.  So in the above pictures we have a different shirt on)

Haha.. you can see teeth, tonsils, gums... just about everything in his mouth.  James is finally getting another tooth on top.  This one is #5.

James LOVES watching daddy cut the yard.  He watches out the window the entire time.  Notice Kramer likes watching too.  They are such good buddies.  James has been hugging Kramer around the neck soooo tightly.  It's the sweetest thing.

I love this pic bc James is on his tip toes :)

He still loves reading and loves his little blue chair.

James in the big red chair at Starbucks

Some other 14 month things: 

*He is trying to drop his first nap and transitioning to one afternoon nap

*He is still in his rear facing infant seat (poor thing)... waiting one more month for weigh in

*He is finally signing the word "please"

*He is walking much more comfortably and trying to "run" occasionally :)

Below is a video of James playing with his 2 yr old cousin Anthony.  If you haven't seen James walking, here is some good footage.  (he is still walking like frankenstein here! ha)

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.....