Ray C.'s Ordination

Ray C.'s picture made it into the United Methodist publication. So, they sent it to me! I was so thankful! This is such an amazing picture to me! The Bishop is on the right in the white robe. Then, you also see 2 of the pastors (Godfrey Hubert and Ken Wurline) laying their hands on him. Our D.S., Jack Shelton and I were also standing back there with our hands on him. It was a very emotional evening as we celebrated what God has called us to so long ago. Truly, the only thing that could have made it better was if Ray C.'s mentor and our good friend, Dale Locke, had been there! I wish I had asked him to come out and paid his way! It would have been so worth it!

Happy Father's Day

I had to post this! Mary Frances decided that daddy should be King Daddy for Father's Day. So, she made him a special crown and held his "robe" as he walked around!
King Daddy and his princess!

Only at My House...

I thought this was supposed to be underwear, not overhead wear!

American Girls

My summer intern, Jordan, gave Mary Frances EIGHT American Girl dolls that belonged to her and her sisters. We were so excited to go through all of the clothes and dolls. We decided to keep the original girls and give away the duplicates or special occasion girls.

Jessie got Mary Frances started on the American Girls last year by giving her Molly, Jessie's doll from when she was little. It is important to Jessie that Mary Frances keeps her in original clothes and learns about the history behind her.

So, that is how we came to our decision to only keep the originals. Mary Frances and I agreed that she did not need all of the dolls. So, she is giving away the 4 she did not keep. Then, we will have an American Girl party with our friends who have them and learn more about each of the dolls and how to care for them
Look at all of those dolls! We forgot to get the Molly that Mary Frances already had for the picture! Oh well!

Beautiful People

T-Ball

The Fireballs and Astros had another great season of Tball! Of course, Chase's team (the fireballs) is doing good if they run to 1st instead of 3rd from home!
Thomas' team got to play with outs for the first time. It was so exciting to see them get someone out!
Chase!
GOOOOOO FIREBALLS!!!
We are so thankful Grandaddy got to come to the last game!
He made it!
Good catch Chase!


Love that smile with no front teeth!

The Drive-In?

We went to the drive-in on Friday night to see "Up". It was so much fun! We took lots of blankets and pillows and laid in the back of the van and on the ground! They even had playground for the kids.

It was a blast, but the kids were so confused before we went. They really did not understand the concept of an outdoor movie theater. They called it everything but a drive-in.

"We're going to the drive-thru tonight."

"Let's hurry. It's time to go to the drive-up."

"Mommy, when are we leaving for the drive-out?"

I always try to put myself in their shoes to imagine what their minds must be thinking when they really have no idea what we are talking about even though we are explaining it!

Random Pictures

Daddy came to visit for the weekend a few weeks ago, and we kept him busy! It was so much fun to watch him with the kids. This is Chase fishing with him.
The moon looks so small from here!
New puppy, Curly! He looks so much better after his haircut! Now if we could just stop him from running away 3 times a day!
This picture cracks me up. It's a plastic skull from a costume shop that Ray C. keeps in his office to remind him that's what he will be one day! :) It's from a sermon! By the way, the body belongs to Chase!

Pet Parade

Thomas decided last night that he wanted to organize a pet parade for the neighborhood. So, he made invitations inviting our neighbors at 7:00 tonight.

He told everyone what order they would walk in. He asked mommy to be the photographer, and daddy took care of the parade music - complete with marching band music and "Who Let the Dogs Out?".
Jaryn walked Raven.
Triston walked Skunkie.
Ginger had to walk Milley because she was scared!
Thomas wanted everyone to walk in a specific order. I wonder where he gets that?
Parading around the cul-de-sac!
Since the other two each had dogs, Chase was in charge of lemonade and cookies and took his job very seriously!
Daddy actually walked Sugar, but Thomas wanted to be sure to have a picture with her!
Payton walked Isabella.
Nikki walked Sugar's boyfriend, Major, until he broke her in-line skates.
Mary Frances walked Curly!
And, Kylie walked Princess, but I think this is Skunkie again!

We were so proud of all of Thomas' hard work. He lined the street with signs that he created on powerpoint. Mary Frances helped him color them all!

Mother's Day Tea Parties

The week of Mother's Day was full of Mother's Day tea parties for me! It was so much fun! I love going to the parties because the kids answer questions about me - like I'm 25, and the thing I say all the time is "I love you". It actually makes me really nervous to see what they answer to the question "What Does your mom say all the time?" I'm always afraid they are going to say "Not right now" or "You're driving me nuts!!"! Thankfully, they usually say the sweet things that I want to stick with them!!

The Long Road to Ordination

Ray C. started the Ordination process with the United Methodist Church about 8 years ago - no lie! Last week, we finally finished it! I say "we" because I feel like I should have been ordained too after everything I've gone through with him, right? Not really, but it has been a long journey!

He was licensed as a local pastor in 2005. Then, he was commissioned as a Probationary Elder in 2007. So, last week, he was finally ordained as an Elder in full connection. It doesn't look any different to anyone, but it certainly feels different.

It was so nice to have friends, family, and members of our church supporting us at the Ordination on Tuesday. I was excited for them that they were able to hear the Bishop preach and able to be a part of the Methodist community. They got some insight into what it is all about. It amazes me that people are part of something for so long and still have no idea what it is really about, but the reality is that the majority of people know nothing more about their church than what they see on Sundays.

Admittedly, it is not really exciting to sit through annual conference and listen to everything they discuss. However, it is interesting to learn how the whole system works and how each congregation and their pastors are connected to one another.

I do not pretend to know much about it, but I would love for people to understand more about their churches and how it all fits together. For instance, in the United Methodist Church, pastors are not interviewed and then just hired because the church likes them - they are appointed. Most people know this, but that is as much as they know.

This is getting to be kind of boring - if you are interested in learning more about the UM Church, visit http://www.umc.org/site/c.lwL4KnN1LtH/b.2242545/k.37A3/Pastoral_Appointments_Overview.htm.

This is a great overview of how it all works!