Its been an exciting month...

From finals, to my family coming for a visit, graduation, the introduction of the parents and a VERY quick trip to Alabama to see baby Asher christened - it has certainly been a very busy month. It is scary how quickly everything is drawing to a close. I only have 8 working days left - which, as Stephanie pointed out, means I will have to change the title of my blog. Maybe I'll change it to, "The travels of a former bartending seminarian turned social justice missionary." Too much?

Graduation was wonderful. As odd as it sounds, it felt a bit like getting married (or what I would suppose that would feel like). There was family in from out of town, people had been talking about it for weeks, I got my hair done especially for the occassion (I actually wore it straight!!) and that actual ceremony, I got to march in to a special song, everyone stood, and it felt like all eyes were on me. Before the actual graduation ceremony, all the graduates were lined up in the "holding room," all in our disjointed lines, waiting for the minutes to pass so we could grab our fake diploma, smile, and sit down again. We were fussing over each others tassles and hoods when someone tugged on my very superhero like sleeve of my gown, "I think that man is trying to get your attention." Sure enough, I turn around, and there is my father, dancing a little gig in the window, trying to get my attention, my mom beside him with the camera, trying to take pictures through the glass. We laughed and waved, my mom went back to her seat and the graduates to our conversations. Lance was asking about my future plans, and as I was trying to tell him, out of the corner of my eye, I saw him again...this time, my dad was trying to pretend like he was going down a flight of stairs, only the wall on the window wasn't quite high enough. Silly dad.





<--the folks and I








Graduation itself seemed to fly by for me, though I know it probably drug on for my family and friends. After graduation, my family, Kris and his parents all went out to dinner together. Another exciting thing about the weekend was it was the first meeting of the parents! I have spent a lot of time with Kris' parents, and Kris met my family in bulk back in Feburary. This though, was the first time the two sets would meet one another. The meeting could not have gone better. Our dads got along well, telling their corny jokes and stories, while our moms kept the details of their stories straight and took countless pictures. It was fun to have everyone there, celebrating and enjoying getting to know one another.





<---Kris and his parents








Last weekend, I made certain I had a little time off from work, and Saturday after work, I loaded up in my trusty little Camry and hauled it down to Alabama. Sweet Baby Asher was being Christened this weekend, and there was no way I was going to miss this special day! Especially knowing that I am going to be missing so much in the next year and a half! Even though I didn't have NEARLY enough time there, getting to visit with Stephanie and Brian, Laura and Nick, Jade, Mikkee, Carrie and all the family, was great. Asher is the most content, precious baby in the world (no kidding!) I only wish I could have stayed longer.










<--- Yay!!




Now I am back in KENtucky, enjoying the heat and lazy afternoons. I am currently reading Marley and Me - a pure for-fun book about a family and the world's best worst dog. (There are parts that literally have me laughing out loud - if you are looking for something light and humourous, and you love dogs, this your book!) In just a little over a week, I will no longer be a Tony Roma's Ranger - next Saturday is my last day. If you are in town, come on in Saturday night and watch the finanle show as I "light things up" on my way out. *wink*





<----That's my street