My Friday...

Today has been a great day! I've gotten so much accomplished that has been on my "to-do" list... We started the day off with McDonalds breakfast, printed & finished McKenna' b-day party invitations for her "princess party", our info is blured out on purpose ;-) .... picked up my computer from the "dr" it had a virus infect it last week so we had to have it wiped clean, ran to Hobby Lobby (love it!), came home - finished canvas order #1 while the kids napped, (it's super cute, but I can't post it b/c it's a Christmas gift!) then Mckenna & I went to Michael's & ended up purchasing Christmas gifts for my kiddos teachers, purchased stuff to do canvas order #2, & some frames for canvas order #3, stopped by Target for some much needed groceries & found some items for the kids Christmas & McKenna's b-day, came home put a pizza in the oven & somehow that burned....

(I think Brian set it to pre-heat on "broil", not "bake"!).
So we ended the night at Chick-fil-a for dinner! Phew! I'm done in, it's time to call it a night!
Have a great night & a FABULOUS FALL weekend! :)

I guess you could call it a bathroom "remodel"

When we purchased our house a year ago, it was a spec house that was already finished & move in ready. So we came in and we are adding our Mills "touches" along the way.

Really, all we've done is paint, but we just went in our little power bathroom & re-modeled it a little. A coat of paint, new mirror, new wall decor & accessories, and after Christmas a new light fixture will finish it off... turned out pretty cute I think! :)

Lindsey's "not so little" business!

My sweet friend Lindsey is so incredibly talented & I had the priviledge of getting to help her at her booth at Second's Celebrations Christmas market this past weekend!

She did GREAT & I am so proud of her & her amazing talent!
Here are some pictures of us at her booth on Saturday!

Check out her blog here.

Baby gift - canvas for Elliot

"How to VOTE for President"

That was the title of this mornings message brought by our pastor, Dr. Young. I found this sermon to be very insightful and thought I would just share some of the points that he made this morning.
He spoke about the illusions in our culture. How illusions are a mirage, they keep you from seeing the TRUTH. Jesus was in the business of dissolving illusions.

Here are some "illusions" in our culture today:
1.) Christian's shouldn't be involved in politics.
- This is so far from the truth. We should be as involved as ever because we are citizens of the United States of America & we hold every right to make our vote/opinions count. Not only are we citizens of the US, but more importantly we are citizens of the Kingdom of God. As believers in Jesus Christ, we are to be "salt", "light", "fire", "water", "leven", & "keys" in this world. These were all metaphors that Jesus used in the New Testament when challenging his followers to make a difference. To be these things in our culture today, we MUST BE INVOLVED in the culture.
2.) American's believe that their vote doesn't count.
3.) That we shouldn't legislate morality.
4.) That you can be "neutral" on the issues.

*As Christians then, how should we vote:
-Habakkuk 2:1-11
Begin at the "watch tower" (Habakkuk 2:1). Get above all the media, the family/friends opinions & points of view to see the whole picture. Look at the history, their records, and their character as a human being.
-Moses as an example, in Exodus 18:18, when his father-in-law Jethro came to visit him while he was in charge of leading 2 million people through the wilderness, pointed out to Moses that the task of one man managing that many people & problems was a "task that was too heavy for him". Leaders represent the people before God. Therefore they should get their wisdom from God, taking all the problems to Him.

Exodus 18:19-21 (Jethro speaking to Moses)
"Listen now to me and I will give you some advice, and may God be with you. You must be the people's representative before God and bring their disputes to him. 20 Teach them the decrees and laws, and show them the way to live and the duties they are to perform. 21 But select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain..."

Things to look for in a candidate for President:
1.) They should have proven character.
2.) Comptence in decision-making.
3.) Courage, for without it = failure in leadership.
4.) Shame, humility.

So as Christians we need to do three things:
1.) Get on our "watch tower" (Habakkuk 2:1)
2.) PRAY & Repent.
3.) GO VOTE!

"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and

seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from

heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

II Chronicles 7:14

Trick or Treat from Sleeping Beauty & Tigger!

Click here to view more pictures...

Noah's Ark Days at Preschool!

This week at His Kids preschool we had a fun week of dressing up like animals for "Noah's Ark Day" which was held on Tuesday & Wednesday for the different classes. Since my kiddos go three days they got to participate in dressing up both days! The first day Parker didn't do so well seeing me with my class in the audience, but he did a lot better on Wednesday seeing only daddy & the 210 youth staff in the audience. :)

Carving pumpkins!

Have a safe & happy halloween! :)

Family, Faith, & Country...

I don't want to make my family & business blog about politics, however, I am a strong advocate for everyone who is registered to make their voice heard this election year! The time is now!!
I came across this video sent in an email from my friend Jill. It was put out by the Catholic church, but has a powerful message about coming together to take a stand & to SPEAK UP for what we believe in & what this country was founded upon!

Please go out & VOTE!!! May God Bless AMERICA!

Slideshow of previous 3 years of Fall!

Dewberry Farms, pumpkin patch fun!!

We started our Saturday out at the pediatrician's office for the kid's flu shots... then we were off to a farm north of Brookshire, TX called Dewberry Farms! The weather was beautiful today but it quickly warmed up while we were there. We went through their cornmaze, on a hayride to pick out a pumpkin, the kids & I rode the "corn train" while Brian laughed his head off at me (see pic's below in the album of the "train"), we played in hay & saw the animals at the petting zoo section! It was a FULL DAY!! Happy Fall!! I can't believe it's already the end of October!

Click here to view all pictures from our day at the pumpkin patch at Dewberry Farms!

Family Pictures!!!

They're in.... and Brett did a great job!!!

Despite the fact that both of my sweet children were in a HORRIBLE mood Friday morning, they turned out pretty cute!

I highly recommend Brett....
he is so talented & is just getting started in the family picture/senior picture scene!

Here is just a little sampling of the hundreds we took!

If you want to view all of the good pic's click here to view an album through Facebook!

Lindsey's blog --- check it out!!

My sweet friend, Lindsey, has started her own little "business" of creating the most amazing & personalized jewlery!!! You have GOT TO CHECK OUT HER BLOG!!!

CLICK HERE!!!

Amazing gift ideas for the holiday's that are just around the corner!

Way to go Lindz, I am SO proud of you! You are so precious & incredibly talented!

Reminiscing....

Today while "assisting" Brian while he cleaned our carpet (our fun Saturday project for this week), I was going through some old pictures from when the kiddos were younger....

It's so sad to think how fast they are growing up &

how much they've changed in just ONE YEAR! :(
I thought I would share some...

Grandpa Johnson w/ Parker last Easter

Parker at 4 months!! (Our lil' linebacker!)

Miss Sassy! :)

Parker at 8 months

The beach w/ The Mills family - last August

Parker's 1st bday party.

Our first week in Katy, Tx.

The mischevious duo!

Halloween 2007~

What a difference a year makes…

Not only have our kids grown like weeds, but our student ministry that we are so blessed to be a part of here at Second Baptist has as well. It has been such a fun journey and I can’t believe it was ONLY one year ago that we all moved here to see what God has in store for 210 student ministries. Our youth staff is AMAZING & we wouldn’t change a thing about our move here to Katy, TX. EXCEPT OF COURSE TO BE CLOSER TO OUR FAMILY BACK IN ARKANSAS. But God is good and He has blessed us with great friends & an amazing church to be a part of.

Happy Birthday Mimi! (a day late...)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WE LOVE YOU MIMI!!!! :)

Hope you had a great day, even if you did have to work...

We all miss you

and

we can't wait to see you at Thanksgiving!!!!

Friday night football - Katy vs. Morton Ranch

Last night, we took the kids to the Katy vs. Morton Ranch high school game & it was PACKED out... There was so much energy & it was a great game to watch,

as Morton Ranch was coming into the game undefeated & then Katy, is just Katy...

We have lots of students in our student ministry that attend both schools and God has given us INCREDIBLE favor with both football teams on each campus so we were cheering for both!

~

McKenna informed us as we were getting ready for the game that she was going to be a cheerleader for the game & needed to wear her "Razorhog" (that's what she calls the Razorbacks) uniform, there was no changing this 3 1/2 year olds mind... so she wore her Arkansas cheerleading uniform to the game! :)

The kids had a blast & the weather was AMAZING!!

It actually felt like a cool FALL evening here in South Texas!

Conversations...

Brian took Parker with him today to the Verizon Wireless store to have some things worked out with his phone. While they were there they lady gave Parker a phone just like Brian's new one... but it's not real, it's one of the model phones they use for display purposes in their store. Brian asked for one for McKenna too.... so when McKenna & I got home from shopping this afternoon, she had a "smart phone" too! We've created a monster... ;-)

This is what I walked into tonight to find occuring on the couch after their baths...

they are both in "serious conversations" with people--

McKenna with her friend "Morgan" & Parker with "Deacon"....

(the second picture looks like Parker is texting already!! )

Baby Caroline~

This is a 20x24 canvas that I finished for a nursery baby girl.

The bedding is the Sophia bedding from Pottery Barn Kids.

Happy Birthday Gigi (my mom)!!

Today is my mom's birthday!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!

I hope you've had a great day!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GIGI!!!!!!!!

~

We appreciate all you do for us & your CONSTANT love & support for us,

our family, & our ministry!
We Love You!
Brian, Jen, McKenna Grace & Parker

WE LOVE YOU & MISS YOU TONS...
See ya soon! :o)

My first "sewing" project - COMPLETE!

I finished this jumper for McKenna this weekend. I've been wanting to start making dresses & "boutique" style outfits for McKenna and I started last week at a get together with some girlfriends who also sew to start learning... I figured out some things on my own this weekend and tada! Her first dress made my Mom! ;-)

I'm taking it this week to have either her initials or just a curly/cursive "M" embroidered on the front center of it.

Our "new car".... ;-)

Yeah - right!!!!

A sweet couple in our church called us on Thursday evening and wanted to stop by our house for a minute.... they came by and he dropped off the keys to his BMW convertable for us to keep to take joy rides in and go on a date FOR THE WEEKEND!!! Just because...

The kids LOVE going for rides in it...but I feel SO unsafe in it - so we've just taken the "back roads" whenever we've taken it out. Last night the weather was PERFECT and we went for a ride.

Parker calls it "his car"--- keep on dreamin' buddy! :)

What a fun blessing it was to get to make some memories together as a family in this car!

Hope you've had a great weekend! :-)

A day at Round Top/Warrenton!

Today I spent the day with my sweet friend Lindsey as we made our way through miles of vendors in Warrenton,Tx at the RoundTop antique "phenomena" here in Texas! I had heard about RoundTop before but never had the opportunity to go... so Lindsey and I headed out this morning with McKenna & her son, Caden, in tow.
The kids did GREAT, they had a blast hanging out all day, eating all the fun foods there are to buy at these shows, and they got to be pulled around in Mckenna's little red wagon all day! :)
Lindsey and I found some fun things too that we came home with! My favorite being my new necklace with my initial on it encased in glass with an animal print background & it's reversable! (I'll have to post a pic later because I think it's SOOOO cute!)
THERE WERE SO MANY CUTE THINGS--- from stuff to decorate my house with, to jewlery, to clothes, & unique things for the kids!!! So fun & the weather was gorgeous today!

I am already saving up $$$ for next year! ;-)

Fall Riot

What an amazing event the Fall Riot was!!! If you were not a part of it... you missed out!! God is SUCH A HUGE GOD & He is Faithful!
To all of our students who brought a friend.... the MAJORITY of you were able to witness that friend go forward last night as part of the 220+ students who gave their hearts & lives to JESUS CHRIST!!! What an amazing story to know that you were the link from them to their SAVIOR!! Wow....
I just am amazed at how excited our students were for getting out there in their schools, inviting their friends, fellow players, cheerleaders, dance team members, etc. to this event!
I heard several stories today from two of my co-workers at the preschool I teach at whose own teenagers came and brought friends, one girl brought her neighbor & her boyfriend - who BOTH gave their lives to Christ!!! The other J-high student of my other co-worker brought 10 of his friends with him to the event!!!
Their were over 1500 people in attendance and our 210 staff & volunteers made this event a HUGE success! God's hand is definitely on 210 students & this ministry, and my prayer is that it CONTINUES!!! This is just the beginning....stories are POURING in at the 210 office.

Check out Brian's blog, Michael's blog, & the 210 parent blog for more pictures & stories of CHANGED LIVES from Fall Riot 2008!

How much more exciting can it get?!?!

Highlight video from FALL RIOT 2008!!!!

October 1st at 210 Student Ministries.....

Next Wednesday night, October 1st is 210 Student Ministries FALL RIOT night!!! It's going to be an amazing outreach to teenagers all across the Katy community, so if you know a teenager, whether they go to church or not....invite them to attend the FALL RIOT! There will be a passing competition between all the area QB's (both high school & j-high!), a cheer off between squads, a weigh off between the linemen & FREE FOOD!!! Doors open at 6:30!!

What more could a teenager ask for!?!?!

So spread the word in Katy! It's going to be one exciting night, October 1st at Second Baptist - West Campus!!!

If you're reading this and you live in the Katy area.... please spread the word, or put a link on your blog, etc.... :o)

"HangUp" jobs I've done...

Here is a link to an album of misc. photos of canvases, corkboards, stools, & frames that I've done. I've had several requests of pictures of previous jobs I've done.

Click here to view the album.
(Just click on one photo to enlarge it and you can look through the rest.)

Canvas for Mrs. Roberts

This is a canvas I finished back before the hurricane hit.... I just now am getting it uploaded to my blog! I did this for a teacher for her classroom door.

Thanks Jennie!

A wonderful 6 years!!!

Tomorrow, September 21st, will mark Brian & I's six year wedding anniversary! I can not believe how fast these past 6 years have gone. So much has happened in our lives since that fall day in Springdale, AR in 2002 when we were only 21 & 23 years old!! Talk about a story that was written by the Lord... that would be our story! For those of you who know us, know the "drama" that went along with our story that led up to us finally becoming a couple!

But God is so good and His timing is always perfect!
Over the past six years, we've lived in 3 different states, had two beautiful children, served at four churches, and been through lots of up's and some downs along our journey together.

And what an amazing journey it has been! Don't laugh at how much we've changed over the past 6 years! And just to show you how much technology has changed in the past 6 years... we don't have any digital copies of our engagement or wedding pictures.... (so bear with me, I took these pictures out of our wedding album to have some "digital" proof of our special day!

So, I'm sorry that they are dark and kinda blurry!)

Enjoy the pictures!

Our Engagement Picture - Summer of 2002 ^

Getting ready. ^

Our Ceremony! ^

Right after the ceremony. ^

Our rings & program. ^

Mr & Mrs Brian Lee Mills!!! ^

The cake! ^

We're off to the Bahamas.... ^

Brian, Happy Anniversary!

I love you so much and I am so proud to be your wife! I am so blessed to walk through this journey of life with you!!! You're an amazing husband and father and I can't wait to love you, honor you, & walk beside you for many more years to come!

Love always,

Jennifer

Back at it again...

Friends, please be praying again for sweet Kenzie.... she was re-admitted back into this hospital this morning after waking up to some bleeding this morning. Faith Clare seems to be doing fine and has a strong heartbeat and is still very active.

Pray for Dusty, Kenzie and sweet little Deacon...as he is having to deal with his Mommy being gone once again. Luckily her mom and dad are here now to help out! So Deacon will be a little bit distracted for the next few days at least, with all the attention from his Mimi & Papa here! :)

"The truth about Teenage Girls" by Time magazine

Brian found an article put out by TIME magazine "The truth about Teenage Girls". It's pretty eye opening! Lord help us as we try to raise McKenna to live a life that is passionate about her God and not in her sexcrazed culture!!

Click here to read the article.

Flag football night!

Katy ISD has canceled school for the entire week now due to power outages that are still being worked on in our area due to the hurricane. Everyone is stir crazy so this evening the kids and I loaded up their bikes and went with Brian to one of the Junior High's in town.

He was meeting Michael and a group of our j-high students to play some football since it's been in the upper 70's this week - the weather is PERFECT for being outside! The kids played for hours and rode their bikes around the parking lot. Then we headed to our favorite hot spot Chick-fil-a & then came home, gave the kids a bath, and now they've both crashed! What a fun family night of cheering Daddy on at his football game & enjoying this amazing weather here in Katy!

My little M.V.P.! :) (He wanted to play with the Big Boys so bad!)

Brian before his pitch to Michael for the touchdown.

Parker = Football

McKenna = playing with the cones ;-)

Their group shot!