Holiday Pictures & videos from The Mills children...

I'm taking a break to post this in between loads of laundry, packing up our Christmas decor, and unpacking TONS of clothes & toys from Christmas in Arkansas & McKenna's 4th birthday!

Here are some videos from our week in Hot Springs! What a divine Christmas we had this year! We are SO blessed! :)

Click here for Christmas morning pictures!

Click here for the annual Christmas Eve Mills family pictures!

"Jingle Bells" from Ty, Haley, McKenna & Parker Mills:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRLwLmSwJw8

Santa Clause called us on Christmas Eve!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygS6si1mUmc

McKenna's Happy Birthday Song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXtVa85VVD0

McKenna is now a 4 year old!

Where has the time gone?!?! It seems like just yesterday that Brian & I brought home our new beautiful bundle of joy in 20 degree weather on Christmas Eve, 2004! Now she is a fun-loving, sweet, hilarious, shy at times, smart, precious, tenderhearted, gorgeous four year old.

Brian & I are so blessed by you McKenna! You light up our lives! We love you baby girl!

Click here to view some pictures from her family birthday party.

My birthday girl - party #1!

Last night we celebrated McKenna Grace's 4th birthday at Westwood Gymnastics. The kids all had a blast as they tumbled around & wore themselves out! This was her "friends" party...next Saturday is her "family" party...then Christmas!! Tis the season! ;)

Here are some pic's from last night!

Our visit to see SANTA!!

Since yesterday was Brian's day away from the office we decided that we were finally going to make the big "visit"!! We finally made room in our crazy holiday schedule to take the kids down to see SANTA CLAUSE! And boy were they excited!
Parker started to kinda freak out once we got there, but once he actual saw him with the other children before us, he warmed up to the idea & both the kids did great! They smiled & they even each told him what they wanted for Christmas!
While we were waiting in line, I was reminded of the simplicity of JOY that we should all have this holiday season as I watched a small class of special needs children who were visiting Santa before us in line. The absolute joy & excitement that they each portrayed while getting their picture made with Santa was such a treat to witness! They were precious! Hoping your holiday season is filled with JOY!

Here are some pictures of us waiting in line:

Telling Santa what they wanted for Christmas! So CUTE!

Congratulations Leslie & John!!

Okay... so tonight I received a call from my amazing college roomate Leslie!!
SHE IS ENGAGED!!!! AH!!!!!! I am so excited for her & her precious fiance John!
Leslie is one of the most amazing, and genuine people I have ever met! We met when we pledge Tri Chi at OBU our freshman year. She was a transfer student from Baylor & we hit it off right from the start & lived together until I got married! We will be best friends until we're old! It doesn't matter how much time has passed between us seeing eachother, we can just pick right back up where we left off!

Talk about someone who just "gets you"...that is her. We always knew what eachother were thinking, we could finish eachother's sentences, we've been through MANY great times and she has been there for me through many down times too. I am so incredibly excited for her & this new godly man who has swept her off her feet! I have been praying for Leslie & her future spouse since I got married & left OBU.... I knew she was so extremely amazing & needed someone SO deserving of her! And John is one LUCKY guy! WHAT A BLESSING!!

Leslie, my heart is THRILLED for you as you begin this new chapter in your life with John! I can't wait to see just what else the Lord has in store for you both in your new life together! :)

I love ya so much & cherish you and our friendship. MERRY Christmas TO YOU!

Love ya, Jen

210 Student Ministry Christmas Party!

Okay, so to be honest, my blog has definitely fallen to the bottom of the priority list these past few weeks! Things have been SO busy with teaching preschool three days a week, keeping up my home, painting canvases for Christmas orders, & attending three Christmas parties over the past 3 days, one of which I hosted here at our house for our 210 Student Ministry Staff! What a whirlwind! Last night all of our 210 Staff & their spouses/"significant others" came to our house for some yummy Italian food & great desserts! We played a game to see which couple knew the most about each other and that was a great time of laughing & learning more about the families that we are doing life & ministry with day by day! Our staff is such a blessing & Brian & I talk all the time about what a unique & amazing team God has put together here at the West Campus of Second Baptist Church! WE ARE BLESSED! :) Here is the 210 Staff Christmas card that we are sending out the whole student ministry...

"From our 210 Family to Yours! Merry Christmas!"

Christmas "tour"...

As I've said in a previous post, I absolutely LOVE this time of year.
Last night we finally finished the some final touches on our house, both inside & out...
Here's a little sneak peek "tour" of The Mills residence in December!
Merry CHRISTmas!

View of the outside (Good job Brian & Jeremiah on the lights!)

Parker with his "buddy" Frosty!

"Welcome to our home!" ~ Our sign on the door says "Happy Birthday Jesus!"

Come on in...

Our tree in the dining room front window!

View of the mantle

Santa pictures of the kids from 2005, 2006, 2007!

"Thanks for stopping by...Merry Christmas!!"~McKenna