Everything is Different

I am so blessed by this song....
http://listen.grooveshark.com/#/search/song?q=shane%20and%20shane%20everything%20is%20different
Please listen to if if you have a chance!  Actually the whole album is awesome:)
Here are the lyrics:

Everything is Different by Shane and Shane

Who am I to know Your glory?

Who am I to recognize your voice calling out?
How could I be in Your story?
God who was and is and is to come who is One?

I was dead in my sin
You came in
yeah

You made a way when there was no way
You covered heaviness with garments of praise
You wrote a song and You're singing it over me
I feel a dead heart beating now
This revelation makes me wanta shout (HEY!)
that Jesus has been sent
and everything is different.

You turn ashes into beauty
You are for me, not against me now
You found me somehow
You turn mourning into dancing
You turn weeping into a joyful noise
Oh rejoice!

What matter of love that You would call us sons and daughters?
We cry "Abba! Father!"
Alleluia Alleluia Alleluia
I will never be the same.

Happy Birthday Jesus!

Just in case....

Just in case you forgot how cute our little peanut is, here's some recent pictures. She is amazing us every day with her little personality:) From pretending to talk on the phone, to playing fetch with the dog, to walking around with a 'baby' on her back, she is growing up! We love you, sweet thing!

One of my Favourite things....

One of my favourite things is when my kids love each other....and show their love for each other! Not all days are like this, let me assure you. But the other morning when the kids got up, there were two long paper tubes on the couch leftover from the gift wrapping we had done the night before. (In case you didn't know, paper tubes are a high commodity at our house!). Noelle said something like, "Elliott, I am going to let you have the biggest one, because you are always so nice....and sometimes I just want to keep the best one for myself, but I want you to have it because you are so nice" (or something to that effect). What a great way to start the day! It might seem like a small thing, but things go so much better around here when everyone's hearts are focused on others rather than on themselves:)

The Best Christmas Gift

Elliott said to me this morning: "Mom...do you want me to whisper to you what I'm going to give Jesus for his birthday?" and then he said in a hushed voice
"My heart and my love!"
That is the best gift you can give Him, my sweet boy!

Some of our Christmas Traditions

Last year I made this Jesse Tree out of felt.  I found a package at the local thrift store, one of my favourite places to shop, and it had all the felt needed and all the paper printed with the shapes to cut out.  It was a labour of love for sure, but well worth all of the time spent.  Every day of Advent you read one Bible story leading up to the birth of Jesus, and for each day there is a symbol to put on the tree.  If you are interested in doing something like this, check out http://www.aholyexperience.com/2010/11/free-jesse-tree-advent-devotional-book/.  It really feels like it puts are focus on the real meaning of Christmas, and the kids really look forward to it!

Today we also did our annual cookie baking for our neighbours, and went on a 'cookie walk' delivering and visiting with our neighbours.  It is such a fun way to do something for others, and chat with our neighbours since we don't see each other as much when it is cold.

What are some of your Christmas traditions? 

Blessings to you

May "the Peace of God which transcends ALL UNDERSTANDING guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Phillipians 4:7), during this Christmas season and throughout the year. Thanks for journeying with us! love the Mills' family

Heartland Christmas Party

Elliott playing "jingle bells" in the talent show

Noelle dancing in the talent show

Malia and Grandpa N

Noelle drawing in the Christmas relay

Elliott racing in the Christmas relay

 We are extremely blessed to be a part of a wonderful group of homeschooling families called Heartland Homeschool Co-op.  We meet once a week to worship, learn, play, sing, dance....and fellowship together!  This last week we had a Christmas party, which included singing, hearing the Christmas Story, a Talent Show, awesome crafts, games, and a wonderul lunch!  We are so thankful that Grandma and Grandpa M and Grandpa N were able to join us.  It was a wonderul day!

puppy love

Noelle and her new pal:)  She is just loving having Maddy for a pet!

'Queen Maddy'

LOTS of belly scratchin'

Two peas in a pod

Maddy is getting so much love, she is just plain worn out!

lately...

Elliott and Noelle loved playing in the snow!

Malia doing her silly face

Our new pet Maddy!

Elliott, always helping in the kitchen.  The other day I told him I thought maybe he would be a chef because he is always coming to help me in the kitchen.  His response "I just like being with you, Mom":)  Melted my heart!

Our little princess

I know I haven't been posting as much lately...just seems to be so busy around here!  I'll do my best to keep my blog updated:)

check us out

I know I haven't been posting as much here lately....if you want to see what we're up to, check out http://www.enjoyingourinheritance.blogspot.com/ :)  I can't seem to keep up with two blogs!

Dentists and Treats

Sweet Noelle, LOVED the dentist! 

Elliott's first time to the dentist, and he did AWESOME!

Our little princess

Our Big Princess!  Playing games at a family fun night put on by one of the churches in town:)

 Little Malia wearing a costume that was passed down from my niece who is now 10 years old, then to Noelle, and then even Elliott wore it!...it's definitely been well loved...

Elliott's favourite costume...unfortunately the legs are about 6 inches too short!  They had tons of fun at the party, and got lots of candy!  I guess we might have to go back to the dentist....