One last test.

Tomorrow morning, we will take Bri to the hospital for her last set of tests. This has been a long road, and we are so glad things are coming to an end! Hopefully, the tests results will let us know if the surgery was successful. She will have to be put under anesthesia once again. I know this is done all day, everyday but, I hate this part of it.

We will not find out the results until Dec. 1 when we meet with her doctor.

Please pray with us for strength and understanding for Aubri, a smooth procedure, and good results, but ultimately for God's perfect will to be done and for us to be graciously accepting of it.

10,000 Reasons

This morning in church we sang the beautiful song "10,000 reasons" by Matt Redman
(Click here to hear it on youtube).
The first verse says,

"The sun comes up, it's a new day dawning
It's time to sing Your song again.
Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me
Let me be singing when the evening comes.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, O my soul, worship His holy name.
Sing like never before, O my soul, I'll worship Your holy name."

The Lord used this song to encourage my heart to not dread and fear the week set before us, but to embrace His new mercies each morning and continue singing His song. "Whatever may pass, whatever lies before me let me be singing when the evening comes."

Lord, help us to proclaim Your holy name with each moment of our days.

Update from Bri's surgery.

Last Friday was a LONG day, but Bri's doctor told us the surgery went well. She was pretty emotional coming out of the anesthesia but it was nothing Simba and Nala couldn't take care of. Ha!

She has had some pain when she goes tinkle, which has caused a small digression with potty training. She has also had a little low grade fever that sneaks up in the evenings. We have more testing in 4 weeks and meet with her doctor in early December to see if the surgery was successful. Please continue to pray for complete healing.

Thank you so much for your prayers for our family! We have been so encouraged by your sweet words, texts, and messages!

Dr. appts, tests, and surgery.

Ever since Aubri was diagnosed with vesicourteral reflux we have had to visit her pediatric urologist once a year to make sure her kidneys still look healthy.

Last year, the doctor gave us the option to wait it out and see if her reflux would self correct,
so we decided to wait.
This year at her appointment, the doctor did a few tests
and the reflux was the same as before.
Our window of waiting has closed.
So, she now has to have corrective surgery.

Thankfully, she has been a real trooper through this whole process.
So far, she thinks that going to the doctor means she gets to have stickers, teddy bears, popsicles, bubbles, and tickles on her tummy.



Well, the time has come. Her surgery is today, October 14.
We are anxious, but are trusting God with this as we try to do with all things.
Please join us in prayer for sweet Bri and a quick recovery.
I will keep you posted.

Meet Elijah.

ELIJAH MARCUS BELLER

Elijah became part of our family the moment he stepped foot in my sister's home.
But, as of last week, it is official! His adoption has been finalized and I am now allowed to show the world his sweet little face!
Seriously, don't you just want to squeeze those sweet cheeks!?!

I think this is their first family photo, back in April.
Look at that hair! He has changed so much!

Aubri and Elijah are only 3 months apart and were instant friends...well, sorta.
The first time Aubri met Elijah, he walked up to her and gave her a HUGE hug. She didn't know what to think about this strange boy hugging her and it all ended in tears.
As you can see from the photo above, he is trying his best to hold her hand. So sweet!
It didn't take long for the 2 of them to become sweet friends.

All the cousins...
John Michael, Elijah, Aubri, Esther, Millie

The newest family photo.
With the judge, at the court house, right after all the papers were signed!
We love you, Elijah and are so thankful that God placed you in our family!

Heavens and the earth.

This past month, Aubri's Sunday school class has been learning about creation.

She has loved learning new songs about God making all the animals, but she has been especially intrigued by the moon.
Every night, before she goes to bed we go outside and tell the moon "good night".

Also, in her Sunday School class, they have started memorizing Bible verses.
Last night over the monitor, I heard her telling her baby doll Genesis 1:1.
I caught it on video the other day, too.

"In the beginning, God made the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1"

Hoot.

This is the Big Hoot.
Hoot is the traveling trophy that is awarded each year to the winning family
of the Labor Day Carroll Family Olympics.

After a weekend of intense competition: golf, card games, ladderball, watermelon seed spitting, beanbag toss, soccer ball dribbling, 3-legged race, hoola hoop, and so much more...
The MILLS were crowned the 2011 Hoot Champions!

The Mills- 2011 Hoot Champions

"Can I get a HOOT HOOT!"