The Clown of the Family

Something about this kid just seems naughty. It's a quality. When he poses in pictures, he seems to say, "You can relax; the party is saved; I am here now." Naughty. I will not be the slightest bit surprised when he gets coal in his stocking this year. Well, maybe a little, because he is also the sort of kid who can convince you of anything. Especially when it means he gets presents not at all made of fossil fuels.

Izzy Up Close

This is Isabelle's contribution to the family photo. Apparently she felt her job was to out beauty everyone in a ten mile radius. When does she hit her gangly, awkward stage? I specifically remember someone mentioned a gawky preteen would be taking her place for awhile. When will THAT girl show up? Instead I have a 25 year old 12 year old. I am grateful Mike Brewer owns a gun.

HILARIOUS FACES

So, I realize my family is BIG. Our pictures are usually a fairly accurate portrait into our everyday lives: chaotic, but happy.
I thought I would break down one of the pictures, so you aren't an overwhelmed observer. Here is my first favorite face from one of the pictures Ms. Speckled Bird took of The Fam.
What does this picture say to you? Clearly she is freezing. Clearly she is small. Clearly she is part of a squirrel family who is no doubt missing her terribly since she went scavenging for nuts so many years ago. Clearly.

Why I Like Mike #26

The fam and I were sitting on the couch yesterday skimming through new pictures and old blog posts. My Husband, who I really like (clearly), doesn't read my blog. It's like his life is just sad. Anyway, I realized it has been almost a year since I blogged a Why I Like Mike post. So, in trying to keep consistent with being the better spouse, here goes....

I like Mike because he doesn't just TRY to be hot; he exudes hotness.

It's probably why he became a fire fighter.

Geographically Speaking

I am not totally sure what life is like where you live, but geographically speaking, this is what we do in Reno.



Thanks for another great photo shoot Jessie The Bird.

Where'd They All Go

Remember the cast of Good Will Hunting? Where'd they go? Busy having babies and dodging paparazzi probably. But I really like all of those guys. Maybe they read my blog, and maybe they want to be in super great movies again to appease me. No? FIND. (Monica from Friends when she has a cold)

I get that celebrities want their own lives, but I have needs! I need to see Minnie Driver in a romantic comedy.
I need Robin Williams to be funnier than he has been in movies like Old Dogs cause that was a sad attempt.
I need Ben Affleck to crack me right up alongside his brother Casey, who is freaking hilarious without even trying. I still believe Jennifer Garner married Ben Affleck based solely on his suit-wearing scene with the "associates" in GWH.
Cole Hauser..remember when he was on ER. mmmhmmm.
I need Matt Damon to take off his shirt..I MEAN be tough in a movie. And take off his shirt.
I have needs. I am a movie girl.

Sometimes It Sucks

I am reading a really great book called "Leap Over a Wall" by Eugene Peterson. It's a book I borrowed from The Pastor, and it blindsided me. Read it; it's good stuff. Be warned though, there are some big words in there. I actually have had to pull out my dictionary a couple times (and by pull out my dictionary, I mean I ask my friends Melissa and Jessica, as they are smarter than me).

As this week has progressed toward what is usually the second happiest weekend of my year (Halloween/a house full of friends/my birthday/chili..mmmm) my stress level has risen significantly. My stressful belly-aches are back, and there is a slight chance I have considered taking up closet drinking once or twice. (I stand by my argument that those people seem happy!)

Anyway, many of you have prayed loads for us for job security. Thank you. If you get a spare prayer, please do it again. God has been miraculous over and over, but the conversations have started again. My husband is number one on the layoff list. The results will be in just before or after Christmas. awesome. (Insert heavy sighing). And because I know loose lips sink ships (and give that rotten devil the foothold he is waiting for to sink said ship aka devastate my marriage), I am processing through this news rather than reacting and freaking out.

I don't think The Pastor's teachings on taking hold of our regularly scheduled God time are at all coincidental. So, I am listening. Twice this week, God has spoken audibly my name to wake me up to chat with him. Weirder still, his voice is that of Mike Brewer's when he is trying to get my attention over the chaos of our happy home. Shon-TELL!! Both mornings The Man was at work, so there is no confusing that it wasn't actually him yelling at me.


Anyway, I am never one to ask why something is happening. Never. Honestly, never. I trust God. The end. But, that doesn't take away the hurt that comes with the struggles. In fact, because I am so focused on not doubting, I don't know where to send my questions. It's as if they just sit inside my brain threatening to bust loose. Without asking, I got an answer.
Back to old-big-word-Eugene. He said,"When you hit your thumb with a hammer, it hurts just as much after you've accepted Christ as your Lord and Savior as it did before."

The only difference I can see is I am not the one swinging the hammer. I think that is what frustrates me most and raises the "why" questions. If this were happening because my husband were a loser it wouldn't be so hard to take. I would understand that natural consequences happen. But Mike Brewer isn't a loser. In fact, he is a really hot fire fighter. Every city needs one, and he is Reno's. It just seems unjust.

It's Coming on Christmas, They're Cutting Down Trees

Ah, the happiness that was once Joni Mitchell. Not a fan? My oldest brother is. This information was weird for me to hear as well. I digress.

It's the time of year for greatness:

snuggles

tall socks

toe socks

short socks

Santa socks

hot drinks

blankets

handmade quilts draped across the arm of the couch

visitors, the kind you never want to leave (J.H & M.H. & R.H. & R.H)

anticipating snow

bundling in coats, hats, scarves, and mittens

boots (ah boots)

naked trees

these are a few of my favorite things.

I just love this time of year. I have a list of movies I save for this time of year. I will save that list for another post.

I have been reading a silly amount of books lately.

Here is a fast list of my seasonal favorites from various categories:

Drink: Pumpkin Spiced Latte

Tune: My Love by Sia

Socks: over the knee, striped

Shoes: tall multi shades of brown

Outerwear: grey cord knit sweater with large wooden buttons

Book: The Hunger Games Series. SOOO GREAT!

Movie: You've Got Mail and Little Women (I don't trust people who can narrow their movie pick to one no matter for how short a time. shady)

Free time (snort): quilting and scrapping

My little black heart and I just LOVE this time of year.

Is It Weird...

That my couch is the number one culprit for my chiropractic issues, but I still sit on it?

That there are several songs I never tire of hearing?

That I have a poster of E.C.?

That Samuel colored his right nostril green tonight, and I didn't make him wash it?

That I absolutely love teen series books?

That I keep forgetting I have a job? :/

That I get absolutely irritable if I haven't had a chance to listen to music in my day?

That I never want my husband to go to work because I like him?

That I would rather spend my days in a t-shirt and jeans than any other clothing in the world?

That I have written "Lord, please use me as you see fit, but please don't ever send me to Africa. I am not that kind of missionary" about ten times in my journals over the last decade, and now I love all things African and would be on the next plane if the big guy said do it?

That I accuse people of being racist if they ask me to hand them something white? (giggle)

That EVERY time someone leans their head on my hair or tries on a hat that isn't theirs or shares a brush I wonder if lice will be involved?

That I am never without the color red on my person?

Because I'm a Child

I giggle when I hear the words:

unit
do, do
tube, and
ball bag.

Who doesn't? Well, they are lying, and I don't like those people.

NUMB3RS

Recently I

coached my team to three wins in two days. Bazinga

Prepared a 26 slide presentation with Team Green at GCU.

Took zero headache medicine.

Was adjusted once by a very kind chiropractor.

Ate at least six cookies. mmmm.

Watched three of my favorite premier television shows.

Drove 13 hours for away volleyball games in six days.

Listened to six teenage girls sing the Hairspray soundtrack at full volume. LOVE it.

Lost my voice twice.

Drove with one good looking man to one away game. Goodtimes. The girls call him Mr. Coach.

Snuggled with five very cutie children, all my own.

Began reading four new books.

Said thank you at least six times to a very helpful mother-in-law for keeping the kids.

Taught six foreign exchange students rules about commas.

Received one thank you/encouragement card from the prettiest Korean girl at the school (she is the ONLY Korean girl at the school) tied to a bundle of four dry erase markers.

Opened one accurate fortune cookie that told me all of my hard work would soon be worth it.

I think it was right.

Now, I must sleep.

The end.

Too Busy To Be A Christian

Do you find that you are too busy with life? I do. I don't want to. In fact, every time The Man and I drive somewhere other than here, I am pointing out places that would make a great homestead for a commune. We have some of you picked out to join us. Obviously we are basing your invite on your skills, number of children, likeability, and of course, looks. I am just saying our children will need to procreate and I don't want no ugly grandbabies.

Anyhoo, I feel like I keep trying to find more time for this, that, and the other (why these things are always on my list of things to accomplish I have no idea!)but it isn't working. Some days I have time for this; for example, this morning I took a shower. Other days I have time for that; for example, I read a book this week. Not a whole book, only a part of one, but I read.
When I began analyzing further, I realized the first things to go seem to be anything regarding my health and well being and the attention I give to others in need. AKA I am too busy to be a Christian. I prefer to keep my head low, disregard other people's needs, and hurry and get through so I can get to the next event.

Let me say this clearly so you understand me (and then maybe it will sink into my shriveled brain):
LIVING THIS WAY IS STUPID.
The end.

Things I miss due to my stupid lifestyle:

Snuggling
Having others over to the Brewer House for coffee or otherwise
playing my guitar
reading for long periods of time and not wanting to fall asleep instantly
sleep
coffee and books in bed
dancing and singing showtunes with my kids across the kitchen
family reading hour
playing outside
blogging
gardening
laundry
clean bathrooms. They are just eh right now.
an updated calendar
empty email boxes
snail mail letter day (everyone should celebrate this)
nonsense phone calls with friends
bible study with my friends RB and ML
scrapping

This last one is getting fixed. Actually, many of these will resume after October 24th, where I will be committing to more of the right things. But, Hillside Foursquare Church on Sutro will be hosting Ladies' Scrap Night on Tuesdays from 7-10pm beginning October 26th. I will be your hostess with the mostest.
As for everything else,

Over Extended is Over Rated

highly.

Sometimes I think something is going to be a great idea, so I say yes. Then I realize it is keeping me from the first great ideas I had. lame.

To deal with all of it, I am pushing through and declaring a day. A day to:

eat delicious breakfast with friends.

wake up at 4:30 to partake in the balloon races. Dawn Patrol.


return home to veg on the couch with the kids to watch Christmas movies.

Sneak in a little homework, which I did, and now I am done.

pee. Which I have to do a lot this morning because of the amount of coffee I drank because I woke up at....Why am I recapping this? Don't you read?!

I AM

A coach! Not this kind, but when I did a search for a picture, this pretty little number came up, and I can't seem to take my eyes off it.

I am also seriously cootied. Ick. I have infections and colds and ick. Feel free to pray for me or buy me this bag. Both are sure to help me.

We Are Homeschooling Again!

Thank you Jesus! THIS is exactly how school should be.

Look What I Saw When I Logged On...

Congratulations! Your degree/certificate has been officially conferred for the BSED/E program. Your complimentary diploma/certificate and transcript will be processed and mailed to you within the next few weeks along with any additional diplomas/transcripts you may have requested on your diploma/certificate application. If expedited shipping was requested they will be processed and sent as requested. Note: Diplomas and transcripts are mailed separately.

HEE Hee YAY!!! Today, I became a graduate student.

I submitted my first assignment. Then I realized my second assignment is a 4page paper and threw up a little in my mouth.

Reach Out a Little

This weekend, our church hosted an outreach in the park hoping to simply love on others. Those are my favorite sort of out reaches. Where people don't understand what they are supposed to do once you give them something. On the way home, we asked the kids to share their favorite part of the morning. Here was my story:

This little boy (about age5-6) was dressed in his little shorts and wife beater, hair in a super awesome long pony tail. He was bowling on the side walk using a little set of pins. I offered to help him by setting the pins up so he could bowl and be amazing. He was hitting strikes and super excited. I say, "go get on that skate board and knock the pins over with your body."

With wide eyes and sheer excitement he asks, "CAN I!?"

To which I reply, "YEEES!"

So he does and he knocks them all down with whoops and hollars and happiness. He gets set for round two while I reload the pins, only this time he is sitting on the board. As he starts to take off, he sort of falls backwards, and I say, "WHoooah! maybe you should be wearing a helmet."

He says with a straight face, "I'm not wearing any underwear."

So I blink in confusion and promise not to look, and he ends our conversation with, "my dad never told me to put them on."

HAHAHAHA! Outreaches ROCK!

Stuck in the Middle

About January of this year God began talking to me about all sorts of things. Some good, some new, some reruns that I have not quite worked out, and some that are just plain scary, but ALL that are exciting. Let's face it; when God talks to you, it's amazing.

So, he kept saying these things to me, and about a two weeks ago, I realized he wasn't changing his tune. So I prayed and asked if I was missing out on what he was wanting me to hear. Nope. Loud and clear, I tell ya. He did add a little something at the end.



I looked around and realized I was already somewhere along in the journey I thought I was sitting still and waiting for. I kept thinking, "Man, when this starts, this is going to be awesome." or "I am so excited for this adventure to begin." or "I love that my family is going to experience something new, and God is going to use us." God said, "um...look around you Clown (he often refers to me as Clown, because my inabilities make him laugh in love). You started this journey months ago!"



It was like that story of Paul when the scales fell off his eyes. I was able to see so clearly! I have been working so hard at being at rest and waiting on God (which, if you have met me more than ten minutes ago, you know I am no good at) that I missed EVERYthing he is doing right now and a few minutes ago and a few weeks ago and for the last few months. I was able to look back in a healthy (not like Lot's wife) way and see that I have taken a number of steps in obedience and I am mid-process! I am not waiting for my work to begin! I am in it! God is using me! God is asking, very little things, but he is asking, and I am responding, in very little ways, but I AM responding.
It's also not unlike Bob Wiley's experience being a sailor. AHOY! I'M SAILING! I just let the boat do all of the work!

The end result of what comes of all of that is irrelevant all of a sudden. I am no longer living with my eye on the prize of what's in it for me (for at least 6 hours of my day HA!) and I am focused on living for just right now. This is a new way of living for a girl who exists in a world where only planners go to heaven. (Sorry for your luck)

So, I guess my question is, are you waiting for your journey to begin? Did you know that you are already on it? look around for a minute and take stock in what God is putting in front of your face. You are usable right now. You just need to be available to say yes.

It's true that your journey could be really sucky right now. So what are you going to do about it? I don't know about you, but I like to think God isn't a kidder when he makes promises. So I believe him when he says I am going to get double my reward for the troubles I see in life.

Pastor said something profound today (not limited to or excluding all the rest of the profound things he said today) that I heard already recently. He said, "the bible tells us we have not passed this way before." I don't think that passage means that we are in uncharted territory. I think it means we haven't gone through this crazy life and struggles with the faith in God that we could have had and now look how different it can be! That's encouraging to me, cause alone, I am pretty sucky. But with the teeny tiny faith I hold securely, God is gonna be right there to use it, double it, and give me more. GULP! BABY STEPS INTOOOO THE ELEVATOR!

Missing Church

We have missed church the last two weeks, and we are planning to miss again this week. I don't like it. I am not used to it. I really don't skip church. Not even when I was vomiting repeatedly during my Samuel pregnancy. I just sat nearer the bathrooms.
Don't get me wrong. A) going to church doesn't make you or me any holier or Christiany-er 2) I really enjoy my time with my family, and D) I have enjoyed the missing you/mocking your heatheness phone calls.
After my second week of missing, I was bummed. After telling my kids we were going camping this weekend, so we won't be at church this Sunday, they were bummed as well, which made me more bummed.
That's a lot of bums. We went to Reflect Church when we were in Sacramento, which was nice, but not our home. I heart Hillside. I don't trust people who feel otherwise. They are shady.

I have been hanging out with these people.

While I have been busy skipping church and spending time with the fam, I have managed to accomplish the following:

Sorted through all of the clothes in my household to become an emptier vessel.
Threw down a deep cleaning on my laundry room.
Had new friends over for dinner.
Traveled to Santa Cruz, and then traveled to Sacramento.
Camped out at Davis Lake.
Finished and sent out our very first Hands of Hope Missions newsletter! (praise God!)
Finished my bachelor's degree at the University. (another praise to God)
Registered for my master's program at Grand Canyon University!
Snuggled with my husband over countless movies.
Cried a little at the things God wants from me. Growing hurts.
Gave disappointed shoulders to NBC when Michael Scott confirmed his office exit.
Found a friend to put chords to my song.
Recognized I am less amazing than I want to be, but Jesus loves me anyway.
Realized God isn't surprised by how lame I am.
Purchased and planted a fantastic tree in my back yard (by me I mean The Man).
Prayed and heard more reassurance from God during this 30 day bible study than possibly ever before in my whole life.
Contemplated a new tattoo.
Wondered if Moses will be in the Truckee Meadows area.

I was thinking something like this....

AAAAAH RELAX! GET TO IT!

If you need me before Monday, I will be here.

Just keep shouting. I am sure you will find me eventually. If not, it wasn't meant to be.