This is What I Want to Get Back To

These things make me happier.

Heavy Sighing Isn't Flattering

But, I can't seem to stop doing it.

Thank you ALL for your prayers, and support,

and offers to buy us food :) Food is always helpful when one is trying

to survive.

The Mayor (and I am calling him by THIS name to be kind) and the council members agreed to NOT lay off fire

fighters if they agreed to give up their 2.1% pay

increase scheduled for this coming fiscal year.

Annoying really, because, no matter what you

have heard in the news, they have agreed to that all along.

Fire fighters only asked that the city not

take their pay, and turn around and lay off people anyway.

Seems like a perfectly fair agreement,

but the council and mayor wouldn't agree.

Many of us got up and spoke at the council meeting,

although I can't say if I was the only one who wanted to

punch the mayor in the neck for his condescending head nods.

All of this means, that over the course of the next 33 days,

Reno Fire Fighters will be casting their votes to give up their

cost of living pay increase. And, as long as the majority agree

to do that, my husband gets to continue to be

exactly who God has created him to be.

Your continued prayers are still needed, but God has truly delivered.

Thank you again to all of you who prayed along side us yesterday.

I am positive it saved me from a most untimely meltdown.

Psalm 90:

14 O satisfy us in the morning with Your loving kindness,

That we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.

15 Make us glad according to the days

You have afflicted us,

And the years we have seen evil.

16 Let Your work appear to Your servants

And Your majesty to their children.

17 Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us;

And confirm for us the work of our hands;

Yes, confirm the work of our hands.

This is the verse God showed me before I got up to speak.

He is truly faithful.

Lamentations 3:22...

Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed,

for his compassions never fail.

They are new every morning;

great is your faithfulness.

I say to myself, "The Lord is my portion;

therefore i will wait for him."

The Lord is good to those

whose hope is in him,

to the one who seeks him;

it is good to wait quietly

for the salvation of the Lord.

Mike was laid off this morning. Please, please pray for us.

Why I Like Mike # 23

He knows how to handle me. In the previous month,
I have been in the strangest bubble. I noticed it, but I wasn't
sure anyone else did. Of course My Husband did. What was I thinking?
It's what I like about him today. He notices me. Then he
let's me be.
The attacks on my household have been mind bottling (heh)
in this past month. I am severely aware at how clearly God
has been protecting my children, the prayers he has answered,
and the guarding he has provided. Still, I recently noticed
I am living in self protection mode. At every second of my day
I am either listening to music or reading a book, trying
to tune so much out. To keep my focus small. It's bizarre.
I do these things normally, but not in the desperate, needing way
I have lately. It is unsettling, but I still attribute it to
self preservation.
But, I noticed the other day, that The Man just let me be.
He didn't try to fix me, he didn't judge me, he didn't ask more of me.
I like him. And, I need more of what I see in this picture. So tomorrow
we are dating ;) yeessssss!

Job Front Update

First, thank you all for your prayers and support. We have felt them tremendously.

Thank you.

Second, last night, Mike got a memo saying FOR NOW lay offs may be avoidable should the economy hold- whatever that means.

We also found out that the city is likely using employee numbers v length with the

department to decide the 32 potential layoffs. Because The Man is formally known as The Cone Guy with the city of Reno, he has nearly 4 years seniority ahead of the guys in his academy. This means he

should get to continue being the hottest

fire fighter ever created. You guys can

continue to just call him Mike :) We are still praying

steadfastly on all accounts: job security for firefighters

and police, financial help when needed, peace, our faith.

Help My Husband Keep His Job

This is a copy of an email I sent
out to all the addresses I have. Please copy and paste the whole thing
and send it to anyone you think will help. You can also post this on your
blog if you are willing.-

This email is legit, and written by me (Shontell Brewer) personally.
A few months ago, the City of Reno, Mayor, and Council people
decided budget cuts needed to be made, so the fire fighters and
police willingly gave up their housing funds, uniform money, the
rest of their incentives, and all overtime in order to save the 12 jobs
threatened with lay offs. The city cared little that the contracts
THEY agreed on were not being honored, but it was a deal we
were all willing to live with, so we allowed it. By God's grace, we
have financially held on. Contracts are up for renegotiation, and
they are again asking for the fire fighters to willingly give up their
incentives, overtime, and cost of living raises with the agreement
that no firefighters will be laid off. Of course, the firefighters agreed.
The city is reconsidering and is now threatening to take the pay AND
layoff 32 fire fighters. There are talks of police layoffs as well, but I do
not know the numbers. You can help get us get our message out to
the mayor and council people by copying, pasting, and emailing the
following message, and sending it to the following addresses. If you
are willing, please call the phone numbers below as well and speak to
whoever answers restating the information in the message below.
Prayers are also very coveted right now.
_____________________________

Send the following email to all of these people:

cashellr@cityofreno.com,hascheff@cityofreno.com, gustind@cityofreno.com,zadras@cityofreno.com, sferrazzaj@cityofreno.com,Dreskad@cityofreno.com, aiazzi@cityofreno.com, dortchd@cityofreno.com

Your subject line should read:

No Layoffs Of Reno Firefighters Or Police Officers

The body of your email should read (and feel free to add your
own information as well):

Dear Council Person:
I am unhappy about the proposed lay offs of Reno Fire Fighters and
Police Officers. I strongly disagree with this action.
Lay offs of Fire fighters or Police Officers in the City will negatively
influence my vote in any future election in which you are running.
I strongly disagree with balancing the City’s budget on the back of the
City employees. There are certainly other revenues that can solve this
problem.
I don’t agree with closing fire stations or reducing personnel in stations
and sacrificing public safety. This action will also negatively influence my
vote in any future election in which you are running.

(You may sign your name or leave it blank, just send it. It is helpful if you
include the fact that you are a tax payer and voter.)
___________________________________

Please know, so much of the information about pay and money and over staffing
as stated on the news is absolute fabrication. If you really want to know how
much money firefighters make, how hard they work, and how often their lives
are in danger to help perfect strangers, ask them. Or, come look in my pantry,
talk to my kids, and find someone who has had to call 911 and wait because the
station near their house was closed due to layoffs. _____________________________________________________

Your phone calls will truly make a difference. Especially to Mr. Mayor, who is
eager to get re-elected.

Mayor Bob Cashell775.334.2001775.334.3112

Reno City CouncilFax: 775.334.2097PH: 775.334.2002

Sharon Zadra775.334.2017775.334.3112

Dwight Dortch:775.334.2015775.334.2025

Donna Dreska Acting City Manager775.334.2008

Dan Gustin775.334.2011775.334.2025

Jessica Sferrazza775.334.2012775.326.6313

Dave Aiazzi775.334.2016775.334.1206

Pierre Hascheff775.334.2014775.326.6313

Our family appreciates your participation in this. PLEASE forward this to
anyone you think will be willing to help us. If you have comments,
email me or call me.

To All of Our Well Meaning Friends

Brace yourself. I am about to set up a boundary that I hope you will honor.

• Please do not call our house and ask us if Mike is going to get laid off.


• Please do not call and tell us you are worried.


• Please do not call our house and give us a furrowed brow with disappointed eyes and say you hope everything works out.

There really IS a good chance that he will get laid off

but a better chance that God really is the God that takes care of us.

If you think of us at all, and want to make a difference, pray.

We could use your prayers.

If you have already called with any of these misguided messages,

don't be offended; we don't love you less. I AM speaking to you, but just know that our

faith lies in what God has called us to, and not the news, which

is seriously full of lies.

*this pic is The Man showing his mad baseball skills on the Wii. It makes me happy.

Oh hello there Beautiful

Wednesday marks my 28th and final day of my detox. AWESOME!! Again, I highly recommend this to everyone. I have felt so fantastic. No blood sugar crashes, no blood pressure issues, up on time in the morning, no caffeine migraines, no nausea and other symptoms I will spare you from.
I have lost about 8 pounds, which is a big deal or a girl like me. And last week I fit into a pair of jeans I have never been able to wear. My skinny jeans. You boys may not appreciate that as much as the girls will, but you can still be excited for me.
Wednesday night, I will be snuggling up to a steamy cup of coffee, decaf, but still yum.
On a more permanent vacation from my life will be:

• gluten except the rare sandwich
• excessive sugar
• caffeine
• and fast food.

I can't even totally say I am interested in having read meat again. I wasn't a huge fan before, and the last time

I tried to make some for the kids, I nearly gagged. Too much blood. ew.

My new goal is pushups and situps. Three times a week. A deck of playing cards.

I am still trying to fit the gym into our new schedule of summer break,

preschool work, subbing, planning for long awaited visitors, children,

church, and an immense amount of homework. Sheesh. maybe

I should take up drinking. I will, but I will stick to decaf :)

My Layla Grace

She decided to run home from the mailbox today without looking for cars. Not a good idea. She got a nice jolt from the side of the oncoming van. No broken bones and still very much breathing, thank you Jesus. It's miraculous to see you save my children so regularly. You must have big plans for them. Help me be up to the task of directing.

Hmm.

I don't think I have anything to add.

What do you get when you mix a red coat, a funky umbrella, striped socks, and really big hair?

Summer is Coming

Know how I can tell? The drive-in is open. We went last weekend, in jammies, loaded with snacks (I got fruit and a smoothie), and watche Monsters v Aliens. The best part, I snoozed while the kids all snuggled around me giggling. Awesome.

Detox Schmetox

I am one week into a 28 day detox of my organs and any part of my body food affects. The number of things my body is not doing is about equal to the things it is doing that it shouldn't be. It all leads to pain, and a friend reminded me that just because there are bad things doesn't mean I have to talk about them. I feel that is excellent, so I will not be sharing that list of bad v good with you.

Instead I am going to tell you that my detox consists of morning and afternoon pills of vitamin nonsense (I use nonsense in a positive way here)

I haven't had caffeine for ten days and I am still alive

I have not been eating sugar, which means my body has been in shock that I am no longer shoveling it in by the fistfuls.

I no longer feel such a strong need to eat preservative containing foods.

Tomorrow I start week two which means there are new levels to the detox. I will let you know how it goes. So far, so great. I have SO much more energy even though I have been very much pulled in a gazillion directions over the previous two weeks.

Here is my coffee pot. He is in hibernation. sad.

Women on Retreat

Back 2 Basics

So a few of my Vegas friends and I decided we need a retreat involving women only. Their church (my former church) usually puts one on in the spring, but some didn't want to go or couldn't because of some thing or other. They regularly host the best retreats EVER, so we copied the elements and put a Reno twist on everything. We had retreat goodie bags, personalized tees (mine had a tree, of course :)), and we had worship cds. The only thing we were missing was a loathsome, horribly cheesy song to begin each session- by choice. We opted also to fore go skits, as we didn't feel we were old enough to be a part of them. js.

Friday night was my night. I made a super delish Italian dinner, taught on getting back to the basics (retreat theme) and trusting that God is sufficient and what happens when we forget that, and we had worship time. It was loverly. We ended the night with Mr. McConaughey in Ghosts of Girlfriends Past. It wasn't great, but it was still a fun time. Boardman and I fell asleep throwing Forrest Gump movie quotes back and forth.

Saturday morning began with my NV Law test. I tried to be a giver and have my pastor take it for me, because he loves him some history and nerdery, but he wasn't up for it. When I got back to the Sierra Street Retreat, breakfast was waiting, prepared by Hot Hands herself. AH delish. She taught on interceding via prayer, and it was great!

Next, we got dolled up, and Jess taught us the skills we have been lacking: home organization, that cleanliness is truly in God's plan, and how to take a great picture! None of us are exactly the model types, but obviously, with my photography skills, I was able to help everyone LOOK amazing! Especially Chalk-outline-Jessie. Check her out for all your photography needs.

These pics are some samples.

All of that took the bulk of the day and night. Boardman, as featured above and below, made a scrumptious dinner of grilled cheesers and tomato soup. In the morning, before church, she brought our teachings to a close with an excellent reminder of when and why Jesus washed the disciples feet. She talked about Peter and his roll in Jesus' impromptu teaching. My favorite line was when she said "we should be willing to do these same menial tasks for our friends as well." It's true. We really should.

You girls make for the best retreat ever. JayEhs.

Easter Finale

This is Sam, Fisher of Men's face when I tell him he can't have more candy.

And Easter is Not Easter Without Wrestling With Uncle Georgie

Grizzabelle Rose

Happy Birthday Miss Isabelle Rose.

42 the number of weeks I carried you.
12 the number of days you were late coming out.

3 the number of times I went into labor before they would let you come out.
14.5 the number of hours I labored with you.
1 the number of Big Sticks Daddy snuck into the labor room to wile away the hours.
a gazillion about the number of diapers you wore in your lifetime.
2 the size diapers you wore when you were potty trained.
4 the number of times you became a big sister and rocked at it.
about 100 the number of times you put your hands on your hips in exasperation before age 2.
3 the age you were when you taught yourself to write your name.
3 the number of times you were the cutest flower girl ever!
about 100 the number of times you watched Aristocats.
2 the number of times we have had to get your ears pierced.
11 the number of Christmases I have spent with you so far.
11 the number of times you have blown out birthday candles.

Spring Breaking- On with the hunt

Cousins: Kena and Addison are going to be those really old ladies who hate each other, but love each other, and share a room in an elderly care facility. They will most likely fight over the "hot" old grandpa down the hall.

Eli's stash

Tristan is such a crazy little spaz. He always looks like this. He isn't making a face.

Easter Egg Coloring

This is spring break number two. There are a few more. It was a fun week. Mostly free, which makes it even better.

I don't fully understand this pose. He was trying something new I guess.

This was Sam trying to keep from smiling. Fight it if you want.

Camo eggs, obviously.

Spring Break Side Note

I will finish posting about Easter/Spring Break, but first, this makes me giggle a lot.

Easter

Happy. Also, today I started thinking about what it would have been like to be alive when Jesus was on the earth and living through the weekend he was crucified. Whatever your religious ideas, they would have been hectic days. I imagine the news of controversy spread everywhere: Barabbas, Jesus? Then the questions, or doubts, or anticipation. When was Jesus going to set himself free? When was God going to rescue him? Why was God allowing Jesus to suffer so much? I bet some people even smugly thought God was going to come down and smite Jesus' oppressors. I probably would have.

Then I started thinking about what I would have thought when they said Jesus was truly dead. What? How can he be dead? There must be a mistake. I expected him to smite and punish and call fire down on the sinners. I don't understand any of this. God, where are you.

What would I have told my children?

What would I have told my friends who always thought I was a little crazy for believing Jesus was the son of God?

Would I have been like Peter? He gave up a little early and was seemingly out to save his own reputation, but would I have shrugged and said, 'wow, I guess I was wrong about Jesus. maybe he really was just a nice guy'?

How long would my human nature wait before I began looking for something or someone else to believe in?

I think I would have been waiting for a miracle at any minute. But then, they say he is dead. Friday night, I would have gathered with other believers-prayed, cried, asked questions.

Saturday, no miracle. My doubt growing. My mood swaying between confusion, anger, annoyance with my own doubt, grief, and anticipation. Then,

Sunday....

Surviving College

I hope this doesn't make me sound unloving, but I love my husband's work schedule. His schedule is a little crazy for some families, but for us, we like waking up to him coming home each morning. He works 24 hours at a time, which means I have to sleep alone every other night, but I have risen to the occasion, and I have come to enjoy my nights. I get into bed right after I tuck in my children- 8pm. Now that I have a tv in my room (we stole the kids' 19 incher from the loft), I can turn on mindless tv while i wile away the hours over homework.

Tonight I am doing just that. I have two episodes of The Office to catch up on and a week's worth of homework I haven't been able to do. Between family, friends, working 4 days this week, and getting ready for Easter (home and church), I have my work cut out for me. Mike just left for work, and he will be home Easter morning. That equals lots of homeworking. As much as I would LOVE to have my husband here, the fact is, I have a LOT of homework these days. I have 16 months left of this homework. So, for now, I see this schedule as a perk.

Miraculous?

We think so. Many of you read about our scare with Eli. We thought he was going to have to have his appendix removed. He had all the classic signs, and a few that I never would have thought of. In fact, did you know that appendicitis pain begins
right behind the belly button? Yah, well, it does. So when Eli kept telling me his tummy hurt so badly right behind his belly button, I said what all moms will say. "Do you have to poop?"

The more minutes that ticked by, the more worried I became. He was shivering, teeth chattering, hunched over in a way I have never seen. Then, he would sit up and be better for a few minutes. I hate when I am home alone -minus The Man- when stuff like this happens. I doubt myself, my thoughts, my medical findings.

I watched him a little while, then thought I should look up some appendicitis info on the Internet. I could squeeze in a little research while getting 5 kids ready for church and putting a few finishing touches on preschool lessons for the morning service, right?

I am always leery about looking up medical conditions; I feel like you automatically find whichever symptoms you are looking up. I googled cautiously. But when I realized the only symptom he didn't have was throwing up, I thought I should call Mike. Then Eli threw up. Awesome. We left nearly instantly. The neighbor took the rest of those kids, and he and I took off to the ER.

I don't know why this happens, but for moms, we get somewhat disappointed when we arrive at the doctors and the symptoms go away. We are looking for some sort of justification for bringing the kid in in the first place.
But, when I received the texts from Reno and Vegas saying many had stopped to pray, and Eli's symptoms suddenly went away, the phrase 'miracles still happen' flashed in my brain. We waited. For two days they tested that kid.

When they finally wheeled him in to do the ultrasound, they checked everything that could possibly cause him pain. The last thing they checked was his appendix. When the doctor told us they couldn't EVEN FIND it, I smirked a little. Maybe that is normal, I don't know, but I do know that God has healed that boy more times than I can count. Elijah Daniel. He has been named well. He is heavily under God's protection and has been since conception. And, he is going to touch lives. I am excited to watch God make it happen.

Cutting out Stress..hmmmm

Health issues suck, especially when you know you are the cause of them. The medical advice I have received lately has been less than helpful only because I feel I am not able to do what the professionals are recommending-either I don't agree with them, or I don't think it will work. So far the most common advice I get from good intenders is

You need to reduce the stress in your life.

While I agree that, I don't feel I have much I am able to cut out.

I mean, sometimes my husband stresses me out when he forgets to tell me I am right, but I don't want to cut him out. Then, all those children certainly add a lot to my day, but considering they aren't involved in anything extra curricular, it would come down to feeding them and keeping up with homework that keeps me rushed. Depending on how you parent, I suppose you could cut down on some of that. I don't think selling them is completely ethical, though they would fetch me a pretty penny with all their sweet skills!

I feel the need to sell items to get my total money makeover started, but considering my husband is not at all involved in doing it, I feel defeated already. I am not saying this to judge him; just pointing out that he is more balanced than I am and he is probably right. sigh. dang it. SEE the stress he causes me (murmur murmur mumble groan.)

My job is a necessity right now because of money, Mike losing his overtime is stressful because of money, driving places is stressful because of money, paying for school is stressful because of money, grocery shopping is stressful because of money....

Maybe I am stressed over money. I need creativity, peace, and faith. The money will come, or I have faith my need for it will decrease.