And the Movies came rolling in...

OOH GOODNESS. Today the UPS man delivered 12 movies to my door. All greats ranging from Fiddler on the Roof, Princess Bride, and The Apple Dumpling Gang, to the kids picks of Princess Diaries, Ice Princess, and Open Season. Tomorrow should hold more greatness...and my Algebra book, but that isn't nearly as exciting.

All of these classic movies are compliments of Wheel of Fortune and my DVDEmpire.com winnings. Check them out, they actually have some good deals!

Farewell to all!!

NO NO!! I am not going to stop blogging. :) I was saying goodbye to our debt! WAHOOOO! The Man and I just paid off a good chunk of our debt! We threw the kids' b-day parties and spent the rest of our tax return on Mike's tires and bills. My Wheel money should be coming soon, so we will be purchasing that long awaited family vehicle. God has really blessed us! We are also in the market for a 4-5 bedroom house. Just in case any of you are selling or know someone who is, send us the info! We are looking to move in July or August.

I realize this picture is also on my homeschool blog, but I didnt want anyone to be left out. Nice and goopy! Gotta love it. lol

Random thoughts

I know I have time to do everything I want and need to do. My choices are all wrong. I am too lazy to drag myself out of bed each morning, I watch too much TV, and spend too much time on the computer.

Lord, thank you for helping me with the areas with which I struggle. I know the bible tells me you are able to do more than I can possibly imagine. I don't mind doing hard work. I just wish I could keep the right balance. I feel you have given me all the tools I need to be a great wife, mom, daughter, woman, and friend. My problem is that I only seem to look at the tools.

It is as if I am window shopping, maybe even testing out the tools to see how well they work. In the end, I don't know how to incorporate them into everyday life. Maybe part of me thinks "they are behind the glass; that will take too long to access. I will just stick to my old ways." What is great is that I didn't even have to purchase them! They are all my gift from you, Lord. Perhaps I am treating them like a never-to-be-handled gift of fine china. My experience tells me you wouldn't equip me with worldly china. In fact, if you were to give me china, it would be unbreakable. Maybe I don't trust the capabilities of the tools you have given me. I am beginning to see where the issues lie. I trust you. I trust and am thankful for the tools with which you have equipped me. The problem is I don't trust myself. I can't rely on me to make the right choice or work properly alongside the arsenal you have provided.

"GOOD!" you say, "allow me. You shouldn't be getting involved anyway. I am God and you are not. Stop trying to control so much and let me love you. Let me care for your children. Let me help your husband become the man I want him to be. I appreciate your effort, but you really have no idea what you are doing."

I can't possibly give God the leading position in my life if I continue insisting my ways. There is just too much of me in every situation. My mouth says I have died to my old self. My haughty glances, in my mind, convey to others that I have arrived. (HA!) My measly acts of service prove to others I am generous. When it comes down to it, there are a whole lot of me's, my's, and I's and not nearly enough glory to God. My actions do not follow what I say in my mind or with my mouth.

Forgive me, Lord. For 26 years I thought I was walking semi-steadfastly down this path toward you. In my mind, I was about half-way to the finish line. Now I realize those weren't strides I was taking, but baby steps. I am still at the beginning.

Conversations with babies

My favorite age for children has to be when they are just learning to form words. Especially when most of their vocabulary sounds like dirty words to outsiders. One very special example of this came about on Saturday when my brother and his wife and children were shopping at Costco, browsing the sample section. My sister offered my nephew chocolate and he was concerned that his 18month old sister was getting left out.

Roni (SIS) Makena, do you want some chocolate?

Makena- Cock

My Brother- Umm. Makena wants something else.

Everyone close by- LAUGHTER!!

Cost of a Costco membership-$30/year

Cost of a Costco trip- average of $100

Hearing your daughter say her first dirty word- priceless.

WHEEEEEEEEEE l

Hey just wanted to send out an invite to any of you who A) read my blog, B) know me personally C) know how to get to the Cook's house, and D) like dessert to come to the Cook's for the Reno chapter of the Wheel Party :) We will meet at 7pm on Thursday March 1st for a little treat eating and watch the show. Don't bring anything except your family and your clapping hands. Give me a call if you are able to make it.

ps- for those of you who can't make it, my show actually airs on Monday February 26th. :) Feel free to call, but we won't be home until after small group.

Those Quiet Bible Times

I was writing in my prayer journal about how lame I was for not getting to my quiet time until just a little while ago. I had my list of reasons all day long, but I could feel God just waiting for me. Anyway, when I asked God to show me something through my reading I expected a gentle nudge toward keeping God a priority or sticking to my commitments. Instead I got 2 Chronicles 14: 14 "..They plundered all these villages, since there was so much booty there." SNORT! I couldn't help but laugh out loud. I can't believe I didn't get to have this one all day. I guess that is what I get for waiting so long lol

*PS I KNOW there is no rule against reading your Biblio at night.. but considering all the pouring out I need to do all day, it works best for me to set up for the day. I think many moms can relate.

Emotional stages

They say there are different stages a person goes through when faced with a difficult situation. I have been through a few with my car situation. Today I am angry. It will pass, I am sure. We can't go to church this weekend because we don't have a ride and The Man has school. Then we can't go next weekend because I will be out of town and The Man will have no way of getting the younguns' there. All of this would be an un-issue (my own special word) if we had a large enough car. I hate being patient. I am no good at it. Four years now we have been praying for a car. Isn't that an overly long time to wait for something? We pray with the kids every night about a vehicle and the only thing we have heard so far is how big it should be. That's all. Just how big. So this weekend I told the kids we wouldn't be able to go to church and they were just so sad. :( This causes me sadness which quickly turns to anger. Not at anyone..just the situation. While I was busy stewing this morning, Isabelle came out of her room and anounced that if she can't GO to church she is going to have church here, in her room. She gathered all of my worship music papers, set her table up for craft time, and opened her bible to Mathew chapter 4. She led the kids in worship, read them their lesson for the day, and ended in "Kidland" with making cards for their Kidland leader family to tell them how much they were missed. SIGH I see in them exactly what Jesus meant when he said we should have child like faith. I have so far to go.

oh, and Ms. Stephanie, thanks for having such a great impact on my children. You are very loved by all of us!

Why I Like Mike #13

Last night at school, he interviewed for the position of class leader for this semester of the Fire Academy. Of course he got it. :) And, it wasn't just any interview. They called in the freshmen and second varsity class, and he had to interview in front of everyone! Talk about pressure! He will be sharing the honor with another guy in his class. I wish I had half the determination he does. He just DECIDES and does it! I tend to come up with a grand scheme, spend some money toward accomplishing it, and take a nap...or spend my night posting blogs. Why can't I get past the laziness. I have zero self discipline. This could be bad.

collecting words

Not enough of you read my homeschool blog to post this there, but I need some help. Isabelle has finished her list of words she needs to know how to spell before the end of third grade. YAY you say, but that leaves us four months of wordless schooling. Here are some samples. Feel free to add some. Isabelle won't appreciate it as much as I do, but thanks.
HELPFUL
ANNOYINGLY
HERSELF
CLOAK
STITCHED
OCTAGONS
STURDY
PLOWING

Keep on Keepin on!

In keeping with my get healthier theme, I have come up with a daily food journal that I feel is helpful. Every get healthy/diet/live it plan recommends writing down what you eat and your accomplishments if you are going to be successful. So far I realize a few things about myself: I don't eat nearly enough food (although what I eat is pretty healthy), I don't drink enough water, I don't spend nearly enough time in the word (not bird or grease), I do not stick to my household routine! On the positive side, I do eat fairly healthy, I do well with my portion sizes, I eat more dairy than I thought which is great because I pretty much hate dairy, and I do a good job of eating every couple of hours. Today, I am working at doing just a little bit better in each section. I can't share my food journal with you people, because I am unable to use the return feature on my blog (stupid) so if you happen to want a copy, email me and I will forward it off to you. :) Happy eating.

Ellen

I am trying to get the life on track, which, for me usually happens when the newest Brewer baby is pushing his or her first birthday. This time, I am not going to wait. Sam Fisher is decidedly a great sleeper and with the rest of the kids so independent and able to help out with The Squirrel, I have a few minutes in the morning to focus on me. I don't know why this is such a struggle with women, but I know I am not the only one who has to decide daily if I am going to read my bible, shower, or exercise first thing in the morning. Probably I should always choose my quiet time, but when I see a window around lunch time that is free from the usual household hulla-baloo (children arguing over breakfast in the next room, children throwing cheerios at each other to see if they will stick, other children hating this game and shrieking in disapproval, first set of cheerio throwing clan riddled with giggles because it is causing so much discomfort-thus an added bonus to the discovery of sticking cheerios...sigh) You get the picture. Anyway, Ellen has recruited Bob Harper (Biggest Loser)the show, not my personal take on him) to get her ready to host the Oscars in about a month. He has given her a list of foods she may eat, an exercise regimen, and opened it up to others with the hope that each of us will lose ten pounds in one month. Now, by the Biggest Loser's standards that is piddly for a months worth of working out and dieting. For me, it is just what I needed; any more would be too much! In addition I am re-starting my bible study, Becoming the Woman God Wants You to Be. The author takes the approach of focusing on every important area of our lives (body, spirit, mind) and adding positive elements that will naturally get rid of the negative (ie, drinking the right amount of water each day will leave you not so thirsty for pop OR memorizing scripture will give you ammunition for battling those lies from the devil.) I am not big on new year resolutions, so I am hoping I am in this for good and not needing to repost this next January. Wish me luck. I would like to hear any healthy tips you all have that seem easy and have stuck in your regular routine. Personally, I am a freak for smoothies, which is a great way to sneak in vegetable servings and yogurt. I have also replaced my computer chair with my exercise ball.

Why I like Mike #12

He still gives me butterflies after 11 years of marriage. Oh, and DAMN he is hot!

This made me giggle

When someone asks me to save his place in
line so he can take his son to the bathroom,
I agree, but when they come back I exclaim,
"Hey, what's going on? No cuts!" Then I
love looking over my shoulder and waving at
the loser as he fumes at the back of the line.
People need to learn just what a true
commitment to Space Mountain involves.

(Doug Sykes)

Life choices

This is going to be a big year, and I don't mean in the form of my belly! HA! At least I hope not. On New Year's Eve, The Man and I listed many of the things that would change over this next year. For us, they note worthy.*We will be debt free by April * Sam will learn to walk :) * Addison will really begin talking* our children will turn 1,3,5,6,and 9. Mike and I will turn 31 * Mike will graduate from the Fire Academy * Addison will begin preschool * We will get a family vehicle allowing our family to ride together and argue on the way to church like a normal family * I will submit my book to the publisher I have been talking with * We will move into a new, hopefully bigger, house that we own * Sam will say his first word * There is a decent chance we will not have a baby * Layla will start kindergarten, Isabelle will begin 4th grade, and Elijah will be a first grader * Eli and Layla will learn how to read * The Man and I will celebrate our 11th wedding anniversary * I will become a sophomore in college * Mike will earn his associates degree * I will get rid of my maternity clothes and any baby clothes that don't fit my existing children * I will get rid of much baby paraphernalia such as the swing, playpen, bouncy seat, pacifiers, bottles, breast pump, etc. * Sam will get more teeth so we can stop calling him baby squirrel * I will get a check from the Wheel of Fortune * I will get to buy $1000 worth of movies on someone else's tab * I will be on national television and Wheel parties will be thrown across the nation in my honor * These are just a few of the great milestones we came up with. I would love to read what the rest of you are looking forward to this year.

A Holy Home

I am reading a book called Finding Your Purpose as a Mom. I realize this won't apply to all you readers as many of you are male, and well,,, you just won't ever be a mommy. The author included a quote found in The Anglican Digest from a passage called The Landisfarne. I read it and reread it whenever I open the book.

We are not citizens of this world trying to make our way to heaven; we are citizens of heaven trying to make our way through this world; we live as those who are on a journey home; a home we know will have the lights on, and the door open, and our Father waiting for us when we arrive. That means in all adversity our worship of God is joyful, our life is hopeful, our future is secure. There is nothing we can lose on earth that can rob us of the treasures God has given us and will give us.

This makes me think of all the things I am supposed to be doing in this life. This book has challenged me to make the most of the very short time I have with my babies. It also makes me feel a renewed sense of peace over the babies I lost. Seeing my friend go through the same thing so recently always stirs some sad emotions. I day dream a little and I even wondered if those three little babies will be waiting for me when I get to heaven. Will they be handed to me in a little bundle as my first gift when I get to heaven. Will they greet me with Sam's perfectly goofy, full of happiness smile? I don't know, but I believe this passage is right. There really is nothing on earth that I can lose that will rob me of the treasures God has given me and will continue to give me.

Sorry no pics

But, we had a great Christmas. We were home, just the seven of us, snuggled in our living room. We played and opened presents. We laughed and took pictures. We made a list of all the movies we want to get with our winnings from the Wheel. We stayed in our jammies until late afternoon when the boys went hunting and the girls snestled in for a movie. The kids all helped in making dinner of chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes and gravy, and green salad. oh yummo! Considering Isabelle woke me up at 4:20 in the morning to open presents, I was a little sleepy, so it was early to bed for everyone. Even Mike and I made it into bed by ten! Just amazing.
We all got fun stuff as well. The kids usually get one present from Santa and the rest from us a the families that love us so. Isabelle got a guitar, Elijah got a real bow and arrow (hence the hunting trip), Layla got a bike, Addison got her very first Cabbage Patch Kid, and Sam I am got a glow worm. I don't have nearly enough blog space for the list of everything else we got, but it was all great. So to all of you who blessed us this year, thank you. And to all of you who think YOU are present enough..you are right. :) GOd bless.

No Pressure

My newest class is COMM110, also known as Public Speaking. My assignment this week is to analyze a public speaker and write about him or her. With permission from my professor, I chose our pastor. I am posting this so late on Sunday so Louie (not Louise) will feel no pressure. But, you better not screw up. HAHA!

King Josiah

I have been reading through 2 Kings and I am regularly struck with questions. I really need to take a class on all of this, or, now that I am done focusing on the Wheel and have one whole week off from school(HA!) I will have a minute to read a book or two on the matter. Here are a few questions/observations that reacently popped into my mind.Again, sorry about the format, my blog won't allow me to use the return key @@. 1- It is interesting how many times the mothers are mentioned. I wonder if it is for historical reference or another reason. I can't help but think God allowed the mothers to be named so that we could be proud of the ones who raised their children according to His will and put a name to those who seriously screwed up. 2-Josiah became king when he was eight years old. That is Isabelle's age. Just amazing. From the beginning he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. He grew up to be a mighty king. God told him he was going to die and THEN he went out and obeyed God. He didn't spend his time depressed, closed up in his room, looking for a remedy. He spent (I am not sure how long) his time destroying anything that glorified someone or something other than God! 3- God showed him mercy in a strange way. God didn't deliver Josiah or his people from death or from the separation between the people and God. He just promised Josiah he wouldn't live to see what was coming to them. Sad. When I finished reading this, I felt overwhelmed. It was sad to see such a determined king die, only to be followed by his wayward son. Jehoahaz was 23 when he became king. He was imprisoned three months later, but he managed to squeeze in enough rottenness against God for the author of 2Kings to make a note of it. Regularly I pray for my children to follow after God. But, after reading passages like these I can't help but make a mental list of all the things I am forgetting. God's grace is a great gift, but I want my kids to grow up saying the greatest gift they got from me was teaching them about God. I am able to say that about my own mother, and though her shoes are really tiny (little girls size 4s) they are huge to fill.

Tonight is your night bro

Today is the day! The Man is going in today at 1pm for his snip snip-aroo (sing this last part to the tune of chim-chim-charoo). Please pray for accuracy and success. It is a strange feeling to be past so many little stages. Don't worry, I am realistic in the fact that there is still a great chance I will get pregnant again. My prayer has always been that Mike would have this surgery when he felt ready and God was finished adding to our troop. Being the consistent pessimist I am, I am looking forward to A) Mike backing out at the last minute, or B) getting pregnant in six months. What do ya do?! I also have names picked out, and frankly a small part of me is a little sad I may never get to use them. And even stranger still, it is the girl name I like the most. But, The Man has instructed me that you shouldn't continue to have children just because you found a cool name lol. In actuality, God gave us the name Samuel when we were pregnant with Layla Grace, so it makes sense that we should end with him. It makes even more sense that we shouldn't have been surprised to get pregnant with Addison OR him considering we knew we were going to have a Samuel. Denial is a really big river. Along with all of this, my husband is incredibly nervous and could really use the prayers for peace. His dad went in when he was 39 for a routine surgery. He had not been to the doctors in years (pretty much his whole adult life) and was very against having surgery. When he went in for his pre-surgery check up, they found a lump under his arm that proved to be end stage cancer. He died six months later. Mike was only 20 and we had only been married 3months. In fact we moved our wedding up a good three years so his dad could be there for the wedding. His dad's death was all very devastating for Mike. Especially considering neither of them knew God. So pray pray pray. There are a lot of emotions stirring around here.

Hot Lips

I couldnt resist having the chance to include The Man in my Wheel experience and calling him Hot Lips just seemed the perfect way. It is a name I have called him since high school, even before we were dating. Goodtimes. The conversation went something like "Yes, Pat, I have been married for almost 11 years to my husband, Mike, who I like to call Hot Lips Hoolahan, but you may call him Mike." Pat happily answered he would certainly do so and then said those hot lips must be working because you have how many kids? HEE HEE I was also going to try to squeeze in my sister's name during the last puzzle. If I knew there was no hope of solving I was going to shout excitedly "Melissa rocks the Casbah." Instead I realized I did know the puzzle and at the very last second called "standard poodle." Even better times as there was a $1700 prize that came along with that guy! Let me just say that there were only two letters called when I solved this puzzle. It read something like

_T_ _D_ _D _ _ _ D _ _