Just a Quick Update

Mike-
busy busy with school/work
LOVES his new job
volunteering to referee the Inter Fire Department Dodge Ball game for charity (LOL)
expert at shining his boots
squeezing in fishing whenever he can

Me-
Working hard not to lose my sanity
participated in the anual Susan G. Komen, Crop for the Cure and finished 10 pages!
Heading into week two of Sociology
bought kids berries and cream Fraps today because I couldn't resist
busy shuffling kids to extra "fun" activities
trying to stay ahead of my homeschooling schedule
feel sad I can't come to more baby showers, but it just can't happen

Isabelle-
dropped out of journalism because it is more writing than she is interested in
continually jumps rope even if there is no rope to be jumped
doing superb in 4th grade at her new school
cut off all of her hair (mike still has a hard time looking at her)
still loving her book publishing and beading clubs
in the market for a violin as she has decided to play one for school

Elijah-
awesome football player
working on mastering the rollerblades
planning on being Captain Jack Sparrow for Halloween
has figured out more math than I ever did at this age!

Layla Grace-
beautiful as ever
has an incredibly loose front tooth
hilarious cheerleader (ready Ohhh K)
reading chapter books

Addison-
as squirrely as ever
knows three of her colors successfully
obssessed with lip gloss and flops so protect yours well
has begun drawing circles to practice holding her pencil correctly
traces VERY well
is going to be three soon!

Samuel-
walking and refusing to crawl
has all of his baby teeth
still clinging tightly to his paci though only in his bed if we can help it
crinkles his nose when he laughs
covers his mouth when he cries
makes us all smile

Moby-
sleeping...and the other usual doggy habits
misses us so much while we are gone he knocks both babies down when we return EVERY time!

The family-
busy, but happy
big patriot fans now that Eli and Layla Grace are part of the team
just got back from a week in Vegas (minus Mike)
got cell phones so we can send each other texts of our fun experiences
finished painting the house, now we are working on the master and baths
had the mold in our bathroom inspected and we are all clear for purchasing our house!
had the greatest family pictures just taken. We will send some out for the holidays

Berries and Cream Part One

If you want to learn this special dance, scroll down a smidge; I have posted a tutorial on the entire routine.

Berries and Cream

I have nothing else to say about this other than : I would like to dedicate this post to my friend Jenene Boardman.

This is Living

This is another picture from camping. It doesn't have a lot to do with my post other than to put a visual to the rest I feel I need already. (note the beer that is not really a beer in my son's hand.) Mike started his academy last week, and already we are overwhelmed with stuff. We have been so anti-hectic for the past three years that this schedule may just end me. Between piano lessons, football, cheerleading, Isabelle's new schedule with school, homeschooling, keeping up with Hot Lips, and The Man's new work responsibilities, I felt it was necessary to take a small break from school. I was having a hard time comprehending anything I was learning, so I dropped my history class. (Louie not Louise should not feel disappointed as I fully intend to take this class at another time..just not right now.) I get a two week break, one of which is in Vegas visiting friends and family, before I dive back into Sociology (ack) and Poli Sci (ack ack!!). Plus, I am switching my school nights to Thursdays, at least until football and cheer are over. Sanity prayers welcomed. Volunteers to care for babies during football games seriously needed. Please be in touch through our local contacts should you be able to offer your services.

My pictures are messing up..here is another

Summer's End Camping

Here are a couple of pictures from our camping trip. It was full of relaxing, sand sculptures, swimming, bike riding, and gluttony. Other than the fact that Sam slept miserably due to his rotten snack of rocks and lake water, it was awesome. I ended up having to share my mummy style sleeping bag with him. Obviously this was not even a little bit comfortable. Especially because he is a wiggly worm.

My Style Weekend Update

One more night of my Critical Thinking class. We are responsible for presenting ten popular fallacies people fall for out of a list of 27 good ones. Here is my speech for the "false dilemma fallacy" where Cookie Monster is shown simply devastated because he is out of milk to wash down his cookies. There are four people in my team, and we are delivering our speech in true Saturday Night Live, Weekend Update form. Cracks me right up! I love school!Here is my speech:

Good evening, and welcome to the (SAY EXACT TIME) news on LOL Fallacious Reasoning TV. My name is Shontell, and I am joined by my colleagues Christina, Kelly, and Andrew.

Before we get into our top story, we have breaking news concerning a certain loveable, blue, fuzzy monster. Cookie Monster was spotted earlier this week slipping into a seriously deep depression when, during his usual snack time of cookies, he was left high and dry with out any milk. The tragedy of it all is that Cookie was apparently so high on sugar from years of gluttony, he failed to consider any other beverage to help wash down his sugary treats. What Cookie has here is a false dilemma. And, now to Andrew with our top story.

No pics, but..

We just got back from camping with our friends at Frenchmens. What a beautiful lake. For those of you who live in Reno and haven't been, I suggest you go before the summer ends, then again when the leaves start to turn, then again when it is time to cut down a Christmas tree. Just beautiful. My kids had a fantastic time getting as dirty as possible, roasting marshmallows at all hours, munching, playing games, fishing, building forts...anything that screams "I am a kid at the beach!" It was almost too great. We didn't want to leave. We packed up our four room tent (huge, I know!) and headed back to reality.

Because we are getting better at this parenting thing, we bribed the kids with a trip to the ice cream parlor if they helped unload everything, shower willingly, and help get everything in order for our new week. It worked. We are all squeaky clean (though our bathtubs could use a pick me up!), my van is back to less than bursting at its seems, and our bellies are full of Baskin Robin's tasty treats.

It was a great weekend together. Just us. Just family and friends. Great memories.

Just one of my all time favorite commercials

Just pause my music on the side there to listen properly. Yah, it's that good.

Isaiah 58

I am missing church. I KNOW I KNOW! I am the church, but I still miss going. In my attempts to read through the bible, I have made it to Isaiah. I only have the rest of the old testament to go, and I am looking forward to it as there are a lot of books I haven't even rustled pages in. Anyway, I read through this chapter, and though it was encouraging, convicting, and full of promises, it made me miss church. Happy Sabbath.

"Shout it aloud, do not hold back.

Raise your voice like a trumpet.

Declare to my people their rebellion

and to the house of Jacob their sins.

For day after day they seek me out;

they seem eager to know my ways,

as if they were a nation that does what is right

and has not forsaken the commands of its God.

They ask me for just decisions and seem eager

for God to come near them.

'Why have we fasted,' they say,

'and you have not seen it? Why have we humbled

ourselves, and you have not noticed?'

"Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please

and exploit all your workers.

Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife,

and in striking each other with wicked fists.

You cannot fast as you do today

and expect your voice to be heard on high.

Is this the kind of fast i have chosen,

only a day for man to humble himself?

I sit only for bowing one's head like a reed

and for lying on sackcloth and ashes?

Is this what you call a fast,

a day acceptable to the Lord?

"Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:

to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke,

to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?

Is it not to share your food with the hungry

and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter-

when you see the naked, to clothe him,

and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

Then your light will break forth like the dawn,

and your healing will quickly appear;

then your righteousness will go before you,

and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.

Then you will call, and the Lord will answer;

you will cry for help and he will say: Here I am.

"If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger

and malicious talk,

and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry

and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,

then your light will rise in the darkness,

and your light will rise in the darkness,

and your night will become like the noonday.

The Lord will guide you always;

he will satisfy your needs in a sun scorched land

and will strengthen your frame.

You will be like a well-watered garden,

like a spring whose waters never fail.

Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins

and will raise up the age-old foundations;

you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls,

Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.

"If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath

and from doing as you please on my holy day,

if you call the Sabbath a delight

and the Lord's holy day honorable,

and if you honor it by not going your own way

and not doing as you please or speaking idle words,

then you will find your joy in the Lord,

and I will cause you to ride on the heights of the land

and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob."

The mouth of the lord has spoken.

Sabbath

For you non Reno- onions, our church is celebrating a month long sabbath from the regulars of church. For more on this check out our free podcasts through iTunes by looking up Hillside Foursquare Church. Good stuff. Check it out. DO IT!!

Anyway, our family is using this time to catch up on being a family before Mike's schedule sets in. I love God's timing..usually. On the surface, I am tempted to be irritated that SOOOO much is happening at once, but when i began to dig a little deeper, I realize just how right it all is. First, I am a lists, goal setting kind of girl. I like time lines and deadlines. The fact that I have to have EVERYTHING done before September 3rd is a challenge (I hope I am up to it).

Secondly, most of what is taking place leads to further peace or lots of fun. We have been given our thirty day notice of intent to sell our home. I will admit that I cried for a week, but my husband so happily reminded me that God is bigger than the boogie man; I don't need to be sad, I need to be praying. So we did, and we are going to try to buy our house. In addition, we are smack dab, in the middle of painting and revamping our home. Those of you who have ever done this know how tricky it can be. Those of you who have done this with five children..can you call and give me tips please? We made a master list...ten pages long (literally) of things to be accomplished. We are about five pages into it, but the peace that comes from this organization will be a major blessing and stress reliever. We just have to push through. I am reading Emilie Barnes' Survival Guide for the Busy Woman for inspiration. In addition to this, my kids are branching out to extra curricular activities. This will obviously only lead to humor. Football and cheer leading... it almost doesn't get better than this!

Thirdly, my husband has just been offered the career of his dreams. God's hand has been in every part of the process and my husband has been able to see it. He is allowing God to grow and stretch him in new ways. It is tough for both of us, but humbling to see God doing so much work in our little home.

Please pray for our sanity and a solid finish.

Metaphor help..no I really need help!

Can someone turn this simile into a metaphor, please?

Teaching kindergarten in the public school system is like herding cattle.

Feel free to elaborate- thanks.

Sick of the Cooties

BLECH! Mike and I are sick with colds. I feel like a little kid. I am pouty, grumpy, achy, crazy hot, dopey..you name it. We found out Mike's physical is schedule for this Tuesday. He is a little nervous because if he doesn't pass, he loses his chance to take this job. God is bigger than cooties..he has to be, he invented them. For now, we are snuggled up, heavily medicated, watching Harry Potter while I work on homeschool lesson plans. Fun Fun Fun. Hopefully the meds won't affect my teaching plans.

A Dream Come True

So, many of you have heard by now, but I had to bloggify it. Hot Lips is officially a firefighter recruit for the Reno Fire Department. He got the call today asking him to report to the academy on September 4th. This day is especially great because it was his dad's birthday. His dad died a few months after we were married, so it is a little bittersweet. This is certainly a time for a dad to be proud of a son.

Thank you all for your prayers. He is now waiting for his information packet, then he has to pass a background check and medical physical. All prayers are welcomed throughout that process. We will keep you updated. God is moving much in the Brewer house. Some of it is a bit of a stretch, and some of it is actually putting our money where our faith is. It is easy to say we trust him, but another when we are asked to live it. I apologize ahead of time for the rotten example I am sure to set over the next few months. Prayers for my sanity, energy, and for my role as athletic supporter; it can be a sweaty job...or is that schweaty?

Summertime is Just Getting Started

Beep Beep Coming through!
This is Addison's more glamorous side.


Birthday treats and water filled arm farts... Made to be brothers.

We have become big supporters of the new Reno farm team, Silver Sox. My favorite part of being a kid is not caring that your glasses are cheap, cheesy, and crooked. (Notice Eli, lol)

Summer is about half over. We are still trying to fit in a camping trip, some more gardening, and some more swimming. The next thing we are waiting impatiently for is the Rib Cook-off. All are welcome to visit. Just look for us near the noggin sized onion blossom stand. We will be the fools with corn in our teeth and a lemonade in our hands.

Not so professional hair model

Here is my first attempt at being a hair model. My friend, Marie invited me to be her hair model in a nationwide competition that I REAAAAAALLY want to win. It took a couple of days, a few uncomfortable positions, and frankly, a lot of laying around while people fiddle with my hair, but these are a couple of proofs from the shoot. I had so much fun. It certainly didn't take a lot of brains to do this job, but it took a big step outside of my shell and a lot of working on my rotten posture. If Marie wins, we get to go with her hair buddy, Josie, to Barcelona to do it all over again. Wish us luck :D

The Next American Idol

Doesn't my nephew Adam look remarkably like Sanjaya? I am scared. He straightened his hair because a girl at his school said she thought he would be handsome. It is amazing what 12 year olds will do for a girl.

I did not write this...It was a devotion I read this morning. Interesting though.

AN INVOCATION OF STRENGTH**Are you looking for peace in your life? http://journeyofjoy.com/questions/peace.htmlby Suzanne Benner

"May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loves us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word" (2 Thessalonians 2:16, 17).

Are you weary today? Is your strength failing? Often we find ourselves in situations that require us to pour out physical and emotional energy at such a pace that there is little or no time to be replenished. Raising young children is one such season of life. There aren't enough hours in the day to accomplish all that needs doing; the necessity for constant vigilance is draining and a moment of rest seems weeks away.

Being the primary care giver to someone who is sick or aging is another period of unrelenting demands on your energy. Beyond the physical demands, grief often takes an added toll.

Perhaps it is the strain of broken relationship that is exhausting you. Estrangement from a friend, sibling, or son or daughter exacts a heavy price from your peace of mind. Confession, forgiveness and working through the issues take more strength than you possess. Many times we desire to do these good things that God has called us to, but become discouraged and tired. Thus it is wonderful to discover that our God gave us eternal encouragement and good hope! More than a momentary pick-me-up, by God's grace and love we have access to a continuous supply of hope and encouragement. Feelings fluctuate, but God and His word stand firm forever. Keep clinging to Him.
Questions: What does eternal encouragement and good hope mean to you? How has it been a reality in your life?

Isabelle

I am not saying I don't love her for a lot of other reasons, but Isabelle has only been gone for a few hours and I am exhausted. That girl is such a huge help around here. My husband is home because I am working on homework and he is off on weekends. He is only able to offer limited advice and help through the low points of the redneck race. He just randomly hollers stuff like "Addison, stop licking that!" or "Sam, stop crawling up on the entertainment center" or "Addison! Dang it, can't you poop in the toilet yet!?" or "Sam, stop crawling on me. Go skin a cat or something." I am not overly certain what that last one means. It scares me. Between sayings like that and that deer head hanging on my wall, I am beginning to think I married a redneck.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOOOOU!

Samuel Fisher has turned one!! YAY, Baby. We played in the sprinklers and that ginormous ball in the picture. We grilled and just spent time together as a family. It was relaxed and perfect. His birthday presents included this sweet speedo, a push walker, a John Deer tractor to ride along on, squeaky blocks that Moby can't seem to leave alone, and an insane spinning toy that makes way too much noise for a children's toy.

My mother got him these speedos. They are really only appropriate on little boys under two.
Sam is just starting to take steps. We got him this walker hoping to help him along. Notice the ensamble: speedo, push toy, princess wand. I love it. Fascinated by the fire from his candle, he became a little violent when I pushed it away from him.
Mike decided Sam needed to celebrate his first birthday as a man; we had grilled corn, steaks, and beer.
MMMMM. Finally a taste of birthday cake. I decided to steal my brother's tradition and make Sam a JELLO cake each year for his birthday.
I have now celebrated our last first bday. sigh. It is nice, but a little sad. We are teaching our last baby to walk, eat, and make kissy noises. I talked to a friend today who said she thought about writing a book called Eighteen Christmases. She said that is really all we have with them. I got teary immediately. Even though I have been awake with Samuel for the past two nights while he is teething, I am working hard to cherish every moment. Even the not so fun ones.