Happy New Year!

So I have been on a bit of an unintentional break due to the holidays and work and a few interesting things that have been going on in the Brewer household. Promise updates in the near (I hope) future.

Today's post is to look back and remember the good and the blessings we had in 2008.

In January - We brought in 2008 with a bang. Josh decided that shortly he was going to be coming off of the road and be home with us.

In February - I became an Auntie again when Zavian was born. I also started this blog.

In March - March was a fun month we had a great Easter! Lots of dying of Easter Eggs and Candy (of course). Something that would change our lives beyond what we could imagine is that Josh stopped going over the road. He quit. This was a scary time too as we had to go from one income to no-income and trust. (We know the issues Shay has with this).

In April - Josh found a job and started working for Charter and we celebrated Daddy's 25th birthday with specially made cupcakes and his favorite spaghetti dinner.

In May - I started working full time again to make ends meet for the time being. Josh is already well on his way of making it possible for me to stay at home again and I am looking forward to being able to do that once again.

In June - We had a busy but fun summer. The kids had a rough adjustment period to mommy not being with them all the time. We enjoyed trips to the zoo and to the pool and to the park.

In July - We had a great 4th of July with fireworks (which Hudson decided he did not like at ALL). Lots more swimming this month Hudson loves the water. Leanna started to learn how to hold her breath and put her head under water.

In August - We of course had a crazy month this month is pretty much my family's birthday month. We had birthday parties galore this month. Leanna turned 4 which is of course a sad and happy moment all in one. I turned 25. Leanna also had her first sleepover. Which was a complete success.

In September - We had a pretty busy month too. Hudson turned 2. The kids had a swinging time at their birthday party. I got to have a wonderful visit with some girlfriends of mine (who I miss and need to do a better job of keeping in touch with miss you "S" and "C") and Josh and I "celebrated" 5 years of marriage with movies and popcorn on the couch night *Smile*. Who thought we would be where we are 5 years later. Leanna and Hudson were also the flower girl and ring bearer in a wedding.

In October - The kids had an awesome Halloween and we went to several pumpkin and apple picking adventures. I love the fall time soooo much. It was a good month and having Josh there to take part of all of these things was soooo much fun.

In November - I got tired of the political nonsense and was glad to have it over with. Thanksgiving was very low key for us this year. We did enjoy getting to see my sister over the Holiday that was lots of fun. We got to spend time with some friends of ours and give to a very special mission Operation Christmas Child. Leanna worked very hard to pick out fun and pretty things for her little girl. Also baby "E" came into the world YAY for the "N" family. I haven't seen him in person yet (going to change soon! don't hate me "C") but his pictures sure are cute!

In December - We had a wonderful Christmas and I will post pictures soon. We had a good time with all of the different functions. Leanna was perfect in her Christmas play and remembered all of her lines and her little snippet of her song she sang with no stage fright or anything it was awesome. Our friends the "G" family welcomed baby "D" which Leanna and Hudson are already in love with.

A good year. An amazing year. I am thankful for so much. I hope the 3 readers I have also enjoyed an amazing year. So much has happened and yet so much yet to come.

Blessings and HAPPY NEW YEAR from,

The Brewers
Josh, Shay, Leanna and Hudson

Friends and Family

My children had a great weekend last weekend. I have been blogging about it for the past couple of days. This is another continuation of that same weekend.

We also got to have lots of fun with some friends (that are pretty much like family we spend so much time with them) and family. They all were at the Breakfast with Santa and then later cousins came over and helped "paint" the Gingerbread Houses.

I also got to get some pretty awesome photos (well for being in cruddy lighting conditions with over sugared children) that I laugh looking at. I wanted to share some of them (with the permissison of mommies) with you.


The above picture is of Hudson and Aubrey. They are good buddies. They are also only two months apart in age. They had lots of fun that day. Hudson's face just makes me laugh out loud. So much joy in one little face.


Leanna and Cadence are 2.5 weeks apart in age. They love to hang out and they are soooo dramatic. Sometimes Leanna tells me she wishes she had a sister but that Cadence will "work for now".


And this picture is of the cousins. They had a ton of fun hanging out together that day. I was so pleased with how well the whole process went. (Even later with the gingerbread houses).

I am so thankful. My children haven't been very blessed with much family that takes time to truly know them and who they are. But they have some (what I hope will be) forever friends that love them for just who they are.

Breakfast with Santa...

So you can read about our ridiculously BUSY weekend here.

Of our fun adventures this weekend this is one that the kids were looking the most forward to. (It helped that they didn't know about the gingerbread adventure till after this part but I digress.) They got up with smiles on their faces (at 6:00 in the morning after a late night that isn't normal for my two) and were excited to get dressed. Here are Leanna and Hudson waiting to put their coats on to leave.


Their excited little faces made the early morning rush totally worth it. I love all the excitement of the holidays to begin with but to see their eyes bulging out twinkling in sheer excitement makes it just that much more special.

So we get there to a wonderful breakfast of delicious donuts with chocolate icing and sprinkles and muffins with candy sprinkles and sugar "breakfast" cookies with sprinkles. I hyperventilated watched calmly as they devoured their breakfasts. As they were eating we heard Christmas Bells and in came Santa. Leanna and Hudson almost fell out of their chairs! (Did I mention I love the magic children bring to this holiday) Here is Hudson telling Santa he is eating a snowman donut.

There were some stories and games and then we got to go upstairs and sit on Santa's lap. We were invited to take as many pictures as we wanted (So of course I did). Here are some of my favorites...





It was soooo much fun. We had a blast with friends and family that day. Are you having a fun Christmas season so far?

Gingerbread Houses...

This past weekend was a busy busy weekend for us. Leanna had her final play practice on Friday night from 6:00 - 8:00. Saturday was an early day as we had breakfast with Santa at 8:30 in the morning. Followed with our cousins coming to our house for Gingerbread Houses and the making of them, Sunday was church and Sunday night was the play.

Today's post will show the Gingerbread House portion. (Cause that is the memory card I have with me at work)

We had a ton of fun. The kids got to help pick out the extra candy that was going to be needed to "paint" and decorate the houses. They picked out sweethearts and gobstoppers and smarties and so many other goodies it was almost unfair. (Especially to mommy who wanted to eat all of them)

The girls did one house and the boys did another which made it easiest for Josh and I. He took the boys and I took the girls (that way I could also take pictures). The turned out really well and it was nice to see them put so much effort and thought into it.

This year was extra special because while I have always made gingerbread houses with the kids. Daddy was home for the first year ever to be a part of the always fun and forever messy tradition.
The girls were so very proud of their house. The worked very well together.

The girls working on theirs

This is the boys finished project they were very excited to tell the camera about each piece of candy.


Most of my pictures just didn't "turn" out for my blog. Lots of mouths open and hands in faces and motion. Perfect for my scrapbook not so perfect for the world to view.

Happy Thursday.
Come back tomorrow to see Breakfast with Santa.

Weight loss Challenge!

Good Morning Blog world.

So I didn't win the Biggest Loser for the 6 weeks. Mark did that with a weight loss of 17 pounds which is amazing!


Last week: 232.00

This week 229.6

Which is another weight loss of 2.4 pounds. Bringing my total weight loss to date for six weeks to ..... 12.4 pounds.

I have 30 more to go people. It would be awesome if I could do it for our FINALE on Jan 30. We are weighing again then to see who has lost more or kept it off. So I am pushing for at least another 15 pounds by then. That is an average of 2.3 pounds a week to lose which is something like .65 pounds a day or something like that.

I am going to continue with the weekly weigh-ins for here though. Just to keep me accountable and motivated. Hopefully by January I will be needing to buy new clothes and to motivate myself for that I have been taking 5 dollars a week and hiding it. So I have a starting point for my skinny wardrobe.

Happy Wednesday..

By the way this week also marks my 4 month anniversary of quitting smoking too. I am pretty proud that I have lost weight and quit smoking for those of you who didn't know what jump started the weightloss thing is that in the two months I was "working on" quitting (before I just went cold turkey) I gained 25 pounds. Putting me at the heaviest I have ever been and hence starting these weekly posts of Weight Loss Challenge!

Do you ever feel...

Inadequate?

I do. All the time. I can't shake this feeling of screwing up all the time. It is like this paranoia I have. Am I messing up? Did I do this right? Can I do it better next time? Am I doing things "green" enough. Am I to hard on the kids? Am I hard enough on the kids? What can I do to make this faster?

That is just in the first 2 hours of my day usually. I worry like really really really worry. About everything all the time. I almost feel anxious. I wonder if I should see a doctor about it?

See there I go again. I can't shake it though. My favorite verse in the bible is in Matthew I believe 6:36 "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow for each day has enough sorrow/trouble of it's own". I CAN"T NOT WORRY. I pray about it all the time. I wish I was better at laying stuff down and letting things go. I need to be better I need to surrender the bad and good thoughts the hopes and the wants, the failures and the hurts at His feet. I know I do. I just fail. All the time at it. Every time.

I know God is bigger than me and my worries and my problems. Why can't I trust him to take care of it. Why can't I let it go? Why can't I say... okay God here you go I am giving this to you 100% letting it go and trusting you with what is going to happen.

My children. I feel like THE. WORST. MOM. ALL. THE. TIME. I can't pray for patience anymore and I won't because I fail that test every. single. time. I pray for kind words and a soft leading hand. I don't feel like I am accomplishing it. I feel so inadequate.

My grandmother always says to me "Quit borrowing trouble". Man sometimes I feel like I am borrowing, begging, pleading and stealing it.

Kinda heavy today sorry. Feeling that way today.

The Incredible Shrinking Shay Returns....

Okay so I am not shrinking very fast but I am shrinking.

So I missed a check in. Or was it two???

When the whole process started you will remember I weighed in at 242 pounds. That is big (even for my tall big boned frame). I was unhappy with myself and decided to get more proactive about it. Thus the Weight Loss Wednesday posts.

I am proud to announce that as of this morning I weighed....

232 pounds!!!! Which makes my total weight loss so far a 10 pounds. That is through the holidays my friends! In 5 weeks I have lost 10 pounds which only averages to two pounds a week. But I'll take it.

I am eating better mostly. Although I am trying to exercise. There are time restrictions on me though so I am trying to find a time of day or days that work better for my family as well as my schedule. Hopefully after all of this crazy weather ends (you know when springtime is here) my gym trips will be more frequent.

Until then I am going to have to get creative with my exercising options... I wonder how many calories curling soup cans while cooking burns???

Crying in the car...

Okay so that sounds pretty melodramatic. I don't mean it to sound that way but I promise there is a point to that title post.

Driving to work yesterday had to be one of the scariest driving experiences for me EVER. I live in a valley and our roads aren't "overly" traveled in the morning. So yesterday it was ICY!!!! I don't mean like "oh there is icy spots on the roads be careful". I mean that when I turned out of my subdivision yesterday morning the first sight that greeted me was two cars smoking off the road in a ditch tangled together it was NOT pretty! I wish I had my camera to show you the ice on the road. This wasn't black ice this was no matter where you looked you saw ice.

So I called Josh (who is two cars behind me in his work vehicle) and made him drive in front of me so he could tell me what to do. Did I mention yet that I don't enjoy ice? Just on my back roads there were 7 cars in ditches in the 1 mile stretch from my subdivision to the "main traveled" road.

I cried. I cried alot. I hate ice. I love snow but man I really truly hate ice. I try not to use the hate word to often (anymore anyway) but I really hate don't like that stuff. It is terrifying and useless (unless it is going in my glass to chill my drink) and causes pain and hurt and accidents and frustration and for me tears. Lots and lots of tears.

Next time I am calling in late!

Not Me Monday

So... another edition of not me Monday. I enjoy telling my weaknesses as a mom to you. I enjoy reading about others which you can do too at MckMama's blog. It is fun to read about other's struggles and mess ups and enjoy knowing that you "aren't the ONLY one". So have a giggle with me as we enjoy...



I most certainly did not feed Leanna and Hudson frosting and cookies for breakfast on Saturday because that is what they asked me for. I would never do that because I prefer my children to eat healthy and balanced breakfasts. I also did NOT join them in this said breakfast because it of course did NOT look delicious (it also did NOT taste that way).

I also did NOT lay around my house in pajamas ALL weekend long because it felt good. I did NOT allow Leanna and Hudson to stay in their pajamas right along with me. We did NOT lay around and watch movies all day.

My son did not have a large number two accident in his pants (notice I said pants and not diaper or pull up) and leave my husband (who did not JUST arrive home from work) to deal with the cleanup of said child so I could continue visiting with my good friend. No I am the good mama who cleans all children and their messes right up.

I would never proceed in eating cookies and milk after the children have gone to bed and when one beautiful little blonde hair girl snuck back out on the couch with me I did NOT share the wonderful snack with her and not her brother.

I also did NOT turn fourteen shades of red when my daughter proceeded to tell a group of people that her mom farts at home and sometimes (she did not giggle and smile here) it is really loud.

So there you have it blog readers. That is my NOT me Monday. What blog gives you Number Two and flatulence along with cookies and frosting all in one post?

How has your week been?

Thanksgiving...

Hope everyone had a lovely day today and a Happy Thanksgiving.

Okay that was about it...

Love and Blessings,
The Brewers

Not Me Monday....I like it alot!

So this button above me is a really cool idea that MckMama came up with. So here is my first shot at it. If you would like to join in please feel free and comment and let me know so I can come and visit yours and relive and laugh at your craziness...

Here goes...

I did not take a shower yesterday morning to get ready for church and come out and find Hudson sans, pants, shoes, socks and diaper with a trail of urine up and down my hallway.

I did not lose my cool and yell at the children.

I did not have my daughter pray for me in her Sunday school class. In that same story line I did not have Leanna's sunday school teacher come up to me and say "Leanna's prayer request this morning was that her momma would be nicer to her and Hudson".

I did not proceed in going home and having a good pouting session until my husband came home.

I also did not proceed to eat 4 chocolate chip cookies (that my wonderful husband Josh made) knowing full good and well that I am on a diet.

So just to give you and idea that was just my Sunday. Since the son was half naked there will be no pictures with this post. So I hope you enjoyed a good laugh because at least today I can laugh at it. Seriously. Yesterday I just pouted and well cried a little too....

Happy Monday!
*Shay*

Weight loss Challenge!

Well ladies (and my one gentleman reader) today was weigh in day.

I didn't do so well with eating this week. I did work on my exercise routine more though and that will help with the weeks to come...

So the final tally after 1 week.

Last week: 236

This week: 235

I know not horribly impressive however a loss is a loss right?

So maybe I will be back next week with another 5 or more pounds loss. Better kick it up a notch huh?

Have a Wonderful Wednesday!
*Shay*
I promise a picture soon...

Trying to do the video thing...

This is a video of the kids doing a song at church two weeks ago. They are really stinking cute. So I am going to try to upload the video. Please let me know if you can view it and of course what you think of those cute babies.




Thanks,

*Shay*

Weight loss Challenge!

So we weighed in... the results stand as....

Original: 242

New: 236

That is right ladies and gentleman I lost 6 pounds this week. Now I just wish I could see the difference.

I will keep working on it. Hopefully by Christmas you will see and know a much smaller Shay! Sorry no picture this week will try to do better next time!

Thanks,

*Shay*

Pray...Vote....Pray...

Today is the day. I have to say all of the economy talk and craziness is driving me CRAZY. I am a pretty patriotic chick. I pay attention and do my research and I vote. I stood in line for two hours this morning to fill in my circles and get my little "I Voted" sticker. I stood in line for two minutes worth of work that could/will effect the next four years of my, my family, my children, my friends, my co-workers and my country's life.

I am terrified. Not in the oh my gosh the world is ending sort of way. Though to hear some people do feel that way (which in and of itself is terrifying).

I am excited because my God is big enough for all of it. My God is in control of all it. Whether we like it or want it (which lets be honest we don't sometimes) He has it. He knows everything before it will ever happen. (I soooo wish I had that power sometimes.) He has it. I just have to remember and trust in that. He has it all of it. I don't trust a politician to save my life and I don't have to either that is the beauty of it. One way or another God's got it and I just have to trust.

So today I stood in line for two hours. I prayed for a good portion of those two hours and then I read some and prayed some and read some. I laughed some. I told jokes some. I had a positive voting experience. I prayed for knowledge, kindness, peace, for our country and its leaders for our states and the people who live in them. I prayed about alot of things. Mostly I prayed for my children and the world that they are growing to be adults in. I know God has that too but I play such a HUGE roll in that. I fail sooooo many times. I fail in lots of parenting things, I lose my temper, I am lazy and I fail them but man I try. Everyone fails including our current leader and the new leader of this country. I prayed for him (both hims) too. Humans fail. We do it is inevitable we aren't nor ever will be perfect (politician or not).

Now I pray for peace. For understanding and for knowledge and for the new leader of our country whomever that may be.

I have rambled and I am sure I have confused. I am sorry.

So Tired...Slacking on Blog...Keep Eyes Open...

So as the title of the post suggests I am really tired so this is going to be short and sweet with some updates.

Halloween was lots of fun. I have some cute kids. Proven by the handfuls of candy we received while trick or treating (said candy??? 90% will be gifted to a basket on my desk at work!!!!) Pictures of said cuteness....


We made those awesome cookies that my friend "S" made for my work luncheon they were a huge success! Leanna had a blast. See turn out of spider cookies (awesomeness don't know how to link yet working on that again to tired to even try)....


I am really excited for the holidays coming up however I am also seriously not looking forward to them either. Is that normal and okay???

I am still not smoking (which you think would be easy but some days it is much harder than others)...

I am excited about my "coupon" group coming over tomorrow. I love hanging out with those women they make me smile so do their kids...

Remember that 34 pounds of apples in previous post?

I turned them into apple pie...


Apple Bread (which was delicious)...


And Apple Muffins which we are still eating for breakfast yummy!!!!


I hate time changes they stink ALOT!

I want to learn how to put videos on my blog someone needs to teach/explain/wake me up long enough to learn. "S" I have a really cute one of Leanna telling Lily hello (she wanted me to pt it up after she saw Lily singing the coffee song).

I leave you know with some of the cutest kids ever....


Blessings,

*Shay*

Weight loss Challenge!

So I have managed to start a biggest loser (yes kinda based off the TV show) at work. There are 15 of us in the contest. I am excited about starting it.

So I told you I wanted to be held accountable and I do. So here it goes. I am in the top 4 heaviest in my office with the three others being men (big men). So I am a little depressed and down in the dumps. The only thing helping me is the fact that I am 5'10" which also makes me as tall if not taller than at least 1 if not 2 of those other 3 people.



So yeah... Slightly depressed this morning.

Here's hoping next week will be good news with a weight loss of 5 pounds. That is my goal this week. Aggressive yes but so is my plan.

Thanks for the support
*Shay*
P.S. Friday was also my 1 month anniversary of NOT smoking. I am also going to try and post pictures each week. Let me know if you see a difference! (Best picture I had this week sorry next weeks will be better).

Silent Saturdays! Accomplishment!

TYGF....

So it is time for another edition of Thank You God For...

Josh.

Yep I know seems generic again right? Well nope!

He is such a good dad. That is the specifics this week. He is a good dad. He loves his kids. He spends time with them and plays with them.

If he gets home in time he loves giving them their bedtime bath. The kids love it too because well I love him but he is a pushover at bath time. They splash and laugh and have WAYYYY to many bubbles in the tub (see why mom isn't fun at bath time). We have races to get them dressed into their jammies (which normally end in a tie).



He picks them up and carries them on his shoulders (even Leanna and she is a big girl now). He tickles them and watches cartoons with them too. (X-men and Spiderman being his favorites but he watches Dora and My Little Pony all the same).

So thank you God for sending me a man who loves his babies. Who plays tea party and crawling races. Thank You for sending me a man who has Jammie races and plays horsie (being the horse). Thanks for letting me have this man who my kids call Daddy!

Join me today in being thankful and expressing that. You can't be angry and worry about things when you are expressing thanks. Cause usually what you are thankful for is a happy thought and makes you smile! So what is it you are thankful for?

Thanks YOU for reading!
*Shay*

Apple Pickin'

So I told you I wasn't finished right? We also went apple pickin' on Sunday. It was a gorgeous day the sun was shining, a breeze was blowing and it was just cool enough to wear a jacket. We had so much fun.

Apple picking is something Josh and I started doing when we were just dating. We have continued the tradition each year. My kids love it. The enjoy getting there bags and picking the apples...
We normally go to Eckert's but on the recommendation of my girlfriend Beth we went to a local orchard called Beautigram's (Sp?). They aren't as large as Eckert's (so I missed the country store ALOT) and Josh didn't get his funnel cakes but we still had a great time. They were 9 cents a pound cheaper on the apples too.

We just really had a great time. The kids were awesome and had a blast having daddy pick them up and have them get the "REALLY REALLY" great one right there over their heads. It was a great time. And some pictures for you to witness said great time....
Leanna and Daddy getting the "Great" one.

Leanna and brother sharing an apple. (They ate almost as much as we picked I think!)

And of course we took pictures with pumpkins.

They had a corn shelling station too it was lots of fun to play in the corn.

And finally a picture of the 34 pounds of apples. That is right people I said 34 pounds!



Have a great day!
*Shay*

"Just Get it Over With"

Leanna says to her brother not two seconds after I snapped this picture "Hudson if you just look at momma and get it over with it'll be... it'll be... well it will just be over with". I think this may be a sign I should stop making them say cheese for me?

Have a blessed Wednesday!

Weekend (on a Tuesday) Pumpkin Hunt!

The Brewers LOVE FALL!!!

I don't think I can say that enough times. I truly enjoy the fall it makes us so happy. We love leaves and pumpkins and just being outside and the cooler temps. Everything about it.

Well we decided to make this weekend our fall extravaganza. We had the annual pumpkin hunt out at the Dark Horse Ranch (my parents friends where they board their horse) on Saturday. The kids had a BLAST. We loved watching them hunt for their pumpkins, play musical plates (it is easier than chairs), eat yummy food, play hide and seek with friends. It was a wonderful time like always.

So I am going to stop telling you and start showing you!
Friends just hanging around...


Look at mine!


"I can DOOO it".... "Leave e-lone Daddy I do meeeself"

Nothing says country boy like the back of a pick-up truck!


Leanna got to hold the sweetest little 8 week old bunny...


So there are some pictures of our fun filled day! More to come tomorrow of our Sunday adventures.

Slacker Much?

Hello everyone! Sorry I haven't been very wordy lately. Although I am sure that everyone is okay with that right?

I hope everyone has been well.

I have some very fun things to post on this week and some "picture worthy" things as well.

So sorry for the lack of updates recently stay tuned! It is coming I promise!

Silent Saturdays!

Weight loss Challenge...and Updates!

So I am asking my few and faithful readers (you know who you are hehehe) to help keep me accountable. Also I am sorry in advance but once a week there will now be a check in weight loss post! Wednesday weight loss!

A certain person close to me (she wants it to be a surprise when she comes to visit so I am not saying names) has lost 50 pounds. I am soooo proud of her. That is amazing!

(This is kinda the update portion)
I have quit smoking! I haven't smoked in 3 weeks. If you know me you know that that is amazing. However in the 2 months (that I was trying) and the 3 weeks (I have been successful) I have gained probably 10-15 pounds. (Josh is still working on it please keep him in mind he is really trying he even signed up for a program through his job to help him I am soooo proud of hard he is working).

(This is kinda the challenge portion)
She (is incredibly proud of me and when she comes to visit she is taking me to eat at my favorite restaurant) has challenged me to reach my goal weight of 200 pounds by Christmas this year. She is going to try and make it from a 16 (she was a 24) to a 12 by then. So I need help in being accountable for my choices. I have already made myself healthier by the whole quitting smoking thing. Now I want to lose weight too.

So prayers and encouragement and well wishers are welcome. That and ask me the hard questions. Get in my face. Make me feel guilty and make me be ACCOUNTABLE. That is the important part of this.

And if you choose to join in the challenge with me ("C" I know you are supposed to be gaining weight for baby boy "E" so I know you won't be joining me :).. I get giggly think about your baby boy) and try and drop some weight or just eat healthier or whatever feel free. Let me know and I will help with all the prayers and encouragement you can stand but please know I am gonna ask the "hard" questions too!

Silent Saturdays! Handsome!

TYGF

So today is thank you God for day! I do so love these days it gives me a chance to focus on the positive. I love putting into words the things I am thankful for. It gives me a chance to speak out loud and praise God for the things I most often over look. It can be something as small as a fall breeze or as big as you surviving the terrible two's with your children. Just come on in and speak the words out loud and let us and Him know what you are thankful for.

So TYGF... Thank you God for loooong walks.

I have been taking long walks. Sometimes in the mornings when I wake up. Sometimes at night after the kids have gone to bed. Sometimes after I get home from work and the kids just aren't quite ready to go inside yet.

I love the weather being just right for stepping outside in jeans and a t-shirt or shorts and a sweatshirt (which seems to be my uniform most afternoons after work) and just picking a direction and walking. I love breathing the crisp cool air, taking in the leaves falling from the trees, my kids finding joy in a butterfly or a cricket.

It is so nice to just enjoy. To not be running from here to there. To just walk and take it all in. And hey here's hoping it is helping with the weight loss too!

What are you thankful for today?

Are we really one of the few?

"My husband and I have never considered divorce... murder sometimes, but never divorce."
- Joyce Brothers

5 years.

5 years has passed since I looked into the gorgeous brown eyes of a young man of 20 and told him I would love him for the rest of my life.

Josh and I totally missed our anniversary again this year. It IS important to us but I guess when life throws 2 kids and 2 full time jobs and a "NICE" hospital stay and the wedding of a sibling you tend to forget.

It has been a fun five years and a short five years and at the same time it has been a ridiculously HARD five years and a LOOOONNNNGGG five years. Isn't it amazing how it can feel like so many things all wrapped into one big giant ball of AHHHH.

We were sad to find out that out of all the couples that got married "around" the same time as us, a couple before a couple after etc. Only like 4 of those couple (out of 10) are still together. Two or three of those couples are probably reading this blog and the other we haven't seen or spoke to in almost 2 years and are assuming.

I guess I just missed the train on where it became so easy to stop loving someone. I missed the "easy out" way of thinking I suppose. I love Josh more than the world MOST of the time but there are those rare occasions where we grate on each others nerves and want to walk away...... for a few moments ... not forever.

My heart breaks for those couples who have already walked away. Sadly one couple made it one year and that was it. People say it is age, maturity or the infamous "these things happen". How sad. How truly sad.

That is why I love that quote above. Murder sure! Divorce never! He is stuck with me. Or at least until I off him.

Now I jest. I make light of what I don't understand and what I can't fix. In all honesty it is a hard and hurtful and ugly truth. To be honest I am sad. To be honest I am happy. Happy that it has been hard work. Happy that Josh feels the same that I do that our love is worth that hard work. Thankful that Josh is willing to walk away and walk right back. Here's to another 5 years. To the couples that I speak of my heart breaks for you it truly does. For the couples I know are reading this Happy 5 or almost 5 years and congratulations sadly/gladly we are truly one of the few.

Summing up my feelings this week...

Some houses try to hide that fact
That children shelter there.
Ours boasts of it quite openly--
The signs are everywhere.
For smears are on the windows,
Little smudges on the doors.
I should apologize, I guess,
For toys strewn on the floor.
But I sat down with the children
And we played and laughed and read.
And if the bathtub doesn't shine
Their eyes will shine instead.
For when, at times, I'm forced to choose
The one job or the other,
I want to have a lovely house,
But first I'll be a mother.

--Author Unknown

You Scream...I Scream... We all Scream...

Okay so you probably have guessed what this post is all about by now. You are right. ICE CREAM! I know ice cream in October? What is this you say?

You decided Friday night was go and return jeans night. (Leanna got some jeans that were WAYYYY to big for her skinny self... for. her. birthday. I know I am a slacker mom!). So we loaded up the van when I got home from work (Josh is off on Friday's) and we went to the store and did some shopping. Leanna got 3 pairs of jeans and Hudson even got a pair of jeans and two long sleeve shirts. I love fall clothes!

Well Josh then tells me that the kids ate a really good dinner (I had to work late so it was 6:45 when I got home). So he and I decided that they deserved a treat. That and mommy can't turn down good ice cream.

So we went to Maggie Moo's which is AWESOME! We had a good time the kids got to pick whatever they wanted (with some restraints). Leanna had strawberry ice cream with chocolate sprinkles and fudge ice cream with reese's pieces. Hudson well he copied sister. Maggie Moo's calls it the half-n-half. Leanna ate every bite of it. Hudson well he tried. I had the half-n-half as well (in a chocolate dipped waffle bowl...) but I had espresso ice cream with peanut butter and reese's cups with cheesecake ice cream with chocolate chips and caramel sauce (see picture below). It was wonderful!

Some pictures of our fun evening out....
Leanna enjoying her bowl of deliciousness

Hudson was all about the yumminess

My bowl of heaven (looks larger than real life)

Finally, a little bit of sweetness outside of an ice cream bowl...


Fun times! How are all of you enjoy the "end" of your summers?

Silent Saturdays! Siblings.

TYGF

Good morning to the two or three people who read my blog.
Today is Friday so that means... TYGF...Thank you God for...

The ongoing post that happens every Friday. To list off something that I am thankful for (please feel free to join me and let me know what you are thanking God for).

So today's post is an interesting one.
Thank you God for....

STUBBORNNESS.

Now why would Shay be thankful for that you say?
Well because I am please to announce to the blog world (my few but magnificent readers) that Josh and Shay Brewer have not purchased cigarettes in a week.

Josh is having some struggles but he is working very hard on quitting as well. So if you think of him say a few prayers for him please!

Now Shay hasn't smoked in 5 days. Due to sheer stubbornness and because I refused to look like I was a liar again. I know that I have said several times that I was quitting. I never followed through. My will power was no good. My stubbornness was not up to par for the course so to speak.

I wanted to do this for several reasons. One I have determined I don't ever want my children to do it. Two, I don't want to waste the money doing it anymore. Three, I want my husband and I to be healthier and around for a long time. Four, I want to be an example to the rest of my family (there are several that smoke) that if we can do it so can they. Finally, I want to make sure that everything I am doing is honoring and pleasing to God.

So this week I prayed for Stubbornness. Not patience or peace or to take the want away no for sheer will power and stubbornness. It hasn't been easy and it sure is easy to fall to the temptation when I see someone else or smell it somewhere. So stubbornness is what I needed for this.

So I am thankful for Stubbornness! What are you thankful for this week?

Super Secret Surprise Saturday

So this weekend turned out to be GORGEOUS. I love Fall. It is my favorite time of year!

Anyway back to the title of today's post. Josh and I decided this weekend was to beautiful to pass up sitting in the house. So we didn't. We declared the first ever Super Secret Surprise Saturday. The kids were really excited we didn't tell them anything except to get dressed we weren't going to be home ALL day.

Josh has really been wanting to drive through Lone Elk Park so we did that first. It was really peaceful and the kids got to see Bison and Elk and Geese (we didn't see any deer :( however) they thought it was awesome. I was so into it with the kids I forgot to take pictures though.

Then we went to a friends house for lunch. Peanut Butter Sandwiches and Nacho Cheese Doritos. Yummy! Then they learned the next secret surprise. Heather and Baby Hannah would be joining us on the next surprise! (Again left camera in car so no pictures sorry).

Then we went to the ZOO! Which is of course my kids favoritest place to be ever. It was such a beautiful day out that almost every animal we wanted to see we saw and more! It was very exciting. We got to see the baby tigers they were out and not just out but playing we laughed and pointed and talked about them for almost 1/2 an hour. The were "wrastling" as Leanna calls it. Hudson's favorite part was either the baby elephant who was being given a bath by his mama or the penguins (who we saw get fed). I was so busy again I didn't take many pictures but here is my favorite couple.
A family picture doesn't happen often for me so it is definitely a favorite! I love that man and look at those babies!
I love when I can get them to be still together.

And the best part is the day wasn't over! We decided to swing by my Granny's house and see if the aunt's were home with the cousins. They were...well kinda... Christopher wasn't there so Hudson had to play with just girls (and dad) but hey he had fun. We then proceeded to play games for the rest of the night. We played red light green light, Simon says, freeze tag and duck duck goose.

While all of those things were fun. My favorite part of Super Secret Surprise Saturday? Spending a great day of fun (free fun mind you) with my family. I love great Saturday's don't you?

TYGF

Everyone knows I hate the commercialism of Thanksgiving as a matter of fact I hate the way it is portrayed and presented and to be honest celebrated my family doesn't celebrate it in the "conventional" sense!

Thanksgiving we don't cook so much food and go around the table saying what we are thankful for. We try to do that all year round. So we tend to hang around the house and watch movies, relax and enjoy each other. We eat some yummy stuff yes but we have ordered pizza in the past too.

Anyway I have gotten way off topic more on that later... So the whole reason of this is because I believe that people should be thankful and express that thankfulness all year round. So in honor/tribute to that fact Fridays are now my TYGF posts. Thank God It's Friday (TGIF) is now....TYGF or Thank You God For....

And today's TYGF is that I am so thankful for my kids. I know you are thinking obvious answer right very generic... Well here is the specifics. (Sorry in advance for the lengthiness of it all).

I have stopped grocery shopping (minus bread and milk) except for once a month. It works for us. Josh hangs with the kids and I go shop. Well yesterday was THE day. I had my lists and my stores and my coupons and I was ready right? Well not completely. Josh had to work late... so I braved the storm of crazy ($10 off days at Shop-N-Save) shoppers with BOTH children. My kids are pretty well behaved they have their moments though...and well a grocery store isn't always the best place for them at 7:00 at night to display that. (I ended up consolidating to one store which meant spending a little more but... for me and them it was worth it).

We got the fancy racing car cart and everything trying to make it easier on them (and me truth be told). Problem was there was only one seat belt and horror of all horrors one steering wheel. I am thinking "Are you kidding me?" They amazed me and made me feel like maybe I am doing okay as my role as mama. Leanna looks at me and says "Its okay mama Hudson can drive." My jaw dropped I was flabbergasted. So Leanna became my official list holder. As we gathered our items (from 3 different lists) she got to mark them off. Well half way through this trip (that last an hour and a half) Hudson looks at Sissy and says "Sissy want turn?" Jaw hit floor this time. So they quietly and agilely switched places. Hudson leans over and says "Kiss sissy?" They gave each other lovins right there in the store. I was amazed and slightly teary eyed. They never once asked for anything not on the list and when they were choosing which yogurt and yogurt drinks they wanted they each got to pick one they wanted. No fighting no anything they discussed (which was hilarious) and decided.

One proud mama here I must say. One very thankful and humbled mama. They love each other. Even through the fights, the "that's mine"'s, the hitting and hair pulling. Somewhere in there, there is also love. Thank you God. Thanks!

So what are you thankful for on this Friday?
Blessed!
*Shay*

Play time in the PARKING LOT???

I know that sounds bizzare and crazy right? Well we did. The twins (Halee and Keegan) turned two last week and got two super cool power wheels for their birthdays and Leanna and Hudson got their birthday gifts the same weekend. Leanna her first ever big girl bike and Hudson an awesome Tryke. They LOVE them by the way.

So Katy (the mommy to the twins) called and said they were going up to the elementary school's parking lot to let the kids play and stuff did we want to tag along.Well Leanna was already very angry with me for not getting to go Lily's princess party and knew that I would be okay outside (okay so I hoped) and said sure.

Well surprise for us cause Daddy got to go too. So we loaded up the bikes into the back of the van and we headed out.

WE HAD AN AMAZING TIME!

The kids were so excited to play and have fun and just be themselves and run and act crazy. We rode bikes, trikes, power wheels, we played slide and this weird modern style teeter totter and swings. It was alot of fun. So I will leave you with some pictures.
Here is one of Leanna and her new bike! Riding like a pro.
This is Leanna and Hudson riding the John Deer Power Wheels together.
This is all of us on that modern Teeter Totter thing I was talking about.

*Shay*

Time to Return to Normal...

Things have been a little crazy recently with everything going on. I decided today is the day we are going to return to complete normalcy. I have grown tired of not feeling well and while I still intend on taking things slowly they have to go back to normal.

So tonight we are going back to Wednesday night church. I will not however resume teaching my class until October. (I have to try to steer clear of germies). So I am looking forward to that and so are the babies.

The laundry is still caught up and the laundry room and playroom are still magnificent. However the kitchen needs desperately to be scrubbed and the living room (where I have been living) is screaming to be returned to its regularly scheduled programming. And lets not forget about the bathrooms... okay maybe we can forget about those.

Needless to say continued thoughts and prayers are appreciated as I am still trying to get my body to quit being "silly" as Leanna has been calling it cause I am not "sick". Thanks for everything so far if you read this!

*Shay*

The twins turned 2.

Halee and Keegan are now 2 too! They had a lovely party and Leanna and Hudson got them some pretty cool things.

My kids love them. They talk about them all the time. Leanna just adores Halee (she wants mommy to have a sister for her too) and wants to play dollies with her. Hudson and Keegan are buds. Keegan is Hudson's really only male buddy to hang with. No other boys his age...pretty much no other boys (well Casey is helping in this department now :)...)

They are fun to hang around with and I enjoy seeing there faces light up in smiles. My kids enjoy spending time with them too. When they get together though it looks like trouble.

Tell me that doesn't look like trouble waiting to happen??? Leanna is 4 and the other three Hudson, Halee and Keegan are all two now.

Blessings!
*Shay*

A playroom that the kids can actually play in?

So another post I wanted to make sure to get up because I am so proud of it.

Leanna and Hudson have decided they like sharing a room better than sleeping in their own rooms. Every night Josh and I would ask the kids okay where are we sleeping tonight and Leanna and Hudson would put there heads together and discuss it. You could hear them whispering and deciding it was actually pretty cute. They would look at us and say "Sissy's room" or "Hudson's room". So after their birthday party (which we did together this year pictures on that to come as well) we decided that they could just share a room and the other room could be used as a playroom area. So that is exactly what we did.

However when the rooms got switched over it was very late at night and I didn't have the energy left to clean the new playroom. Hence this disaster....

So I got my bottom in gear again (another day though) and got to organizing. Leanna made me so proud that day if it was broken, ripped, missing pieces, colored on, worn out or stained in went in the trash. As well as if neither of the children played with it anymore and it was still in good shape it went in the donation bag for "those childs without stuff right Mom" said Leanna. She was wonderful no crying or sadness. A great day overall. There are still a few things left that still need to be sold at the garage sale we are having soon but for now they are staying in the playroom.

A pretty productive week wouldn't you say?