Musical emotions

So, I KNOW everyone has that one song that evokes emotions...for me it is the song "I will not be moved" by Natalie Grant (it's on my playlist if you want to hear it!) It does not matter how many times I hear that song, it always brings the happy tears building up in my eyes! This morning I was driving down 290 listening to my song...and you guessed it...teary eyes! I can relate to every line in the song!
Here are the lyrics:
I have been the wayward child
I have acted out
I have questioned Sovereignty
And had my share of doubt
And though sometimes my prayers feel like
They're bouncing off the sky
The hand I hold won't let me go
And is the reason why
I will stumble
I will fall down
But I will not be moved
I will make mistakes
I will face heartache
But I will not be moved
On Christ the Solid Rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
I will not be moved
Bitterness has plagued my heart
Many times before
My life has been like broken glass
And I have kept the score
Of all my shattered dreams and though it seemed
That I was far too gone
My brokenness helped me to see
It's grace I'm standing on
I will stumble
I will fall down
But I will not be movedI will make mistakes
I will face heartache
But I will not be moved
On Christ the Solid Rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
I will not be moved
And the chaos in my life
Has been a badge I've worn
Though I have been torn
I will not be moved

Music certainly moves people. Once I exited for U of H, I was behind a silver Ford Focus. The windows were rolled down and the sunroof opened...it took me a minute, but I noticed the ENTIRE car was bouncing...I could see the lady in her side mirror just dancing and singing! It is so funny how music can bring out emotions that make you want to through your entire being into motion! Just a thought (and a funny mental picture) for the day!

the big 3-0

That's right, Mark is officially circling the drain! Yesturday he turned 30. He says that he had a great birthday, and the kids and I enjoyed it too! After work, we took the kids to a Hibachi grill...can I just say YUM!

Our fried rice being cooked, the yummiest ever!

I'm not sure if they do it for entertainment or to clean the grill, but they make this big puff of fire...Austin thought it was awesome...Abi curled into daddy, hiding!

Austin Abi and Mark

We all left STUFFED!

Then we made our way to the drive in movie theater to see a double feature: Monsters vs. Aliens and then Hotel for Dogs. We started off with the kids in the back of the truck and Mark and I in our folding chairs...but apparently the temperature dropped from the mid 80's yesturday afternoon to the 40's by the time we left the theater. The wind wasn't very helpful either... Before the first movie was half way done, we turned the truck around and were all huddled together in the front seats!

Austin and Abi before the movie started, playing!

The fam again

Mark, I hope you had a great b-day!

Passing the Buck!

Thanks Lori for the very awesome award...I too shall pass it on!

*The Rules: List 7 things that you love and then pass the award on to 7 people.
7 THINGS I LOVE
1. God, and the blessings he has given me.

2. The Fam! Mark, Austin and Abi...wow, I am so blessed!

3. My parents, I didn't understand when I was little just why they were so protective...now I do and I can return the unconditional love that they have always had for me!

4. Friends...I have friends I've known for 20 plus years and friends that I've only known for a couple of years. I love each and every one!

5. Coffee...Okay, so this one is a little shallow! But some people have comfort food, I have comfort coffee!

6. creating...This one is kind of odd too, but I truely LOVE to create things...I guess I really was made in the image of my CREATOR!

7. Good food and the company that comes with it! I love getting together for potlucks or even a fancy dinner with the ones I love, I really cherish the time I get to spend with the ones I love!

The 7 I choose for the Kreativ Blogger award:

Jenni because she lives halfway around the world and deserves a shout out!!!

Rebecca because she is a strong lady and the only girl living in a house with 5 boys! WOW!

Jennifer Jones because she was part of our Arkie Family while we lived in Arkie (and her little girl has the same b-day as Abi)!

Wendy because I'm hoping if I give her an award for blogging, she might actually do it!

Rachel because I admire her! She is an intellegent, loving lady! And was there for Mark and I when Austin was born. Welcome to the blogging community!

Michelle Just because I love ya girlie! You make me laugh and are humble, caring, and a VERY funny lady! (ps we moved taco Tuesday to WACO Wednesday!)

Jennifer Wood even though we have yet to visit you, I still consider you guys some of our very best friends!

Camping

So, the close of our spring break was a fun filled camping trip for Abi's and Luke's 5th birthday. We had a total of 8 families go to Brazos Bend State Park where we (attempted) to rough it for 3 days! Our family got there a few hours before everyone else; so, we had time to set up our tent and play a little baseball...after all, Abi will be starting her t-ball season in April!
Austin, Abi, and Mark playing baseball at our campsite

The Dad's spent some great quality time with their little ones this trip too! They gathered the group and took them fishing. I myself enjoyed a quiet rest listening to the birds chirp and the very relaxing sounds of nature!

Abi and Austin fishing

On Saturday night we had a yummy dinner followed by an even yummier dessert..this was Abi's and Luke's birthday cake...Lizzie baked and hand wrapped every treat....

Birthday cake camper's style

Before we left on Sunday, we took one more trip through the Park's mini museum. They have live snakes, turtles, birds, and American alligators on display. This is a pic of the fam outside the museum in front of a HUGE oak tree.

The Brewer Gang

Also before leaving, we stopped to get the kids a souviner. Abi chose a stuffed raccoon and Austin chose a stuffed cayote. We stopped on our way out of the gate to snap one last picture.

Abi and Austin

Since the trip Mark and I have been dreaming of our next camping trip...which, if goes as planned, will be at the end of May at San Angelo State Park.

Yummy stir-fry

Ingredients:
1 yellow squash (cut in half circles)
1/2 cup matchstix carrots
2 tbsp chopped white onion
2 tbsp chopped celery
2 cloves chopped of garlic
1 lb chicken strips cut into bite sized pieces
6 white mushrooms quartered
4 oz snow peas

Sauce ingredients:
1/2 teriyaki sauce
3 tbsp soy sauce
1/4 orange juice
2 1/2 tsp spenda
1/4 tsp corn starch
1/8 tsp of Maggie (this is hard to find!)

Mix sauce ingredients together sit to side. Spray deep frying pan with no stick spray and add chicken. Allow chicken to cook 3/4ths way then add remaining vegetables. Cook for about 5 minutes then spread sauce and allow to simmer for about another 5 minutes. Serve over white rice with sweet and sour sauce...YUM! All of the ingredients in here is not exact because I just added without measuring...It's pretty close though, and SO tasty! Austin and Abi even enjoyed it!

Spring Break 2

Yesturday after the children's museum, my mom, sister, and I went to the rodeo to see Gary Allen. My mom loves Gary Allen-she has ever since he made his debut in 1995! So, in honor of my mom, I've added a couple of his songs to my playlist. I had a lot of fun...and I got to cheat on my diet with a YUMMY dinner!

Me and Alisha at dinner before the concert

Alisha and Mom at the concert

Me and Mark at dinner before the concert

One another note, we're trying to get the grass in the backyard to grow back...so, I thought I would water it. I put Bandit and Peaches outside thinking they wouldn't mess with the sprinkler...I was wrong!

Peaches attacking the sprinkler while Bandit watches!

Bandit hiding from the sprinkler!

Spring Break 1

Lately I'm finding that crowds do not bother me nearly as much as they used to. This came very handy this moring on our trip to the Houston Children's Museum. This place is AWESOME! Mark and I took the kids once when we first moved back to H-Town, but haven't been back since. For spring break, Naomi and I took the kid-o's, and though it was VERY crowded, we had a GREAT time! A couple of years ago they had a small mock supermarket, btu they've really beefed it up since then...now, they have 'Kidtropolis" which is supposed to be a mini city! It has a vets office where the kids can dress the part and pretend to examine and groom stuffed animals. There is an HEB grocery store where the kids can shop and use real debit cards to pay. There is a diner where the kids can pretend to prepare oven baked pizzas and fried onion rings and then serve them. There is a bank, a city utilities center (kid sized ambulence and police car!), a news station, and an Art studio. Everything is real, but kid sized! The debit cards can be recharged with "money" by working at the vets office, diner, etc... It is so cute! You can guess where we spent most of our time...

Austin pretending to be a vet

Abi checking her pups heart!

They were giving their pup a shot!

There is so much to do and see at the museum, we hardly made a dent! They have a "LAB" that the kids have to don lab coats and goggles to enter- they have little connecters to make molecules and such- lots of different science things

Austin ready to work

Abi and Grace conducting an experiment

Abi on the phone

Because there is so much there to do, and because it was so crowded, I told the kids that we would go back on a day that is less crowded! They had a blast!!!

Rodeo and spring flowers

I thought that Mark had deleted this pic from our camera and was very glad to find out that the memory card had just popped out! These are coordinating outfits that I made for Grace and Meredith. Abi chose the fabric...and I relieved some stress!

Every year we have one Sunday at church dedicated to 'GO TEXAN DAY' (I know you non-Texans are not familiar, but this is a day for rodeo and everything TEXAS!) Our church gets this horse for the kids to practice roping a cow, they have a bucking machine that they can ride on also, turkey legs and sausage on a stick...also jumpers and a few other games. This kids love it because they get to dress up like cowboys and cowgirls!

Austin about to rope!

Abi with her stick horse

Austin and Abi in their get up

Austin with his horse!

March 11, 2004

Many of you probably do not remember that day so distictly! But I do- that is the day my little Abi was born. I had visited the doctor on Monday, March 8: since I was about ready to pop, he decided that even though I wasn't due until March 13, he would induce me Thursday March 11. I ended up getting a call from him later in the afternoon to tell me that he rescheduled the induction to Friday the 12th at 9pm. (WHAT?!?! You can imagine my disappointment!) Well, I made it until about 4am on the 11th and then went into labor- seems Abi thought Thursday fit her schedule as well!!!! I let Mark sleep for about an hour before we got up and started getting ready to go. I took a shower and packed up some clothes. My mom had already driven from Texas the day before and stayed with Austin. We got to the hospital and then just waited. Michelle was there hanging out with me the whole time (and laughing at Mark being a goofball!) Abilene Jewel Brewer was born at 2:53pm at 8lbs 5oz and 20 3/4th inches.


Abi on her first day home



Abi on her 1st birthday




Abi on her 2nd birthday



Abi on her 3rd birthday



Abi on her 4th birthday



Abi at dinner for her 5th birthday


HAPPY BIRTHDAY ABILENE!

Ending contracts

Since it is the end of my Air Force Contract, I find it appropriate to post some of my favorite and worst memories! Let's see, where to start...probably with my three most favorite memories: Mark, Austin, and Abi! Mark wrote to me everyday while I was in Basic training- which was 6 weeks and 4 days. Some good things about basic: great food (not that you get to eat very much of it!), some good people (my battle buddy...she had her days, but she was always lightened the mood), friends that seem to last forever (Michelle- my girl), a real sense of accomplishment (In warrior week they give you your very first Air Force coin while playing 'I'm Proud To Be An American'. Who wouldn't cry?!?) Some not so great things: push-ups, yelling, no sleep! In tech school phase I (Wichita Falls, Tx aka Arm pit of Texas) great things: phases! (we started off required to stay on base and wear our uniforms. As we phased up, which only came with time and good behavior, we were able to eventually have no curfew and were able to wear civilian clothes almost all the time.) Mark visited me every weekend; he would leave Friday after work and drive the 8-9 hour trip and then leave to return to Houston Sunday afternoon. We got married June 9, 2001. I don't really remember a lot happening outside of school...there was a lot of endless studying going on! And I got to learn how to low crawl with 170lb dummy on a stretcher, then load it into a helicopter, ambulance, or C-5. I also learned how to say my social security number in the gas chamber; which I'm finding to be kind of useless these days! Tech school phase II (Biloxi, MS) only lasted a month and I couldn't wait to get home! Took two weeks of leave in Houston, then reported to my one and only station, Little Rock AFB, AR. Though my stay there was not that great (outside of having two beautiful children) I did meet some great people (and some not so great people!)

Science resources

Hey guys, this probably will not be a very entertaining blog, but here it is! This past Thursday Austin had his annual field trip to the science resource center. He got to learn about turtles, coral, and a couple other things. I did not make it this year, but Mark got to go. Because he works all day, he typically does not get to do that much with Austin and his class; so, needless to say he was very excited.

Also, in the next couple of weeks we have a lot to anticipate. On March 7th (tomorrow) I will officially be out of the Air Force- it will be the end of my 8 year (4 year active/4 year inactive) contract. Abi will be turning the big 5 years old on March 11th (I can not believe my baby will be 5!!!!) The 14th we're taking the family to the rodeo and to see Josh Turner. (For those of you that are not from Texas- the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is a big part of Houston tradition!) Spring break for Austin and me at U of H will be the week of March 16-20. My parents will be married for 31 years on the 17th, the 18th I'm going to the rodeo and to see Gary Alan with my mom and sister. And the 20th-22nd we have a family camping trip planned for Abi's b-day. Mark will be the BIG 3-0 on the 27th! Then we move into April- the beginning is Easter! Lot's of fun things to look forward to!

ROCKETS of fun

We had our great date on Thursday night...we had SO much fun! I didn't expect it to be so great (being b-ball and all) but it truely was. Austin finished his homework just as I was scooting them out the door, we went and picked Mark up from work, and then Mark and I dropped the kids off with Alsiha (my sis). It was so nice to be able to get through a conversation without being interupted! We got stuck in a little traffic on the way, but nothing we hadn't done before. We finally parked and walked a couple blocks to the Toyota Center where Angie and Nate were waiting for us. Surprisingly, Nate was not the only one wearing a Caveliers jersey...thought their night was not very successful. Once we got in, we went down under the stadum seating to the Lexus lounge where there was a food...yummy, yummy food! We ate...I ate a chocolate chunk cookie the size of my face! Right before tip off, we walked out of the same entry that the players and dances came. During half time (when we made our way back for more grub) we were within arms reach of Wafer, a new star to the Rockets. It was an awesome game and I discovered that Yao Ming is GI-NORM-OUS! WOW! We had some great laughs. Some friends of ours, his dad and stepmom dance for the rockets on one of their special people things...HILARIOUS! It was a great time!