The Brewer Family

Big Changes for the Brewers!

2010-12-17T10:14:00.000-08:00

So...on Monday, I'll be 11 weeks pregnant with Baby Brewer!!! Since only a handful of my closest friends and family read this blog, you're probably very aware that Luke and I have been trying to have a little one for over 8 years. So this is definitely a MIRACLE from the Lord! We are so grateful to Him and SO excited. I'm still in disbelief. It only starts to sink in when I'm looking at an ultrasound of my little guy (or girl). The first time we heard and saw that sweet tiny heartbeat...it was so wonderful that I was laughing and crying at the same time! The most recent ultrasound was so much fun. I could see tiny fingers and hands moving all over the place! It looked like water aerobics!

Thank you to our friends and family who have prayed on our behalf over the years. It is finally happening!

Good report!

2010-10-13T08:53:00.000-07:00

I don't want to bore you with tedious details, so I will just say that the doctor's appointment this morning went very well! Everything seems to be back on track and we're moving FORWARD, not backward! I very much appreciate the prayers on our behalf. We know it is ultimately in the Lord's hands.

Yard Sales!

2010-10-11T20:15:00.000-07:00

Me and Kristy with our yard sale finds

Yard Saling Posse: Sarah, Kristy and Courtney

I LOVE a good yard sale! It's so fun to find a great bargain in unexpected places...and even more fun to do it with friends. Kristy, Sarah and I went to a community yard sale and found some amazing deals. I only wish I was an early morning person so that I could be up for the really good stuff...but my pillow and I have an understanding: we don't part until at least 9 on a Saturday!

My Ebenezer

2010-10-11T13:21:00.000-07:00

So this morning I got some news from the doctor that was upsetting. All of the shots, medicine, procedures...basically all of the protocol that we're following right now is not working. I was hoping for progress. Staying in the same place would be upsetting, but I could still hope for things to get better with that. Instead we're moving backward. Didn't know that was possible.

The Lord showed me this morning that ultimately it is all in His hands. All I can do is take care of my part and I have to trust Him with the rest. But regardless of the outcome, I need to remember how the Lord has worked in my life through this entire process. He has grown me in so many ways and revealed Himself to me more deeply than I've ever known Him before. After the Israelites had gone through some rough times, the Lord's prophet, Samuel, set up a stone pillar as a visual reminder of God's faithfulness to His people. It says in I Samuel 7:12, "Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, 'Thus far has the LORD helped us.'"

I'm also choosing to place my own visual reminders of God's faithfulness to me and Luke. This post can serve as one of them. We may not get to become parents...at least not the way I was hoping for. And if that is His plan for us, then that is exactly where we need to be. But I can say through it all that the Lord has helped us this far.

Need to Breathe

2010-06-16T15:59:00.000-07:00

I cannot seem to get enough of this CD! I love Need to Breathe's southern, soulful rock sound...especially on songs like "Lay 'Em Down". If you ever pull up next to me at a stoplight and I'm singing at the top of my lungs...then there is a good chance this is playing in my car.

Farewell, Cable!

2010-03-08T13:17:00.000-08:00

Since we decided to cancel our cable and internet, I discovered how much time I really have in an evening...and it's a lot! I have time to work out, clean, prepare meals, and most of all...READ!! I've been reading so much lately, going through a few books in a week. The most recent ones that I finished are Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout, Crazy Love by Francis Chan, and The Associate by John Grisham. I thoroughly enjoyed them and it made me think about how much fun it is to have a really good book waiting on you at the end of the day. The best ones will hook you at the end of a chapter and leave you hungry for what is going to happen next.

"You know you've read a good book when you turn the last page and feel a little as if if you have lost a friend." - Paul Sweeney

Destination: Maria Aurora, Philippines

2010-01-18T17:01:00.000-08:00

Saturday morning was rough...I had to say goodbye to Luke as he left with his team for a mission trip to the Philippines for two weeks. While I miss him terribly, I know that he's doing really important work over there and I'm really excited to hear all about it when he gets back!

Here he is with two members of his team, Rebecca Ellington and Martie Purser.

Pastor Brooks Cail came to the airport to see the team off and pray with them as a group.

The 2010 January Philippines Mission Team!

Servants' Voice Game Night!

2010-01-18T10:30:00.000-08:00

I co-direct a middle school and high school girls' vocal ensemble at my church, called Servants' Voice. The name of the group comes from the verse in Psalm 113:1 that says, "O servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord." These girls are so much fun...full of energy and absolutely hilarious! I love spending time with them...although my downstairs neighbors probably were not too fond of our Girls' Night! We had pizza and snacks and played Apples to Apples, Mad Gab, and Scattergories. I think they all had a good time because they stayed late and didn't want to leave...the sign of a successful party!!

Back from the Black Hole...

2010-01-18T09:00:00.000-08:00

So a lot has happened since...when was the last time I blogged? The beginning of November!? I'm a terrible blogger. I don't know whether or not I'll go back and fill in two months' worth of: Thanksgiving in Arkansas, the Christmas program, activities at the Oaks, Servants' Voice, fertility procedures, and Christmas in Orlando, etc. If I have time (Ha! Yeah, right.)...

Luke left on Saturday to go on a mission trip to the Philippines for 2 weeks. While I'm very excited that he is going to be doing mission work, I'm extremely concerned about his safety and I'm very sad that my best friend and I are going to be parted for that long. However, I'm looking forward to the "girl time" that I'm going to have in his absence. More about "girl time" in a future blog...

American Idol has started again. While I'm a little bit weary of the actual show, I REALLY enjoy keeping up with some very good friends back in Arkansas and this is our main way we stay connected every winter/spring. I enjoy it so much that I look forward to it all year in the off-season. I know that we'll have some crazy Idol reviews at the end of every show and we come up with ridiculous nicknames for everyone. While I can't physically see Rebecca, Jennifer and Laura, this is the next best thing and it almost makes me feel like I'm still in Arkansas, like we're just all hanging out in someone's living room. I no longer live near them and they are all in a different phase of life (All 3 are SAHMs who are wonderful mothers to their beautiful children), but this is one way I can find commonality. Their friendship is so precious to me...I just wish I could find more ways to stay connected with them the rest of the year!

Oaks' Wag-o-ween!

2009-11-05T09:00:00.000-08:00

As the Resident Activities Directors for the Oaks, we had an event called "Wag-0-ween" where people dressed up their pets and themselves and enjoyed a cookout, pictures and treats! We had a lot of fun and it was a great opportunity to meet a lot of the residents.

Luke and I dressed up like Publisher's Clearing House. He was the Prize Patrol and his nametag read "Ed Mc Mahon, Jr." and I was the Grand Prize Winner! Of course, I had to dress like those people who come to the door dressed in their robe and curlers because it was complete surprise! I never expected to win! Lucy opted for ladybug costume because she was too embarrassed to be a part the Publisher's Clearing House get up.

Here are some of the costumes that we saw that night:

Jeni's Wedding

2009-10-19T19:23:00.000-07:00

I was honored to stand as the matron-of-honor at the wedding of my best friend from college, Jeni Bell (now Jeni Santana!). Every meticulous detail of Jeni's wedding was planned with her flawless, classic taste. Everything was so beautiful, but nothing was more beautiful than the glowing bride! It was so great to see my old friend marry her love.

Staying Connected...Any Suggestions?

2009-10-07T11:35:00.000-07:00

I had lunch with my sweet friend, Kristy, today (I didn't have any other pictures, but this is just a picture of our Sunday School class at church. Kristy is seated in yellow at the front.). It was so much fun getting to see her and catch up! She's really good about trying to stay in touch with people. Everytime she comes into town, she visits her old friends.

I have got to be the world's worst person at staying in touch. My life is full, but not nearly as busy as others' lives. Even though I probably have time to do it, I still can't seem to make myself send the card, make the phone call, or go on that visit that I've been intending to do. I realize I need to make a deliberate effort to reach out more...to be more intentional with staying connected to people who have impacted my life.

I am trying to think of simple, special, and creative ways to stay connected with out-of-state loved ones (and Facebook doesn't count with me...I want something more personal). To those of you who read my blog (or should I say "to the person"? Ha!): if you have any suggestions or have some things that work for you, I'd love to know what they are!

Go Razorbacks!!

2009-10-05T06:24:00.000-07:00

47-19!! WOOOOOO PIG SOOIE!!! Let me tell you: the Brewer home was a rowdy place on Saturday night...lots of shouting, hollering and fight song singing! Our dog, Lucy, thought we were absolutely crazy...she didn't know what was going on. Ha!!

Luke's Deacon Ordination

2009-10-04T16:41:00.000-07:00

Luke's deacon ordination was this morning at church. Pastor Brooks Cail challenged the new deacons to guard their hearts and minds by spending daily time with the Lord, remember that this is a calling of service and also added that they should not only minister to others, but not forget to minister to their family first. He then asked current and former deacons, as well as friends to surround us and pray over us. It was a very special time!

Charleston

2009-10-03T14:02:00.001-07:00

Luke and I went to Charleston, South Carolina, this week for a work trip. However, we had a little fun on the side. Charleston has a lot of historic southern charm. We went to art galleries, antique stores, walked along the battery and enjoyed some fantastic restaurants. We went to one of our favorites, California Dreaming, and stayed at our favorite inn, the Andrew Pinckney Inn. Here's Luke making a goofy face with his salad. California Dreaming has the BEST salads and sweet rolls!! This is why you go, not for the entrees, but for what comes before the entrees. The rest of the food is good, but this part is fantastic! I could make a whole meal off of just this.

At the corner of Meeting Street and the park at the Battery. This was voted the most romantic B&B on the eastern seaboard. I think we heard a tour guide walk by and say they run close to $500 a night!! I would have loved to sneak a peek at the inside.

the walk along the battery

Isn't this the strangest graffiti?

Here I am being a dork and pretending this is the door to the Secret Garden. Did anyone else ever read that book as a kid?

Me with my best friend in the whole world!

We wanted to go to Poogan's Porch, a place that has such yummy breakfast and brunch food, but it was closed. Poogan was the dog of the owner and is buried out front of the restaurant. Poogan's Headstone

I was so disppointed that I couldn't eat there, but it turned out to be a good thing because we stumbled across a fantastic place a couple of doors down called Queens Restaurant. It looks like it's not going to be very great from the outside, but you walk through the bar area and then find yourself in the prettiest outdoor courtyard at the back. They had wonderful service and delicious food!

The courtyard at Queens Restaurant...how beautiful!

My DELICIOUS stew

Enjoying my yummy sweet tea!

The gazebo at Queens Restaurant

Tests, Surgery and Ordination

2009-10-01T13:15:00.000-07:00

This has been a really tough week with lots of doctors' appointments and invasive tests. The result in a nutshell? I need surgery. Two surgical procedures will be done in November. THEN (hopefully!) we can move forward with the shots a month later assuming all goes well in November. I know several of you have been praying for us and we really appreciate it more than you know. I know that the Lord has a plan for us so we're taking each new step as it comes and trusting Him with the rest.

Other than that, all is well in the Brewer home! Luke's deacon ordination is this weekend. He has such a servant's heart...this is a great fit for him.

Staci is a MRS!!

2009-09-26T17:50:00.001-07:00

My sweet friend, Staci, was recently married to a great guy named Ted. Their marriage celebration was held in a basement of a restaurant in downtown Savannah that had yummy food and a great atmosphere. It was such a fun night! They have so many wonderful friends and family members. I'm glad I was able to join her on her special night.

Staci and her precious little boy, Jake

Staci and me

My Evie

2009-09-24T14:13:00.001-07:00

I miss my sweet friend so much. She was one of my closest friends for most of the last 10 years. When life happened, Eve was there. Eve had the most generous heart of anyone that I know. She loved unconditionally and was a great listener and encourager. She was very commited to her beliefs and would stick to them no matter what.

She was diagnosed with colon cancer several years ago and fought hard with that tenacious spirit of hers. Almost a year ago, she went to be with Jesus. I am comforted by the fact that she is no longer in any pain, but I still ache for her.

I struggled a lot today as I missed her more than usual. Since she was on my mind, I thought I would at least introduce her since I'll probably write about her again.

Grand Marshals at the Disney Parade!

2009-09-22T19:33:00.000-07:00

Since Disney World has that wonderful promotion where people can be admitted for free on their birthday, Luke and I took advantage of it and celebrated his birthday there. We met our friends, Ben and Greta Lyn, there and had a wonderful time! Here we all are in front of the Walt Disney/Mickey statue and Cinderella's Castle (Luke and I are sporting our complimentary Mickey ears --see below for the story!!). Here are some highlights from the day:

Cinderella's step-mother is giving me fashion advice: mouse ears are fine after Labor Day.

Luke's birthday blueberry muffin

There were so many people lined up on both sides of the parade route to see the Disney characters. The parade went from one end of the park to the other and took about 1/2 an hour or so. Luke and I and one other family were randomly selected out of the thousands of people at Magic Kingdom to be the Grand Marshals of the parade. We rode in the front car that lead the character parade and all of the Disney characters were dancing behind us in the street and on floats. The blue covering that you can barely see over the heads of the people in the lower left-hand side of the picture is our car. It was so exciting!! My face hurt at the end from smiling so much!

The yellow streamer sticking out of the car is where I was sitting. Luke was on the other side of the car. The people in charge of the parade also gave Mickey Mouse ear hats (with our names embroidered on the back) to me, Luke and the other "Grand Marshal" family. This was such a fun birthday surprise for Luke!

My Sad Razorbacks

2009-09-20T15:54:00.000-07:00

What a good game last night! BIG plays (and unfortunately lots of turnovers!) by both the Bulldogs and the Razorbacks all the way through. Defense was pathetic...but overall, very entertaining, high scoring game. I just really wish my hogs had done better under pressure at the end. Too many wasted opportunities. Hoping for better things in the future, although with the rough SEC lineup they have ahead of them, it will be an uphill battle.

Hide and Go Seek with "Rucy Rog"

2009-09-18T21:12:00.000-07:00

One of our favorite activities is playing "Hide and Go Seek" with our puppy dog. We will make her stay in one room while we hide and then we whistle for her from our hiding place. She can always sniff us out, whether it's in the dirty clothes pile, in the hot water heater closet or under a bed. Lucy is so proud of herself when she's made a find. She'll jump up and down, furiously wag her tail, and then trot around like she's won a prize! We played again tonight and it amazes me how I never get tired of laughing at her silly excitement!

Trusting through Pain

2009-09-18T07:48:00.000-07:00

Last night, I went to a memorial service for the infant son of a sweet friend. The little boy was only 4 weeks old when he went to be with Jesus. Our choir sang several songs for the memorial service that had been hand-selected by the parents. While I was sitting in the choir loft, every once in a while, I would steal a glance at the mother. Through her tears, she was smiling with closed eyes and singing along to every word in complete worship. The songs told of the goodness and faithfulness of the Lord and how He has complete power and control, even when we go through times where we feel shattered, torn, and broken. I was so moved by her trust in the Lord, Who she knew to be faithful to her...even in the midst of her storm. It shamed me to think of the times in my own life when I don't choose to trust Him, especially when I've not experienced anything nearly as devastating as losing a child. What an encouragement she was to me!

Hope for the Hopeless

2009-09-17T08:37:00.001-07:00

I found this link on another blog that I occasionally read. It's through "Focus on the Family". This is Ann Kiemel, a Christian author and speaker, telling her amazing story and it helped me to look at the things that Luke and I are going through from a different perspective. If you or someone you know is experiencing difficulty starting a family or waiting for a husband, then I'd encourage you to take 15 minutes or so to listen.

Here's the link:
http://www.listen.family.org/daily/A000002160.cfm

Under Construction

2009-09-16T13:40:00.000-07:00

Here are some photos taken by Nathan Potter, the worship pastor at our church. The new construction of our church is coming along smoothly. The new parking lot is in and the new buildings of phase 1 are in the process of being completed. The walls are up now, but I don't have the most updated pictures. I'm sure our church staff is really excited about the prospect of having real offices rather than the old double-wide they're in right now!

Coming Soon!

2008-07-07T07:02:00.000-07:00

We are currently working on our photography website: www.brewerpics.com. Hopefully, it will be up and running soon.

Until then, if you need additional information on prices or availability, you may email us at bre30127@yahoo.com.