Clouds Day 2

In front of our town homes

Downtown Clearwater

My goal is to do a cloud picture everyday for the next 30 days on our nightly walk.  We will see how it goes.  Here's day 1 :)

Sean's photog skills

Sean took the next 2 of Hunter, as well

Downtown Clearwater on a Starbuck's outing yesterday afternoon with my 3 boys :)

Sean's pic

Started learning how to use the pick one color while the rest is B&W function on my camera

Florida Botanical Gardens

We had tried for the last 3 weeks to go to the Botanical Gardens.  The first week we ran out of time.  Last week it was pouring rain.  This week, we got to enjoy the gardens all to ourselves.  Not a single other soul was there.  It was a little windy and not too, too hot!!!!!  :)

Brewner family update

SO, I thought I would just blab a little bit about things going on in our household.  J  I don’t do this often, but feel so inclined to today. 

RYAN!!!!!!  Has started going in the potty!!!!!!!!!  It just started 2 days ago.  We weren’t even trying to potty train.  We have a potty training book that we read to him and we talk about going to the potty with him, but that is as far as we have taken it.  Well, for a month or so every once in a while he will start talking about “potty training”, but that was it.  Then he started asking to go, but once you would take him in there, he wouldn’t even let you pull down his pants.  A few days ago, he did and he let me set him up on the toilet.  Note:  We are not using a little potty.  He is using the same potty we use.  We didn’t want the extra cleanup and we didn’t want him curious about picking it up, and we didn’t want to have to break him of it to then go to the big one.  Thought it would save a step!  So I would set him up there and he would be super excited, but wouldn’t do anything.  I would tell him how proud I was for him trying and that he was a big boy and that we could just try again later.  Then last night while Sean was getting him ready for a bath, he asked to go to the potty and he PEED!!!!!  We praised him, clapped, gave him words of encouragement and an M&M.  Oh, the day previous, too, he had asked, but he wasn’t getting that he needed to ask BEFORE he went in his diaper.  I talked to him about needing to tell us before he actually went.  This morning, he went again after he woke up and then one more time before we left for Bible study.  Now, he is still wearing diapers and still going in them and he is still definitely going pee in his diaper through the night, but hey it’s a start!!!!  He has been a lot more uncomfortable about sitting in dirty and wet diapers lately, which has caused other problems because he will stick his hands down there, moves his diaper around, which means things get misplaced and pee ends up on clothes and bedding.  I had to change the sheets like 10 times in seven days!!!!!  Also, he will stick his hands down there after going #2.  No need to explain that further!!!!!  But I think we are moving in the right direction!  He didn’t want to go in our downstairs potty, I guess because his first 2 times he was in the upstairs bathroom, but no way I am gonna trek upstairs every time he has to go to the bathroom.  I bribed him with a cookie and he used the one downstairs!  Lol  

Our new schedule that I posted is going really well.  I have seen such an improvement in him. He has barely had to go to timeout or get any spankings, way less tantrums and just overall the house is merrier!!!  I think the schedule keeps him occupied and he feels like he is getting more attention and he is not left to his own devices! 

Hunter is doing great!  We are trying to work through our nights right now.  He used to sleep through the night as a newborn and up to a month or so of age.  Now, however, he gets up sometimes around midnight, ALWAYS right at 2, then usually at 4, 5, and/or 6.  He eats, sometimes get a diaper change, and we both fall back asleep while he is nursing, but I have to admit I have been frustrated (and tired).  He went backwards!  They are supposed to wake lots and then sleep through the night.  GOD does have perfect timing though.  When he was first born, I really needed my sleep to get through the end of nursing school; now that I am a SAHM I can take a nap, which  I have been trying to do the last couple of days.  I have been praying for a better attitude when he wakes me up through the night and so I just need a little help in that area.

Sean is back in school taking 3 classes and will graduate with an AA this December.  We are VERY proud of him!!!!  He is also working 25 hours a week in the VA office at school.  He doesn’t like being gone more now, but he is enjoying his new schedule.  He really likes the people he works with and I think he is going to like his classes, too. 

I am doing really well.  I love being at home with the boys.  I have filled out applications for RN jobs, but nothing has panned out.  I know that I am where GOD wants me to be though.  My #1 job that he has given me has been to take care of our sons, so I am just grateful that I am able to do that.  We will see where He leads me in the future with jobs.  I tried to get into the BSN program at school to get my Bachelors in Nursing, but they were already filled up for fall.  I did get accepted for spring, which starts in January.  It would be all online so it wouldn’t take me being away from home.  New neighbors just moved in a month or so ago and they have a 2-year-old.  Her hubby is in the Coast Guard so they are stationed here.  We have become friends and it is so nice because we usually get together during the day and let the boys play.  It’s really nice to have a friend to talk to.  J  She is going to school twice a week in the afternoons so we have been blessed to be able to help her out and watch her son.  Him and Ryan love to rough house (I don’t particularly love it, but I guess it’s preparing me for when Hunter gets a little older!!!).  I just don’t want her to come pick him up and me have to tell her that Ryan gave her son a bloody nose or something!!!!  BTW, I found Ryan straddling Hunter the other day (twice!!!), but they were both laughing!!!!  lol  I am VERY excited in my walk with LORD right now.  I feel so much growth, healing, and excitement!!!!!!  Finally, I need to start using my camera more.  I have been intimidated by it.  I just need to start familiarizing myself with it.  Also, my other camera was always in my diaper bag so I had access to it.  This one is too big and too expensive to tote around in the diaper bag so I end up leaving it at home all the time.  Then I miss out on great photo ops. I am going work on this though b/c I really do LOVE it and am so grateful for my Father getting it for me. 

Well, this was long!!!!!  Hope the people who read this are doing well and God bless you!!!!

Crock Pot recipes and etc

Oatmeal Pancakes:  I’m not sure if I have posted this one before, but if I have, well, here it is again.  It’s really good and really filling! 

2 c quick oats

½ t baking soda

2 ½ c buttermilk

1 c flour

2 t baking powder

1 t salt

1 T sugar

1/3 c salad oil

2 eggs beaten

Combine oat, soda, buttermilk.  Let stand 5 mins.  In another bowl combine flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar.  Combine oat mixture, oil, and eggs.  Add dry ingredients and stir till blended.  Cook on lightly greased griddle or skillet.  Yields 14-16 pancakes .

http://www.duggarfamily.com/

Chicken Quesadillas: 

4-6 chicken breasts – sautéed, baked, pr boiled (cubed)….sautéed with olive oil, butter, garlic, salt, and pepper

1 pkg Fajita seasoning

½ to 1 can cream of chick soup

Flour tortillas

Shredded cheese

Optional fillings:  Green chiles, onions, drained corn, refried beans, black beans

Optional toppings:  Sour cream, lettuce, tomatoes, salsa

Mix cream of chick and fajita seasoning and shredded cheddar cheese.  Lay tortilla shell flat on cookie sheet.  Spread mixture on top of shell all the way to edges.  Cover with cubed chicken and any optional fillings.  Cover with another tortilla shell.  Bake 350 until crispy.  Remove and top with remaining shredded cheddar cheese.  Place back in oven for 5 mins to melt cheese.  Cut in pie size slices.  Serve with optional toppings. 

http://gilbatesfamily.com/

BBQ Pulled Pork:  My friend Tiff gave me this recipe and the next 2, as well.  She had given them to me back in February, close to the time when I was due with Hunter, although he didn’t come until March 7^th!!!  She thought these would help us out b/c they are super easy and very delish!  Well, I just now got around to making them all, but she is right…they are easy and delicious!!!!! 

Put pork tenderloin in Crock-Pot and season each side with salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, dry onion.  We didn’t use the liquor like she suggested, but instead subbed ½ can Sprite, T lime juice, ¼ cup apple cider vinegar, ¼ c cran juice. 

Add chopped onion.

Cook 8-10 hrs on low. 

Add liquid smoke nd BBQ sauce. 

Eat with hoagie rolls.

Pork Chili:  We had our Pastor, his wife, and their 3 children over for dinner last night and this is what we served.  We all really enjoyed it.  We served it over rice with some corn. 

Season pork with salt, pepper, garlic powder, oregano, paprika, dried onion, cayenne, and chili powder. 

Add 16 oz jar of salsa.

One large red pepper

1-2 chopped onions

2-3 cans of black beans

Cook in Crock-Pot for 8-10 hrs

Mac-N-Cheese: 

Barely aldente elbow pasta

Brown ground turkey

In casserole dish layer pasta, turkey, stewed tomatoes with juice, shredded cheddar cheese

Add salt, pepper, dried onion, garlic powder.

Repeat.

Bake in 350 oven for 30-40 mins. 

God's Post It Notes

;
;

Revised Brewner Family Schedule

Ryan	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday - Free toy day and TV day, communion	Sunday
7-830	Wake up, get dressed, eat breakfast, watch ½ hour of TV	Wake up, get dressed, eat breakfast, watch ½ hour of TV	Wake up, get dressed, eat breakfast, watch ½ hour of TV	Wake up, get dressed, eat breakfast, watch ½ hour of TV	Wake up, get dressed, eat breakfast, watch ½ hour of TV	S	Wake up, get dressed, eat breakfast, watch ½ hour of TV
830-9	Finish up breakfast, Bible time with Mommy and Daddy and color/blanket time	Finish up breakfast, Bible time with Mommy and Daddy and color/blanket time	Finish up breakfast, Bible time with Mommy and Daddy and color/blanket time	Finish up breakfast, Bible time with Mommy and Daddy and color/blanket time	Finish up breakfast, Bible time with Mommy and Daddy and color/blanket time	A	Finish up breakfast, Bible time with Mommy and Daddy and color/blanket time
9- 10	Help Mommy with chores	Help Mommy with chores	Help Mommy with chores	Help Mommy with chores	Help Mommy with chores	B	Help Mommy with chores
10-1030	Play outside	Play outside	Play outside	At Bible study with Mommy	Play outside	B	Church
1030-11	Snack and school	Snack and school	Snack and school	At Bible study with Mommy	Snack and school	A	Church
11-1130	Ryan free time	Ryan free time	Ryan free time	At Bible study with Mommy	Ryan free time	T	Church
1130-12	Blanket time	Blanket time	Blanket time	Blanket time	Blanket time	H	Church
12-1	Lunch, ½ hour of TV, cleanup	Lunch, ½ hour of TV, cleanup	Lunch, ½ hour of TV, cleanup	Lunch, ½ hour of TV, cleanup	Lunch, ½ hour of TV, cleanup	D	Church/lunch
1-4	Nap time	Nap time	Nap time	Nap time	Nap time	A	Nap time
4-430	Snack time and ½ hour of TV	Snack time and ½ hour of TV	Snack time and ½ hour of TV	Snack time and ½ hour of TV	Snack time and ½ hour of TV	Y	Snack time and ½ hour of TV
430-5	Ryan and Mommy/Daddy playtime	Ryan and Mommy/Daddy playtime	Ryan and Mommy/Daddy playtime	Ryan and Mommy/Daddy playtime	Ryan and Mommy/Daddy playtime	!	Ryan and Mommy/Daddy playtime
5-6	Ryan free time, blanket time, help with dinner	Ryan free time, blanket time, help with dinner	Ryan free time, blanket time, help with dinner	Ryan free time, blanket time, help with dinner	Ryan free time, blanket time	!	Ryan free time, blanket time, help with dinner
6-7	Eat dinner, Bible study, clean up	Eat dinner, Bible study, clean up	Eat dinner, Bible study, clean up	Eat dinner, Bible study, clean up	Capogna’s or couples night with Mommy and Daddy	!	Eat dinner, Bible study, clean up
7-8	Family walk	Family walk	Family walk	Family walk	Capogna’s or couples night with Mommy and Daddy	!	Family walk
8-830	Bath, story, family prayer, bed	Bath, story, family prayer, bed	Bath, story, family prayer, bed	Bath, story, family prayer, bed	Capogna’s or couples night with Mommy and Daddy	!	Bath, story, family prayer, bed

With extra time: Relaxation time with Mommy/Daddy, more story time with Mommy/Daddy, quiet time in crib with a toy.

J Remember: This is our GOAL…….our“WANNA-BE”schedule! J

Mommy	Monday- Alternating date day/night with Daddy	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday – family day, no cleaning, no CPU, Lord’s Supper	Sunday
7-830	Wake up, Bible study, workout, get dressed	Wake up, Bible study, workout, get dressed	Wake up, Bible study, workout, get dressed	Wake up, Bible study, workout, get dressed	Wake up, Bible study, workout, get dressed	S	Wake up, Bible study, workout, get dressed
830-9	Breakfast, Bible study, prayer requests, go over day	Breakfast, Bible study, prayer requests, go over day	Breakfast, Bible study, prayer requests, go over day	Breakfast, Bible study, prayer requests, go over day	Breakfast, Bible study, prayer requests, go over day	A	Breakfast, Bible study, prayer requests, go over day
9-10	Chores	Chores	Chores	Chores	Chores	B	Chores
10-1030	Outside with Ryan	Outside with Ryan	Outside with Ryan	Bible study	Outside with Ryan	B	Church
1030-11	Snack and school with Ryan	Snack and school with Ryan	Snack and school with Ryan	Bible study	Snack and school with Ryan	A	Church
11-1130	Free time/catch up time	Free time/catch up time	Free time/catch up time	Bible study	Free time/catch up time	T	Church
1130-12	Free time/catch up time	Free time/catch up time	Free time/catch up time	Free time/catch up time	Free time/catch up time	H	Church
12-1	Lunch	Lunch	Lunch	Lunch	Lunch	D	Church/lunch
1-4	Free time/Catch up time, 1 hr max CPU time	Free time/Catch up time, 1 hr max CPU time	Free time/Catch up time, 1 hr max CPU time	Free time/Catch up time, 1 hr max CPU time	Free time/Catch up time, 1 hr max CPU time	A	Free time/Catch up time, 1 hr max CPU time
4-430	Unfinished upstairs stuff	Unfinished upstairs stuff	Unfinished upstairs stuff	Unfinished upstairs stuff	Unfinished upstairs stuff	Y	Unfinished upstairs stuff
430-5	Play with Ryan	Play with Ryan	Play with Ryan	Play with Ryan	Play with Ryan	!	Play with Ryan
5-6	Make dinner	Make dinner	Make dinner	Make dinner	Free time/Catch up time/Prepare meal to go	!	Make dinner
6-7	Eat, Bible study, clean up	Eat, Bible study, clean up	Eat, Bible study, clean up	Eat, Bible study, clean up	Capogna’s or couples night	!	Eat, Bible study, clean up
7-8	Family Walk	Family Walk	Family Walk	Family Walk	Capogna’s or couples night	!	Family Walk
8-830	Ryan bath time, story time, family prayer time, ready for next day	Ryan bath time, story time, family prayer time, ready for next day	Ryan bath time, story time, family prayer time, ready for next day	Ryan bath time, story time, family prayer time, ready for next day	Capogna’s or couples night	!	Ryan bath time, story time, family prayer time, ready for next day
830-9	Free time/Catch up time	Free time/Catch up time	Free time/Catch up time	Free time/Catch up time	Capogna’s or couples night	!	Free time/Catch up time
9-945	Shower/bath	Shower/bath	Shower/bath	Shower/bath	Shower/bath	!	Shower/bath
945-1045	Mommy/Daddy time	Mommy/Daddy time	Mommy/Daddy time	Mommy/Daddy time	Mommy/Daddy time	!	Mommy/Daddy time
1045-11	Prayer with Sean, go to sleep	Prayer with Sean, go to sleep	Prayer with Sean, go to sleep	Prayer with Sean, go to sleep	Prayer with Sean, go to sleep	!	Prayer with Sean, go to sleep

Note: Don’t forget lots of time with GOD, Daddy, and Baby Hunter!!!!!!!!

J Remember: This is our GOAL…….our“WANNA-BE”schedule! J

Daddy	Monday- Alternating date day/night with Mommy	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday – family day, no cleaning, no CPU, Lord’s Supper	Sunday
7-830	Wake up, Bible study, get dressed	Wake up, Bible study, get dressed	Wake up, Bible study, get dressed	Wake up, Bible study, get dressed	Wake up, Bible study, get dressed	S	Wake up, Bible study, get dressed
830-9	Breakfast, Bible study, prayer requests, go over day	Breakfast, Bible study, prayer requests, go over day – WORK BY 9	Breakfast, Bible study, prayer requests, go over day	Breakfast, Bible study, prayer requests, go over day- WORK BY 9	Breakfast, Bible study, prayer requests, go over day	A	Breakfast, Bible study, prayer requests, go over day
9-230	Work	Work and school (class from 11-145)	Work	Work and school (class from 11-145)	Work	B	No work, but church from 10-1
230-430	Lunch, free time, homework, catch up time, 1 hr max CPU time	2-5 Working	Lunch, free time, homework, catch up time, 1 hr max CPU time	2-5 Working	Lunch, free time, homework, catch up time, 1 hr max CPU time	B	After church: Lunch, free time, homework, catch up time, 1 hr max CPU time
430-5	Play with Ryan	Working	Play with Ryan	Working	Play with Ryan	A	Play with Ryan
5-6	Make dinner, play with boys, homework, free time, catch up time	Make dinner, play with boys, homework, free time, catch up time	Make dinner, play with boys, homework, free time, catch up time	Make dinner, play with boys, homework, free time, catch up time	Make dinner, play with boys, homework, free time, catch up time	T	Make dinner, play with boys, homework, free time, catch up time
6-7	Eat, Bible study, clean up	Eat, Bible study, clean up	Eat, Bible study, clean up	Eat, Bible study, clean up	Capogna’s or couples night	H	Eat, Bible study, clean up
7-8	Family Walk	Family Walk	Family Walk	Family Walk	Capogna’s or couples night	D	Family Walk
8-830	Ryan bath time, story time, family prayer time, ready for next day	Ryan bath time, story time, family prayer time, ready for next day	Ryan bath time, story time, family prayer time, ready for next day	Ryan bath time, story time, family prayer time, ready for next day	Capogna’s or couples night	A	Ryan bath time, story time, family prayer time, ready for next day
830-945	Free time/Catch up time, homework	Free time/Catch up time, homework	Free time/Catch up time, homework	Free time/Catch up time, homework	Capogna’s or couples night	Y	Free time/Catch up time, homework
945-1045	Mommy/Daddy time	Mommy/Daddy time	Mommy/Daddy time	Mommy/Daddy time	Mommy/Daddy time	!	Mommy/Daddy time
1045-11	Prayer with Hettie, go to sleep	Prayer with Hettie, go to sleep	Prayer with Hettie, go to sleep	Prayer with Hettie, go to sleep	Prayer with Hettie, go to sleep	!	Prayer with Hettie, go to sleep

Note: Don’t forget lots of time with GOD, Mommy, Ryan, and Baby Hunter!!!!!!!!

J Remember: This is our GOAL…….our“WANNA-BE”schedule! J

T /R: 9-11 and 2-5 = 10

M/W: 930-230 = 10

F: 930-230 (or noon) = 5

I decided to revise the schedule that I had made a couple of weeks ago. I posted about it then. Any way, after one day of trying to do a new schedule, but miserably failing, yesterday I managed to create these. My goal is to HAVE a goal for our day, so that everyone in our household has the same goal and a similar purpose. Without this, we seem to waste time, and lots of it, and unfortuntely Ryan is the one who suffers b/c Sean and I get busy doing other things, including wasting too much time on the computer or Sean's tablet and Ryan is left to his own devices. This is ALWAYS a dangerous thing!!!! A 2-year-old, when bored, can defintiely find things to get into, which usually results in something being broken, thrown, misplaced, and then a timeout and/or spanking occurs. Poor little guy. So, I felt like if Ryan had direction throughout the day, that his time would be spent constructively instead of destructively. It also helps me b/c I don't feel guilty that I'm not spending enough QT time with and/or the hubby. Also, I won't get so side tracked with getting sucked into the internet; now we have a limitation. I know that GOD, Sean, the boys, and the house come before my free time. It's good for Sean, too, because without realizing it he can get really wrapped up in his tablet or something else and start to ignore me and the boys; never on purpose, of course. I did a lot of research and this web site gave me lots of ideas, which were of great help. http://www.titus2.com/ Today was the first day to implement the scehdule and so far so good. I have to admit that it made me anxious and stressed this morning b/c I'm not usually one to like going by a written down schedule and the enemy has certainly worked trying to get me to give up and throw them in the garbage, but I am focused and determined to stick with it. I'm sure I will be tweaking it often and I also want to buy the book Managers Of Their Homes, which is on the web site above, which will further guide me. My hope is that if Moms out there in the bloggie world are looking for something like this, then maybe it can give them some good ideas and some encouragement. God bless!!!