Ordinary Life

Batter Up , originally uploaded by kellybrewer . Chandler " Chipper Jones" Brewer plays a little street ball on Saturday.

Puff the Magic Lovely , originally uploaded by kellybrewer . Aunt Jamela (a.k.a. Chimney Jones)

Flying Colors , originally uploaded by kellybrewer . Another Beaufort, SC Sunday

Fisher with Napkin , originally uploaded by kellybrewer . Fisher gets ready to eat @ Panini's in Beaufort.

Chandler Dines Out , originally uploaded by kellybrewer . Sunday lunch @ Panin's in Beaufort.

Logan doodles , originally uploaded by kellybrewer . Drawing a mermaid princess, no doubt

Hello? , originally uploaded by kellybrewer . Clay takes a quick call. ( great time to snap a picture-- no objections :)

Making choices , originally uploaded by kellybrewer . Chandler decides on a "Blanco" pizza for lunch.

Color-ful LoLeece , originally uploaded by kellybrewer . Logan flips the menu to it's proper use--a color sheet.

Fisher w/Forks , originally uploaded by kellybrewer . Fisher collects everyone's utensils... just because.

Hippie Hair , originally uploaded by kellybrewer . Clay dons Logan's "hippie" shirt on his head, before lunch on Sunday.

Clowning , originally uploaded by kellybrewer . Clay clowns around with the kids in Beaufort last Sunday.

Walking in the Rain , originally uploaded by kellybrewer . A sudden rain shower escorted us along the river front in Beaufort last Sunday afternoon...I took off my shoes to keep from slipping... the pavement was warm, the rain was cool... the moment was beautiful.

Baby Hailey sleeps in PaPa's arms during a very long day of visiting with family, last Saturday.

I spent yesterday with my brother Nick and his wife, Nicki as they welcomed their daughter, Hailey Elizabeth, into the world. She was born @ 12:45 in the afternoon, weighing 7 lbs even and cute as a button. Little miss Hailey really lucked out, being born to two wonderful parents and having not one but two big brothers already in place to defend her honor. To See More of Hailey's Big Day, Click HERE

Meet Hailey Elizabeth Carnes. She was born @ 12:45 PM July 22, 2008 7 lbs & 20 inches

CHANDLER FISHER LOGAN My 3 Amigos @ Bluffton Library's Ice Cream Social today- rewarding Summer Readers.

I took the kids and my Spotter badge to the Bluffton Library's games and movie day yesterday. I found this dup playing Jenga and stuck around for a play by play:

Photos from this weekend (7/11-7/14) in Franklin, NC @ Carnes Reunion:

On Friday morning, I received a notice about our annual Carnes Family Reunion in Franklin, NC to be held on Saturday. I had forgotten completely, but made some hasty plans, threw half our wardrobes into suitcases, figuring proper attire could be fleshed out later, and headed for the hills. We spent Friday night in Greenville at my parents, then followed them up Saturday morning for the gathering. This was my first time making the trek behind the wheel. I've always been a passenger all the years before. It was like a rite of passage for me, though they tell me next year is the real bat mitzvah. There is a more mountainous route- notorious for its hairpin turns and steep cliffs- The Highlands- which really puts one to the test. I can hardly wait. Time with family was wonderful- more wonderful than ever, really. This weekend was one of those rare times when I wished I was older. I wished I had the benefit of attending more of the past reunions, hearing all the stories I am just now di...

Remember when I commented over @ Aletheia that I wouldn't mind having the Discovery Channel's Boom-De-Ah- Da commercial on my iPod ? Be careful what you wish for cause usually the obscure ones get granted: Ringtones , Mp3's & Wallpaper HERE: BOOM-DE-AH- DAH Just a reminder of what we're talking about:

Jamela dedicated this song to Mom, who was in the crowd at the Silver Chair for The Leviathan Project's opening night:

Jamela sings her original song "Icarus" (again, perhaps not the official title?) at The Siver Chair in Greer on Friday night. Lovely:

Jamela's original song " Father Abraham" (this may not be the official title?) shared at The Silver Chair on Friday night, 7/11/2008. Just a sampling as I'm a real shotty camera-person:

Due to a last minute and whirlwind trip to NC this weekend, we spent Friday night at my parents' house in Greenville, SC. It just so happened that my little sister had a singing engagement that night and we arrived in town just in time to catch the last half. Not only was she the featured artist, she had some of her paintings on display with the other artists. The theme of the night was brokenness and the futility of self repair. All of the artist, including Jamela, are members of what they've dubbed the Leviathan Project. After Jamela played, the artists each took some time to describe and give some background and/or Scriptural refrence to their work. The Leviathan Project is still very much in its grassroots stages, but at the heart of the group is healing through art (art therapy) and the worship of Jesus Christ. These kids have talent and stories to tell. They're going to do much more yet, and I'm glad to be along for the ride. Jeoffry, owner of The Silver Chair, in...

This is my second cousin, Ryan. (here in the South, we like to keep dibs on how far you are removed, cause once you hit Fifth, we can marry ya) Ryan is flexible- see? But Ryan is flexible in another way- he can be persuaded to change his point of view. I watched this scene unfold over the weekend ( I even got a small speaking role in the the first act). It was funny in a way, but sad in another. Scene 1: Franklin Motel, In front of hotel rooms 114 & 115 Enter Ryan, addressing his cousin Jamela , who is at this moment, enjoying a smoke break. Ryan: Jamela , you aren't supposed to smoke! Jamela : Yes, I know, but I need to smoke right now. Ryan: But you could get cancer, and die- those things can make you sick Jamela : I know, but... Ryan: Jamela , you're my family and I don't want you to die. Jamela : Well, I know, but... Ryan: Jamela , you are my......what are you to me? Jamela , I am your...what am I to you? ME: You are cousins Ryan: Yeah, we're cousins and I care ...

We try to teach our kids to appreciate the sacrifice of America's service men and women. One way we encourage them to make the connection is to simply say 'Thank you.' when they cross paths with those in uniform. All three of my children do this readily and as often as they see a Marine (we live near Parris Island) or camouflage (We aren't far from Hunter AAB, either.) In fact, they love to find folks to thank so much that they often get over zealous, thanking anyone dressed remotely military in style, like security guards and that one teen in the mall last week, wearing an over sized camo print jacket) While we were in NC this weekend, the National Guard showed up about the same time we did for a little something to eat from Shoney's breakfast bar. After sufficient thanks had been given (to the guardsmen for their service and to God for the food) everyone set to the task at hand, which of course is to try and empty those food bins as fast as they can fill t...

Logan and I went shopping last Saturday night when Daddy Warbucks gave Lo an allowance for some new clothes. Naturally, we only spent half of that (ha!) We went to Marshalls as the stylish yet thrifty are wont to do and picked a few play clothes / daily wear pieces, as LoLeece is long overdue for some properly fitting clothes. As I perused the pedal pushers and matching tees, she found a purple dress, a Hannah Montanna number-hidden on a rack. It was the only one in the store. It just happened to be her size. My reflex reaction would be to object immediately-- not only did she not need a dress, ( I had just bought a few dressy outfits a few weeks earlier) it really didn't seem like a church dress-- I couldn't imagine many opportunities to don this grape-a- licious drape. But she loved it, it was written all over her expression and the way she held the dress up to her. Many years ago, -many, many years... I had a purple dress too. It was gauzy and tiered, purple and bede...

We celebrated the Fourth at Shelter Cove Marina's Harbour Fest . We took in both of Shannon Tanner's shows and watched the fireworks as Tanner played the guitar. Chandler sang The Star Spangled Banner to an audience of people and the night over all was truly enjoyable. (I don't give unscathed approval often...) You have to know more about Shannon Tanner , but it's like ice cream right now- there are so many good things to scoop, I'm having trouble narrowing it down just yet. I'll post more when I can cut my current word count down by half or more and still make sense. In the meantime, enjoy our slide show . HARBOUR FEST @ SHELTER COVE MARINA 7.4.08

We spent our July 4 th at Shelter Cove Marina's Harbour Fest. More about that later. During the part of the show when Shannon Tanner asks the kids if they have a song they'd like to sing, both Charming and I were shocked to see all of our kids eager to participate. ( They don't know the full rendition of more than 3 songs combined, if I had to bet on it) We scooted even closer to the edge of our seats when, lo and behold, Chandler got picked to share his song. When asked which song he wanted to sing ( they'd been asked to think up patriotic songs) Chandler said " The Star Spangled Banner" Shannon spent some time remembering the effect this song had on him during his years coaching football and said he just couldn't do this song any way but the right way, so he stood up with his guitar and placed his hand over his heart. The 200+ of us remaining out in the audience followed his lead. About this time, Chan looks up to him and says " You'll have to ...

Incomplete Post/No Edits This is Shannon Tanner . Every summer, (for the last 20 years), Shelter Cove Marina has hosted The Shannon Tanner Show. This was our second time making the Independence Day version of his show (you can see more about that HERE)-- it won't be our last. The first time we attended was when we lived here about five years ago. That year, as the fireworks began to explode, Shannon had a guest musician ( I think he was someone I should've paid attention to his name, in order to make this story more wow-some) step out onto one of the condo balconies and begin to play The Star Spangled Banner on his electric guitar. It was a truly unique moment in time that I have thought about often since. From that show, to this recent one, the emphasis on inspiring children and just believing in them has not been diluted. Now, you may see the propeller beanie or click that Shannon Tanner link above and be tempted to shrug him off quickly as only a children's entertainer, ...

Charley, Sandra, Charlie , originally uploaded by kellybrewer . SLIDESHOW Charlie and Sandra celebrated 38 years of marriage with the whole brood the other night. Rob & Andrea, Taylor & Austin just happened to be in town for the 4 th of July week and Tyler is down visiting his grandparents for the month- so everyone was accounted for. I had never been to Charley's but had watched it be transformed from house to restaurant when we were living nearer Tybee Island. I had seen a few of the ads put out promoting Charley's as a fine dining establishment that would even come to fetch you in their house limo, should you so desire (and have the nickles to pay for it) I wasn't holding my breath to be honest. It's Tybee , ya know? I was pleasantly surprised though. Inside was warm and inviting. The tables set nicely and the walls covered with art by local artists. The dinner was also exceptional, though I only had a "veggies and sides" plate, everyone gave it t...

It has been a long time since I set a brush to canvas, but I've done few panels lately for the walls... don't laugh.

The children went to VBS @ Community Bible Church in Beaufort last week. It was an excellent program; Amazon Expedition, developed by Answers In Genesis. These are the few photos I snapped... VBS Slideshow

As I mentioned in my previous post, we lost Aundree " MeeMaw " Brewer this past week. The family was gathered for the first time in a long time. The day before was Rob's birthday, so the pictures of TBonz and singing waitresses have nothing to do with family funeral traditions. After the funeral service was over, Bath United Methodist church, a spiritual foundation in the Brewer/Coker family, served us a meal and gave us a resting place before returning to the graveside. Aundree's parents had played active roles within this church, and so the pictures of family pews, plaques and windows are explained. Cousins were given valuable together time. Just the way Aundree would have wanted it, I'm sure. CLICK FOR SLIDESHOW