Doctor Doctor

I have used this past week to get caught up on all my "yearly" doctor visits...mammogram, physical, etc., before we head to LA next week.  On Thursday, I got home at 11:30 a.m. from a doctor's appointment to find Cole coughing his head off and complaining of a sore throat.  We hopped in the car and headed to the pediatrician's office to find out that Cole has strep throat.  Poor boy.  So glad we went to the doctor early and got him on antibiotics.  He is feeling much better today and almost looking like his old self.

On Friday, my plans were to de-Christmas the house but I woke up with my chest hurting, my throat hurting and a horrible headache.  Thank goodness I was able to get in to see my doctor who said I was most likely coming down with the same thing that Cole had so he put me on a Z-pack.  I forgot how fast those meds work and I am already feeling better.

So, our infamous Ewing New Year's Eve party has been cancelled.  Spencer is still having a friend over but only because Brady has been exposed to the strep germs by his mom and sister (poor Tracee & Lindsay).  We're so thankful that Spencer has been able to stay well!

Aren't these two cute?

How about these two cuties?  Brad was looking through old pictures and sent this to me labeled "Blast from the Past".  Hard to believe this was 8 years ago!

Don't you love the ironing board surfboard?!

I hope you all have a happy and safe New Year's Eve and a very blessed 2012.

"For the Lord your God will once more rejoice over you to make you prosperous just as he rejoiced over your ancestors."

~Deuteronomy 30:9

Over the hills and through the woods

One of the many things I enjoy about the week between Christmas and New Year's is that we usually don't have anything that has to be done and we get to do what we want to do.  So, yesterday we left early, picked up Allie, Will & Gigi and headed out to my mom's for the day. Aunt Martha and Alexia met us out there and we had so much fun.  Mom made a crockpot full of roast, potatoes & carrots, Martha brought brownies and I made a cheeseball.  We ate and played and ate and talked and ate.  I think the only thing we do more than eat is laugh.

Gigi, Mom, Aunt Martha, Alexia, Allie, Will & Cole in the kitchen, of course.

Papa and Spencer caught up on sports.

I found these four all piled on the top bunk and looking like they were up to no good!

Mom lives out in the country but stray kitties can still find me out there!  This baby was so sweet and lovable.  Mom thinks she belongs to her neighbors down the road but I sure did enjoy snuggling with her on the back porch.

We got home at 6:00 to find that Brad had cooked dinner...

Yum!

I have now decided that I will be running to LA when we return next week.  It's the only way I'm going to be able to work off all this food!

"Come, eat some of my food, and drink some of the wine I have mixed."

~Proverbs 9:5

Movies & Dog Sitting

Last night, we went to the movies to see Mission Impossible at the IMAX.  It was a great movie but I have a few pointers for you if you decide to go:

1.  Get there at least 30 minutes early because the line to get in is insane.

2.  It's a long movie...a potty break is a good idea before you find your seat.

3.  Don't drink an entire Sprite during the movie because you will need a potty break before the movie is over...did I mention it's a long movie?

4.  I am going to invent a girls bathroom that you can go in and continue to watch the movie on a screen in the stall so you don't miss anything.

5.  Don't send the boys to buy popcorn while you find a seat...they buy the one that is the size of a small bathtub.

We are dog sitting for Carol while she and her family enjoy some time at Big Cedar.  Even though Bailey is only five pounds, he acts like he is the size of Rusty and Max and he certainly has no problem keeping up with them.  He joined us on our walk this morning to the pond.

He & Max think the water is only for drinking while Rusty sees it as a giant playground.

His legs may be short but he had no problem making it up the hill.

I am so happy to the sun this morning.  Got any exciting plans on this beautiful Tuesday?

"Light is sweet, and it is pleasant for a person to see the sun."

~Ecclesiastes 11:7

Ice Skating

Last Friday night, we went ice skating downtown at the River Market. Our friends, the Carney's, and my brother's family joined us.  We had so much fun!

This was my first time on skates...ever.  Brad is an old pro as he grew up in Michigan and was probably on skates before he learned to ride a bike.  I didn't fall but only because I was holding on to the wall for dear life!

Love love love my friend Cherie!

It was Spencer's first time on skates, too, although he only kept them on for five seconds.  Seems ice skating is not his thing.  I'm glad he had a good time watching us skate and that he is such a trooper to try new things.

My nephew Will, Cole and Sean Carney.  These boys are great!

Cole has only been ice skating a couple of times but like any sport that involves balance, he was good at it.

"No one has greater love than this - that one lays down his life for his friends."

~John 15:13

Happy Birthday Jesus

All of my family came over for lunch on Christmas Eve and we had so much fun!  We had 12 adults and 5 kiddos and it was a blast.  We had lunch and went for a walk and then went to Christmas Eve candlelight service at church.

Spencer, Maggie, Allie, Alexia, Cole and Will chilling before our walk.

Cole, Grandma and Spencer.  Love it that my boys LOVE their Grandma.

The candlelight service at church never fails to move me to tears as I am so thankful for the amazing gift that God gave us in his son Jesus Christ.

This morning, the boys and the dogs crawled in our bed at 7:00 a.m. with their stockings.  I look forward to their wake-up call every year...

Look who got meaty bones in their stocking.  They both finished them before noon.

A Ferrari Enzo model to keep someone busy.

A new jersey from his brother made Spencer very happy!

We had a very relaxing day and then God showed out and gave us a beautiful sunset...

I think Kobe must have had a rough day because he's been in this position for the past hour...

So cutesy, especially when he's sleeping.

"Because today there was born to you a Savior who is Christ the Lord."

~Luke 2:11

More Fun & Crafts

Yesterday was rainy, cold and gloomy so it was great to stay inside, watch Christmas specials and work on crafts.  The boys finished school yesterday and will have the next two weeks off...did you hear the big sigh of relief?!

Spencer's friend, Seth, came over yesterday afternoon and hung out.  It has been a while since I have seen him so imagine my surprise when he walked in the door and his voice is as deep as Brad's and he is taller than me!  Where have the last nine years gone?  I remember Spencer coming home from first grade and telling me about his new friend, Seth.  All these wonderful memories have made me very teary lately.

Cole went to Sean's last night for a Christmas party so we dropped him off with a cheeseball, crackers and a painted plate for the Carney's....

eventually my friends are going to get tired of all my crafty gifts.

Brad, Spencer and I headed to Sherwood and drove through Woody's Sherwood Forest for the light display.  It never fails to entertain.

The displays are huge.

Of course, this was Spencer's favorite.

Today, I am taking Cole back to the orthopaedic surgeon to (hopefully) get the all clear and be free of his boot.  Then tonight, we are going ice skating down at the River Market.  I have made it 44 years without breaking any bones so I think I may find a bench and some hot chocolate and do some people-watching!

Are you doing anything fun today?

What you do speaks so loudly I cannot hear what you say.

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Reflective

Cole and I attended a memorial service yesterday for the father of Henry & Helen Mellhorn, friends of Cole's from The Rep.  I knew of Johnson but never had the pleasure of getting to know him as a friend but he was obviously an amazing man as evidenced by the standing-room-only at the church and the wonderful eulogy given by his best friend.  Now that I'm older, I realize that being a "great" person is not based on how many countries you traveled to, how many books you wrote or the number of dignitaries that attend your funeral.  No, the legacy you leave behind is most evident in your family...a wife or husband that was cherished, children that were loved unconditionally, friends that were there through the good times and the bad and whom can tell endless humorous stories.  My wonderful Grandfather taught me these lessons and many more by the life he lived and the memories he left behind.  I cherish all the years I had with him and miss him everyday.  It was obvious Johnson Mellhorn's family and friends were blessed too, by a wonderful loving husband, father and friend.

I can think of no better goal than to completely love and be loved.

"Always be full of joy in the Lord.  I say it again - rejoice!  Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do."

~Philppians 4:5

Paintings

Since I have had some free time, I have been doing a little painting...

This was a special order and I love the way it turned out.  I think I may have to paint one of these for myself. 

A birthday gift.

A plate for Rabbi Levy, who is one of Brad's customers.  

I am loving the "therapy" I get from painting and am already trying to figure out how to get all my painting supplies back to LA.  I don't think it's too much to ask if we have to tie one of the boys to the top of the car so my supplies can be packed in the seat, do you?!

Our Christmas tree, a/k/a the Jungle Gym for Kobe, has provided him many hours of climbing this year...

The sweetest, most ornery cat that ever lived.

"Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see."

~Hebrews 11:1

Relaxing Weekend

It is so unusual for me to say I had a relaxing weekend during this time of year but that's exactly how it went.  Watching Christmas movies, making cheeseballs, going to church, watching more movies....it was so nice.  We have scaled back this year on the presents we are purchasing.  Instead of buying gifts for each member of the family, Brad and I made a donation to the Wounded Warrior Project in their honor.  Instead of buying each other gifts, we agreed to spend more one-on-one time together.  The boys get three gifts each (it was perfect for baby Jesus) so that makes it easy. What a difference it has made in my attitude this year; instead of being crazy, I'm celebrating what this holiday is all about....hope, love and faith.

Merry Christmas.


"Just as the Father has loved me, I have also loved you; remain in my love."
~John 15:9

Relaxing Week

Life around the Ewing house has been "normal" this week and I am loving it.

It has been overcast and rainy but there are some members of our family that just don't care what the weather is, they need to get out and romp....

Notice Rusty dives in and Max won't even get his feet wet!

Tuesday night, Brad and I went Christmas shopping and then out to dinner with friends.  It was sooooo nice, just the two of us.  I don't know why we don't do that more often.

Who can keep a straight face when Cole is taking the picture!

I'm hoping we can drive around this weekend and look at Christmas lights.

I hope you all are enjoying this magical time of year.

"God blesses you who are poor, for the Kingdom of God is yours.

God blesses you who are hungry now, for you will be satisfied.

God blesses you who weep now, for in due time you will laugh."

~Luke 6:20-21

It was a doctor, party, doctor kind of weekend

Don't you love when you're mopping the floor with the Christmas tunes just a playing and you hear a "thud" and immediately you know that that is not a good thing.  That's exactly what happened Friday morning and the "thud" was Cole's left foot hitting the kitchen wall as he was trying to jump over Kobe.  (Spencer said he was involved in hand to paw combat!)  Cole, just like his brother, is a tough one so when he laid on the floor with tears in his eyes, I was concerned.  When he got up and went to the couch and got sick to his stomach, I was on the phone to make an appointment with our pediatrician.  The x-ray confirmed that yes, indeed, his third toe was broken and dislocated.  But, also like his brother, Cole couldn't just break it.  Oh no, we need to amp it up a little.  The break was in the growth plate which required a visit to the Orthopaedic surgeon to see if he would need surgery.  Thank goodness, he came out with his toes wrapped and a lovely boot to wear for two weeks.  I so wish my boys were not overachievers in this respect.

Sunday evening, Brad and I hosted the annual Hearts & Hooves Christmas party.  We had 24 people for dinner and we had so much fun but I think the next time we build a house, I need Brad to install a disco ball that will drop down out of the ceiling so we can amp up the fun factor!

This morning was Spencer's post-op checkup.  He got a FANTASTIC report!  Dr. Richter is very pleased with how everything looks and how Spencer sounds.  He is hopeful that over the next 3 to 6 months, Spencer voice will become very strong.  We will go back in April for a recheck.

So, I have been back in my pj's since 10:47 a.m.!  Cole built me a fire and I sat on the couch and watched movies and addressed Christmas cards and enjoyed a little downtime.  

Merry Christmas!

"So now I am giving you a new commandment;  Love each other.  Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.  Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are disciples."
~John 13:34-35

Soggy to Snow

If you live have lived in Arkansas for any length of time, then you are probably used to the large amount of rainfall we get in the fall and winter.  This past weekend was no exception when it began raining around 1:00 a.m. Sunday morning and rained straight through until it turned to snow Tuesday night.  What a surprise it was to come out of the grocery store Tuesday afternoon and see it snowing!  It's December!  Uh oh, is this a hint of what this winter will bring?

I was shocked to walk out of the garage to this yesterday morning!  

Wow!

I bet you can guess who was so excited to go on their walk in the snow?!

Of course, one of the Ewing animals prefers to be by the fire.

My poor hydrangeas.

We woke to a beautiful sunrise this morning...

Looks like the perfect start to a gorgeous day.

The boys are busy with school, Brad is busy with work and I have been a cleaning cahuna since we are having several Christmas parties at our house this year.  I love parties!

I hope you all have a fabulous day.

"I am the light of the world.  If you follow me, you won't have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life."

~John 8:12

We are still alive!

Two weeks since I blogged?  Sheesh, where has the time gone?  Oh I remember...we've been decorating, crafting, cooking, planning, enjoying the cooler weather, more decorating, spending time with friends and family and getting ready for Christmas.  You've been doing the same, haven't you?

I have really gotten into decorating this year.  Usually, we spend Christmas in Florida so I don't decorate that much but since we are staying here this year, I got ALL of the decorations out!

I made new stockings, out of burlap, to hang on my front porch.

We put up the big tree, even though that was not our original plan.  We convinced Brad that it's just doesn't seem like Christmas unless we can put all of our ornaments on the tree.

The boys and I cut greenery from our yard and decorated the dining room light.

Since we don't have a mantle, I use drawer pulls that I stick between the rocks, to hang the stockings.

While Brad and I were setting up the tree, Spencer was taking care of Cole!

This elf got a great check up this week from his pulmonologist.  He weighs 118 1/2 pounds and is 5' 3 1/2" tall and his lungs are clear as can be.  Thank you Lord.

Don't let this sweet face fool you...he's always looking for or creating trouble.

A new painting for the dining room.


Spencer is back to normal and is not on any pain medicine.  His post op check up is December 12th.  Cole is doing great and enjoying his break from acting.  Our plan is to head back to LA January 3rd.  And Brad and I are happy to be spending the holidays with our family.


Turn up your Christmas music loud and rock to the beat when you are out today.  All that humming and smiling makes people wonder what you are up to!


"Sing a new song to the Lord, for He has done wonderful deeds."
~Psalm 98:1

Day Five of Recovery & Crafting Out of Control

Look who's feeling better!!!

I am so happy to see his smiling face this morning as soon as he got out of bed.  Thank you Dr. Mindy for your advice of combining Advil with the Oxycodone.  That has made all the difference in the world.  Love it!!!

Brad, Cole and Cole's friend Damon went to a tailgate party yesterday at the Hogs game in Little Rock and were gone all afternoon.  Today's tailgate parties are not like the ones I grew up going to...these include a dining table and chairs, real plates and silverware and a big screen tv set up for anyone who didn't have a ticket to the game.  Nice.

While the boys have been busy recuperating and watching sports, I have gone crafting crazy.  I love working with burlap so I got an idea to make a table runner for my dining room table.  Since our table is "technically" a conference table and is over 8 feet long, I can never find a runner.

I bought the burlap at Hob Lob...

drew my designs with chalk to make sure I liked the placement...

 used acrylic paint...

and hot glued ribbon to the edges so it wouldn't fray.  Voila!

I love how it turned out.  I'll post pictures tomorrow of the funky stockings I made to hang outside.

A special order.  It's hard to tell from this picture but she wanted the background to be black.  I like how this one turned out.

So, today I think I have convinced Brad to help me put up some Christmas decorations.  We won't put up our huge tree because I won't have time to take it down before we head back to LA, and I KNOW that Brad will not take it down by himself. ;)  I think we'll hike the woods and see if we can find one to cut down.

Thank you so much for all your prayers this past week.  We couldn't do it without you.

"I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers."

~Philemon 1:4