We don't call this "The Ewing Adventures" for nothing...

Our week was a good one, with SMTI rehearsal, karate, physical therapy and sleepovers.  We haven't seen much of Cole but he did finally make it home late Friday night and has been (forced) to spend time with us all weekend.  Nice.


Friday night, my cousins Zane and Shannan, and their adorable girl Izzy, spent the night with us on their way back to Texas.  Everyone came over for dinner and even though our a/c downstairs went out, it was bearable, especially to be able to spend time with loved ones that we don't get to see nearly often enough.

Spencer is crazy about Izzy.

Brad and Gigi.

Shannan, Gigi and Zane.


I LOVE having get-togethers at our house.  Thank goodness Brad doesn't mind when I casually mention that I have invited 18 people over for dinner.  I guess after 19 years he is used to it.


We are beginning another adventure and I want to share our news with you.  We withdrew Cole from Arkansas Baptist this past week and will homeschool both Spencer and Cole.  Probably at the end of August, the boys and I will head to Los Angeles, while Brad stays behind to work.  Brad and I have talked, prayed and talked some more about this a long time and we feel we want to be able to give Cole this opportunity to see if life as an actor is something God has planned for him and for our family.  Yes, it's scary and there are lots of uncertainties but we want to teach the boys that life is full of opportunities and you will never know if they are right for you if you don't try (this coming from someone who HATED any kind of change when I was growing up).  We may be back in Little Rock in 8 weeks or 8 months.  We honestly do not know how all of this will work out but we know that God has a plan that will be revealed to us.  We would certainly appreciate your prayers.


"So I saw that there is nothing better for people than to be happy in their work.  That is why we are here!  No one will bring us back from death to enjoy life after we die."
~Ecclesiastes 3:22

Our week has been pretty quiet so far, even though Cole is deep into rehearsal for SMTI.  He had mini auditions on Monday and found out yesterday that he has two solos and two monologues.  He was very excited and we are really proud of him.  The competition is always tough but seems even more so this year.

Spencer and I have been laying low since he is not able to tolerate this oppressing heat.  He and Seth went to the movies Monday but other than that, not much going on.

I think this is what they mean when they say the "dog days of summer".  Every dog should have it this good.

Have a good day.

Sleepy Sunday

At 9:00a.m. this morning, my eyes popped open and I had been sleeping so soundly, I wasn't sure what day it was or even what time.  Dang, I was tired.  Brad, Cole, Chad and I went to the Senior SMTI show last night and got home at 12:30 a.m.!  Anyone who knows me knows that I have my pj's on and am usually in bed by 9:30.  I totally admit I am a woos when it comes to me and my sleep.  I love sleep!

The show was GREAT, GREAT, GREAT and I am so excited to see what the Juniors do with it.  Cole has his first day of rehearsal today and in just 12 short days, these talented young artists will learn the lyrics and choreography to over 40 songs!  I'm amazed every year.

Cole slept until 12:00 and is now sitting at the bar practicing his guitar for "Jack and Diane", an epic song of the 80's.  I am always surprised at how quickly he learns the material.  Must have gotten that from Brad.

He's so good, he put the dog to sleep!

Spencer is watching baseball and enjoying a day of leisure.  You have to have one day where you don't have 20 things going on at once.

So, the craziness begins for Cole for the next two weeks as he will be at SMTI rehearsal everyday from 9:30 until 3:30, or 4:30, or 9:30!  So glad he loves it and so glad I don't have to do it.

Hope ya'll have a restful Sunday.  Much love.

It was so nice to wake up this morning and know that there was nothing on our schedule that HAD to be done today.  Cole invited a friend over last night and we had movie night...you know, big pallet in the floor, huge bowl of popcorn and the most suspenseful or scary movie the boys can find.  We watched "Source Code" and while my brain just cannot wrap around the whole time travel thing, I really liked the movie.

It was already hot this morning when the dogs and I left to take the recycling into town so we opted out of our long weekend run.  It's crazy when it's almost 90 degrees at 9:00 a.m.  Unfortunately, my dream of coming home to lay on the couch and read my new book was short-lived when Brad decided we were cleaning out the weeds between our house and the tree line in the back yard.  Granted, it has needed to be cleared for quite some time but this has to happen today?  Really?  Anyone that knows my husband knows that he is driven, which means I changed from sweaty running clothes to long pants and a long-sleeve shirt and started clearing.  Two hours later and 781 gallons of sweat, the deed was done.

I so wish I had taken a "before" picture.  You could not see the dirt for the weeds, which were taller than Brad.

I don't even think I am going to be able to get these clothes clean and free of cuckle burs and stank!

Our next home is definitely going to be a townhouse with a patio...no yard!

Tonight, Brad, Cole, Chad (a friend of Cole's) and moi are going to the senior SMTI show at Wildwood.  This will be basically the same show Cole will be in in two weeks but these are the older performers.  I think Spencer will hang out with a friend...he likes to go to the shows only if Cole is in them. :)

Hope ya'll have a nice and relaxing Saturday.

Our Week in a Nutshell

I can't believe it has been five days since I last blogged.  Where does the time go?  I think the need to get back in a routine at home took over anything else that we thought needed to be done.

Spencer had an appointment with Dr. Richter, our ENT, this past Monday.  Dr. Richter asked him which problem he would like to tackle first...eating or a stronger voice.  Spencer said voice.  Dr. Richter was surprised but Spencer explained to him that he's used to not eating but he hates how quiet his voice is.  It was all I could do not to cry.  Dr. Richter and a colleague from Cleveland Clinic will perform surgery on September 27th.  The surgery is two-fold...one part will permanently move his right vocal cord close to the left one (medialization) with a staple and, two, the nerve to his voice box will be severed and re-attached with a different nerve (laryngel reinnervation).  Ok, believe me, I don't have any understanding of these procedures which is why surgery is not scheduled for another two months.  We will be meeting with an ENT from UAMS, having many tests and learning more about these two procedures.  BUT, we have complete and total confidence in Dr. Richter.  That's why we pray for our doctors everyday.  I will keep you posted.

Cole starts SMTI Sunday afternoon but we had a "Wine and Iron" last night to prepare the costumes for the senior show which is Saturday.  I can't think of a better way to iron than with wine!

We are puppy dog sitting for Carol while she and her family enjoy a much-needed break at Big Cedar.  It has reaffirmed my belief that maybe we don't need another animal!

Hope ya'll have a great weekend.  It's too hot to do anything outside so make up inside games, like my boys do, and go "bowling for dogs" in the hallway.  Come on cooler weather!!!

Restful Sunday

Spencer got home from Chicago last night and we were soooo glad to have him home!  He had a great time but I think he was ready to be home as well.  It's always fun to go on vacation but it is even better to sleep in your own bed.

Today, we are just relaxing.  We didn't even go to church this morning because I just felt like Spencer needed some down time.  Cole spent the night with friends last night and they are going to the Harry Potter movie today so it is safe to say that the Ewing house is very quiet.

Saturday, Cole competed in his first triathlon, the Miracle Chasers Kids Triathlon, put on by ACH.  Of course he loved it and now he is hooked!

He came in first place in his age division!

As a former competitor in triathlons, Dad was VERY proud.  So is Mom!

I have been asked many times since our return from LA, what our next step is in the road to stardom for Cole.  We are prayerfully considering different options and as soon as we have a plan, I will let you know.

Spencer has an ENT appointment tomorrow to discuss the swallowing issues and the fact that after four surgeries to strengthen Spencer's voice, it has still not improved.  I will keep you posted.

Hope you all have had a great, restful weekend.

Rockin and Rollin

Howdy, world traveler here to check in and let you know that we're all happy and healthy.

My whirlwind trip to Florida, with my friend Carol, went great.  We left Little Rock Tuesday morning at 6:15 a.m. and pulled into Vero Beach at 3:15 a.m. Tuesday morning.  It is a long drive but not a bad one in that it is mostly interstate.  We had books on tape to pass the time and while one was driving, the other was catnapping.  You should have seen the look on the security guards' face when we pulled into a Service Center (rest stops in Florida but they have gas and restaurants) at 1:45 a.m. and bought ice cream!  You could tell he was wondering what the story was behind those two chicks who were looking pretty rough.

For two and a half days, we scrubbed, wiped, vacuumed, moped, waxed, removed, added to and totally whipped the house into shape.  

This girl can clean!

The house looked beautiful!!!  Our renter commented several times on how impressed he was with the "sparkle and shine" of the house.  Best thing he could have said.  Then, we treated ourselves to two days of shopping and hanging out at the pool.  We left Vero Beach Monday morning at 2:30 a.m. (neither one of us could sleep so we just got on the road) and arrived back home in Little Rock at 8:30 p.m.  I was so happy to see the boys and so happy to be back at home.

Spencer had his annual check up at the Brain Tumor Clinic at ACH on Tuesday.  He got a great report and won't have to return until next year.  Woohoo!

We spent Tuesday evening getting everything packed for Spencer's trip to Chicago on Wednesday.  He had to be at the airport at 7:00 a.m. where we met up with the CARTI chaperons and other kids going on the trip .  Everyone was so incredibly nice and so excited.  Most of these kiddos have been on trips together before and they welcomed Spencer with open arms.  Made a mama's heart feel good.

Mr. Independent wanted us to DROP HIM OFF at the curb instead of waiting with him to board the plane!  Sheesh, if he only knew how nervous I was.  We stuck around for about 30 minutes and then Brad and Cole dragged me to the car.  

Spencer texted when he landed in Chicago and then sent pictures throughout the day of his different activities.  Here he is with his two roommates, Sean and Donald, at Navy Pier.

Definitely a motley crew!

About 10:30 p.m., I got a call from his chaperon as she was trying to set up his vent.  That darn thing is so sensitive that everything has to be perfect on it, which is fine if you are familiar with it.  Finally, at 11:30 I called our equipment company and had them call the chaperon directly.  They got it all fixed and didn't call me back so I finally fell asleep at 1:00 a.m. and slept until 9:00 a.m.!  Yeah!  I know that God has it all under control and the nurses and chaperons are wonderful.  He is in very good hands.

Cole spent the night with a friend last night so Brad and I went to dinner to celebrate his birthday.  It was so nice for just the two of us.  And cheap!  

I'm enjoying the rain and cleaning, cleaning, cleaning.  The stereo is cranked, the washer and dishwasher are running and the animals are trying to dodge the vacuum.  I love me a clean house.

I'll keep you posted on the continuing adventure...  

We're Back but I'm Leaving

We made it home from LA last night around 6:30 and we felt like we stepped off the plane into a sauna!  Whew, it is so much hotter and more humid here than in LA.  I told Brad that it's no wonder people out there put up with the traffic, the outrageous prices and the earthquakes just so they can enjoy their beautiful weather.

Someone was glad we were home, although he was playing it cool.

Today I spent the day getting ready to leave tomorrow morning for Florida.  I am so thankful my friend, Carol, is going with me.  I hate making that drive alone.  We will get the house spifified and ready for our new renter and return to Little Rock by July 11th so I can see Spencer before he leaves to go Chicago July 13th.  Then, I think I am DONE traveling for the rest of the summer!

Stay cool!

Friday & Saturday...End of our Vacation

Isn't it funny how time flies when you're having fun?  These past eight days in LA have flown!  So much fun.

Friday was kind of a "free" day because we didn't have anything specific planned.  I had a nice, leisurely run in 58 degree temps to start the day.  I really am going to miss these cooler temps.  Then, I wanted to do a little shopping, sans my male companions, so they dropped me off and gave me a couple of hours by myself.  SO NICE!  Boys just don't understand the need to have some quiet time while browsing.

Cole's only request this trip was to visit the Lamborghini dealership so we headed to West Hollywood Friday afternoon.  He was in Hog Heaven...

The sales lady, Miss Ida, knew she wasn't going to be making a sale with the Ewing's but she was still super sweet.  She even let Cole sit in one on the sales room floor.  List price....only $210,000.  What a deal!!!!



The boy had stars in his eyes all day!

Universal Studios is two blocks from our hotel and they have an IMAX theater that is eight stories (that's 80 feet) tall.  Crazy.  The boys decided they wanted to see the new Transformers movie and Brad and I decided NOT to see it!  We enjoyed a very good mexican dinner and then lots of walking, sight seeing and exploring while the boys enjoyed the three hour movie.

By the time we got home at 10:30, we literally fell into bed and slept until 9:00 a.m. this morning!

Today we took the Star Lite bus tour of Hollywood and Santa Monica.  It's a really cool double decker, open air bus that encompasses approximately 50 miles of touring.  We had so much fun.

Thank goodness for sunscreen.

We got off the bus at the Santa Monica Pier and toured the acquarium.

Because of the traffic, we missed the last shuttle back to our car so we had to take the subway.  I looked so scary that even the most suspicious people in the subway steered clear of us!

So, we're packing and cleaning and getting ready for our flight tomorrow.  It was such a fun trip.  We'll get home Sunday evening and then I will be heading back to Florida TUESDAY morning!  We rented the house and I need to make a quick trip down to get things ready.  Yeah for renters!!!!!