Merry Christmas

"Today your Savior is born in the city of David.  He is Christ the Lord."  ~Luke 2:11

This time of year has been made even more special with Cole and I being home.  Honestly, even if I had not received a single present, I would have been perfectly happy.  Everything I want crawled into bed with Brad and I at 7:00 a.m. this morning.  No matter how old the boys are, I will never tire of hearing them jump out of bed, run to get their stockings and come and jump in bed with us to open them.  Absolutely love it.

Last Saturday, the boys and I drove to Memphis to celebrate with all of my Aunts, Uncles and cousins on my Dad's side of the family.  We had so much fun.

Just a few of my second cousins.  If they had all been able to be there, there would have been 35 of them!

Last night, we followed our usual Christmas Eve tradition...  candlelight service at church then home to put on pj's and watch "Elf".

Nice to see both boys sitting together ;)

I layed on the floor because, obviously, there was no room on the couch.

Rusty was in the spirit, too!

Everyone is still in their pj's while Brad is making pizza for breakfast (using all his pizza supplies he got for Christmas), the boys are playing and I am enjoying my third cup of coffee.

I just had to share a picture of my gift from Spencer.

Love it!  Guess he wants to make sure we are safe in Cali!

Merry Christmas to you all.

We love you.

Getting Acclimated

I have such empathy for our military personnel who are deployed for long periods of time and then return home and try to get acclimated into a regular routine.  I am sure they are dealing with much more than just trying to fit in with what all their family has going on and my heart goes out to them.

Cole and I are just trying to get accustomed to the two hour time difference, the ability to relax and the need for coats and sweaters instead of shorts and t-shirts.

When I asked Cole to take out the trash, he must have thought we were in Antarctica.

I showed up for my run yesterday with Lisa in a scarf, hat and gloves.  She just laughed.  I think I have become thin skinned!

These two have been up to no good.  I came home from the grocery store yesterday to find Cole literally stuffed under one of my chairs and Spencer encouraging the cat to bite him!

 Love these two.

Love sitting on my porch and seeing this beautiful sunset.

Thank you all for your prayers for Spencer's swallow study.  During the test, they detected some improvement in his swallowing and he didn't aspirate on everything.  In January, he will begin a new therapy that will hopefully help build up his muscles to aid in swallowing.  We are thankful for positive news and we will keep praying until he is able to eat by mouth.

"Now to him who by the power that is working within us is able to do far beyond all we ask or think."

~Ephesians 3:20

We're Home!

Thursday afternoon, I knew that it was time for Cole and I to go home.  The stress of the past week, from Cole's hectic schedule to Spencer's swallow study, had reduced me to a blubbering sack of nerves and the only way to remedy that was to be in my own home. 

Cole and I packed Thursday night and hit the road at 5:00 a.m. on Friday.  Thank goodness we looked at the weather before we left on our trip because our usual route that takes us through Flagstaff and Albuquerque, NM was NOT the way to go since Flagstaff was expected to experience their first major snowstorm of the season.  Being from Arkansas automatically prevents me from knowing how to drive in snow!

So, south it was as we followed I-10 through Phoenix, down to Las Cruces, NM and up through Ft. Worth to home.  Although this route added an additional 200 miles to our trip, it was an easy drive with no traffic.  We drove 11 hours on Friday and spent the night in Las Cruces and then another 12 1/2 on Saturday and arrived in Little Rock at 9:15 p.m., just in time to pick up Spencer from the basketball game. ;)

I am happy to report that it was a perfect trip with no hiccups.  I did think of turning Cole over to the Border Patrol when they stopped us in Texas to ask if we were American citizens but I thought they would probably give him back.  Ha!  We sang lots of Christmas songs, played lots of games and, as always, saw interesting sights.

Beautiful rainbow someplace in Arizona.

Beautiful sunset someplace in New Mexico.

Creepy sign in a Texas gas station while walking down the hall to the restrooms.

"Tokyo Massage".  Yuck!!!! 

We are so, so excited to be home.  The dogs keep sniffing our stuff (like they don't know who we are) and the cat is running through the house trying to climb the Christmas Tree.  Nice to know things are already back to normal.

"And this is the confidence that we have before him; that whenever we ask anything according to his will, he hears us."

1 John 5:14

Calling All Prayer Warriors for Spencer

I have something to confess.  For the past three weeks I have been extremely angry with God.  Not a little upset or mad because something didn't go my way but full on, nerve-wracking, sobbing uncontrollably, sick-to-my-stomach anger that boils up from my insides and spills over in every conversation that I am having with Him.

It has been four years since Spencer was able to eat by mouth.  That's one thousand, four hundred and sixty+ days of having to use his feeding tube to survive.

On Friday, December 14th, Spencer will have a Swallow Study to see if there is any change in his ability to swallow any type of food at all....solid, liquid and textures in between.  He doesn't think the outcome will be any different from the ones over the past four years.  But I have to try and believe that God can and will perform a miracle.

And so I have prayed.  And I have pleaded.  And I have begged and then begged some more.   And now I am asking my Prayer Warriors to join with me in praying for a positive outcome to this test.

As my friend Tracy reminds me, we have to believe that no matter the outcome, that God receives the glory for every situation.  And so  I have to believe that God can move mountains and that He will, in His time, make it possible for Spencer to eat again by mouth.  In the meantime, I pray that I am as faithful as Spencer.

If you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, "Move from here to there," and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you."
~Matthew 17:20

On Set for the Commerce Bank Commercial

The more experience Cole gets in the acting business, the more I have learned that acting is not an easy job!  Not for the actors themselves, nor the Director but, especially, for the crew.

Cole's call time yesterday morning was 5:00 a.m.  That means call time for the crew was 3:45 a.m. which also means that Craft Services (the ones that provide the food for the talent and crew) had to be there much earlier to have food ready to serve at 3:45 a.m.  Thank goodness for COFFEE!

The entire production team were so incredibly nice and professional.  They filmed at an old vintage theater in Los Feliz.  True to the style of the 50's was the small seating section (seating for 100 instead of 1,000), the elaborate crown moulding and architectural details and the coziness.  Linda, the mom of the girl who played Cole's girlfriend, and I got to sit in the theater itself and watch on the big screen as they filmed the commercial.  It was by far the coolest way I have ever watched a commercial being shot.

This was a HUGE production and I'm always taking pictures to show Brad to try to explain about the set.

It is so hard to see from this picture but this is the "King Kong" truck.  The front part of the truck backs up to connect to the back part which, as you can imagine, makes a HUGE 18 wheeler.  When the sections are apart (like in this picture), the front section was the "lounge" and school room for the talent, and the last section housed a separate room for Makeup, Wardrobe and Production.  It was funny to walk into what I thought was going to be a travel trailer but instead found an extremely nice office with mahogany cabinets, flat screen tvs and wifi.  Wow!

This is Cole and Lauryn with their Secret Agent, Dave.  This is how it looked on the big screen of the theater while they were filming.  I laughed so much (as usual) and I think it will be a very catchy commercial.  Unfortunately, unless you are in Missouri or Illinois, you won't see it on tv but thank goodness for You Tube.  It should start airing in January.

Cole and I were both sound asleep at 8:00 p.m. and and slept for 12 hours.  Today is going to be interesting as Cole has a callback for a show on Showtime called "House of Lies" that films on Friday (we were supposed to be leaving Friday morning to head home).  I just keep repeating to myself, "Remember to be flexible, remember to be flexible!".

"And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father."

~Colossians 3:17

Finally, rest!

All I can say is "Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh."

Can you tell I'm finally rested?  After our very intense week last week it was so nice to have a weekend with absolutely nothing planned.

Saturday, I woke up early (even when I want to sleep late I can't) and for some reason, I had this strange urge to go shopping.  Shopping?  I hate to shop.  I'm one of those people that goes to the store and gets exactly what I need and then leaves.  No dilly dallying.  No browsing, window shopping or strolling with all those crazed people who are, well, crazy.  That's definitely not me.

But, Saturday, well that is exactly what I wanted to do.  Cole refused to get out of his pajamas so I left him at home and went to THE MALL!  This being LA, I knew there would be a million people there but it's an open air mall so you don't feel closed in.  The air was crisp, the sun was shining and I had a blast just walking around by myself and taking it all in.

I even got to smooch on a bunch of cutie patootie puppy dogs that were shopping for Christmas presents. ;)

The only thing we had planned for today was church and make up school work for Cole.  So while he was working on school, I was rocking out to Michael Buble's new Christmas CD while making cheeseballs and wrapping a few presents.

These make a perfect gift when you put them on a cute silver platter from the 99 cent store.  Just add crackers and a bow!

I love the look of plain brown paper with jazzy ribbon, both easily purchased at my favorite store, the 99 cent store.

Back in the day, I used to paint pictures on each individual present before adding ribbon.  Yep, that was back in the good ol' days!

I am so thankful for a weekend of rest.  It was just what we needed.

"Not only this, but we also rejoice in sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance, character, and character, hope."

~Romans 5:3-4

Crazy Week

I cannot believe it has been one whole week since I have blogged!  I am constantly writing blog posts in my head but this week, they never actually made it to my computer.  Can you guess what kind of week we have had?  Here's our week at a glance:

5 Auditions - from Tarzana to Culver City, we put over 500+ miles on my car this past week.

2 Callbacks - He BOOKED the last one, a Commerce Bank commercial that shoots next Tuesday!

1 Day of Filming - Even though he got a callback for a Pizza Hut commercial he did not book the Principle role but they did ask him if he would like to be an "extra" in the commercial.  Of course, getting paid and eating free pizza sealed the deal!

3 Skype sessions - Spencer and I usually Skype every day but since this week has been crazy, I haven't seen him as much.  On one day, Max was so frustrated because he could hear my voice but couldn't see me!

1 Photography Session - Cole's theatrical agent wanted new headshots so we spent Tuesday morning standing on Sunset Blvd. and posing.  Well, I stayed out of the way but Cole looked great!

20+ - number of amazing cars we saw this week and by amazing, I mean A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!  As an example, when we were on the lot of Hollywood Studios for an audition for A.N.T. Farm, we saw Rob Dyrdek's Ferrari.  Why?  Because we were in the same building where Rob films his show "Ridiculousness".  For those of you that have never seen it, it is hysterical.  It is film clips of ridiculous things people do (or attempt to do).  Anyway, Cole was swooning over his car.

1 Movie - After Cole's audition last night in Santa Monica, we decided to NOT fight the traffic and stay downtown so we went to see "Wreck It Ralph".  Cute movie but even better was being able to walk around The Grove outdoor mall and enjoy the beautiful Christmas lights and Christmas music.

3 - number of times I almost ran out of gas but last night I really cut it close.  I pulled into the gas station with "0" miles left on my gas tank.  Holy smokes, I am really pushing my luck.

6 - number of days until Cole and I leave to head home for our Christmas break!  I CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!

61,000 - number of times I got yelled at on the freeways.

Every second of every day - the number of times that I am so thankful for the love of my family and friends and for God's love, protection and guidance during our adventure.

"For David says about him, "I saw the Lord always in front of me, for he is at my right hand so that I will not be shaken.  Therefore my heart was glad and my tongue rejoiced; my body also will live in hope."

~Acts 2:25-26

Commercial Shoot, Callback and Sleep

It is raining in LA and has been raining since we stepped off the train Monday morning at 5:00 a.m.  For most of you, rain is not a big deal. In LA, RAIN IS A BIG DEAL!  It never rains (it rained 3 times between June 6 and Thanksgiving) so when it does, people freak!  As if it needed any help, traffic takes the major hit during rain.  I mean, on any given day, the traffic in LA is awful but you let water fall from the sky and you can be guaranteed that all cars will come to a stop.

With this in mind, Cole and I left extra early on Thursday to drive to Orange County for his commercial shoot for Fantastic Sam's.  Thankfully, we arrived on time and in one piece but not without some white-knuckle moments.

The crew for this shoot were incredibly professional and organized; two things that don't always accompany a production company.  And, even better, our set teacher was fabulous!  Anybody that can help Cole understand equations in algebra deserves a star in my book.

 I'm sure when the commercial airs, you will never be able to tell that his "bedroom" was just two portable walls in an open warehouse!

I wasn't able to take a lot of picture while Cole was filming due to space constraints but I loved the outfit wardrobe chose.

After filming and three hours of schoolwork (required by law for any student on set), we hit the road to head to Tarzana for an audition.  After an hour and half in traffic, we made it with 30 minutes to spare.  Needless to say, we were so glad to get home and get off the roads.

As we walked in the door, Cole found out that he got a callback on Friday for the Pizza Hut commercial!  So proud of all his hard work.

After sushi and mushroom miso soup for dinner (Sushi 101 restaurant around the corner is fabulous), Cole and I went to bed...at 8:00 p.m.  I think our bodies are still on Arkansas time.

Today, my goal is to unpack our suitcases and do some grocery shopping.  If plans change then we will continue to step over the suitcases in the middle of our bedroom floor and eat crackers for dinner! ;)

I am so missing this young man.  I just LOVED being with him at Thanksgiving and am counting down the days until I see him for our Christmas break.

Spencer and Cleopatra this past summer at Santa Monica pier.

I know I have used this Bible verse many times before but it is my reminder of God's promise to me and I needed it today.

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear.  Isn't there more to life than food and more to the body than clothing?"

~Matthew 6:25

Back to Our Crazy Busy LA Life

Cole and I boarded Amtrak at 3:05 a.m. Monday morning with definite dread and trepidation.  After all of our “adventures” on our trip to Little Rock we were more than a little hesitant to make the return trip to LA.

However, our fears were relieved when the attendant showed us our own room with bunk beds.  And a door for privacy.  Cue the sound of angels singing!  Hallelujah!

The sleeper cars are definitely first class accommodations that include meals, complimentary juice/water/coffee and your own attendant to see to your needs.  Thankfully, Cole and I traveled to Little Rock under not-so-great accommodations so our expectations could only rise.

I am happy to report that our trip was very uneventful.  We ate, we slept and Cole taught me how to play the card game "Hearts".  Our scenery for most of the trip looked like this...

Mmmhmmm, pretty desolate.

We arrived at Union Station in LA at 5:20 a.m. Wednesday morning and caught a taxi to our condo.  We were so glad to be off the train and to be able to take a shower!

The rest of the week is shaping up to be busy.  Cole has to be on set at 3:30 this afternoon for wardrobe/styling for the Fantastic Sam's commercial, then back on set at 7:30 a.m. Thursday morning for filming.  Normally, early morning shoots don't bother me but the set is 50 miles away!  Driving 50 miles in LA traffic is equivalent to going 50 miles on a camel in the desert during a sand storm.  In other words, it's slow!  Guess we'll leave early.

 So thankful to have a safe journey, a wonderful time with our family for Thanksgiving and the fact that we will back home in Arkansas in 19 days!

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

~Matthew 6:21

Thanksgiving Weekend

This year was by far, in my opinion, the best Thanksgiving ever.  I am sure being gone for three months had something to do with it but whatever the reason, I loved it!

Knowing that I would be arriving late Tuesday night, I planned on Brad and I providing the turkey and the ham and having everyone bring all the rest (don't you like how I think!) but Mr. Brad got a wild hair and stayed up Wednesday night making his mom's homemade dressing (so delicious) and then made mashed potatoes and gravy on Thursday morning.  He has turned into Emeril Lagasse while I have been gone!

My counter tops were laden with food but even better, my house was FULL of people I love.  We had so much fun with 23 family members.

Grandma with her four lovies...

Allie, Will, Cole and Spencer.

Uncle Bear, Aunt Marilyn, Mom, Uncle Danny and Aunt Martha with Gigi.

Post lunch outing.  Gotta shake all that food down so we can make room for dessert.

Zane, Shannan and Isabel stayed with us and we LOVED it!

On Friday, most of the clan came back over to our house for craft day.

We painted aprons but I can't post pictures because some of them are Christmas presents. ;)

The boys had so much fun with Izzy.  She is so cute and so smart.  If they could have her for a little sister, they would jump at the chance.

This girl can definitely hold her on with all the boys.

...and gets them to do exactly what she wants.

She and Spencer were throwing kisses to Rusty on the other side of the door.

Zane, Shannan and Izzy left early this morning, heading back to Texas.  It's our last day at home with Brad and Spencer.  Cole and I catch the train at 3:10 a.m. Monday morning for our two day train ride back to LA where we should arrive at 8:00 a.m. Wednesday morning.  I am already counting the days until we get to leave LA come home for Christmas...19 days and counting.

Did you have a blessed Thanksgiving?

I sure am going to miss these sweet faces.

I'm sharing Spencer's favorite verse with you today.

"Therefore, you shall be perfect just as your Heavenly Father is perfect."

~Matthew 5:48

Two By Train

Taking Amtrak home to Little Rock was not my first choice of transportation.  I am a girl who likes to get to her destination f-a-s-t, although I am not crazy about flying either.  I guess driving fits my personality better…I can leave when I want, stop when I want and listen to my music loud without bothering anyone else (headphones for my passengers to save them from my singing).  I was initially against traveling by rail but Brad convinced me to give it a try.  I knew Cole and I would have lots to remember so I decided to record our travels in a journal-style writing and use my blog.  For most of you, this will be boring but my family wants details!

Sunday evening at 5:45 p.m.

Coppelia graciously takes Cole and I to the train station in Burbank.  It is not a train “station” per se, just a platform with a bench. 

The train arrives 15 minutes late (a foreboding of things to come).  I struggle with my luggage and flashbacks of Brad and I traveling in Europe with backpacks (my pack weighed 40 pounds with items such as 5 pairs of shoes and an iron!) came to my mind and I wondered why I packed so much stuff.  I finally make it onto the train as it starts pulling away from the platform.  By the time our luggage is stowed, I am covered in sweat.  Great.  Sweat soaked clothes for the remainder of my two-day trip.  Can you say lots of Secret and perfume?

We arrive at Union Station in downtown Los Angeles 30 minutes later.  As I hobble off the train with all my luggage, we were greeted by a Red Cap (valet driving a golf cart) named Andrew who stowed our luggage on his cart and took us to the appropriate location to check our luggage.  Andrew was a wealth of information and showed us where to stand in line and even told us that he would be back to pick us up at 9:05 p.m. to take us to the appropriate train.  He doesn’t know it but Andrew was an answer to my prayer.

Union Station is, um, interesting.  It reminded me of the Union Subway station in New York.  Definitely not some place you want to go and just hang out.

Andrew was true to his word and picked us up at 9:00 p.m.  We settled on the train and Cole fell asleep almost immediately.  I, however, was awake until almost 2:00 a.m. when my sleeping pill finally kicked in.

Monday morning, 6:00 a.m.

Cole woke me up with a cup of coffee and the news that he had been exploring the train and had already eaten a cheeseburger for breakfast.  What?  Thank goodness the coffee was strong.

Monday, 7:15 a.m.

My first attempt at using the potty in a moving train.  Trying to squat over a moving object is an acquired skill but one I don’t intend on perfecting.

Monday, 12:45 p.m.

Our first stop where we can get off the train and stretch our legs was Tucson, AZ.  We had a 30 minute stop so Cole and I went exploring.

Wyatt Earp and Doc takin down the no-good-yeller-belly Cole Ewing!

Monday, 5:15 p.m.

Welcome to El Paso, Texas.  Holy smokes, it is amazing seeing the fence for the US/Mexican border, the Border Patrol and the drug sniffing dog that searched the baggage compartment on the train.  Traveling makes me realize even more how blessed we are to be Americans.

   I wonder how long Cole could hang on if we left him here!

Beautiful sunset in Texas.

Tuesday, 1:15 a.m.

As we are pulling into the Del Rio, Texas train station, there are a group of 20 guys playing basketball on the court next to the train station.  Hmmm……

Tuesday, 4:15 a.m.

I am brought out of my fitful sleep by a thud.  Our engine has dropped our sleeping car at the San Antonio train station and we wait for a new engine that will continue across Texas towards our Arkansas destination.  Our car attendant, Andre, informed us that we have at least a three hour stop so Cole and I head out to explore and 

to find breakfast and lots of coffee!  I mean, who doesn't want to go exploring the River Walk at 4:15 a.m.?! 

The Spurs' Stadium was adjacent to the train station.

When an older couple we met on the train, Miss Rita and Mr. Earl, found out we were going to Denny’s, she ask Cole and I to bring her some breakfast.  After her specific instructions about their order, she proceeded to pull her bedazzled and sparkly change purse out of her very ample bosom.  The look on Cole’s face was priceless!  Welcome back to the South, deary!

Tuesday, 7:15 a.m.

We finally pull away from the San Antonio station and head to our next destination.

Tuesday, 9:30 a.m.

At our stop in Austin, Texas, I start talking with Spencer on the phone and then decide to go potty at the train station.  I guess I waited too long to go because as I am exiting the station, the conductor is YELLING at me to get on the train and it starts pulling away from the station!  Now I know what it feels like to run for the train.  Ha!

Tuesday, 10:00 a.m.

Cole’s commercial agent calls to tell us that not only has Cole gotten a callback for a national commercial, but they want to Skype with Cole today for the interview!  Thank goodness for smart phones.

Tuesday, noon

I am NOT adept at walking on a flat floor, much less through the aisle of a moving train so imagine what happens when I am trying to carry my lunch?  And how can James Bond run down the aisle? 

Tuesday, 2:15 p.m.

I am not made for going more than one day without a shower but teenage boys should DEFINITELY NOT go more than 12 hours without one.  In addition to multiple applications of deodorant, he also smells like “Step into Sexy”, my perfume from Avon because I keep spraying him with it to mask his unshowered smell!

Tuesday, 2:30 p.m.

Cole asks for stomach medicine so I get it out of my toiletry bag and he takes it.  A second later I ask what was wrong with his stomach and he tells me it is hurting from what he ate at lunch.  Uh oh.  I game him a laxative!  Thank goodness he can regurgitate his food (TMI) and he spit it out and took some Pepto.  I’m about done with this trip.

Tuesday, 4:30 p.m.

People are cranky if they stay on a train too long (not necessarily talking about me but, yes, I am getting that way.).

Tuesday, 5:00 p.m.

The train stops for a 20 minute break in Austin, TX so I’m walking around the parking lot talking with Spencer on the phone.  Once again, I decide I need to visit the ladies room in the train station and once again, I waited too long to go.  As I was coming out of the station, Cole and I notice all the doors are closed on the train!  Yikes.  We run to the doors and Cole bangs on them to let us in and we jump on as they pull out of the station.  Oh lawzy.

Tuesday, 6:00 p.m.

Tired.  Want a glass of wine but I’m afraid I will fall asleep and miss our stop in Little Rock.  Need real sleep.

Tuesday, Midnight

We arrive at the Little Rock train station safe and sound and only one hour late!  Praise the Lord.

In six days, we have to repeat this trip!

"They are sustained as they travel along..."

~Psalms 84:7

"Monster & Me" Movie Premiere

This past summer, Cole filmed a movie entitled "Monster & Me" and Cole and I, along with Coppelia and our Manager, Katrina attended the premiere on Saturday.  It was so cool, cooler than words, to see him up on the big screen!  So surreal.

He made some amazing friends on set and it was fun for him to be able to get together with them again.

The Premiere was held at the New Beverly Cinema - Quentin Tarantino's Theatre with hors d'oeuvres outside so we could all visit before going in for the movie.

Cole, Hayz, Soren and Scher

Allison, Cole and Scher

Cole with his Manager, Katrina

Do you see a pattern in the above photos?  Yep, Cole only hangs out with beautiful ladies!

It was the first time for all of us to see the movie and we all loved it. Jeff, the Director, has said that the rights have been bought so it will be shown on TV as well as Starz or Netflix and then will be available on Redbox.  Unfortunately, all this will not take place until next year for the Christmas season. ;(

Now, we are packing and getting ready for our long train ride home.  I am a little anxious about the trip, since I have never ridden Amtrak, but Brad reminded me to have fun and take pictures.  I love that man.

I have this cutie pie to look forward to seeing in two days, along with some other people...

I hope he realizes that laying on my kitchen bar and drinking out of the kitchen sink will all come to a screeching HALT when this mama walks in the door.  He doesn't look too worried, does he?!

"For I know what I have planned for you", says the Lord.  "I have plans to prosper you, not to harm you.  I have plans to give you a future filled with hope."
~Jeremiah 29:11