Crazy Trip

In my tenth grade English class, Mrs. Johnson had the caption from John Steinbeck's book Of Mice and Men that read, "The best laid plans oft go astray" posted on the wall above the blackboard by my desk.  Now, I can't tell you anything else I learned in that class but that adage seemed to stick in my brain and boy does it ring true in my life on a daily basis!

On Monday, Spencer had to be at school at 1:30 for Arkansas Baptist's first football game of the season.  He rode the bus with the players and coaches while Brad and I enjoyed the 45 minute drive with the top down on the convertible.  Oh yeah, I definitely need a cutesy convertible!

On the way to the game, we got a call from Katrina, Cole's Manager, telling us that Cole had a HUGE callback/audition for a project on Thursday. Really?  What about MY plan to stay in Little Rock until Saturday?  Sigh.  Ok, Plan B.  I immediately got on my phone and started changing my plane reservations (what did we ever do before smart phones?).  By the time we made it to the game, my alternate plan was in place and I got to enjoy catching up with my girlfriends that I hadn't seen in forever.

Maddie Brodell, a very talented Junior at AB took this picture of Spencer on the side lines...

One of my favorite pictures of Spencer.

Tuesday and Wednesday were packed with appointments and errands (at a frenzied pace) and I spent every second I could with Brad and Spencer.  I so enjoyed being back on the mountain and being a witness to those beautiful sunsets.

This mom's heart was torn between being in Arkansas or California.  I hate those situations but I knew that Cole needed me to be with him so I caught a flight Wednesday afternoon and arrived back in LA at the condo at 10:00 p.m.

Cole's audition was today at 11:15 and we were there for two hours.  The hardest part is waiting...this business is not for the faint of heart.

After a relaxing swim (which counted for Cole's PE credit), I enjoyed reading a new book while Cole worked on school.  After pizza and wine for dinner, I am ready to hit the sack and it's only 8:22.  Different times zones really mess with my sleeping schedule.

Have you had one of those weeks?

"The Lord directs the steps of the godly.  He delights in every detail of their lives.  Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand."

~Psalm 37:23-24

Awesome Sunday

I arrived in Little Rock yesterday afternoon into the welcome arms of Spencer and Brad.  I'm pretty sure I squeezed the life out of both of them but thankfully, they didn't complain.

Since I don't have my car in Little Rock, my brother was gracious enough to loan me a ride.  I had to pick between a new Ford Supercab and a Porsche convertible.  Need I tell you which one I chose?!?

Definitely NOT the truck!

I can't tell you how wonderful it was to lay on the couch and watch tv with the guys.  We talked, we watched tv, we ate, we talked...you get the picture.  So nice.

What a blessing to be in church this morning and to see all my peeps!  Lots of hugging, kissing, laughing and talking but we tried to wait until after the service. ;)

Somebody badly needed a haircut so as soon as we got home from church, I got the clippers and got to work.

I can't believe how fast Rusty's hair has grown.  I shaved him in June before I headed to LA and it was definitely time for another shave.

I forgot to take an "after" picture (I was in a hurry to shower so I could take Spencer to football practice) but here he is tonight.

Looking good while he snoozes.

After I dropped Spencer off at practice, I hightailed it to my mom's (with the top down on the convertible and the radio blasting) to spend a couple of hours.  I can't be in town and NOT go see her and Kermit as soon as I have a chance.

Of course, the time went way to fast.  Lots of laughing, talking, telling stories, eating and more laughing.  Do you see a pattern with all my friends and family?  I love it!

I came home to homemade spaghetti sauce with garlic bread and a nice glass of wine.  Insert big sigh here!  The perfect ending to the perfect day.

My week will be non-stop until I board the plane Saturday morning.  I plan to make the most of every second.

"Taste and see that the Lord is good!"

~Psalm 34:8

Heading Home

I am heading home to Little Rock on Saturday to spend the week with Brad and Spencer and although I am so excited about it, I'm sad too because Cole will be staying in LA because he has school and auditions.  Thankfully, we are blessed with WONDERFUL friends, Michelle and Anna, who will keep their finger on Mr. Cole at all times!

While running errands today, Cole talked me into going to Yummy Cupcakes in Burbank.  My taste buds love this place but my hips hate it with a passion.

Delish!

I'm packed and ready to head out first thing in the morning but tonight, Cole and I are enjoying the cool temps at the pool.

Love this little fish. ;)

Praying for a safe trip home and covering Cole in prayer while I am gone.  Being a mom to two boys in two different states is not easy but God's got my back.

"The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever."

~Psalm 121:8

Bragging

Today I will be bragging about my family so if you're not family, you may want to skip this post. ;)

I love surprises in the mail (not bills, but fun things!) so I LOVED that yesterday's mail brought me two very sweet cards made by niece and nephew.

Will and Allie, I love you and miss you so much!

Last week, I received a note from Spencer in the mail with these adorable earrings...

So thankful he loves his mama and wants her to represent the Hogs in California!

My mom sends me a "care" package every other week that has all kinds of Avon goodies.  The guys that work at the post office want to adopt mom so she will send them something!

I have these notes beside my bed so I will see them before I fall asleep and as soon as I wake up...

Fills a mama's heart to the brim with joy.

Makes this girl better able to handle being so far away from my sweet family. 

"Kind words are like honey - sweet to the soul and healthy for the body."

~Proverbs 16:24

On Set and Birthday Celebration

Another whirlwind week of filming and partying.  Oh LA, what a fun city you are!

Cole filmed Monster & Me on Wednesday, Thursday and then wrapped filming on Saturday.  As usual, we met a great group of friends.

It's obvious that Cole is so happy because he is the only boy in a group full of beautiful girls!

Downtime on set?  Not a problem.  Just whip out a guitar and everyone joins in.

After the film wrapped, the makeup artist decided Cole needed a little manly facial hair.  Hmmm.  His name is now Juan Valdez!

Cole, Jeff (the Director) and Athena (main character).

Double 007 and his sidekick, Soren!

Friday night, we celebrated Michelle and Anna's birthdays.  I made BBQ ribs, baked beans, coleslaw and chocolate cake.

It was so nice to spend the evening relaxing with friends.

Cole starts school tomorrow.  We are participating in California's online version of homeschool, K12.  I'm sure it will be a shock to Cole's system to be awake and alert at 9:00 a.m.

Really, really, really missing Brad, Spencer and my family this weekend.

Hope you all had a nice, relaxing weekend.

"...and thus to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.  Now to him who by the power that is working within us is able to do far beyond all that we ask or think."
~Ephesians 3:19-20

Filming and Relaxing Weekend

I am happy to report that on Friday, we did absolutely NOTHING that involved work!  I didn't run, I didn't cook, I didn't wash clothes...you get the idea.  However, I DID lay by the pool, I did turn over once or twice, I did take a nap....see a pattern?

By Friday night, Cole was going stir crazy so we headed to Bob's Big Boy where they have classic car night every Friday night.

Gorgeous cars.  When I lost track of Cole, I knew I would find him here...

With the motorcycles, of course.  He's already checking in to the requirements to get his motorcylce license.  Don't worry; it's not going to happen!

Saturday, Cole began filming for the movie Monster and Me.  If you have any interest in reading the script, you can read it here.  It was a pretty easy day since we arrived at 10:00 a.m. and headed home at 2:00 p.m.  Even more exciting was my new friend I made!

Say hello to Lilo.  She is playing the part of Cole's girlfriend's dog.  Shhh, don't tell her she is a dog.

When her mom sat down next to me Lilo immediately jumped in my lap, layed down and fell asleep.  Guess she knows a dog lover when she sees one.  She was the sweetest thing.  I am so excited that I will get to snuggle with her on Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday!

It was so nice to be back in church on Sunday.  After the service, I had an unexplainable urge for a gourmet cupcake and Cole and I found the perfect place in Burbank to fill my need.

If you ever visit the LA area, don't pass up Yummy Cupcakes on Magnolia Avenue.  I got the Chocolate Chocolate Fun while Cole tried the Chocolate with raspberry filling and raspberry icing.  I moaned the entire time and licked my fingers afterwards.  I guess I don't need to tell you that Cole was embarrased.

Cole had an audition today in Santa Monica and then we got to relax at the pool.   I am thankful for a quiet day because the rest of the week is filling up fast.

For all you parents who have sent or are sending your kiddos back to school this week, whether it is preschool, elementary, high school or especially college, I am covering you all in prayer.

"Whoever then humbles himself like this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."
~Matthew 18:4

Crazy Busy Week!

This week, by far, has been the busiest week we have had in LA.  It has also been the hottest week.  Mix those two together and you get one tired and hot mama.

Cole has had four auditions and three callbacks since Monday.  He did book a small role in a feature film entitled "Monster and Me" which will begin filming on Saturday.  I believe it will be released straight to DVD but I will get all the details on the first day of filming.  His other callbacks were for a national commercial and a new pilot that will produced by Warner Brothers.  When we were at the WB's lot yesterday, we saw Russell Brand's Rolls Royce golf cart!

Cole has decided he wants one that is a Lamborghini!  Ha!

With the temps exceeding 100 degrees, we HAD to stop and get fro yo and Cole just had to take a picture.

He definitely loves food as much as I do.

Today's audition had to be video taped so we went to SpeedReels in downtown LA for them to tape, edit and send me the link.  It is worth it for me to pay someone to do that...if left to my own devices, someone would get hurt!

Cole had to change clothes before the taping and since there was no restroom handy, he used the fire escape!

What did I tell you?  These actors have NO inhibitions!

Guess what?  Tomorrow we have NO, NO, NO appointments!  Woohoo!  So looking forward to washing clothes and doing paperwork.  I know, it's sad isn't it?

Have you had a crazy week, too?

"The truly wise person restrains his words, and the one who stays calm is discerning."

~Proverbs 17:27

Blessed with Great Friends

We are so blessed with the BEST friends a family could ever have!  Seriously, I can't believe how fortunate we are to have so many great people in our lives.

Yesterday, the McClellan's, our friends from Little Rock were in town and we met them downtown for dinner.  Love, love, love this sweet family.

Stacy, Mary, me, Cole, Allie and Mike.  These girls are the sweetest and I just want to kiss on them.  Cole asked me not to embarrass him but honestly, who could blame me?  They are so much fun.

We had a fabulous dinner at an authentic Italian restaurant.  Of course, Cole must always take pictures of his food.

So yummy.

So thankful they called while they were in town.

Cole had a wonderful quick trip home to Little Rock over the weekend to see all his friends in SMTI, but boy was he tired when I picked him up from the airport Sunday night.  Those quick trips that include a two hour time difference will sure wear you out.

My sweet friend Jodi sent me pictures of the boys throughout the night.  Guess she knew how much I was missing being there myself.

Cole was the first recipient of the Libby Cooper Spirit Award in 2010.  Jodi's son Addison was the second recipient during last year's SMTI show and congratulations to Mathew Carey for winning this year's award!  What incredibly talented young men and women we are blessed to know.  So proud of all of them.

While Cole was playing in Little Rock, I was hanging with our friends the Shea's.  I LOVE their family!  I always have so much fun.

On Sunday, I accompanied them to Allie and Olivia's horseback riding lessons.  Of course I got pictures of the horses and the dogs but somehow missed getting pictures of the girls!

It was bath day for all the horses.

I literally spent all day with Kari and Darin because after we got home from the farm, we headed to the movies and then relaxed outside at the mall with frozen yogurt.  I left their house at 9:15p.m. with just enough time to get parked at the airport and walk to the gate as Cole was walking out.  Perfect timing.

Our friends in Little Rock are taking great care of Spencer.  I love that the football players and coaches are so ready to help out any way they can.

Today, more than ever, my heart is overflowing with gratefulness for all of our wonderful blessings.  We are abundantly blessed.

"Your have turned my mourning into joyful dancing.  You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy, that I might sing praises to you and not be silent.  O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever!"

~Psalm 30:11-12

More Bookings and a Trip Home

Whew, what a whirlwind of a week!  I have decided that keeping up with my boys is a full time job.

Cole had six auditions this week; two of which he has callbacks for on Monday and one feature film he BOOKED!  Woohoo!  We don't have any details on the feature as of yet but I will pass that info along when I get it.  Also, the Shasta Cola commercial he filmed last week was voted #1 by the class!  I am going to USC to see it tonight and then it will be presented to the Marketing Company for Shasta on Monday.

Yesterday, after his audition, we stopped at a fruit stand and got his favorite food of all time...fresh watermelon and pineapple with fresh lime on top.  He is one crazy kid.

Spencer has been busy with the start of football practice this week.  He is at school at 7:00 a.m. and stays until practice is over at 10:00.  I must admit that I have been worried because of the heat but he has done great.  Wednesday was his last day of work for his summer job and he took Mr. Ricky and Miss Charlotte some cupcakes.

Yummy!

Brad surprised Cole with a plane ticket home this weekend to be able to see his friends perform in SMTI at The Rep.  SMTI stands for Summer Musical Theatre Intensive and it is held each summer for 2 weeks.  Around 400 kids try out for it each year with 50 or 60 being chosen for the show.  Cole has participated in the show for the past two years and was so sad he missed it this year.  He was pumped to be able to go home and see it.  He flew out this morning and gets back in town Sunday night at 10:00 p.m.  I can't believe I have all day today and tomorrow with no plans in sight.  Bring on the fun!

I hope you have had a great week.

"Come children.  Listen to me!"

~Psalms 34:11