Routine

I haven't blogged this past week because, well honestly, we're pretty boring when we are in our routine.  School, auditions, homework, laundry, more school....zero excitement.

I have started back on my exercise routine.  I am amazed at my ability to deal with stress when I am exercising vs. not exercising.  If I know that exercising is better for my body, health and mind, why do I ever stop.

The boys are both doing great.  March Madness has occupied most of Spencer's time as he watches the games and keeps up with our brackets.  He says I am losing but I think certain "people" have paid him to say that...surely, I can put together a plausible bracket!

This was the text message I received from Spencer this morning when I was sitting on the deck after my run.

Ha!  Some things never change.

Hope you all have a great week.

"Give thanks to the Lord, call on His name."

~1 Chronicles 16:8

Fam Pictures

I was so intent on updating my blog after our busy week last week that I totally forgot to include the pictures from our adventures!

In Santa Monica, we did fun things...

and some of my children totally creeped me out by doing other things!

Spencer and Clyde, a red Colombian boa.  Yuck!

We had so much fun in Long Beach at the aquarium and, thankfully, there were no snakes.

But there were birds!  The boys went in to the enclosure with the Lorakeets and let them fly around them.  This mama stayed outside where it was safe.;)

Cue the jaws music!

I cannot imagine my life without these three fabulous guys.

"I am holding you by your right hand - I, the Lord your God.  And I say to you, 'Do not be afraid.  I am here to help you.'"

~Isaiah 42:13

Whew!

If the word Trifecta means a triple win then the Ewing's experienced a Super Trifecta last week.

Wednesday brought the arrival of my 46th birthday.  Funny how I don't feel older unless I try to race Spencer or Cole at something, anything and then I wonder what happened!  Ha!  I was spoiled by everyone with flowers, presents and gift certificates.  I am one blessed girl.  Two things that made my birthday super special; Brad arrived in town and Cole booked a role on a new CBS pilot!  What a fabulous day!

Thursday was our 21st anniversary and we spent the day with the boys playing putt putt, going to the movies and then ended the day 

with a very nice dinner (just the two of us) in Toluca Lake.  Perfect.

Friday was Cole’s 15^th birthday and the whole day centered around food…breakfast with Katrina, Cole’s Manager; lunch with Danny, Cole’s acting coach and then a dinner celebration at the condo.

Saturday, we drove down to Santa Monica and rented bicycles. It was cold but beautiful and we had an awesome time.  Brad, Cole and Slade rented two-wheeled bikes while Spencer and I rented three-wheeled recumbent bikes.  We rode to Venice Beach and back (6 miles!) and we had so much fun.

We headed to the aquarium in Long Beach on Sunday and had another fabulous day.

I was pleasantly surprised at how strong Spencer is and so happy that in addition to riding 6 miles on his bike, he had no problems with all the walking we did…what a blessing.

Brad’s flight left at 6:55 a.m. Monday morning.  I think it will take me a week to recover!

We hope to find out this week when Cole’s pilot will be shooting but we think it will be within the next two weeks.  I’ll keep you posted.

"Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart."
~Colossians 4:2

8 Days

Eight days is a perfect amount of time for me to recover from most anything.  Eight days after Spencer has been released from the hospital, he is usually feeling much better and I can make a plan.  Eight days after traveling from Arkansas to Los Angeles is sufficient time for my body to become acclimated to the time change.  Since God created the universe in seven days, I think it is perfectly normal that it would take me longer to get used to a new routine, right?

We have been back in LA for eight days and my body knew it was time to start exercising so at 6:30 a.m., I was clawing through my non-illuminated closet trying to find my running jacket.  Just because I am up early doesn't mean the boys need to be. ;)

It was so quiet and peaceful.  Not much traffic.  No headphones.  Just my shoes slapping the wet pavement and my prayers going up to heaven.  Oh how I've missed this routine.

Eight days.  Who knows what will happen in the next eight days.  Stay tuned.

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever!"

~Hebrews 13:8

^$%#*!!!$#%

Did you hear me screaming?  Oh, you thought that was an earthquake in Southern California?  No, but I'm sure my scream registered on the Richter scale.

Remember when I said that Cole had to be on set at 6:00 a.m. this morning?  And since call time was 6:00 a.m. and it was filming in downtown East LA, that would require us to leave at 5:00 a.m., which also means an alarm time of 4:00 a.m.  Mmm hmm, well all that took place and we arrived in plenty of time and no one was around so we made sure our doors were locked and sat.  And sat.  And sat.  By 6:30, I'm thinking we have gone to the wrong address so I start calling the 2nd AD (Assistant Director) to find out what's going on.  After several phone calls and an e-mail, I receive this...

Hey sorry?  Umm, not good enough.  We're down in the sketchiest part of town and that's all you can say.

As soon as we got home I received an e-mail from Wes saying that the project had been put on indefinite hold and sorry the Producer's didn't keep me in the loop.

Lesson learned; always, always, always call the night before and speak to an actual person to make sure the plan is a "GO" for the next day.  Hey, on the bright side, it's 8:30 a.m. and I'm fully caffeinated and ready to go!

When I opened my Bible app to find a verse, this is the first one that popped up...

"If only you kill the wicked, O God!" ~Psalm 139:19

Ha, despite our day so far I thought a positive verse would be better. ;)

"I will give you thanks because your deeds are awesome and amazing."

~Psalm 139:14

Hello ER

I'm sorry if your heart lurched when you read the title of this blog post.  Rest assured, it wasn't Spencer this time which leaves the other Ewing boy, Mr. Cole.

When Cole was on the church retreat two weeks ago, he took a tumble while he was snow boarding.  He came home bruised and sore but nothing out of the ordinary for him.  Then on Friday night, a little wrestling with our room mates flared up the soreness.  And this afternoon, he reached down to pick up his shoes and SNAP!  Something popped and tears immediately sprung to his eyes.

With no clinics open on Sunday, we headed to the ER at LA Children's Hospital.  After a 2 1/2 hour wait in the ER, we were pleasantly surprised with the excellent care that we received from the  staff, both doctors and nurses.  An x-ray revealed no broken bones and no punctured lung so we came home with a diagnosis of bruised ribs with a strained muscle and a Rx for 600 mg of Ibuprofen every 6 to 8 hours.  Whew.

Of course, tomorrow Cole is filming and has to be on set at 6:00 a.m.  so Starbucks will definitely be my friend.  Tonight I am thankful for a good report, insurance and a comfy bed.

"I will rejoice because of the Lord; I will be happy because of the God who delivers me!"

~Habakkuk 3:18

Spencer's Quest

Somehow, Brad and I have created children who are constantly striving to do more, which can be a good thing unless you don't know how you can best help them.

For weeks, Spencer has been trying to figure out a way to get involved and to meet more people.  He feels that he needs to be doing something, anything, but can't figure out what to do. 

Google is our friend and we are on the lookout for anything but can you help with any suggestions?  You know he loves sports but he also has such a giving spirit and I am thinking an opportunity to volunteer would be perfect, either in Arkansas or California.  I know my friends and I know that you all are a lot smarter than me so give me your best shot.

Thank you!

"The Lord will fight for you, and you can be still."

~Exodus 14:14 

Cole the Actor

I think Brad and I knew early on that Cole had a knack for dramatization.  Our first clue was probably when he got a microphone and guitar for Christmas at age 3 and he promptly proceeded to give us a personal concert belting out a Rascal Flats' song.  I always tease Brad that Cole inherited this trait from him but there is no denying that his over-the-top showmanship is solely my fault.

Today, Cole had an audition for a goth role and my sweet, innocent, cute 14 year old came out of his room looking like this...

Whoa, dude.

Brad was concerned that Cole would enjoy dressing like this and when he mentioned it to Cole, Cole laughed and said, "No way.  I sat on my spiked belt and hurt my butt, the chains clang when I sit down and these fake piercings are killing me!"  Ha, love it.

If you haven't seen Cole's Fantastic Sam's commercial, the link is here.  Our Manager, Katrina, said that it aired on the local ABC station in LA during the Academy Awards!  How cool is that!

Ever since Spencer and I arrived back in LA on Tuesday, Cole has been catching up on school work and catching up on sleep.  I am so proud of him for all that he accomplished while we were gone but I am so thankful to be back here with him.

"Let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts."

~Colossians 4:15