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

Thursday, August 29, 2013

It's the Little Things

Being a parent is hard; sometimes excruciatingly hard.  There is always that fine line between overbearing and just-the-right-amount of parenting and I'm kind of ashamed to say that I tend more toward the overbearing side.  So, as I try to grapple with letting Spencer make decisions on what is "too much" extracurricular activities and with Cole growing up so fast, I am going to focus on my top 10 little things that made me smile this week.

1.  Spencer had a check up with Dr. Warren and he said that this was the BEST chest x-ray that he has EVER seen from Spencer in 14 years!  Made my day.

2.  My friend Karen has basically "adopted" Spencer as her own and she is always including him when she does anything fun with her puppies.  I loved that she asked Spencer to join her yesterday when she took her dogs to a friend's house to swim in the pool.  Spencer sent me this picture of Fenian;  I WANT him!

And Karen sent me this one of Spencer with Lucy and Dumas.

3.  I had to go to the State office today to get Cole's work permit renewed and I was in and out in SIX minutes!

4.  I bought matching bra and panties yesterday!  

5.  Kari Shea is coming over to swim today and it will be just her and me in the pool; all the kiddos are at school.

6.  Skype makes me very happy because I can't imagine going months without seeing Spencer.

7.  The weather is hot in LA (going to be 96 today) but it's still cooler than when it is 96 in Arkansas.

8.  This boy has been working so hard on school and auditions.  We are so incredibly proud of the young man he is becoming.

9.  It's a three day weekend and we have no plans and can hang out at the pool.

And, #10,

Brad and Spencer will be here in one week!!!!!

"Love is patient, love is kind, it is not envious.  Loves does not brag, it is not puffed up.  It is not rude, it is not self-serving, it is not easily angered or resentful.  It is not glad about injustice, but rejoices in the truth.  It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.  Love never ends."
~1 Corinthians 13:4-8


Sunday, August 25, 2013

Fun

Although it has been quiet on the audition front, we have been busy having fun.
We went to Talton's short film premiere at Grauman's Chinese Theater in Hollywood.  Just want you all to know that I stayed out until 12:30 a.m.!

Mom and Gigi visited Spencer to make sure he was feeling better.  I love this picture with Spencer and Max and, especially, Gigi peeking around the corner.

Talton, Bree, Brooke, Freya, Braden, Cole and Slade have had so much fun playing in the park by our house.  Freeze tag and hide-and-go-seek never go out of style!

Why, when a Mom mops the floor, does everyone want to then go into the kitchen.  I expressed intent to commit bodily harm to anyone who walked on the floor so the kids devised other methods to get to their water bottles!

Spencer keeps me laughing by constantly sending me funny photos.  I feel like this every day. ;)

The BEST news of all is that Brad and Spencer will be arriving in LA September 7th!  Brad will spend an entire week and Spencer will spend an entire month.  I am giddy with anticipation.

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

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Updates on Everyone

I have the BEST family and friends in the world so if you thought your's was the best, I am sorry to tell you that you are mistaken!

Spencer is slowly improving although after major surgery, it is taking longer than he would like.  He posted this picture on FB yesterday and it scared me to death!
Yikes!  Guess it wouldn't be very motherly of me to call him Mr. Puffy?!  The swelling is better today and he is still on pain meds but he seems to be feeling better.  The stitches in his body will dissolve but he will have the stitches in his mouth removed September 4th and then he and Brad will be out for a visit.  Can't wait!

Cole is doing great and clicking right along with school.  I am so proud of the initiative that he is showing for school this year and I'm praying that determination will last all 10 months!  We are supposed to know before the end of September if Cole's pilot with A&E will be picked up for the fall schedule, but as we all know, the industry marches to their own drummer.

I am feeling much better and ventured out on my first walk this morning, sans the weights.  I think I am finally admitting to myself that my knees will no longer tolerate the pounding of the pavement while running but they don't mind walking.  Sigh.  Oh well, at least I am still moving.

And, finally, Brad is doing great and holding our family together.  Honestly, someone should give this man a medal for loving me during my "normal" times (no jokes, please) but especially during my peak neurotic behavior (which is several times a day!).  He is the sane one while my emotions flow willy nilly and I am so grateful to him for all his love and support.

I heard this story this morning and love it...

A hiker was hiking on a very steep ledge, lost his balance and began falling into an abyss several thousand feet deep.  As he grabbed for something to hold him, he found himself clinging to a very tiny sapling.  The sapling's roots began to pull away from the dirt and the hiker was preparing himself for death.  He finally called out, "If there's anyone up there, will you help me?"  A voice from above replied, "Just let go and trust me."  The hiker then called out, "Is there anyone else up there that can help me?"  I feel like this perfectly describes my feelings right now.  God is asking us to be patient and trust Him and I'm busy looking for answers right now on my own accord.

I am praying today for clear direction for so many of my family and friends that are going through difficult times, and for trust beyond understanding, no matter our situations.

"No, dear brothers and sisters, I am still not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing:  Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead."
~Philippians 3:13

Friday, August 16, 2013

Spencer's Surgery

As I type this update, I am thinking that the very large glass of wine that I am having is not enough to calm my nerves while I consider all the procedures Spencer endured during almost six hours of surgery today.

For a little history, Spencer has had a port in his chest since 2002.  This port was used for access during chemo, radiation and any IV meds he had and but, eventually, it became blocked.  Dr. Warren had expressed concern for the past couple of years that if the port was not working then it needed to come out so we scheduled to have it removed.  

In addition to the port being removed, Spencer's orthodontist said that he needed to have four teeth removed in order to get his braces so that too was scheduled in conjunction with the port removal.

To say I was apprehensive about him having surgery and me not being there, is the understatement of the year.  I have gone back and forth about waiting patiently here in California or jumping in the car and driving like a maniac for 22 hours to get to ACH in time for surgery.  I conceded and stayed in California and finally told God that wherever He wanted me, that's where I would be.  

I woke up at 5:45 a.m. and immediately thought of Spencer.  Brad texted me at 6:00 and from that point on, every second was filled with praying for Spencer, the doctor's, the nurses' and everyone else involved with the surgery.  Thankfully, my Mom met the guys at the hospital and that gave me comfort, although I knew that it was more for my benefit than for theirs.
Cutie pie waiting to go back.

By the time surgery started, I was anxious.  I knew that Cole and I would be driving to Santa Monica for an audition about the time the surgery should be ending but when Brad didn't call me, I knew something was going on.  Brad called just as I was parking and said that Spencer was in recovery and that the orthodontist had removed NINE teeth (four molars, two that were growing in sideways and three in the roof of his mouth).  After the oral surgeon finished and the surgeon began removing his port, she realized that the catheter from his port to his groin had broken off.  So, she called in radiology to assist in the removal.  The poor guy has stitches in his mouth, his chest and his groin.  Jeez, how I wish I had given in to the instinct to drive home.

According to Brad, they're fine.  Spencer is determined to be at football practice on Monday.  He filled an Rx for Demerol but I doubt Spencer will take it and I'm just hopeful he will at least take some Tylenol or Motrin.  I can't wait to Skype with him tomorrow and get all the details but tonight I am prayerful he will rest without pain.
Braces are on and somehow, he has a smile on his face.

Cole has gone to a play and is spending the night with a friend so I am left to my own devices to keep me preoccupied.  Thank goodness for books and wine.

Brad sent me these pictures last night of our crazy cat so I thought I would share...
Sassy britches on the kitchen bar where he is definitely NOT supposed to be!

Looking for the dogs!

"Be still, and know that I am God."
~Psalm 46:10 

Thursday, August 15, 2013

Cole & Freya on the Red Carpet

I love to get dressed up and go out...about once every six months!  But, when you live with actors, there is something going on all the time.  Our roomie Freya invited Cole to accompany her to In Style Magazine's Summer Soiree on Wednesday night and they had so much fun.  We took a few pictures before they left...


But I LOVE the pictures they took in the photo booth at the party...


And my favorite
Love these two.

Thank you for the texts and e-mails and yes, I am feeling much better.

Spencer is having surgery Friday morning at 11:30.  I will keep you posted.

"What then shall we say about these things?  If God is for us, who can be against us?"
~Romans 8:31

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

A Visit to Burbank Urgent Care

I am hardly ever sick and for that, I am very grateful.  However, when I am afflicted with something, I am the WORST PATIENT EVER (I really need to take some lessons from Spencer).

Last weekend, I bought five-pound hand weights to replace my three-pound weights I use when walking.  I am determined that these last 20 pounds WILL come off or else.  Well, evidently I was a little too zealous because I woke up at 1:30 a.m. this morning and it felt like an elephant was sitting on my chest.  I couldn't take a deep breath or really even move.  I lay in bed until 8:00 a.m. when I decided I needed to make sure nothing serious was going on (guess if it had been a heart attack or stroke, I was pushing my luck waiting so long!).

After an EKG and a chest x-ray, the doctor determined that I have  "pleura tic" lungs, which is like pleurisy.  It doesn't hurt as long as I don't take deep breaths, laugh, cough, bend over...well, basically as long as I don't do anything.

Now I'm on bed rest and Ibuprofen every four hours with orders to skip my workouts for a week.  Ugh!
Cole brought me a stuffed "kitty" to keep me company while I am recuperating.  So sweet.

"...whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy."
~James 1:3



Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Happy

A few things that are making me smile these days...

Spencer and I have been Skyping each morning and I so look forward to it every day.  I have been helping him study the playbook for the AB football team (stop laughing!) and even though I don't understand any of it, we have fun.  I am so thankful that Nurse Ned (a/k/a Brad) was able to use the IV antibiotics to get him well.

This crazy boy keeps me laughing all the time.  He donned Freya's wig and his Aussie accent to put on a show for us.  He better enjoy his free time because school starts on Monday and I think it is going to be painful for both of us!

Gigi spent the week with my Mom last week and the cats made themselves at home in her lap.  I miss my family so much and I just love the pictures that everyone sends to me.

I am loving God's promise that He will always love us and that He only what is best for our lives.

What is your happiness list?

"And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love.  Death can't, and life can't.  The angels can't, and the demons can't.  Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can't keep God's love away."
~Romans 9:38