Spencer's Gift

As we have split our time between Arkansas and California for the past two years, one thing that I am constantly reminded about is the fact that The Ewing's are very driven and determined people.  Although I knew this before, those characteristics really shine when your family is living between two different houses in two separate states.

Spencer has been very determined since the day he was born and has become more so in these last 14 years of trials and tribulations.  I love the young man he is becoming that is constantly optimistic, caring and confident despite his medical challenges.

I witnessed one of God's gifts this past week as Spencer was asked to join Coach Schroeder and the Valley Christian football team for their practices and games.  As you may recall, Coach Schroeder attends our church and we met him through Bryan Blazer, whom I contacted (although I didn't know him) and he so graciously replied to an e-mail from a crazy southern lady who was bound and determined to have her son meet a former NFL player!  Ha, never underestimate the pushiness determination of a Mom!

The warmth and acceptance that this football team has shown Spencer is nothing short of awe-inspiring and the players have enveloped him as one of their own.   The highlight of the entire week was watching Spencer on the sidelines at Friday night's game as he interacted with coaches and players.  I vacillated between crying and cheering throughout the entire game.

Coach Schroeder, Spencer and Bryan Blazer.

You want to know the most awesome part of the night?  It was when Coach Schroeder asked Spencer, "If you were the Coach, what play would you run?"  Spencer told him and that's what play they ran for the last play of the game! 

Bryan was so sweet and introduced me to his awesome wife, Kym, prior to the game.  She immediately made me feel like "one of the gang" and we talked throughout the game (just like ABHS games!) and I felt like I had met my sister from another mister!  God is so good.

As we wait for God's direction on this amazing adventure, it is so awesome to see His gifts he bestows upon us in every way.

"Draw close to God, and God will draw close to you."
~James 4:8

Holy Smokes

This is what I have felt like for the past week!

I am fighting a head cold and I feel like I am having an outer body experience, between the cold meds, the cough drops and the tons of things that need to get done!

So far between last week and this week, Cole has had a callback for a commercial, two auditions for current shows on tv and three new commercial auditions.  Add to that Spencer's schedule for working out with his personal trainer and attending football practice with Coach Schroeder, and you have a Mom who is not sure whether I am coming or going.  But you know what?  I wouldn't have it any other way!  I love having my boys together and spending time with them...now, if we could just get Brad with us it would be perfect.

"and He will give you all you need from day to day if you live for Him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern."

~Matthew 7:33

Good News/Bad News

Who knew that throwing one more boy into the mix would keep me hopping even more than I already do.  I mean, I haven't had time to watch even one "House Hunter's International" this week! Ha!

Having Spencer out here has been awesome.  He has already carved out a routine and is busy doing all the things he loves.  He met Jay Schroeder at church, a former NFL quarterback, and has been attending afternoon football practice with Coach Schroeder at Valley Christian Academy.  I know nothing about football or this school except that these guys have opened their field and their arms to Spencer and embrace him just like ABHS.  Thank you, God!

The good news is that other than the busyness, these boys have been acting like boys...

Maybe Cole is just a tad dramatic, you think?

Can't take these boys anywhere.

Oh boy, no words for this one.

And then there's Mr. Ewing who participates in more than 10 Fantasy Football Leagues!

If his players don't set their line up each week (what does that even mean?), he sends them this video:

Haha, LOVE IT!!  I don't know Justin Tuck but I think I could use him to motivate Cole to clean his room!

And, now for the bad news; we found out today that A&E opted not to pick up Cole's pilot.  We are, of course, upset but know that God must have something better in mind.  So we keep on keeping on.

"What is faith?  It is the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen.  It is the evidence of things we cannot yet see."

~Hebrews 11:1

Catalina Island

I LOVE surprises...if they involve presents, trips or baby kitties but I'm also pretty good at figuring out what a surprise might be before it is officially revealed.  When Brad told me a month ago to keep September 10th & 11th open on my calendar, I was excited but also nervous that I would ruin the surprise.  I needn't have feared because Mr. Ewing is a PERFECT secret keeper; he did not reveal our destination to the boys until the morning we left (he knew I would try and make them talk!)!  That made the surprise even better.

When we arrived at the docks in San Pedro Tuesday morning, I was still clueless as to what he had up his sleeve until I realized that the boat we were boarding said "Catalina Express".  I was escorted to a seat, handed a Bloody Mary and required to relax.  Ha, no problem!

See those smiles?  They were planted on our faces for the duration of our trip.

Catalina Island measures 22 miles long and 8 miles wide but there are only two inhabited cities on the Island; Avalon and Two Harbours.  We stayed in the more populated Avalon where, at the height of the year, they have a population of 4,000.  Because of the insane cost of gasoline ($7.60/gallon), there are no cars to rent.  Most locals use golf carts, mopeds or bicycles for everyday life so when in Rome....

...our chariot for the trip.

We tootled all around Avalon and had the best time but, honestly, who could have a bad time with this view?

If Brad had suggested we move to the Island permanently, I would have had a seaplane booked and loaded with all our belongings within an hour!

Our hotel was on the beach and was so peaceful.

One of my favorite spots?  The lounge chairs in the courtyard.

We had a nice dinner on the beach but, of course, a bird just had to sit and stare at us during dinner.  Brad is convinced I have some sort of magnet that attracts the birds.  Why couldn't I have a kitty magnet instead?

Brad named this one Bob.

We spent all day Wednesday on the beach.

Paradise.

The trip was just what we needed.

"Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies."

~Psalm 36:5

State Farm-ing Commercial

While we are having fun enjoying all of the Ewing's being together, I thought I would share a commercial that Cole, Slade and Freya produced one night while the rest of us were sleeping.  I think it is hilarious!

"And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love.  But the greatest of these is love."

~1 Corinthians 13:13

Labor Day Fun

I cannot believe it is September.  September!  Where did this year go and how are we only two months from Thanksgiving and three months from Christmas and a new year?  Ugh, I'm not even going to think about it until I have to and that's not today.

Whether in LA or LR, the Ewing's were busy enjoying the three day weekend.

Saturday, Spencer was able to go to the Razorback game in Fayetteville, AR with my girl friends from church, Karen and Sue.  To say that he had a FABULOUS time is an understatement.

Thank goodness they were in the sky box because it was upwards of 120 degrees on the field!

Spencer and Karen.

While Spencer was enjoying the game, Cole and I were enjoying a game of our own at Pinz Bowling Alley celebrating Talton's birthday.

Grace, Slade, Talton, Cole, Freya, Jordan, Brooke, Kileigh, Braden and Hunter...so many cute faces on such bad bowlers!  Ha!  Parents vs. kids resulted in the parents prevailing.

Saturday night, we went to the movies and I somehow thought it would be fine to try and sneak Slade's drink into the movies.  I think it is safe to say that a styrofoam container with a lid is NOT a good container to put in your purse when you go to the restroom and try to hang your purse around your neck because there is no hook on the back of the door and you know your Mom would just DIE if you put your purse on the floor.  The moral of the story; Coke and an IPhone don't like each other and I will be going to get a new phone tomorrow. :(

After church on Sunday, Kari Shea invited Cole and me (actually, Cole invited us but thankfully, Kari didn't mind) to go with them to Hurricane Harbor which is Six Flags' water park.  We were there for five hours and had so much fun but since it was a water park, we didn't take any pictures except for the sunset as we were finally getting kicked out leaving the park.

While we were getting our tan on, Spencer was at the Traveler's game with Jenny, having fun as usual.

Love these two!

Monday was a day of lazing around, swimming and relaxing.

This week is half gone and packed with auditions, school and counting down the days until I pick the guys up from LAX!  Only THREE days!!!!  Eeeek, I can't wait!

"I will thank you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done."

~Psalm 9:1