Our Crazy Life

I guess Brad could tell by my tone of voice that a stop at the liquor store was going to be necessary.  "I need to change Cole's return flight from LA.  Can I do it online?"

Cole has been in LA since July 20th and was supposed to be flying home on Thursday, but, of course, he got two more auditions Thursday and Friday so he is now flying home on Saturday.  I am so ready to see him.

Obviously, he is having a great time and not missing his family.

While my mind is thinking about Cole, my body has been working on getting my Mom's house on the market.  Finally, after years of wishing that she and Papa were in town, they are going to make our dreams come true by putting their house in Redfield, AR on the market and making the big move into Little Rock.  We can't wait.

And, in the midst of all of this craziness, my brother has decided to have a garage sale.  ARGH!!!!!!!!  Anyone who has had or participated in a garage/yard/carport sale knows that they CONSUME your entire life and after the sale is over, you SWEAR (even if you don't tend to swear) that you will never participate in one again.  So, if you are interested, please come to 8206 Lowell Lane in Leawood on Friday and Saturday and buy our junk wonderful treasures so I can go out with a bang and NEVER have a garage sale again!

In the midst of all the craziness, Spencer was cleaning his room and found some wonderful treasures.  This picture makes me realize what is really important in my life.  I can't believe this was Spencer 15 years ago.  Wow, our family is so blessed.

"No, O people, the Lord has already told you what is good, and this is what He requires:  to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God."

~Micah 6:8

Family Reunion and A Trip to LA

All of my dad's family lives in or around Collierville, TN (outside of Memphis) so last weekend we all converged on my Aunt Betty and Uncle Steve's house for a reunion.  I know everyone thinks their family is crazy but honestly, our family is CRAZY!  It was so surreal to walk around with my kids and tell them about all the fun we had growing up on "Shelton Hill" and show them where I wrecked the mini bike when I ran it into the clothesline, or where William mowed down Aunt Betty's rose bush with the go cart, or where Dwayne got stung by hornets in the fort we built.  Oh my, we could have told stories for hours.

There was tons of food and tons of laughter.  If my dad were still alive, he would have LOVED being there with everyone.  I know he was smiling from heaven at all the fun.

I have 17 first cousins and these are all our kids (so that makes them the 3rd cousins, I think).  

While we were in Collierville, Brad and Cole stayed behind because Cole flew to Los Angeles (more on that in a bit).  Brad was also dog sitting for my brother's dog, Pete, and he and Max got along great.  Brad sent us this picture to show us how much fun they were having together.

Haha, makes me laugh every time I look at this picture.  Brad said they played so hard that at night, they would literally fall on the floor and not move until the next morning.  

So, Mr. Cole got an audition with one of the top Directors in LA and we knew that this was not an opportunity we needed to pass up, so we put him on a plane Sunday and sent him on his way.  By.  Him. Self!  Ugh, I can tell you that I was praying and frantic all at the same time.  His audition went great and he has a callback next week!  I think his one week trip just turned into a two week trip.

This week, we are touring a few colleges in Arkansas for Spencer and then we will tour a few in California so no matter where we are living next year, he will know where he wants to go.  I am calm now but anyone that knows me knows that him leaving for college may be the death of me.  So, I am getting prepared...

   Yep, I'm already feeling better.

"I pray that from His glorious, unlimited resources He will give you mighty inner strength through His Holy Spirit.~Ephesians 3:16

Baptism, Balloon Fights and Bad News

After youth one Sunday night, Spencer arrived at the car with the BIGGEST smile ever and announced that he had rededicated his life to The Lord and was going to be baptized!  Even though he was baptized when he was 9 months old, I think it was important to him to make a conscious decision to do so now that he is older.  So, last Sunday our family and friends joined us at The Church at Rock Creek to celebrate Spencer's baptism.  It was such an emotionally awesome day.

We are so blessed.

There are so many things I love about our boys and I love that they are always concerned about each other.  When Cole was in LA for two weeks, by himself and sick, Spencer was at home trying to devise a way to make him feel better and what better way than a surprise water balloon/air soft gun attack.  Honestly, I don't understand boys because making each other feel better falls under the guise of sweating, chasing, hiding, surprise attacks, etc.  MY idea of being cheered up would include a mani/pedi, laughter and wine.  Just saying.

Spencer contacted Cole's friends and arranged to have Robert keep Cole busy while everything was being prepared at the house (Brad and I filled 200 water balloons with a syringe!).  When Cole and Robert arrived at the house, this was the video Spencer left for them...

He was so serious!

 Outdoor showers and watermelon rounded out the day; I think it is safe to say that everyone had a blast!

Cole did receive word that he did not book the role in the upcoming Disney movie.  As usual, he rolls with the punches while Brad and I were so very sad at the lost opportunity.  But, as Cole is constantly reminding us, "it must not have been God's will".  Wow, I think we could learn a few things from our kids with their awesome attitudes.

We are totally enjoying being in Arkansas with our friends and family.  We have had some interest in our house but we're still waiting on "the" ones who are meant to live here.  I have attached the virtual tour of the house so please feel free to share with anyone http://www.virtualtourcafe.com/tour/256291.

"Keep on asking, and you will be given what you ask for.  Keep on looking, and you will find.  Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened.  For everyone who asks, receives.  Everyone who seeks, finds.  And the door is opened to everyone who knocks."

~Matthew 7:7-8

Surgery Update & Life in General

Wow, two weeks have passed since I last posted and I am wondering what I have been doing.  I am pretty sure it is a sign of my age when I have to look through my pictures to remember what has captivated my time, so here is your recap:

This young man had surgery two weeks ago as his ENT tries to build up his paralyzed right vocal cord to help in the strength of his voice, as well as the possibility of helping him eat by mouth.  I cannot say enough about the love I have for each one of Spencer's doctors at ACH as they are constantly striving to help him overcome his physical challenges.

Yard work has become the thorn in my side.  We had so many downed trees after last winter's storms and the high winds from this spring so we rented a wood chipper to make our own mulch.  After 12 straight hours of back-breaking work, Brad and Cole had the back of our property in tip top shape (I worked for 3 hours but then, thankfully, had to take Spencer to his OT/PT appointment!).

If you get the chance, go visit Big Rock Mini Golf and Fun Park in Little Rock.  We took Damon, one of Cole's friends, and headed out there last Thursday evening and we had the BEST time.  Spencer came in first, which made him very happy.  I could care less about the score but spending time with all my boys is the best!

Farmer Brown here and he has been supplying me with lots of tomatoes, peppers, mint and basil with his fabulous garden.

Cole and his friend Robert went to Greers Ferry for the day and went cliff diving.  Why do boys have to scare their mama's with every single thing that they do?

On Saturday, we all loaded up and went to the Big Dam Bridge for a beautiful morning walk with my friend, Pat and her service dog Bella.  We need to get Max acclimated to life in the city which requires being nice to other dogs and not acting like a wild country dog.  Max did surprisingly well and we enjoyed the exercise.

Still no word on our house (although they have shown it to one couple twice) or Cole's role in an upcoming movie.  I'm doing my best every second of every day not to hyperventilate and remember that God has this all under control.

This was the Prayer for Patience that Joyce Meyer's posted on her Facebook page last week and it spoke volumes to me...

"God, I know Your timing is perfect and I trust You completely with my life and my circumstances.  Lord, thank You for providing for the needs I have right now.  And thank You for the blessings that are yet to come.  Even if I never see the fulfillment of my heart's desire, I will still honor You with my life.  I pray for peace, patience and perseverance - as I put my hope in You.  Thank You for comforting me during this time of waiting and for leading me in the way to everlasting life.  You are my portion, Lord, and I am fully satisfied.  Amen."