Another Year of Celebrating the Ewing Trifecta

When Brad and I planned our wedding for the day after my 25th birthday, we had no idea that 22 years later, we would have three celebrations right in a row and that it would take us a week to recover.

We still laugh at the circumstances that brought Cole into this world on March 15th.  Brad and I had gone out to celebrate my birthday (3/13) and our anniversary (3/14) with some "friends".  I use the term friends loosely because we honestly did not know this couple very well but thought it would be fun to celebrate with them.  I was hungry before we even left to go to dinner at Shogun's Japanese Steakhouse so when our meal was served, I devoured my dinner.  I'm not talking about daintily picking at my food but more like a person-who-has-been-shipwrecked-for-months-with-no-food kind of eating.  I polished off my plate then turned to my right where I finished Brad's steak then turned to my left where I inquired if "Larry" was going to finish his chicken and if he wasn't, would he mind if I did.  What sane man is going to tell a nine month pregnant woman no?  Not Larry.  After I had eaten off every one's plate, we drove to Aroma Cafe where I had a piece of triple layer chocolate cake and three glasses of milk.  Whew, makes me full just thinking about it.  Anyway, at 2:00 a.m., when I began having contractions, Brad told me it was indigestion and to go back to sleep.  Twelve hours later, Mr. Cole made his way into this world which is why we have three days in a row to celebrate.

Brad arrived in LA on Thursday and it was non-stop fun until he and Spencer flew back to AR Tuesday morning.  On Friday, we planned a surprise party for Cole's 16th birthday and I think he was actually surprised!

We had a mustache party in honor of Cole shaving for the first time.

Notice the cake says, "If you have a facial hair, you're da man."  Obviously, the language barrier with JJ (the baker who was Latino) and Marilyn (the customer who is very Southern) hindered the translation but the cake was delicious.

On Saturday, Brad and I stayed at a very nice hotel called The Beverly Garland and had fun sitting by the pool, drinking cocktails and totally relaxing.

It was absolutely perfect.  After a fabulous dinner with friends, we had great plans of sleeping late only to be woken at 6:30 a.m. by the largest earthquake in LA in the past 20 years.  After being in LA for almost three years, it is the first one I have not slept through and it scared me to death (especially since we were not at home with the boys).  Fortunately, there was no damage and the boys slept through it so all was well.

We rounded out the weekend with church, a movie, putt putt golf (I WON!!!!) and grilling steaks.  Whew, I'm tired.

My family and friends know me so well because every gift I received was a gift certificate for a massage (stress much?), a candle (I'm obsessed with smells), a funny dog/cat book & a gift card to Starbucks.  By the time I have redeemed all these cards, I will be the most stress free, relaxed, happy and caffeinated person you know!

I was not looking forward to taking Brad and Spencer to the airport this morning but it is the first time I haven't cried so I was proud of myself.  I dropped them off, came home and showered and went to work, rode bikes with Cole in the afternoon, and as soon as the clock says 8:00 p.m., I am going to fall happily in the bed and sleep for 12 hours.  Unless there's another earthquake.

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his loyal love endures."

~Psalm 136:1