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