Proud Parents

By now, if you are friends with me on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter or even if you are a complete stranger who just happens to enter my personal space, you have undoubtedly been inundated with my ENDLESS talking and posts about Cole's upcoming episodes of Lab Rats on Disney XD (I'm a shameless promoter with no apology!).  Last night was the night for the first of seven episodes and I will admit that I was unusually nervous for Cole's debut on television but everyone else in the family acted like it was a normal day...

Cole folded laundry while checking Twitter ;)

and Mr. Smiley worked on school.  Around 6:00pm, eight teenagers descended upon our house and scarfed down pizza and cupcakes because, of course, nourishment was needed before they could watch the show!

Love that our boys have such awesome friends.

If you want to watch his episode but don't get the Disney XD channel, last night's episode "Rise of the Secret Soldiers" should be available to view on You Tube and eventually on Netflix.  Plans for Cole's next three episodes are currently scheduled to air February 2nd, 3rd and 4th.

Scary!!!!

More exciting news came our way when Spencer received a letter from Hope International University in Fullerton, CA notifying him that he was accepted into their Psychology program and that he had also received the Dean's Scholarship Award!  Being the very bright young man that he is, Spencer applied to a college in Arkansas as well as California so he would have a choice no matter where his parents may live.

If you had told me ten years ago where our lives would be today, there's no way I would have believed any of it.  Just goes to show that our God has bigger dreams for us than we can ever imagine.

"I will answer them before they even call to me.  While they are still talking to me about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers!"

~Isaiah 65:24

Am I Ready for This?

I have to admit that up until this year, I am one of those people who is taking down the Christmas decorations as the kids are opening their presents.  By the time they're opening the second gift, I'm dragging the storage boxes out and asking them to put ornaments and stockings away before the gifts have even made it out of their original packaging.

Except for this year.  It's January 18th and the dead tree is still lit and decorated (although it is listing to the left and the top strand of lights are burned out), the stockings are still hanging around the fireplace and "kitchen Santa" still has the menu from Christmas Day.

I think I'm in denial that this will probably be our last Christmas for all of us to be living under the same roof.  Spencer keeps reminding me that at this time next year, he will have completed his first semester at college and be home for Christmas break.  Dear son, as if I don't think about that prospect every second I am awake, thank you for reminding me with that precious smile on your face.

Then, Brad and I were talking this weekend and he said he couldn't believe that in two years, both boys will be out of the house.  What?  BOTH boys?  No way.  We may let Spencer go to college but there's NO WAY I am letting Cole move out of the house!  What in the world?!  In answer to the distressed look on my face, Brad said, "Don't worry.  We'll make new memories."  Nope, I'm not ready.

To top it off, Spencer's 19th birthday is tomorrow.  NINETEEN!  How can the tiny baby we brought home already be old enough to go to college and make his own decisions.  Deep breath.

Spencer's friends, Jake and Seth, came over Saturday and after a riddle/scavenger hunt game, they all headed off to the movies and Brad and I got to sit and watch a movie and drink wine.  Ok, maybe this isn't so bad.

Love these faces.

Sunday afternoon found the Ewing family at the bowling alley and although I like to think of it as quality time and good family fun, I have a son who thinks it is all about the competition and who wins (one guess who that is!).  Needless to say, the most competitive person in the world didn't win and his face left no doubt to that fact.

Love that Brad photo bombed them!

I'm pretty sure that since the beginning of man, mother's have been trying to get used to their children growing up and going off to hunt dinosaurs, leaving to fight in a war or going off to college.  I'm confident I can do this...right after another cup of coffee and another glass of wine.  Not necessarily in that order.

"Go in peace..."

~1 Samuel 20:42

The New Ewing "Normal"

I'm not sure what happened but, somehow life got frantic and it has been an insane month and a half since I blogged or even talked to some of my friends.  Good grief, that's just crazy.

How about a recap of the Ewing's "normal" life since we've been back in Arkansas...

Our couch potato has turned into a workout fiend and natural enthusiast and has been hiking Pinnacle Mountain at least twice a week.  Your eyes are not playing tricks on you and he is not on a hover craft; seems he caught this with the delay on his camera.

I love Christmas time and the promise that Jesus' birth gives to everyone, and I loved our simple decorations this year to celebrate.

And what would the holidays be without a revolving door of friends...

and fires...

and an ABUNDANCE of amazing news...

Spencer has been accepted to Ouachita Baptist University for college!  We are so incredibly proud of his hard work and determination.

And, we are FINALLY able to reveal that Cole will be in seven episodes of Disney's Lab Rats on Disney XD, beginning January 16th!  I'm already looking forward to the "watch" party and what tasty treats I will whip up to celebrate the occasion.

So, let me guess.  You love all the pictures but you still have questions about our motives and our plan for the future?  Ok, let me try to succinctly sum it up for you...

1.  Yes, we are in Arkansas for another day, month or year.  (Yeah, we have NO idea how long we will be here.  Maybe till the house sells, maybe sooner or later.  Get the picture?)

2.  Yes, I am still working at Charming Charlie and Cole is working at Izzy's.  We both love to see people we know so stop by and say hello.

3.  No, I am not adjusting to the idea of Spencer going away to college so if you mention it and I start bawling, well, I'm sorry.  I am hoping that in time I will either become accustomed to the idea or I will be able to take my IV pole of self-medicating margaritas to work with me.

4.  Yes, Brad is still building houses and putting up with the five of us.

5.  If you have any other questions, just text or call.

Ahhhh, it's so nice to be back.

"In all the work you are doing, work the best you can.  Work as if you were working for the Lord, not for men."

~Colossians 3:23