Fabulous Friday

Yesterday was such a great day, mainly because we picked Brad up at the airport last night, but there were other highlights as well.

Since the boys did not have school, it was so nice to wake up and not have to get ready to do anything.  Spencer worked out with his trainer yesterday morning.  We are all putting our heads together and trying to come up with some ideas for ways for Spencer to get involved in sports while here in LA.  He is really missing his friends and, especially, being involved in sports.  Surely, we can come up with something fun for him to participate in.

Cole had his third audition yesterday for the new pilot with Disney.  He met first with the Casting Director and then with the Producers of the show.  There were only eight kids there who got callbacks and of those eight, only two other boys who were auditioning for the role of Wyatt, which is the part Cole auditioned for.  It is amazing to me how these Casting Directors can see hundreds of kids who auditioned for this pilot and somehow out of all those kids, they culled it to these eight.  And the really amazing part is that my child is one of the eight.  It's mind boggling.  We have no idea if or when we will hear from them but if we do, I will pass it along.

After we got home from the audition, I fixed a huge pan of lasagna and we all sat outside and ate (well, the mom's ate and visited while the kids raced around like wild banshees).  The boys and I left at 7:15 for LAX to pick up Brad but his plane was early and the traffic was horrible so he had to wait about 20 minutes for us.  Oh well, he got to do some people watching while he waited.

We are heading to the Farmer's Market in downtown Burbank this morning while Spencer is already glued to the tv for the OU vs. Texas game.  You know you are going to need extra coffee when the yelling begins at 9:00 a.m.

The Razorbacks play this afternoon and then we have a cookout tonight with our friends at the apartment.  No matter what we have planned, it will be a great day because we are all together as a family.

I hope you have a great weekend.

"Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.  Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things He does for me.

~Psalm 103.1-2

Another Great Day

As I type this post, I am in awe of the truly blessed life we have and the wonderful opportunity we have been able to experience in LA.  Guess I am feeling a little sentimental.

Today was another great day.  The weather was absolutely gorgeous today...clear blue skies and 70 degrees.  That is my FAVORITE weather ever.  Give me a location with those conditions year round and I would move there in a second.

Spencer has seemed a little more stressed lately and I have really been praying about what I could do to help alleviate that....so today, I decided we were going to take a couple of days off from school.  We will have a four day weekend and will be school-free on Friday and Monday.  I could immediately see a sense of relief in Spencer.  He works so incredibly hard at school to make good grades but even the most diligent workers need a break.  We are all looking forward to a long weekend.

Our manager contacted us today to let us know Cole has another callback tomorrow and a meeting with the Producers for one of the Disney pilots he auditioned for earlier yesterday.  He will be meeting with the Casting Director tomorrow at 2:00 and with the Producers of the show at 3:00.  He is pumped!  

Cole had his last ADR session today for "The Odd Life of Timothy Green".  He really enjoyed the experience and we got to meet some very interesting and exciting people.  I love walking through the Warner Brothers compound and seeing all the unique settings.

An old VW bug in front of a "fake" neighborhood.

It was so nice to come home tonight, put on my pj's, grab a glass of wine and sit out by the pool and talk with Coppelia and Michelle.  I am so grateful to have met such wonderful friends here in LA.

We are counting down the hours until Brad arrives...only 22 1/2 hours to go!

"Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God.   Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God."

~1 John 4:7

Awesome Day

We had an awesome day today.  A big THANK YOU to all of our prayer warriors because we made it, safely, to all of Cole's auditions.

It rained all morning and that was fine with us because we were home snug as a bug in a rug.  I graded papers, washed clothes and worked on paperwork while the boys were busy with school.

Spencer had his workout today and once we got home from that, Cole and I headed to his first audition.  That went great and then we headed downtown for his second audition.  The prayer warriors must have been working overtime because by then, the rain had stopped, the skies were clear and we made it in record time!  The audition went great and she wants to see him again next week!  Woo hoo!!!

After we got home, Spencer and I studied and then Coppelia and Freya came over to watch "Modern Family" because our friend, Paleigh Knight, had a scene in the show.  She was the little girl who was walking Stella the french bulldog.  We met Paleigh and her mom, Tara, a couple of months ago when they came back to film the show.  They are awesome!

We also got some more exciting news tonight.  Cole found out that he has gotten the role as Jem in "To Kill a Mockingbird" at The Rep in Little Rock.  He auditioned before we left town.  Rehearsal begins in January and the show will run January 27th - February 12th.  Should be interesting how this will all work out.

I hope you have had a great day.

"Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty."

~Psalm 91:1

RAIN!

We woke this morning to the beautiful sound of RAIN!  It has not rained one day since we arrived on August 20th (the last time they got rain was the end of June).  Oh how I love the sound, the smell and the coolness the rain brings.

All the talk on the tv and the radio yesterday was reminding the great citizens of LA not to freak out when it started raining.  I was laughing.  It sounded so much like our weathermen in Arkansas when we get snow.  People were literally standing in the parking lot at Target and looking expectantly toward the sky.  These people should come to AR.

I ran errands all morning while the boys worked on school.  When I went to Staples, the Burbank Adoption Agency was next door.  Lest you think this was a children's adoption center, they have the adoptees in the window...

Baby sweeties!  It was all I could do not to rush in, do a "snatch and grab" and then explain to Brad Ewing that I "found" this baby in the neighborhood.  I didn't think he would fall for it and I am absolutely positive Kobe would not be happy with a new addition to the Ewing feline family.

Cole worked with Josh, his acting coach, for an hour and a half going over his scripts for his two auditions today.  At 4:30, he has his third Producer's Session callback for a pilot with Disney and at 6:00, he has his second Producer's Session callback for a different pilot with Disney.  He is pumped!  The only thing I am concerned about is the distance between the two auditions...the first audition is in Burbank and the second one is smack dab downtown LA.  I may have to start driving like a true Californian.

We all slept late this morning, which is so unusual for Spencer.  He must have been lulled by the rain.  He got up, got ready and started working on school.  Cole, well not so much...

he was perfectly happy to stay snuggled under the covers and play on Facebook.

Brad will be here Friday night and we SO EXCITED!  He won't be able to stay for a long weekend but we are happy with two days.  The next time he flies in town will be the end of October when we will be driving home.  I can't believe the time has passed so fast.

Tomorrow I will tell you about our adventures with Nichita, our neighbor from India.  Cole and I took her to the grocery store and tomorrow I am taking her to Best Buy.  I am definitely going to have Coppelia accompany us because she understands Nichita and all I do is constantly ask her to repeat herself.  Ugh.

Hope you all have a great day!

"When the ground soaks up the rain that falls on it and bears a good crop for the farmer, it has the blessing of God."
~Hebrews 6:7

Oh my gosh, it was a crazy day!

At 9:00 a.m., Cole and I were out the door and on our way to see Josh, his acting coach, to go over the script for this morning's audition.    Unfortunately, I didn't realize when I left this morning that I wouldn't be spending any time at home until 9:00 p.m.  I definitely should have put more thought and consideration into my choice of footwear today.  Although my wedges we extremely cute, the term "style over comfort" would have to apply.

Cole had an audition at 11:30 for a new pilot with Disney.  In the past, we have referred to these auditions as "cattle calls".  You know, "herd" in five actors at a time and then "herd" them out.  Today's audition was different.  It was just Cole with two producers.  Pretty exciting.  They must have liked what they saw and heard because they have asked him back to read more scenes on Friday.

Cole and I headed home with thoughts of a quiet lunch but that was not to be.  We have a young couple that has moved in upstairs and they are from India.  I talked with the husband last night when they first arrived.  I really cannot imagine traveling to a different country and not knowing anyone and barely speaking the language.  Anyway, Nichita (I'm guessing on the spelling) and her husband are here while he is doing contract work for Warner Brothers.  Cole and I offered to take her to the grocery store and she and Cole hit it off immediately.  He totally understands what she is saying, while I just stand there with a smile on my face, shaking my head in agreement while not understanding one word.  Evidently, I do that a lot when people are speaking to me that I don't understand.  The boys say I do the same thing with Victor, who is our maintenance man for the apartments.  When he's talking to me, he starts out in English then switches to Spanish mid-sentence and then goes back to English.  I just stand there and shake my head!  Spencer tells me not to agree with him if I don't know what he is saying...maybe he is offering to take these teenagers off my hands!  Ha!

Anyway, after our interesting and learning experience at the grocery store, I took Spencer to his workout.  Bless his heart, he has been on his own all day but he never complains.  In fact, when we got home tonight, he looked quite content sitting at his desk watching football and listening to sports radio.

Cole had to be at the Warner Brothers studio at 2:45 p.m. to start recording his ADR for the movie "The Odd Life of Timothy Green".  What an incredible experience.  The Warner Brothers "compound" is HUGE!  I dropped Cole off at Gate #3 and then had to park in the parking deck and walk to his recording studio.  No one informed me that once I parked my car, I was 542 miles from his studio!  Oh well, I got some interesting pictures along my walk...

Imagine my surprise while trying to find Cole and I walked upon this "fake" neighborhood.  It was so cool!

After asking directions several times (I was lost for 30 minutes!), I happened upon this door...

It's fake!  Just a painted door!  (Can you tell I am easily amused?!)

Anyway, after passing the set where Ellen was being taped, I finally found Cole.  The taping went great, he had an awesome day and we met some amazing people.  He has one more day of work on Thursday and I'm already preparing by making sure I wear my running shorts and shoes!

We also learned today that Cole got another callback (his 3rd) for another Disney pilot (I can't list the name for fear of being killed!).  WE ARE SO EXCITED!!!  Now, granted, he may not get the part but what an honor to be asked to be in front of the producers three times.

I am happy to report that I am in my pj's, with my glass of wine and ready for bed.  Oh, and even though I got lost several times today, I only got honked at twice!  Yeah!

I hope your day has been as exciting as ours!

"May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus."

~Romans 15:5

"

Catch-Up Day

Since we rested all day yesterday, today was deemed "catch up" day.

We had a beautiful service at church this morning.  Honestly, I felt so good after church that I was wishing we could go to church everyday.  I would love to be able to sit and listen to Pastor Dudley for 30 minutes every morning before I start my day.  I think it's because he reminds me so much of my Grandaddy and I miss him so very much.  Guess my devotional each morning will have to suffice.

After church, Cole had his acting class from 12:00 until 2:00 and Spencer and I came home and had lunch.  After I picked up Cole, we all got started on our "stuff".  Because this past week was kind of crazy, I neglected to grade papers, log grades or make schedules for next week.  While I worked on that, the boys studied for quizzes/tests and Cole did all of his schoolwork for tomorrow since we will be gone all day.  I know I have said it before but I am so proud of how hard my boys work at school.

I love this picture...

You can just see those wheels turning while he was studying for his science quiz.

Once we finished everything, everyone relaxed in their own way.  For Spencer, of course, it was watching football.  Cole practiced his guitar.  I read my book.  A great day plus we got things accomplished.  Can't ask for more than that.

I hope you all had a great day as well.

"You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power."

~Revelation 4:11

Another Gig & Australian Footy

I received a call Thursday night at 10:15 p.m. from the production company who was in charge of filming the new music video for Tinka from the Disney show "Shake It Up" asking me if Cole could be on the set Friday morning at 8:30 a.m. to be an extra in the video.  Of course, I was asleep when he called so it took a moment for the cobwebs to clear and for me to understand that no, this was not an audition but he was actually being BOOKED for the show!


Friday morning found us part of the crazy morning commute and the insane amount of traffic.  After getting lost (twice) we finally found the set, which was in the middle of Griffith Park.  After arriving, we were approached by the "set teacher" who informed me that Cole would owe her three hours of schoolwork while working on the set.  After going back to the apartment to get all his school books and paperwork and fighting traffic, I made it back to the set in only an hour.  The sad part?  We're only five miles from the Park!!


All I can say is "What a wonderful experience!!!!"  Everyone from the Director to the caterer was super nice and made us feel so comfortable.  The video will be used to promote Tinka's new single as well as promote the movie "Treasure Buddies" which star the adorable golden retriever puppies.  The video should begin airing on the Disney Channel in eight to ten weeks and the movie will be released on DVD in Spring 2012.


Guess who I hung out with on the set...

meet Beatrice!  She is a 12-week-old French Bulldog.  I kept texting pictures to Brad but he refused to take the bait.


Look who else was on set...

meet Cadillac!  He is a 12-week-old golden retriever.  All I can say is, "I WANT HIM!!!"


While on set between filming, the kiddos worked on schoolwork.

They look as though they are enjoying school a little more than I did at that age.


The four stars of Shake It Up were so incredibly nice.

This is Kenton Duty who is Gunther on the show.  He is awesome.



Meet Davis Cleveland who plays Flynn, the 9-year-old superstar.

This is Chris (extra), Caitlyn (extra), Adam Irigoen (Deuce on Shake It Up), Cole (extra crazy) and Anna Lea (extra).  There were four members of Shake It Up and four extras.  I don't know how they picked these four cutie pies for the extras but these kids had the time of their lives.


Filming finally wrapped at 6:30 and we rolled into the apartment at 7:00 p.m.  Ten minutes later, Coppelia and Freya were standing at our door looking so cutesy and ready to whisk us off to an Australian Pub downtown on Melrose Avenue to watch Australian Footy in the final game which was equivalent to our Super Bowl.  Can you say W-I-L-D?!

I took this picture about an hour before the game started.  By the start of the game, there were hundreds of people sitting around us.  I think I could watch that game everyday for the next 20 years and still not understand it but at least we had a great time.


We got home at 11:30 p.m. and fell into bed.  What an amazing day.


Today, we rest.


"Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty."
~Psalm 91:1