Beautiful

I was about to help out at Dylan's preschool parade & party last week when I received a voicemail on my BlackBerry. Normally I would not even listen to a voicemail at such a time but I was waiting for an important call from someone I had been trying to get a hold of for weeks. I thought I would listen quickly while the children were getting settled back into their classroom. What I heard on the other line made my heart race a little.

The message was left by Madison's kindergarten teacher and went a little something like this: "Hi Heidi, I'm calling to see if you could please bring another outfit for Madison as soon as possible. There wasn't an accident or any "real" physical harm to her actual clothing, but I think it would be best to bring another outfit and I can explain a bit more in depth when you arrive."

I raced to the car with Mackenzie, drove a few blocks back home, grabbed an outfit and flew back out the door to school. As I got in the car I got a sick feeling in my stomach. I felt like I just knew why I received that call. About a month earlier I went to Kohl's and got a great deal on the cutest purple fleece pant/sweatshirt outfit covered in pink & blue butterflies for Madison. I think with my discount the pair cost me 6 dollars TOTAL! I loved it as did Madi and she simply couldn't wait to wear it! Well, the weather finally started dipping into the 40's at times and I let her wear the new outfit to school. Right after she came down for breakfast that morning Noah asked why Madison was going to wear pajamas to school. I told him it was a new outfit & he then called it beautiful and the conversation was ended.

So as I'm on my way to school so many emotions are ripping through my heart. Silly, I know, but as I drive I was almost in tears. Give me a break, right? I was hurting for my sweet girl and I didn't even know why yet. I just had the feeling from what I gathered from her teacher that someone had hurt her feelings. What else could it be?

I got to school and walked down the hallway to her classroom and as I entered my heart was broken. My big girl was in from recess helping the teacher along with a friend and when our eyes connected I felt her pain immediately. The teacher told me what happened. It was just as I had thought. She was devistated that everyone in her class was telling her she looked like she was in her jammies. All I remember from that morning as she was leaving that she thought she looked positively beautiful! She couldn't wait to show her friends her new clothing. She named a few of her girlfriends and told me they were going to love her new clothes.

As I took her down the hallway to the bathroom I could tell she felt like she was walking the "walk of shame." She scurried timidly in and asked me to quickly help her change. When she was finished we walked back to the classroom and I gave her a hug & kiss and tried not to make a big deal. I told her I loved her and couldn't wait to hear about all the fun things she learned when she got home.

As I got back into the car my heart was breaking. It's never easy to see your child hurting. With tears still in my eyes I drove back to Dylan's school to pick him up. It was a long day for Madison.

Now, almost 2 weeks later, Madison is reminded of that day every morning she gets dressed. We go through about 2-3 outfits each day to find just the right one that could NEVER be confused with pajamas. Each day I try not to let her dwell on it, but she mentions everyday she "hopes nobody laughs at her today."

That evening I sat all the kids down and did an extra little bible lesson. I read from Colossians 3: 12-17. Our lesson as we talked was about loving those who we need to forgive. Even when we are hurting we need to show Christ's love to others, especially those who made us feel this way. Forgiveness. Was I hearing this? Maybe it was more for me than them at that moment. I'm not perfect and my heart was hurting...I did hear it.

Honestly I didn't want to make this a big deal. In my own heart & mind it was. My little girl's heart & spirit were broken. Thankfully she (and I) have a Heavenly Father who heals the broken hearted and binds their wounds.

9/11 (a buried post I thought I posted)

The events that unfolded September 11, 2001 are still very vivid in my mind. I will never forget that day or the men and woman who sacrificed their own lives to protect mine. The sights & sounds we all witnessed through various sources are powerful and I don't want to trivialize that moment in any way, but I want to share about something else that happened on that day in this post.

Five years later on September 11th, 2006 something REALLY joyous happened. Dylan Carter Laslo was born! All 9 lbs. 15 oz. of him. What a sweet blessing we received! I can honestly say our lives are much more exciting, adventurous and entertaining all because of this little boy.

Today he turns four years old! If you've ever met him you know all about him. He is a Chicago Blackhawk fanatic. This is one little boys who eats, sleeps, dreams, plays and lives hockey. His current wardrobe consists of about 90% Hawks attire. Even on the warmest summer day he can be seen sporting his jersey while sweating to death on his bike.

Dylan is really just the sweetest. He loves to hug, snuggle & kiss his Mama all throughout the day. A couple of weeks ago he learned to ride a two-wheeler and he just loves his new freedom. I can't say enough wonderful things about our sweet boy. He's so kind to the kids in his preschool class. He's the oldest one there and he's become a real leader....something this "little" brother doesn't get a chance to do very often at home.

Dylan's always got something funny to say. He keeps us laughing pretty hard. I just love how his little mind works. The vocabulary this four year old has is quite amazing. The other day he told me he thought I should "think long and hard when I go to the grocery store about what I need to purchase so our family can enjoy an abundant dinner." Where does he get this stuff from?

I've got more to post on Dylan along with some pictures about his recent adventure but this post is long overdue so stay tuned!