Well, it's officially summer here in the Laslo household. As of 12 p.m. on Thursday afternoon I now have one kindergartner, two first graders and a seventh grader. Yes, I just wrote SEVENTH GRADE!!!! Once again I feel completely caught of guard that my children are growing up so quickly.
Already today I field millions (okay, but maybe only a slight exaggeration) of questions as to what we were doing today, tomorrow, the next day, when they were going to some one's for a play date, when someone was coming to our house for a play date, when vacation was, if we could go swimming and how many days until we leave for Michigan. Yep, these will be the very conversations that I can promise you I will have daily.
Summer at the Laslo's means hours of playing our backyard, swimming & sprinklers, riding scooters, rollerblading and evening bike rides that sometimes include ice cream. It's the very time of year the kids look forward to and talk about from the end of August to May.
This year since all the kids seemed to get older on me again we decided to do something different this summer. I personally think it's brilliant. Now that the kids can read and have more time in the morning with no school I've made a new "LIST." The list is great. Now every morning when the kids wake up they simply take a look at the list. There's no need to ask me when we are having breakfast, if they can go outside, etc... The list lets them know exactly the order that the morning routine should happen. It's been great so far. The beds are being made, clothes are being put away and teeth are being brushed without me asking. The kids also know that they can't do any of the outdoor activities until their list is done.
Right now the list may be a novelty but it's working so I'm not going to mess with it. As the weeks get busier it may be tough but I think it's going to be a great discipline/learning tool for them now that they are old enough to do these things independently.
In a couple weeks the boys will have soccer camp, Madison will have Poms camp, the three middles are going to be going to an outdoor adventure camp, the oldest has a few grass-cutting jobs for the summer and Mackenzie and I plan to do plenty. Our weeks are filling up with barbeque's, picnics, sleepovers, parties, Vacation Bible School and friends but I have to say I wouldn't want it any other way. This is what summer is all about.
Monday, June 6, 2011
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Thanksgiving
I have a couple (dozen) posts fighting to be next to be posted but just like the rest of the things around here most were left unfinished. They are just going to have to keep waiting...I found this as I scrolled through this neglected blog. I don't know why it was never posted. It's nothing spectacular. It's not amazing. It just happened to be a great little reminder to me today and I thought I'd share.
Today I have so much to be thankful for. Almost 31 years ago a young woman who I have never met gave birth to me . She chose life and God chose a family for me. So, here I am reflecting on the things I am most thankful for and I can't help but think just how thankful I am to her. I have never met her, I don't know her name or where in the world she is today but I am so thankful to her.
God so carefully orchestrated my conception, birth and life and I can't help but be forever thankful to Him. Of course I'm not thankful every day. I'd love to be but I'm simply not. There were some days in my recent past when I was writhing in pain from kidney stones and wasn't very thankful. I certainly should have been but wasn't. I am thankful that my Heavenly Father loves me despite my unthankfulness if I confess those sins to him.
I have way too much to be thankful for. I have an amazing husband that works so hard to provide for our family and providing for a family of seven isn't an easy task. He loves what he does. Even on his toughest days of work he will come home and help give baths, read stories, fold laundry (that I may have let pile up throughout the day) and even helps get all five little children tucked in their beds. He is a master at baking cheesecakes and could win a Throwdown with Bobby Flay any day.
I am thankful for so much my heart is bursting and I wanted to share it. I'm not a writer and I know my posts have nothing to offer the world, but...I'm a wife, mom, daughter, niece, sister, friend and I'm thankful for those titles and the people I share those relationships with and I have no others words than "Thank You." Thank you God, for all the rich blessings you have poured out to me. I do not deserve even the least of these but am so thankful.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Has it Really Been Six Years?
I don't miss the days of nursing babies around the clock, changing a diaper every hour of the day or scarfing down my dinner so quick I could barely taste it because there were two little babies crying out for their Mama. I don't miss carrying two ten pounders in infant carriers, one on each arm through a crowded store simply because the store setup did not allow for my double wide stroller. I don't miss the sleepless nights, the dark circles under my eyes or even the countless loads of spit-up, peed on or poopy stained sleepers, the nights I would get a restless baby rocked to sleep and lay them down just for another to wake up. Those were days and weeks I felt like I was living my own groundhog day.
Today I can honestly say I don't even remember the full magnitude of those emotions and events. Thank you, God! His mercies are new every morning and his grace IS enough!
Tomorrow morning when I wake up and head downstairs for my coffee I know that within 30 minutes I will be greeted by the two of the most excited children on the face of this earth. Tomorrow I will have TWO six year olds! Some days it feels like just yesterday I was laying in a hospital bed looking through tears at two of the most beautiful little ones God has ever blessed me with. While some days I think I forget it, I could not be happier or feel more blessed to have been given the opportunity to be called Mama.
Madison Grace and Noah James are a couple of the most fabulous, talented, kind, loving, creative little souls I have ever met. Their heart for the Lord and others is so true and pure. Madison was born at 1:37 pm on April 15th, 2005. I remember the most amazing tears of joy streaming down my face when I heard that I had a baby girl. Then, at 1:38pm Noah James was born. After I got over the shock of just giving birth to twins I was beside myself. A perfect little girl and the sweetest little boy had just entered ours lives and we were changed forever.
Madison is my sweet, sensitive, girly girl. She has a heart of gold. I love the way she cares for each person in our family. She is responsible, loving and almost always has a smile on her face. Each afternoon when she walks in the door from school she still gives me the most welcoming smile. Madison is a very talented artist. She is completely creative and also can replicate almost any picture, drawing or sculpture she sees. She has a shy front but the more comfortable she gets she just beams with joy. She loves to ride bikes, take her little sister for long walks in the wagon and do anything alone w/ her Mama for some quality girl time. She is really an amazing big sister and she's so helpful. I know I can always count on Madi when I need a compliment or encouragement. She's such a true joy and her laugh melts my heart w/ it's genuine happiness.
Noah is probably one of the kindest young boys I know. He loves to build, work and loves learning to read. Noah is so enthusiastic about school it's fun to see. He seems to be soaking up knowledge like a sponge and he has this drive deep inside that pushes him to test his (good) limits. Noah can follow directions from a 400+ piece Lego set and built the entire thing by himself. He can do puzzles that if left out I have a hard time doing. He's also very creative and seems to be following his big brother's footsteps w/ his natural love for math. We're pretty sure he's going to come up some new mathematical theory or equation before the age of 10. Noah loves the Chicago Cubs and doing anything we title "work." He's a very hard worker and really enjoys school. He seems to really love the independence. One day I was at school volunteering and decided to pick the kids up and drive them home so they didn't have to take the bus. Noah walked right out of his classroom and passed me in the hall and gave me that "this is my territory, Mom...see you at home kind of look. He actually chose to take the bus!
I can't really can't even express how privileged and blessed I am to be their Mom. The joy they have brought to our lives is endless. As I sit here and type...(yes, I've completely neglected this blog for far too long and the only reason I'm on tonight is because I believe I've caught one of the kids colds/possibly strep)...I cannot help but feel so proud of who the Lord is growing them to be. It's never easy to watch while your children need you less and less but I could not be prouder of who they are becoming.
Happy Birthday, Madison Grace & Noah James! We love you so much and you are both a constant joy and rich blessing. May this year bring you even closer to Him and I hope you get to experience blessing upon blessing as you grow and walk down every new path God has laid in front of you. "Trust in the Lord w/ all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your paths."
Monday, February 14, 2011
A Love Like Ours
It was a gloomy, very early, spring day. I was bundled up in an old pair of ripped jeans, a sweatshirt and a fleece jacket and wearing a Michigan baseball cap. In front of the greenhouse, among the racks and stacks of terra cotta pots, I stood shivering in the cool morning breeze with my pricing list. My task for the day was to price them as all the moisture of my hands was sucked dry by the clay.
That morning a large pick-up truck filled with three men rolled up into the gravel filled parking lot. After a season with only a few customers a day I was curious as to what the men could be doing there. There were not many flowers unless you count the flowering indoor plants in the first greenhouse but these men didn't look like they were coming in to buy gifts for their wives. All the flats that were transplanted were just sprouting. The greenhouses were full of new life yet seemed lifeless without their future magnificent colors.
As the men walked past me, I looked up as I heard the tiny stones cracking under their boots. One of them caught my eye. He flashed a quick smile and continued to walk past me up the gravel path. That smile, I will never forget.
Over the next few days and weeks I would see that stranger's smile a few more times. I couldn't get him out of my mind. I found myself smiling just thinking about him. It was almost silly, really, the way he seemed to make my day just by coming in. On one of those occasions I was there to help him. After talking to him for a few minutes I knew; I knew I had to get to know him.
A few days later (after a little pep talk from a coworker of mine) that stranger with a smile pulled me to the side and asked me if I'd like to go to dinner sometime. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! I was elated, on cloud nine, over the moon excited! My heart was racing as I gave him my number. Over the next week he called me almost every night and we must have talked for hours each time. Those phone calls were by far my favorite time of day and something I looked forward to all day long. He was no longer a stranger. He was James Laslo and my heart raced every time I heard his voice. After a couple weeks of talking on the phone because of our busy schedules, we finally made a date to go out for that dinner.
James picked me up in his cousin's BMW. I guess he thought the date might go a bit better
driving something a little classier than a dirty, purple Dodge Ram, work pickup. We went down to the city and enjoyed an amazing Italian dinner. After dinner we took a walk and decided to ride the giant ferris wheel at Navy Pier. It was a beautiful, crystal clear, spring evening. Up on the top we could see the entire city, complete with an array of brightly colored lights that seemed to illuminate as far as the eye could see. After our ride we drove to the lakefront and parked the car near the aquarium.
The night seemed almost magical as we walked for miles up and down the lakefront, taking in the sights and smells of the lake as the wind softly blew a breeze our way. Our last destination of the evening was Buckingham Fountain. There were tourists, families and couples strolling around the fountain as the lights changed from one color to the next. At one point James took my hand, pulled me close and he kissed me. At that moment if felt as if all time stood still. It was also at that moment that I felt like I knew I found the man of my dreams. I was head over heals for him and I knew after a kiss like that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with him. It really was that simple.
My life seemed almost too perfect. I had a beautiful little boy who was the light and joy in my life and now had found a man who made me feel the same. After many years of praying for "him" God led James & I together.
Our wonderful summer soon led into the fall, which seemed to quickly change into winter. Then something happened that would change our lives forever. An event that would test our relationship, our love and our faith. It was something that would separate us for months by a distance of a thousand miles. The separation was not something either of us wanted but it was here.
The love I once felt now seemed like a stranger. I felt alone. I experienced some of the darkest times of my life that winter and into late spring. I woke up every morning and headed to work to spend my days alone in a dark, cold greenhouse transplanting tiny plants from seed trays into flats. It was a mindless job. I hate nothing more than to be alone with my thoughts. As my mind wandered and those thoughts raced I made a choice. In previous nights I laid awake in my bed crying out the the Lord. I wanted my pain to end. The pain of my broken heart. I simply missed James. Each night I prayed with a Psalm I memorized in 6th grade. Here are the key verses that God reminded me of each time I prayed:
Psalm 147: 4 & 5 "He determines the number of stars and calls them each by name. Great is our Lord and mighty in power; His understanding has no limit." He knew of this situation before James and I were even conceived. I could come to Him, my Savior and creator of all things and He would understand...even when it felt like not one person in my life could. He was my true comfort when no one and nothing else ever could.
So, the choice I made one morning at work was really something so simple but also life changing.
The Lord showed me His answer to those prayers through sound waves. The radio became an interesting vessel in which God chose to speak to me. Every morning I would grab my portable radio and head into the greenhouse to begin my work. I didn't set it to today's hits, classical music or even talk. I remember my mom listening to WMBI 90.1 Chicago my whole life. I honestly never really listened. I turned on Moody radio each new day to hear sermons, praise & worship music and was able to catch Midday Connection. The truths that God was pouring into my heart and mind were powerful. I would leave each day on a brighter note than I started.
I would go home each night and open the Bible that I received for my 8th grade graduation. Inside the cover of my student Bible a Psalm was written just for me. Psalm 25:4&5 "Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths, guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior and my hope is in you all day long." I prayed those words often and God started doing a great work in me. I was being transformed as each day passed.
Soon spring had ended and just as summer began something wonderful happened. James and I were reunited. He was home. We took the rest of the summer getting to know one another all over again. But, as they often do, the seasons changed and fall was upon us. One late fall Saturday evening after work I had taken my little guy to a preschool birthday party. If you've never been to one, they are completely exhausting. After the party I dropped him off to spend the night at his grandparents. As I pulled up to an empty house and parked my Jeep in the drive I gathered all my stuff that had collected from the week in my car. I opened the door the house and walked inside. After putting everything away I made my way upstairs to take a shower.
I turned on the hallway light and saw something strange. I quickly flipped the switch on in my room and found quite a surprise. There were rose petals all over my floor, even continuing on my bed in the shape of a heart. On my bed sat a large box with a note attached to the top that read "Here's a little something for you to wear tonight. I hope you like them. Love, James." It was a box with a couple new outfits from my favorite store. As I turned around I encountered yet another surprise. James was standing in the doorway! After I screamed and spent a moment trying to catch my breath he came in an knelt down on one knee. That was the night James asked me to be his wife. After the shock wore off and I was able to comprehend what was going on I said "yes!"
The rest is, well, history. We really did have fairytale wedding. Every part of the planning and every moment of of special day was near perfection. We've been together for nine wonderful years and some days I almost can't believe it's only been nine. Together, James and I have been through it all. We've had ups and downs, had high points and very low points. Today the love we share is intense. We are best friends, parents and partners in this life. I don't think I'd want to imagine living it without him.
James is really an amazing man. He gets up before the sun rises in the morning and some days/months doesn't return home until after the sun sets. He works very hard for our family and is an amazing provider. Even after a 12 hour work day he still has all the time and energy in the world to play and care for our five amazing children. He can cook gourmet dinners, do countless loads of laundry and clean the house so it sparkles like the top of the Chrysler building.
The love James has for our family shows in all he does. He is such a wonderful model for our children and for me of how we should live our lives for Christ. He makes time each night to teach our children important truths from the Bible. I don't of many men who will get up countless nights and rock a crying baby back to sleep, then get up the next morning at 6a.m. with the rest of the children, get them fed and dressed and out the door ALL while letting his wife sleep in for a day here and there.
There are so many reasons I love him I know my heart can't even begin to write them down. I do know that over the years a hug from him is a common cure for my tears. His smile still melts my heart. I love the way he still reaches for my hand when we are in a public place and the way he always thinks of me before himself. A love like ours is hard to find. It's intense, crazy, wonderful and always there. In all our trials it has remained firm. Thanks to our heavenly father for his promise that if we built our marriage on Him it cannot be easily broken.
I could not be more thankful and blessed to be married to such an amazing man. Thank you, God for James.
That morning a large pick-up truck filled with three men rolled up into the gravel filled parking lot. After a season with only a few customers a day I was curious as to what the men could be doing there. There were not many flowers unless you count the flowering indoor plants in the first greenhouse but these men didn't look like they were coming in to buy gifts for their wives. All the flats that were transplanted were just sprouting. The greenhouses were full of new life yet seemed lifeless without their future magnificent colors.
As the men walked past me, I looked up as I heard the tiny stones cracking under their boots. One of them caught my eye. He flashed a quick smile and continued to walk past me up the gravel path. That smile, I will never forget.
Over the next few days and weeks I would see that stranger's smile a few more times. I couldn't get him out of my mind. I found myself smiling just thinking about him. It was almost silly, really, the way he seemed to make my day just by coming in. On one of those occasions I was there to help him. After talking to him for a few minutes I knew; I knew I had to get to know him.
A few days later (after a little pep talk from a coworker of mine) that stranger with a smile pulled me to the side and asked me if I'd like to go to dinner sometime. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! I was elated, on cloud nine, over the moon excited! My heart was racing as I gave him my number. Over the next week he called me almost every night and we must have talked for hours each time. Those phone calls were by far my favorite time of day and something I looked forward to all day long. He was no longer a stranger. He was James Laslo and my heart raced every time I heard his voice. After a couple weeks of talking on the phone because of our busy schedules, we finally made a date to go out for that dinner.
James picked me up in his cousin's BMW. I guess he thought the date might go a bit better
driving something a little classier than a dirty, purple Dodge Ram, work pickup. We went down to the city and enjoyed an amazing Italian dinner. After dinner we took a walk and decided to ride the giant ferris wheel at Navy Pier. It was a beautiful, crystal clear, spring evening. Up on the top we could see the entire city, complete with an array of brightly colored lights that seemed to illuminate as far as the eye could see. After our ride we drove to the lakefront and parked the car near the aquarium.
The night seemed almost magical as we walked for miles up and down the lakefront, taking in the sights and smells of the lake as the wind softly blew a breeze our way. Our last destination of the evening was Buckingham Fountain. There were tourists, families and couples strolling around the fountain as the lights changed from one color to the next. At one point James took my hand, pulled me close and he kissed me. At that moment if felt as if all time stood still. It was also at that moment that I felt like I knew I found the man of my dreams. I was head over heals for him and I knew after a kiss like that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with him. It really was that simple.
My life seemed almost too perfect. I had a beautiful little boy who was the light and joy in my life and now had found a man who made me feel the same. After many years of praying for "him" God led James & I together.
Our wonderful summer soon led into the fall, which seemed to quickly change into winter. Then something happened that would change our lives forever. An event that would test our relationship, our love and our faith. It was something that would separate us for months by a distance of a thousand miles. The separation was not something either of us wanted but it was here.
The love I once felt now seemed like a stranger. I felt alone. I experienced some of the darkest times of my life that winter and into late spring. I woke up every morning and headed to work to spend my days alone in a dark, cold greenhouse transplanting tiny plants from seed trays into flats. It was a mindless job. I hate nothing more than to be alone with my thoughts. As my mind wandered and those thoughts raced I made a choice. In previous nights I laid awake in my bed crying out the the Lord. I wanted my pain to end. The pain of my broken heart. I simply missed James. Each night I prayed with a Psalm I memorized in 6th grade. Here are the key verses that God reminded me of each time I prayed:
Psalm 147: 4 & 5 "He determines the number of stars and calls them each by name. Great is our Lord and mighty in power; His understanding has no limit." He knew of this situation before James and I were even conceived. I could come to Him, my Savior and creator of all things and He would understand...even when it felt like not one person in my life could. He was my true comfort when no one and nothing else ever could.
So, the choice I made one morning at work was really something so simple but also life changing.
The Lord showed me His answer to those prayers through sound waves. The radio became an interesting vessel in which God chose to speak to me. Every morning I would grab my portable radio and head into the greenhouse to begin my work. I didn't set it to today's hits, classical music or even talk. I remember my mom listening to WMBI 90.1 Chicago my whole life. I honestly never really listened. I turned on Moody radio each new day to hear sermons, praise & worship music and was able to catch Midday Connection. The truths that God was pouring into my heart and mind were powerful. I would leave each day on a brighter note than I started.
I would go home each night and open the Bible that I received for my 8th grade graduation. Inside the cover of my student Bible a Psalm was written just for me. Psalm 25:4&5 "Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths, guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior and my hope is in you all day long." I prayed those words often and God started doing a great work in me. I was being transformed as each day passed.
Soon spring had ended and just as summer began something wonderful happened. James and I were reunited. He was home. We took the rest of the summer getting to know one another all over again. But, as they often do, the seasons changed and fall was upon us. One late fall Saturday evening after work I had taken my little guy to a preschool birthday party. If you've never been to one, they are completely exhausting. After the party I dropped him off to spend the night at his grandparents. As I pulled up to an empty house and parked my Jeep in the drive I gathered all my stuff that had collected from the week in my car. I opened the door the house and walked inside. After putting everything away I made my way upstairs to take a shower.
I turned on the hallway light and saw something strange. I quickly flipped the switch on in my room and found quite a surprise. There were rose petals all over my floor, even continuing on my bed in the shape of a heart. On my bed sat a large box with a note attached to the top that read "Here's a little something for you to wear tonight. I hope you like them. Love, James." It was a box with a couple new outfits from my favorite store. As I turned around I encountered yet another surprise. James was standing in the doorway! After I screamed and spent a moment trying to catch my breath he came in an knelt down on one knee. That was the night James asked me to be his wife. After the shock wore off and I was able to comprehend what was going on I said "yes!"
The rest is, well, history. We really did have fairytale wedding. Every part of the planning and every moment of of special day was near perfection. We've been together for nine wonderful years and some days I almost can't believe it's only been nine. Together, James and I have been through it all. We've had ups and downs, had high points and very low points. Today the love we share is intense. We are best friends, parents and partners in this life. I don't think I'd want to imagine living it without him.
James is really an amazing man. He gets up before the sun rises in the morning and some days/months doesn't return home until after the sun sets. He works very hard for our family and is an amazing provider. Even after a 12 hour work day he still has all the time and energy in the world to play and care for our five amazing children. He can cook gourmet dinners, do countless loads of laundry and clean the house so it sparkles like the top of the Chrysler building.
The love James has for our family shows in all he does. He is such a wonderful model for our children and for me of how we should live our lives for Christ. He makes time each night to teach our children important truths from the Bible. I don't of many men who will get up countless nights and rock a crying baby back to sleep, then get up the next morning at 6a.m. with the rest of the children, get them fed and dressed and out the door ALL while letting his wife sleep in for a day here and there.
There are so many reasons I love him I know my heart can't even begin to write them down. I do know that over the years a hug from him is a common cure for my tears. His smile still melts my heart. I love the way he still reaches for my hand when we are in a public place and the way he always thinks of me before himself. A love like ours is hard to find. It's intense, crazy, wonderful and always there. In all our trials it has remained firm. Thanks to our heavenly father for his promise that if we built our marriage on Him it cannot be easily broken.
I could not be more thankful and blessed to be married to such an amazing man. Thank you, God for James.
Monday, January 31, 2011
New Year, New Shoes & a New Bed
The start to this new year has proved to be quite chaotic but, when isn't it with a family of seven?
On December 31st this year the weather was unseasonably warm in Chicago. I believe the high temperature was around 58 degrees. It was slightly misty out and honestly I didn't really want to do a whole lot....much to the dismay of my husband. He wanted our New Year's eve celebration to be something grand but honestly I was still tired from two straight weeks of the stomach flu that ripped through our home. I really do love my husband so I slapped on something dazzling & off we went.
The drive into the city was quiet. The fog that covered some of the tallest buildings in the world was slowly rolling. The lights were still magnificent. We walked through Millennium Park to get to one of our favorite little restaurants, the Park Grill, which is located directly underneath "The Bean." As we strolled under the bean and down to the skating rink it was fabulous. The sight of people in colored hats, coats & mittens all waiting around the rink as the zamboni made it's final pass seemed festive. It was beautiful all lit up.
We had a superb dinner of oysters rockefeller, black truffle risotto, dry-aged prime rib and for dessert we shared a napoleon & passion fruit sorbet with fresh berries. It's the kind of dinner I often dream about. After dinner we took a walk around the park and then down the lakefront. We saw an amazing array of fireworks being shot off all around the city. All in all a great evening.
The week after New Year's was tough...getting back into the school/work routine is never easy. I'm not quite sure how, but our children seem to lose just about everything they own these days. We have lost an entire coat, mittens, hats and most recently a pair of gym shoes. James & I were at school a couple of different times that week and simply could not find them anywhere. So, as if buying seven new pairs of shoes at the beginning of the school year wasn't enough, now we had to buy replacements. Thank goodness for sales.
On a recent date night for James & I we did what every set of parents does on their date...we went shoe shopping for one of the kids;) After we found the identical pair that was lost, we bought ourselves some fresh cookies & a cup of coffee and decided to go bed shopping. It's something we have been putting of for some time now. Beds are a bit of a nightmare. Before we got married my wonderful husband wanted to surprise me by buying our bedroom furniture & a bed and he had it all set up in our townhouse so I could move in. Rule number one? You can't buy a bed for someone who hasn't tested it out for them self. I was "okay" with it until about 6 months later when I was larger than life carrying twins.
It was a super plush bed with an even softer pillow top and it was one of those beds that sat up higher than your average bed. Even before I got pregnant I had to taking a running start to get up on it. After many sleepless nights we went back to the furniture store to exchange it. At the time I was pretty big and the awkward circumstances of laying/testing a bed out when you are 6 months pregnant with a complete stranger watching your every move was not my idea of a comfortable shopping experience. I finally just said "that one" so I could move on with my life and get out of the store. That bed lasted us only five years. It was horrific.
Well, last week our date night brought us back to another bedding store. We were the only customers in the store and had a very knowledgeable salesman helping us. He gave us all the information we needed and kept a comfortable distance so we felt we had an enjoyable experience. Then, we found it! It was a bed that we kept coming back to. It had all the right components. Not too firm, not too soft, covered springs, foam top and it was even almost half off! It was delivered the next morning & we couldn't have been more excited!
All day we were talking about how excited we were to go to bed. We were dreaming of a perfect nights sleep. One filled with dreams of sugar plums dancing and children behaving, and the most restful sleep we ever had! Then, it was time. We laid in bed forever. Tossing and turning but neither of us said a word. I certainly didn't want to be the one to complain but it was brutal. I actually remember waking up at one point and I'm pretty sure James was yelling at me to get back on my side. The next morning? We looked at each other and I wanted to cry. Yes, it was that bad. It's been a little over a week and hasn't gotten any better. We checked to make sure it was the same bed in the store. We've had the kids come in and jump their little hearts out.
We have 30 days to exchange "it." Before we even purchased the bed I asked about return policies and and he told us in 25 years he's never had anyone return more than one bed. Well folks, he's never met me. Thank goodness a new 30 days comes with each bed because I have a feeling next week we'll be right back in there and if that one doesn't work...I'm not afraid to go back. I'm thinking it would be best when buying a bed to test it out overnight in the showroom. If you have to get up in the middle of the night for a bathroom break? Hop on over to another one. I would do it. Let's hope for the best on bed number two!
On December 31st this year the weather was unseasonably warm in Chicago. I believe the high temperature was around 58 degrees. It was slightly misty out and honestly I didn't really want to do a whole lot....much to the dismay of my husband. He wanted our New Year's eve celebration to be something grand but honestly I was still tired from two straight weeks of the stomach flu that ripped through our home. I really do love my husband so I slapped on something dazzling & off we went.
The drive into the city was quiet. The fog that covered some of the tallest buildings in the world was slowly rolling. The lights were still magnificent. We walked through Millennium Park to get to one of our favorite little restaurants, the Park Grill, which is located directly underneath "The Bean." As we strolled under the bean and down to the skating rink it was fabulous. The sight of people in colored hats, coats & mittens all waiting around the rink as the zamboni made it's final pass seemed festive. It was beautiful all lit up.
We had a superb dinner of oysters rockefeller, black truffle risotto, dry-aged prime rib and for dessert we shared a napoleon & passion fruit sorbet with fresh berries. It's the kind of dinner I often dream about. After dinner we took a walk around the park and then down the lakefront. We saw an amazing array of fireworks being shot off all around the city. All in all a great evening.
The week after New Year's was tough...getting back into the school/work routine is never easy. I'm not quite sure how, but our children seem to lose just about everything they own these days. We have lost an entire coat, mittens, hats and most recently a pair of gym shoes. James & I were at school a couple of different times that week and simply could not find them anywhere. So, as if buying seven new pairs of shoes at the beginning of the school year wasn't enough, now we had to buy replacements. Thank goodness for sales.
On a recent date night for James & I we did what every set of parents does on their date...we went shoe shopping for one of the kids;) After we found the identical pair that was lost, we bought ourselves some fresh cookies & a cup of coffee and decided to go bed shopping. It's something we have been putting of for some time now. Beds are a bit of a nightmare. Before we got married my wonderful husband wanted to surprise me by buying our bedroom furniture & a bed and he had it all set up in our townhouse so I could move in. Rule number one? You can't buy a bed for someone who hasn't tested it out for them self. I was "okay" with it until about 6 months later when I was larger than life carrying twins.
It was a super plush bed with an even softer pillow top and it was one of those beds that sat up higher than your average bed. Even before I got pregnant I had to taking a running start to get up on it. After many sleepless nights we went back to the furniture store to exchange it. At the time I was pretty big and the awkward circumstances of laying/testing a bed out when you are 6 months pregnant with a complete stranger watching your every move was not my idea of a comfortable shopping experience. I finally just said "that one" so I could move on with my life and get out of the store. That bed lasted us only five years. It was horrific.
Well, last week our date night brought us back to another bedding store. We were the only customers in the store and had a very knowledgeable salesman helping us. He gave us all the information we needed and kept a comfortable distance so we felt we had an enjoyable experience. Then, we found it! It was a bed that we kept coming back to. It had all the right components. Not too firm, not too soft, covered springs, foam top and it was even almost half off! It was delivered the next morning & we couldn't have been more excited!
All day we were talking about how excited we were to go to bed. We were dreaming of a perfect nights sleep. One filled with dreams of sugar plums dancing and children behaving, and the most restful sleep we ever had! Then, it was time. We laid in bed forever. Tossing and turning but neither of us said a word. I certainly didn't want to be the one to complain but it was brutal. I actually remember waking up at one point and I'm pretty sure James was yelling at me to get back on my side. The next morning? We looked at each other and I wanted to cry. Yes, it was that bad. It's been a little over a week and hasn't gotten any better. We checked to make sure it was the same bed in the store. We've had the kids come in and jump their little hearts out.
We have 30 days to exchange "it." Before we even purchased the bed I asked about return policies and and he told us in 25 years he's never had anyone return more than one bed. Well folks, he's never met me. Thank goodness a new 30 days comes with each bed because I have a feeling next week we'll be right back in there and if that one doesn't work...I'm not afraid to go back. I'm thinking it would be best when buying a bed to test it out overnight in the showroom. If you have to get up in the middle of the night for a bathroom break? Hop on over to another one. I would do it. Let's hope for the best on bed number two!
Sunday, January 30, 2011
25 Things...
I've been neglecting this blog horribly & promised a friend I would give her something to read today while she's at work;)
25 things you may/may not know about me:
25 things you may/may not know about me:
- I actually got my driver's licence when I was 17
- I did not like to eat pizza until I was 16
- I love to scrapbook but haven't done one for myself in over ten years
- I'm adopted
- I was chosen to be on a team to play games @ the Bozo Show
- When I was little I wanted to be a boy so bad I used to ask my Grandma to call me "Sonny"
- My mom wanted to name me Gretchen
- I once got out of a ticket w/ some quick thinking...I poured my water in my lap & started to cry. He felt bad.
- I tried out for 'Little Women' in Jr. High but didn't make it
- In 2nd grade at the end of the year I told some of my friends if they gave me their gym shoes I would donate them to kids who needed them...I just loved shoes very much and wanted them for myself. I've since repented of that horrible sin
- In high school I won MVP & Most Offensive awards at a banquet
- I cut my own hair for over 10 years before I found a good salon
- I went to one ballet class when I was 3 but never went back
- I played for my schools boys soccer team
- I have always wanted to be a sports photographer
- I went to college for Elem. ed
- My first job was at Soccer 2000 when I was 15
- I have never had my hair colored
- I've been to Honduras 3 times
- I love being alone during the day but can't stand it at night
- We didn't name our twins until they were almost 24 hours old
- I played the piano for 8 years, the flute for 6 and someday hope to play the violin
- One of the only foods I simply cannot stand is mushrooms
- I have won 12 things from radio call in contests
- My first car was a Jeep Cherokee
Sunday, January 2, 2011
A Delightful Dozen
Brett was the most precious baby. He was sweet, mild tempered and absolutely adorable. As he got older I was amazed at everything he did. Every new milestone was something special. He was my first born and a true joy.
Tomorrow Brett turns twelve years old. TWELVE years old! It seems like just yesterday I was walking him into his preschool class for the very first time. He was quite shy and didn't want me to leave, but by the end of the day I remember seeing the biggest smile flash across his face. The "I did it, Mom" kind, the kind that melts your heart.
Over the years he's grown into such an amazing young man. Brett excels in school. He is such a hard worker, really soaking up everything he can. He's responsible, respectful and has a true heart of gold. Brett is really a super big brother...helping out when needed, putting together toys, puzzles and always ready to snuggle with his littlest sister. The two of them have something really special.
Brett has recorded many accomplishments and special events this last year. He competed in the Spelling Bee at school last spring and made it into the finals. I believe the word he missed was 'Psychoanalysis.' (Did I spell it right? ...I would have been out too;) He was the leading scorer on his soccer team this last fall and most recently competed in the Geography Bee and made it to the final six out of twenty-two. He's very interested in Geography and History and loves Math.
Last year he started playing the oboe and acquired a saxophone over the summer and made the switch this fall and loves it. Brett's involved in the boys choir at church and attends Cadets a couple times a month. I would say he's a pretty busy kid but he wouldn't have it any other way. One of the highlights of this year for him was getting to attend a party with the Stanley Cup. His Grandpa was able to take a turn having the Stanley Cup for a day so they made a whole day of it. Lucky kid, eh?
Well, as I look back over the last 12 years I can't help but get a little sad that my "little" boy will become a teenager next year. I'm certainly not ready for that! I am SO proud to be the mother of such a wonderfully kind, patient, handsome, intelligent young man. I'm also thankful to God for protecting him along the way. I know that he is who he is today certainly not do to me. I may have had a hand in it, but the Lord has been his guide, protector and Savior and there's no better feeling than know that today he is walking with the Lord and has his own relationship with Him.
What a delightful dozen years this has been raising our sweet Brett Michael. I know the future is full of promise and many blessings for him. We are so blessed to have Brett for a son and promise to continually point him to Christ so he can reflect Him in all he does. What a heart for service Brett already has, often giving to those who have very little because even as a child he understands what it means to be the light of Christ to others. We sometimes can learn much from our own children.
Happy Birthday, Kiddo! You are a true delight and joy and we love you!
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