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!

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:

1. I actually got my driver's licence when I was 17
2. I did not like to eat pizza until I was 16
3. I love to scrapbook but haven't done one for myself in over ten years
4. I'm adopted
5. I was chosen to be on a team to play games @ the Bozo Show
6. When I was little I wanted to be a boy so bad I used to ask my Grandma to call me "Sonny"
7. My mom wanted to name me Gretchen
8. I once got out of a ticket w/ some quick thinking...I poured my water in my lap & started to cry. He felt bad.
9. I tried out for 'Little Women' in Jr. High but didn't make it
10. 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
11. In high school I won MVP & Most Offensive awards at a banquet
12. I cut my own hair for over 10 years before I found a good salon
13. I went to one ballet class when I was 3 but never went back
14. I played for my schools boys soccer team
15. I have always wanted to be a sports photographer
16. I went to college for Elem. ed
17. My first job was at Soccer 2000 when I was 15
18. I have never had my hair colored
19. I've been to Honduras 3 times
20. I love being alone during the day but can't stand it at night
21. We didn't name our twins until they were almost 24 hours old
22. I played the piano for 8 years, the flute for 6 and someday hope to play the violin
23. One of the only foods I simply cannot stand is mushrooms
24. I have won 12 things from radio call in contests
25. My first car was a Jeep Cherokee

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!

Tonight as I watched the rain slowly fall upon the beautifully white, snow covered backyard I had to smile.

A couple weeks ago I had a complete stranger ask me "how" I do it. I believe she was referring to me having 5 amazing children and I answered "with lots of help." It's true, I have a partner who walks along side me at all times picking up where I leave off and sometimes picking up and taking on it all.

The reason I'm smiling tonight is because I had a wonderful visual as the rain was falling and my mind was racing back to that stranger's question. I promise I'll get to that vision.

I was once a young, single mother. It's not something I think about often or even talk about, but tonight I couldn't help but think of that time. I remember days of getting up early to shower, waking up a sleeping baby, feeding him, and taking him over to his Grandma's house so I could go to my college classes. I would get done, go see him for a bit then have to go to work. I would work late into the night and occasionally get done in time to put him to bed. I would try to collect all my laundry the night before so I could make a run in the morning to the laundry room. The laundry room to my one bedroom home was located in the basement and I would actually have to walk around the outside of the house and down the stairs to enter the basement.

I would sometimes have to bundle up my little guy and put him in the laundry basket to get us all down safely. There were days I would have to try to find enough change in my car or kitchen to buy a roll of toilet paper. Money was scarce. At that time I was working two jobs and my whole paycheck covered rent & groceries and more diapers than I care to count. I would often eat when my little guy went to bed. It was lonely. Really, really lonely.

I loved being a mother but feared I was not very good at it. I felt horrible regret about not spending more time with my little guy. He spent his days playing and napping and knew no different. He was extremely happy and healthy and most days was my only joy. I just felt like I wasn't good enough to be his mom. Did I make the right choices in life for him? I sure tried.

But, the lonely kept creeping in. I accepted Jesus into my heart at a very young age. Somewhere along the way though I fell into a trap. I forgot how big my God was...that He was there for me waiting to come to Him with all my cares. I was almost ignoring Him. Why? I think I thought I was beyond repair. I was a disappointment. I had made too many wrong choices in life and now was left to fix them.

Over the next 2 years so much was going on in my life. I quit school. Not because I couldn't handle it or my grades were slipping, but simply because I had no idea where I was headed anymore. Growing up I wanted to be a teacher. My Grandma Grace even bought me a "teacher's stool" and grade book for Christmas one year. It was the best! But, as I finished the semester I decided that wasn't for me. So, I quit. I quickly found a job working in the billing department for a local hospital. It was okay, but some pretty unfair working conditions and lack of pay raise caused me to look elsewhere.

I actually got a job right away working for a property management company. It was working out for a while, but then lost that job. I went into panic mode. Some friends of our family soon offered me a job working at their greenhouse. Honestly, I wasn't thrilled. What was supposed to be a short term job turned into two years. I have to admit when it was time for me to leave deep down I really didn't want to. It was at that greenhouse that I got my life back.

Growing up we had a picture that had the poem "Footprints" hanging on one of our walls. If you've never heard of it I encourage you to look it up. It's not entirely accurate but the image is a sweet one. The last few words of it are Jesus saying to the man who thought he was all alone by seeing one set of footprints in the sand during some of the toughest trials as he walked in this vision of his life "...it was then that I carried you."

Wow...
So, tonight as I saw the rain slowly fall and melt a layer of snow just enough that the footprints underneath began to surface it was a great reminder. Seeing those footprints and thinking of that poem put a smile on my face. Where I am today I could only have gotten with the help of my Savior and Heavenly Father carrying me. Just like I mentioned to that stranger in the store that I have lots of help these days, what a joy and comfort to know that with Him anything is possible and he's walking right along side me every step of the way. Trust in the Lord with all your heart. He has already set out my life before me. I need to continue to trust Him to be my guide in ALL I do. What a sweet picture thinking of being in the arms of my faithful Father.

It's a Wonderful Life

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Merry Christmas

So last week wasn't exactly as I pictured it. I thought it was going to be a week of organization, productivity & more festivities and family than our hearts could enjoy, but that was only my vision.

The week began with one sick little girl, then another, then their brother, mom, other brother and dad and finally ended with the big brother. A horrible, nasty stomach bug found it's way into the Laslo house for the first time in 6 years. I'm thankful it took so long because a house full of sick children, in "that" kind of sick way was an experience.

The house got scrubbed and the washing machine was working overtime, and now 8 days later we all seem to be on the mend. We had to put off THREE different Christmas parties. No fun for the kids, but we did get to make one up and have another one tonight. It's been such a long week I'm now just thankful that it seems to be over.

We are thankful too for so many friends and family that sent us messages or called letting us know we were being prayed for. We certainly felt your prayers! I'll be getting pictures of our little Christmas up on the share site in the next couple days. http://www.littlelaslos.shutterfly.com/ . We hope you all had a very Merry Christmas filled with the joy of our Savior's birth.

All I Want for Christmas is My 1 Front Tooth

When Dylan was about 12 months old he was running in front of our townhouse and took a spill. The little bugger learned to walk before he was ten months old and was now learning to run. He sliced his lip open, I cried, then checked his teeth to make sure all 10 of them were still there. They were, PHEW!

A couple days later we were all outside again riding trikes and playing with sidewalk chalk and out of nowhere our little Dylan decided to make a break for it. Once again he tripped over his own two tiny feet and smacked his mouth right on the sidewalk.

After I got him calmed down and cleaned up I took a look inside to make sure we still had all teeth accounted for. Well, the teeth were still there but now his adorable little front tooth had a giant chip in it. I went into crazy mom mode and called every dentist in the suburbs of Chicago tyring to find out what we needed to do. There was no harm to the tooth, just a chip.

We eventually got used to seeing a funny little shaped tooth right smack dab in the front of his mouth. He made it all the way to his 4th birthday before we hit a problem. A routine visit to the dentist discovered that there was a little infection in the root of his chipped tooth. He had actually bumped it pretty good a week or so before and she thinks he may have chipped off a piece too close to the gum. So...it was time for the tooth to come out.

I of course was slightly devastated. Not really, but just the thought of him having a big hole right in the front was going to take some getting used to. Our dentist, by the way, is fantastic. They explained everything to him in words he could understand. He had a "sick" tooth that needed to come out. They let him take home a little nose cover just like the one they were going to use for the nitrous on the day of extraction. They told him he would have some "sleeping juice" for his tooth (the nitrous) and he would get to pick out TWO prizes when he was done.

The day of the procedure I think I was more nervous than he was! Actually, he wasn't nervous at all. It only took about thirty minutes and he came out with his prizes and a small little wooden box that was in the shape of a tooth. Inside it held his itsy bitsy baby tooth. It was really cute.

He was actually so excited that he had "lost" his first tooth. He told everyone that now he "was going to look like a real Blackhawk's player!" It took some getting used to seeing my 4 year old with a giant space in the middle of his mouth, but he makes it all the cuter. Now, we just have to wait 4 years for another one to come in.