Capture, savor, and celebrate right now.
Tags:After a few weeks of having all three of us here together Chris is back to meetings (the new legislative session begins next week) and Simon has one more day off school today (it's a "professional development/planning day"). I am ready for a bit of "alone" time around here to get some more work done before the baby actually arrives.
I finished cleaning up, clearing out, and reorganizing Simon's room yesterday. One of the things that was most fun was having him rediscover toys he has not played with for awhile that still bring him entertainment and joy. I am glad to have that entire project completed and can move on to my list for the baby room (thanks for all those kind words on the sneak peek).
One of my favorite things over the past couple of weeks is that Simon has really gotten into reading. REAL reading on his own.
Our normal routine is to read a book to him each evening before going to sleep of his choice (we intervene or make suggestions depending on how late or early it is). One night last week he picked Green Eggs & Ham, climbed up on his bed, sat criss-cross, and told Chris he wanted to read it that night.
It took over an hour for Simon to read Green Eggs & Ham the first evening.
After the excitement (and a bit of fatigue all around) Chris had the brilliant idea to come up with a simple way to track the books he reads all by himself: each time he finishes a book he can add it to a list we are keeping on a bulletin board in his bedroom. That in and of itself was enough of a motivator for him to get down to business and it has been working like a charm for the last week.
The next night he read Robert the Rose Horse. It also took him over an hour. He is super tired by the end and we are working in the suggestion that you can break a book into two nights (or more) but that idea has not caught on just yet. In the meantime we are adding in some shorter books or changing it up by having one of us read to him.
Tonight he fell asleep while Chris was reading to him. He had spent part of his afternoon reading Green Eggs & Ham (on his own on the couch) and starting on Horton Hears A Who.
I so hope this is just the beginning of a lifetime love of reading.
In addition, I would like to ask for your prayers and positive thoughts. Many of you know that I have had a bunch of moles removed over the last year and a half (actually more than 20 since August 2007). This past week I received some results indicating that the most recent one I had removed from my upper chest area is stage one melanoma (this is more serious on the spectrum than the melanoma I had removed in the past which was only on the surface of the skin). I should be getting more information this week as to what the next steps are in this situation.
Consider this your friendly reminder to have your own skin checked by a dermatologist if you have any suspicions or conerns.


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375 comments
sending positive vibes and prayers into the universe for you. also know - because you've been open and shared here with us - i finally made it to the dermatologist myself. i am "pickled with moles and questionable marks" to quote the Doc... so February we begin the removal process of "the ones that look the worst of many". please keep us posted. hugs to you girl.
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Prayers are with you...
I can't think of a better way to spend time than reading to your children. I love a good children's book anytime! My kiddos are avid readers... they love going to the library and read constantly! I am amazed how fast they go through them these days. They are always asking for new books to read. I am glad Simon has developed a love for reading. I love how it encourages children to use their imaginations and how reading can take you anywhere you want to go.
Take care!
Can't wait to see that baby girl!
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My prayers are with you Ali, I'm sure everything will be okay.
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Prayers for you!
My daughter loves anything Seuss and adores the new Horton movie. Cherish these moments before the baby comes. I am sure that Simon will love being the big brother.
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Ali,
I will keep you in my prayers and stay positive. Thank You for being so real reading your blog consistantly inspires me to be a better woman..LOL Gloria king
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Hi Ali,
Sending you all the best from Holland; I'll keep you in my thoughts. Thank you for sharing your life with is, the good, the bad and the creative. You help me staying grounded! Thanks!
Marlies
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Yes you are in my prayers. You are surrounded by family and friends that love you so much... always remember that. Praying for you is easy because you are a beautiful person inside and out.
I loved making "green eggs and ham" when my son was little. Eating it was kinda weird, but I kept yelling myself not to look at the eggs while eating them (He is 25 yrs. old now.)Mmm, I'll have to ask him if he remembers.
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he looks so much like his dad in that photo!
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I'll keep you in my prayers.
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prayers for you Ali!
and love to see Simon reading :) can't wait my own kids start it too (but they are still very young :) 3 and half; 2 and 5 months old).
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ali thinking of you.
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Ali,
My word for 2009 is Peace. Here is a scripture for you to meditate on:
Philippians 4:7 (New International Version)
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
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yet another lurker sending heartfelt wishes of support. what an emotional time....
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You are in my prayers Ali.
So happy that Simon has made that BIG leap to independant reading. Mine both love books and can always be found reading at quiet times, bedtimes, during travel and so on. It's great to see as a parent isn't it?
Hugs
Sharon X (UK)
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Ali, you are in my thoughts and prayers.
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Wowsers Ali, that's a bit scary. Thank goodness you are vigilant at checking your moles and having them removed. I hope everything turns out ok for you.
Yay for Simon! Such a clever boy and a wonderful gift he is giving himself.
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Wowsers Ali, that's a bit scary. Thank goodness you are vigilant at checking your moles and having them removed. I hope everything turns out ok for you.
Yay for Simon! Such a clever boy and a wonderful gift he is giving himself.
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Wowsers Ali, that's a bit scary. Thank goodness you are vigilant at checking your moles and having them removed. I hope everything turns out ok for you.
Yay for Simon! Such a clever boy and a wonderful gift he is giving himself.
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Prayers coming from RI, Ali. I know this is a very difficult thing. Stay positive - attitude is everything! So sorry but thankfully you've been proactive and it was caught early. Be well.
Bravo Simon on your new skill! :)
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Hi Ali, It was thanks to your previous posts I found my melanoma and had it removed. I pray that your experience in getting that melanoma out of your system is as positive as mine was. I am sure it is more tricky now with your pregnancy. Please know I will be praying for you and your baby. Thanks for all your inspiration and ideas.
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