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
Praying and thinking of you Ali. Stay positive. x
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It's wonderful Simon is becoming an independent reading. Encourage him all you can. When my daughter was small, I always read to her before bed. When she started reading herself, she would read one page aloud to me & I would read the next. This is something we continued for a long time. I can still remember sitting in the porch swing on summer vacations reading Little House on the Prairie. Reading only every other page gives them more confidence in their reading skills & they love reading to you. Hugs! I've put you in my prayers.
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Hello Ali, I have just finished reading Warrior chicks by holly wagner. she battled cancer and has some very good insight. You are in so many peoples prayers. Thank you for doing life with us. praying for peace in your heart and mind-tricia
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Green Eggs and Ham was the first book I ever read too! 43 years ago - when I was 4! I guess some thing are just classics. You can find some great "Green Eggs and Ham" stickers here http://www.scrappersalley.com/Dr-Seuss---Green-Eggs-And-Ham---Phrase-Sticker--P209263C23555.aspx if you wanted to do a traditional page about this.
Positive vibes coming your way that everything is good health wise!
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definate prayers and thoughts going out to you. please take care.
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oh my, I'm praying for you
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Ali, you are in my prayers. I can imagine that this has you are apprehensive. My mother had that and they used this Mohs procedure and took it off. With it they take paper thin slices off and check each slice until they get to one that has no melanoma cells. It works great. God bless. Deb
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Ali,
As you know there is an enormous amount of power in prayer...thank your for planting the seed with others.
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Ali,
Many positive thoughts and prayers to you..I'm sure all will be fine.
Way to go Simon on the reading!!
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I am praying for you and wishing you all the best-think positive-I know that you will. Thanks for the daily inspiration in your blog-I look forward to reading it whenever I get a chance. :)
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Hugs and prayers to you Ali. My Brother in law is also battling Melanoma and unfortunately it's in his lymph nodes. He hasn't been given a very good prognosis :(
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I'm thinking of you and your family Ali. I am sure that your amazing spirit and outlook on life will help you through these unknowns. I am hoping for the best for you.
I too am going to have a mole consultation in two weeks, for a very large mole that I've had since birth, also in the upper chest area, that I'm a little worried about. I'd rather have it removed now, for peace of mind, even if it's nothing much to worry about. It's SO important to keep on top of these things, so thank you for the reminder.
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Green eggs and ham was my favorite book as a child! I remember it was sold out every where and I wanted it so much for my birthday! Luckily I think my mom managed to find a copy! The bright orange and lime green are it!
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My thoughts are with you Ali. My husband will have a BCC removed later this month so I understand what you are going through.
Anthea
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if only Dr. Seuss could be a cure all for everything, our thoughts are with you too!
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Dearest Ali, it's Tiffiny from oz here, I am saddened to hear of your test result news and so happy to hear of sweet Simon's progress with his reading. Billy first ever book he read was Where's The Green Sheep? It's an award winner here but not sure if out over there? Billy loves the colour theme. There are just so many gorgeous childrens books, I have become a kid myself all over again. Please know that you are constantly in my thoughts anyway, but am doing extra prayers for you at this time, warmest regards, Tiffiny xx.
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Prayers and positive energy coming your way!
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Good luck with the news from the doc.
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Ali, prayers are coming your way. I've been there. I was diagnosed with a Stage I melanoma in Nov 1999. Had to have surgery and follow up care with an oncologist, but luckily no chemo or radiation was necessary as there was no spread to my lymph nodes. Melanoma is really scary but if caught in the early stages, very curable. After almost 10 years there's been no return and I have a lovely scar on my leg as a constant reminder! :)
Take care!
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loving thoughts from me, too.
Susi xo, Canada
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