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
Hi Ali,
Just wanted you to know that I'm praying for you and the baby, and Chris & Simon too. Praying for wisdom for your doctors, health and safety for you and the baby and praying for peace of mind for you and Chris as you get more info this week.
Big hugs,
Dawn McVey
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We will be going through this together.. On Thursday I seem my dermatologist about a mole that is possibly melanoma. We have been watching it for awhile and in the the last few months it has gotten bigger and darker.. I would have gone in sooner but lost my insurance for a time. The last 10 moles or so that I had removed were all in the pre stage. This one is on my calf so I am praying that they wont have to remove too much of the area. Lots of prayers to you as I understand the stress and worry you are going through.
On a happier subject.. WAY TO GO Simon.. Keep up the wonderful reading!
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Sending positive thoughts and love your way.x
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oh my gosh, Ali, I'm sorry to hear about the melanoma report. I know little about it, but you are ABSOLUTELY in my prayers.
Simon is beautiful.
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Hi Ali,
Lifting you up in prayer.
BTW, I absolutely love Robert the rose horse. Hadn't thought about it in a long time, but an all time favorite of mine!
Take care. Hope you get good news this week.
Wendy
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Sending good vibes you're way.
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Ali, sending you all my positive energies.
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Hugs and Prayers to you. Sending positive thoughts your way!
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Sending thoughts and prayers your way.Go Simon Go that is awesome dude!He is such an inspiration.love the photo of him.
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sending prayers your way.
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All the best to you & yours, Ali. You are in my good thoughts,
amy
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You are in my prayers. What a scary thing. And thank YOU for the reminder to take care of my own.
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Sending positive thoughts your way.
Great how Simon is reading, I remember when my son was that age he loved Dr Seuss, he also loved the critter books (MercerMeyer) which were recommended by his speech therapist.
Take care.
{hugs}
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I will keep you in my thoughts...I hope everything turns out ok.
As far as reading goes...my son is in 1st grade and loves to read but like Simon, it often takes him awhile to read longer books. We decided to take turns so he reads one page and I read one. He is still reading a lot that way but it gives him a little break in between pages and it doesn't take as long to read that way. Works out well for both of us.
Take care!
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Way to go Simon! We have read stories at bedtime with my oldest son (almost 5 years old) for years, but just in the last 2 weeks started having him read "dick & Jane" and I am just blown away at how well he is doing. It's amazing just how PROUD they feel. I guess its one of those moments where you are SO excited for them and at the same time, where did the time go and how are they old enough to read already?
We have a couple little reader books on Star Wars too, so you might want to look into those for him! he'd probably love them!
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Hi Ali, my name is Léa, I am from Brasil and I discovered your blog last week. I am completely in love with your fantastic work, congrats!!!
I wish you a happy new year and I am sending you good vibes!!! Everything will be ok.
Hugs.
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Prayers to you Ali...
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You'll be in my prayers...take care.
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Ali, my prayers are with you. That is scary news. Will be thinking of you as you continue to get the rest of the results. Take care...
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Sending prayers and good wishes your way...
And when it comes to that lifelong love of reading - well, I can only hope you realize the gift you've given Simon by bringing books into his life at such a young age. Books can be your friends, your companions, your teachers. They can stave off loneliness, bring love and adventure to your life, introduce you to people, places and things that circumstances would normally keep inaccessible.
PLEASE keep us posted about Simon and his books! They will be some of my favorite blog entries, I know!!!
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