What Is Real Right Now

I'm not sure what all of Simon's interests are but my son is an avid reader and recently found a book he loved...The Extraordinary Adventures of Ordinary Boy.

Here's the link: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hero-revealed-william-boniface/1100616278?ean=9780060774660&itm=3&usri=ordinary%2bboy

There are currently just 3 books in the series. We also enjoy the series of Seekers by Erin Hunter.

ali... you have lifted me up so many times with such small thing on your blog i hope this helps in a small way. the power of prayer is amazing. put you burdens to God and trust he will take care of them. it works so much better than trying to do it all by your self. some times all you have to do is, le it go, and know he will take care of you. love you -S

Sending prayers to you and your family Ali.

Ali--sending prayers your way. Disconnect is not a good thing in a marriage and we struggle with it sometimes too. Big hugs to you!
Lisa

Ali, I love your transparency. We all know that there are bumps in the road, and sometimes mountains, to navigate around. I don't know what your religious feelings are, but I must say a deep faith in the living God that created you and sustains you will get you through.

Thank you for such an honest and real post. I'm sending big hugs and lots of prayers your way. I'm wishing you much comfort and love in the days, weeks and months ahead. ~Jen

It takes courage to be real. Thank you for being brave. Reading this made my heart clench. I am so hoping that you and Chris can find a positive road forward, however twisty that road appears right now.

Ali,

I appreciate your honesty. I can totally relate to the challenges of marriage. I am divorced (when I was 24--I'm 41 now) and remarried to my current husband for 12 years in November. Marriage is simply HARD. I am sending positive energy, thoughts, and prayers your way.

Sending positive thoughts your way, toward you and Chris, hoping you can meet somewhere in the middle to work with and for your lives together.

No matter what...the Source is in every one of us.No matter what, you inspire Anna & Simon with your love. No matter what, you inspire us. You are in my heart, as is your better half. Soft times for yourself, appease the rest. Hug

Praying for you and your family....thank you for being real.

Sending you much love and good thoughts Ali.

Glad to hear you liked The Help. A friend loaned her copy to me, but have yet to crack it open. My 2.5 yr. old also loves to jump on the couch and test her boundaries. Totally exasperated on the week-end I asked her: "How many time today have I asked you to stop spitting (a big thing for her lately)?" her priceless reply: "Twelve."

Thank you for sharing your life with us via this blog.

Dear Ali,
It takes courage what you just did. I want you to know that my thoughts are with you and your family.

Lots of hugs
Sandra :)

Your honesty is much admired. Sending good thoughts your way~

I love your openness and honesty! You are "real" and I admire that! I think all of us (especially me) can relate to your 'What's real right now' post! We all have days that have real struggles and areas of our life that are pure sunshine!

I can relate. There are areas of my life that are better than I ever dreamed they would be and areas of my life that need improvement and more connection relationally.

For my 'What's real right now' I want to model your realness and say that I'm lonely friendship wise these days. I love my husband and my kids but, I need friends (girlfriends).

Okay, here is one more, 'What's real right now'...I need to loose weight to be healthier and that impacts my overall confidence. Okay, that was pretty open (for me) and now I feel a little uncomfortable. But, I'm glad to actually type it out and name the issues. Thank you for being an example of knowing yourself, examining your life, and being open.

I will pray for you.

~ Ali

Balance is so hard when you have kids...guys tend to tend to need alot more "stroking of the ego" than us women do. There was a time when DH and I went through this when my oldest was being very demanding. I found myself resenting the fact that my DH was standing in the sidelines asking "what about me". I was like..."are you for real?" "Give me a freakin break here." I told him that I just didn't have time to "be his mother and stroke him and make him feel better all the time"...especially since the kids were such a handful. We went to counseling and worked it all out...having that outside source was a godsend and we've been so much better ever since! That was 17 years ago...but I can still recall all the details of it when I read something like your post today. Just remember that "this too shall pass" and ther "things happen for a reason" even when we don't give a damn about them...lol Hope and love for you all.

On a lighter note...has Simon read any of the "Matt Christopher" books or the "Box Car Children" books? Both are great for his age...the Box Car series is full of adenture and mystery and the Matt Christopher books are full of sports and action adventure.

Thanks for your sharing and honesty. Prayers and good wishes for you and Chris and your family.

I know change is hard, and it's different from what you know, but it can be positive or negative change Ali... I speak from going through it myself last year. I chose positive. I know you will too. Hugs.

Sending hugs and good thoughts your way! <3

Ali;

I love and appreciate your being candide here, though I can only imagine how challenging it is to have your "stuff" out there for people to see.

Your way of documenting and reflecting on life, the good and bad, has always been an inspiration for me.

I send thoughts, prayers and this little saying to you:

"The main difficulty of thinking is confusion. We try to do too much at once. Emotions, information, logic, hope and creativity all crowd in on us. It is like juggling with too many balls." ~Edward De Bono

take care!