What Is Real Right Now
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WHAT'S REAL RIGHT NOW Simon began the 4th grade last week. The start of school has traditionally been a challenge for him as he navigates a new classroom, new teachers, new structures and a return to old routines here at home but so far he's been doing great. Definitely a bit sleepy this morning as we all adjust to waking up earlier.
WHAT'S REAL RIGHT NOW is that Simon is doing just awesome: riding his bike, reaching out to other kids, being more comfortable in new situations, reading books with joy and excitement. It's so amazing how much he loves to read if it's something he's really interested in - which really is not all that amazing when I remember that my favorite things to read are things I'm really into and excited about. We just need to find more of things for him. A couple Tuesdays ago he read a Shrek book to me for 2 hours while I was working.
WHAT'S REAL RIGHT NOW is that fall is on it's way. I could feel it last night coming in through the half-open windows. I saw it yesterday in a few leaves that are beginning to change colors and drop to the street. I saw it again early this morning when waking to complete darkness.
WHAT'S REAL RIGHT NOW is that Chris and I are having a challenging time. There are many things we are great at together and yet many areas in which we struggle to connect. I want you to know that life is real here - just as it is in your home and your life - and there's good and bad and easy days and hard ones and this happens to be a time in my life that is really hard. I'd totally take your prayers, your positive energy, your wishes of strength and peace, and your compassion. Things are changing here and I'm hoping to face this next chapter of my story with grace and an open heart.
WHAT'S REAL RIGHT NOW is that Anna is two. She's more two than I think Simon ever was - she's got opinions and the language skills to back them up. She's also much more of a boundary tester than Simon. She loves to jump on the couch and asks "Why Mom?" as a response to just about everything. She started a daily Montessori preschool last week and seems to be adjusting just fine. Chris and I dropped her off this morning and she was so happy to show him her school and have him meet her teacher and see her classroom. She's really pretty darn amazing and I'm so happy she's a part of my life.
WHAT'S REAL RIGHT NOW is that I finished both The Help and Little Bee last month. Loved them both. I asked for suggestions via Facebook and Twitter last week and started Cutting For Stone last night. Hoping to go see The Help this weekend.
WHAT'S REAL RIGHT NOW is that this post from my friend Jen Lemen is super inspiring: How To Be Dangerous.
WHAT'S REAL RIGHT NOW are these words: This is the beginning of a new day. You have been given this day to use as you will. You can waste it or use it for good. What you do today is important because you are exchanging a day of your life for it. When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever; in its place is something that you have left behind...let it be something good. Author Unknown.
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376 comments
Thinking of you and praying for you.
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Prayers to your family. We all have come to love you all. You have shared so much with us and reading about what you do not only inspires me, but it grounds me as well. Special prayers to you and Chris.
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Surrounding you and Chris in prayers, knowing that if God brings you to it, He will bring you through it. Don't lose heart. Stay strong and stay true to you. Your encouragement to others is such a blessing. Now let others lift you up in this time of challenge.
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Thinking of you and sending good thoughts your way. When someone like you is honest in a public space, it opens the way for others to be more honest and open and eventually we all live in a better world. Thank you.
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Your honesty and real-ness have given me a sense of a connection to you. As I read your words today and as I type this now I hope and pray your family can bind, grow and flourish. Blessing and hugs to you.
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Your blog is one of my favorite sources of inspiration. Thanks for sharing! We've been through some of our own rough patches - thankful to be in a good place right now but can certainly relate! I hope this season passes in a positive way and you get to the other side soon.
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Ali--
Marriage is HARD work...one book/dvd curriculum that is great is Love and Respect. It's written by and for Christian couples. There is a book and workbook. Here's the Amazon link
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=love+and+respect&x=0&y=0
Also, a great book is Power of the Praying Wife and The Power of the Praying Husband for that matter!
Blessings to you during this stormy season!
Angela in TX
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Ali, I remember meeting you twice (once in PDX at Art House and then again in Provo at CKU 2008.) Both times you left a lasting impression on me.
You are a beautiful, creative, strong, incredible woman and your blog is both honest and uplifting. Thank you.
I'm thinking of you right now, and I send some prayers.
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Dear Ali, thanks so much for your honesty and being real.
Thats one of of the many reasons people love you so, your real.
Going through hardships with your spouse bites, it's quite the struggle. Two years ago when I thought I was losing my marriage I prayed and hung on to what I knew was true in our marriage and focused on that. Most importantly I surrendered any expectations I had for him/us and just loved. I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers. Be gentle with yourself and always be true to you. Hugs.
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sending prayers your way, thanks for being real with us Ali.
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I've always loved everything you do and everything you are about, Ali. Sending lots of positive thoughts. Wishing the best for you and your family.
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Thank you.
I believe that one thing that we can do as women to support one another is to be honest. As many others said, marriage is hard work. Thank you for saying this out loud.
I send you strength.
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peace and prayers for you
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I will be praying too.
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I'm sending as much positive energy as is possible. I'm sorry to hear you are having difficult times... I always look to you for inspiration and your ability to keep things real.... Hang in there Ali. Life is full of peaks and valleys and that goes for relationships too. I guess once the valleys are behind us it make the peaks all that much sweeter!! Thinking of you Ali!!
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So happy that Simon is having a great start to the school year. What a relief! Praying for all of you. Stay your brave, strong, authentic, tender self.
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Love you friend and thinking of you.
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I have prayed for you and your family many times. I will continue to do that. So many challenges these days on every level. You are loved and held in high esteem by many of us. Stay strong.
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Appreciate your honesty. Sending positive energy & prayers your way. I enjoy reading your blog, your honesty and just knowing that the woman doing the writing is a woman like me and every other woman in the world, one that lives a real life, with real issues and that we all try to do our best everyday to make our world and our children's world better.
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Thanks for keeping it real by sharing the good and not so good. I will say a prayer for you tonight. Your blog always makes me so happy. And I have to say there is no shame in therapy. For some reason year 16 was hard for my marriage. We got some new tools for our toolbox with therapy and now are almost to year 20 and in a much, much better place.
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