Around Here
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Reading M. Scott Peck's The Road Less Traveled.
Hearing Simon and Anna race back and forth upstairs from my office, down the hallway and into my bedroom (while I'm downstairs cleaning up the kitchen). Back and forth and back and forth. There's laughter and then there's yelling and then more giggles and it most often ends with one of them yelling for me.
Navigating our new normal and finding places of peace and connection and joy.
Riding waves of emotion and working on allowing myself to be present in all aspects.
Negotiating money and time.
Adoring the addition of our new cat George. He is awesome.
Refereeing a myriad of arguments between an almost 10-yr old and an almost 3-yr old - most having to do with one of them touching the other or getting too close.
Savoring Natalie Goldberg's Writing Down The Bones one chapter (or two) at a time.
Organizing legos.
Enjoying the process of working on my 52 Creative Lifts newsletter the last few weeks.
Listening to Simon read Kung Fu Panda 2 out loud in the evening before bed.
Listening to Anna sing so many songs. Songs she knows and songs she makes up.
Cleaning up my office after painting this past week. It was a major project and now I'm into a major supply reorganization. I've got a bunch of layouts I want to do but before I start I really want to get this place in order.
Preparing to celebrate Simon's 10th birthday tomorrow and taking cupcakes to his class today.
Planning, dreaming, taking steps forward for this next chapter.
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112 comments
Happy Birthday to Simon!!!! Hope is day extra special and filled lots of fun.
Would love to hear about how you are reorganizing his Legos. We have quite the lego problem here!
Happy Friday.
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ah... the blessings of family life.. savour it all!! good or bad this is what living is all about.. Happiest of Birthday's to Simon.. and Anna.. keep on singing!! xx
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Ali. Just wanted to say that I admire the way you continue to keep going and looking for joy in the midst of pain. Praying that God will give you an even better life than you can imagine. Stay close to Him and he will work miracles. Tell Simon Happy Birthday! We are all so proud of him and how far he has come.
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Oh, the wonderful sounds of home. Ali, you are doing an amazing job. I know that there will be ups and downs and the quiet times are the hardest but know you are strong. Happy Birthday to Simon and momentous birthday with now being in the double digits. I It only happens once, so savor it.)
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Dear Ali, after reading your post it brought tears to my eyes. My 6 little ones are now 6 big ones and although the noise is different,it some how still seems the same...Keep up the good work and listening to all those sounds...you are my inspiration and I love reading your blog!!! Happy, Happy Birthday to Simone. I hope he has a fantastic day... you know you are big when you hit the double digits!!!
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M. Scott Peck is great. People of the Lie may blow your mind. It completely changed how I was able to see damaging people I had in my life and not to feel crazy myself for knowing what a horrible influence they were. It empowered me to make some relationship changes and become much, much healthier.
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At 17 and 6, mine still argue over who *breathed* on who! really? really! ugh! Happy Birthday to Simon! Can't believe he is 10! wow! Continued blessings to you. You are an inspiration in many many ways. Thank you.
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Ali- I had to giggle I remember "those" days as if they were yesterday.. the he's touching me and the ever popular "Don't touch me" my babies are now 29 and 25 and I am blessed that while they live in different states and are navigating grown up life they are still close to each other and as a family... and they remember THOSE DAYS and when things get tense... ie all of us in a car driving to a funeral.. one of them will break out the Shes's touching me to break the gloom in the car... you can't help but smile when you hear that... At the times when you need it most they will throw it out there...
Keep on Keeping on... and savor the journey (good and bad)
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This post touched my heart Ali. I just came back from Israel where I left you and your family in offered prayer at the holiest of all places. He hears those prayers...you know that. Stay strong in Him always. (and a very happy birthday to Simon as I too have watched him grow up on this blog)
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I just haft say: I loved this. :) <3
how lovely of you
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Here's to all things moving Up.
Glad to hear your office is nearly finished.
We have no power and lots of snow and ice up here in your old neck of the woods. I am in the process of re-organizing my craft room.
Feels good to donate stuff that I know I will never use.
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I love your "around here" posts. I hope you and your family have a wonderful birthday weekend!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SIMON!!
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Ahhh...the refereeing! I can relate! Have a great weekend, Ali!
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One Day At A Time. I know it's easier said than done. Give yourself time to mourn and time to hope and discover. Doing the "work" to work through it is SO important but is the hardest part. You will come out on the other side so much more aligned with who you are. Be kind and gentle on yourself-even if that means stopping every usual thing you do for the day and spending it sleeping or whatever YOU need to recharge. This is your "Project Life"- Go For It! Happy Birthday wishes to your big boy! Tell Anna to keep singin'!
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Can't wait to see your new office space! Need a dumping ground for all those unwanted scrapbook supplies? I'm happy to send you my address! I'll even pick up the shipping!
Have a great weekend.
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Ali, it sounds like your son and mine could be best buddies. Mine loves LEGOs and Kung Fu Panda 2 also. I would really love if you can share your take on organizing LEGOs. Paper and stickers I can handle, but LEGOs not so much.
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Ali, it sounds like your son and mine could be best buddies. Mine loves LEGOs and Kung Fu Panda 2 also. I would really love if you can share your take on organizing LEGOs. Paper and stickers I can handle, but LEGOs not so much.
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Love this post! It is so fun to read that other children interact the way mine do. I was pleased to see your blog mentioned in the Huffington Post today. You are an inspiration to so many and I know that I appreciate the honesty in which you post. Thank you. I am sure you have read it, but for those who haven't; http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lisa-belkin/internet-divorce_b_1217353.html
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO SIMON!!!!!!
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Glad to hear you are keeping your chin up. I loved "Writing Down the Bones" Enjoy.
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happy Birthday to sweet Simon
Hang tough Ali, you can do this, one day at a time. Stay strong
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