Capture, savor, and celebrate right now.
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.
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.
You are thought of and mentioned in prayers. Everything will be alright - Keep creating!
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Sending thoughts and prayers your way.
Kudos to Simon, you, and Chris for sticking it out during those hour long reading sessions - especially to Simon!
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Praying right now.
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Love your reading motivation! Best of luck and prayers coming your way. I have one being checked on the 22nd - it doesn't look good either. I'll keep an eye out for you.
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lots of positive thoughts coming your way...
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Ali,
That is so exciting to see Simon reading on his own. I hope he continues to enjoy it.
And of course, my thoughts and prayers are with you, and your family.
Debi
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Hi Ali,
I don't have words to make it magically go away but my hands are clasped in prayer and my arms are open wide just in case you need a hug. :-)
Caryl
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sending prayers your way!
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Prayers, vibes, good thoughts for you and your family. Hope this melanoma situation turns out for the best.
My oldest two kids are seven years apart. I enjoyed having separate childhoods with them.
Blessings as you wait on tests and on that baby.
Ann
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I'll add you to my prayers Ali. Do keep us updated on the situation!
So very impressed on Dr. Seuss books! We are reading a lot of the Star Wars Level 1 Readers. Did Simon get any of those for Christmas? They sure are terrific!
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in my thoughts and prayers
deb
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Hi Ali, firstly YAY Simon!
Secondly you will be in my prayers and just to let you know that my best friend was diagnosed with a melanoma in October 07, she had it removed and it was just under 1mm deep. Here we are 15 months later and despite having some lymph nodes removed she is fit and well. So I pray for the same outcome for you! Take care and thanks for raising the awareness.
Jane, Sydney Australia
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I'm a librarian at an elementary school and the neatest thing to see is a child who is just learning to read. They are so excited with everything that is opened up to them. Tell Simon way to go!
My prayers are with you. My husband found out one of his recent biopsies was cancerous and has to have the area moved this week. Hang in there.
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Oh gosh, prayers are with you. I would imagine that whatever you would have done would wait until after the baby is born, right? Hang in there. It will work out.
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I'm sorry! I meant to link my blog! Feel free to remove that link, if you can.
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Ali, my prayers are with you that all turns out ok.
I myself am having a top to toe skin check tomorrow in fact (it was supposed to be today but the doctor rescheduled). It is a major concern to me because I wasn't careful in the sun as a teenager and I made stupid mistakes in the name of 'fashion'. Now I have 4 kids to live for and if I could turn back time, I would. I'm hoping that everything checks out ok. It is serious stuff that's for sure.
I do hope everything works out ok for you and your family, especially with the little bub about to arrive.
On a brighter note, way to go Simon! It is so cool when they start to read on their own and the look on their faces when they realise they can is priceless. I was an avid reader as a kid and you'll rarely find me without something to read nearby, so I'm hoping it rubs off on my children.
Jodie, Victoria, Australia
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Of course I will pray that this skin issue can be taken of quickly and completely. Trusting that God has you and your family in His hand.
Congratulations, Simon!! I hope you will always love to read books - there are so many great ones just waiting for you to open them and jump into the adventures :))
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Prayers, hugs, and good thoughts for you and family, take care!
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I can't wait for my little one to "read" on his own. I am so looking forward to him reading to me. It will be a while, he is only 20 months. Something to look forward to :].
On the other hand, I hope all is well with you. Stage I is the earliest to catch it, which is a positive. I wish you the best, and hope that that is all it is. Take care of you.
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Sending prayers and positive thoughts your way, Ali. Cancer is a formidable, scary thing. I am anticipating my own celebration of being one-year lung cancer-free later this month. It's great that you've been very attentive to checking spots. Early detection is the best road to a full recovery. And positive thinking. :D
Congratulations, Simon! Reading is the best sort of adventure that lasts a lifetime. Angela T.
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sending positive vibes and prayers into the universe for you. also know - because you've been open and shared here with us - i finally made it to the dermatologist myself. i am "pickled with moles and questionable marks" to quote the Doc... so February we begin the removal process of "the ones that look the worst of many". please keep us posted. hugs to you girl.
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Prayers are with you...
I can't think of a better way to spend time than reading to your children. I love a good children's book anytime! My kiddos are avid readers... they love going to the library and read constantly! I am amazed how fast they go through them these days. They are always asking for new books to read. I am glad Simon has developed a love for reading. I love how it encourages children to use their imaginations and how reading can take you anywhere you want to go.
Take care!
Can't wait to see that baby girl!
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My prayers are with you Ali, I'm sure everything will be okay.
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Prayers for you!
My daughter loves anything Seuss and adores the new Horton movie. Cherish these moments before the baby comes. I am sure that Simon will love being the big brother.
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Ali,
I will keep you in my prayers and stay positive. Thank You for being so real reading your blog consistantly inspires me to be a better woman..LOL Gloria king
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