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.
Hi Ali,
Sending you all the best from Holland; I'll keep you in my thoughts. Thank you for sharing your life with is, the good, the bad and the creative. You help me staying grounded! Thanks!
Marlies
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Yes you are in my prayers. You are surrounded by family and friends that love you so much... always remember that. Praying for you is easy because you are a beautiful person inside and out.
I loved making "green eggs and ham" when my son was little. Eating it was kinda weird, but I kept yelling myself not to look at the eggs while eating them (He is 25 yrs. old now.)Mmm, I'll have to ask him if he remembers.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
he looks so much like his dad in that photo!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I'll keep you in my prayers.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
prayers for you Ali!
and love to see Simon reading :) can't wait my own kids start it too (but they are still very young :) 3 and half; 2 and 5 months old).
Sign in or sign up to comment.
ali thinking of you.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Ali,
My word for 2009 is Peace. Here is a scripture for you to meditate on:
Philippians 4:7 (New International Version)
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
yet another lurker sending heartfelt wishes of support. what an emotional time....
Sign in or sign up to comment.
You are in my prayers Ali.
So happy that Simon has made that BIG leap to independant reading. Mine both love books and can always be found reading at quiet times, bedtimes, during travel and so on. It's great to see as a parent isn't it?
Hugs
Sharon X (UK)
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Ali, you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Wowsers Ali, that's a bit scary. Thank goodness you are vigilant at checking your moles and having them removed. I hope everything turns out ok for you.
Yay for Simon! Such a clever boy and a wonderful gift he is giving himself.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Wowsers Ali, that's a bit scary. Thank goodness you are vigilant at checking your moles and having them removed. I hope everything turns out ok for you.
Yay for Simon! Such a clever boy and a wonderful gift he is giving himself.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Wowsers Ali, that's a bit scary. Thank goodness you are vigilant at checking your moles and having them removed. I hope everything turns out ok for you.
Yay for Simon! Such a clever boy and a wonderful gift he is giving himself.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Prayers coming from RI, Ali. I know this is a very difficult thing. Stay positive - attitude is everything! So sorry but thankfully you've been proactive and it was caught early. Be well.
Bravo Simon on your new skill! :)
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Hi Ali, It was thanks to your previous posts I found my melanoma and had it removed. I pray that your experience in getting that melanoma out of your system is as positive as mine was. I am sure it is more tricky now with your pregnancy. Please know I will be praying for you and your baby. Thanks for all your inspiration and ideas.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Praying and thinking of you Ali. Stay positive. x
Sign in or sign up to comment.
It's wonderful Simon is becoming an independent reading. Encourage him all you can. When my daughter was small, I always read to her before bed. When she started reading herself, she would read one page aloud to me & I would read the next. This is something we continued for a long time. I can still remember sitting in the porch swing on summer vacations reading Little House on the Prairie. Reading only every other page gives them more confidence in their reading skills & they love reading to you. Hugs! I've put you in my prayers.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Hello Ali, I have just finished reading Warrior chicks by holly wagner. she battled cancer and has some very good insight. You are in so many peoples prayers. Thank you for doing life with us. praying for peace in your heart and mind-tricia
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Green Eggs and Ham was the first book I ever read too! 43 years ago - when I was 4! I guess some thing are just classics. You can find some great "Green Eggs and Ham" stickers here http://www.scrappersalley.com/Dr-Seuss---Green-Eggs-And-Ham---Phrase-Sticker--P209263C23555.aspx if you wanted to do a traditional page about this.
Positive vibes coming your way that everything is good health wise!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
definate prayers and thoughts going out to you. please take care.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
oh my, I'm praying for you
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Ali, you are in my prayers. I can imagine that this has you are apprehensive. My mother had that and they used this Mohs procedure and took it off. With it they take paper thin slices off and check each slice until they get to one that has no melanoma cells. It works great. God bless. Deb
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Ali,
As you know there is an enormous amount of power in prayer...thank your for planting the seed with others.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Ali,
Many positive thoughts and prayers to you..I'm sure all will be fine.
Way to go Simon on the reading!!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I am praying for you and wishing you all the best-think positive-I know that you will. Thanks for the daily inspiration in your blog-I look forward to reading it whenever I get a chance. :)
Sign in or sign up to comment.