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.
praying for you today.
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How exciting to hear that Simon is being more independent! Keep it up, Simon!
Ali, good thoughts & prayers to you...thanks for the reminder to check things out!
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In my prayers, as well.
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Hugs and prayers Ali! As with everything you approach in your life, a positive attitude certainly helps when facing adversity. My best to you!
And BIG congrats to your little reader! How awesome! :)
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Sending positive vibes your way.
We did the book list with stars and stickers. When the reader hit 100 books, we took a trip to the bookstore for a dictionary or a book or the reader's choosing. The "Step into reading" series is wonderful. It has different steps with limited vocabulary so one is not exhausted by the end of a bit too long book. Or one could take turns reading pages. The next night switch the pages read to obtain the sticker.
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I will be praying for you! I know from going through stage 2 melanoma with my father that it can be scary at time. Thanks for reminding everyone to take care of their skin! It's so importanta for everyone.
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Ali, you are in my thoughts and prayers. Just think positivily. As a previous poster said, you have been diligent about being checked. I am sure whatever they have found is in the earliest stages!!!
Congrats on Simon's love of reading. My little guy is 4 years old. We have read to him every night before bed since he could sit up. He is dying to be able to read a book on his own like Simon. He would be very jealous if him!! LOL!!!
Good Luck Ali!!!!
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Hi Ali,
My prayers are with you for course!! My mom has had a couple stage one melanoma's in her chest area, and while it is a very scary experience, you have caught it earyly, and usually what happens is they will remove the growth and a certain amount around it to clear the area of any cancer. It is a fairly simple procedure with just a little discomfort in the healing process. Fear not, you have caught it early, and all will be ok. Take care, and try not to worry or stress about it too much:). Kindest regards!
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Good luck to Simon on his reading adventures. I was a big reader as a child and it continues to pay dividends in my life.
Thoughts are with you on your test results. After a year of doctors, tests, and test results I know how draining it can be.
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Ali,
thanks for the reminder about the mole check! i have that on my list to do in 2009. i have never had them checked, but i have A TON!
i hope you are okay. keep you in my prayer journal....
and that's awesome simon is loving to read! good for hIM!!!!
tara
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Nothing tugs my heartstrings like the sight of a child reading and enjoying books! I sincerely hope that it follows him throughout his life!
I'll keep you in my prayers, I haven't thought to get my moles checked..I have noticed a few "beauty"marks that strangely were not there before....
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praying for you Ali.
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Ali,
My thoughts and prayers are with you! My mom has had stage one melanoma, and while it is stressful to experience, they just remove the spot and certain parameters around the areat to insure the area is cancer free. It is a relatively easy process with little discomfort after the procedure. It is a very good thing that you have caught it early! Hang in there, the power of prayer will see you through, and all will be well.
Go Simon! Green Eggs and Ham is my favaorite, and all three of my kids loved that book the best, althought all Dr Seuss is great! Take care and think Positive!
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sending my good thoughts for your health and simon's new skill!
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I CAN RELATE because I had melanoma ten years ago, when I was 24. I'm still feeling the psychological side effects, and I'm neurotic about checking my skin.
I am so sorry you are going through this, but I am thankful that you are bringing awareness to the issue because you have such a huge audience of women and more people need to be informed of the dangers of the sun and "fake-baking" (tanning beds/booths). Many of my friends continue to neglect their skin, despite what I went through. It is so frustrating.
Mine was *also* on my upper chest area. I will keep you in my prayers. If you ever need to vent to someone who's been through it, you have a cyber-friend in NJ in me! XOXO
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Sending tons of prayers and good thoughts your way.....
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oh ali,
you are always in my prayers but even more so now...please take care of yourself and keep us updated!lots of love.Amy
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You are in my prayers!! God Bless!
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Love the pictures of Simon reading....definitely a treasure. My thoughts & prayers are heading your way...take care & keep us updated. {{hugs}}
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Ali,
Love the picture of Simon. So cool that he is reading. I just dropped my son off at the bus stop and have mixed feelings about my son going back to school. Your post on Simon helped me embrace the good. My son who struggles with some basic things, made a peanut butter sandwich all by himself yesterday:)I loved how proud he was of his sandwich. I will be writing up that story!
Ali, sending lots of positive vibes your way as you find out more about the mole.
Take Care, Jess
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Sending you prayers and lots of positive energy!
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Hi Ali
My thoughts are with you.
And also just to say that you rock! Bringing life and joy and creativity to so many of us. Thanks so much.
Mel
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You are in my prayers.
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How wonderful for Simon! My 5 year old is just really getting into Dr. Seuss and he loves the silliness.
You'll be in my thoughts and prayers today!
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hugs and prayers to you always!! WTG SIMON ON READING!!!!!
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