Around Here
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.
Ali, this is so sweet and sounds like my house most weeks. Knock on wood my kids haven't fought for 5 days now, not one bad peep from them, knocking on wood again so I don't jinx myself, lol
You are doing a great job and have a great support team here who is praying and thinking of you and the family daily. How wonderful that your parents are helping you more also. Take one moment and one day at a time and you will find your way. HUGS AND MORE HUGS AND PRAYERS FOR YOU!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SIMON!!!! He is a double digit now and that is soooo awesome!! Have a wonderful day with him and do a little walk down memory lane at all the good times leading up to this big birthday.
Thank you for doing these newsletters, that's great your enjoying writing them as much as we do reading them.
Hope you share pictures of your office when your done and it's cleaned up.
Have a fun, lots of laughs/giggles, smiles, hugs and best birthday weekend for all of you.
love and prayers,
Dawn
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You go girl! You can do this!
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Sounds like a (very) busy but GOOD week! I'm often amazed how you get so much done! I guess it often comes down to just doing it instead of thinking about it forth and back before you start? Am i right?
I'm in a major studio purge and redo myself... getting the place fresh, clean, uncluttered and tidy is good for the brain (and that rollercoaster of emotions) too, don't you think?
And yes... i know the feeling that i want to make stuff now, but it's best to get redo done first! Good luck with yours!
Happy birthday for Simon!
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Happy Birthday Simon! Double digits. You are so amazing Ali, I can't wait to see your new office-Design Studio....just remember this to shall pass...although kids arguing, probably not, I have a 11-year old boy and 8-year old girl and I constantly feel like the referee...time to re-read Love and Logic I think.
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Love how you quiet yourself to think of all of these things and write them down. Wondering if you just sit down and do this or do you review notes from the week -- I would love to do this but seems that when I sit down to write, I draw a blank on the good stuff -- maybe I just need to practice more or maybe I need to come up with some prompts -- just wondering about your practice.
Love your comments about the kids and their squabbles/play right now. Can relate with my own 5 and 8 yr old girls -- they are the best of friends but also know each others buttons pretty well!
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all good steps Ali, well done!
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God bless your family, Ali. and happy birthday to dear Simon. sweet kisses to Anna. :)
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Just had to share -- just was your Twitter update that you have been off a day all this week -- I have too -- to the point that the other night I had my husband come home from work early so we could have dinner and get to my kindergartener's parent/teacher conference. We got to the school, classroom was dark but the room next door had the light on (it is an office not a classroom) and we just thought the conference was there -- waited around 15 minutes before looking at the schedule on the wall and realizing that it said THURSDAY and it was only WEDNESDAY! At least we were a day early and not a day late! :)
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I kinda find you amazing.
I kinda find you amazing too, Ali!! ((hugs))
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First of Happy Birthday Simon...and second I'm with Linda you are AMAZING!!! Your days really simply sound like "LIFE". Like allot of ours, not exactly as some...but just life. It gives you hope...dreams...some sorrow...but so worth it all!!! I love that you "see" ALL there is to see! Can't wait to see your new office, and organizing. Goodness I know I need some nurturing in that department!!!
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Happy Birthday to Simon! I miss those sounds in my house (mine are grown and far away) and, believe it or not, I miss organizing the Legos and the little bit of fussing, too.
Me too. Mine are all grown up and off at school and our house is just a little too clean and a little too quiet. But---have more time to go back and scrapbook those moments I missed and relive them in my head.
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One day and one step at a time you will find your new normal. Wishing you peace.
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I really needed this this morning, Ali! So thank you. Your blog is a welcome place to quiet my head. And I enjoy so much reading the things you share. Happy happy birthday to Simon! He's growing into a very handsome young man! And that Anna, she is the sweetest! You are so strong and amazing, and I admire you! Very much looking forward to seeing photos of your newly painted and organized office. I've been working on cleaning and reorganizing mine this whole week, and it's still not where I want it to be. I too want to make some layouts but gotta have it ready first. I did print some pictures and pick some papers though, couldn't help myself. :P
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My feet hurt just looking at this photo.
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One step at a time, Ali. Happy Birthday Simon!
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Your family makes me happy!!
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So thinking of you as you navigate such a life changing event. May you find peace and strength.
So excited for Simon's birthday!! Hope you have an amazing time.
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keep moving UP ali!
(H*A*P*P*Y 10th simon...wow...i have been watching him grow on this blog and it is crazy he will be double digits...enjoy!)
xoxo...
-p
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natalie goldberg is amazing -- she & anne lammott are my writing heroes.
enjoy her & your beautiful children [simon is ten?!!? unbelievable!!] + lily + george.
& know that even in your sadness & struggle, you are still inspiring so, so many of us. thank you for sharing yourself & your creativity with the world, ali.
hang in & hold on, sister. we've got your back. :)
mine too!!
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You go Girl!!
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Thatsa alota Legos guys lady!:) Looks like my house! Took the plunge and used your idea.....sorted legos by color. We used one of the office supply 6 drawer carts. Both my boys have them in their rooms and there has been LOTS more Lego play.....Thankfully. Great tips!
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Breathe. Look at the big picture. Have faith in Gods plan. Take time for YOU! You are amazing.
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What an amazing woman you are. I know you are human, but sometimes I do wonder.....is there something supersonic in your Cheerios that the rest of us don't have access to? What grace and beauty you are embodying as you bravely face this new chapter in your life. Happy 10th birthday to Simon, too. Can't wait to see pictures of the celebration.
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Happy Birthday Simon! Just take each day at a time & soon you will find your new normal. I don't understand it but I have just been off this week, too. This morning I was sure it was Saturday!
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Wishing Simon an early birthday as I wrap presents for my own son's 14th birthday tomorrow!!!
Laura
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