This Week's Wonder

Henry was convinced that the sky was falling. He kept saying, "Stay up, stay up!"

Personally, I have never seen such big snow flakes!!!

Free to be Kids

A fun video of our most beloved kidlets! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Sx39wivVfw

A Musing on Exhaustion

So Cass and I exchanged some calls and emails recently about running, about exhaustion and the nexus of the two. She reminded me that her time is pretty open these days, which affords her a certain freedom and opportunity. This led me to consider how free and unencumbered my typical day is...alas, I am not so sure I like what I discovered...

My Daily Routine
Up at 5:00am by an little whisper in my ear, "Momma, can I cuddle?"
By 5:45am, another more eager voice (espeically eager if she has slept through the night), calls out for boob
By 6:30am, we'd all better be dressed and eating breakfast or it is proven we will be late for work
7:15am, out the door and off to daycare having fed the animals, walked the dog, picked up toys and shoveled snow (per the season)
7:45am, drop kids off at daycare and turn right around, retracing precious steps eastward toward CWC
8am: be at work-- these days some are doing seat checks
8am-5:15pm: working for da man
5:15pm drive back into town to get kids
By 6:15pm, we are home again...ready to play, make dinner, feed kids, clean up, take baths, read stories, do puzzles, play music, watch videos (on tougher nights)
By 8pm, both kids are down, a pause settles over the atmosphere, Shannon and I look at each other and don't quite know what to say..."An episode of Dexter?"
By 8:30pm, both of us have fallen asleep downstairs in our respective comfy spots
By 9pm, in bed, dreading the morning alarm once again...

It is almost crazy to articulate this so graphically. How do parents of more than 2 do it? Will it get easier as they get older or simply add more activities to the list?

Wow...no wonder we've been exhausted lately. And to say nothing of running...

Attitude Shifts

So this morning, Henry and I were having a good conversation as we drove into daycare. He was frustrated that he did not get to see the garbage truck this morning, as it comes on Friday and it was only Tuesday. I was explaining to him that rather than get frustrated, he could instead choose to change his attitude about the situation and see things from a more positive perspective; he could choose to be excited that Friday was yet to come and that we would be sure to see garbage trucks in only a few days...I said, "Henry, sometimes it causes us less emotional stress when we just change our way of thinking;" to which he replied, "Just like changing my diaper, Momma Diana?" Exactly...when our thinking is shitty, just change it.

Henry Takes to the Mountain!

The time has come when our young boy bravely takes on the mountain!!! He must have some Momma Shannon genes in him somewhere! Fearless, simply fearless.

A Friendly Visit

Tammy and Lisa came for a visit and got to spend many hours "squeezing" the kidlets...everyone loved it! We ventured out for a snow shoe at Round Lake, drank lots of really great wine and played with our new video capability. Here is one fun look at the gang: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8gq0LfO1MI

Oh how we love these girls!!!!

Palm Springs Quickie

Di and the kids taking a swim

Henry enjoying his half-birthday cupcake

Henry helping the pilot get us home!
We had the chance to get a quick adventure to the sun and we took it!!! Thanks to my Uncle Bob who graciously lent us his house, we spent three days soaking in the desert heat and enjoying a change of pace in Palm Springs. Highlight was the Living Desert Museum which has a HUGE working electric train display as well as giraffes, hyenas and cheetahs to see!

Simple Pleasures

Now

Such conflicted thoughts this evening...new presidential enthusiasm mixed with sadness over friends' layoffs...ecstatic delight in watching Hope pull herself across the kitchen floor this morning coupled with new reports of the highest unemployment rates since 1982...delicious anticipation of friends from Seattle visiting this weekend paired with our company's acknowledgment that more cuts are still to come... It is a painful time; and at once, a time of celebration. This is the duality we must hold, the Buddhist teaching of both/and. This is today. This moment. Now.

"...when imagination is joined to common purpose..."

It has happened -- the regime change we've been waiting for! I cried off and on all day just imaging how much change has taken place in our country in order for today to have happened...and then I cried some more for all the change which still needs to take place.

So many people are asking, "Are our expectations too high?" I keep thinking of course our expectations are too high -- that's what makes us so faulty as human beings...yet without the sense of hope and optimism that inspires such lofty expectations, where would we be otherwise? Will we be disappointed? Well, that will be our choice. For now, I am pretty darn pleased.

6 months update

Hope officially turned 6 months yesterday and is off and running (literally almost!) She has mastered the "army crawl" and is fast on Henry's heels no matter where he (or his favorite toy) is. All in all, he's been pretty tolerant (ah, Sarah Palin memory...) and seems to enjoy her more now that she is active.

Tomorrow we get on an airplane south to Palm Springs for a bit of sun and relaxation.

Happy MLK weekend to everyone! May his vision continue...here is a sweet related video to mark the event: http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4696315n

Mommas Go Techno!!!

How fun -- we finally have a camera with video function that these mommas can figure out and time to play a bit with iMovie!

Here was a wonderful Sunday sledding adventure! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KATIuu9STrU

Lazy Sunday Fun

  Hope with her first mini-shiner (courtesy of Henry)
 Our final night of Hannukah!

Snow turned to rain today, so we had a "pajama day."  Highlights included a few firsts...Hope's first black eye from her brother's "one little monkey jumping on the bed" routine, Momma Diana's first attempt at turkey loaf (not too bad!), Hope's first venture out in the backpack for our 20 minute stroll around the neighborhood, Henry's first viewing of Curious George and Momma Shannon's first slush shoveling of the season.  We're loving this holidays-at-home pace.

Happy Kids!

   

Hanukkah and Christmas spent at Deb's house brought many smiles to our kids' faces!  The wonder of cousins and Purple Grandma, friends, snow and presents aplenty.  Life is pretty good for all of us!

Celebration!

 
 

"...these are a few of my favorite things..."

Today's list of things I wish to share with others:

1. The free weekly podcast of "Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me" from NPR (has turned my day around on many occaisions!)
2. Sun Magazine - http://www.thesunmagazine.org/ -- real voices, real people
3. Emotional Intelligence -- "more important than IQ in determining success..." Would we all were focused on these native intelligences a bit more...
4. Facebook -- I know, I know...wierd for me to say...but I was converted this fall and I have had some really interesting connections with old friends rekindled...kinda neat!
5. Rouge Brutal Bitter. My accupuncturist says stay away from beer...but this one is a family favorite!
6. A clean house. May the external environment reflect the way I wish my internal landscape to be...calmer, more congruent, organized, peaceful (try that with a toddler running around!)
7. Sun in the winter air just after fresh snow. Enough said.
8. Morning cuddles in flannel sheets -- there are studies which show our hearts entrain with others when in proximity -- I feel this when our family spends the morning cuddling together.
9. Words -- I have a few friends in particular (like Cass) who use words in ways that inspire me -- curious, creative, surprising.
10. Friendship -- how it carries on through the years, transcends distances, offers new insights, provides support, encourages growth, inspires us.

Happy Holidays to all Our Friends!

Firsts

This past week marked a few new firsts...first big snow fall, first sup-zero temperatures of the season, and first real foods for Hope. She has moved quickly from rice cereal (too bland) to the joys of sweet potato and banana! Oh, the possibilities to come!

Henry was excited for snow, quickly donning his snow suit and heading out for fun. Hope took one look outside and decided that playtime in the exersaucer was much more her speed. We are looking forward to our first family snow shoe together sometime soon!

Bountiful Gratitude

Thanksgiving always brings to mind the pause needed to be grateful for all the abundance in our lives -- so much so, that sometimes it takes my breath away.  For all the blessings of family, friendship, health, flannel sheets...I give thanks.

Hawaiian Days

A week in Kaanapali, Maui should be on everyone's list...though I know this is certainly a stretch for many. Alas, our family had the opportunity to celebrate my dad's imminent 70th birthday in sunshine and style and surf! It was delightful. Here are a few special shots of the gang.

Refuse to Hate...indeed

http://vimeo.com/2213624

First Family Rally

Good Morning! On Saturday, we few of us took to the corner near the Sandpoint courthouse to rally with thousands of others across the nation in support of the right of gay and lesbian people to legally marry. The Bonner Bee covered the event and this morning, there has been some interesting response from community members who disagree with our position (and seemingly our lives). I welcome you to write in so that all sides of the issue are represented.

Here is the link: http://www.bonnercountydailybee.com/articles/2008/11/16/news/doc491fa36b4912b799920187.txt#blogcomments
To learn more about the reposnse to Prop 8, see here: http://jointheimpact.wetpaint.com/?t=anon

And spread the word!

Prop 8 = Hate

So, what does it all mean for me and Shannon now that we have our marriage license but Prop 8 has passed? What does it mean for the hundreds of gay/lesbian couples who wed in the past few months, expressing vows of love and commitment to one another? Time will tell.

Today I was sent this one man's thoughts on the subject and it moved me literally to tears...(OK, so I am a little sleep-deprived)...but it moved me nonetheless: http://www.afterelton.com/blog/brianjuergens/keith-olbermann-powerful-special-comment-passing-of-proposition-8

WE DID IT!!!

Henry and Hope join in the celebration!!! Election night in Hawaii -- it doesn't get much better than this!

Anticipation

A friend sent me this photo recently taken at a pool party this summer, just days before Hope's arrival. It felt like a good representation of what's going on these days and what we have in store for us in the coming week:
1. We are off to HAWAII! Hopefully, I will look a little less rotund than in the photo...
2. We will be celebrating many birthdays -- my dad's 70th, my sister's 43rd and Shannon's 41st!
3. Henry's "mouth" has been prominent lately -- lots of talking, lots of singing, lots of new words and just poking through...two year molars!
4. And color...oh, Sandpoint looks beautiful this time of year! The autumn shades make me so happy.

The Book

I just came back from watching a webinar on leadership from the Center for Creative Leadership and in it the speaker discussed commitment and accountability. He talked about that time-tested truth that once we state a goal and enlist others in support of helping us achieve our goals, we are more likely to get there...

So...without divulging too much (can't have anyone steal the idea yet), I wanted to write today about the book that I will begin working on as my 2009 personal goal. I took a first step yesterday toward this intention and asked a colleague if she would be interested/willing to collaborate with me on it and she said yes! So, henceforth...I ask my blog readership to continuously inquire, "So, Diana, how is the book going?" in order to keep me honest with my commitment.

In the meantime, I am looking for any and all insights folks have on the following:

• How do I get a book published? (This one will be a manager's resource type book)
• Does anyone know of a kickin' graphic designer who wants an interesting book project?
• Could anyone share a story about the best or worst manager you ever had?

More on this project as it unfolds...

Autumn Fun

A pretty awesome weekend at the Green Bluff pumpkin patch and time with Purple Grandma. Henry was decidely thrilled by the tractors and we all enjoyed the fall colors and clean, autumnal air. Life is a busy buzz now that I am back at work full time, yet we are settling into new rhythms -- I even got myself back on the soccer field which feels like "coming home." We are on the eager countdown to Hawaii come the first of November...sun, surf and sand beckoning...

Stream of Consciousness Considerations

Watched Oprah yesterday with Billie Jean and Gloria Steinem and I have spent this morning considering our foremothers– the impact of those who fought against slavery, for the right of women to vote, for equal pay and equal access. Thinking also about postmodern feminists who eschew gender distinctions all together, considering this binary just one more ploy by the patriarchal hegemony to maintain male dominance. Considering motherhood – wondering if we have really “progressed” to arrive at the place where I can put the kids in daycare all day only to serve the corporate agenda and ensure I have a paycheck which allows me to be the good American consumer my government wants me to be. It is all a bit confusing…how and where I place value and the choices I make.

Wish today’s thoughts were a bit simpler, like the joy in Henry’s face watching the garbage truck come up the street this morning or Hope’s wide grin at 4am when I pulled her into our bed. Craving a moment of mental simplicity – a breath to settle into.

All Aboard!

Equidistant from Spokane and Sandpoint in the northeast corner of Washington State sits Ione, WA. Here, the Lion's Club sponsors a train ride through the changing autumn leaves 10 miles north to Mettaline Falls. The trip lasts about 1.5 hours and includes a stop high atop the train trestle overlooking Box Canyon Dam, a suspenseful few moments in the dark while tunneling through the mountain and the requisite train robbery (all proceeds fund the Children's Theater in Mettaline Falls). Henry was ecstatic about this adventure, though kept wanting to see the train, not understanding fully that he was actually on the train! our dear friend Margarete and Purple Grandma joined us on the adventure. Fun for all!