Horsin' Around

Great fun at Henry and Hope's riding lesson on Saturday. Cowboy Chris went all-out to ensure both kids had a blast! They practiced barrel racing, capturing flags and Henry even held a steady trot (while giggling heartily the whole time!)

My only concern...will our daughter really want a pony???

All Boy!

Henry loves him some back hoe front loader!!!

Finally...

http://health.usnews.com/health-news/family-health/brain-and-behavior/articles/2010/06/07/kids-with-lesbian-parents-do-just-fine.html

And more...
http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2010-06-21/growing-up-with-lesbian-moms-by-ry-russo-young/

Henry: "Mom, I like stay-at-home days better than school days."
Diana: "How come?"
Henry: "Because we get to cuddle more."
Diana: "Why do you like cuddling?"
Henry: "Because it makes me feel connected to you."
Diana: "Yeah, me too."

It doesn't get better than this!

The Faces of Joy (and Hope...)

I get so exhausted these days as full time working mom...trying to ensure everyone's needs are met. At times, I want to run off in the middle of the night to some fancy retreat center, change my name and luxuriate for a few weeks...but oh how I would miss these little faces!!!!

A Workin' Man

Henry and "Uncle" Jeff getting some things done around the house...

Check out the new gravel pit!!!

Twomommarama!

What an amazing camping adventure -- many two momma families and our kids all enjoying the amazing beauty of Icicle Creek Canyon! With hope, it will become an annual tradition!

Our Own BC Fan Club

Brandi Carlile is coming to the Sandpoint Festival this summer and we are getting psyched! In her honor, here are Henry, Hope and Gigi dancing to their favorite: Dreams!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_xVyFB4vBA

True Fans!

Brandi is indeed coming to the Festival at Sandpoint, August 6th!
Get your tickets!!!
http://www.brandicarlile.com/

"Dreams, I have dreams when I'm awake when I'm asleep And you, you are in my Dreams You're underneath my skin, how am I so weak And now in my dreams, I can feel the weight, I can just come clean I keep it to myself, I know what it means I can't have you, but I have dreams How long, can you hold your breath? Can you count to ten, can you let it pass? Keep, can you keep it in? Keep it behind lashes, can you make it last? And now in my dreams, I can feel the weight I can just come clean I keep it to myself, I know what it means I can't have you, but I have dreams Oh, I have dreams, I have dreams (And then an amazing guitar solo) Mind, can you read my mind? Has it come undone, am I showin' signs? And now, in my dreams I can feel the weight, I can just come clean I keep it to myself, I know what it means I can't have you, but I have dreams I have dreams, I have, I have, I have Dreams"

Life's Simple Pleasures

Devouring a cupcake at his friend's Alek's birthday party.

Active Bunch

Diana and friends join the thousands in the 34th annual Bloomsday race. I crossed the finish at 1:04, which was much better than I expected -- Shannon was out with a pulled calf muscle -- hopefully she will be in full recovery shortly.


Hope in her element in the "pit," the nastiest and most enjoyable foam extravaganza on earth!


Our little pirate!

Favorite shot of me and Hen on the frozen lake (taken by our friend Lara). This photo reminds me of how in the front of life Henry is -- in the front of our lives -- what a love!

Spring is Upon Us

Early morning family smiles

30+ years of friendship -- thanks, Lesley!

Moms get hiking!

Sweet love

What's Your Sentence?

Today, my sentence reads...

"In her past, she learned to survive; and thereafter, to thrive with joy and optimism."

Cool Pic

Lara's artsy photo with her new "toy camera" -- She is one cool cat!

Dear Friends

We have enjoyed such wonderful visits from friends this January -- starting with the ringing in of 2010 with Cass & Lynn, followed by a double-header of football and Brandi Carlisle with Tammy & Lisa and completing the trifecta with creative and connecting time with Lara & Melissa (photos above). How fortunate we are to have such amazing friends in our lives!

It is interesting, too, to have our family "witnessed" weekend over weekend. Everyone was so generous with our whole family, enjoying our chaos, our kids, our routines. I can only imagine we look like a whirlwind of action and activity relative to their more measured days...this to say nothing of their lives, but in reflection of our own...I feel like we lack quiet, calm and rest -- someday, perhaps, this too will be present.

The Joys of Snow

Winter has arrived!!!! We had our first sledding adventure down the driveway -- and Henry & Hope have been great helpers on the shoveling front!

A Bit About Henry & Hope

We recently found a new babysitter for our kids -- she is a wonderful young woman, daughter of a friend. I sent her the following about H & H -- Shannon thought this was blog-worthy...

Here are a few things you may want to know about Henry and Hope:

1. Henry loves anything that is or can be used as a car/truck/ambulance/robot/sword/vehicle – he is less the “sit and do puzzles” kind of kid, though in the right mood, he can be convinced. He likes to dance, move, run around, wrestle and be tickled. He likes to have his hands on things and in things (water, cookie dough, paint).

2. Hope loves LOVE. She is a cuddle bug. She may be a little shy at first, but once she warms up, she likes to be close, sitting on laps, giving hugs, etc. Hope likes to play with anything that Henry is currently playing with – sometimes this will create a bit of turmoil…but Henry knows he has to share and it is also fine to tell Hope “No, that is Henry’s.”

3. Both kids may be a bit standoffish at first – they connect deeply with people, so new folks always require a time or two when the mommas are not around. Don’t take this personally! Toys, games, activity are great ways to “bring them in.”

4. No food allergies – both like to eat and both are hearty enough that if they choose not to eat, there are no worries.

5. Henry is now potty trained (thank goodness!) but Hope will still be in diapers (sorry.)
Both still take naps – they like warm milk pre-nap – we will bring sippy cups and things. If they refuse to sleep, no worries.

6. Both like to be read to, though Hope will wiggle around

7. We are fine with you setting appropriate boundaries and limits with both kids. They know what it means to share, be gentle and treat others with respect – if they are not doing these things, please tell them and put Henry in a “time out” if necessary. Usually this means taking the toy away or letting him be by himself for a few minutes to think about his negative behavior. We always make him apologize if he has hurt someone.

Holiday Note

Many happy blessings to all of our loved ones around the globe! Life is happy on our end -- the decent into darkness now past, we are moving into the light with pleasure! Lots of visitors to come in 2010 and Mexico in February. There is much for which to be grateful.

Current considerations: Keeping our jobs, keeping up with Henry and Hope, keeping the house a semblance of clean, keeping the vision of The Selkirk Group alive, keeping learning, keeping the love of marriage as front of mind as that of parenting, keeping connected on Facebook, keeping the heart open and the mind focused...

Celebrating the 80's Way

80's mayhem ensued in celebration of our friend Dave's 40th birthday. We rocked the house to "oldies," nostalgia taking firm hold of our hearts and hips -- so much fun to see people's alteregos emerge! Much hair and many gloves worn...ahhh, former fashion faux pas... This was certainly one of my more memorable moments in Sandpoint to date!

Fall Fun in Sandpoint

Turkeys, aka Sandpoint traffic!

An almost-snow walk along Lake Pend Oreille with the family. Henry was playing hide-n-seek in the leafless trees and Hope was sporting some pretty cool new gloves!!!

Resiliency & Optimism

Considerations on Optimism from a mentor of mine.

Resiliency

Today we are living in very challenging times. These times challenge our ability to positively cope and maintain hope. Highlighted by the recent events at Fort Hood, I have been especially concerned about the emotional well being of the members of our military, police officers, emergency/fire first responders, etc. You might have noted that the US Army announced in August that it will spend $117 million on “Emotional Resiliency Training”. Their resiliency training program is being adapted from the Positive Psychology Program at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. The program, designed to help people cope better with stressful conditions, seeks to defuse or expose common habits of thinking and flawed beliefs that may develop into anger, frustration and a tendency to assume the worst.

In thinking about the emotional intelligence underpinnings of “emotional resiliency”, I would like to highlight Optimism. Optimism carries with it an element of positive expectation towards the future…hope…a positive self-fulfilling prophecy…which fuels a positive self efficacy. Optimism is the subscale of the EQ-i that carries with it the greatest degree of correlation with all other EQ-i subscales. Optimism could be considered a master trait for comprehensive emotional well being. Additionally, Optimism has a high degree of correlation with Stress Tolerance (.76) which suggests that Optimism is a significant factor in one’s ability to cope with stress. The difference between a pessimistic versus optimistic outlook towards the stressful situations we face often involves our own thoughts, beliefs, and self talk. The problem is that our own beliefs about our situation often are faulty, and not based in fact, which often creates fear. Remember the definition of F.E.A.R : False . Evidence . Appearing . Real. Much of human potential has been robbed by faulty beliefs about what is possible fueled by fear. With the seemingly constant flow of negative news, there is a battle being waged against people’s minds…driving self defeating, pessimistic, faulty beliefs…undermining hope…which undermines human potential and capability.

I encourage each of you to join me in helping in the battle being waged against people’s minds:
Provide hope
Be an encourager
Focus on the positive
Try project happiness and cheerfulness every day…happiness/optimism gives energy to others…pessimism takes energy
Cultivate a spirit of thankfulness…learn to be thankful in your own life and express thankfulness to others

Finally…lift others up. In extremely difficult times dealing with tragedy and the loss of life like was experienced at Fort Hood, I am often at a loss for what I can do for those affected. I have found that my simply saying to someone experiencing a crisis that my thoughts and prayers are with them and meaning it…seems to give them hope and encourage them. I have tried to dedicate myself to being an encourager and someone who lifts others up. I see people every day who need encouragement and lifting up. I am certainly not worthy of doing this, but maybe that is what it is all about. We are all fellow strugglers in this life…perhaps I might lend a hand to lift another up…but I need others to lift me up. I challenge you to find someone in your sphere of influence that is downtrodden…they are often the seemingly insignificant people that our society overlooks…the waitress…the janitor…the lawn worker, etc. Find out their name, compliment them on their work…lift them up…encourage them. Besides, you will benefit from it too…research has shown that people who help others are the most self actualized.

Blessings

Rich Handley

VOTE YES on Referendum 71 in WA

Pretty funny reflection by Stephen Colbert: http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/252735/october-26-2009/the-word---don-t-ask-don-t-tell

New Day, New Hair

Change is in the air...and the hair...haven't had it short since moving to Idaho. Gotta let go sometime!

A great ride!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTvJdpkdLiw

Nice work, Matt!

Active Kidlets

Who knew 1 & 3 would be so active??? Here are some recent shots of kids in motion.