15 months ago, we grew up.  We have become a family that barely fits in a booth at a restaurant.  We've outgrown a hotel room with only two double beds, unless someone sleeps on the floor.  We've also suddenly gained another opportunity to eat birthday cake.  Another reason to celebrate.  An extra set of hands to help carry heavy things.  We are now a family that has TWO males and three females.

It's so amazing to me to watch my own daughters become nurturers.  What an amazing household to bring a baby home to!  My son is raised by 4 strong smart people and I couldn't be more pleased about that.  I know he feels lucky.  I can see it when he lights up as someone coming into the room.  I can taste it in his sticky kisses.  I can feel it when he cuddles close.  He's surrounded and he knows it.  It's what keeps him safe and warm.

As a mother, I know I got very lucky.  I have three kids who I couldn't have hand picked better.  Smart, funny, loving people.  I like the chaos, noise level and extreme scheduling challenge of it all.  I can't wait to watch this all unfold into one big happy story.  Lucky lucky grateful me.

One year later

Ok - so this happened!

Joel Joseph Surette, 10h09, Oct. 23, 2012

Cameron Russell gives the real story behind six of her stunning photos

I think you should all look at this over and over again.  I wish someone had told me these things years ago.
xo

Summer Vacation 2011



This is the weather we left Montreal in on our way up North for a camping trip.



This is the weather as we arrived at Mont Tremblant National Park. Good old Trembling Mountain! Unfortunately, our luggage, so nicely tied to the roof of our car, was soaked. We managed to find a washer and dryer in the park and recovered from the minor set-back.



It just isn't summer vacation without a Deer Spotting. Thanks for accommodating, Bambi!



Hammock from Julia! First time it's getting some real action.




Lac Des Sable. Beautiful! Just one of over 400 lakes and rivers in the park. You could hear the loons calling from the lake next door.


Hope we find a good spot on the beach.....oh. Here's one!



Luge 2012!


After a wet but fun camping trip, we were treated to 2 nights in a fancy hotel in Tremblant Village. Thanks Dada! Doing dirty camping laundry in a hotel sure beats doing it at home.

For keeps

It's been ages since I wrote here. No reason why. I think I am just busy enjoying you both and not taking time for reflecting on it. But look at you two! You are such good people to live with and to know. I couldn't be luckier.

November - time to remember

It's the Sunday after Dave's birthday and you are both down in the basement "playing". You are over tired from the birthday party last night. I'm proud of you. The screaming matches are frequent, as your tempers are very short. BUT the peace that fills the gaps between the fights is still there. I can see how hard you are trying the remember fairness and compassion and forgiveness. I know very well how it feels to be so tired that you want to scream. I think I feel that way today too. Should I have let you stay up past 9pm last night? Should I have put you to bed 2 hours earlier and had you wake up fresh and chipper? Life is short. We will live it to the fullest. I have always said that a person remembers the nights that they stayed up too late more fondly than the nights they went to bed early.

Remembering the nights that I stayed up late gives me a very warm and happy feeling. My parents loved to entertain their friends at our house when I was growing up. When the party was in full swing, I was there. When the grow-ups got out the guitars, I was listening. When I finally yawned a very long and loud yawn, my Mother would tuck me into bed and return to the party. I would often stretch my late night out a little bit longer and sneak to the top of the stairs to sit and listen and watch a bit longer. By that time, the guitars were being past from person to person, often with broken strings and a bit out of tune, but that didn't matter. It still sounded good - the sound of people living and laughing and staying up late.

So, we will go to bed early tonight and have sweet dreams of the nights we stayed up late celebrating life. Sleep will come fast and it will nurture our tired bodies. We will be strong again in time for the next late night - another time to remember waiting to happen.