For Julia

who is becoming addicted to checking out blogs! Says she might need to make her own, but this coming from the girl who JUST got email...

Thought I would post some of her wedding photos (sort of without her permission, but I don't think she'll mind). The wedding was September 2 at the Lakeside Resort in Penticton; it was a perfect day, filled with beautiful flowers, pretty dresses, good wine (vodka for some), singing, and Elvis. I was her matron of honor and couldn't have been happier to fill the roll. Julia and I have been friends since about grade three or four, we've lived in seperate cities for years now and still manage to stay close. She is really one of the nicest, funniest, most sincere girls you could ask to be your friend. Travis (Weir) is one lucky guy!

The happy couple saying their vows

Aww...

Ok, not a good one of my face, but a beautiful shot of the dress!

I told you Elvis was there...

Julia's friend Katie made this cake - beuaty and yummy!

She also made this cake for Julia's stagette. It was filled with unmentionables!

uh oh....

I think our baby is a tv junkie, actually more of a Blue's Clue's/Barney junkie. He woke up from his afternoon nap, proceeded to push the ottomon in front of the tv, climbed on top, got comfy and watched Joe find clues to help figure out what Blue's favorite thing to do at bed time was! (Brush his teeth - in case you haven't seen that episode). So, here Owen is, in his glory. I know I am in control of his tv watching, at this particular moment both Grady and I were busy getting dinner on the table. Don't fret, he doesn't watch 8 hours a day, maybe 1.5......

hee hee

shucks it snowed and I didn't get a chance to rake the leaves. darnit. hee hee.

leaving.....

off to Kamloops I go, again. I am leaving early today because the roads aren't looking too pretty. I hate leaving early because it means more time away from Owen and Grady. I know I have said it out loud 100 times that I must keep my eye on the prize, but it is so hard to stay focussed on school when I know it takes me away from my family so much. I know Owen won't remember me being gone and in the end I am doing this to be a good role model for him; I want him to see successful, happy, fulfilled parents. I want him to know he can do whatever he wants with his life, and that we just want him to be happy (and to hopefully he will find love like Grady and I have). So, again, in the grand scheme of things, being away each week is only temporary. I need to remind myself over and over and over...I love my family very much.

I will blog again on Friday. Promise.

This is just the beginning people...

of light up Lillooet 2006!

We are determined to deck our house right up this year, this is just a little preview of the lights we had time to put up yesterday. Picture it with a big Christmas tree in the front window, that's the beauty of vaulted ceilings. More throughout the Christmas season will follow. And yes folks, I am already turning the lights on!

Family Photos

I don't think I've shared these yet.
In Ocotober we had our "yearly" family/Owen photos taken in Kamloops at Riverside Park. (It's only our second family photo of course!). Our photographer was great and she managed to get some good snaps. This is a challenge with a one-year old! I am trying to choose one for our Christmas cards now. Here is a little preview: (she took 100 photos....)

This looked pretty interesting.....that being said, it took a long time. Time I should have used to finish a paper! Oh well, this was more fun.

1. I am off Spanish heritage.
2. Can’t speak Spanish though.
3. I have a baby boy
4. His name is Owen Hugh Dwane Cameron – named after his grandpa’s
5. My middle name is Christine.
6. Christine is my mom’s middle name too.
7. And my grandma’s middle name.
8. And my great-grandma’s first name was Christina.
9. I have been happily married to Grady Cameron for three years.
10. We dated for four years before we were married.
11. I have 1 biological brother and 1 biological sister.
12. I have 1 stepsister and 2 stepbrothers
13. I really want another baby.
14. My heart says “Right now”.
15. I am a full-time student.
16. My brain says “No baby now”.
17. A lot of my friends had babies this year.
18. I am at my computer 7 hours a day, at least.
19. I check my email and my blog obsessively.
20. I also obsess over my health.
21.Which isn’t great.
22. I miss Summerland.
23. Sadly, I probably will never live there again.
24. Grady is a Fisheries Officer.
25. There is no Fisheries Office in Summerland.
26. The closest is Armstrong.
27. Grady eats a lot of spicy food
28. I eat no spicy food.
29. I will never not be married to Grady,.I love him so much.
30. I love Christmas.
31. I also love Christmas baking. Mmmmm.
32. I really miss some of my old friends.
33. Especially Vicki and Chelsea.
34. I saw someone get Electric Shock Therapy the other day. Not nice.
35. I love my baby’s voice.
36. I really need new carpet.
37. I have great neighbors.
38. And live in a great neighborhood.
39. I love Rob Thomas.
40. His music I mean.
41. I think I have seen every episode of Dora. For real.
42. We drive a Jeep.
43. But are looking to upgrade, maybe to a van…..
44. Maybe to another Jeep……
45. Or maybe to a Honda Pilot……
46. Owen knows how to use the remote control.
47. I miss Jim and Helen in Terrace.
48. They were our old neighbours, but really more like pseudo parents.
49. I am puzzled as to why all the good tv shows are on Thursday nights..
50. I’m writing an essay right now about long acting anti-psychotic meds.
51. I graduated from high school in 1996.
52. My parents live in Summerland.
53. So do my in-laws.
54. Sometimes this is convenient.
55. Sometimes it isn’t.
56. Grey’s Anatomy rocks.5
7. I have lost about 10 highlighters this semester.
58. One of my favourite stores is Home Depot.
59. I want to learn how to ski.
60. And snowboard.
61. I love craft magazines like Better Homes….
62. I think I am destined to have all boys.
63. I miss my missing kitty.
64. Making this list takes a long time.
65. I don’t have much time these days.
66. I tried to blog everyday.
67. I wasn’t successful.
68. But I did improve.
69. Our friends from Terrace moved to Lillooet and bought the house next door.
70. I have a ggg-rr-ee-aa-ttt daycare lady.
71. I enjoy reading other peoples blogs.
72. I want to take a tour of my old highschool.
73. I missed my 10 yr. reunion this summer.
74. Because of school I miss a lot of things.
75. I want to learn to be a better cook.
76. I had $19.00 in library fines this week! Ouch.
77. My favourite movie is Pretty Woman.
78. My grandma is 94!!
79. I grew up on an orchard.
80. Just about time for Santa photos.
81. My knees crack all the time.
82. I sleep with a body pillow.
83. This sometimes annoys my hubby!
84. I think Owen is a lefty.
85. I would never bungee jump.
86. Our computer is 1 year old.
87. My auntie Rene is coming from Saskatchewan next week.
88. I am “this” close to being done my Christmas shopping.
89. I want it to snow soon.
90. I am addicted to Young and the Restless.
91. So is my other grandma.
92. I had a visit with an old friend the other day, it was great.
93. We are putting up Christmas lights today.
94. Hooray for chocolate.
95. Grady makes the best homemade hot chocolate.
96. I am a knitter and a quilter
97. I was born February 23, 1978.
98. I went to all the World Junior Hockey games last year. Awesome.
99. I want to go to Science World in December to see the Body of Life exposition.
100. My maiden name is Fernandez.

Thurlin Bunch

Grady's sister, Kristen, married a great man on Saturday, November 11. To shorten the story, Kristen has four beautiful children, Hayley, Isabella, Grace & Ethan. Eric has three beautiful daughters, Taylor, Tula & Jayden. As you've probably by now figured out.....there are SEVEN kids! and poor little Ethan is the only boy! This family manages to live in a moderate size home, with only one bathroom! You heard it! One bathroom! (They might want to think about an addition before all those girl hit the teenage years). Kris and Eric are really happy together and all of the kids are so happy they decided to get married.

Here's some photos from the wedding.

Beautiful Bride

Bride and Groom

Whole Clan plus Grandma Cameron and Grandma Thurlin

Daddy & Owen

Alex & Lindsey

Welcome McKenna!

Baby Burns #3 arrived Sunday, November 12. She is healthy and beautiful. Proud new daughter to Jocelyn and Brad, and little sister to Kayla and Cassidy! Everyone thought this was going to be a boy, but Mckenna is a very welcome addition to this ever growing family.

competition.....

what competition?!? Ok, sorry to all of those who started to read my blog on a continuous basis this month. I was challenging myself to blog everyday in November and, obviously, that hasn't happened. I will update people tomorrow on why I fell behind. Right now I need to snuggle with my husband and forget about life for awhile.

p.s....big congratulations to Jocelyn and Brad, (Cassie and Kayla too)! Baby McKenna Burns (hmmm.....Gartrell for some of you) was born on Sunday and she is beautiful (8lbs 15oz!), with a megga head of hair. Pictures to follow.

p.s.s....a huge congratulations to the new Kristen and Eric Thurlin! (Grady's sister). The wedding was beautiful and the whole family (all 7 kids!!) seemed pretty happy to forming this new family. Pictures to follow.

My new personal goal is to update this site every second day. I am still proud of myself for getting semi back-on-track.......talk tomorrow.

Emily and Zach

Some pictures as promised....


I love these kids. I could post 200 more photos. Can't wait to see them again, maybe in the spring.....sniff, sniff.......until tomorrow!

Joey

Last week on my way home from Kamloops, after finishing up some clinical hours, I started thinking about how busy I am with school, how much I dislike my baby going to daycare (even though Heather is awesome, I am the kind of parent who wants to spend as much time as possible with her child), how my house is falling apart (because I am so busy with school I have no time to clean it), how I spend an unlimited amount of time in front of my computer contributing to sessions and writing essays (APA format, of course).....and then.....I experienced a mini-mental breakdown. In all the confusion that is my life these days, I totally forgot to even think, or shed one tear about, my kitten, who has been missing now for almost four weeks. I started crying uncontrollably. I am sure it was due to a combination of being over tired and emotional.

For those of you who don't know me that well, I love my cats. Love my cats. Love my cats. It all began in Terrace when we adopted two cats from the SPCA, George and Piper. Within two days Piper was pregnant and in August 2002, she gave birth to one sole kitten, Joey. As you can imagine there was NO way I was parting with one kitten. If she had birthed eight it might have been easier, but one! no way.

I am trying to keep my spirits up about Joey (and keep my mind off the coyotes in the back 40). Perhaps some nice neighbor is feeding him; sometimes missing cats reappear after months.

So, Joey, I think about you everyday. I miss you.
p.s. Your mom and dad miss you too. They have been extra cuddly since you left, so I am sure they would want you to come home as soon as you can.

Truthfully

Tuesday posts are gonna suck. Sorry, but I am away in Kamloops and I have just finished a 12 hour shift and still have another tomorrow. So tired. Still need to shower. I will just acknowledge Marie. This woman, I barely know her, has welcomed me into her house each week. I am almost a complete stranger to her; only know her through association. So, thank you Marie (and you're family), for making me feel so welcome and at home, in your home. Each week I am so grateful that I have a warm bed to sleep in. Plus, you are so full of life and inspiring to me as a person and as a fellow nurse. I look forward to hearing your interpretations of my experiences at work. You challenge my views and make me reflect on personal experiences and how they affect me with patients. Thanks for the insight.

Until tomorrow everyone. Promise some pictures of Emily and Zach soon.

Like my own...

I am the first to admit that my brother, Michael, and his wife, Jill, are pretty much my two best friends. Jill and I talk on the phone everyday and as time goes on I am realizing I am as nerdy as my brother. I should start with him.

Michael is pretty nerdy, but thats what I love about him. He graduated from Lakeland College a few years ago and received the Governor General's award for being the top post-secondary student at his school. His intentions were to continue with his education, but Alberta Environment (AE) snatched him up, so his original plans were put on hold. He started as an environmental Inspector with AE and worked his way up to Investigator. Just recently he received another promotion and is heading a special task force with 11 other people, which deals with serious environmental disasters. If you asked him to explain his job to you, he would go on and on and on....Michael is also on the Sherwood Park Library board (SPLB) which may not sound that important, but it is a huge deal. The SPLB is a multi-million dollar organization and many influencial people are either a part of it or attend certain library functions. In addition, Michael is Emily's soccer coach and is attending Royal Roads University, by distance education, to complete his degree. Could someone be busier?!?

Jill. Jill is crazy. She runs a day home in Sherwood Park and every morning her house is inidated with like six kids. Crazy. She is so good with them all and she really is a role model of a mother for me. She is stern, yet gentle. She loves her kids unconditionally and is constantly boasting about them. Jill manages to run her whole house and supports my brother and his crazy life. Jill is funny, her and I share very similar humour and have very similar taste in clothes, decor, movies, food etc. Jill has a big family! She has FIVE brothers and TWO sisters! BIG! She loves her family. Jill was my matron of honor when Grady and I were married. She really is a true friend.

Emily and Zachary.....I really love these kids like they are my own. I have noted them in my will, literally, and we have chosen Michael and Jill to raise our kids in the event something happens to us. This is how much we trust and love them.

Emily has been bringing light into my life for 4 years and Zach for just about one! They are fantastic kids, so loving and funny. I miss them everyday and almost count sleeps until I get to see them.

So, thats a little more insight into my life. Enjoy.

Dammit, blogger won't let me upload pictures right now, so I will try again soon.

Deal or....no deal?

I think everyone should follow this link: http://www.canada.com/globaltv/dondcasting/index.html and apply to be a contestant on the Deal or No Deal. The best part is you get to make up a rap about yourself. Awesome.

Thats all for today folks, busy doing laundry and cleaning because I leave again tomorrow for Kamloops.

little plug

about my cousin Brian.

He's awesome. I can't explain him. It almost sounds too lame to describe him as funny, kind, loving, devoted, smart......he is so much more than that. He is a true friend. Someone I can talk to maybe only 12 times a year, yet we are still on the same page. His wife Colleen has allowed me to maintain this awesome relationship with Brian. (By the way, I friggin' love Colleen, she has taught me many things - I know she thinks I'm crazy sometimes but still loves me). When I was attending OUC in Kelowna I spent many a night on their couch - poor Colleen would go to bed and Brian and I would stay up and play "smack your bitch up...." (a made up card game). Neither of us can remember how to play it now, but we do remember laughing our tooshes off and having a blast. We also, are both serious Simpson watchers. No laughing please.....watching Simpsons is a serious good time if you let it be.

Why am I talking about Brian? Over the past, I'd say, five years or so, Brian and Colleen have truned to God. They have become Christians and in my opinion, have never been better. They are both leaders in their church and it seems to have been a very natural transition for them.

I have been struggling with finding that something to believe in. Something to help me make it through the hard times, as I have learned over the past few years, they do exist. I am not immune to heartache. Is God the answer for me? I am starting to ask myself some very difficult questions. Questions which involve looking inward and facing my true self. This is hard. However, having Brian and Colleen as role models is inspirational for me and I know they will be (and have been) helpful in guiding me to answering some of these hard questions.

Everyone who reads this should check out Brian's blog at www.manvsbook.com. He reads a book a month- something recommended from a friend. He is challenging himself and enlightening me at the same time. His writing is inspirational and thought provoking.

Happy Birthday Grandma Lidster

Grady's grandma turned 84 today! She is one of the greatest ladies I know, I am so lucky to have her in my life too. Not only has she raised four of her own children, she was instrumental in the upbringing of Grady and Alex. She (and grandpa too) are the kind of grandparents every kid dreams about. They went on trips, always had nequick and candy on hand, saw them almost daily, took them to "wishdonalds" and burger king, constantly dote on them and believe these two boys can do no wrong.
Grandma also is exteremely talented. She is a beautiful painter and the proof is in the pictures. She was 81 when Grady and I were married and still painted a portrait for us. She can also weave baskets out of pine needles, sew like only few can do (she made my wedding dress) and is incredible at keeping keepsakes safe and has made an invaluable scrapbook for each of her grandchildren. She gave me Grady's scrapbook at my wedding shower. It had every picture he ever drew for her, air plane ticket stubs, every newspaper clipping from his birth announcement to our wedding announcement, pictures upon pictures, school ribbons, birthday cards, cashed cheques she wrote him for $2.00 for mowing their lawn...you get the picture; it was Grady's life history.
She is a truly amazing woman. Her entire family loves her. Happy Birthday Grandma!

Come home soon daddy...

Grady is away in Terrace until tomorrow night. He only left yesterday, so I am not complaining that he is gone for too long, but it breaks my heart to see how sad Owen is when Grady doesn't come home at the end of the day. As you can see in the first picture, Owen has been carrying around his two favorite items today: a Barney video and a picture of "daddy". He literally takes his daddy's pictures everywhere with him. As you can see in the second picture, when he was dismantling my kitchen cupboards today he had his daddy's picture on the floor beside him! We really have a sweet baby.

p.s. I miss Grady too, we have had a couple of hit and miss weeks lately where I arrive home from Kamloops on Wednesday night and he has had to go out of town the same day, making it a whole week apart. Another "bonus" about being back in school. Until tomorrow everyone...

Happy Halloween (belated of course!)

You heard me, Happy Halloween, I hope your day was filled with kit kats, aero bars, twix bars, caramilk bars, jersmey milk squares, smarties, reece peanut butter cups, & skittles! Mmm, that makes for a good day.

Our little man turned into a cowboy and appeared to love every minute of it. He didn't want to take his costume off, so I am sure he will continue to wear it for fun. Let the good times roll.
I of course missed all the festivities as I was in Kamloops continuing my practicum hours. Many stories for my month full of blogging.

For now, because it is late and I just arrived home from working three 12 hour shifts and drove 2 hours home, I will leave you with a picture of the cutest cowboy ever. Honestly.