Two years ago

Two years ago this week, something truly wonderful happened. Ruby came into my life.

She was an early surprise Christmas present for me from Brad. I grew up with my beautiful cocker spaniel Ebony, from when I was 7 until I was 21, so I always knew I would have a cocker spaniel when I grew up. And I always wanted to name her Ruby.

That day, Brad told me he had a late job at Caboolture. I waited patiently for him at home, with yummy Tomato Brothers pizza for dinner. Come 8:00pm and he finally arrives home, and beeps the horn for me to come outside. I do, he tells me to close my eyes and put out my hand, which I do, and he places a tiny fur ball in my hand - I open my eyes and see the most gorgeous little creature. Brad said, "This is our Ruby" and I am overwhelmed. My sweet little girl!! We took her into her new home and needless to say no pizza was eaten that night - we were too excited with our new little cherub in our lives. Turns out Brad had no job at Caboolture - he had in fact driven all the way to Murgon to get our Ruby from a breeder. A good 8-hour round-trip! She was born in the bush, and now that we have moved to our property, she is back in the bush :]

Ever since that day in November 2006, Ruby has brought us so much joy, we are truly in love with her. She is like our child. Yes, we are those people - the ones that treat their dog like a child. But she has such a sweet nature, she is like everything good about a baby, without any of the bad :P Oh how we love her so.

I work from home and Ruby is my little buddy who keeps me company. I take her on two walks a day - one in the morning; one in the afternoon, and she thinks it is the best thing ever.

I have a little poster that says, "God, please help me to be half the person my dog thinks I am". So so true <3

My Husband

I love my husband, I think he is fabulous. He works SO hard in our business, on our house and property, helps out friends and family, just in life in general, he gives his all. That's why I married him <3>

Yesterday Brad had a repair job at a mansion on the canals of the Gold Coast - a holiday house owned by a great customer of ours. I was able to go with him, I was so thrilled! I love helping him with the physical side of our business. It is my job to look after the paperwork, accounts, and scheduling side of the business. But when I can help him physically with jobs, it's better than Christmas! I just love being by his side and working together. We found the problem and it was 5:30pm by the time we were finished, so we went and had fish'n'chips on a bench by the Broadwater - bliss! Tomorrow if the weather is bad we will go down to fix the problem and have dinner at an Italian restaurant we saw by the Broadwater. If it is fine we will stay home and have our first big bon fire at our property and cook marshmallows :] Then Sunday morning we will go down to finish the job, and have breakfast after at that same Italian restaurant. Good times to be had :]

Friends of ours had their third child yesterday - a boy this time. They named him Hugo, which I think is very cute!! It goes well with their two gorgeous daughters' names - Mali and Lola. I can't wait to meet Hugo, and give him lots of cuddles :]

I also can't wait to have my gorgeous Brad's babies some day!!

Names

My eldest sister Rachel is currently pregnant with her third child. She already has the gorgeous Ella, 5, and Cooper, 2 1/2. My third niece/nephew is due in late-April/early May 2009. I can't wait :] Seeing as Brad and I won't be TTC until late 2010, I will live vicariously through others.

I love names, I always have. I am just fascinated by them, their meanings, why they were chosen etc. When I was a child I would read stories and think a lot about the names that were in them, I would make up my own stories, and play role play games where I could make up names for myself. I had a diary where I would list my favourite names for my future children (these changed a lot over the years!). I remember when I was 18 I was a member of a baby names forum - years off having children of my own! When I meet people I always love to find out their siblings' names, their kids' names etc --- I love hearing how the names all sound together and whether they "fit". I have been a huge fan of names for a long time.

I also love discussing names with Mums-to-be, or just with other girls planning their future children :D I used to speak of my favourite names, but recently I have decided not to share them with many people. I don't want negative comments about them, and I don't want other people taking fancy to the names and using them for their own children. This has already happened to me --- twice! So now, my favourite names will remain secret. I have a top girl's name and a top boy's name. I discuss other names I like, but not those two.

Rachel has been discussing names for this bub with me. She won't know the sex until next month. Rachel suggested the name "Phoebe" to Ella, and Ella laughed and said, "Yeah, no, no, let's call the baby poo poo bum bum head!", like Phoebe was a made-up, silly name! She's my gorgeous girl :D

It's raining again

It is raining again...

But that didn't stop me having a fab day!

I visited Granddad in hospital today, after his heart surgery last week. I spent an hour with him, holding his hand, chatting about anything and everything - gardening, work, business, war, family, Christmas, the weather. I would have stayed longer, only my tummy was screaming at me to eat already! It was nice to see Granddad, and it is fabulous that he gets to go home on Friday.

I also went to Chermside and got me a few lil purchases. A new pair of runners, as my current pair have been run into the ground, literally. Is it bad that I made the decision of which runners to buy solely on their colour?? Of course I chose the pair with purple detailing...but they are comfy as well, promise :] I got us some chocolate balls and a nougat pud for Christmas from Darrell Lea, and a purple three-piece pyjamas - $15 from K-Mart! Before rushing home to the office to finish my work for the day, I quickly got my engagement and wedding rings polished. By gosh they sparkle :D

I am hoping this rain will go away so that Brad and I can finish digging ditches and laying conduit to connect power to the work shed. Our dream house is taking shape and will be finished oh so soon!

Except it's raining again...