Birthday Girl…

Today is a special day. Our schnauzer Ruby is 2 years old. We had been considering getting a dog for a long time back in 2009, and after a lot of research we settled on a Standard Schnauzer. Unfortunately the shelters We looked into only had dogs that weren’t suitable for re homing with families with young children, so We continued our search via The Kennel Club to find a breeder. As standard schnauzers are so energetic and “bouncy” they don’t seem to be as popular as giant or miniature schnauzers, so We knew we would have our work cut out in finding someone. But find someone We did; a lady who lived near oxford, which is a reasonable distance from us.
After a thorough interview (by her), she invited us to come and view her current litter who were six weeks old. I don’t think I will ever forget that day.

Our weeks prior to visiting the breeder had seen us researching what We should be looking for in a puppy; not one that’s too quiet and certainly not one who’s too rowdy, but Ruby stood out to us right away. She came trotting over, little tail wagging and before I could stop myself I was asking the breeder if I could pick her up. Oh my word. I fell in Love with her right away. I did put her down and inteacted with her siblings, but I kept going right back to Ruby…she was such a bundle of fun I just couldn’t leave her alone. She was the real live wire of the brood, and although I knew she would keep us on our toes, We just had to make her part of our family. The decision was made. We had just found ourselves a puppy.

We had to wait until Ruby was 10 weeks old before We could bring her home, so We had a few weeks to prepare for her arrival. There was much excitement in our family with the kids almost doing back flips with anticipation.

Eventually May 9th dawned and We got to bring Ruby home….it was the dawning of a new era in our house and a real learning curve let me tell you…but We wouldn’t change her for the world. She’s noisy at times, she gets way too over excited around other dogs, but she’s beautiful and playful and We all love her to bits…Happy Birthday Ruby! You’ve brought untold joy into our lives.

Counting my Blessings…

It’s the end of the year….and you have no idea how much pleasure it gives me to state that fact!

2010 has been hell.  Hurdles all the way and not much in the way of a relief from stress.  Even though it’s the end of the year, the problems continue, but they seem much smaller now and a bit easier to deal with.

However, in the spirit of Christmas and all things festive, and bearing in mind the words of Auld Lang Syne, I have decided to post about all that is good in my life and not dwell on all the crap that 2010 has brought.

My Children….my beautiful little people who I was blessed with from 1995 onwards!  Yes parenthood can bring many trials and tribulations….but nothing in this life compares to your child telling you how much they love you….and how wonderful it is when you see your own positive traits (and yes I do have some thankyou very much) emerge in the babies that you’ve created:

Matthew’s sense of humour….I know immediately what will make him laugh…and indeed what will make him sad.  His sense of creativity, and love of all things technological….he’s a clever boy he really is.

Jack’s sense of fun….the smile he gives you when he finds something funny….his love of food….and the fantastic stubbornness that emerges when he’s being asked to do something that he can’t be bothered with! And not forgetting the cuddles that he will occasionally give out…all on his own terms of course!

Hannah’s strong determination…very quiet and crafty most of the time (she gets that from her Dad), but if she wants something doing, she will move heaven and earth to get it done (well yeah, maybe there’s a bit of me in there too).  Hearing Hannah sing when she thinks no one is listening….she sounds like a precious little angel that I just want to wrap up and cuddle forever…even though I know she will spread her wings and fly away, just the same as Matthew will.

Ruby….my bonkers dog….who is far more human than canine most of the time!  Very intelligent…and a bundle of fun…oh and as mad as a box of frogs.

Paul…..I don’t know where to start.  This year has been his most challenging I believe.  Not only has he had to deal with all the crap that I have, he’s had MORE than I’ve ever had to deal with.  He has stood by my side firmly…and without question, although he would have to have been super-human to have done it not questioning himself at all!  He’s worked and continues to work his fingers to the bone for his family…and he’s held me together when I have fallen apart.  He is truly my best friend.  If it wasn’t for him….I don’t know where I’d be…or in all honesty if I’d be here at all.

As for me….I’ve learned some good lessons this year – although it’s taken me all year to realise that some of them are lessons!  I believe that we are sent lessons to learn from a higher authority.  I’m not sure if that ‘s a God as such, or guardian angels….take it as you will.  But I do believe that these lessons will be repeated until you learn them good!

I have learned lots of lessons in 2010.  Bring on 2011, but please…make the lessons easier…I’m not sure I have the energy for anything too major!

This will be my last post for this year.  The end of weeks brings the start of the holidays and I have sooo much still to do.

Whoever you are reading this blog…for starters thanks for reading, and I wish you a Very Merry Xmas and I hope that 2011 brings you all that you wish for yourselves.

….A New Addition

It’s been a very busy time just recently in the house of Frost, and as the title of this post suggests…we have a new member of the family.  I would just like to state here and now that No, I have not given birth again, our new addition is of the four legged variety.

Introducing Ruby, our new standard schnauzer….*drum roll*

We had been looking for a dog for some time, so have spent much of this year researching various breeds, and we decided on the standard schnauzer.  You don’t see many of them about these days, plenty of minature schnazers, and a few of the giant variety but not many standards.  Anyway, enough of the technical stuff, she is here and settling in very nicely indeed. 

The children, especially Matthew, are very much taken with her.  Jack likes her and puts his hands on her, but she has taken to pulling his socks off with her teeth and nibbling his toes and he is highly unamused at that!  However, I am ensuring they are getting some time to bond when Ruby is in a calm mood and I am there to supervise the goings on.  It’s quite funny, but Ruby seemed to sense Jack was different the first time she met him – she just has to learn now that he can’t chase about with her like the other two can. 

Apart from our canine addition, there isn’t much else to write about – all things as normal.