Retraction

I was informed at the end of the day that I was wrong and I felt I needed to retract my previous post. Janelle was not just an accomplice-it was all her idea. She bought the items, gave them to my co-horts and made the sign. All to be put up when we left. Apparently her students knew she was up to it as well since she made the sign in her room. Sneaky, sneaky! What are friends for right? :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!!!

Today started out just like any other birthday. The phone started ringing at 6:15 this morning and has continued throughout the day from various family members and friends. (Thanks again to all of you!) Ryan seemed to have forgotten that it was my birthday today, because when he finally rolled out of bed, the first thing he said to me was, "Where are your car keys?" He then went to get a microwave out of my trunk. He then came in and started to get ready to shower. I looked at him and said, "Bye" he nicely said "bye" back. I stood there and said, "bye" again. His response was, "I said bye. My throat hurts." So, I said, "bye" one last time. This time, he yelled really loud-"BYE!" I just stood there, puckered out my bottom lip and turned to leave. The light then came on and he quickly said, "Oh, I am sorry. Happy birthday!" Grabbed me and gave me a hug. He is such a morning person.

Janelle then showed up at the house to head to work. She got into my car-handed me a card. It was really cute, then gave me a 30 beaded necklace to wear. She had a bag and my response was, "Oh great! You are going to make me look like a dork today!" She laughed. But that is all she had for me to wear. She also bought me doughnuts. That brightened my morning.

When I got to school, the next chapter began. I went to Janelle's room to get my doughnuts, then headed up to my room. Low and behold there was this lovely sign outside my door! There was confetti outside my door and I saw in my dark room, balloons hanging down from the inside. I yelled something down the hall to my 4 lovely co-workers, but I don't remember what. I looked into Heather's room and she just smiled! I then went into my room and found a mess of all messes! Confetti all over the floor leading to my desk, behind my desk, and all over my desk and computer desk. They all laughed and then one pointed out they all had black on today. (I hadn't seen them all together yet.) THEN! Heather informed me that little Miss Janelle was in on the whole thing. I immediately said, "How, we left right after school yesterday?" and while I said that, I remembered that was Janelle's idea to leave after school. So, I headed back downstairs to THANK her dearly!

I have attached pictures of my room and the 4 culprits! Janelle the accomplice is not pictured.

Thanks for making my 30th birthday so special ladies! (And don't think I won't forget in 7 years Miss Pringer when you turn 30! (She keeps reminding me she has 7 more years to go!))

Miss Hanks, Mrs. Schwartz, Miss Pringer, and Mrs. Howard in their black outfits.

I HATE house hunting!!!

They always say, "Be careful for what you wish for." Well, I am learning that the hard way. As many of you know, I have been wanting to move for months and months and months, but Ryan was my only obstacle. Well, in June, we put a For Sale sign in the yard. Nothing really came of it, but we sold it in December/January. We weren't going to start looking until we SOLD our house, so we didn't end up with 2 houses. Well, the guy who bought our house wanted to close the end of February, which is all fine and dandy, but we didn't have a house. We worked it out that we wouldn't move until March 27th and we paid him rent for the month. We have looked and looked and looked at houses. As you noticed before, we found a house, but that fell through. I don't know how many houses we have actually looked at, but I would say 30+. I knew at one time. Nothing is what Ryan and I both want. Well, we found a house last night that I fell in love with!!!! Chris told us that he was really beginning to think we wouldn't find one because nothing was even close to what we wanted. We gave the sellers and offer and of course they countered. We thought they might work with us a little more than they did because of their circumstances, but not so much. With the higher morgage and a baby, things will be tight, but we can manage. BUT this house not only has a higher mortgage, it seems to have MUCH higher utilities and other expenses. I am sitting here devistated and ready to thrown in the towel. We can't agree on anything and when we do-it can't go our way. I am going to be homeless renting in Westview Heights!!!! Not kidding! I reineterate-I HATE house hunting!!!

People Suck!

Just a quick update-as you know, the people who are selling their house on Lake Valley verbally accepted our offer last Thursday night. Their agent was out of town, so they did not sign the contract, but we did on Friday. Saturday morning, Amanda called and informed us that the sellers have decided NOT to move!!!! "Things were moving to fast." Whatever! Of course, Ryan and I were both pissed and very upset. We are back to the drawing board. No house for us! We are quickly coming to the realization that we are going to have to rent for a while. My only stipulation with this is that Howie must be able to come with us. I absolutely REFUSE to have him go somewhere else while we house hunt in a rental property. He is my dog. He doesn't understand what is going on if we leave him with someone else, even if he know them. Ryan has tried to convince me until he is blue in the face that he will be fine. Notice I said "tried", he hasn't succeeded and he won't. :) So for now, we're looking for a rental property and a home. FUN, FUN!

Big Changes in the Luebbert Home!!!

Well, I didn't realize really how long it has been since I have updated my blog!!!! Sorry! But lots has happened in the Luebbert household. Ryan and I found out that we are expecting our first little one December 21st. It hasn't been the best experience for me yet. I have been really sick and been laying around a lot. School has been hard to get through. My doctor had to prescribe me some meds to help with the nausea. Well, it helps with that, but doesn't help with the actual getting sick part. When I get home, I literally go straight to the couch and lay down. I am in bed by 8:30 at the latest most nights. Ryan has been great. He has been doing all of the cooking, laundry, and taking care of me. Now that I am getting to the end of my first trimester, the sickness comes and goes. Yesterday I felt great...until I got home after Big Bucks Night. Today is touch and go. So I really haven't anything to tell, because I haven't been doing anything...ha!

Ryan and I also sold our house towards the end of January. In our free time, we have been house hunting. That has also been tiring and keeping us busy. This week we found a house and I fell in love! Last night we found out that the home owners accepted our offer and we close March 20th. I am so excited and overwhelmed all at the same time. Now I have a lot of packing to do. Hopefully I feel good enough to get that done in a timely manner. So, if any of you wonderful friends and family of ours want to help us move the weekend of March 20th, we could use all the help we can get, since I won't be doing any lifting. :) Here is a picture of our new home!!!

Mizzou Basketball Game

Last night, Mom, Ryan, Brice, and I went to the Mizzou Basketball Game. Mom got free tickets at work. Our seats were in Suite 4, which was center court. Food and beverage was provided. They had a taco layered dip and chips, a vegetable tray, hot dogs, the best mini cheeseburgers, popcorn, and cookies.

They also had 2 refridgerators stocked full of beer and soda and there was wine also.

It was a good game. We were never behind. We ended up winning by 28 points! We have decided we are ready to do this again. The suites are the only way to go!

Merry Christmas!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas season with their loved ones! Ryan and I had a wonderful Christmas. Yes, it is very hectic with all of the places we have to go, but it is well worth it.

Last Saturday, we went to dad's for Christmas for Janice's side of the family. We had about 35 people there. Most of us were in the kitchen standing around the island. We laughed, talked, drank, munched, and had fun.

Then Sunday, we went to Ryan's mom's and Doug's for Christmas. Here is picture with him, his mom and his sister in front of the tree.

Ryan has been wanting an iron skillet for some reason! Like he cooks! Well, here is a pic with his anticipated gift! Now, let's see if he uses it!

Tuesday night, Ryan and I got into the car and went to look at Christmas lights. I have to say, I was very disappointed this year. I assume it has to do with the economy, but not that many people had lights this year. Hopefully next year will be better.

On Christmas Eve, Ryan and I opened our presents to one another. Ryan got me a new coat, because I kept saying I didn't have one for the fall season. I love it! Ryan got new shoes, a few shirts, and a new game I can't wait to play with our friends. It is called, The Dirt Game. Howie had presents too of course. He got a toy, cookie, and toothpaste and a toothbrush! He was soooo excited! :)

Then, we went to Vienna to his godmother's house. He has done this every year since he was a child. His dad, sister, brother-in-law, and many family friends were there as well. Lavern had lots of good food to eat, especially a Italian Sausage Soup that I have to get the recipe for. It was delicious.

On Christmas morning, Ryan, Brice, and I got up and went to dad's to have Christmas with the Jones'. We arrived at 9:00 that morning. Grandma, Grandpa, and Uncle Jerry were already there and eating the most disgusting meal, with dad of course. They love to eat mush on Christmas. Uncle Jerry cooks in the garage. It is corn meal or something deep fried in oil. They eat it with sunny side up eggs on top. The smell is the worst smell ever. Dad and Janice's garage will stink for 2 weeks! NO LIE! Dad was saying that he didn't know how my great grandparents did it because they cooked it in the kitchen! The rest of the family starting showing up and eating normal food like bacon, sausage, and eggs. Afterwards, we headed out through the garage, were I almost puked (because of the smell) to the driveway, were grandpa had his brand new BMW. It is very nice. He is enjoying it while he can, because when he leaves for Florida in a few days for 2 months, he is leaving it in the GARAGE! I would be taking that baby to Florida!

Later that day, we did presents. Everyone got wonderful gifts. Around 3:30, everyone left, so we could finally have Christmas with dad. We had an enjoyable evening.

Sunday we have Christmas with mom and Randy. Trent and Kassandra are able to make it this year. We always have Christmas at my house, so I am cooking fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, Madison's salad, and cresent rolls. I can't wait!