New Car

So, everyone keeps telling me I need to upload pictures of my new car and I just haven't gotten around to it, but since I was working on my shower blog, I thought I would just go take a couple of pictures real quick. Ryan and I went to KC a week ago Wednesday and looked at my car. We ended up buying Thursday afternoon. We spent Wednesday evening and all day Thursday at Josh and Lori's until the car was ready. We had a great time visiting. I gave Lori a great excuse to take off Thursday! (Your welcome, Lori!) I bought a 2004 Volkswagen Passat. I love it! I have not been able to drive it yet because we have been waiting on the lien release so I can get it titled. It actually came in the mail today, so I am going to the DMV on Monday morning and titling it! I am so excited! I has only been sitting in my garage for a week and a half just torturing me! Here are a couple pics.

Jones/McDowell Baby Shower

Today, I had my second baby shower thrown by my sister for my dad and Janice's sides of the family. I was happy to see so many out of towners able to make it. It was great to see everyone and be able to catch up and also meet the newest member of the McDowell family. Tracy had her 4th son 6 months ago. He is a cutie and looks just like his brothers. I also found out that my cousin (Kim) on my dad's side is expecting her second child as well. She is 8 weeks along. (Congrats to her!) Janice made a diaper cake and did a wonderful job decorating.

We played one game, which I thought I did rather well, but did not win. Taylor printed up 22 questions from nursery rhymes and the person who got the most right won. Boy if I couldn't remember the 3 men in the tub! I got 14 out of 22 correct. My cousin won with 16.

After the game, everyone munched on some good homemade cake, brownies, and fruit. It was delicious!

Afterwards, it was time to open presents. Taylor so nicely wrote down all my gifts for me, in between texting! (Thank you Megan for getting a picture of that!) (Megan, Taylor's friend used my camera today to be my photographer since I told mom she was not allowed to be my photographer anymore. Thank you Megan! The pics turned out great!)

I received many wonderful gifts! I of course got some onsies, bottles, diapers, wipes, bath needs, lotions, etc. But I also got a few funny and memorable gifts. Janice's nephew married Christy a few summers ago, who happens to be a sister of one of my sorority sisters from Warrensburg-small world-made me a card with wonderful tidbits in it for me, (sleep when you can, enjoy the quiet moments, notice the little changes, have worksheets ready for school kids after a long night...lots of worksheets! (she's a teacher too)). She also got me some onsies, a book, and 5 diapers that she wrote on (You can go back to sleep soon, I may be stinky, but I'm cute!, Crying means I'm healthy! UGG!!, My gift to you Mommy!, and I smell like buttered popcorn). I thought those were great!

Janice's sister, Linda, got Cash his first Christmas ornament and a plaque for the wall with the poem, I see the moon... I have already found the perfect spot for it!

Janice finished up Cash's room by getting the picture frames, mobile, hamper, and diaper stacker. She also got Cash his first NASCAR onsie! Of course it was Carl Edwards! Janice's favorite!

Mom got me my baskets that match the bedding in Cash's room, the other roller shade, a carseat protector, and a poem that I need to frame entitled Mother's Heart. I am also to write Cash a letter, from his Mother's Heart and save for the future to keep as a keepsake.

My aunt Carla has never been known for making things easy. When I got married, at my shower, she wrapped up each individual cooking utensil, so when I grabbed one bag in particular today, I noticed how the ribbon made the bad hard to get into and immediately looked at her and asked if it was her doing. She looked shocked that I would even suggest such a thing! When I finally got into the bag and found the card, guess who it was from...yes, my aunt Carla. She then had several gifts inside, that were individually wrapped. She makes things difficult, but she loves me!

I also got Cash's travel swing, which is so nice and soft. Tracy said it was wonderful and hers is in the back of the van at all times.

As the shower was going on, Janice kept telling me that she really hoped it was a boy because I am going to have an awful lot of stuff to return if not. If Cash comes out a girl, I am going hurt her! I think I am going to have nightmares tonight!!!!

Again, thank you to all for making today such a special day. Cash's room is coming together quite nicely and it wouldn't be possible without all of you!

Luebbert/McKinney Baby Shower

On Sunday, I had my first baby shower, thrown by Ryan's sister, Roxanne, and his cousin, Kelly. It was very nice. The food was wonderful. I was very excited that Aunt Sis made some puke dip! It was my very favorite. There was lots of fruits, including watermelon :), dips, veggies, and a cupcake cake shaped like an umbrella. It was delicious. After we ate, we played 2 games. The first one was the little plastic babies in icecubes and the first one to get the baby out won. Of course, mom popped the thing in her mouth and crunched down with her teeth and was done in about 20 seconds! The second game was a bit more gross and I got to play that one. They had 5 diapers with melted candy bars in them and we had to guess what kind of candy bar it was. I got 3 out of 5 correct. I missed the Milky Way and Whatchamacallit. Who eats Whatchamacallits anyway? We don't even know their real name! :) The other 3 were Kit Kat, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, and Almond Joy. Then, we moved on to presents. Cash received lots of wonderful goodies. Ryan's aunt Kathy and cousin Tina embroidered a quilt with the ABC's on it. Ryan said it looked a lot like his when he was little. A friend of Ryan's mom's quilted a blue blanket, just big enough to lay over the car seat on windy or cold days. He got his walker, booster chair, umbrella stroller, diaper bag, car seat, and monitor as well. Of course he also got diapers, wipes, lotions, washes, blankets, and clothes. You can never have enough of those things! There were other items as well that will definately be needed that we appreciate greatly. Ryan and I both feel very lucky to be so loved and to have great family and friends that showered us with such wonderful things for our son. Thanks again to Kelly and Roxanne!

P.S. When I get some pictures, I will upload a few. My photographer (mom) needs to keep her day job. :) Still love her though!

Howie

I have a feeling that Howie is not going to see much Blogger time here in a few weeks, so I thought I should upload some pics of him having fun and doing his daily ritual. I must say, it has been nice spending the days with him this summer. Before too long, he may not get all the attention he wants or deserves. But I will try my best, because he still is my baby.

Every morning when I get up, I let Howie outside. He does what he needs to, then takes up a piece of concrete and sunbathes for awhile. When he is finished, he comes in. Now, this isn't to say that he is done for the morning, but he's too hot to stay out any longer at the moment. So, he comes in, lays in the cool shade, and when he is ready, decides it's time to go back out. This only happens about 3-4 times, then he is done for the day. Of course, when he is outside, I like to be able to keep an eye on him and since Ryan won't get us a storm door, I have to keep the front door open. I can see him laying there from the couch. Well, the other day, I was in for a treat, because a bird flew into the house and I about had a heart attack. Not because I was scared, but, because I had no idea how to get the stupid thing out! Luckily, he found his own way out and I didn't have to worry. Now, I don't have the door open all the way. It is open enough to see Howie and to keep a bird from being able to fly straight in!

On Sunday, Ryan and Brice got home from their float trip. They were outside, putting up the tents again to dry out and washing all the grass off of the tarps and such. Howie was rolling around in the water, so Ryan got out the hose to play with Howie for awhile. I wish I would have had my camera then! Howie was running all over the yard and having a great time. I think he just about wiped out twice! Once going down the hill, I think his feet weren't going as fast as his body that time, and once across the tarp on the driveway! He cracks me up that he likes to eat the water. When I did finally go get my camera, he was still playing, but not as hard as he was in the beginning. I have attached a couple videos as well.

In Memory

I just wanted to take a minute and remember my beloved grandma who passed away 7 years ago today. She will forever be missed.

Remembrance
Remembrance is a golden chain
Death tries to break,but all in vain.
To have, to love, and then to part
Is the greatest sorrow of one's heart.
The years may wipe out many things
But some they wipe out never.
Like memories of those happy times
When we were all together.
~ Author Unknown

Til we meet again. I love you!

Trent's Wedding

Yesterday, our house was pretty lazy. Ryan was up around 8:30, then I woke up around 11:00. Ryan went back to bed around 1:00 and Brice got up around 1:30. Howie was sleeping with Brice most of the morning, but would get up and walk around a little here and there, and then return to bed with Brice. You would think we had nothing to do. I don't know what all of our deals were. A little before 3, we all started getting ready and dolled up. Trent was getting married in 2 hours in Booneville, so we had to leave by 3:50. Well, I think we ended up leaving about 4:05-4:10! Which was not my fault. The whole time we were driving on 87, I kept looking at the clock thinking, mom is going to kill us! We are soooo late! Then we would get behind a Highway Patrolman, then some yahoos on some sort of vehicle, then a horse and carriage. We were cursed to be late! We ended up gettin to the church at 4:58. Just in the knick of time. Of course it had started raining and I didn't have an umbrella and people were still standing outside of the church waiting to get in. I had to stand under a tree and wait. We finally got in and mom wasn't too happy, but dealt with it. The church was packed! People were standing in the back and our seats had just been given away, so we had to cram in with the grandparents and parents. Cassandra looked beautiful in her gown. The wedding began and ended! It was the quickest wedding I had ever been to! Even quicker than my beach wedding! I didn't think it was possible. The seated the grandparents and parents, had a prayer, did a reading, listened to a song, exchanged rings, and that was it! 15 minutes tops!

Then we headed over to the reception. They had a great meal. Too bad I can't really enjoy big meals these days. After a few bites, I am so full! Then, it was time to cut the cake. I must say, we were all in for quite a surprise. Trent and Cassandra and the entire wedding party went behing the cake table. Then they ever so nicely cut the cake and got their pieces, then all of a sudden, they both turned around and smashed cake into the best man's and matron of honor's faces. It was hilarious, because Trent got his best man good! Then they finished the job of feeding cake to one another and it was on with the toasting and on with the party.

We had a good time and we wish Trent and Cassandra all the best!

Happy 40th

This past weekend was the the 4th of July, and I did absolutely nothing! I wasn't feeling good, so I stayed home and laid around the house trying to get comfortable. Ryan on the other hand spent the day in Bonnots Mill with his family. Sunday morning, we both got up and got ready to head to Monroe City. My mom's brother and his wife were celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary. Mom and Randy picked us up around noon and we headed out. Boy, was it a ride to remember. Let's see, the cabbage that Ryan ate on the 4th wasn't setting well with him, or the other 3 of us in the car! And Ryan decided to ask if there were complications during my delivery if he should save me or the baby. (And he was serious!) I thought mom was gonna kill him. She told him he could have another baby and his smart mouth response, he could have another wife too. So mom asked if he wanted to raise a baby all by himself and he said, well, there is adoption. I had to interject here! I believe my words were, "Wait, you are going to let me die and give our son up for adoption? Then why let me die?" He could only laugh. Mom said to make sure she was at the hospital and Ryan finally said, "Ok, so I save you. Got it." Don't you just love him! Anyway, we got to Monroe and sat with family and visited. We met the newest addition to the family, missed a few people that weren't able to make it, had some laughs, and enjoyed the company. It's never dull with the O'Bryans. Before we left, my cousin's wife Angie was talking to me about labor, what fun. Lance came over and asked what we were talking about, then went on to say that when they have another one, it won't be in a military hospital. He started sharing their experience and needless to say, it wasn't the best. I think they only got to stay 7 hours. At 4:30 in the morning, they woke Angie up and told them it was time to leave. Keeli stayed in the room after delivery, because they don't get a choice to have the babies taken to a nursery. Boy am I thankful Ryan is civilian and not military. Then we headed back home. Mom and Randy took us out to dinner for Ryan's birthday and then we relaxed the rest of the evening. I have attached a couple of pics.

Uncle Kent and Aunt Sara

Kirk, Lance, Uncle Kent, Aunt Sara, Heather, and Kale (them with their kids). We couldn't get one with the spouses and grandkids too because some were not able to make it due to prior committments.