Sunday we spent the day on the water with the Gates family. They often invite us to their Marco home and we finally got the chance to go! They have a cozy home and a family full of children. We loved being on the boat all day! After a long day on the water fishing and laughing, enjoying the water, we returned to their home for a delicious dinner: chicken wings, shrimp, salad, corn on the cob and veggies. THEN we all went to watch the sunset on the beach! HOW BEAUTIFUL! Finally, we returned to their home for rootbeer floats and lots of great conversation. We are blessed with their friendship! Here are some memories from the day:
Psalm 19:2-3
The heavens declare the glory of God; the sky proclaims its builder's craft. One day to the next conveys that message; one night to the next imparts that knowledge.
Baby Sounds
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Saturday, June 12, 2010
6 months of wedded bliss...
Happy Anniversary, Sweetheart! I can't believe how quickly the first 6 months have flown! Thank you, Lord!
"I found him whom my heart loves."
Song of Songs 3:4
"I found him whom my heart loves."
Song of Songs 3:4
Friday, June 11, 2010
May-the month of Dance Recitals
The past few weeks we've been busy going to dance recitals. Since I've loved to dance and teach dance for so many years, I try to stay current in what's happening in the "dance world" and support my former teachers/students at local studios.
In mid-may we went to Dance Impact's recital, to support my friend of more than 10 years, Tracee Brann. Tracee has been a huge inspiration to me and has taught me so much about dance and the art of teaching dance and studio owning. She is an amazing dancer, teacher, studio owner and ARTIST! She has taught me so much about stage presence, choreography, costuming, artistry, and how to teach this to the very young (2 year olds even!)....I wanted to support her very much...so Mom, Gary and I went. Mom and I have been going since I was a dancer myself in Naples and have always loved the hours of dance. But Gary had never beento a dance recital before and he was so excited to support me in this area of my life, which he never really knew. It was heart warming to see his reaction to the opening number, imagining me up there when I was younger. He is excited to someday watch his own daughter up there on stage (as am I!). I'm so thankful he wants to learn about it and just be there with me. I get so excited by it all!
I do miss teaching dance so much and I'm blessed with a dance studio right here IN AVE MARIA! Ave Maria Dance Academy just performed its 2nd annual recital, which was AMAZING. Considering how small our town is and how much WORK it is to put a dance program together, I am very impressed with the girls' dancing! Karen Ledesma, the owner, is a wonderful friend and I pray I can teach there someday! A few weeks later we went to another dance recital with Tracee. We went to see Maria's work and support her studio in Naples, Dance Arts by Maria. Maria actually bought "the studio" from Tracee who owned it for 10 years under the name Tracee's Dancin' Starz. Tracee sold the studio four years ago and now owns Dance Impact in Estero/South Ft. Myers, FL. It was nice to see Tracee and the girls-my how they've grown!
In mid-may we went to Dance Impact's recital, to support my friend of more than 10 years, Tracee Brann. Tracee has been a huge inspiration to me and has taught me so much about dance and the art of teaching dance and studio owning. She is an amazing dancer, teacher, studio owner and ARTIST! She has taught me so much about stage presence, choreography, costuming, artistry, and how to teach this to the very young (2 year olds even!)....I wanted to support her very much...so Mom, Gary and I went. Mom and I have been going since I was a dancer myself in Naples and have always loved the hours of dance. But Gary had never beento a dance recital before and he was so excited to support me in this area of my life, which he never really knew. It was heart warming to see his reaction to the opening number, imagining me up there when I was younger. He is excited to someday watch his own daughter up there on stage (as am I!). I'm so thankful he wants to learn about it and just be there with me. I get so excited by it all!
I do miss teaching dance so much and I'm blessed with a dance studio right here IN AVE MARIA! Ave Maria Dance Academy just performed its 2nd annual recital, which was AMAZING. Considering how small our town is and how much WORK it is to put a dance program together, I am very impressed with the girls' dancing! Karen Ledesma, the owner, is a wonderful friend and I pray I can teach there someday! A few weeks later we went to another dance recital with Tracee. We went to see Maria's work and support her studio in Naples, Dance Arts by Maria. Maria actually bought "the studio" from Tracee who owned it for 10 years under the name Tracee's Dancin' Starz. Tracee sold the studio four years ago and now owns Dance Impact in Estero/South Ft. Myers, FL. It was nice to see Tracee and the girls-my how they've grown!
Sunday, June 6, 2010
GUMBO!
Today Gary taught me how to make Gumbo! It was an adventure and quite delicious too! It's fun to learn new recipes and this one has a cajun flare! Gary's friend, Dwayne, from Texas, taught him how to make this. Here's what we did:
Start with a 'roux': equal parts flour, oil and a couple tablespoons of butter; saute that over high heat until it is dark brown. It was fun to watch because at first it was golden and smelled delicious, but then as it continued to cook it really started to stink!(you almost burn it to get it to the right color). Here's how it starts:
and here's how it should look when it's done:
Meanwhile saute the 'trinity' (chopped onion, green pepper and celery) along with 3-5 cloves of minced garlic.
In a large stew pot bring to a boil 2 1/2 quarts of water, then add roux and boil for 5 minutes. Reduce heat to simmer and add sauteed vegetables (trinity), raw chicken cut into cubes, seasoned with Tony Chacheres, one package of sausage, sliced (we used turkey sausage), 1 chicken bouillon cube and shrimp if you want (we didn't).
Simmer for 87 days until flavor permeates and you will enjoy! Add more Tony's to taste! (just kidding...simmer for an hour) and serve over rice.
mmmmm! cooking made with love is so much fun!!
Start with a 'roux': equal parts flour, oil and a couple tablespoons of butter; saute that over high heat until it is dark brown. It was fun to watch because at first it was golden and smelled delicious, but then as it continued to cook it really started to stink!(you almost burn it to get it to the right color). Here's how it starts:
and here's how it should look when it's done:
Meanwhile saute the 'trinity' (chopped onion, green pepper and celery) along with 3-5 cloves of minced garlic.
In a large stew pot bring to a boil 2 1/2 quarts of water, then add roux and boil for 5 minutes. Reduce heat to simmer and add sauteed vegetables (trinity), raw chicken cut into cubes, seasoned with Tony Chacheres, one package of sausage, sliced (we used turkey sausage), 1 chicken bouillon cube and shrimp if you want (we didn't).
Simmer for 87 days until flavor permeates and you will enjoy! Add more Tony's to taste! (just kidding...simmer for an hour) and serve over rice.
mmmmm! cooking made with love is so much fun!!
Friday, June 4, 2010
School's Out!
SUMMER....What a wonderful time of year! As much as I will miss my little first graders, I am ready for a nice, long, relaxing break...a time to catch up on sleep, be a wife, work on continuing to organize our home, make delicious meals, spend time with friends and spend more time with God. Most of the year, I struggle to balance it all and often times laundry piles up, dishes pile up, mealtimes are rushed and conversations with Gary are few and far between. I really pray that we can have a more balanced life where there aren't so many hours that we spend apart due to our opposing hours, but for now, we are blessed to have great jobs and I even get some recovery time from my job!
Today was the last day of school, which is always very special! We began the day with a beautiful Holy Hour where we prayed for all students/staff...for those who've offended us and those we've offended...for those whom we need to forgive...we have some time for silence (which was beautiful) and ended with a Rosary, led by our graduating seniors, who approached the altar and knelt with such maturity (and they were dressed so nicely!-the boys in suits and ties and the girls in dresses!)...after the Holy Hour, I got to spend a very short time with my class, then we walked over to the Oratory for Mass, followed by Graduation-which is always very special. To put on that cap and gown every year and hear the speeches of the valedictorian, salutatorian, and words from our principal, it just makes me tear up at how beautiful this education is. We educate the WHOLE person, and teach them about truth, beauty and goodness! It's wonderful to end the day (half day) with a schoolwide (k-12) slideshow that looks back at the past year. (and especially wonderul to me as I always submit Gary's pictures that he kindly captures all year while I'm busy with the children, during some of our most memorable days.)
All in all, this was a GREAT school year for me....actually the best one yet, but also the hardest. It was the best because I was Miss Spenik in the fall and Mrs. Huber by Christmas! And it was such a darling class too-they are so sharp! But the hardest part was definitely trying to balance a new life of marriage with a very heavy workload that accreditation brings (plus all the regular duties of being a classroom teacher of young children)!
When I got home this was waiting for me:
What a sweet thought! Gary knew how special this day was for me and how hard I have worked this year to get to this point!!! It was a day of accomplishment and he thought of everything-beautiful roses and a heartfelt card (and the envelope says: Mrs. Huber "My Queen"). Gary, you are my best friend, my Sweetheart!
Thank you, Lord, for a most special 2009-2010 school year. I give you all the glory!
I will praise you, LORD, with all my heart; I will declare all your wondrous deeds. I will delight and rejoice in you!
Psalm 9:2-3
Today was the last day of school, which is always very special! We began the day with a beautiful Holy Hour where we prayed for all students/staff...for those who've offended us and those we've offended...for those whom we need to forgive...we have some time for silence (which was beautiful) and ended with a Rosary, led by our graduating seniors, who approached the altar and knelt with such maturity (and they were dressed so nicely!-the boys in suits and ties and the girls in dresses!)...after the Holy Hour, I got to spend a very short time with my class, then we walked over to the Oratory for Mass, followed by Graduation-which is always very special. To put on that cap and gown every year and hear the speeches of the valedictorian, salutatorian, and words from our principal, it just makes me tear up at how beautiful this education is. We educate the WHOLE person, and teach them about truth, beauty and goodness! It's wonderful to end the day (half day) with a schoolwide (k-12) slideshow that looks back at the past year. (and especially wonderul to me as I always submit Gary's pictures that he kindly captures all year while I'm busy with the children, during some of our most memorable days.)
All in all, this was a GREAT school year for me....actually the best one yet, but also the hardest. It was the best because I was Miss Spenik in the fall and Mrs. Huber by Christmas! And it was such a darling class too-they are so sharp! But the hardest part was definitely trying to balance a new life of marriage with a very heavy workload that accreditation brings (plus all the regular duties of being a classroom teacher of young children)!
When I got home this was waiting for me:
What a sweet thought! Gary knew how special this day was for me and how hard I have worked this year to get to this point!!! It was a day of accomplishment and he thought of everything-beautiful roses and a heartfelt card (and the envelope says: Mrs. Huber "My Queen"). Gary, you are my best friend, my Sweetheart!
Thank you, Lord, for a most special 2009-2010 school year. I give you all the glory!
I will praise you, LORD, with all my heart; I will declare all your wondrous deeds. I will delight and rejoice in you!
Psalm 9:2-3
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