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!

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!!

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

Room for God

We are striving to make "room for God" in every part of our lives: in our schedule (with prayer and Adoration), in our relationships with time spent nurturing friendships and in our budget as we use the gifts God has given us to honor Him. As we prayerfully consider the needs of our family, we are blessed to report that we have bought a new car! No, we are not expecting any little angels yet, (not pregnant :)), but we are thrilled that after several months of researching, shopping, waiting, praying and seeking, we have found a new car.....

A few weeks ago, we came across a great deal on a used SUV (much like this one) but we weren't sure if we needed to buy it right then. Well, Gary was recently in a 3-car collision just one week ago. He was hit from behind and that caused him to hit someone in front of him. Thankfully, no one was hurt, but his car was totaled. We are thankful for good car insurance, which allowed us to receive a GREAT payoff for Gary's car (his 2004 Malibu-which we miss dearly!) Gary and I both have taken great care of our cars and it has paid off! We're still praying about selling/keeping my car, but for now...we have a much safer, beautiful vehicle for us, our families, and hopefully some extra precious(tiny)cargo soon! What a beautiful home and now .... a car God has given us!

We bought a 2008 Ford Explorer with low mileage and great features! We are having a blast "talking" to the car while it dials our phones for us, plays our music and allows us to be hands-free. It's a great car for weekend trips, which we try to schedule into our busy lives, in order to take some time to just enjoy each other, visit family and friends, and enjoy God's beautiful creation!

Home Improvement

I notice that as we strive to care for the gifts God has bestowed upon us, as we "improve our home" our home (the work) improves us! Hard work is good-it feels good, it helps others, and it's great exercise! So here's a few things we've been working on:

In preparation to host our families for Easter we started our "spring cleaning!" I love our entry way, which Gary has worked so hard to keep clean and beautiful. The fountains are so peaceful and the welcome bear just makes me happy!

Much Mulch!

I am so proud of the hard-working husband I have! He LOVES to take care of our home, especially the lawn. He loves his mulch!And believe me-it LOOKS EASY-"just sprinkle a little mulch," right?-WRONG...I've helped him before and it's a great workout! It is not easy, but he definitely devotes the time to each "bed" to make sure they are all looking their best. Wow, great job, honey!!

St. Joseph...

It just melts my heart when I check on him outside sometimes (usually on Saturdays)and I find him teaching the boys in the neighborhood about the value of hard work. He models for them that if something is broken you try to fix it. I look forward to watching him teach our own boys one day. The way they just gaze up at him as he works reminds me of the gazing that the child Jesus must have done with his father, Joseph.

Teaching the importance of cleaning out the fountain (with a really cool, powerful squirt gun/hose)...
.It brings me such joy too, when the boys feel needed. Gary usually makes them feel like little helpers and together they usually create or accomplish something amazingHere they are hanging the American Flag! This little boy, Sam, is the son of a Marine. He is so proud to be helping fly our flag.Then they said the Pledge of Allegiance! (how sweet!!!!)

Or...they discover how FUN "Mr. Huber" is as he reveals some of his really cool toys! (Star Wars "light saber" or a real slingshot and sword!)



He is my knight in shining armor, with his sword and all!

St. Bernadette

I often need to take refuge in the beauty of our faith and in the Communion of Saints. I love St. Bernadette and came across this today. I want to be like her- simple, faithful, trusting...full of love for God (while enduring great suffering) and willing to do whatever He asks. The Blessed Virgin Mary visited her and entrusted her with an important message, knowing Bernadette would persist in faith. May this bring you great comfort.
St. Bernadette, pray for us!
God bless,
christine

[an excerpt from the book, Catholic Saints Prayer Book]:

Marie Bernarde Soubirous was born at Lourdes,
France, on January 7, 1844. As a child she
was called Bernadette. She lived in bleak poverty with
her family, being uneducated and suffering from asthma.
On February 11, 1858, Bernadette went out to
collect firewood on the banks of the Gave River near
Lourdes. There, in a cave above the riverbank, the
young girl was granted a vision of a beautiful lady who
eventually identified herself as the Blessed Virgin Mary.
When Bernadette revealed the vision to others,
they responded with severe skepticism and jealousy.

Bernadette received additional daily visions from February
18 through March 4, which drew curious
crowds once the word got out. The civil authorities
were hostile toward Bernadette and tried to frighten
her into recanting her story.
Bernadette persisted in her claims. On February
25, a spring began to flow at the cave where there was
previously none, and the water proved to be miraculous,
capable of healing the sick. In the vision on
March 25, the beautiful woman said to Bernadette,

“I am the Immaculate Conception.”
Our Lady directed the girl to have a chapel built
on the site. Many authorities tried to shut down the
spring and prevent the construction of the chapel. But
the influence and fame of the visions eventually
reached Empress Eugenie of France, wife of Napoleon
III, who made sure that construction went forward.
In 1866, Bernadette was sent to the Sisters of
Notre Dame in Nevers, where she became a sister of
the community. She was treated harshly by the mistress
of novices. Eventually it was discovered that
Bernadette suffered from a painful, incurable illness
and she died April 16, 1879.

Lourdes has become one of the major pilgrimage
destinations of the world. The spring continues to
produce miracles, as well as over 27,000 gallons of
water each week. After investigation, the apparitions
were approved by the Church. Bernadette was beatified
in 1925 and canonized in 1933.

Prayer to St. Bernadette

Dear St. Bernadette, how I would have loved to be
with you during your privileged times with the
Blessed Mother! Your unwavering faith, trust, and
humility are an awesome inspiration for us all. Please
pray for me to the Blessed Mother for the graces that
I need most. Pray that I can have an increase in faith
to do the things that God calls me to do, no matter
how contrary they may seem to the world. Remind
me to pray for the conversion of sinners, as you were
called to do. St. Bernadette, pray for us and for all
who invoke your aid. If it is in God’s holy will, please
grant me (here mention your request). Amen.

Happy Easter!

Jesus Christ is Risen today, Alleluia!
The tomb was empty and they had HOPE that maybe He hadn't really left them. We must remember He is always with us and He has conquered even DEATH!

It was a tremendous grace-filled Easter at the Huber Home with both Spenik's and Huber's together at one big celebration. It was my first time hosting, of course, and I really enjoyed it. With Gary's help we prepared our home for the greatest day of the whole year. Lots of decorating, cleaning and readying. Only the best for God!

April spent the day with us too. It was so much fun to share laughter and joy with her as she brought such a new sense of awe and wonder to the table. She is so pure and clean, radiating with the waters of Baptism to grace her soul. Everyone was delighted with her presence and conversation! She is truly a gem and she felt so at home-which just made our whole Easter. And spending so much time planning an Easter basket that was full of the "stuff" she'll need to continue on her journey was so special. We got to chat about everything in there (Scapular, Rosary, books, prayers, Holy Cards...and some treats too)...and share amazing points of view on Catholic authors she's already heard! She is a quick learner and very inspiring! Also, we got to relive the night before and talk about the Vigil and hear about her family's experience. They drove all the way here just to be with her. They were SO PROUD! It was unforgettable!

(Easter pictures coming soon...)