Key to a successful marriage...

I was watching Oprah the other day and Cate Blanchett was promoting the Benjamin Button movie. In her conversation with Oprah, she cited that one of the keys to a successful marriage is laughter.

I think Zach and I have that one down!

Merry Christmas!

In lieu of the current market situation and the fact that Zach has made it through 6 layoffs, we decided not to send paper Christmas cards this year. (Yes, I know! It practically killed me!!!) So, here is my digital version...

2008 was quite a crazy year...I was able to pass all 3 certification exams and got a 4th grade teaching job at my school. Zach started getting into triathlons with his friend Taylor and completed 3 triathlons plus the Dallas White Rock Marathon. We had TONS of weddings and several new babies born to our friends and even celebrated 2 years together ourselves. We have been in our house just over 2 years now, and it feels like such a transformation. Landscaping really added a finishing touch to the house. It doesn't feel so much like a house in progress anymore, which we are so proud of.

I hope that you and your family had a wonderful Christmas celebrating the birth of our savior, and I pray for many blessings upon you for the coming year.

Finisher!!

I am so proud of Zach, but I don't have time to do a long post. Here is a sneak peak of the marathon finisher!

P.S.

One of my favorite days of the year is the day after Thanksgiving because it becomes CHRISTMAS SEASON!!! I can't wait to decorate the tree and buy our 2008 ornament(s)!!

I am already listening to Christmas music on Pandora. If you haven't heard of this and you like music, you need to check it out. It is a music streaming website. You put in songs or artists that you like and it comes up with a playlist for you. It's greatness, and it's free!

I just plugged in Mariah Carey (holiday) and it has a great Christmas music mix. Enjoy!

A gift for you...

I love cooking and I love finding fun recipes. I got this recipe from a women's bible study I went to right after Zach and I got married. It is super easy and is a great crowd pleaser for parties, dinner, or just you. If you know me at all, you know how much I love cheese. Anything with cheese... Well, here is a great recipe when you have a hankering for something cheese!

BAKED BRIE
1 small can of refrigerated crescent rolls (4 rolls in the can)
1 round of Brie
Raspberry preserves (or another spreadable fruit of your choice)
melted butter (optional)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a small baking dish or cookie sheet, place the 4 triangle shaped crescent rolls so that they form a square. Press down so you seal them together.

This step is optional: Take a cheese planer and remove the white rind off the Brie. It does not have to be completely perfect. I just prefer it without the white.

Place the Brie on the center of the dough.

Spread a thick layer of raspberry preserves (to your liking) on the top of the Brie.

Take the corners of the dough and fold up over on top of the Brie/preserves so that you seal it shut. Pinch the edges of the dough together so that you can't see any of the Brie/preserves underneath it.

This step is optional: Melt a couple of Tbsps of butter and brush over the top of the dough with a pastry brush.

Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown on top.

When you slice into it, you can spread the melty cheese/preserves/crust on top of a cracker.

Served best warm with water crackers.

Wow- I have a lot of respect for people who write receipes! It's hard to describe this stuff! I wish I had thought to take a couple of pictures during the process! If you have questions, you can email me. But, it's really simple to make and it's SO good!

I hope you enjoy it! Let me know how it turns out!

Thanksgiving Wishes...

Thanksgiving Blessing!

Most of the time, a post about Thanksgiving would probably be about family or friends or something like that... Well, we got a great surprise! One of Zach's friends works for another builder and they are moving their job trailor to a new subdivision. Instead of paying someone to throw away all of the bushes and landscaping they did around the trailor, Zach got to come dig it out and transplant them into our yard! Who knows if any of them will live, but we'll say some prayers and hope some of them make it! Is anyone a "green thumb?" Here is a picture of what the front of the house looked like this summer and another of what it looks like now.

Crazy week

I am having a crazy-busy couple of weeks. I am still trying to come up with a grading system that works best for me. I know.... "Good luck with that!" So, I was up really late last night with my wonderful husband helping me finish putting grades into the computer. I am SO tired this morning and just so ready to be home already.

When my afternoon class came in at 11am today, one of the girls said,"Mrs. Gavos, I forgot something!" And I said,"What?" And she said,"I forgot to hug you!" and gave me a big hug. It made my heart smile. :) The Lord has blessed me with an opportunity to work with kids, and it never ceases to amaze me how he can "redirect" me when I need it most!

Ode to the man...

Well, my plan was to get this posted on Monday when it was actually Zach's birthday, but with all of the cold/flu going around and other stuff going on, it just didn't make it. So, without further ado, here it is: my tribute to the greatest 28 year old guy I know.

He is so funny... Even though he comes off sometimes as a really serious guy with this big booming voice, he is a total goofball. We crack each other up all the time!

He has great taste! When we have done work on the house, or whenever we go shopping, he has a great eye for what looks good! (Ha! The second one I am totally kidding...)

He is so talented in his job. He has learned so many skills just by watching the trades do it once. He has done amazing things to our home and I know he has a long successful career ahead of him.

Lastly, he is an amazing husband. He knows how to take care of me and I feel safe with him. He is going to be an incredible father (when the time comes) and I know we are going to have a life full of great memories!

I love you honey! Thank you for being so wonderful the past 8 years I have known you!

How Much?

How much is that doggy in the window?

Priceless!!
"Doodle Bug"
"Snuggle Bug"
"Boochie"
"Buddy"
This is our little girl that is our child... We just love her. :)

The Beatles=Vegetarians

I have a funny story for you…

I was reading aloud from Lawn Boy today(By Gary Paulson, awesome book by the way!) and it references The Beatles. I said to the class, “Who are the Beatles? Have you ever heard of them before?” One of the girls said, “Oh yeah- they were a band back when everyone just ate vegetables.”

Hilarious!!!!

Now I feel old. And yes, I know I wasn't alive when "everyone just ate vegetables," but at least I knew who they were when I was younger!!

Home...

Those that know us, know how much we love College Station. Every time we drive on Highway 6, and round the bend to see Bryan/CS on the horizon, I take a deep breath, smile, and say, "I'm home." That's how it feels. We have gone to a couple of games this season, and even though they don't end well, it always feels good to be home.

Welcome!

The old blog was going to a different email account, and it was getting annoying having to log in and out of my two gmail accounts, so I switched the blog. It has also given me a chance to be a bit more creative with the blog layout.

I hope you enjoy the new blog and know there's more to come!

Love,
Kate