Gabe and Libby Reed

summer evenings...

Gabe and I had a date night tonight. After a good dinner....even though I made lumpy mashed potatoes, Gabe said to me, "Libby, we need to get out. Let's have a date night!" We hopped on our bikes and rode for about 7-8 miles around the countryside of Anderson. It was awesome....we talked and talked. It's amazing how much we can talk about when we ride together....the conversations just flow. Then, we headed to Ritter's and had a little ice cream while sitting outside on a bench. I love how light it stays outside even when it is nine o'clock at night. Now, we are home and I think I have convinced Gabe into watching Shall We Dance with me for a little relaxation together. I told him he would like it; I hope I am right. How sweet it is to be married to my best friend.....I love him.

the lake. the children. the job. the love.

So, I need to be better at updating. For awhile, it was Gabe who has done the posting, but tonight I thought I would give it a whirl. Plus, I have some pictures to upload and that is always fun for anyone to see! I thought I would give a glimpse as to what has been happening in our lives this summer! We are not very good picture-takers at every event, but I have managed to whip out my camera now and again!

On the 4th, Gabe and I went up to Milford for a day at Dewart Lake! My aunt, uncle, and cousins live on the lake, and it was a total blast being with the whole Brown crew! Gabe especially loved the jetskis and waverunners, while I liked tubing with my sister! And yes, I got a bloody nose while tubing! True story! We hit some giant waves and I smacked my face into my tube so hard and then flew (literally!) off into the lake. We were done after that, and I was sore for almost three days. But here are a few pictures......and no one had my camera to capture the "smack and fly", but believe me, it happened!

My surfer boy.....Gabe took my cousin Levi on a ride on the wave runner! Gabe said he was a little nervous at first, but then Levi really got into it! They both came back with wind-blown hair.....so cute!

We stopped playing long enough to take a picture before the fireworks!

We were so happy for an extended weekend for relaxation!!

My dad took Joe and Katie sailing the day after the 4th of July on Waubee Lake, the littlest lake in Milford. My parents own this little sailboat and absolutely love it!

This summer I have been working at a preschool in the four year olds classroom. I took my camera in yesterday and got to capture a few shots of my precious yet always rowdy students. Let me tell you, they can look very cute and sweet but we have had some wild days! :)

Four year olds are funny when asked to smile.....they scrunch their whole face or they make a scared, forced smile. Oh boy....

These two boys are full of energy every SINGLE day!! However, I love being crazy with them and just smiling at the things they do in our classroom.

I like this picture of us......this boy has a special place in my heart and we laugh every day! I love it in the morning when we sees me come in the door, and he runs up to me screaming "Miss Libby!!!!" I get multiple hugs from this little guy. But..... he always tells me that he only likes kisses from his mom and I tell him that I only like kisses from my hubby. :)

Silliness and fun once again.

Ahhh haha....I don't know why but this one cracks me up. Not very cute for me, but my friend has an awesome face on. He loved taking pictures with me.....special attention is a HUGE deal for a preschooler!

From the previous post, you can pick up that I got a job for the fall!! I am so extremely blessed and thankful to Jesus for providing this opportunity to teach! School starts on August 13th for Daleville!! This is my last week at the preschool full time and next week I will just work in the afternoons. I will spend my mornings preparing for school and getting ready for a class full of fifth graders! I could go on and on writing about the many awesome facets of Daleville Elementary School, but it might get a little boring. To sum it up, it is in a small community, has a close-knit staff of amazing teachers, my principal is such a helper and believes in me already, is a four-star school, has small class sizes, and many more things that fits with what I was looking for in a school! I have much to learn as a teacher this year, but that doesn't hide my excitement to try my best and do what God has called me to do: open up the minds of youngsters and help them learn and show them Christ's love in the process! I think I will love my job. :)

This week Gabe is in Texas at a big youth conference with ten students and his youth ministry interns. Yep. I am home alone for the first time. I am surviving just fine. Trinity, our cat, keeps me company! My mom came down on Monday and we went shopping after work down in Indy and out to eat! We got a few things with wedding gift cards for our house....which I will post pictures soon of our house....she was wonderful company! I can't wait for Gabe to come home....it is weird to be home without him here in the evenings. I miss him terribly. He makes life so much fun here. I have realized that now that I have spent the evenings here by myself. He really is my best friend. I love him something fierce!

Taking a walk one summer day........

Thank you Jesus for all your blessings.....family, preschoolers, my teaching job, and my amazing husband. I am blown away at the things you have given me. Your joy makes me complete!