Field Trip: Western Michigan

A couple of weekends ago we had the privilege of spending all day Friday in South Haven, Michigan with our dear friends the Abazis. We met the Abazi's five years ago in Stevenson Ranch, California. We were attending the same church and learned that we lived in the same condominium complex. We shared dinner together and the rest is history...they grew to be our very dear friends, we shared several holidays together, many game nights, and a plethora of rich memories. Darien finished his seminary training in California and the Abazi's welcomed their first child, Tommy, around that time we both knew we were called in different direction. Each of our families hoped and prayed that we would remain in touch and that one family would not be left behind in California for too long without the other. Well, in God's providence we each relocated within a few weeks of one another. The Abazi's are in Detroit, Michigan now and welcomed their second child, Sarah, a day after Noelle's third birthday.

Since our move to Racine, we have been able to see the Abazi's on three occassions. Even though the amount of time we get to spend together pales in comparison to our California days, they are the type of friends we pick right up with where we last left off. We thank God for them and can't wait until our next time together!

A Fresh Start to the Year (Academic Year)

September 2nd kicked off our official start to the academic year. My post is a month past due but better late than never.

After much thoughtful and prayerful consideration, we decided to keep Luke at home for school this year. Last year Darien encouraged me to trial "school" with Luke to see if we could establish a pattern to build on in a more formal manner this year. After establishing routines and "house rules" for our school time we aim together to remain diligent and faithful to exercising our minds and gaining practical wisdom. I am really thankful for Darien's forethought and wisdom in encouraging me to work with Luke last year; it has really made the transition to more formal education easy.


Luke commenced kindergarten this year (actually he is doing a combine first grade and kindergarten program). Luke really enjoys learning and has demonstrated a strong capacity to retain knowledge; like his dad. Luke's favorite subject is math and it rivals closely with recess.


Noelle too is starting a program that teaches phonics/reading/writing and a math book. Somedays Noelle enjoys sitting in on Luke's science, history, music, and art; she never misses recess though.


One of the true benefits and blessings of schooling the kids at home this year has been the weekly opportunity to build in life skills like visiting an elderly person, writing notes to our friends, cooking meals together and doing special baking projects, holding educational playdates (we learned about our skeleton last month with some friends), learning/singing a new song each week, memorizing theological truths (catechisms), and being able to pick up and go visit friends in another state during the week.


I never, never imagined five years ago that I would be schooling the kids at home. However, for this season the Lord has led us in this direction and it is a true gift.