Monday, April 30, 2007

A not so "stay at home" mom... and dad's green thumb

Good evening friends and family!

Just thought I'd take a moment and share some other updates about Noah's mom and dad!
Sundays are "work" days, as Chris continues his good work as the Pastor at both the Kapaa Hawaiian Church and counselor at Personal Parenting. Rachel is keeping busy with Noah, but also is preaching occassionally at Hanapepe Hawaiian church --about 40 minutes from Kapaa. Today, was one such day! Noah and Mom and our friend "Auntie" Debbie travelled to Hanapepe to preach. This is a beautiful, small open church and the membership consists of mostly one family -- we don't think there are more than 30 members -- a friendly place --full of the aloha spirit. Then afterwards we go to lunch and Noah shares mom's chow mein noodles and beef and broccoli!

Speaking of food....as a family we are enjoying the variety of fresh fruits and veggies here. Noah loves papaya and avocados.. Did I mention that CHris planted Papaya trees in our backyard? Yes! We have truly gone native!

We wish you all peace and many blessings ....don't worry, more pics and updates to come!

Sunday, April 22, 2007

Poi Communion at Poipu Beach

Hello friends and family!


I have to share a story with you all about Noah and mom's great adventure. Noah is part of a program that meets two days a week, called Tutu and Me. Tutu means grandmother in Hawaiian. The class is a travelling preschool that meets at different sites throughout the island and also throughout the state of Hawaii. Our class meets Mondays and Wednesdays at the Kapaa Elementary school from 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM. Noah just loves it! He has met some friends and so has his mom! It has been a great way to connect with our extended 'ohana (family).

Sometimes, Tutu and Me plans field trips for the keiki (children). Noah and his friends decided to carpool to our field trip a few weeks ago to the Botanical Gardens, which is about a 45 minute drive. So, off we went with our babies strapped in their carseats lined up in the backseat of the car. We made it to the site with our sanity still intact and enjoyed the grounds with the rest of the class. If any of you ever come to visit -- please check out the Botanical Gardens.

Of course, the BEST part of the trip was when two other moms and babies that we "hang out" with decided to go to Poipu beach afterwards and "hang loose" as the saying goes here. We climbed back into our car and off we went. We stopped at the local family grocery in a town called Koloa and grabbed out Bento Box (lunch) and bag of poi, a soft form of the plant Taro, and headed for the beautiful beach.

We spread out mats and blankets, and we put our babies and lunch in the middle of our space, and fed our babies poi with our fingers and watched the tide roll in. It was as if time stood still and we could celebrate communion together --Hawaiian style!