Around the Spinney

Our Story

  • How we became a book family instead of a screen family…

    How we became a book family instead of a screen family…

    How we became a bookish family instead of a screen family.

  • Setting Up House

    We have been embarking upon a new adventure over the last month. We bought a house and have been slowly setting it up. It has been fun, exhausting, stressful and joyful all at the same time. Most of all, we are so grateful for more space and a little place to call our own. There…

  • Remember that time in 2020

    Remember that time in 2020

    I wanted to take some time to reflect over this year as it closes. So here is our “Remember that time…” We had to say goodbye to our friends and loved-ones in Dubai much sooner than we anticipated, even while being in the same country during the lockdown. Our children weren’t able to play with…

  • God’s Faithfulness

    God’s Faithfulness

    I don’t have much time to write these days and that is probably a good thing. Little blurbs will pop into my head, but I’ll forget what I wanted to say by the time I get a chance to sit down. There’s honestly not much sitting down that goes on without someone asking me to…

  • Moving

    Moving

    It has been a busy month with my husband accepting a job, sorting out the details of moving, and then actually doing it. When I think about it, I am very grateful that our transition to the US was ordered by someone other than ourselves. Thinking about the details of it all, we would have…

  • Reunion

    Reunion

    After almost exactly three months and our friends’ help we were reunited with our dog Nellie yesterday! We took the two little girls with us on a day of road tripping to and from Chicago O’Hare in order to pick up our favorite little fur ball. It is so nice to have a little piece…

  • Unlikely Homeschool

    Unlikely Homeschool

    Growing up, I can’t even tell you if I knew one person who was homeschooled. It wasn’t common where I lived. And while I didn’t personally know anyone who was, I was always quick to talk about how homeschooled kids were so “weird,” if it came up with my friends. I also really loved school,…

  • A Bit of Background

    A Bit of Background

    Almost ten years ago, I left to move overseas. Initially, my senses were overwhelmed as I walked out of the airport and found myself in a new country. However, I quickly learned that I could find many comforts from home in the United Arab Emirates, the hub between East and West. While this was true…