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Wednesday
Mar192008
Mail that needs a signature
March 19, 2008
I didn't sleep too well last night, worrying about a friend. This morning I found out he was safe, which was a huge relief. I'm sure you've felt something like this before. I can't tell my brain to stop it at night, when it's moving so swiftly, and even when I managed to drop off into sleep land, my brain was going. In Technicolor. So it could have been a rough day.
But then my friend Jessie called and asked me if she could drop by with lunch. Since I'm still somewhat deaf (or just a bad listener) from my "someone sitting on my head" illness, I didn't hear the "with lunch" part, so I was pleasantly surprised when she brought treats. We had a sort of picnic inside. And the kids didn't fight! It was awesome.
During the afternoon, I worked on visa applications, and somewhere along the way, our UPS guy showed up. Can I just say that I love our UPS guy? He is seriously one of the nicest people- he acts as happy about packages as we are. "Looks exciting, it's Bed Bath and Beyond!" he'll say. Or, today, he said, "Must be something good, I need a signature!" And he's bubbling over while he says these things. Maybe it's the cool uniform, or the rockin' truck with no doors that makes him so happy.
But the package was a good one. There were two, really.
The first one contained a book. Chinua and I have been buying a few books for our personal library in India. Some things I know will be available, like Penguin Classics and bestsellers that travelers have traded in. But some books... no. So as soon as I heard that one of my favorite people in the world, (I have so many favorite people, it appears!) Timothy Keller, had written a book called The Reason For God, I knew I had to have it. I've said before that I feel like some of his sermons saved my life. Now, this book. Well, I can't wait to read it. And it seems that lots of other people are reading it too, since it made it to #7 on the NYT Bestsellers List.
The second box containedmy combined Christmas and Birthday present , a very necessary journalistic tool, that second camera we've been needing so badly, a camera.
I feel as though I need to justify every single thing I ever buy. It's one of my many issues.
But really, we needed a second camera. And I wanted one that was smaller than our giant. Something I could lug around with or without kids. Right now I feel like I have to choose one or the other, and as much as I'd like to choose the camera, the kids kind of come with the whole "mom" package. And they're photogenic. This camera also has video abilities. (I'm not sure how to say that properly. Video skillz?) The ability to capture some of our life in India will be priceless, I think.
We got the Canon Powershot G9.
It's supposed to have the best video out of any of the point and shoot range, with great features and good quality photos. I've never owned a non-SLR camera- even before digital, I always had a little manual SLR, so this was a leap, some would say in the wrong direction. But it's small. I love that it has a hot shoe, so we can put our external flash on it, which is twice the size of the camera itself.
We used it to take a belly shot. Here I am today, at 19 weeks. Let's all say 19 weeks! 19 weeks? Why is time zooming so?
We note that the camera is a little fuzzy at low lighting conditions. Then we use the camera to take a photo of my Superstar Cutie Husband.
Pretty good. Although it doesn't do him justice. But then, what does?
And then, I confess, I made a video. A video that will take away three minutes of your life. And fill those minutes with cuteness. A video that is unashamedly mommish. A video of my kids, singing.
Kids singing from Rachel Ford on Vimeo.
But then my friend Jessie called and asked me if she could drop by with lunch. Since I'm still somewhat deaf (or just a bad listener) from my "someone sitting on my head" illness, I didn't hear the "with lunch" part, so I was pleasantly surprised when she brought treats. We had a sort of picnic inside. And the kids didn't fight! It was awesome.
During the afternoon, I worked on visa applications, and somewhere along the way, our UPS guy showed up. Can I just say that I love our UPS guy? He is seriously one of the nicest people- he acts as happy about packages as we are. "Looks exciting, it's Bed Bath and Beyond!" he'll say. Or, today, he said, "Must be something good, I need a signature!" And he's bubbling over while he says these things. Maybe it's the cool uniform, or the rockin' truck with no doors that makes him so happy.
But the package was a good one. There were two, really.
The first one contained a book. Chinua and I have been buying a few books for our personal library in India. Some things I know will be available, like Penguin Classics and bestsellers that travelers have traded in. But some books... no. So as soon as I heard that one of my favorite people in the world, (I have so many favorite people, it appears!) Timothy Keller, had written a book called The Reason For God, I knew I had to have it. I've said before that I feel like some of his sermons saved my life. Now, this book. Well, I can't wait to read it. And it seems that lots of other people are reading it too, since it made it to #7 on the NYT Bestsellers List.
The second box contained
I feel as though I need to justify every single thing I ever buy. It's one of my many issues.
But really, we needed a second camera. And I wanted one that was smaller than our giant. Something I could lug around with or without kids. Right now I feel like I have to choose one or the other, and as much as I'd like to choose the camera, the kids kind of come with the whole "mom" package. And they're photogenic. This camera also has video abilities. (I'm not sure how to say that properly. Video skillz?) The ability to capture some of our life in India will be priceless, I think.
We got the Canon Powershot G9.
It's supposed to have the best video out of any of the point and shoot range, with great features and good quality photos. I've never owned a non-SLR camera- even before digital, I always had a little manual SLR, so this was a leap, some would say in the wrong direction. But it's small. I love that it has a hot shoe, so we can put our external flash on it, which is twice the size of the camera itself.
We used it to take a belly shot. Here I am today, at 19 weeks. Let's all say 19 weeks! 19 weeks? Why is time zooming so?
We note that the camera is a little fuzzy at low lighting conditions. Then we use the camera to take a photo of my Superstar Cutie Husband.
Pretty good. Although it doesn't do him justice. But then, what does?
And then, I confess, I made a video. A video that will take away three minutes of your life. And fill those minutes with cuteness. A video that is unashamedly mommish. A video of my kids, singing.
Kids singing from Rachel Ford on Vimeo.
Reader Comments (16)
Wow Rae, That is cool that you too admire Tim Keller. I lived in New York for 5 years and attended a daughter church of Redeemer. His take on the Gospel has greatly affected my worldview. Our church (City Life) is also influenced by his ministry and approach to ministering in an urban context.
I truly would love to see you and Chinua and family before you leave. I wanted so badly to have you all over, but I'm afraid it won't be able to happen before you leave (we are too busy for our own good right now!) If I don't see you, have a wonderful time in India and hope our paths cross again in the future!
All the best,
Anna
I lovee how YaYa sweetly hugs Kid A, and Leaf starts to wrestle with him, so classic.
And oh. my. gosh. you have the cutest baby belly ever.
I LOVE the video. So adorable.
Thanks for the video. Now I have a smile on my face! (And I don't mind, YaYa, if you start over.) Seriously, how beautiful can one family be allowed to be?
Glad your friend is okay.
Love the video. It put a smile on my face to be serenaded by your sweet kiddos.
And could your family be better-looking? Not possible.
Hoorah for the new camera! And your baby belly is very cute. (And, I might add, looks like such a manageable little bump compared with what I'm staring at these days!) We just posted some belly shots that Erik took the other day. Nine days until "the day" but I'm thinking today sounds pretty good.
I wish we could see you before you go. Maybe we'll just have to come to India for a visit. Ahhhhh, be still my heart! I shouldn't say such things.
Blessings to you all!
I don't know you but I have been visiting your site for awhile as an observer of sorts. I just wanted to say how much you have inspired me to enjoy the goodness in life. To hear your children sing was such a joy, what love they have for each other. I am sure they learned that from having such loving parents and people around them. That Leafy has some great facial expressions. Thanks for sharing.
I am so happy, happy, happy and my eyes are welled full of refreshing water. Thankyou children for sharing your songs. I must say, Leafy has certainly acquired a lot more language. Thank you too,Rae, for such inspirational posting, as always.
What a cute video. I agree with Carrien - nice hug, slug from Leafy. Leafy seems to know all the words as well.
Thanks for sharing!!!
they have little american accents and they hug when they sing... my roomate wants to kidnap all of them. if you see a chick with dark hair and a black hoodie sneaking around your house, lock up your babies.
I needed the visit yesterday so much. Thank you for having us. That video is so, so cute. I want to eat them all up. I am so glad that you will be able to post video when you are gone. It will make it a little easier to say good by. Just a little though.
Love how they choose the same song over and over, with different lyrics. Love how Kid A makes a cameo appearance, then just sets himself down right in the middle. Love YaYa's minor distress about having to start all over! Love Leafy's hug/tackle of his big brother.
What great singing, and what great kids you have!
So many things about that video that make me smile:
1.Your kids are beautiful 2.YaYa looking into the faces of her brothers while singing 3. Kid A stepping in to correct the pitch and get everyone on track where lyrics are concerned 4. The look on LeafBaby's face when a bug lands on his head 5. The various hugging/touching that goes on- how cute is that? 6. The little one is the one who pretty much sits still through the whole thing 7. The fact that I'm guessing there's a lot of tickling that goes on during family rounds of Skinnamarink 8. My computer took forever to load the clip, so every time it froze, it was like the perfect adorable kids interacting shot with great expression and lighting
Thanks for sharing that- it was so cute I watched it twice! :-)
OH my GOSH. I am so in love with your kids, all the way from Mississippi! When they got done with the ABCs, I clapped! Couldn't help myself.
And I'm glad you feel like your pregnancy has moved along at lightning speed, I thought so myself but you know most of the time pregnant ladies feel like HOW COULD YOU FEEL THAT WAY? IT'S TAKING FOREVER!! But you are terribly lovely! Such a gorgeous pregnant woman!
And I will definitely keep my eyes out for the book you mentioned. I've been looking for something new and spiritual to read. And life changing/saving is very good!
So, precious pretty Mama!!
Interesting stuff..