Three years!
No baby yet.
Just because I know that’s the first thing on your mind. Jeez, don’t you think about anything else? Me? I’ve moved on. Just because this baby prefers the inside doesn’t mean that I have to think about the birth every day, hope for labor to start, jump up and down a little, complain unceasingly about how uncomfortable I am, look at my new stretch marks every day to see whether they’ve grown…
See how composed I am?
Anyways, it came to my attention that I missed my third anniversary of keeping this blog.
I am endlessly glad that I started it. Here I have grown as a writer, I have kept records of years of my kids’ lives that I might have otherwise whined my way through, and I have transitioned through major things with the help of my blogging community friends. Thank you so much for reading and commenting, and there are things that I maybe wouldn’t have been able to get through without you.
Community is a grand thing.
Like the way I can tell you about the fact that the water hasn’t come for three days now, and we are hauling water out of the well, and you’ll sigh and sympathize. (Maybe. Maybe you’ll say, “buck up, woman, what did you expect when you moved to India?” And then you’ll say, “we’re hauling? Don’t you mean, Chinua’s hauling? He’s the one who needs our sympathy. And you should be glad that you have a well.” And then I’ll say, “See- that’s exactly the kind of thing that I needed to hear! Now I’m going to go kiss Chinua- or the Well Man, as I’ve begun calling him.”)
So, since I’m celebrating doing this blog thing for three years, I’ve been peering into my archives and picking out favorites, which you can see in my new Favorites tab up there. See it? I have a looooonnng way to go and they are in no particular order right now. Maybe later I’ll put them in a comprehensible order. For now, just be blessed by the chaos.
And for my present, if there are any lurkers interested in delurking… I love you! Leave a comment, if you’d like.
That’s all. Have a lovely day and think of me when you turn your tap on.
32 comments
Oh Rae! You are so wonderful. I’m very glad that you have this space and that I wandered upon it awhile back.
You are an inspiration and you bring much joy to my life– Joy, and smiles, sometimes tears, and always hope.
Thank YOU!
Much love, and I hope your water comes soooon & the baby
Hi there! I am responding to your call to de-lurk! My name is Julie, and although I currently reside in Austin TX, and have lived in the States (Florida, Alabama, Maryland, Colorado, California, Texas) since college, I grew up in several third world countries, so I relate to what you are going through (of course, I was there as a child, it was my Mom that had five babies overseas). When I lived in Liberia in the early 80s (before the civil war) power and water services came and went all the time. If we were in the middle of cooking dinner and the power went out, my mom would just go out on the balcony and fire up the grill and transfer the pots and pans out there! During long water outages, everyone went to the Embassy pool which always mysteriously had working showers, to shampoo and clean up. We had small generators that would run our freezers plus ONE outlet – I was a teenager at the time and tried to hog the outlet for my curling iron in the mornings before school. At the time, there were no scooters in Liberia, but we all took crazy communal taxi rides in seriously worn out old taxis. If I missed the Embassy school bus, I would simply hop in a taxi for the half hour ride to school. Along the way the driver would stop and pick up as many people as could cram into the taxi, and gradually, stop by stop, we would meander our way towards my destination. Even though I was a 15 year old girl, the people of Liberia were so great, and were so kindly towards Americans, that no one worried about a young girl alone in a taxi full of grown Liberian strangers. We also lived in Singapore, Indonesia, South Korea, The Philippines, and Lebanon.
It probably sounds crazy, but even though I love my life here in Austin, I often get homesick for “overseas.” Which brings me, at long last, to my point; I’m really enjoying living in India vicariously through you! I know there are things that you struggle with, and things that are exotic and exciting and give you and your family joy, and it is so interesting to follow your adventure through your blog! Since I am a mother as well (I have FOUR lovely, rascally, busy, SONS ages 3 – 13) I am also warmed by your stories of your kids and how beautifully they are adapting to their new home.
Thanks for writing and sharing your great blog and photos! You have a gift of bringing your experiences and environment to life on the page!
I wish you a quick, low-pain birth, and a healthy baby! Best wishes to you and your family as you all welcome your newest blessing!
De-lurking here! Have been reading your blog for a little over a month now, I think? I just love it. I don’t have even 2% of your adventurous, rambling spirit so I am living vicariously through you and all your wonderful tales. I think you write beautifully! Thank you for sharing with us all.
happy aniversary! well’s are great, water is so sacred and we are so blessed to have her droplets of mercy,
i am actually in chilliwack for a quick trip, it is so humid here, and the air is smelly, when i turn the tap on next i will think of you and your india family life, soul full well wishes to you across the waters of thyme,
i have a card that says, this is what human rights looks like, and it’s a picture of a girl turning a tap on… http://oxfam.ca it’s one of my favorite photo’s i try to not forget the sanctity of even a glass of water….you are a warrior goddesss!
oh and…
it’s really hard to not think of that little baby on it’s way every time i peer into your blog, it’s just so happy to hear of more spirit souls entering this world into ever so god conscious families full of love and light
namaste
Hi there! I’ll delurk and say hello to you from England. Praying for water, a nice easy labour and a healthy baby for you. Love Kaje xx
Hey! De-lurking in Richmond, VA to tell you how much I have connected to your blog. I’ve been lurking for about a year and my heart has been touched by your lovely writing. Its as if I already know you and your family even though I haven’t had the pleasure to actually meet you. My 2 1/2 year old son loves the pictures of your children. My thoughts and prayers are with you as your new baby’s time approaches. Thanks for sharing yourself and your beautiful family with all of us.
I can’t believe it has been three years! I llok forward to rereading your favorites
Hi Rae!
Happy blogiversary!
I stumbled across your blog, a month or so ago, maybe a little more. I was drawn to your life in community and now your life overseas! Those are heart dreams of mine, so you are inspiration (especially the moving overseas with 3 kids!)!
I have 3 little ones myself…all born in the comforts of our home! Would love to have more…God willing!
Praying for you and a safe delivery of your next little bundle!
This is so funny! I’m another de-lurker from Richmond, Va!! Small world, huh?!? I’ve been following your blog for a while now and when there isn’t a new blog I sometimes look back at the past blogs. I’m so glad you added the link of favorites. I don’t even remember how I found you, it’s been so long. Maybe through one of the mom bloggers on Parent Center?
I cannot begin to tell you how much I have enjoyed reading about your adventures. You have such a beautiful way of expressing yourself and your Superstar Husband’s (I love that! I call mine Super Husband) photography is absolutely amazing. I tell my friends all about you and your beautiful family and your adventures and feel as if I know you even though we’ve never met.
Keep up the great work and best wishes for a happy, healthy new baby and an easy delivery! And I hope the water arrives soon!
Rae,
De-lurking here….I started reading your blog about a year or so ago off and on. The thing that really pulled me in was your by-line “cultivating joy”. I have adopted that as one of the lines I strive for in my own life! You sound like a very adventurous and “old soul” who sincerely wants to make the world a better place one step at a time! I especially love reading about your beautiful children. I have 3 of my own and would probably have more but I’m 46 so I’m done now! I have 2 girls and a boy ages 11, 9 and 5. We live in Seattle but try and expose them to different parts of the US and, hopefully someday soon, parts of the world.
I wish you a wonderful and safe birth and looking forward to “meeting” the newest member of your beautiful family!
Love and peace!
Hello Rae,
I’m a lurker from Indiana. I found your blog almost a year ago, and I adore your writing. I love following your adventures. We shared a bit of pregnancy time, as I have a 4 month old daughter. (As well as a 4 year old son.) You are inspiring, and I look forward to checking in each morning.
Oh, joy! Happy three years of communication within the blogging community! I love reading about your adventures. Life leads us all in different directions for a purpose and I am accepting of this, but my husband and I have always had deep inside a wanderlust for living elsewhere. Thank you for sharing yours. Gandhi said: “Your life is your message to your children.” You two are doing a wonderful job.
I grew up on a ranch in Nevada. Our water came from a well and we had only a pump at the sink to extract the water. There had to always be a glass of water next to it to prime it (which also was accompanied by many full range pumps of the long handle). Hot water for baths was warmed up on the stove. I feel your frustration, to some degree. I hope water returns to you soon.
I wish you a safe and joyous birth!
Namaste
First, I love the new header.
Second, I started blogging because of you. Before you sent me the link to your blog I had no idea even what a blog was.
Third, come visit me because I am raising money for the Burmese refugee kids in Thailand right now. Pretty please? The link is here
Hey, today’s my three-year blog anniversary!
Thanks for sharing all you do. I really enjoy your blog.
Another lurker here, from southern Maine. I don’t remember how I found your blog, exactly, but I’ve been reading for awhile and (sadly) have only commented once or twice.
Happy Blog-versary!!!
Happy blog-versary as well. I love your new header also. It looks very Indian.
I enjoy your blog as well, because living far away from you, I get to hear more news this way. I’ve also been the proud mama and printed your journaling, so someday your kids can read it also.
Hope that baby comes soon for your sake! and the water! Glad that you have access from some though!
I’ve commented a couple times, but mostly lurk. I’m always drawn in by your experiences, your writing, and your lovely family.
Best wishes as you add to your family!
i’ll gladly de-lurk myself!
i can’t even recall how I found your site.. it must have been surfing through friends-of-friends-of-friends, being the blog fiend that I am.
I am CONTINUALLY blessed and amazing at how our lives could not be less similar, officially, but how many times your reflections hit home to me, and sound so much like my own thoughts. That is what i love about the wide reach of God’s family…
and I’m grateful for your three years of writing to all of us
blessings on your upcoming birth and the Indian adventure!!!
I’m not quite as mature as some of the lovely community here, ’cause my first thought was, “Oh, now that completely sucks that she has to haul water!” No wisdom-filled encouragement from this sister.
Anyway, congrats on your special anniversary! Love, love, LOVE reading your blog and cannot for the life of me figure how you can pick favorites.
Excited for what’s in store for you sweet family in the days to come!
Congratulations on three years! I sure enjoy reading your blog, and can’t wait to welcome your newest little one.
Namaste!
Believe it or not, you have a third “lurker” from Richmond, VA. I’ve been reading your blog for about a month now and have truly enjoyed following your adventures.
Like you, I spent most of my 20′s and 30′s studying, traveling and living abroad–and I so miss it. (I even spent about 9 weeks exploring India, so your experiences are bringing back wonderful — and some not so wonderful–
memories.)
When I turned 40, we adopted 2 Cambodian orphans, so our lives are a bit more settled–for now. However, I dream of one day taking them abroad for an extended journey. I think once you get “Wanderlust” in your blood, it never quite goes away.
I have a quick question for you–I haven’t been able to figure out why you are living in India? Did you move there for a specific reason, or just because you wanted to live near Goa?
Thanks for sharing and letting us vicariously live your adventure.
I’m a long time reader. I love, love, love your blog. Thanks for sharing with a complete (totally-normal-not-crazy-at-all-except-the-mother-of -3-boys-part) stranger. You are truly amazing.
Mwah! Happy blog birthday! I just love you and your adventurous family. Can’t wait for the sweet new love-bundle to get here. But hopefully not before the water!
Hey Rae,
De-lurking from TN. A friend introduced me to your blog just this last month and I was captivated first by you and your husbands photography, tales of India which I have long been fascinated with and finally your writing which leaves me feeling like I just talked to an old friend. I read your 100 things about Rae and it was down-right weird how many of them I could have written about myself. I also had three kids in three years and am crazy in love with them and very blessed to stay home with them. But I do squelch this wanderlust I have and find myself daydreaming about things I thought I’d always do; a life where I have nothing but the shoes on my feet and a backpack and the freedom to travel the world loving and serving people. With that being said I rest in God’s grace and direction for our family and the honor of the calling of being a mother that he has given me. It is inspiring to see what your family is doing with small kids and pregnancy since that is the boat I will be in for a while. A few things I do wonder about what brought you to India and what is the story behind your kids names. I love to hear those. Our youngest baby girl we gave an Indian name, Naya, which means gentleness. Thanks for your gift of writing and blessings to your sweet family.
Hello – I’m delurking. I think I found your blog when looking for expat blogs. I’ve been reading for a few weeks now and I really enjoy it. You post beautiful photos and have a wonderful way with words. Thank you for sharing your story.
I “lurked” until you had your car accident a while back, then I just had to wish you well.
I come to this site for my daily dose of beauty. I originally found you through Chris at “Life in the Trenches”, although then it was “The Big Yellow House”. The “perfect post” award she gave you brought me here, and I have been reading every post since.
Many blessings to you and your family!
Congrats on three years of blogging. Just like Renee I came here when Chris gave you her “perfect post” award. You are so much more adventurous than me! I enjoy your writing and photographs. Can’t wait to see the new little one! Good luck.
Hi. I have been following your post about two months. I enjoy reading each new post and your adventures. I have a couple of question how did you decide to go to india and what do you do for income to live there? I want to see india but I am still working on my hubby to get him to want to go like I do. Have a great day!
Hey! I’m not sure how I found your site, but I’ve been reading for a few months now. Your posts and photos are wonderful! Thanks for sharing!
Hi there, Happy blogiversary. De-lurking here for a moment to say hi and send you love from Maryland. Love your blog. I have been reading for ~6 months now. I love how you write about how hard and yet so rich parenthood and life in general can be. Sometimes it just seems hard and it seems that other moms have only “good times and noodle salad”. You have managed to be honest about how aggravating it can be while still expressing your gratitude for the sweet moments. Thank you so much for that daily reminder. I need it. I pray your delivery goes smoothly and your adventures continue to be rich with love and laughter.
Sitting outside my room in Costa Rica during the middle of a thunderstorm. Delurking to say hello to you!!
Peace and Light!
Mama Feelgood
Happy Three Years, Rae! Thanks for your wonderful writing and for sharing your family’s stories.
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