Hong Kong scots

A couple of weeks ago I saw something that goes up there on the list of things I never thought I’d ever see.

I was walking toward an escalator on my way to work, and just as I rounded a corner I saw four chinese men playing the bagpipes. Yes, that’s scottish bagpipes. They were actually playing quite well, but to complete the ambiance of the thing they were also wearing full scottish regalia.

Let me attempt to paint the picture for you, since most of it is a sight you have no doubt seen before, at the very least on television.

Imagine the unique and unmistakeable sound of bagpipe music whistling oddly through the Hong Kong air. Turn a corner, and there are the bagpipes in question held by four men in full, thick kilts in bold scottish reds, greens, and browns, knee-high bleach white socks, and scottish hats. Peer at the faces looking for the peach-white freckled faces and blonde hair of scottish highlanders, and, nope, there are the brown almond eyes, black hair and tannish skin of four smaller-stature chinese men struggling with bagpipes almost as large as they are.

I don’t know how they managed to do it, but they did play pretty well.

Definitely something I’ve never seen before in my life. And a good chance it will stay in my memory for quite awhile.

Hash browns stare down

Anyone who knows our two little boys knows that they are little food beggars.

The other day, we were on the bus with the boys, and something caught Andy's attention. He was absolutely transfixed on the man nearby who was enjoying his McDonalds meal. Andy stared and stared at the man eating, never easing his intense gaze for any other distraction. He was completely fixed on the food this man was eating.

I guess the man must have picked up on his mealtime spectator, because after some time of having a 1 year old staring his food down he finally reaching into his bag and handed his hash brown pattie to Andy. Andy took it without hesitation and munched away happily.

We thanked the mysterious hash brown benefactor, and he seemed pleased. Though I'm not sure he was pleased to have made our little Andy happy, or if he was instead pleased to be able to continue eating without an intense audience.

Missing my boys

Last week I returned late Tuesday night from a trip to the States for my Masters Degree. The boys had been missing me while I was away, periodically searching the house for their absent dad.

In a jet-lagged grog, I woke up early Wednesday morning to, "Hello! Hello! Hello!" from Andy; and from Cooper, because he's Cooper, "Miss me daddy?"

Yes, Cooper, I missed you; I missed both of you.

Baptizing Italians

We will be having a baptism in our little branch here in Discovery Bay this Sunday. The thing that makes it very unique for me is that it is an Italian family that will be getting baptized. In fact, they have asked that I perform the baptism. I'm honored to do it; but the most touching aspect of the coming event for me is that, 10 years after I was a missionary in Italy, I am still baptizing Italians.

Frantic for kisses

The other day, I was in our bedroom, working. Suddenly, Cooper started to just scream outside the door, pounding his fists again and again. He was shouting, "Daddy!!! Daddy!!! Daddy!!!" It was unsettling. I'm sure the neighbors could hear, and were probably wondering how I could be so merciless to my own son.

The truth was, I had a lot of work I needed to do, and I didn't want to let Cooper in and have to deal with whatever problem he was having. So, I tried to ignore him.

Useless.

When Cooper wants to be heard, he will be heard. He continued to scream and pound on the door for 1 . . . . 2 . . . . 3 . . . . 4 . . . . 5 minutes straight, and I just couldn't take anymore.

I walked to the door, ready to be a mean daddy. I jerked the door open, looked down, and tried to say in the nicest voice possible, "Yes, Cooper?"

He looked up at me, and ever so casually said, "Kiss?"

So I bent down and gave him a little kiss. Immediately, he turned around and hopped off to go play in the living room.

That kind of thing just couldn't have ever been scripted any better :)

New photos

Hi everyone

Having two kids has put an increased demand on my time, thereby reducing the time I have for posting here. In any case, I have just uploaded the pictures taken of Andy before we got him. You can access them here

Enjoy!

New Photos

Due to an EXTREMELY high level of requests, I have finally uploaded more pictures of Andy. Please do not miss out on the photos of Cooper's second birthday as well. Enjoy!

OUR BRAND NEW SON!!!

In the afternoon of February 15, 2007, we got the call from our social worker that we have been waiting for. Cooper is finally a big brother, and Eric and I are parents once again!

Our son, Anderson Sparks Campbell, was born on January 19, 2006. He and Cooper are only 11 months apart in age.

Eric and I went to meet him for the first time today. As you can see from the pictures Andy is beautiful. He’s a bit shy, but loves to cuddle.

We are looking forward to bringing him home on February 26. It will take longer than usual to process the paperwork because of Chinese New Year. Eric and I would like to thank you for all of your love and support, and especially for your prayers. Miracles do happen; Cooper and Andy are living proof.

We love you all!
Eric, Sarah, Cooper and Andy Campbell

Why it's good to be Dad

Wow, 3 months since I last posted. Sorry 'bout that. Life has been pretty busy lately, and I've been mostly playing catch up. That said, let me get on with this little blurb:

Cooper is getting to the age when he knows when someone is coming home and will sometimes come to the door to welcome said person. Usually, on a regular daily basis it's me who comes home around 6pm.

On one day a few days ago, just after I walked in the door, Cooper ran over, stopped a few feet from me, looked up, made a little fist, and dropped his elbow to his side in the same way a bowler does when he gets a strike, and said, "YES!" with a huge grin on his face.

Being the good dad that I am, what did I do? I picked him right up and wrestled him into the sofa where I tickled him silly for the next 20 minutes. :)

It's good to be Dad.