Tuesday, August 24, 2010
On Being Creative
I got to be a panelist at a Symposium on Creativity sponsored by my church. I was up there with a film and tv composer, a man who creates large art works in public spaces, and a lawyer who helps the poor access legal services. I got to explain how dentistry is creative...how we apply art to science and science to art...how our work is rooted in an understanding of the amazing creative work of the Creator. It was a blast...and I got to meet two of the dancers from Dancing With the Stars (one of whom complemented me on my creativity).
Friday, June 25, 2010
On Being "Advanced"
This past Tuesday, pickup time from the daycare was less crazy than usual. So I thought I would take the opportunity to catch up with one of Jackson's teachers.
"How was my boy today?" I asked.
"He had a good day," she replied. Then she perked up a bit. "This morning during circle time, Jackson read the book he brought in to the other children. He read the whole thing."
"Wow!" I exclaimed. "You know, I have noticed him sitting with Kiran and other kids reading to them. But he's reading whole books now?"
Then we launched into a conversation about how we should get him tested since he's so advanced. But I won't write about that lest it be thought that I am bragging about my brilliant son. Just to be clear. Ian and I take no credit. We just think that it's successful outbreeding.
It's rather surprising that he has progressed so quickly. As a two year old, his version of the "ABC" song went "ABABABA, ABABABA, ABABABA, ABABABA, ABABABA, ABABABA." It was tonally correct, but he wasn't at all interested in learning the proper sequence of letters. He shied away from all activities involving writing utensils and paint. By two and a half, he could recognize about 20 car symbols, but only 5 or 6 letters. All of a sudden at three and a half, he started recognizing more letters (and started taking an interest in starfall.com, recommended by my cousin Melanie). And before he turned four he started recognizing some words. Now, a bit after turning four, he reads children's books with fairly good accuracy. The fun thing is that he doesn't read in the monotone manner typical of early readers, but actually reads with inflection. And he really seems to love reading and writing.
At dinner that night, I summarized the conversation with Jackson's teacher for Ian. After affirming Jackson, Ian asked him, "Do any of your other friends know how to read a whole book out loud?"
"No," he replied smugly. "Just me. And the teachers."
Ian beamed.
"Wait a minute," I said, thinking of the five year olds in the class. "What about Julia?"
"Oh," he returned. "Yeah, Julia. She can read. Just Julia and me and the teachers".
"Not even Stella?" Another five year old.
"Oh, yeah. Stella and Julia and me and the teachers."
"How about some of the other bigger kids? LIke Max and Jensen?"
"Oh. (pause) Yeah. A lot of the friends can read a whole book. And the teachers too. The teachers can read a whole book."
I'm rather glad he has become so confident in his success in the area of reading. He has been delayed with potty training and gets a lot of "consequences" and "teacher's choices" at daycare because he has issues with impulse control. Before he discovered his area of strength, he just seemed very edgy. But gaining some mastery over reading has seemed to give him a new sense of accomplishment. He seems more comfortable in his own skin. Certainly less easily frustrated.
So yesterday, Ian picked up the kids. He said the head teacher stopped him and also recommended getting testing for Jackson. So now that's two suggestions by two individuals. To be quite honest, I'm a bit reluctant to go there. You know the scene in Spiderman when Ben Parker is dying and tells Peter, "With great power comes great responsibility"? I'm having these moments when I realize that not only am I responsible for the health and safety and moral development of my kids, but I'm also responsible to help them steward their gifts. Sometimes ignorance is bliss. If I don't know what his potential is, I am less responsible. Does that sound right?
Then there's the issue of how Jackson might steward his own gifts. I have this silly little thing I tell people when they ask me what he is like. I like to joke that he'll probably be dictator of a small country....and that I hope it's a tropical country so I can enjoy my visits with him. He's such a strong-minded kid. So the possibility of a really bright, strong-minded kid worries me. What will happen if his moral compass sends him the wrong direction?
I suppose there's not much I can do other than do my best to raise him to look to the humility of Jesus as an example of how to use controlled power to benefit others rather than self.
Ian and I have our work cut out for us. But I think we genuinely look forward to seeing how this all turns out.
"How was my boy today?" I asked.
"He had a good day," she replied. Then she perked up a bit. "This morning during circle time, Jackson read the book he brought in to the other children. He read the whole thing."
"Wow!" I exclaimed. "You know, I have noticed him sitting with Kiran and other kids reading to them. But he's reading whole books now?"
Then we launched into a conversation about how we should get him tested since he's so advanced. But I won't write about that lest it be thought that I am bragging about my brilliant son. Just to be clear. Ian and I take no credit. We just think that it's successful outbreeding.
It's rather surprising that he has progressed so quickly. As a two year old, his version of the "ABC" song went "ABABABA, ABABABA, ABABABA, ABABABA, ABABABA, ABABABA." It was tonally correct, but he wasn't at all interested in learning the proper sequence of letters. He shied away from all activities involving writing utensils and paint. By two and a half, he could recognize about 20 car symbols, but only 5 or 6 letters. All of a sudden at three and a half, he started recognizing more letters (and started taking an interest in starfall.com, recommended by my cousin Melanie). And before he turned four he started recognizing some words. Now, a bit after turning four, he reads children's books with fairly good accuracy. The fun thing is that he doesn't read in the monotone manner typical of early readers, but actually reads with inflection. And he really seems to love reading and writing.
At dinner that night, I summarized the conversation with Jackson's teacher for Ian. After affirming Jackson, Ian asked him, "Do any of your other friends know how to read a whole book out loud?"
"No," he replied smugly. "Just me. And the teachers."
Ian beamed.
"Wait a minute," I said, thinking of the five year olds in the class. "What about Julia?"
"Oh," he returned. "Yeah, Julia. She can read. Just Julia and me and the teachers".
"Not even Stella?" Another five year old.
"Oh, yeah. Stella and Julia and me and the teachers."
"How about some of the other bigger kids? LIke Max and Jensen?"
"Oh. (pause) Yeah. A lot of the friends can read a whole book. And the teachers too. The teachers can read a whole book."
I'm rather glad he has become so confident in his success in the area of reading. He has been delayed with potty training and gets a lot of "consequences" and "teacher's choices" at daycare because he has issues with impulse control. Before he discovered his area of strength, he just seemed very edgy. But gaining some mastery over reading has seemed to give him a new sense of accomplishment. He seems more comfortable in his own skin. Certainly less easily frustrated.
So yesterday, Ian picked up the kids. He said the head teacher stopped him and also recommended getting testing for Jackson. So now that's two suggestions by two individuals. To be quite honest, I'm a bit reluctant to go there. You know the scene in Spiderman when Ben Parker is dying and tells Peter, "With great power comes great responsibility"? I'm having these moments when I realize that not only am I responsible for the health and safety and moral development of my kids, but I'm also responsible to help them steward their gifts. Sometimes ignorance is bliss. If I don't know what his potential is, I am less responsible. Does that sound right?
Then there's the issue of how Jackson might steward his own gifts. I have this silly little thing I tell people when they ask me what he is like. I like to joke that he'll probably be dictator of a small country....and that I hope it's a tropical country so I can enjoy my visits with him. He's such a strong-minded kid. So the possibility of a really bright, strong-minded kid worries me. What will happen if his moral compass sends him the wrong direction?
I suppose there's not much I can do other than do my best to raise him to look to the humility of Jesus as an example of how to use controlled power to benefit others rather than self.
Ian and I have our work cut out for us. But I think we genuinely look forward to seeing how this all turns out.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Kiran's Babies
I just spent 30 minutes trying to sooth my crying toddler. We had completed all of our usual nighttime activities without a hitch. Visit the potty, take a bath, put on pajamas, family devotions, mommy time, daddy time, and lights out. But she could not be consoled. She wanted her babies.
This is Baby Colleen.
Most people think it's funny when I tell them that Kiran's first doll, a gift from Grandmum and Granda, is named Colleen. We didn't pick that name. We actually chose the name for her second doll, Baby Gigi, which was a gift from Aunt Elisabeth and Uncle Scott. This is what Baby Gigi used to look like when she was new.
Baby Gigi was named first. Poor Baby Colleen was nameless and ignored for the longest time while Baby Gigi languished in the storage pile under Kiran's crib. I guess Kiran just wasn't ready for dolls the entire time Baby Colleen sat in the corner of her crib. But one day around six months ago, Kiran discovered Baby Gigi's box. She brought it to me with a gleeful look and demanded, "ahpen it". As soon as Baby Gigi was released, Kiran gave her a big hug and said, "mah baby". Since she had finally chosen to bond with a lovey, we figured it had to be personalized. We chose the name Gigi because that was what Kiran was calling herself at the time. She was substituting g's for k's, calling herself Gigi instead of Kiki. Once Baby Gigi became special to her, Baby Colleen got included in the lovefest. Oh yeah. How did she get the name Colleen? A few weeks after Baby Gigi was named, I asked Kiran if her other doll had a name. "Yeah!" she exclaimed. When I asked her the name, she said something that sounded like "Kelleen!". Kelly? "No, Kelleen!". Kaitlyn (her cousin)? "No, Kelleen!" Keilah (another cousin)? "KEL-LEEN!". Then it dawned on me. She was telling me the name of one of her teachers in the daycare. So Baby Colleen joined the family.
It's been fun to watch her care for her babies. Sometimes she'll sit one of them in Jackson's chair at the dining table.
"Baby Gigi. Eating." She'll tell us. "Kiki. Happy."
She loves her babies enough to give them her favorite seat to watch TV (which, of course, happens on extremely rare occasions - the TV watching, not the sacrificial service).
"Baby. TV. Cold. Binket."
And she'll check on her baby occasionally.
"Ah-kay, baby? Ah-kay? Happy? TV?"
Ian and I get a kick out of it.
Except on nights like tonight. When Baby Gigi is at school waiting for Kiki for her daytime nap and Baby Colleen is lost, last seen stuffed into a shoebox by a rambunctious, imaginative older brother. And little mommy is despondent that she doesn't have a baby to hug to sleep.
Fortunately, the big brother understands her plight and will bring her alternate animals to try out and sing songs to try to make her happy once it's clear that big mommy's attempts aren't working.
This is Baby Colleen.
Most people think it's funny when I tell them that Kiran's first doll, a gift from Grandmum and Granda, is named Colleen. We didn't pick that name. We actually chose the name for her second doll, Baby Gigi, which was a gift from Aunt Elisabeth and Uncle Scott. This is what Baby Gigi used to look like when she was new.
Baby Gigi was named first. Poor Baby Colleen was nameless and ignored for the longest time while Baby Gigi languished in the storage pile under Kiran's crib. I guess Kiran just wasn't ready for dolls the entire time Baby Colleen sat in the corner of her crib. But one day around six months ago, Kiran discovered Baby Gigi's box. She brought it to me with a gleeful look and demanded, "ahpen it". As soon as Baby Gigi was released, Kiran gave her a big hug and said, "mah baby". Since she had finally chosen to bond with a lovey, we figured it had to be personalized. We chose the name Gigi because that was what Kiran was calling herself at the time. She was substituting g's for k's, calling herself Gigi instead of Kiki. Once Baby Gigi became special to her, Baby Colleen got included in the lovefest. Oh yeah. How did she get the name Colleen? A few weeks after Baby Gigi was named, I asked Kiran if her other doll had a name. "Yeah!" she exclaimed. When I asked her the name, she said something that sounded like "Kelleen!". Kelly? "No, Kelleen!". Kaitlyn (her cousin)? "No, Kelleen!" Keilah (another cousin)? "KEL-LEEN!". Then it dawned on me. She was telling me the name of one of her teachers in the daycare. So Baby Colleen joined the family.It's been fun to watch her care for her babies. Sometimes she'll sit one of them in Jackson's chair at the dining table.
"Baby Gigi. Eating." She'll tell us. "Kiki. Happy."
She loves her babies enough to give them her favorite seat to watch TV (which, of course, happens on extremely rare occasions - the TV watching, not the sacrificial service).
"Baby. TV. Cold. Binket."
And she'll check on her baby occasionally.
"Ah-kay, baby? Ah-kay? Happy? TV?"
Ian and I get a kick out of it.
Except on nights like tonight. When Baby Gigi is at school waiting for Kiki for her daytime nap and Baby Colleen is lost, last seen stuffed into a shoebox by a rambunctious, imaginative older brother. And little mommy is despondent that she doesn't have a baby to hug to sleep.
Fortunately, the big brother understands her plight and will bring her alternate animals to try out and sing songs to try to make her happy once it's clear that big mommy's attempts aren't working.
Thursday, June 03, 2010
Wednesday, June 02, 2010
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Perspective on Life
One of my favorite patients came in for a dental appointment today. I'm guessing it's probably not politically correct to have favorite patients, but I do...just like I proudly have a favorite son and a favorite daughter.
This patient is such a joy to treat. She is almost always smiling and pleasant. Her eyes have a certain peace and light radiating from them. She hugs me when she comes in for her appointments and makes sure to say "thank you" and "goodbye" when she's finished with whatever procedure is going on.
Today, when I went to the waiting room to tell her it was her turn to come back to the treatment area, she clapped and jumped up and down. I asked her if she was excited about coming in for her appointment; she nodded her head vigorously then literally ran back into the operatory. She's nine years old....and she has the mind of a four year old.
She also has mild cerebral palsy, which is manifested in an obvious weakness and lack of coordination of one half of her body. She can't perform all of her daily functions too well so she gets help with brushing her teeth and flossing every night.
Her family is brilliant. Both parents are professors and very accomplished in their fields. She has an older sister who is smart as a whip. I often ponder the kinds of hopes and dreams her parents must have had for her.
I asked what happened. It was part of my normal routine of gathering a medical history. Her mother told me that it all happened during pregnancy. It was a completely normal pregnancy and the baby was pronounced perfectly healthy throughout. Then in the eighth month, for whatever reason, the baby had a stroke. I don't think it's very common. I don't remember how the mom said the doctors figured it out. At any rate, the doctors induced labor and she was born a little early, probably adding insult to injury.
So by some fluke, this chid, who was expected to be perfectly normal....is not. And there was nothing anyone could do about it.
And so I remember this kid sometime when I need a perspective on life. We have so little control over life and this whole process of bringing new lives into this world. We might have prenatal screens and genetic tests and try to make decisions about the value of an unborn life. But we can't predict every little glitch that might occur in life. And it can happen in an instant. A flash, a fluke, and suddenly life isn't what we expected.
I'm sure it's sometimes rough on her family. I once remarked on how happy the child always seemed and her dad slowly said, "well....not always". But there's a real special tenderness the whole family has for this kid. She seems to bring out a goodness in them. So I file that away too. Things happen for a reason. Who am I to try to control that?
So I am reminded again today to remember how precious life and health really are. And even if my little one is starting to get into thirty minute unconsolable crying tantrums as she approaches two years of age, and even if my big boy has regular poo poo accidents and moments of rude defiance, I want to choose gratitude. They're full of life and they're healthy. And there was nothing that I could do to guarantee that.
UPDATED:
I guess God's trying to tell me something. At church today, Pastor Erwin spoke on Ecclesiastes 11:1-6. Verse 5 says:
This patient is such a joy to treat. She is almost always smiling and pleasant. Her eyes have a certain peace and light radiating from them. She hugs me when she comes in for her appointments and makes sure to say "thank you" and "goodbye" when she's finished with whatever procedure is going on.
Today, when I went to the waiting room to tell her it was her turn to come back to the treatment area, she clapped and jumped up and down. I asked her if she was excited about coming in for her appointment; she nodded her head vigorously then literally ran back into the operatory. She's nine years old....and she has the mind of a four year old.
She also has mild cerebral palsy, which is manifested in an obvious weakness and lack of coordination of one half of her body. She can't perform all of her daily functions too well so she gets help with brushing her teeth and flossing every night.
Her family is brilliant. Both parents are professors and very accomplished in their fields. She has an older sister who is smart as a whip. I often ponder the kinds of hopes and dreams her parents must have had for her.
I asked what happened. It was part of my normal routine of gathering a medical history. Her mother told me that it all happened during pregnancy. It was a completely normal pregnancy and the baby was pronounced perfectly healthy throughout. Then in the eighth month, for whatever reason, the baby had a stroke. I don't think it's very common. I don't remember how the mom said the doctors figured it out. At any rate, the doctors induced labor and she was born a little early, probably adding insult to injury.
So by some fluke, this chid, who was expected to be perfectly normal....is not. And there was nothing anyone could do about it.
And so I remember this kid sometime when I need a perspective on life. We have so little control over life and this whole process of bringing new lives into this world. We might have prenatal screens and genetic tests and try to make decisions about the value of an unborn life. But we can't predict every little glitch that might occur in life. And it can happen in an instant. A flash, a fluke, and suddenly life isn't what we expected.
I'm sure it's sometimes rough on her family. I once remarked on how happy the child always seemed and her dad slowly said, "well....not always". But there's a real special tenderness the whole family has for this kid. She seems to bring out a goodness in them. So I file that away too. Things happen for a reason. Who am I to try to control that?
So I am reminded again today to remember how precious life and health really are. And even if my little one is starting to get into thirty minute unconsolable crying tantrums as she approaches two years of age, and even if my big boy has regular poo poo accidents and moments of rude defiance, I want to choose gratitude. They're full of life and they're healthy. And there was nothing that I could do to guarantee that.
UPDATED:
I guess God's trying to tell me something. At church today, Pastor Erwin spoke on Ecclesiastes 11:1-6. Verse 5 says:
5 As you do not know the path of the wind,No, we don't have control over much of life, but we just need to faithfully invest in the things we know to be right and good and eventually we'll reap a return, in a manner known only to the good and gracious God.
or how the body is formed in a mother's womb,
so you cannot understand the work of God,
the Maker of all things.
Saturday, May 08, 2010
Home, Sweet, Home
We're in escrow!! After one year of searching, 11 offers (4 times as first backup), and many, many Sundays of open houses, we are moving forward. We feel like this house has been gifted to us. We didn't actually pursue this one. Instead, the listing agent on our 9th offer called us up. We were first backup on that particular home. Both he and the owner really liked us and wanted us to have the home, but there was a better offer. But the agent remembered us and suggested to the owners to offer us the chance to make an offer on this home before it was even listed.
Cute little house built in the 1940's in a family-friendly neighborhood walking distance to both Winchell's donut house and Trader Joe's. Three bedrooms and two baths.
It has its drawbacks. Primarily...it's located here...
...right next to the freeway. It also lacks a garage and a formal dining room, but we can afford it and it's in the boundaries of a great elementary school. So we are thankful and hoping that we can secure a good loan and move forward with no hitches.
Here it is:
Front of the house:
Backyard view from the patio:
Storage shed in backyard:
Studio Office (future home of EyreFilms):
Thank you for journeying with us so far!
Cute little house built in the 1940's in a family-friendly neighborhood walking distance to both Winchell's donut house and Trader Joe's. Three bedrooms and two baths.
It has its drawbacks. Primarily...it's located here...
...right next to the freeway. It also lacks a garage and a formal dining room, but we can afford it and it's in the boundaries of a great elementary school. So we are thankful and hoping that we can secure a good loan and move forward with no hitches.
Here it is:
Front of the house:
Backyard view from the patio:
Storage shed in backyard:
Studio Office (future home of EyreFilms):
Thank you for journeying with us so far!
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
How old are you, Kiran?
She insists that she's two and a half. Does she even know the difference between one and two?
Clarice
Clarice
Friday, February 19, 2010
New Toy
Uncle Randy and Auntie Amy gave Jackson a new dream toy for his birthday. He's been enjoying it.
Clarice
Clarice
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Kiran Translation Guide
Kiran is starting to talk more and more as her primary mode on communication. It's nice to not have to interpret her cries. Unfortunately, we now have to interpret her sounds. Here's a handy guide to what on earth she's trying to say.
mo = more
ah done = all done
moke = milk
wa wa = water
ahsahsah = applesauce
nanny = banana
arage = orange
bad = bread
bad = bed
buddah = pillow
bitten = blanket
doddy = doggy
mao mao = cat
wog = frog
dars = star
moan = moon
eeyoh = ear
eye = eye
mouse = mouth
no = nose
dose = toes
beya buda = belly button
foogung = finger
peesh = please
tee too = thank you
(silence) = sorry
NOOOOOO = sorry
Jah Jah = Jackson
Chee Chee = Kiki
Clarice
mo = more
ah done = all done
moke = milk
wa wa = water
ahsahsah = applesauce
nanny = banana
arage = orange
bad = bread
bad = bed
buddah = pillow
bitten = blanket
doddy = doggy
mao mao = cat
wog = frog
dars = star
moan = moon
eeyoh = ear
eye = eye
mouse = mouth
no = nose
dose = toes
beya buda = belly button
foogung = finger
peesh = please
tee too = thank you
(silence) = sorry
NOOOOOO = sorry
Jah Jah = Jackson
Chee Chee = Kiki
Clarice
Such Silence
We've been silent on this blog for a while. Lots of stuff going on. Plenty of drafts of blog posts in our heads, but we've had trouble committing to place finger to keyboard. But we know that there are a handful of folks, mainly our relatives, who would like news about our family....actually, our kids, so we'll try to post at least once a month this year.
Clarice
Clarice
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