Masterpiece Theatre

Shakespeare authored masterpiece plays. Beethoven composed masterpiece scores. Lincoln's masterpiece was the survival of the Union. My masterpiece thus far is the potential within my son Lance.

I believe all the problems in society (teen pregnancy, violence, fatherless children, etc.) have been born out of a failure on Main Street USA. Washington is unable to solve these problems through a top-down approach. A bottom-up system must follow for us to tackle these issues. If a family sees the world positively, then why can't a neighborhood? And why can't a community? And why can't a city? And why can't a commonwealth? And why can't a nation? And why can't the world?

The following is an incomplete list of what I wish to instill in my son through teachings and through example.

• We have only 1 life, which we should live well. Be disciplined in life, but also have fun.
• Since I am the only one to see the world from my unique perspective, I often confuse myself by thinking that my perspective is THE perspective through which all individuals should see the world. All human life is precious. To that end, I am not better or worse than anyone else. I am better at some things and worse at others. I will fight for justice to my son, but only as a third party participant. Lance will have the best from me because he is my son, but he will have equity whenever others involved.
• We only have 1 world. Whether or not human-caused Global Warming is truly a concern, we should take care of the world around us. We have limited resources, and small changes in our consumption can greatly affect the environment.
• Relationship is the key to a successful, happy life. Lance will not watch TV in excess or own video game systems. Instead, we are turning back time to raise him on wooden toys, board games, outdoor time, and relationships.
• Our worldview is seen through the lens of God. God is the key to everything. God is a loving and a just God. There is no real equity without God. Environmental responsibility is an imperative of the Bible. Relationships are enhanced when God is at the center of them. Virtue comes from the Bible.

This list is ever changing, but this is what I want Lance to know. An exhaustive list may follow 18 years from now, but this sums up my life's mission statement at this point.

Laughing At The Dinner Table, or How I Made Lance Cry

Welcome back, Everyone. I am sorry for the long delay in posting. Here's how the past few months have gone.

• 4 & 6 month visits A-OK.
• Katie & I celebrated our 5-year anniversary with a ghost tour of our fair city.
• Lance twirls his feet every time he sits -- too cute.
• My job situation may be changing soon.
• Lance can now put pacifier in by himself.
  
• Lance now goes to bed 6 to 7 every night.

Now to tonight...
Katie put Lance to bed (per the usual routine) around 5:45, and she proceeded to make dinner. Lance woke up at 6:30 ready to play, so we gave in and put him in the swing while Katie cooked. I entertained him until dinner was done, at which time I moved his swing to the dining room. Lance is too cute when he sits, because he twirls his feet around in circular motions. I started singing to him, "Twirl to the left; Twirl to the right." As I sang this in a deep, silly voice; I stared at his feet as he twirled them all over the place.

I happened to glance at his eyes and got quite a shock. His bottom lip curled under and quivered, and his eyes quickly filled with tears. I felt horrible but amused at the same time. So I consoled Lance, and he calmed down.

Then, it was time for bed -- AGAIN. I reached down for Lance when he decided to grab his pacifier and place it in. This was cute and necessary for bedtime. I waited as he stalled putting the pacifier in. He is really good at it, so I can now tell when he is simply stalling. Instead of waiting for his stall tactic, I picked Lance up quickly to head to bed. He immediately dropped the pacifier, started crying, and extended his arm to his mother. What a sneaky little devil! As I type this, he is still screaming -- refusing to go to sleep. Our resolve is definitely greater than his, so cry he will under sleep he does.