Field Trip

It is definitely a sign of changing attitudes that our post about Landon’s circumcision generated as much commentary as it did! While the practice seems to be diminishing in the West, where (presumably) hygienic practices and access to medical support are making the operation less necessary for health reasons, it is on the rise (pun not intended) in Africa, where its health benefits are lauded. We appreciate the time people took to make comments, and we value your opinions and advice. As noted in our initial entry, we sought a wide range of opinions and advice before making the decision, and while it has changed our little guy, the decision we made was based 1) on our concerns for his best interest, and 2) on our trying our best to be guided by our faith concerning matters which, frankly, we do not have the expertise to decide alone. Like our and Natalie’s initial choice to bring him into our family through adoption, the bottom line is that we felt enough confident in the advice we received that we understand the decision we made was the right one, current or past norms or vogues or opinions notwithstanding. We are sensitive to the reality that Landon will probably endure (as we ourselves have already endured) a whole series of interrogations as he grows up as an adopted child in an era where current norms, vogues, and opinions reject that practice, as well. However, his birth parents and his adoptive parents agreed together that, despite the controversy, and despite the fact that he is no longer part of his “natural” family, he is in the condition he needs to be as our son. While being circumcised is a change from his natural physical state, the majority of American boys continue to be circumcised, so he will stand more of a chance of being like his peers in at least that regard (he may decide differently for his sons as majority norms change). We stand by our choices in both instances. Thank you to those of you who wished Landon a swift recovery! He is healing well, and he continues to mature and provide us with new surprises every day!

Mama, Poppy, and the Bambino took a trip up to East Lansing so Mike could attend a conference and Hallie and Landon could get out of the house. It was a perfect spring day, with daffodils and magnolias in bloom, warm sun, low humidity, high wispy clouds, birds chirping, and everything and everybody coming to life. We enjoyed ice cream at the MSU Dairy and were reminded of going to the BYU creamery. The Spartan campus is beautiful. At the conference, Mike learned about international issues in education, especially between China and Michigan as they form new partnerships. The handwriting is on the wall. In Mike's opinion, Landon and other American kids of his generation would be well advised to learn Mandarin as a practical skill. Mike's Spanish has served him well in a context where increasing Latin American influence is being felt here in the US, and he imagines that China's influence in the US will grow as well. So, rather than running away, we will help Landon face his Chinese contemporaries with a hearty 你好! (Ni hao! Hello!)