The Cloak of Compassion

Monday was a special day.

It was the day Seth received his white coat.

The White Coat Ceremony is a "rite of passage" for students beginning the study of medicine that encourages a psychological contract for professionalism and empathy in the practice of medicine. The event emphasizes the importance of both scientific excellence and compassionate care for the patient.



The white coat is a symbolic, non-verbal communication used to express and reaffirm a fundamental belief in a system that society observes. The authority of dress is serious and purposeful, not social, casual, or random. It is a guide to both the patient and clinician on how to react and relate to one another.

The uniform should convey to even the most anxious patient a sense of seriousness and purpose that helps provide reassurance and confidence that his/her complaints will be dealt with competently and seriously.

The students filled the seats.



Spotting Seth wasn't too hard...



But, just in case you missed his receding hairline...look behind the...floating head.

After some remarks, the procession began.

Then it was Seth's turn.









After receiving his coat, Dr. Yudcovitch, the keynote speaker, put a pin on that reads "Pacific Optometry Class of 2012."



Once everyone was seated again, all the students stood to recite the Optometric Oath.



Even though Seth's "not one for Pomp and Circumstance", I kept thinking to myself, "this really is a big deal!"

Seth has reached a turning point in his life!

What a great thing to celebrate.

Once the formalities were over, the class gathered together for a group shot.

Can you see Seth?

It's a little like Where's Waldo...



All of these hard-working men and women have passed from being just students and have become Optometric Interns!

We met outside for some good food and had more pictures taken.



We are SO PROUD!!

Seth with his friends: (L to R) Seth, Scott, Colton, Devin, Brandon, Eric, David, Shawn, Dave, and Aaron...



...and all of the wives: Jen, Jenny, me, Kristina, Jenn, Brianne, Erin, Tara, and Tana.



Seth, your hard work has been celebrated.

I'm so proud to be a part of this with you.

You are going to be a great Optometrist!

I know...

...because that white coat makes you look gooooood.

**thank you Kristina for the pictures!!!**

The white coat is the cloak of compassion.

"Porter's Computer"

First {dot}

Seth has officially finished his second year of Optometry school!

Not only did he finish, but he finished flawlessly!

My man got straight As!!

Congrats, Seth on receiving your first {dot}!!

D and another {dot} to go!

Finals Week Escape

This trip was a lot like the last one.

Except Seth was still in Oregon.

And, I was lazy and didn't take any pictures until the last two days...

I know, what was I thinking?!

We did a lot, too!

Spur of the moment, the second week there, I took Porter up to Rexburg after not being there for three years.

We only stayed for the day, but I got to go visit my old and favorite friends Monica and Melissa!

*monica's on the left holding Porter and now has a baby of her own!! *met melissa at all-state in 2004, and we were friends at first sight!

Rexburg looked almost completely different.

If the streets hadn't remained mostly the same, I would've definitely gotten lost.

I should've taken my camera out.

Chelsea and I got to hang out for an afternoon.

We went to the temple, and afterward she introduced me to Kiwi Loco in town.

*kiwi loco: google images*

SO yummy!

I also got to go to a new favorite, Cafe Rio, and an old one, River Rock Grill, with the family.

*google images

Porter even got to go to his first movie in a movie theatre!

We saw How to Train Your Dragon, and he fell asleep half way through when his sugar high passed, but he did great!!

*google images

I should've taken my camera out!!

Well, here's what happened the last two days, anyway:

More piano playing...

...and a game of Uno Attack!

Porter loved pushing the button.

Even when he anticipated what would happen...

...and when it hit him in the face :)

Trippin'

Porter and I made the trip down to Twin Falls last Sunday to escape Seth's finals week...this week.

Alas, the camera batteries are dead, so I don't think or know if we have taken new pictures before we left.

I do know we haven't since we left.

Porter was an amazing little traveller, though.

No fussing, very cooperative...

...until he threw up.

Luckily, for us, we were almost to Missy's in Boise.

We stayed there a couple days while he got over it.

Poor prego Missy caught the bug after we left.

Sorry!

Twin is still as beautiful as ever, and I love being here!

Even if I brought some rain with me this time.

Good luck with finals this week, Seth!!

Some Achievements Worth a Mention

Seth has passed his 21 point exam!!!

That's a weird way of saying he knows how to give a full eye exam flawlessly.

GO SETH!

Plus, I've reached my goal of losing 30 pounds!

YAY!

Took a year, but totally worth it.

...I wouldn't be upset if I lost 10 more...

heehee.

SEE?

Porter's soaked...again.

But, he's not whining because he is.

He's whining because I'm not letting him "see" the picture before I actually take one.

Well, excuse me.

I let him see those...ones...haha...and then he was willing to pose for me.

Little pill.

Easter

Porter was awesome at finding all the eggs this year!

I had hid them before the second session of General Conference and he had found over half before it was over.

He was very excited after finding the first one because he figured out what was inside!

Gimme some candy!

For Easter dinner, we invited the Johansens over!

We thought we could make it a tradition!

Don't you love Seth's pink football?

Porter was too distracted with candy to join in with the egg coloring.

Happy Easter!

Spring Break in Twin

Seth, Porter, and I drove Jo home and spent our spring break with my parents!

We also went to register the car there.

Cheaper than WY and OR!

Idaho rocks.

That's coming from an true Idahoan, but it really does.

Anyway, Mom put Seth to work almost immediately!



The tree had been dying for years, and it was time for it to go.

Sadly.

There are many memories with that tree.

I think Seth enjoyed playing with the chainsaw.

Porter loved going outside in the backyard any time he could get someone to open the door for him.

He mostly just yelled at us when he was out there...

He was certainly creative when finding a way back inside...

Sometimes when he was out there, he got creative with other things, too...



Our child is also a budding musician...

I think it must run in the family.

Porter loved playing with Senji, and it was really cute to watch, as well...

I think he wore him out!



No wonder Porter slept so well every night!

We had a great break with the family, and were sad to come home!

Especially when home welcomed us with more school and even more pouring rain.

boo.

A Drive to Twin

Jo came to visit over a perfect week.

It was rainy the day she came, but was sunny for the rest of the time!

Until the day we all left!

Lucky.

Someone must love her.

We drove Jo back to Twin.

But, we made a quick stop at a falls first :)

Then we were on our way!

Forest Park

Literally in the middle of Portland, there is an enormous park where you can hike, bike, etc.

I had no idea it was there.

Jo found it online and wanted to go.

So, we did!

Very pretty, and a very hard hike!

But we were happy hikers!

*I would've been happier if I'd remembered to leave my purse in the car, though*

On our way back--we didn't even go the whole way. More like an eighth of it because of how big it is--Jo wanted to take a short cut.



Yah...didn't happen.