Home Sweet Home

Here are a few pictures of our new house. It's nice and spacious since we doubled our square footage in the move!

Family Room

Our Craigslist find that we fixed up with some new doorknobs and some Pledge. Craigslist is just not the same as it was in San Francisco :( Jaden's favorite place to hang out!Looking into the kitchen and office (actually it's a dining room) from the family room. The kitchen is so much bigger than anything I've ever had...I even have a totally empty cupboard that the boys also like to hang out in.

We found this desk at an unfinished furniture store and my personal handyman (aka Micah) did a beautiful job staining it. Now he gets to stain a matching file cabinet!

We LOVE living in a house. The boys have plenty of room to run wild, everything is so new and clean, and Micah has had fun fixing up the yard. There's always more to do or buy, but it's starting to feel like home!

My Very Own Superhero

Aunt Lindi and Uncle Tanner found this cape in Mexico for Merik. He wears it everywhere ever since he has gotten over the fact that "it's not Halloween Mom". We were quite the sight to see at Target! He was even smart enough to ask if he could wear it in the car to church but take it off before we got inside.

Merik would not look at the camera for the first picture because this was supposed to be a picture of the cape...not him!

My Jaden...need I say more

"I'm Sick"

Merik looked at me the other day gave me a thumbs up, tried to wink, and said "I'm sick". It was hilarious! Then he did it to Micah on Sunday across the primary room during sharing time (minus the "I'm sick") I think we can thank Aunt Donelle for this cuteness!

Happy Birthday to Merik

He's officially 4 and loving it. I love it too because he tells me, "It's okay Mom, I can do it by myself cuz I'm 4!" He dresses himself, gets his own glass of water, helps do laundry, picks up his toys, and so much more just because he is 4.

I should have told him 3 year olds could do all that stuff!

Merik helped me put up the Spiderman decorations the night before and then woke up bright and early to open presents. Micah had already left for school and Jaden was still sleeping so it was just us. Thanks to family for all the fun gifts. A little boy Merik met his first day in Sunbeams came over to play all morning. After he left Merik told me, "It's good to have new friends, but sometimes I just miss my friends by my other house." Break my heart! Later we had Merik's favorite dinner...gravy...with a little mashed potatoes and ranch chicken. A boy after my own heart.

It's great to be 4!

The transformer hasn't left his side since he opened it. Merik jumps at any chance to go fishing. Jaden was slightly envious of all the new toys, but apparently 4 year olds are really good at sharing so Merik says.

Clark and Merik had more fun decorating the cake than eating the cake.

Isn't it beautiful!

Park Day

We walked down to our new park the other day. Jaden loved it but Merik wasn't thrilled about the spider webs.
The rain has finally stopped and the heat is not too bad yet. However, future trips will be to the pool. Merik loves that he gets Otter Pops after walking home from the park or swimming pool.

Not Your Typical 4th of July

I guess we don't really have a normal 4th of July, but this certainly wasn't it. Merik has spent the 4th in Hawaii, San Francisco twice, and now Dallas. Sounds exciting for a kid from Gilbert, AZ!

It rained here in Dallas most of the day so we let the kids play out back and slip 'n slide for a minute. That night most of the firework shows were cancelled so we all went to bed early. It made us miss our friends and family but hey we got some cute pictures of the kids!

The Big Move

About 12 hours after crashing from the weekends festivities we were headed out of San Francisco. I guess it was bittersweet. It was okay to leave knowing that most of our friends would be leaving also and so exciting to be moving into a real house. Of course it was a beautiful clear day as we watched the ocean fade away in our rear view mirror. The beautiful view is something I miss. As much as the hectic city life wore me out at times I really do miss the energy and excitement. I am so grateful for the last three years.

Luckily the boys got to fly home Sunday evening with my parents and miss out on the first 12 hours of the drive. We met up with them in AZ Monday night and spent a few days with family. Then my wonderful dad got to spend Father's Day driving to Texas with us. We stopped in Odessa, TX Sunday night and pulled into Forney, TX Monday at 1:00pm. (Yes the name Forney fits our town perfectly! It's a little farm town in the middle of nowhere and absolutely beautiful.) The pods came a few minutes later and everything was unloaded within an hour. Then the work began. I'm not sure it's really finished yet, although I'm at the fun part of decorating a beautiful new (okay it's a year old) house. I guess it makes it all the more exciting that we are still living on loans and I get to be creative.

Here are a few highlights!

Thanks to our dads super packing skills we almost fit into two pods. It was like a giant game of Tetris! Only one glass salad bowl was broken in the move so I'd say it was a success.

Texas pride is for real! This was Jaden's breakfast at the hotel in Odessa. I can't even count how many Texas flags, stars, and state outlines I see every day. It's crazy but everyone is so nice. They also get so excited to find our we came from San Francisco. They ask if we went surfing every day and say when they are rich they want to visit San Francisco?!

Welcome home!

Valedictory Address

Valedictory Address

University of the Pacific

Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry

Masonic Auditorium, San Francisco, California

June 10, 2007

Dr. Micah L. Porter

I am tremendously honored for the opportunity to speak today and to offer remarks on behalf of the Class of 2007. As luck would have it, I received news that I would be delivering this valedictory address from a hospital bed in Oahu. My wife and I decided to make use of the Memorial Day weekend to celebrate and relax without our children. However, after arriving I developed a fever that eventually turned into a severe case of pericarditis. So to dispel all rumors, I did not have a heart attack. While I feel much better, there is still a chance that the excitement of today’s events may be enough to cause me to pass out. Should that occur I have taken the liberty to ask Dr. Brannon Gunnell to perform his chicken dance as a short intermission until I can regain my composure.

On a more serious note, my experience in Hawaii is something I would like to share with you because it will remind all of us to keep things in perspective. Pericarditis manifests itself in much the same way as a heart attack. You can imagine what was going through my mind as I lay completely helpless waiting for the EMT’s to arrive and rush me to the hospital. I am a pretty driven person by nature and like to feel in control of my life. However, at that moment I was at life’s mercy and the only things that I could think about were how much I loved my family and needed to be there for them. The relationships in my life played over and over again in my mind; not degrees, honors, awards, or accolades. It is easy to get caught up in our daily rituals and forget what is really important. My hope is that each of you will take the time to enjoy the ones you are with. Make them feel like they are the most important people in your life at that time, because you may not get another opportunity. And do your best to make a difference in the lives you touch.

Pacific is a great model of what it means to make a difference. The culture of giving and serving at Pacific is contagious. It emanates from the leadership of our Dean Emeritus, Dr. Dugoni, continues through the efforts of Dean Ferrillo and his team, and spreads through the faculty, staff, alumni, and friends of the dental school. We are grateful for your love, your service, and for truly embracing us as a part of the Pacific Family. Thank you for teaching us greatness.

To our families and friends who have supported us through our triumphs and failures. Thank you for your patience. Thank you for loving and inspiring us. At dental school we are often taught to build our assets and you are our greatest assets.

It is no small feat to have accomplished all that we have. The talent in this auditorium is outstanding. While I stand before you as your colleague and friend I wish that each of you could see what I can see from here. It is amazing to look out over this audience and see the pride in the eyes of our loved ones, feel the anticipation of endless opportunities, and realize that we only have six months to start paying back those student loans. Today is and should be one of those special days that you always remember, but I want to challenge you to not stop here. Do not let today be the pinnacle of your career. Decide now what will be your next great accomplishment and then roll up your sleeves and get to work. There are so many avenues to success; you only need to choose one. It’s like my Great Grandaddy Porter use to always say, “If you don’t change directions you’ll get where you’re going!” Always have a dream and then make sure the choices you make will bring you closer to its realization.

Above all, I hope that we bring our very best to all of the relationships we develop and appreciate the good others have to offer. May we continue to find success as we strive for new horizons! To the Class of 2007 I say Thank You, Congratulations, and Good Luck!

Graduation

Another busy day! First we were invited to attend a VIP brunch, with more delicious gourmet food, in the Garden Room of the Fairmont. We sat with President DeRosa and his wife, Dean Farillo, and the head of the board of regents. President DeRosa was chatting with Micah and found out that Micah had worked his way through undergrad, has a wife and two boys, and accomplished so much during dental school. President DeRosa kept turning to his wife and saying did you hear that? Let's just say he was impressed. What a compliment to Micah!

(I have some fun pictures but they are on my parents computer...oops!)

Next was the actual ceremony! Our family had reserved seats in the VIP section which was quite fun. I thought the program was wonderful. They did a great job saying a few fun things about all of the graduates as they walked across stage. Of course I thought the final speaker stole the show! Micah gave a wonderful speech and there wasn't a dry eye in the place. It was a joke all weekend that Micah's dad laughed when he read the speech and my dad teared up. As we left Dr. Yaroboughro said he was on the crying side. Once again Micah received a standing ovation from this classmates and the audience. I think that says so much about Micah!

Congrats to all of the graduates. Everyone worked so hard and accomplished so much during those three years. We made some great memories and built amazing friendships never to be forgotten! Thanks for all of the love and support. We couldn't have done it alone.

We had to live it up while it lasted because now it's back to reality. Micah was quickly back in school with flashbacks of first year at Pacific. No one in Dallas knows who we are or what he's done and that's okay. It was fun to have a minute in the spotlight!

The Fun Continues

Saturday night was another dinner and awards ceremony this time held at the Olympic Club again in downtown San Francisco. The building was absolutely beautiful and the steak dinner was delicious. Micah was inducted into the Pacific chapter of OKU by Dr. Geisburger. Once again we got to brag about Micah! It was great to have all of our parents there with us.

I just realized we only have one picture of my parents from the whole weekend. They were always rushing off to take care of the boys. Thanks!

This is actually at the Ritz!

Celebration

Graduation weekend was such an exciting time for everyone. Then to top it off Micah was valedictorian of his class! I am so proud of his hard work. I am even more proud of his amazing ability to accomplish so much in school and still be an incredible husband and father. The boys and I are so lucky!

The celebration began when Merik and Jaden finally came home after almost 3 weeks in AZ. Jaden was pretty mellow but Merik wanted nothing to do with us. He only wanted Grandma and would not look at me or let me touch him at the airport. I did win him over with power ranger toys and he finally came around after a few hours.

Friday evening was the first big event at the Ritz. It was a black tie dinner and awards banquet hosted by the alumni association. It was so fun to see all of our friends and family all dressed up and an experience to eat duck for the first time! The evening was topped off with Micah being awarded valedictorian. He was a little embarrassed to go up on stage and receive the award (and money!!!!) and then when he turned around everyone was standing and clapping. Wow!