This is what Telfer was doing when I left for work this morning. I couldn’t resist taking his picture! He defnitely deserves a break – we worked really hard all of last week getting the house ready for graduation…not to mention the last four years of medical school…and so if he wants to read in bed for an hour, he should. Today is also our four-year annivesary. I can’t believe how quickly time passes – we are amazed by God’s goodness and faithfulness to us. 

Graduation weekend was truly successful. Not only did Telfer officially become a doctor, but we had such a good time with Telfer’s family (sans Burton & Tracie & Austin – we missed you!) Chris, Mendy, Claire and Eleanor all stayed with us in our house (we were *just* put together enough for it to work). Nana & Papa stayed in a hotel.

A brief, hopefully not too tedious recap:

Friday night was the hooding ceremony. Chris "hooded" Telfer – ceremonially gave him the drapey thing that goes down the back of the robe. Right before Telfer had to leave, I managed to iron a series of holes into Telfer’s gown. So helpful.
Saturday was Baccalaureate. Very good service – Telfer’s friend Grant was one of the student speakers. Chris took us to our favorite Thai restaurant, Rama Garden, in Redlands afterward.

Sunday was graduation (8:30 in the morning!). Telfer is now a doctor – very fun. Bekah and Jeff Hall joined us back at our house for brunch and Telfer and I enjoyed having everyone in our home. Monumental, really. To cap off the day, we went to see Star Wars III (I really, really love watching movies like that with Claire and Eleanor – we can laugh collectively at all of the ridiculous parts – ex. "hold me like you did at the lake on Naboo" – and I won’t get into trouble).

So, our weekend was definitely action-packed. Eleanor had to leave for New York on Sunday night while the rest of us went to the beach on Monday and received a nice bit of sun. There are more pictures of graduation in our "2005 photographs" album on the lefthand nav bar.

We are so grateful for our family and friends for the support and love they have given us over the last four years.

Last night was the first in a series of celebratory graduation events. We had dinner on campus (which we both decided we have come a loooong way – relishing our vegetarian fare with little to no complaints on texture and appearance) with the graduating class. Telfer won the anesthesia award for smartest, kindest, and generally the most wonderful student (that’s totally my take on it – a much fancier name was applied)…and with his earnings now gets to purchase the barbeque of his dreams (of which I was not too keen beforehand).  Manly pictures of Telfer grilling will be forthcoming.

We are certainly making some progress. Yesterday was our most productive day yet – it looks like we live in a house! Telfer finished all the painting he can do before graduation (i.e. some of the windows and doors in the living and dining rooms and the guest bedroom and the bathroom ). I unpacked boxes and cleaned up stuff all day yesterday – we had an unexpected blessing from our friend Andrew (a 1st year medical student – in the picture, Andrew & Telfer are moving out the monstrosity that is also known as our former fireplace insert) who knows something about cabinetry and worked and worked on our cabinets until most of them close! They have been hanging on their hinges for the last couple of weeks. Who knew? Apparently a layer of paint is thick enough to do real damage to the effectiveness of cabinets.

Who knew painting was so hard and complicated? I shouldn’t complain too much…but, just a little wouldn’t hurt. We were both up until 1:00 am this morning taping all the stinking molding in our hall, dining room and living room. Notice the windows in our living room – do you see all the little panes? NINE per window. Okay, I am done. On the good news front, we just have all the molding to finish in the hall, living room, and dining room and we will be semi-ready (i.e. we can move in furniture) in time for graduation and the Griffith family – both due this weekend. Soon, and very soon, there will be a real, live doctor living with ME!