It Makes Me Mad

Tonight, Patrick and I were talking about a friend of ours. She is so sweet. And trying like heck to be a pediatrician. No lie. Lola puts here whole heart and soul into her internship. But like most things, scholarships took a hard hit with the downward economy. To make things worse, she is a little stubborn. And wants to do this on her own. Bare with us all, we have days to figure out how to save her internship for her.

It still shocks me that someone who has a 4.0 in college, only receives $50 a semester. That for a state university, she pays close to $16,000 a semester. And can't get financial help to save her life. All of the doctors that Lola works with, see her potential as a doctor. I know that is why they are all fighting so hard to keep her in her internship. But it is so difficult to do so.

We all feel so passionately because Lola is like everyone's little sister. My husband initially met her at work. He was a resident, she was an intern. And they became good friends. Before long, Lola was babysitting for our kids. We wanted to help her with her mounting school costs. And this was a way that she could work. Oh, and she is a darn good cook!!! Beyond all of this, Lola is a really good person.

On any given day, Lola is making little toys for the kids in the peds departments. She tries to make the kids feel as comfortable as possible. Watching NASCAR races with the little boys. Playing dress up with the little girls. And spending her breaks holding the preemies. You honestly couldn't find someone better, than Lola, to go into the medical field.

It just makes me so mad that our government wastes so much money on stupid things. Or that they pay for athletes to go to school because they can throw a ball. But they are lucky to make a D in a basic class. I hope the President Obama realizes that until he fixes things like this, the health care system will never be fixed. If people can't afford to become doctors, people will never be able to afford to go to a doctor. Let's just use some common sense here.

Patrick and I were just lucky. We came from families that had a little bit of money. We also went to school, years before the economic crash. When financial aid was available. And after all his training, Patrick landed a very good job. Because we do have friends who have not been so lucky. We know many doctors who work 120 hours a week, and use 70% of their checks to pay off student loans. Essentially, they work as doctors and live at or below the poverty level. That's sad.

I can see how so many people get discouraged and leave the field. I can also see why our country is short so many doctors. I just hope that we are able to help Lola secure her internship. I know that no one else would be happier to see her become a doctor than me. Maybe because I have known her since she began this journey. Or maybe because she is living out the life I had start so many years ago. But I do hope that Lola can get the help that she needs. I can't imagine a better pediatrician in the entire world!

My Wish

I've always wanted to be more creative. More hands one. One of those moms that makes cupcakes for her kids' classroom. And the cutest dresses for her daughter. But I'm not. :(

I'm more of the "left brain" kind of a person. I like to read about science. I find myself stealing Patrick's medical journals to read them. When we first had kids, I wanted to be the "crafty mom." But I had no idea how to do many crafts. Lola, a dear friend of ours, used to watch our kids for us. She would craft all day with Ethan and Madelyn. They would make cards, necklaces, you name it, they made it!

I can barely organize a craft session with the kids. But Patrick and I want them to have this creative center as well. We buy lots of crayons, paints, paper, glue, etc. And we just let the kids go crazy. They have a blast! Making pictures to send to Patrick. Or artwork for our house.

But I still want to be a crafty little bug. And I begged my husband for a sewing machine. He did not disappoint. On Christmas morning, I got a sewing machine with all the bells and whistles. I also got all the sewing gadgets you could imagine. With a $200 gift card to JoAnn's.

My poor sewing machine has sat under the Christmas tree since Christmas morning. (Yes, we still have our decorations up!) While Ethan and Madelyn are at school. And Logan and Daniella are sleeping, I figured I would search for a sewing blog. Low and behold, I found the most amazing site. I just had to click on the link in a friend's blog. I found Grosgrain. Talk about talent! Now I'm inspired all over again!!! I just need to get busy. I should probably start by taking the sewing machine out of the box. :)

Ruby Pumps

I've been in quite a festive mood lately. The holidays always do that to me. For the past 6 weeks or so, China Glaze, Ruby Pumps has been the nail polish that I'm continuously leaning towards. No real reason other than, when else can you wear sparkling red nail polish? I just can't imagine wearing this color say, in June. But for the holidays, it's perfect!

My question is, how appropriate is it to wear through winter? Or at least until Valentine's Day. I really do love this color! But I'm not sure if a sparkly red nail color, is appropriate outside of the holiday season. I would really appreciate anyone's comments. My husband seems to think you can wear anything, any time of year. Um, I'm from the south. I still think that white shoes after Labor Day is a big NO-NO!!!

But this color. I can't bare to have to put it away until next December. I would just cry. Maybe I should just paint my toe nails with it. That couldn't be so bad. People don't usually go around looking at your toes.

The Beginning

I've been meaning to start a blog for a long time now. It really only seems like a year. But in reality, it's been more like 4-5 years. Sad but true. But a friend of ours is the reason I've been wanting to start a blog. More because I want our family and friends to know what we are doing. And I want to motivate myself to document our family adventures.

A little background on our family...

When I was young, all I wanted was to be a doctor. That's it. I wanted to help sick kids. Before I knew it, I found myself in medical school. On my way. Paving my own road. Until I met Patrick. From the day that I first saw him, I knew he was the one. The one for me. All of a sudden I could see babies and late night chats with him. And before I knew it, we were getting married.

Patrick and I knew we wanted to have a family. But we also knew that it would be almost impossible for both of us to continue with careers in medicine and begin a family. We decided that I would stay home. It was the best decision I have ever made!

All these years later, we have 4 beautiful kids. And I'm married to the man of my dreams. We moved across the country so that my husband could become the "Chief." And we are enjoying our life as a happy family. I'm a doctor that doesn't practice. And a mother who tries to be hands on. Most of all, Patrick and I try to live the happiest life we can. I hope you enjoy!!!