We made it!!

The news is finally in!! We have hoped and prayed and worked really really hard to get a dermatology residency (well, Paul did most of the working). It seemed so out of reach when we first started going for it. It seemed way too good to be possible. I never thought in my wildest dreams I was marrying a dermatologist, but we got the official acceptance yesterday! We have a spot here in Michigan. It's an amazing blessing and we still haven't really wrapped our brains around what it means yet. Dr. Grekin put his arm around Paul the other day and said, "You don't know what I have done for you yet, but you will." We decided 2 years ago it was Dermatology in Michigan or bust. I'm so proud of Paul. We are so glad we won't have to move. We love our friends here and are looking forward to 3 more years of Michigan.

Paul cracks me up how often he turns to me and says, "I'm going to be a dermatologist." We are both still figuring out what that means.

One of Paul's dreams just came true. And another one is just 3 months away. Since we got married, Paul has yearned for a dog. Being the dog hater I have always been, I have not consented..... until now. I knew the day would come that I would be outnumbered, that Paul's sad puppy dog face and my love for my boys would overcome my lack of interest in the canine type. Luckily Paul has picked for his one and only choice one of the prettiest dogs I've ever seen, and the easy going.est, and the best with children breeds. The Bernese Mountain Dog.


Paul found a breeder and is making the preparations. The litter is due in Jan, so about March we will become parents to a puppy. Now this dog is not small. It's HUGE! I have NO experience with ANY dogs whatsoever. I have never owned a dog. I have never taken care of a dog or wanted to. I have always hated dog hair, dog smell, dog food smell, dog grooming... anyway. You can see this will be a challenge for me. But I know my boys will all LOVE this dog. Every time we are around a dog my three boys go into a state of complete "happy". I know dogs teach children confidence, responsibility, they become a friend and companion. I might have been much improved as a child by having a dog. I know the issues I have with dogs can be overcome as i open my heart to love him. I will have to pray a lot, (and please pray for me) but I really believe that learning to love a dog will help me to be less selfish, (We all know I could use some help with that), more charitable and more loving. I think I will find that the dog will fill a part of my heart that I don't know is missing. I will need a lot of help. I once offered that Paul could get a dog before and then I backed out. It almost broke his heart to pieces. I can't back out. I'm in this. Any advice you have I will accept. I know I can do it. (right?)