The Phone Call

Julius was at his parents' house with four of our kids, he was holding and feeding Tanielu, while Mita'iga was following him back and forth in the hallway, Fipe and Tafiti were watching t.v. and I was across the street with Malofou at her appointment. He got the call!!

[INSERT PHONE CALL HERE]


He replayed it for me in the car (luckily he installed a phone recording app to await this ever so sweet phone call... we knew it was coming... we just didn't know when). I just couldn't stop screaming! I was so happy and relieved and excited and "aaaaahhhhh"! We're going to medical school!!!! (I know it's just Julius going to medical school and not all of us, but doesn't "WE're going to medical school" sound better than "Just Julius is going to medical school"? LoL.)
We were so excited! We were trying to figure out a cool way to share the wonderful news with our families. We called a family meeting for both our families. Everyone was ready for us to announce that we were having another baby. Haha. We were all sitting in the living room, I sneakily called Julius' phone so he could pretend he had to answer the phone... and then he played the phone call over a speaker... everyone looked confused but it was so quiet and they were all listening to the conversation. Tears were shed as they realized "We're going to medical school". Everyone congratulated Julius and each other... this journey is definitely a family affair... everyone was just so grateful!
We knelt together to give thanks to our Father in Heaven for such a SWEET BLESSING! It was a moment I wish I could have captured in a photo, all our family humbling kneeling together in prayer. It really doesn't get any better than that. We truly are blessed with the best family. They continue to support, counsel, and LOVE our little family.
(Aunty Via bought pizza for our PAH-TAY!.. She continues to do so much for our family. We Love Aunty Via!)

MCAT and INTERVIEWS

MCAT

In May 2014, Julius and I took a road trip to Idaho for Julius to take the MCAT!! (The MCAT!! was so demanding in preparing mentally and physically... therefore, I feel it always needs two exclamation points. haha)

The MCAT!! was an 8 hour long test! Yikes!! He prepared and studied for hours, days, months, and even years. He felt good going into the exam and he felt good when he came out. When he came out, I gave him a big long hug because I knew he did so well and "it" was finally over. Phew!

p.s. I took some pictures of him to document this long journey, but our phone was lost and probably shattered when someone went on the Cannibal Roller Coaster Ride at Lagoon.

INTERVIEWS

Julius was invited to interview at three schools: The University of Utah, University of Hawaii, and Oakland University (a school in Michigan). We were so excited to get an interview because a lot of people who apply only get one interview or none at all. Yay for interviews!

Each school had a different interview regime

University of Utah School of Medicine (UUSOM)

Julius received an email with interview date options and he had to pick a day that worked. It was a full day of different activities, multiple interviews, mini interviews, and a tour. He said he had fun and it wasn't as bad, or hard, as he was expecting it to be. We felt good about the U!

University of Hawaii (JABSOM)
Julius had to schedule 3 different interviews with 3 different interviewers. This was kind of a hassle because we didn't want him to have to take multiple trips to Hawaii (even though he'd probably enjoy it. LoL. we were low on funds... "sorry about it") We felt good about Hawaii.

OAKLAND UNIVERSITY (

Oakland University was kind of like the U, where you just schedule a day and they had the interviewers ready. Julius really like Oakland's program and facilities. He liked how the school had it's own medical school building, but did not like how there was no hospital near the school.

1 year later... more blessings!!

So much has happened since the last time I posted something or updated this blog. I will try to give a quick update on the most important things first... Here goes:

We had another baby! Yup! Our sweet handsome boy is named TANIELU LOME, he's already 7 months (insert sad face, they grow so fast... time for another one?? insert happy face) He is such a happy baby. From day one, he has always had a loud cry. He probably knew he was coming to a crazy family and figured if he wanted our attention he had to demand it with his loud crying. I love him so much! We all love him!

Julius got ACCEPTED into the University of Utah Medical School!!!!!! This is a big deal, it's a HUGE deal. YAY!!!!
(I will post about the MCAT, application, interviews, acceptances, etc.)
His dream, our dream, everyone's dream... it's becoming a reality!!

Malofou started kindergarten and is actually almost finished. She has learned so much and has accomplished many excellent eagle goals. She loves going to school and having friends. She loves learning and doing homework. She likes to read books to her siblings, yes, she can read! Crazy! (I don't remember reading like her when I was in kindergarten) She's smart!

Fipe just registered for kindergarten for the fall. She is slowly but surely coming out of her "shy" stage. She loves to sing, dance, and do homework. She has definitely opened up a lot, helps out more around the house and with her siblings. She is the one that makes Tanielu laugh the hardest. She is always watching out for Mita'iga and makes sure the babies are taken care of. She still cries a lot, but she's the only one that gives everyone a hug and kiss before she goes to bed. She's our sweet caring loving Fipe.

Tafiti is still a cute silly boy (most of the time). He's witty. He knows what to say to get out of trouble. He helps take care of "the babies". He knows how to write his name, but still needs help with his shapes. He loves being with his boy cousins and doing boy things. He tries to be macho, but when he cries... it's not macho at all.

Mita'iga is the real trouble maker. She is always getting into things and causes trouble to her siblings. She is smart and is talking a lot more. She loves to sing and eat. She has her own sense of style. She loves wearing tutu's (I love it when little girls wear tutu's... yay) She is very independent! If she wants something, she'll figure out a way to get it.

Julius and I are still madly deeply in love... and I absolutely love it! I Love loving him! and I Love the way he loves me. We rarely argue or fight, we don't get on each other's nerves ( I still can't get enough of him), and we are still falling in love with each other!!

Is he a DOCTOR yet???

A lot of our family has been asking about how much school Julius has left before he becomes a doctor, so here's a quick glance:

As of today (March 2015) he is still working on his undergrad or working towards his Bachelors degree at the University of Utah. He is majoring in Biology with a minor in Chemistry. He is planning to graduate with his Bachelors in May 2016.

Julius starts applying for Medical School in June 2015. He is preparing to take the MCAT (Medical College Admissions Test) in May 2015.

Part of the Medical School application requires an interview. If the schools/programs like Julius on paper, they request to meet and interview him in person. After the interview(s), we wait for acceptance letter(s).

After 4 years of Medical School (2020), he will Graduate with his MD (doctor of Medicine). He weill be a DoCToR.... But he will still need to complete 3 to 7 years of a residency program depending on what he wants to emphasize in. Residency is like on the job training for doctors. He'll work in a hospital and treat patients under the supervision of a doctor.

We still have a long ways to go, but somehow it's going by quick. The days are long but the months go by fast.
Julius is doing really well. He is REALLY BUSY!! but It's a good kind of busy.
AND.... That's a quick look at where we are right now.

SCHOLARSHIP... Pays for EVERYTHING!!!

This is long overdue, so it might be a little lengthy.
Julius has been really good at finding funding for school AND supporting our family. He applies, qualifies and receives countless scholarships. He has been very dedicated to his schooling (sometimes I feel he's a little too dedicated and neglects us, but I have to remind myself that he's doing it so our family will be blessed and our children will have what they need. I know he doesn't want to be away from us but it's something he can't control... okay, back to the real issue) In the spring semester of 2014, Julius was granted the Larry H. and Gail Miller Family Scholarship. It is a full-ride scholarship... it pays for EVERYTHING!! It pays for tuition, books, food, and housing.... yup, even housing for our little growing family. So in June 2014, our little family moved up to the family student housing on the U mountain "we belong to the mountain". It has been such a huge blessing for our family. The timing couldn't have been better. We were lucky and blessed to move to the apartment we live in. We have awesome neighbors and an even more awesome ward (our awesome ward is a post on it's own). Our ward has many students who are in different stages of pre-med, medical school, and residency (some wards don't have any medical students). They have given Julius advice and help in his journey to becoming a doctor.
Every semester Julius receives money for books, notebooks, pencils, paper, etc. Housing is paid for in full. We live in a 3 bedroom apartment. We have central air, we are warm in the winter and stay cool in the summer. All the utilities are included in our rent that is PAID for. We really have been handed a place to stay in for free. Julius also gets a generous amount of money for food called "dining dollars". He can buy food, drinks, snacks, and treats anywhere on campus for free. I'm glad he can buy food while he is at school so he doesn't pass out. LoL. He needs to eat!! Sometimes he goes to school all day and even brings home yummy dinner for us.
We have some SWEET SWEET SWEET TENDER MERCIES!! With 4 little children and Julius gone all day, it is such a blessing to not have to worry about having a roof over our heads, food to eat, or clothes for our children. The scholarship has made our lives a little less stressful. Julius can focus on doing well in school without worrying about if we're warm and fed.
Thank you Miller Family!! We will forever remember your generosity and kindness.
Thank you Julius for being so smart and earning this sweet scholarship.
And especially we THANK our Father in Heaven for making ALL things possible. His timing is perfect, His blessings are numerous, and His Love is so very unconditional. We seriously recognize His hand in our family's lives.