Doula, Doula

I've been planning on using the same doula with this birth as I did with Brendan's. She generously offered to do this for free since at some point I told her I wouldn't be able to use her service after all, in light of the fact that we are still looking for full time work. The only caveat, she said, was that she had a planned vacation three days before my due date - July 10-12. (RIGHT NOW) So she is currently out of town and now I'm hoping I DONT go into labor until Monday - my actual due date. This woman is SO generous that she has secured me a back-up doula while she's gone who is also willing to work for free. Furthermore, she got a back-up for her back-up!! I'm truly overwhelmed by her generosity!! But fingers crossed for Monday.

On another note, Matt and I have made a decision regarding his search for full time work - a decision that feels like a ton of bricks has been lifted off our shoulders. We've decided to take out more student loans to supplement the rest of Matt's part-time income. This has only been an option since we found out about the College Cost Reduction and Access Act (CCRAA). In short (very short) this act does 2 things. It reduces monthly loan payments after graduation with NON-compounded interest. Matt's loan payments after graduation, for example, will be around $180 a month instead of the originally projected amount of $650! AND, the other part of this act states that if he works in a public institution (government, non-profit, etc...) for 10 years while paying his lowered payments his student loans will be forgiven ENTIRELY whether he has a million dollars in debt left to pay or $100!!

We are talking about Federal not private (Sallie Mae, etc...) loans but a PhD student can take out $20,500 in Federal loans each year. This is plenty to get us through a year of Matt finishing his comprehensive exams, at which point he can start teaching with an ABD ("all but dissertation") status. In other words, he'll be an expert in his field but he still has to write a book about something before we can call him "Dr. Westbrook."

Now that Matt doesn't have to work 40 hours a week, do school 35 hours a week, only get to see his kids 10 hours a week and his wife 7, we can actually survive as a family! This new act has opened up the possibility for Matt to finish his schooling AND for me to have a husband and my kids to have a father.

[SIGH]

Thank the Lord!

p.s. If you are repaying Federal loans you should look into this. Your payments may be able to be lowered and if you're working in a public institution you may be eligible for loan forgiveness in 10 years. Disclaimer: I have probably gotten some of the info above wrong. You should research if for yourself.