My Husband Rocks - Job Update

Today, I'd like to report that my husband rocks because...HE GOT A JOB!!! Not only did he land a job in this horrible economy...before we had to touch our emergency fund...or think about selling a rental house...he is SUCH a great employee, that he is going back to work for one of his old companies. In fact, it's the company he left to accept the job working with our church. He left on good terms, gave 3 weeks notice, trained the new person they hired, and his old boss valued him so much that she called his new boss (at the church) to rave about him and say how much he would be missed at the old office.

This old boss was one of the first people Mike called to put a bug in her ear that he was available for work again. She is also a Christian (around our parents' age) and completely understood why Mike left that company in the first place. There were no burned bridges when he left.

SOOOOO...she called a couple of days ago and said that they are paring down their staff, but would like to hire Mike back to replace the CPA that they are laying off! I know we should have jumped at the chance, but there are definite concerns with this offer. No health benefits - everything's out of pocket (hel-LO...no maternity insurance for baby #3 someday), plus the pay scale was a little less than he was ideally hoping for. Also, it's a small real estate company. Small in this economy is unstable. The real estate market in this economy is unstable.

As we were praying about it the other night, a small voice inside of me said, "WHY are you praying about this? There have been NO tangible job leads other than Make a Wish. There are a gazillion people looking for work right now and hardly anyone is hiring. Mike was considering applying at Starbuck's in a few months to help pay the bills. This is a good job with a good company in a nice part of town with a great staff. Are you seriously that greedy to consider holding out for something better???" I shared those thoughts with Mike, he took the day to continue making his decision and he officially called and accepted the job yesterday afternoon.

CONGRATULATIONS MIKE!!! And thank you to everyone for keeping us in your prayers, supporting me emotionally through this tough time in our marriage and for checking in with us to make sure we weren't ready for straight jackets. (I loved the calls and emails from friends who said, "No seriously...how are you REALLY doing? Give it to me straight." I have the best girlfriends in the world.)

I really enjoyed the time Mike was home with us these last couple of months. Well, most of it anyway! We had a couple of really hard weeks before Christmas, but I think it brought us closer together and strengthened Mike's faith. It took a bit of time for us to develop a new routine that included him, but once we did, it was nice spending so much time together. For those of you going through a layoff or a recent job loss, I will tell you that Mike's lowest point was at about 4 weeks, and I've heard that 4-6 weeks is a common rock-bottom for men. Continue to support your husband, pray for him, encourage him and build up his confidence, especially during the rough times.

The kids have gotten used to the four of us being together all the time. Not only Daddy being home during the days, but all of us together. I took Ryan hiking last week, just him and me, and he said he missed Kaylin and Daddy over and over until he was almost in tears. Last night when Mike and Ryan went to a friend's house to watch the final college football bowl game, Kaylin asked when they were coming home 100 times. Even when I have the kids alone at the grocery store for under an hour, they complain about missing their daddy.

Mike returning to work full time is going to be an adjustment for all of us. Personally, I've become quite comfortable being a little lazier, sleeping in a little later together and enjoying a more laid back, simpler life. They'll let Mike know his start date next week, so in the meantime, we're going to lavish in these last few days together, without the financial stress looming overhead.

We're really excited that God has given him this opportunity. I'm so grateful for my husband and proud of him for getting a new job!!!