Lots of Upcoming Changes!!

Jason had his third and final interview and an orientation for this job he's been applying for with Schlumberger (an oil company) yesterday morning in Salt Lake.

We've been amazed at how this opportunity seemed to fall into our laps and how all the little pieces have just fit together in this LONG process. He was able to get the morning off work without risking losing his job (I'm sure they wouldn't be too happy to know that he's applying somewhere else). We were a little nervous about that, but it worked out just fine. Applicants were narrowed from 50 to 5 candidates (although they have several positions available) and Jason turned out to be the most qualified for the job. They actually want to start him in phase 2 of training, ahead of the other new hires. Assuming his criminal FBI background check and drug tests all come back okay (I think we're safe there =D) he'll start next month.

We are pretty sure we've decided on Rock Springs, Wyoming. A lot went into that decision. We researched our brains out for every location. But Rock Springs is the one that just felt right, so that's where we'll go. It's definitely not where I would have EVER imagined myself living, but most of my life isn't how I imagined it which has led to me being happier than I could have ever imagined.

So Jason will go to Rock Springs next month for a 30 day trial. He'll have on-the-job training while still on the temp agency's payroll. The kids and I will stay here at my parents'. The company pays for his food and housing for that 30 days, so we'll be able to pack away some more savings, which will be wonderful!!

At the end of the trial he gets to come home for a few days. And then assuming they decide to keep him on (which I can't see why they wouldn't) they'll send him to Oklahoma for three weeks of more intense training. Benefits, 401K, and the likes start immediately. And again, the company pays his expenses, flight, housing, food, etc.

He'll have a few days home again where we'll pack to move. Then Jason gets up to another 30 days to find permanent housing for us where the company provides housing, etc. Hopefully we can get into a place quickly because I'm sure we'll have had enough time apart at that point! Although because Rock Springs is only about two to tow and a half hours away, hopefully we'll be able to be together as a family on weekends during that first thirty days.

Apparently there isn't much in the way of rentals in these little podunk towns. At least not at a decent price, anyway. But we'll probably take what we can find for the first year or two, feel out the job and location and save up for a big down payment before we buy a house.

Who knows how long we'll be there. The company wants a long term commitment and we're completely willing to do that. They do have several locations all over the world and we could transfer at some point if we chose to. There's a TON of room for Jason to grow within the company and he's thinking he'll probably retire there. They seem like an amazing company. They did 23.5 billion dollars last year, so we're feeling like it's as safe and stable as it gets. No matter how green the world gets we'll always need oil.

The position, in case you're wondering, is driving out to well sites and fortifying the oil wells. It's a lot of physical labor, which is what Jason likes. He's good at it. The hours are pretty intense and he'll have to work every other Saturday and a couple of holidays a year, but the compensation is worth it!

This is not the path in life that either of us ever would have expected. Jason never grew up thinking this is what he would want to do for the rest of his life. But it's the path that the Lord has put before us and we're so excited to start down it! It's going to open up so many opportunities for us as a family and we're really looking forward to it.

It will be so nice to be in our own place again! As much fun as it is to be around family and have a little help with my kids and to be able to take advantage of my parents' yard and pool, it will be SO NICE to get back into our own routine and have our own space. And I'm sure they feel the same way. Strangely enough, I'm most looking forward to being able to sift through all of our junk! I hate moving, but I love going through everything and just minimizing! I love that feeling of cleaning out a junk drawer or organizing a closet and just seeing the space you've created by getting rid of junk you don't need. And pulling out the kids' toys that are still in storage will be fun, too. It will be like Christmas in the middle of the year!!

Anyway, things aren't completely final until they're final, so we're still praying that everything works out. But it's looking good so far. I'll just be glad this fall when we're all settled in!!