Method In My Madness

Alrighty, since everyone keeps asking for more detail on the whole Michigan thing, here it is--for those of you who are interested. For those who aren't, don't bother reading further--suffice it to say, we're moving. We've only been here in FairyLand two years, and had planned on being around at least one more. But as you may know, life doesn't always go as planned.

My missionary trainer once said that as long as you know where the airport is and have the financial means to get yourself a ticket home, you're here of your own free will. I like to think the same thing about jobs--you have to have a finger, even lightly, on the pulse of the industry--just so you know whether there is something out there that would be a better fit, or better opportunity. That way, you know you're happy where you are. And, when the perfect opportunity presents itself, you don't miss it. So, we keep an eye on camp jobs elsewhere. We've discussed the key elements we'd want in the next place we go and everything we've happened across, we've weighed it against those key elements. Very few opportunities have met all or even most of our criteria, so we've continued on, content where we are. Until . . .

There came a job opportunity, that no matter how we dismissed it as unfeasible and not the right timing, it kept popping back into our frame of reference. So, we looked into it and found that surprisingly, it met most of our criteria, and the more we learned about it, the more attractive it became. So, we figured, what the heck, it can't hurt to apply.

We applied, and tried to forget about it. Then, while at the inauguration in DC a couple of weeks ago, Matt gets a call. After a phone interview, he's asked to come out and visit the camp in Michigan. He decides to go, thinking that he can really give the place a once over and determine if we'd even seriously consider going there, and they could think about whether they even liked him.

The liked him. They really liked him. And he liked the camp. Everything about it just seemed right. They offered him the job before he left. So, it suddenly became an opportunity that we just couldn't pass up.

It's a bittersweet time here in FairyLand. We're sad to leave, but excited for the great opportunity. Matt will be the Senior Program Director another camp in Southern Michigan. This basically means he's still running summer camp, but with a few other things thrown in and a few things he does here taken out. Let me list just some of the positives that weighed into our decision:

1) A pay raise (um, like 33%)
2) Health insurance is less than half what we pay now.
3) Housing and meals are still included, but the house will be much larger and nicer than our cozy cottage.
4) School is 5 minutes away!!!!!
5) We'll be 30 minutes from an actual Ward (read, larger congregation) in the Church
6) Free high speed internet (I can keep my day job!)
7) Matt has to go to Spain (bummer)
8) Matt gets to focus on programming, not paperwork (they have people that do that for him).
9)With a school 5 minutes away, there are bound to be children around for the boys to play with.
10) Detroit is a bit more accessible and affordable to fly to from Utah (this makes for a happier grandma).
11) The temple is 90 minutes away instead of 3 hours.
12) The boys are excited for snow.
13) Did I mention school is 5 minutes away?
14) Did I mention Grandma has already purchased her plane ticket?

I could go on, but you can see, it's really a much better situation for the whole family. So, we'll keep you posted, but think nice thoughts of our crazy little ragtag family on the road to Michigan!