Gillette, Wyoming???

Yesterday I got a call from a strange number while I was at work. It was an area code that I surely did not recognize. I answered it anyway and to my surprise it was a school district offering me a full-time kindergarten teaching position that will begin on August 17, 2010! Of course, I was VERY excited and then I had to ask… “Where exactly is Campbell County School District located?” his answer shocked me, he said, “ Gillette , Wyoming !” I have gotten offers from a few school districts to come work for them, mostly larger cities like Compton , California , Kona , Hawaii and Dallas , Texas . Why in the world I do not get offers from local school districts I have NO idea… oh yes I do. I’m OVER qualified! Can you believe that?!? OVER qualified and not getting a job?. I have a major and a double minor, plus I’m considered to be “Highly Qualified” because I pass a few stupid state tests. They say I’m in too high of a pay bracket for a first year teacher- then pay me less I say! Just give me the freaking job!!! Anyway back to the story… I told him that I would get back to him within 48 hours. At first I thought surely there is no way that we can just pick up and move half way across the country for this job. But then I told Alex and we really got to thinking about it…and the idea kept sounding better and better and better. The town of Gillette is VERY similar in size to Ellensburg , Washington . And if you know me or if you know Alex you’ve never seen two people more in love with the town of Ellensburg . I am not kidding you that is the best little town on earth. We miss it dearly. Why don’t we just move to Ellensburg you ask…? Well I’ll tell you. Alex could take a transfer there to that store, but it cannot compare to this store he is now when it comes to pay. Not to mention the list with over 300 teachers trying to get on to teacher there. I most likely couldn’t even sub there and I’d probably resort back to my life as a florist.

Okay, back to the real story again…So Alex could take a job transfer to Wyoming . Easy. No problem there. I would be making a little more there with a full time position than I do now subbing here in Vancouver . That’s a plus! The school district would pay for us to relocate! That is a DOUBLE plus!! Our house? Ehhh… we’d rent it out. I’m sure we’d be back eventually. The truth is I am not all attached to our house. We were thinking “INVESTMENT” when we bought it- not a forever home. Within 2 years from the date we bought it we were hoping to buy a new house and use that one for a rental property anyway, so that didn’t really hinder any plans. The dogs? They’d love it there! Only problem… Family!

I’d miss my/our family terribly…

Eventually we’d love to have babies and I can’t imagine being that far away from family. My grandparents were such a huge part of my life growing up, (same with Alex and his grandparents) so I can’t imagine raising my kids without theirs being near. That basically settled it. In Vancouver we stay… probably for always. If there were ever a time that we could do it, now would be the time. The possibility was very exciting and the fact that it was Alex who was pushing for it really opened up my eyes to just how great he is. He is very solid in his career right now. And to think he would have given up on that (possibly depending on what level of management he could start on there) to let me pursue my hopes and dreams says a lot. I think he’ll stay with the job he’s at for the long haul. At this point in time him taking a career in law enforcement would be such a hit to our pocketbook. I don’t think we’d be able to take that pay cut even if the opportunity did happen to present itself. He’s doing a great job- I am very proud of him, so for now I’m okay with taking the backseat and letting him soar all the way to the top!