We've done some reconsidering

For some reason, it has never occurred to us that I could look for a job elsewhere. We've been panicking that if Hazen doesn't start working soon, we won't be able to pay our bills and we're going to run into big problems...to the extent that active duty was back on the table. We've decided he should start looking for law enforcement positions outside of the state, but never considered that I could look at accounting jobs out of the state.

While looking up Las Vegas' Metro police department, I came across three accounting jobs. Even the lowest paying one pays TWICE what I'm making now...which is exactly what Hazen was making in the Air Force while we lived in Vegas. I'm over-qualified and suspect I would fall right in the middle of that job and the highest paying one.

So, the new plan is if Bozeman and Madison County don't work out, the one of us with a degree will start to look outside of the state. I can support us until Hazen can find work with a bigger city department OR until he finishes his bachelor's degree (in about a year) and can join the Air Force as an officer, rather than enlist.

It's a strange thing...this sudden realization that I might be the one making the big bucks has me feeling much more motivated in my current job. I want to finish all my projects so I don't leave them hanging, but I also want to finish them so that I can put all of it on my resume (the big projects right now are the annual report and the procedures manual). I have this sudden burst of energy and motivation that has been lacking for quite awhile. I feel better and like I am a valuable employee.

Don't get me wrong; I want to be home with my son and my future children. But the sacrifices I can make now will benefit our entire family in the future and as long as one of us is home, I feel okay with that. I hate missing my son growing up (sorry, but when you're away for 40 hours a week, you're missing a lot!), but I feel good knowing that he is being raised by a parent and not an over-taxed daycare provider.