Jared's new job!

Around the beginning of the year, Jared decided he needed to apply for a job on the local police force. We weren't thrilled about the schedule or the possible dangers of the job (or the no beard requirement - I almost cried when he shaved it off for first time in 10 years!), but the starting pay was decent and we knew we could adjust our family life to accommodate Jared's work schedule. In late January, he easily passed the preliminary test and obstacle course, and then prepared for a 2-month wait to see if he would advance to the next round.

An unexpected phone call came later that week. Jared had sent his resume to a benefits enrollment company last fall, but despite several friendly phone calls, it seemed nothing was going to come of it. The phone call came out of the blue: "We just created a brand new position in the company. Can you come in for an interview this Friday?"

As the hours ticked by that Friday morning, I was simultaneously worried, excited, and trying not to get my hopes up. Even if the interview went well, our experience told us it would probably be weeks before they would be ready to make a decision. Finally, Jared called. "They unofficially offered me the job. I should get an official offer this afternoon."

The overwhelming, undiluted joy and excitement (and relief) I felt at that moment puts it squarely on my top 10 list. (You know, in there with moments I will remember forever like driving away from the church after we got married, holding my newborn boys, realizing I was on. my. own. at college, catching the first glimpse of Notre Dame in Paris)

The official offer did indeed arrive, followed by the offer letter. Jared started his job on February 14 - a great Valentine's Day gift! - and quickly acclimated to his new position. He is in charge of computer and printer hardware, as well as training and enrollment supplies. He spends most of his days fixing printers, installing printer drivers onto laptops, fixing people's computer problems, and shipping things all over the country.

The boys had to adjust to Daddy's new schedule. He used to spend the morning with them before work (his schedule at the bookstore was noon to 8 pm) but now he's gone before they wake up and home in time for dinner! The commute seems long for someone unaccustomed to typical rush-hour traffic, so we are looking at apartments in an area that's closer to his office but still no farther from church than we are now.

A week after he started the new job, he did get a letter from the police department saying he would not be continuing in the application process. Oh well! We only needed one job offer, and we are happy with the one he got.