"Can I go to the rec center?" I asked him as he made his way to the bedside. Exhausted as I was, going to the rec center has been very limited since having Pierscen and I treasure any chance I get to go exercise.
"Yeah sure, honey," he responded, climbing up on the bed through the darkness to kneel beside me. There was a moment of silence as I made no attempt to move. "Soooo.." he began, an edge of excitement in his drawn out opening, "It looks like we are moving to Wyoming."
I don't ever recall a surge of energy quite like the one that coursed through my body at that moment. I shot up in bed, my heart thudding rapidly. "What?!? WHAT?!?" I exclaimed as I clawed his shirt, pulling him forward into a rough embrace.
He giggled, his arms wrapping around me, pulling me close. "I got the job!!!"
"Okay, okay," I laughed, "now would be the time to be a girl and tell me everything! When did this happen? When did you find out?"
"About 5 minutes ago. I told myself I was going to let you sleep, but I couldn't wait. I was too excited."
"You would have been in so much trouble if you waited!" Needless to say, I did not go to the rec center that morning. Instead, we spent the morning talking, planning, and looking up information on Casper, Wyoming.
* * *
It all started two weeks before when Ryan was contacted by the Natrona-Casper Health Dept to interview for the Environmental Health Scientist job. Ryan originally responded to the email by thanking them for the opportunity as asking if it would be possible to interview over the phone. He would have preferred to interview in person, but his co-worker had just gone out on medical leave and he was covering almost all her shifts in addition to his own. We waited for a few days, but heard no response. So Ryan decided to call. Apparently they didn't get his email. The manager told Ryan that 8 people were being interviewed, and that of the 8, only 3 were currently certified (Ryan being one of them). Technically if hired, you have 2 years to become certified, but if you are already certified, obviously that gives you a big leg up. He told Ryan flat out that it was basically between him and 2 other guys. That gave Ryan all the motivation he needed to get work off and drive out for an interview in person. He wanted them to know he was serious and that he wanted it badly enough that he would make it work to get out there. Thankfully, Ryan's co-workers pulled together to cover his Thursday shift (March 8th) so he could make it.
He left around 6 am to ensure that we would make it on time for his 2 pm interview. He arrived with plenty of time to spare and called me as he was rolling into town to tell me what sorts of stores they had.
"They have a Wal-mart," he began.
I laughed, "Oh good. I'll live." I don't love Wal-mart, but I always told Ryan that if we were going to move somewhere small(er) I at least needed a grocery store and a gas station. Ryan would happily live in a town of 5 people (or less). So if there is a Wal-mart, I know I am going to be just fine.
He drove around for a while, dictating the stores he was seeing as well as the general feel. He eventually stopped for some food at good old Burger King before heading to his interview. I didn't hear from him until after 4 pm, and even that was just a missed call as I was teaching piano. When I arrived at my in-laws to pick up Pierscen, Ryan's mom was on the phone talking to him. Unfortunately moments later he hit a dead zone in the cell coverage and the call ended.
The interview lasted 2 hours! He has four separate interviews. He met with the Environmental Health Director, the other Environmental Health Scientists, the Health Dept director, and then back to the first guy. I don't think they do that for every candidate... Ryan called back about an hour later. He said even though the interview was 2 hours, he has never had a more relaxed interview before. He felt really good about it. He said it was down to him and one other guy. But the other guy had 10 years experience... As soon as I heard that I felt a little discouraged because for pretty much every job we have interviewed for it has come down to Ry and one other person, and the other person ends up having more experience or education and wins. However, this other guy would be moving from far away and his wife did NOT want to move. So I felt that was to our advantage because I have no issue moving. And even though 10 years experience is nice, sometimes having the newby is better because you can train them how you want them.
We spent the weekend trying not to get our hopes up, but any time we sat down to the computer, we found ourselves looking things up on Google or Bing, searching real estate, stores, gyms, the library, rec center, etc. We finally told ourselves that we needed to stop so we wouldn't get ourselves too worked up over it and be super disappointed if we didn't get it.
Amidst the anticipation though, we also understood that if Ryan got the job, it would require him moving out there on his own, and me and the boys following a few months later. I still have the insurance and with Pierscen's surgery not scheduled until June 4th, there was no way we could move out with him. The prospect of being without him for all that time did not seem appealing, but getting the job would be worth it. We did toy with the idea of moving out with him since he should have insurance starting about a month after he gets hired, but that would mean moving mid April, and then I would have to turn around and come back with Pierscen on my own at the end of April for two of my brothers' weddings, then drive back, then back again for the surgery, and then back. It's a seven hour drive if you don't stop. And making that trip with a 3-month-old that likes to eat every few hours by myself that many times? No thanks. The post-op appointments would be hard enough at 4-6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and yearly. So no, the only real option would be to stay here until the surgery is over.
When I asked Ryan when he would know about the job, he was told, "Sometime next week." Ugh. However, the call came Monday morning - much earlier than we thought was likely.
We are stoked! It really feels like we are starting life. Even though we have already entered a different phase of life with Pierscen being born, it's not quite the same. We have been living in the same basement apt for almost 6 years. We have been working the same jobs for almost that whole time too. Not much has changed since we got hitched in July of 2006. Don't get me wrong - life has been really good to us, but it's still just been the same day in and day out for a long time. This opportunity is the beginning of Ryan's career. It's a chance to get out on our own.
I am both excited and nervous about the move. We have always been fairly independent when it comes to family even though both families are a 5-7 minute drive from our home. But the knowledge that they are that close and that we can stop by any time has been a real comfort. It has been wonderful. I have never been anywhere where we know no one - where I don't have any friends yet. Thank goodness for the Church. I know that will be a real sense of security for me. Hopefully, if we manage our finances, I won't have to work when we get out there and I can be mom. I am really excited about it. But it does mean that I won't have co-workers to interact with for friendships and adult time. Again - I am thankful for the Church! And boy... coming from Utah... what a different experience that will be! There are six wards in Casper, and I think a couple of branches. Only three church buildings. That alone is pretty different from here where there is another chapel every couple of blocks. The stake is 200 miles long in one direction. 200!!!
It wasn't until this last week that we finally found a place to live. Having Dodger has certainly complicated the matter as most places don't allow pets. His dad had a contact in Casper and we called to see if they might have any good options for us, but the cheapest they had was $1300 a month to rent a house and that's a little much for us. If we are going to pay that much, I would rather it be towards a house payment of our own! But we finally secured a little 1-bedroom, 1-bath apt. We could have had a 2-bedroom, but we opted for the 1-bedroom so we can save up a little. We only signed a 6 month contract so we can extend if we want, or find something new. We just needed to have something! I think it will be easier to find something different once we are out there if we want vs trying to do everything from 400 miles away.
The last little bit has been really crazy with trying to pack things up and decide what stays and what goes. Ryan is taking the Highlander and just whatever can fit in it. I did my best to go around and pack up half of what I think he will need - like dishes, cooking stuff, towels, etc. As he was packing up his clothes Thursday night, he said, "It's too bad we aren't yelling at each other and throwing stuff."
"Yes, it is 'too bad,'" I replied.
"Uh... I could have picked a better choice of words," he laughed. It was a strange scene though watching him clear out all his belongings - but there was certainly no name calling or anger there.
His birthday is Sunday and this will be the second birthday in three years that I haven't been with him on his birthday. (The first was when I drove my sister-in-law's sister across the country to her new job.) I bought him a bunch of snacks to keep him awake on the drive, some gift cards to buy groceries and whatever else he needs, and some random things like a shower curtain and can opener.
His last day of work was last night. He got home around 11 pm, and was up around 5 am. He gave me a hug and kiss and kissed Pierscen goodbye just before 6 am. It hasn't hit yet, but I am sure it won't take long. He is hoping to get there around 1 pm and check in, sign the paper work, get settled a bit and go shopping. He starts work on Monday.
It is all so surreal. I still can't actually comprehend moving anywhere. It just doesn't seem possible. But I also couldn't imagine having a baby - and well - that little giggling boy is certainly a reality now. :) We were not planning on seeing each other at all over the next two months. In fact, we are just praying that he will be able to come out for the surgery. But Ryan's parents really want to go visit him and make sure that we get to see each other before then, so I know they are planning at least one, maybe two trips out there in the next two months. I am very grateful for that!
We are so excited for this next phase - chapter one - of our new life. No doubt it will be a little crazy getting there, but we are excited, and so thankful for the opportunity. We are going to miss our family more than we can say, but we know this is where we are supposed to be.
He left around 6 am to ensure that we would make it on time for his 2 pm interview. He arrived with plenty of time to spare and called me as he was rolling into town to tell me what sorts of stores they had.
"They have a Wal-mart," he began.
I laughed, "Oh good. I'll live." I don't love Wal-mart, but I always told Ryan that if we were going to move somewhere small(er) I at least needed a grocery store and a gas station. Ryan would happily live in a town of 5 people (or less). So if there is a Wal-mart, I know I am going to be just fine.
He drove around for a while, dictating the stores he was seeing as well as the general feel. He eventually stopped for some food at good old Burger King before heading to his interview. I didn't hear from him until after 4 pm, and even that was just a missed call as I was teaching piano. When I arrived at my in-laws to pick up Pierscen, Ryan's mom was on the phone talking to him. Unfortunately moments later he hit a dead zone in the cell coverage and the call ended.
The interview lasted 2 hours! He has four separate interviews. He met with the Environmental Health Director, the other Environmental Health Scientists, the Health Dept director, and then back to the first guy. I don't think they do that for every candidate... Ryan called back about an hour later. He said even though the interview was 2 hours, he has never had a more relaxed interview before. He felt really good about it. He said it was down to him and one other guy. But the other guy had 10 years experience... As soon as I heard that I felt a little discouraged because for pretty much every job we have interviewed for it has come down to Ry and one other person, and the other person ends up having more experience or education and wins. However, this other guy would be moving from far away and his wife did NOT want to move. So I felt that was to our advantage because I have no issue moving. And even though 10 years experience is nice, sometimes having the newby is better because you can train them how you want them.
We spent the weekend trying not to get our hopes up, but any time we sat down to the computer, we found ourselves looking things up on Google or Bing, searching real estate, stores, gyms, the library, rec center, etc. We finally told ourselves that we needed to stop so we wouldn't get ourselves too worked up over it and be super disappointed if we didn't get it.
Amidst the anticipation though, we also understood that if Ryan got the job, it would require him moving out there on his own, and me and the boys following a few months later. I still have the insurance and with Pierscen's surgery not scheduled until June 4th, there was no way we could move out with him. The prospect of being without him for all that time did not seem appealing, but getting the job would be worth it. We did toy with the idea of moving out with him since he should have insurance starting about a month after he gets hired, but that would mean moving mid April, and then I would have to turn around and come back with Pierscen on my own at the end of April for two of my brothers' weddings, then drive back, then back again for the surgery, and then back. It's a seven hour drive if you don't stop. And making that trip with a 3-month-old that likes to eat every few hours by myself that many times? No thanks. The post-op appointments would be hard enough at 4-6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and yearly. So no, the only real option would be to stay here until the surgery is over.
When I asked Ryan when he would know about the job, he was told, "Sometime next week." Ugh. However, the call came Monday morning - much earlier than we thought was likely.
We are stoked! It really feels like we are starting life. Even though we have already entered a different phase of life with Pierscen being born, it's not quite the same. We have been living in the same basement apt for almost 6 years. We have been working the same jobs for almost that whole time too. Not much has changed since we got hitched in July of 2006. Don't get me wrong - life has been really good to us, but it's still just been the same day in and day out for a long time. This opportunity is the beginning of Ryan's career. It's a chance to get out on our own.
I am both excited and nervous about the move. We have always been fairly independent when it comes to family even though both families are a 5-7 minute drive from our home. But the knowledge that they are that close and that we can stop by any time has been a real comfort. It has been wonderful. I have never been anywhere where we know no one - where I don't have any friends yet. Thank goodness for the Church. I know that will be a real sense of security for me. Hopefully, if we manage our finances, I won't have to work when we get out there and I can be mom. I am really excited about it. But it does mean that I won't have co-workers to interact with for friendships and adult time. Again - I am thankful for the Church! And boy... coming from Utah... what a different experience that will be! There are six wards in Casper, and I think a couple of branches. Only three church buildings. That alone is pretty different from here where there is another chapel every couple of blocks. The stake is 200 miles long in one direction. 200!!!
It wasn't until this last week that we finally found a place to live. Having Dodger has certainly complicated the matter as most places don't allow pets. His dad had a contact in Casper and we called to see if they might have any good options for us, but the cheapest they had was $1300 a month to rent a house and that's a little much for us. If we are going to pay that much, I would rather it be towards a house payment of our own! But we finally secured a little 1-bedroom, 1-bath apt. We could have had a 2-bedroom, but we opted for the 1-bedroom so we can save up a little. We only signed a 6 month contract so we can extend if we want, or find something new. We just needed to have something! I think it will be easier to find something different once we are out there if we want vs trying to do everything from 400 miles away.
The last little bit has been really crazy with trying to pack things up and decide what stays and what goes. Ryan is taking the Highlander and just whatever can fit in it. I did my best to go around and pack up half of what I think he will need - like dishes, cooking stuff, towels, etc. As he was packing up his clothes Thursday night, he said, "It's too bad we aren't yelling at each other and throwing stuff."
"Yes, it is 'too bad,'" I replied.
"Uh... I could have picked a better choice of words," he laughed. It was a strange scene though watching him clear out all his belongings - but there was certainly no name calling or anger there.
His birthday is Sunday and this will be the second birthday in three years that I haven't been with him on his birthday. (The first was when I drove my sister-in-law's sister across the country to her new job.) I bought him a bunch of snacks to keep him awake on the drive, some gift cards to buy groceries and whatever else he needs, and some random things like a shower curtain and can opener.
His last day of work was last night. He got home around 11 pm, and was up around 5 am. He gave me a hug and kiss and kissed Pierscen goodbye just before 6 am. It hasn't hit yet, but I am sure it won't take long. He is hoping to get there around 1 pm and check in, sign the paper work, get settled a bit and go shopping. He starts work on Monday.
It is all so surreal. I still can't actually comprehend moving anywhere. It just doesn't seem possible. But I also couldn't imagine having a baby - and well - that little giggling boy is certainly a reality now. :) We were not planning on seeing each other at all over the next two months. In fact, we are just praying that he will be able to come out for the surgery. But Ryan's parents really want to go visit him and make sure that we get to see each other before then, so I know they are planning at least one, maybe two trips out there in the next two months. I am very grateful for that!
We are so excited for this next phase - chapter one - of our new life. No doubt it will be a little crazy getting there, but we are excited, and so thankful for the opportunity. We are going to miss our family more than we can say, but we know this is where we are supposed to be.
Diana, I am both super excited and sad for you. I'm sure you will both be lonely during the separation but what an awesome experience you will have in Casper. Everyone I know that has been to colorado loves it. I am so happy for you guys. And congrats to Ryan for getting the job!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to finally here the details. I was just about to call you about the move. I'll still call you though cuz I like you. Congrats! This is such an exciting time in life.
ReplyDeleteThis is wonderful news! Ok, small amendment... wonderful except for being separated from Ryan. But seriously, this is great. And I know Casper (my great-aunt used to live there) and I was born in WY. It has much more of a small town feel to it than Orem, but I don't think you'll mind that. And there's SO many sites important to the pioneer trek in that area. They're definitely spread out, but they're really sacred areas and very much worth the drive to go see them. I'm excited for you!
ReplyDeleteYay! Good news about the job...hey can't be smaller than Nauvoo right? It has it's own wallymart?! I absolutely want you to sing the ode to walmart song to me in person before you move up there too. Also if you need a break form single mom-dom let me know, I'll watch that cute ittle munchkin for you any time!
ReplyDeleteWhat an adventure! I have a friend who is on faculty at the university out there in ballet if you want to find some classes!
ReplyDelete