one more change.

We've had one more big change here that I realized I never shared about. 

Corey has a different job. A new/old job. 

Two weeks ago he started back at his old job for the City Parks Department. 

He had been at his new job (a private engineering firm, doing materials testing) for 7 weeks. 

There were several reasons that led up to the change, and we talked about it for quite awhile before we actually made a decision. When we compared the pros and cons, it was actually a pretty easy choice. 

Yes, the hour drive (one way) is a bit long, but it could be worse. (He was driving 30 minutes, one way for the engineering job, so 30 minutes more didn't seem like that big of a deal to him). He knows the people, he knows what he's doing and he's really good at it. I'm actually a bit jealous. Jealous of the fact that he's back in his work comfort zone (and I'm still so far away from feeling like I have a comfort zone) and he's back in the little town that still feels like home to me. I wouldn't want to trade his commute for my little 7 minute commute, but still... I am a bit jealous. I miss my comfort zone. (I'm a bit jealous of his quiet drive, though. My drive is never quiet.) 

We were really spoiled by the City's insurance plan. And the school district plan just couldn't compare. The $900 they were taking out of my paycheck each month was pretty staggering. (Like $800 less per month than what I had been making). And when your dreams include things like building a house, $800/month is a pretty significant amount. 

So even when we figure in the cost of gas, the cost of buying a new (to us) vehicle (anyone have a Honda or Toyota for sale?!), we still come out ahead. 

Corey doesn't love the drive each day, but he doesn't hate it. He really likes the people he works with (and they have been amazing to him!) He spent the last two weeks leaving at 4:45 am so that he could be there by 6:00 am. This week, they switch back to 8 hour days, 5 days/week. So he won't have to be there until 7:00 and he'll get off at 3:30. Chances are, he's going to beat the kids and I home most days. They were thrilled to have him back and the engineering firm here wanted to counter offer to try and keep him. (They couldn't quite counter with $800/month, though.) They were sad to see him go, but he left on good terms. He didn't earn the title of "Hardest working guy I know" for nothing. 

He really wants that farmhouse. And he's willing to do whatever it takes to get it. And I love him for it. 

I try not to get too paranoid about him driving 70 miles on a 2 lane highway everyday. (But I do make him text me when he gets there.) And even though it didn't make our list of "pros," him being able to stop at our favorite little local donut shop and bring home a box of peanut butter twists was a happy little surprise last week. =) 

And seriously... we are in the market for a nice little fuel efficient car. Anyone nearby who has one... we'd love to hear about it! There might even be a peanut butter donut in it for you. =)