Musings on Five Years

Today is Eric's 5 year anniversary at the Joint Legislative Budget Committee. It's a big deal for us, so much has happened within our family since he started at the JLBC. Eric has now worked here longer than any of his other jobs combined, and almost half of our marriage (he's shy by 6 months), which is why I feel so retrospective about the whole thing.

I am grateful for the many blessings associated with us getting this job, and we're grateful for all of those blessings that we've been fortunate enough to receive because of this job: the credit card paid off w/in 6 months, the private student loan paid off, buying our first house, smokin' health ins to cover 3 outpatient surgeries, one hospital stay, and two babies-all for $70.

We've moved twice in the past five years. First from a two bedroom apartment to the rental house (we were there for three years), and then into our first home (we'll be here for a while). We did both moves in the spring, about the same time as the budget, WHAT were we thinking?! Way too hot, and no free time for Eric. We also doubled our number of children in that same time span with the additions of Emelia and Madeline.

Sure the public sector pay isn't great, but we do have to take 8 weeks of vacation time this year, after the budget is signed and written but before they start work on the next one, not sure how we'll fit that in, but we'll do our best.

Eric has worked hard over these past five years, and it has been recognized with promotions, raises, and more responsibilities. He is currently senior management, and this fall Eric will be made an assistant director (or was that assistant to the director), it's only too bad that the state's budget is totally off, or that would also mean a raise (we'll have to wait for that one : )

It's been a full five years, and Eric still likes what he does. I can't ask for much more that that. Only... it's too bad they couldn't celebrate his big day with a signed budget, maybe next week...