I don't wanna grow up!

No sir, not me!! What happened to the easy decisions of what I was going to do at recess?

I feel that for the last 7 1/2 years of marriage I have just wanted to be finished with the schooling part. I just wanted Jeff to graduate so we can start the next part of our lives. I have LOVED the current part, but there are times the poor student thing gets old & a little hard. But despite my desire for change, I have known that when the time came I wouldn't be ready for the big decisions that need to be made.

Well here we are, just around the corner from the next part of our lives... Jeff will graduate in 3 1/2 months, or 108 days, but who's counting. And we have known that as of the first of the year we could start looking at different job options. Here we are a month into the year, & he is looking at different jobs, one of which happens to be his current job & the opportunities there. It's a tough decision & there are lots of factors to consider.

We really like Oklahoma, but we wish it was closer to family. I don't need to be next door neighbors, perhaps 12 hours or less (8 or less would be ideal)... all I'm asking for is one state closer. There really isn't a set location we are hoping for, we are willing to go somewhere new & exciting. I personally think Idaho or Arizona might be nice. I'd like to say I'm willing to go anywhere, but I don't know if that's true. I really think I need a Target, & I'd love a Costco, but I would settle with a Sam's Club (sigh.)

But if the pay is the same closer to home & the cost of living is more, than that is something to consider. If Jeff stays here & works for 3 years, not only will he get 3 years of experience... but he will also get reciprocity in some of those states closer to home! Which means he won't have to re-take the bar, he will just have to give them some chunk of money. So if we end up here we have decided that in 3 years we would re-evaluate our situation & see if we are content to continue on here, or look for work elsewhere.

Jeff would like to start his own practice, & he could do that under the man he works for now. So he would be able to bring his own clients & he would also be given some. This option works great, because he would get to do his own thing & essentially work for himself, but also have the benefit of other attorneys in the same office to go to with questions, etc. I personally like this idea, because it seems safe & secure... but then I think if he is going to start his own practice, why don't we move where we want (to one of those closer to home locations) and start one there. I think it will be a lot harder to decide in 3 years to move & start a new practice when you have one here.

It's nice to know that we're not the first to go through this tough decision making process & we aren't the last. I even find a little comfort in knowing others are going through it right now, like my friend Annie. Oh Annie, I feel your frustration, we are in the same boat! I even suggested to her that they could decide for us & we'll decide for them. That way we can avoid making the decisions ourselves!! I wish this were an easy choice, I just want to have some good feeling about a job offer or location & to just know that it's what we are supposed to do & where we are supposed to be, but the only feeling I have is the feeling that it won't be happening that easy!