We'll start with the news, and then if you feel so inclined to scroll through a poor-quality phone-photo dump, you can have at it.
Jared got the job! Well, got the job-ish. About as much as he's "got" the other jobs he's interviewed for, so take that with a grain of salt. We're not getting too excited until there's a contract and it's been signed. There hasn't been much discussion of numbers or logistics yet. The doctor who wants to hire Jared still needs to figure out the best way to set up a partnership, etc. But if everything works out then Jared will be working as a family physician at a private practice clinic in Utah Valley, with a view of Mt. Timpanogos, which is his #1 dream. Also this doctor never starts his work day before 10:00 a.m. or ends it after 5:30 p.m., which means I am completely on board. After 7 years of training and heinous work hours, all I want out of Jared's career is a good work-life balance so he can be involved at home and I can make time for my own aspirations. We both love the idea of working together to grow the practice in the event that Jared is the sole owner when this doctor retires in 5-10 years. I have great business ideas and some useful skillz, but lack forward momentum. Jared's king of forward momentum, so we'd make a good team. One thing at a time though. Jared's residency doesn't even end until next July.
Anyway, that's the big news! If I'm being honest with myself I don't think anything will be finalized until spring at the earliest. Which means I really need to stop stalking Zillow since all the houses listed will be loooong gone by the time we start seriously house hunting. Fingers and toes crossed that home prices don't rise even more in the meantime. Not holding my breath, but it is low-key keeping me up at night. Ok, pictures!
^^Cute pic, Jare. Kind of definitely glad to be living in Wyoming during covid. Not that we're immune up here, but it's easier to quarantine and the numbers aren't quite as bad (for now). My mom and dad both got colds on separate occasions during the 2 weeks we were living with them, so we ended up wearing masks around the house most of the time. Glad they're doing better now.
For Christmas last year Jack got a membership to the Science Zone, which is a children's museum in Casper. We used it a lot until covid hit and the Science Zone closed down for the rest of the year. Luckily (and randomly) the pass also gets us into Thanksgiving Point's Museum of Curiosities for free. We took advantage for the last time last week. Jack and Asher had a blast. I'll probably get an annual pass if (when??) we move to Utah next year. I feel like Jack could stay entertained there all day every day.
^^More leaf shenanigans with Grandpa and Savvy dog. 4 gold stars to Jared, who was able to give Jack a great haircut on the back of his head before Jack got all feisty and wouldn't let anyone touch the front. He might be rocking a reverse-mullet look all winter.
We stopped by Layton to see Jared's parents on our drive back to Casper. Kicking myself for not getting any pictures, but Jack was so happy to see "Gramma and Grampa Wambert" and play with them for a while. Jared's grandfather passed away earlier this year and Jared's parents spent the week getting his home ready to rent out until they can maybe (hopefully!) move back to Utah someday and make the place their own.
We were surprised by some VERY dicey/icy road conditions between Evanston and Rock Springs, with bumper-to-bumper semi trucks traffic. I had a borderline panic attack and made Jared get us a Motel 6 in Rock Springs for the night so we wouldn't have to drive through what looked to be equally sketchy roads near Rawlins in the dark. Jack was pumped to stay at a hotel and we watched Home Alone 1 and 2 while we ate Cafe Rio on the beds. Although it added a day to our trip, I still think it was the right decision and made for a fun memory. Very glad Jack is now 2 years old instead of 10 months old like the last time we got trapped in Rock Springs due to icy roads. Much less traumatizing this time around.
^^We ended up stuffing our car to the max with things from Grandpa Welker's garage that were going to be taken to DI, plus Christmas presents from family since we'll be staying in Casper this year through the holidays. The stuffed car wasn't an issue until our last turn of the trip off of our freeway exit in Bar Nunn. A bunch of coats and clothes fell onto Jack and he was very concerned about being stuck in a "tunnel" of clothes haha. Poor guy.
We're back home now and our Christmas tree is up! Jack is in heaven since Jared's mom sent us home with a big case of wood blocks and lincoln logs. Here's to hoping we survive our last Wyoming winter. There are a lot of things to love about Wyoming, but the forever windy winter is not one of those things.
