New Gig

I have a new gig.  I'm starting a new job the day after Labor Day.  Yup, I got the job!

As some of you may recall (it seems like a really long time ago!) I had applied for a job in June.  I had to rush to apply for the job because they were looking to hire "ASAP".  Then it took them forever to get back to me to schedule the interview.  It took over a month between the phone screening interview and the actual in person interview.  Then the timing for the interview and my IVF cycle was close.  I had my interview on July 14th, and my egg retrieval was on the 16th, and the day-3 transfer on the 19th.

Well, I was finally offered the position last week which I accepted.  I had to go through a background check and when that was cleared, I had to take a drug screening test on Monday.  Yesterday I was informed that everything was good to go.  I start on the day after Labor Day.

I'm excited that I got this position.  And I am very grateful.  By the time I actually start work, I would have been not working for 19 months.  That's a long time.  I am thankful that I am able to get a job so quickly, even though I wasn't trying too hard.  Actually I take that back.  When I was first contacted by a recruiter about this position, I was not too interested because I was still in the IVF/TTC mind set.  I wanted to continue to focus on just that.  But then when I found out more about this and talked to a friend that works there, I was really interested.  I mean I really wanted this job.  But at the same time, I was torn because I was worried about what if I get pregnant, which I REALLY want to be.  But what if I don't get pregnant, then what?

So I decided that if God opened this door for me, why should I ignore it?  I should at least apply for it, and if it is in His will for me to have this job, then I will get it.  I guess a job is in His plans right now.

Here's what I will miss when I start this new job.

• Being a "bum/lady of leisure" and just focusing on TTC.  This is great but in itself can be stressful because that is almost all I think about.  And with another 2 failed IVF cycles during my non-employed time, I am looking forward to something other than just TTC
• I will miss having the freedom to "do lunch" anytime with friends.
• Sleeping in (I'm such a night owl)
• Not having to worry about having to work the next day.
• Not having to commute to work

What I am not looking forward to

• Commuting to work.  It will be about a 22 mile drive one-way for me.  This will suck especially during the winter months.  The one good thing is Babe and I can carpool if we want to.  His work is somewhat on my way.
• 3 weeks of vacation a year.  When I left my last job, I had been there 5 years, and I had just increased my vacation days to 4 weeks.  I will miss that.
• Though I am excited about a new job, a new location, new projects and new people, it is also scary.  I had been so used to knowing the people so well, having such great colleagues, I am just hoping and praying that I continue to work with nice people.

What I look forward to with the new job

• The extra income!  It is nice to know that we will a little more breathing room when it comes to expenses.  We will be DINKs (double income no kids) again.  Though I'd rather have kids, anytime,  hands down.
• Being a "contributing" member of society again.  Well, not to say that anyone that stays home is not contributing, but for me, I quit my job to work on having a baby.  After more than a year of not working and still no baby, it feels like I have been spinning my wheels for a while.  That is so frustrating!
• Finally being able to shop for (work) clothes again without feeling guilty.  I have already done some shopping because I really need some work clothes.
• The company I will be working for is a very large and great company to work for.  I have been told it is really hard to get in.  And they have good benefits.  When I start, we will be switching our medical benefits to my insurance instead of Babe's.  The best part..... they have fertility coverage!  I'm not sure what the exact coverage is, but in the benefits overview I received, they have $10,000 just in fertility drugs!  I'm not sure if we will do another round of IVF, but it is good to know that there is an option for that.

So what does it mean for me in the TTC sense?  I don't really know yet.  All I know is that I going back to work for now.  I am not giving up on TTC altogether.  Lots, if not most, people do IVFs and work at the same time.  With fertility coverage, we have the option to try another round.  Or adopt.  Or whatever.  At least we will have some additional income to pursue whatever comes next.