This is how it starts...

Last week, Ryan came home from school and told me he'd spent a good part of the day talking with the PhD student in his security lab about the pros and cons of a PhD. And, the first thing I said was, "Isn't this how getting a Masters started, too?" With a darling smile, he admitted that, quite possibly, maybe, this is how we got into our current situation.

Since then, we have been discussing the benefits and opportunity costs of Ryan obtaining a PhD. One second, we start to feel like maybe that's the direction we should go. Then, the next second, we remember that we don't have a dishwasher or a washer/dryer and the siren song of having a real salary (and a house! with a yard! and a washer/dryer and dishwasher!) once again plays in our minds. At this point, we're trying to determine whether the time spent getting a PhD will translate into better employment or if it would lead to being over-qualified for the things Ryan really wants to do with his career. Regardless of ALL of those questions, the main thought is that we just want to do what's right--for our family, and for Ryan, in the long run.

Then, today, Ryan had a job interview. From what Ryan told me, it went really well--the experience he had with his last job is right on track with what these guys are looking for--and they said they will be calling him for a second interview by the end of the week. (Note the verbiage: they will be calling, not we'll be in contact, or something that interviewers like to say.) I really like the sound of the company. It's a small, growing company, (only about 50 employees), completely free of debt and venture captialism, VERY family friendly, fairly close to where we are, and require only a 40-hour work week. Even when they're working to finish a project, they tend to stick with the 40-hour rule. (I love them just for that!) Also, the president of the company will occasionally call a "Family Day" and everyone heads up into the canyon for lunch with their families. All of this fits in with the goals Ryan and I have decided are important in his future employment.

So, if this company continues to think my husband is great, (I realize I'm a bit biased, but honestly, who wouldn't think Ryan is great?), we are going to have a lot of decisions to make in the next few weeks. And, in the end, we'll have to decide whether this is the blessing we've been watching for to ease our financial situation...or whether we are succumbing to the siren song.