Soft landings

 So it's finally come. A's airline is closing and he'll be out of a job. His airline has surely fallen victim to COVID, but in reality, it's never been the airline it was when he started. In the 14 years he's been there it's been in a slow, consistent decline in the number of planes and routes it's been flying. So we are panicked yes, but we've got some things worked out so it takes the edge off. In all reality, A probably would have flown his entire career there- he said recently that he had planned on never doing any interviews again. But then he was also talking about moving to a cargo carrier back at the beginning of year... The lack of a college degree (that again...) continues to hamper his career path and he'll probably never make huge money, but we've come to terms with it. 

He's been given a great opportunity to fly for a small charter locally that is owned by a friend of his. He can make almost the same money he was making flying as a regional captain, be home most nights, and never have to worry about not being home for a holiday or event. He does have to give up the flying heavy jets international envy, but he was never about that anyway. Sure, it'd be nice to be making $200k per year, but who knows if he'd ever really get there anyway and it's been really nice having him home consistently. So maybe he'll fly for another airline one day, but for now this where we'll sit and ride out the storm. 

The only downside is that it's a contract gig so there are no benefits. My biggest concern in going part time was losing access to benefits and now *bam*, here we are. We will be able to get reduced price state insurance for the kids and we are still working on something for us- either a healthcare sharing group or something through our state marketplace. We can't apply until he's actually laid off, which means we'll be going uninsured for a short period of time, but it will be better than nothing. We already have a plan for putting aside tax money. We are working on refinancing our house to get a smaller monthly payment. We're nearly debt free aside from the house (thanks Dave Ramsey). We have a (very meager) budget that we are working off until things get settled. But we are probably in a better place than most. My biggest stressor is trying not to let the kids know exactly how dire things are. They know dad's been home and that some of our activities are cut back, but I try to minimize exactly how much I share because I don't want them to worry. Kidzilla (now 9) was nearby when we were doing our budget and heard us talking about it which I think is good for him, but I don't want him worried that we won't be able to buy him shoes this winter. And I'm so hopeful we won't have to cancel our yearly Christmas time trip to a hotel in Orlando.

But we have peace. We aren't fighting about money. A is home to do the grocery shopping, dentist appointments, and daytime errands.I still have the opportunity to work part time. He was here for Babygirl's 3rd birthday and he'll be here to take Little Bean (now nearly 5 and obsessed with cheap crafts from Michaels...) to his first day of Pre K. He gets to be here for beach trips where he leaves the electronic key fob in his swim trunks pocket while he goes in the water, while attending to kids crying about the poopy mess they made in the bathroom, and helping with summer homework packets. And for now that's all we can ask for.