What are the odds?

In a previous post I mentioned Layne was no longer a student and will now be working as a postdoc.  Yesterday was his first day and he seems to have survived just fine.  Not sure what the odds are - but, he is working for a professor who will be new to the "U".  This professor is not new to the field.  He is well known, respected and has lots of connections.  He also just happens to have a project that Layne is interested in working on - and, that will be different than what he has been doing.  (He's very much ready for a change.)  What are the odds?  Another big plus is that he will be getting paid on the higher end of what the professor is allowed to pay him - with benefits, the amount is exceeded.  So, we feel like he's being very generous.  (Although, we're still below poverty level.)  Again, what are the odds?  A couple of reasons we decided to go with this route is so that Layne will have a chance to publish more and will come out with even more opportunities in the end.  The question - What are the odds? - has come to my mind several times as we have looked at all of our options (Layne has had other offers and somehow this one just fit the best for our family.).  What are the odds that a professor just happens to come and offer Layne what he needs just as he is finishing?  We thought the finishing part was going to happen for years now (really...that is NOT an exaggeration), and so it seems that the timing is just right even though we thought it would originally be different.

It will be much different than working with the professor he has been working with for the past eight (yes, that would be 8) years.  He will get paid more...the grants will be more secure because of the other professors tenure.  Speaking of tenure...the professor Layne worked with for his PhD is just a year or two older than Layne and started as a professor the same time Layne started his graduate work.  They've been learning together and there are times I haven't appreciated that Layne has been this guys guinea pig (or maybe his 'trial and error' child).  (Although, it has been great for racquetball and outdoor toy hand-me-downs.)  I'm glad he'll be working with someone who has some experience in the field and his profession. 

One last topic - we really thought the odds of our family staying in Utah was slim to none considering the lack of Biotech firms in the area.  We have prayed to know what was best for our family.  I think someone is aware of our children's needs and our need as parents to fill them.  We have a school that is a perfect fit for our family and resources around us that have benefited our children greatly.  We're grateful we'll be able to continue with those.  As a mother, I'm also glad we get to be in a place where there are so many things to do with children that are inexpensive or free (which is our price range)  - the odds of finding a place with so much to do with the kids would be rare.  (They would be stuck with me for entertainment and enrichment activities - yikes!)

Now we just need to work on the odds of where we're going to live - not many inexpensive options for a family of 6.