Ha! Funny, when I got a notification on this thread I could hardly remember having started it!
We split the difference and life has been spectacular. Initially, I briefly tried on another job, but we ultimately sold our home and our rental property in CO and moved back to MN where most of my family lives. We were able to decrease our expenses in the process. My wife, who was a nurse, took a 32 hr/wk job in the school district where my oldest (and now, four years later, my youngest :) ) go to school. This, alone, has had a huge impact. My wife is off during their breaks and during the Summers, which means instead of hustling to find care givers my family is trotting around to beaches, biking, playing in parks and camping for most of the Summer. (not gonna lie, I get a little jealous) During the school year, I drop the girls at school before work and my wife picks them up after her work - between that and the vacation/break scenario above our set up has been pretty ideal. My new work, of course, has had something to do with that.
I spent the first year and change trying on being an independent contractor and juggling several jobs but having more flexibility in life. Ultimately I landed in a FT position with the state where the benefits, stability, work and flexibility make it hard to think about staying home any more - especially because the type of work is right in line with what I was doing in the nonprofits! Without the stress of working in leadership roles in the nonprofits, the flexibility of both of our schedules, family around to support us, lower expenses and having a higher quality of life the near full time work has been just fine by us.
We've let our belts out a little bit financially, trying to invest a little more in experiences than we were accustom to but the difference in our emotional well being is palpable. Despite my thoughts in the original post, I don't think we'll RE as a result of us both working but I think we are leading a very happy existence, saving a good amount of money, and enjoy being together as a family more than ever.
Thank you for asking!