Movin' on up!

Not much has happened this past week, except for one major event... drum role please-------- PAUL is official!  Yep, his company officially hired him, acknowledging him as a full time company member  including a salary and full benefits  and all the other great perks that come with being a apart of a great company.  For the past 6 months Paul has been on "contract" and so we have anxiously been awaiting this grand event.
So, to be honest, the first offer they gave him was decent/average as far as the economy goes, and although Paul was not trying to be ungrateful, he also felt like he was worth more than what they offered.  It was a tough decision... just accept the offer and be quiet?  Speak up and risk upsetting the big bosses? Would it come across as an insult or a complaint?  But what about being true to one's self?
After a lot of stress, Paul made a confident but cautious decision to go and talk to a "higher up".  (Oh, and in this context i mean as far as chain of command in the company, but prayer to the Highest was also made).  In talking with the hiring manager, Paul expressed his concerns and thoughts, and although the guy was a little taken back (and maybe even a bit incredulous), Paul acted with grace, gratitude, and professionalism.  And, guess what!?  They ended up realizing Paul's amazing potential and ended up giving him  better offer that Paul was very pleased with!  It is great to not only work for a great company, but to feel like you are recognized there for your abilities, contributions and potential.  :)

CONGRATS Paul, we love you!!!!  

What an amazing husband, daddy, and engineer you are!   

Queen Bee at 3

I can't believe that Brightlie is 3 today!!!!

Oh, where has the time gone!?  It seems like just the other day i was waiting in the hospital, middle of the night, anticipating her arrival.  After an epidural, pitocin for induction, and an 8 hr. total Labor/wait time, she arrived!  7 lbs. 3 oz., at 2:55AM.
She was and is everything I ever hoped for in my first child.  A girl, smart, funny, pretty, goofy, loving, kind, independent, and girly as can be.  We have so much in common... she may be Daddy's little girl, but she is my mini-me, in personality and looks.
Today we celebrated with a large party, including family and friends.  B wore an adorable tutu outfit, and her party theme was Pink Cupcakes.  It was a hit, and everyone had fun!

 B's favorite cousins were there!  (Jenny, with Caden & Karson!)

There was lots of yummy food, 

and of course, PINK cupcakes!!!!

 Lots of friends....

 did i mention pink cupcakes?  yum!

 Presents too!!!

 Oh mom, are you done taking pictures yet?!  

(Look at that stinkin cute outfit!  LOVE!)

 Fun, fun, and more fun!

Brightlie. Kylie. Mikayla.

 Mommy and her little princess!  

We sure do love our sweet little girl- she is getting so big so fast, i wish i

could just keep her little forever!!!!

LOVE YOU Brightlie!

  B's favorite gift by far was this adorable

little tabby kitten, given to her by her favorite Aunt

Chelsea and Uncle Danny!
She was so happy!

(Sadly, we are just not 'cat people', and with Peyton crawling

around, and our busy schedules, we decided to give him back to the sellers... :(

 Maybe in the future when B is a little older we can get a pet!)

Fairy wings & ruffly things

Oh my goodness!  Where has the time gone?  This week we celebrated Halloween with our girls, and are excited to start planning Brightlie's 3rd b-day which is almost here!
Although Halloween is NOT my favorite holiday, i actually really enjoyed it this yr!  It was so much fun to dress up the girls, especially since Brightlie was more aware of the whole, "say trick-or-treat & get candy" concept.  :)  And while she enjoyed wearing her costume, she was very scared of some of the other spooks out there (and scary decor at some of the houses).

 Brightlie was a fairy-
i got her all dolled up in this cute costume, and

she especially  loved her 'butterfly' wings.
I loved that she totally looked the part! Cute girl.

 Peytons was "Ms. Halloween" or so i called it-

she was decked in orange & black, but of course it was too 

cold to keep her in it long, and she hated the top.

Brightlie with her cousins, Karson & Caden!  

We had a blast going trick-or treating with Jenny & Clay 

and their boys.  These 3 have so much fun together!

And they got a whole lot of candy!

 Happy Halloween 2012

We sure love having 2 adorable little "pumpkins"!

(Next yr. we will totally have 

a theme though- Can't wait!)

Additional news in our home:

 Peyton has 2 teeth that popped up! (bottom center)

Brightlie got her 1st "Hello Kitty" shirt-

she loves it because it is "pink, has a cat, & is sparkly"!

I love that i found it on clearance at Macy's for $3.

I got a new hair-do!  I got my very first weave,

adding 16 in. extensions to my head!  I love my new long

hair!!!  Feeling very glamorous & Diva-ish now :)

  

And..... here is me & my sexy man!  

   We're POSITIVE that were meant for each other- and we love that we just continue to learn, grow, love and become better best friends each day!  We love that he is done w/ school (for now... he really wants to get a masters degree) It is so nice to have him come home from work and just hangout & play w/ the me & the kids! And ps. he loves his job,so he is always is a happy mood when he comes home.  We are so excited to own our own home, to be the parents of 2 sweet little ladies, and to be madly in love! And while we love the present, we can't wait to see what the future holds!   From upcoming job promotions, to holidays, to vacations, to adventures beyond!   We are in LOVE & Life is good