Happy Halloween!

Halloween at my work is the best time of the whole year.  All the departments have a contest for the best decorated theme, and it is required to dress up in costume.  This year, the marketing department had a theme of "Classic Monsters".  I was a "mummy"...get it?! 

 

The SEO department won for decorations and their Mario Bros. theme.

 

Costume judging contest.

The marketing department in costume.

Robie and I went to some fun Halloween parties Saturday night.  He was a ninja, and I was carrying the mail-man's baby.  Or you could say I was a mail-man with a special delivery.  (I had to wear a different costume since my mummy costume was a pain to get back together, so I borrowed one of Robie's old costumes.)

Happy Halloween- my favorite holiday of the year!

Also, Happy Birthday to my Grandma!  Love ya!

Showered with love

I visited my family in Texas a few weeks ago. While I was there I was thrown a Texas sized baby shower with my friends and family!  It was so much fun!  Thanks so much to my family and friends who worked so hard on the cute decorations, fun games, and delicious food.

Awesome friends!

My amazing family (minus a few aunts and cousins, but they were there at heart)

I threw this picture of my Mom in just to show off how HOT she is!  She has worked so hard losing weight, and I am SO proud of her!

Jaxon meeting the family.

My brothers and me.

In Austin, I was able to visit my cousin Dave's gravestone.  I miss him so much.  All of our family has blue bracelets that say "WWDD" (What Would Dave Do) to remember him every day.

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The week after I got back from Texas, I had a baby shower here in Utah.  

Both showers were so much fun.  Thanks so much to all my friends and family for all the cute baby stuff to help us prepare for Jaxon's arrival.  Robie and I can't wait for him to come!

This is big. REALLY BIG.

If you read my blog, it's no secret I am a David Archuleta fan.  A few weeks ago, I entered a contest on his website, mostly because I was bored at work, and to my surprise I AM A FINALIST!!!  I was not expecting it at all!  So, here is the deal.  I need your help with VOTES to ensure I win the custom signed David Archuleta ipad.  Robie makes fun of me for liking David Archuleta, but since there is an ipad involved, he has been a little more forgiving with his jokes.  So, help me win an ipad!  If you vote and I win, I will bake you cookies or send you good karma vibes. Here is the link:

http://www.davidarchuleta.com/us/news/announcing-finalists-other-side-david-fan-fiction-contest

or, just skip to the voting by 

Texting FAN01 to 66937 to vote"Things Get Better")

Tell your friends, spread it on Facebook, do whatever you can to help!  Here is a picture of someone texting to motivate you to do it NOW!  Voting ends "later this week" as the website says, so if you are feeling extra generous you could vote for me every day.  That's just if you are one of those people who like to be on Santa's good list.  No biggie if you like coal in your holiday stocking.

Haunted Facts

Interesting Halloween marketing facts.  (At least I thought so, but I'm kind of a nerd.)  Enjoy.

Click to View Full Size     
Read more The Marketing Economics of Halloween Attractions

Check out the whole blog article here:  http://www.orangesoda.com/blog/the-marketing-economics-of-halloween-attractions/

One Year

On October 19, 2009, I started a new job at OrangeSoda.com as a sales consultant.  One year later, I am the event coordinator for the company, and I couldn't ask for a better job.  Getting hired at OrangeSoda "saved my life" in a way, because before I got hired I had just graduated, gone through a miscarriage, and had nothing to do but sit at home depressed as I applied for jobs online in an impossible economy.  Months and months went by with not even a phone call for a job, until finally a friend of Robie's got me an interview.  I remember the day I got hired, and how happy I was in that moment to have a job.  As I have worked my way up in the company from sales to marketing, I am still just as happy.  I love getting to plan company events, stress over details, and watch as everything comes together because of my hard work.  I love the people I work with and the fun environment I get to work in.  Since I love my job so much, the decision to keep working or stay home is extremely difficult, but I hope I will be able to make the best choice for Jaxon and my family.  Happy One Year Anniversary to me!

The Best Season of All

I love Fall.  I mean, I SERIOUSLY LOVE FALL.  

warm sweaters and hoodies

pumpkins and pumpkin foods

cuddling in blankets with my love

throwing on a beanie when I didn't wake up in time to take a shower

Halloween (my favorite holiday!)

haunted houses

lighting up the fireplace

one season closer to Jaxon

and the BEAUTIFUL leaves- red, yellow, and orange

Robie and I were able to get some Fall pics this weekend.  I love how the colors turned out.

Have a Happy Fall!

Waiting for the Call

The last company Robie worked for started going downhill, and they let a ton of people go and Robie took a buy out.  That was in May.  So, for the last 5-ish months, Robie has been without a job.  He has worked so hard submitting resumes, visiting businesses, attending job fairs, and calling contacts to land a job, but it seemed like nothing was happening.  Finally, he got a phone interview with a really good company.  Then, they wanted a face to face interview.  Then, another face to face interview.  Finally, he had to meet with their CEO.  The process was intense, and we were left waiting for the call. 

After what felt like weeks (but was really only a few days), the call came.  Even though there were many other qualified candidates for the job, the company saw something different in Robie.  He got the job!  Immediately, a stress I can't even explain was lifted off our shoulders.  This job means so much more than a paycheck coming in.  It means I have the choice to go part time or stay home with our baby if I want.  It means if I lose our benefits, there will be a back up plan.  It means SO much to the future of our family.  Robie's first day of work is today.  He will now be working AND going to school full time Monday-Friday, but he has never complained about the challenge.   I am so thankful for Robie and the drive he has to succeed and be the best husband and father for our family. Congrats Robie!  I love you!

My inner-child is giddy today

Why?  3 reasons. 

1.  Disney has released my favorite classic out of the vault.

2.  David Archuleta's new album came out today.

3.  Only one week and 2 days until I am here:

Free

Isn't this sling adorable??!  Well, I totally thought so when my sister-in-law showed it to me online.  I just had to buy it. And the best part?  It was FREE!!!  I don't know if the promo is today only, but if you put in the code OneFree, you only have to pay shipping!  They have a ton of cute patterns and sizes, so check it out.  http://www.sevenslings.com/index.php/content/home 

Decorating and Collecting

About a month ago, the nesting thing REALLY kicked in, and ever since I have been on hyper mode working on projects and getting things done.  Or maybe it's because football season started and Robie is glued to the TV all weekend, so I have to keep myself busy with projects.  Either way, It's kind of nice having all this extra energy, but the third trimester is coming soon (1 week!), and I know my energy levels will be on the decline.

For my first project, I decided to add some color to the nursery.  I only painted the far wall since our walls were already painted a beige, but I think it turned out super cute and brightens the room a ton.

Before:

During:

After:

Then, I worked on decorating letters to hang above the crib from these adorable bird hooks I found at Urban Outfitters.  I used scrapbook paper and mod podge on the wooden letters.

Before:

During:

After:

This weekend, I plan on painting our front door.  I have already purchased the paint, and I can't wait to get started.

Here are a few other fun things Robie and I have been slowly collecting for the baby.  Since we started early getting little things here and there, it has not been a stressful process at all.  In fact, buying all the stuff and decorating is my favorite thing about being pregnant.  So, here is a little preview of things before it all comes together.

Vinyl Stickers for the walls:

(I ordered the owl in teal)

Jeep stroller:

This stroller was recommended from a friend, and after test driving it, I fell in love!  (Thanks Sarah!)  It is even compatible with a few different brands of car seats, so it's like a customized travel system.  My favorite part is that the basket underneath the stroller goes under your baby's feet, so if their shoes fall off or they drop a toy, the basket catches it.

Car Seat:

Chicco is the ONLY option I would consider when purchasing a car seat.  They are built so much better than other brands, and have the best crash rating results.  I don't like how they can't fit into a grocery store shopping cart easily, but I love the bright colors and how easy they are to install.  We went with the Texas Longhorn orange one, and I found a cute car seat cover to go with it.

Just for fun:

I couldn't resist this adorable knit owl newborn hat I found on Etsy.  LOVE!  I am definitely using this hat for newborn pics.

The Crib:

Something about a crib makes me feel like things are official.  It is in the process of being shipped right now, and I can't wait for it to arrive.

We are so excited for our little guy to get here.  I know there are still a few months to go, but we are so grateful that things are going so well.  There is never a day that goes by where I don't thank my Heavenly Father for the blessing that we were able to finally get pregnant.  The gift of life is such a miracle.  Sometimes, I get scared to think about how I am going to be a mom and raise a child.  It seriously freaks me out.  But when I get those fears, Robie always assures me that things will be fine.  I have such a wonderful husband, and I love him so much.  I know he will be the best dad ever, and as long as we are together, we can get through anything.