E, This is great. One word of caution though ... don't count your paychecks until they're written.
If five years of contract work has taught me anything, it is what you just said! It ain't money in the bank until it's money in the bank. Same thing with employment... I'm not hired until everyone has signed on the dotted line. Another update... it looks like they are going to agree to my counter offer that is $3000 more than what they offered. It will end up being a nice "round" figure. It looks like my first official day of employment will be Oct. 4th. That is the day orientation will be. Gawd... all of this is really messing with my nerves. The perm job at lower pay and buying my first house... all closing within a few weeks of each other. It's like falling off a tall building in slow motion. I wish I would just hit the gound so everything will be over.