My Birthdate

For my birthday Jim and I went on our first ever dinner and movie date. He's just way more creative than the average guy. Let's see...we've gone to a Hawks game, Bronco football game, hot air balloon show in the park, snow tubing, comedy show, Rock to Read, Story Story night, Christmas parties, shopping, coffee shops, our kids' sports games, pumpkin patch, Winter Garden-a-Glow, and more. And he couldn't even do a normal restaurant. We went to Kyotos where our chef was flipping eggs in the air and setting things on fire. I'd never been before, so that was really fun. I even caught a shrimp in my mouth that the chef catapulted my way.

The movie was great too. We practically had the whole theater to ourselves. And when I mentioned that I hadn't blown out any birthday candles that day, he said, "I'll be right back," and took off. When he returned he had a lighter he held over a cup of dips ice cream for me to blow out after he sang the birthday song.


The coolest thing had to be returning home and realizing that there was a lunar eclipse going on. We sat in the truck watching the shadow of the earth hide the moon and talking late into the night. It did seem that the eclipse moved rather slowly, and I was like, "I think time has stopped." Which I wouldn't mind. Time always seems to fly by too fast when Jim and I are together.

Thank you, Jim, for a fabulous Birthdate.

33 Years ago on this day, God created the woman who would change my life forever, a woman who is so beautiful, so loving and caring. Someone I, until the summer of 2010, I didnt believe existed.  My girl,  that was too good to be true.  But I know that through God, there is no such thing as too good to be true.  His love for us, is beyond measure, so I know that the gift of love that He has given us is easily way good and very very true.  Then 33 years ago...... God broke that mold.  Angela sweetheart, it may have been your birthday sweetie, but the gift felt like it was mine..... Happy Birthday honey, I look forward to many many more beautiful... :)

I think it needs to be said, that this was the night that I wanted to tell you something very very special.....but well leave our readers guessing :) Love you....

The Three Mischevious Bears....



You put in the coins,
Ill pull the handle :)

Nobody can tell were bears......right

In October of 2010, I took a trip to Reno Nevada for a softball tournament. Although we had fun, I remember feeling very torn between really wanting to be there playing ball and really wishing I was back home in Boise with Angela. :)  I was excited because I knew she would be waiting for me beyond the security gates when I arrived home....something I wasnt accustom too.



The night before we were flying out I wanted to get something to bring home to Lauren, Caitlyn & Jordan and I knew they loved their stuffed animals. So I went on the hunt to find a game at Circus Circus I was bound to do somewhat well at....softball throwing at milk bottles, how fitting was that? After an hour or so of throwing, I had achieved my goal...The Three Mischievious Bears. I was excited to give them to the kids. I thought it would be fun to "text" a story to Angela discribing the bears "adventures" in the Casino. I figured Steve (the rabbit) couldnt be the ONLY mischievious animal in the stuffed community. :) It went a little something like this....



Riding back to the Hotel



Those three ran me in circles all night, from sneaking away and disguising themselves to play KENO, to throwing slots at the Silver Legacy :) Those three certainly got into allot of trouble. . . . but even a hard night of playing at the Casino would catch up with them.  I caught them, got them in the car and back to the hotel for a good nights rest.  I woke them early and got them ready for the flight home to Boise.  I wouldnt dare pack them in my luggage, I mean that could be hazardous right? And there were lots of lives to think about on that plane :P  So I took them onboard with me, to keep a close eye on them :) They eventually met their future life long friend Steve Meuser who would show them the finer points of being a Mischievious stuffed animal....

With my new friends on my back, I walked off the plane and couldnt walk fast enough to the security gates....there I saw Angela, the most beautiful girl I have ever seen....I could breathe again, I was home...xoxo

This was a crazy weekend for me. I was coordinating the Booktoberfest event. The cool part was that since I worked all weekend I got to take Monday off to pick Jim up and meet his cubs. The teddy bears stole my heart. As did their adorable owner. 

Bench Pressing Our Babies

Last night Jim had a little party to celebrate his daughter Kristina's 17th birthday. His older daughter Ashley joined us as well, and our girls got along beautifully. The highlight for me (apart from the dancing dog) was when Jim got down on the floor to see if he could still bench press Ashley the way he used to. Lauren and Caitlin got a turn as well, which reminded me of the times my dad used to bench press me. I was wearing a skirt last night so I didn't join in, but maybe I'll have him try to lift me one of these days. For now here is a picture of our little dumbbells.

Raising Eyebrows

So I meet Jim at a BBQ. We talk until 1AM. He gives me two hugs goodbye. Then he asks my best friend for my phone number, texts me once, and...that is it for quite some time.

Over a month later he finally says he wants to take me out. I'm a little excited. So I go in to get my eyebrows waxed at the spa where my best friend has just started working. One of the owners shapes my brows and overhears me tell Charla that Jim asked me out. So when I go to pay, the owner comes up to the front desk and says, "A Mr. Jim Strong called and said he's going to cover Angela's eyebrow wax."

My intelligent response? "Nuh-uh."

So the owner confesses he had conspired with Charla on the faux phone call. And that he actually knew Jim from coaching Jim's daughter in soccer. Whew!

But then I have to admit to Jim that I was momentarily worried he didn't want to be seen in public with me and my bushy eyebrows. We get a good laugh out of it.

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I can remember that night of the BBQ, being nervous. So nervous in fact, I parked accidentally in the neighbors drive way and actually walked through their backyard before realzing the bbq was next door.  hehe. When I came into the kitchen I looked at the end of the island and I saw a site that litterally made me skip a breath. It was Angela helping prepare food for the BBQ.  I had finally gotten to meet her!  We talked for hours it seemed in front of the fire pit.  She sat to my left, I remember because my neck was sore from turning my head to face her all night... :) I couldnt tell you what else was happening around us, music I think...it didnt matter to me, because I just wanted to learn more about this amazing girl....We migrated to the back patio furniture and talked more. I felt like a teenager, nervous, all smiles, star struck, and sometimes a loss for words.  It was a night I didnt want to end.

When we parted I hugged her twice, and in a happy delirium left. I had never felt that strong of a connection with anyone. How easy she was to talk to, how incredibly beautiful she was, how much we had in common, from interests, family, relationships to our beliefs and faith in God. I was more than a little taken......and that scared me.  Could that first encounter be, too good to be true?

I did call Char, my friend from high school and Angelas best friend. She knew how elated I was and I remember telling her that Angela was such a an amazing woman, and yes asked for Angelas phone number.  I so wanted to ask her out sooner, but also wanted to be slow and cautious.

A girl like Angela, is worth waiting a lifetime for, and I didnt want this to be a single bright light, but rather a strong and steady flame. ;o)

Oh and I am always honored and privledged to be seen in public with her, unibrow or not. :o)