The Grand Adventures of Summer 2016

Originally published on 02/18/2018

During the summer of 2016, Larry and I uprooted ourselves from living in the Boise area into Southeast Idaho. The purpose of this move was based on many things… First off, though, a little background. Larry and I met in January 2011 through his sister. I was living in Southern California, and he was in Southeast Idaho. His sister lived near me and came to me one evening at the church building. She said, “Angie, this is going to sound really weird, but every time I see you, I think of my brother.” Yes, that sounded weird… He needed a friend because he had recently lost his wife to poor health. Long story short, we began to email and text, and then using Facebook to keep in constant contact with one another. He came for a visit in May 2011, and we were engaged before he went back home! We married in November 2011.

Being in Southern California, the rent was crazy expensive. We paid almost $600 for rent, sewer and trash for less than 550 sq.ft… Larry knew of my desire to go back to school to receive my Master’s Degree. We looked at multiple universities and finally decided on Boise State University because of their dual program of Early Childhood and Special Education. I came home one day and he had submitted my application! I was accepted and we found an 1100 sq.ft. apartment for rent in the Boise area for less than $500 including water, sewer and trash! We moved there in November 2013. I finished my degree in May 2016, which leads to the purpose of this post. 🙂

That summer, 2016, started with my mom coming out to visit us. She didn’t get the opportunity to see me graduate from UNLV in 2003 because I didn’t walk… couldn’t afford the rent of the apartment, so I had to move before the ceremony took place. She was very disappointed but completely understood the reason why. The day after this graduation, the three of us hopped in the car with the dogs and set forth to the east side of the state. We stopped in Shoshone Falls and took in the serene beauty there. I wish I could find my pictures of the trip, and if I do, I will update this post to include them. The following picture was found on the internet.

We continued our journey to Southeast Idaho so my mom could see… (drumroll, please…) Our New Home! Larry and I purchased our first home! It was built in 1910 and is listed as a “cottage”. It really is a cute home, and I will blog about it some other day, but for now, here is the outside, and we get to see the Grand Teton Mountain Range almost every day! It is just so beautiful here!

The reason Larry and I were able to purchase a home is because I got a full time teaching position as an Early Childhood Special Education teacher! That year, everything literally fell into place. I had sent out letters to principals of Eastern Idaho schools within smaller districts in January 2016. I got a request from two different districts to apply directly, and this job came through. The school I’m in has an indoor playground and a sensory room! I told them to find me in the light sensory room if couldn’t be located elsewhere! I’ve been at this job for nearly two years, and I love it. The paperwork may end up drowning me some day, but those kids keep me entertained every single day!

The rest of the summer was spent in Island Park, Idaho and West Yellowstone, Montana. Larry’s family has a reunion every summer in Island Park on the family lots. It’s always a fun time! Larry’s sister, who introduced us, came up that year and we took them over to the local swimming spot as well. All in all, the summer of 2016 will live in my memories for many years to come!

  

  

  

Larry loves bears and this one gave him a big hug!

This is a pair of pajama pants found in West Yellowstone… I need to buy them if they’re still available!

Pajama top

This is a natural spring found on the way up to West Yellowstone. You can fill up your empty water bottles and jugs! It tastes so pure!

Two of our nieces playing in the sandbar.

Miss Patches, enjoying Island Park!