Angela and Rob met online, at Yahoo Personals in 2002. Rob had an ad posted about himself, and Angela responded to his ad. They started chatting on line on a Sunday, March 17th, spoke on the phone Monday, March 18th, and went on their first date on Tuesday, March 19th. Rob took Angela to dinner and then they rented a movie and watched it back at Angela’s house. Sparks flew from the moment they first saw each other, and unknown to Rob, Angela knew she had found the one!
They began seeing each other every day, having dinner, watching movies, going shopping, and spending time with Angela’s family who lived close by. In August they found out they were going to have a baby. They were both very excited, but somewhat nervous since their relationship was still so new. Rob left for Iraq in February of 2003, and Damian Robert Nielsen was born April 17th, 2003. That following August, Rob proposed to Angela via email, from Kuwait! Rob came back from Iraq in September and they were married November 15th, 2003.
In March of 2004 the Nielsen’s moved from North Carolina (where they met) to Boise Idaho. In September of that same year, they found out they were “expecting” again. They couldn’t have been happier. Kadence Sidney Nielsen was born April 20th, 2004. They now had one of each!
In August of 2005 the Nielsen’s were once again relocated. This time they were sent to Oceanside, California. They settled in quickly, enjoying the beautiful weather and many activities close by. The family has annual passes to the San Diego Zoo, LegoLand, and Disney. They spend much of their time taking the kids to the park or the beach, or playing in the backyard.
In October of 2006 the Nielsen’s found out they were once again – expecting! They had decided they wanted a third child, but had initially planned to wait another year, guess someone else had different plans! Damian is thrilled to be having another sibling, Kadence on the other hand doesn’t realize this yet. They are due June 27th and can hardly wait. They expect to be in California for another 1-2 years, after they are hoping to get stationed back in North Carolina, Angela’s home and the place where Rob and Angela met. Rob will retire from the Marines in about 6 1/2 years, and they hope to settle down in Maryland or Virginia.
In December of 2006 the Nielsen’s once again moved, this time only a few miles down the street – but to a much larger, brand new home! Rob is much closer to work, since their new subdivision is just outside of the back gate entrance. Angela is much happier at work because this home has air conditioning – something you don’t find in many home in California, but something that the Nielsen’s can’t live without.
In May of 2007 the Nielsen’s added to their family! Bianca Elizabeth Nielsen was born on May 24th weighing in at 4lbs and 11ozs. She stayed in the hospital for 10 days, because she was born 5 weeks early, but she is doing incredible.
In November of 2007 the Nielsen’s found out they were pregnant, again! Turned out they were going to be adding another girl to the mix, Addison Jennifer Nielsen due end of June.
In February of 2008 Rob left for a tour in Iraq. He will be returning sometime in the fall.
May 29th of 2008 Addison Jennifer Nielsen was born, 4 weeks ahead of schedule, weighing 6 pounds exactly, but perfectly healthy. The new addition was bitter sweet with Rob being gone, but so far we’re making it work. We upload pictures of the children all the time for Rob to see online, so that he gets to see his babies grow.
Rob came home from Iraq on September 4th! Everyone is very happy that daddy is back home where he belongs!
Rob and Angela went on a cruise to Mexico at the end of October. What a great time that was!
In September of 2009 our family moved to Barstow California. This is about 2 and 1/2 hours north east of where we were living. But we are now in the “high desert”, otherwise none as the “Armpit of California”. It is very hot here! We are settling into our new life here – expected to be here for about 3 years. Damian is in 1st grade and Kadence in Pre-K, both at a private Christian school. Bianca and Addison attend daycare on base.
Rob left for Virginia mid-July 2010 for 3 months. We can’t tell you why or we’d have to kill you. Just kidding, but still can’t tell you why. It’s all good stuff though. So the kids and I are spending the summer together. Damian and Kadence are staying home during the day with me (while I work from home this summer), and Bianca and Addison are still attending daycare on base. We recently moved off base into a house out it town, on over an acre of land with an inground pool. With heat like it is here, that pool comes in handy.
In January 2012 we moved back to base housing. LONG story – but we ended up with 2 deadbeat landlords in a row. We are waiting on orders out of Barstow – should be moving sometime this summer – and we’ve been hearing East Coast. Sure would be nice to get home… sweet tea and fried chicken!
