Happiest Man in the World!!

Thursday night I asked the most incredible woman in the world to be my wife forever.

and she said Yes!!!

We are SOOO happy. I'll keep this announcement short and more details are sure to follow, but know this: I have never made an easier decision. I have never been happier. I have felt such amazing love that I can't help but imagine that this is what our Heavenly Father wanted us to understand when he sent us down here. It is worth all the risk and pain. We are amazed at the gloriousness of it all. As overwhelming as things of the heart and spirit can seem, I feel so comfortable to be coming home with her. 

I can't wait to be sealed forever to my best friend. 

Yes!

Yes!!

Yes!!!

On to November

Wow. October is gone. Gon, I tell you. It happened so fast, that I didn’t even get to type the e on the end of gone. But man, we made the most of it. Rock concerts at casinos, Running in a 5k race, refinishing furniture, replacing locks, replacing toilets, listening to politics, loving on the boys, making caramel apples, Monday night football, paying down debt, fixing my car, buying a blower and a chainsaw, kissing princesses—just one really, rewriting resumes, reconnecting with 100 friends from the past on facebook, playing video games, sewing pirate costumes at the last minute, kissing witches—just one really, teaching deacons how to iron their shirts, winning pumpkin carving contests, going to the emergency room for strep, getting root canals, playing league volleyball, making love…just kidding about that last one. Making ROOM for love. Made you smile though.
And all this in 1 month? Just imagine what November is going to be like.

Send me your fun and funny suggestions

Birthday Fox wants you to give her boyfriend some ideas!Ok, maybe not those kinds of ideas...but in 8 days (Oct 14th), somebody we all know and love is turning 33. If it's my birthday, I hope it passes with maybe a card or 2 from my favorite people and that's it, but I also realize that I'm somewhat of a freak and that normal people LURVE b-days.

So post some comments on this blog about:

1.) What were your most memorable birthday gifts and days

2.) What would tickle our Alicia to receive on her special day

3.) If you think it should not be seen here, you can email me at jameswwquigley AT gmail DAWT com

Don't worry...we're already going to see Air Supply on Friday, so it's not like I haven't thought ahead...just help a brother out, ok?

Catching up

So I finally joined facebook. ---WOW---


So many friends I have not heard of for years and years...and so this blog post is a catch-me-up post.


Maybe I should start with the most important stuff first and then bore you all with the chronology of it all.

For those of you who knew my sister Megan, I'm sad to say that she is no longer with us. She died in a car accident on Dec 11th. It was a black-ice freeway accident and she was driving. Her husband (Quinn Kuzmich) recovered and her 2-year old was not in the car with them. For the record, this is one of the more beautiful things that has happened to me this year. I'll miss Megan as if she had moved to Alaska with no phone for 10 years...and 10 years feels the same as 50. I was suprized at how calm this was for me. The funeral, the long drive to colorado where she was buried, the talks with family and supporting others who needed me. It was almost like a kickoff party for her to go abroad, except there was the feeling that now she knows the secret that we had only believed in...she now has perspective. We are here for purposes and the illusion of existencial isolation is only temporary and necessary for our growth. The mechanics of this are laid out in the gospel, but the practical application in my life means that I do not have the pain of questioning and limitless loss. Pain was muted in the knowledge that she'll be around and we'll catch up later. This is the power of the Gospel...and one of the freedoms of truth.

As for me and my life now, Jennifer and I divorced last February and our 2 sons live with her in Tacoma and I get them weekends and see them often. The boys and I talk on the phone every day and we are all still active in the church. We had been seperated for 2 years bofore this and whild divorce is never pretty, we have established roles and an easy cooperation that allows us both of us to be good parents to our 2 sons and exist independantly thus far.

I'm dating an amazing woman (see Alicia's blog) who has taught me all sorts of stuff about communication, connectedness, honor, emotional wealth, but mostly has just been a joy to be myself around. More on her in other blog entries...those of you who are smart enough to recognize valuable, amazing people will get to know her on your own.

My Parents who were living by Megan in Colorado have just purchased property here in the eastern mountains around Seattle and plan on building a home some time next year. Guess I'm the favorite child, now, Scott! =P

Bethany's out east with her Hubby and little Scotty is now living in Texas, married with one in the oven. Strange how time waits for no man.

Speaking of that, I have 2 kids myself! Greyson and Aidan are 7 and 3 (almost 4) and both are amazing and good and loving and well-adjusted. Jen's a great mom and I'm a pretty darn good dad as well.

Who am I in 50 words?

Son - Yep...God's my dad. And my Earth Dad's a God as well.
Overt - I hardly ever do anything by default. I'm pretty deliberate.

Idealistic - to a fault.

Openminded - maybe moreso in the sense that I like to learn new things-- not be persuaded
Naughty - Ask Santa
Loving - I really love hard, often, many, and deeply. If you're reading this, I have loved you.
Yellow - personality test...funloving...look up the Color Code in google

Worthy - Temple-, Life-, Love-, and hopefully heaven-
Relentless - Ask the people who work for me, with me, and especially against me.
Odd - sometimes, this is downright freakish, but I was in a nice mood.
Teacher - perhaps my favorite thing to do--give knowledge
Eater - of non-healthy things first please.

Fun-loving - If you are fun, I love you.
One - on sane days.
Unabashed - I love running around the house naked...knock or come in if you dare.
Rowdy - especially with words.
Trusting - Life is to short to be safe...and skeptics aren't really safe. They're just bitter.
Young - I feel this the most when I am with my sons...My heart is a child's heart.

Noteworthy - ok, maybe not my blogging skillz, but other stuff about me.
Intelligent - (the rate at which one learns, not the sum of present knowledge)
Nocturnal - posting this at 2AM
Enlivening - If I can bring you up or wake you up or rile you up, I'm set!

Wholesome - compared to most non-Mormons.
Heavy - in my hopes, sometimes heart, my philosophical thoughts and definitely on the scale.
Artistic - draw, color, light, appreciation
Trier - Things I try: any defendant, your patience, any good or neutral thing once, new stuff

Aging - lately I feel this more acutely... what's that new hair on my inner thigh! sheesh!
Royal - or at least I aspire to become king someday...spiritually.
Evocative - I will evoke something in you. Watch me.

Yearning - seem to always have a hungry feeling...for knowledge, food, fun, progress, just more...
Over-the-top - high-school high-jumper.
Unpredictable - Also tried out for HS flag corps (and quit thankfully!)

Genius - when I'm sleeping mainly...and I may surprise myself daily...maybe that's just forgetful.
Offensive - if you've known me more than 2 months, you'll agree.
Insightful - watching people's hearts and souls and minds is a passion of mine.
Nerdy - I'm a PC
Gregarious - but not THAT much of a PC

Tall - 6'3"
Omega - I'm a finisher

Disorganized - boy howdy...at least I'll always have a new years' resolution
Ordinary - I feel like one of everyone else.

Spurious - this is an homage to all the things I am trying to be b faking it till I make it.
Perspicacious - look it up.
Aware - I'm amazed at how many people live life in oblivion...I try not to be hypocritical.
Needful - I am reliant upon the Savior minutely...that means 60x each hour, not minisculely
Knowledgeable - about some things.

Malleable - I love change. I thrive on it. more please.
Eternal - I always feel most myself when I am keeping the biggest picture in mind.
?

I'm not a Chick.

With due respect to the male bloggers out there, I am happy to report that I'm not a chick. It took me a few posts before I started to realize that I was the only guy I know who was consistently updating my blog.

I didn't care. I liked it... then life got busy and true to guy form, I stopped blogging...Sorry!

So what am I doing with my time?

Right now I am leading the testing and progress reporting of August Quarter Release of 24+ applications which generate billions of $ of revenue for MSFT. 15 Tester Project Managers report to me and escalate their issues to me and I manage the politics/technical constraints/stakeholder push back, and general headaches. No biggie.

And the boys came to live in Dad's house during July. It was like heaven to have them around and hell to have to work while they were around, but I'm soooo thankful to the angels that gave their hearts and time and patience and nerves to love my sons while I was keeping food on the table.

And my Mom and Dad and Brother and Sis came to town. We partied it up!! exhausting making SOOO many memories in just 2 weeks.

I met Linds and LOVED her. Hi Hotstuff. And partied with the Party a few times and LOVED that...I pretty much love all the things Alicia has introduced me to...except reduced fat stuff and those jeans that she loves that fit me...for the record, form-fitting jeans are for cowboys, girls, and metrosexuals...not pirates. I'm still on the fence...the uncomfortable part of the fence.

Oh yeah.. and the house...and my car...both begging for needed maintenance. To rip out the bathroom or not rip out the bathroom. That is not the question. The question is really "when" and "how". *sigh*

What is my church calling again? Somebody tell me what to do...

Bills paid? Thank heaven for auto-bill-pay and USAA banking.

The one constant throughout all the craziness has been the unwavering love and kindness and service and blessing of Alicia. Thanks sweety. Life is easier with you. And brighter. And more alive. You all should go get you one of those Alicias.

Careless Update

The count-down is drumming, oh me! Oh My!
The Quigleys are coming! Around July
2 across land and 3 through the air.
My house isn't ready, so Mom, beware.

Alicia will help me, you know she will
She cleaned our whole home even though she was ill
Then pulled out hot dinner complete with greens
I wish I could show her how much it means

My Family home evening is short, but sweet
Thank netflix and Dell for a special treat
The line between family is starting to blur
I'm home on a monday alone with her.

I called it 'our' home but that's how it feels.
Without her? Just walls and some window sills.
Another day gone and I'm blogging in bed,
Alarmed by the blessings that fill my head.

My scriptures are read and my sons are strong
In the back of my mind is a christmas song
There's bumps in the road and I've got a full plate,
But just for this moment, my life is great.