Year: 2020

December at last.

Starting this year I would have never thought that I would be working from home for the last 9 months to end the year. Also would not have guessed about a global pandemic either. Or that we would have spiritual trauma from our experience with the church, or that we wouldn’t have gone to church in months by the time we were in December. I wouldn’t have guessed any of it. Not even that we would get pregnant and have a third baby on the way.

Speaking of COVID we have been very strict the last few months. Even my parents before they visit have to quarantine for at least 2 weeks (with no going in stores, or anything). We are taking every precaution we can.

Hospitalizations are up to 100k and we keep breaking through the records. It seems like the birth of our baby (slated to be the beginning of January sometime) will also be close to the PEAK of all the madness.

On to happier news: We visited the Troutdale and downtown Portland trees (the one downtown is always a sight to see).

Read this article. Chris Willis has been hiding these Santas around town for years, we did the search this year and found them. He even took the time to mask them all up! I took a photo of my warm coffee and the Christmas lights we put up in the garage (including the lights behind the British flag which is up year-round). Elijah and Arabella were being super cute and wanted to showcase Paddington. If you notice her bangs? She cut her hair without telling us her plans to do so. The wifey may have freaked out just a bit.

See the star? Well, here is something I haven’t mentioned yet: Each time we go to the doctor I have to wait in the car for Maryia. Only one other person is allowed in the room with her and we go over that limit with the kids. I drive over the Portland Providence building, go to the top level of the parking garage and watch the sky. This whole thing has been so different than any other birth. Each one was different, honestly. Arabella had the same person throughout, we changed doctors for Elijah since we were further south in the city (in Arizona) and with this baby, we changed doctors after the last one told us that we lost the baby.

Remember when I talked before about our Christmas lights vs our Christmas light goals? See below for a picture of our goal. Not sure it will ever happen, especially considering you would need to store everything that is showing, but in our mind it is what we would want to have.

We have taken part in the Healthy Oregon Project. I think it’s pretty cool (read about it here). On the website, they explain

“Participants donate their saliva sample via our HOP Kits mailed to their Oregon address. Participants receive their inherited genetic risk screening results, which looks for DNA mutations that are known to increase risk for cancer or other diseases. The DNA mutations we are screening for are ones that medical doctors have concluded that there are effective ways to prevent that cancer risk or catch it early when it is more easily treated.”

It’s a big thing with OHSU, the Univerity of Oregon, Providence, Keiser Permanente, and others who have joined together to make it possible. For free too! the only requirement is that you reside in Oregon.

It was cold and the Gorge got some snow so we took a trip and came across the Rowena Viewpoint (commercials and other photography have been filmed here due to the unique curve in the road.

We found a local church to go to the Christmas Eve service. East Hill handed out boxes to everyone and provided a candle for everyone in the family.

A windstorm pushed sideways the fence in the backyard. I’ll have to let the neighbor know about that but do not expect it to be fixed during Christmas and the New Year. At least it didn’t knock it over.

On the last day of the year, we had another baby checkup. So I took a nice photo of the roof again (yes I included the star too). We welcome 2021! As is typical, we watched the ball drop – prerecorded from Times Square (picture is mere seconds away from the drop).

Here is to a new year, with a new baby!

just Pray

note: this post was published on 09/21/22 but moved the publish date back to the end of December 2020 to keep chronological order.

We got an early start to our Christmas lights. We have goals of what we want it to look like, but for now, this will do.

We started off the month by also checking out some late blooming trees around the area, including one at Multnomah Falls.

Election News! Here are some icky stats that will make you feel dirty just reading. All of the racism that Trump has been pushing and leaning on – all of that propaganda that he has… has just been eaten up by white people. Even worse, by the Church and in particular the white-Christian church. This hurts my heart. This shouldn’t be. That would mean that a good majority of everyone that I’ve gone to church with over the years would align with the things that Trump stands for and in particular Christian Nationalism. I think I need a shower.

After all of that Trump ended up losing a couple of swing states including Arizona (see Maricopa county image above) which I have to say makes me proud as our previous home state got it right. Oddly enough and for the first time ever – the sitting president (Donald Trump) is not going to concede to Biden. What in the world is going on?

COVID is getting worse. There is a 2-week freeze that will last until December 2nd (you can read about it here). As if this hasn’t been a crazy enough year, having a baby amongst all of the insane COVID stuff is just insane.

After Thanksgiving, we put up some lights in the backyard and the next day ventured out to find a Christmas tree.

We have liked the tradition of cutting down your own tree. It also ensures that the tree will last as long as possible.

We brought the tree home and decorated it. I took a photo of some of my favorite ornaments for you to see as well! Fun fact: I always have liked seeing the Christmas tree decorated and lit up. It reminds me of the old cartoon with Mickey Mouse, Pluto, Chip, and Dale. Pluto is trying to capture them and it turns into a whole big mess. The scene I remember most vividly though is when the Chipmunks are walking in the tree like it is a winter wonderland. I’ve posted the clip below to jog your memory, or so that you can see it for the first time!

I wish I could have ended this post with that happy memory. However, before the Holiday weekend was over there was a major rift that was ripped wide open between my parents and our family. Not sure how it all went down 100%, but by the end of it my dad had unloaded in the form of words a bunch of hate that he apparently had been harboring for Maryia for quite some time. It was really bad. Before my parents left, we told my dad that if he wanted anything to do with us that he would need to agree to go to some family counseling to try and better things.

just Pray

note: this post was published on 09/21/22 but moved the publish date back to the end of November 2020 to keep chronological order.

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We recently installed a new lock for the door. We have been going throughout the house and installing updates as much as we can. I also hiked up on the roof to see if there was any way to get Christmas lights installed near the roof line. Wanted to do something a little more traditional this year, but alas we cannot as there is no easy way to do so. The view was pretty great though.

Maryia also had a baby shower and Arabella wanted to go to hangout with the other kids and help mommy. Elijah however did not have a desire to sit through all the boring adult talk (a phrase famously coined by Arabella). Instead, I took him to Columbia Park over in north Portland (where we had previously lived within walking distance from) and let him go crazy.

Ballot Box?! Yes, we voted. The candidates are Trump and Biden. We voted for Biden and sent in the MAIL IN BALLOT. Those words would probably drive Trump up the wall and all of his followers.

As long as I have lived in Portland there has ALWAYS been a view that I wanted to catch and see for myself. In the fall, go find a Japanese Maple tree that is changing color and then make sure you catch it when the sunlight can shine through it. We were on the west side, closer to downtown, and came across this house with these giant Japanese Maple trees. Oh man did they showcase their brilliant colors.

Those photos above are some of my all-time favorite photos that I’ve taken of fall colors.

We ended the day by going to Joe Browns Carmel Corn and grabbing a bag before heading home and meeting up with JJ who came to visit with the fam.

just Pray

note: this post was published on 09/21/22 but moved the publish date back to the end of October 2020 to keep chronological order.

Hey,

We started October with a shot. Yeah, the flu shot. Seems like a good idea to get, especially with how crazy COVID is making things.

We wanted to do a trip where we drove north and explored, maybe catching fall colors. If not then we would enjoy the trip. We had JUST gone to Mt. Rainier during all of that smoky time in Portland. It was a tad disappointing as my parents had never been before, and most of the views were shrouded with smoke haze. Despite this – it remains one of our favorite national parks to visit. If you ever have the chance do it. You can’t go wrong and it’s easy to navigate.

We reached Sunrise before Sunset and stayed until the sun was down. Love the time I got to spend with Elijah.

The next day we explored near Seattle – even going as far as to visit the Microsoft Campus. Took a photo (which I think is pretty much mandatory at this point) and went on our way. Over past Deception Falls (BEAUTIFUL) and it doesn’t look like it will be much when you start on the trail (hence the name).

Finally found a really cool 9/11 memorial. I can’t really find anything even close to this in Portland, but over here in Cashmere Washington, they have a part of the Pentagon, a WTC steel beam, AND ground from Pennsylvania (not pictured). It was nice and I hope we can visit it again.

We took a trip through Yakima – went to Miners to eat and enjoyed our time. We also stopped in Zillah to see the Teapot Dome Gas station. Here is the history of that:

“The Teapot Dome Service Station was originally located on Hwy. 410 between Zillah and Granger.  It was handcrafted by Jack Ainsworth in 1922.  He built it inspired by the Harding Administration Teapot Dome Scandal.  The store next to the Teapot was the Old Dalton Trading Co. General Country Store was built by Jack Ainsworths’ father in 1902.  In 1928 Mr. and Mrs. A.J. Thomas purchased the Teapot.  They operated the gas station along with a store fountain built on the same site.  This was an era when gasoline dealers gave people something to look at and tell their friends about when they got home.

In 1978 the construction of I-82 forced the removal of the building from its’ original location.  Five days before the scheduled move it was hit by a car and it was caved in.  It had to be reconstructed which was no easy job because it was all hand-crafted.  Fortunately, the building was reconstructed and then moved with the help of the State Dept. of Transportation some 1.2 miles to its’ current site at 14691 Yakima Valley Highway. “

By the time we got back to Portland, the cooler air was starting to take hold. The rain showers were moving in (which I LOVE both the cool weather and rain).

We went to Papa’s Pumpkin Patch on the west side of Portland. Explored their sunflower area. Purchased some locally made food and a bunch of pumpkins (the prices they have are the best around).

While we were driving around we noticed that the trees were really starting to bloom (in fall colors). We snapped a photo of Ara in front of one.

just Pray

note: this post was published on 09/21/22 but moved the publish date back to the middle of October 2020 to keep chronological order.

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We got the estimate to get the car repaired, it will cost around $1,200 for those scratches they caused. Insane amount if you ask me – so I’m glad we don’t have to pay for it.

We had a team event at work where we got together to play some games (because COVID restricts us all from meeting up). I grabbed a screenshot of everyone (1st row is: Don, Linda, and Bill. 2nd row is: me and Jack)

We have been trying to get out and find beauty in the ordinary. We came across this truck that is used to advertise for a local farm. We drive across it nearly every time we leave the house – so we pulled over and captured some beauty.

We also took a trip to Bend. Along the way, before you hit Mt. Hood they have this old fire engine with the “Cars” styled eyes. The kids went berserk so we took a photo.

Why Bend? To visit the Last Blockbuster in the world.

It is up and running (and likely due to the amount of tourism it creates) and the sentimental fact that you can visit a relic from the 80s, 90s, and early 00s – it was fun to be able to bring our kids here. After we left the kids kept saying “that place is so cool, they should open up more of them” – if they only knew. They use to be on nearly every block!

The smoke is in town. There are a few fires nearby (read about them here) and all of that smoke is coming straight at us.

The fire has been so close that Maryia’s dad had to leave his house in Colton. Angel and Louis are also going to stay with friends (they live in Mollala). I guess that song from Smashmouth – All-Star is pretty fitting. “My Worlds on Fire, how ’bout yours?” Gramps came to visit us and we offered to have him stay at our house. He came inside and Ellie and Gramps told us how cute our house was. They were not thrilled when we told them the dog would need to be in his crate so that there were no accidents. The other item was about Gramps’ guns. He wanted them inside the house which we would not allow. We told him that we would keep them in a safe place in the garage.

That was all he needed to hear. They stayed for an hour or so and then left to go stay and his sisters. They also ended up evacuating and they all went camping for a couple of weeks. I don’t feel that we were being unreasonable.

To escape the smoke we took a trip to Mt. Rainer. My parents came up and visited so it ended up being big a group trip.

When we returned our Air Quality remained unchanged at “Airpocalypse” and “Hazardous” – ick.

We did get a little bit of rain (much needed) and saw more Trump supporters out in full force. We decided to get away to the beach since Trump had labeled Portland (and Seattle) as Anarchist jurisdiction. This is what a leader like Trump will do and threaten to cut off all federal funding.

We loved our time at Seaside and by the end of the month, we even had clear (non-smoky) skies. The fire near Gramps, his sisters, and Angels were now under control and they were getting ready to go back to their homes.

just Pray

note: this post was published on 09/20/22 but moved the publish date back to the end of September 2020 to keep chronological order.