2022 – June part 2

The second half of this month started with a little boy running a fever. All he wanted to do was cuddle and sleep (both things I like) but wish that he felt better. If you are wondering, he was lying on a part of my jeans hence the imprint on his face. We bathed the puppy (he was not a fan of it) and we started to watch Stranger Things season 4. It’s a fun show, we started watching it some years ago during season 1.

Outside of still working at home – we have been making a point to go to church. This time we tried a different church – Good Shephard Community Church. The building is pretty nice and they seem to be pretty open with where things are at. We spoke a little with some of the welcome people at the church afterward. They have an event for the 4th of July that we are going to check out. I am hopeful!

Another noteworthy item: our kids have been going to a vacation bible school at Abundant Life Church (in Damascus). I felt sick going inside that church again – but we wanted to allow the kids to have a good experience and keep God at the center of things. Normally I wouldn’t have even considered it, but I also feel that some time away from us and time with others will help as well. We usually get home around 8:30 and they are in bed by 9. We have about 120 minutes with just Luca, Maryia, and myself so we have been going and getting dinner.

One night we went to a Sharis (just for dessert as we already had dinner). There was a guy who started shouting at the people working in the restaurant. He mentioned that he was here first and yet they are giving other people drinks and food before him. They tried to get him to calm down but then he started shoving over chairs and getting violent. It was a scary event – I kept wondering if he had a gun. If he did, would he target us? Would this be our last day? Then ended up calling the cops but not before they kicked him out and locked all of the doors in the restaurant (for safety). They let everyone in the restaurant know that they wouldn’t have to pay for the food that was ordered. Yeah, that’s fine – and I understand they can’t control that type of thing but man. I did not think that it would’ve happened.

We took a trip one weekend (with a cool June afternoon) over to Portland Peninsula Park and Rose Garden. It’s a lovely park that has fountains (it says to stay out but in the summers kids flood the area as their swimming pool), rose gardens, and a big open area to be active (think playgrounds, soccer field, baseball field). If you are in the Portland area, check it out.

I was amazed to see gas under $5 – that’s right! At a local 76 gas station, we saw $4.99. Also – we have been using the 76 app for a few years now. Why? Each time you use the app and fill up (you can use Apple Pay, or add your credit card) they give you a 10-cent discount automatically. With prices as high as they are, every penny counts. Also, there are many times that they do contests in their app for free tickets to sporting events (whatever team may be local). Check it out.

One evening after we got home from VBS we had a neighbor who showed up at our door. I was in the other room doing something with the kids and this guy started talking to my wife. He begins by saying something to the effect of “your kids are too loud, your dog is too loud – I am losing sleep because of you, and at this point, I will call the cops and report you and your kids, I’ll also call the shelter and report the dog barking.”

Uh, what?

When I started to listen to hear what was being said I got up and went to the door. The guy was saying “You guys are the only ones with kids in the neighborhood – it is only you guys.” to which we explained there are multiple families with kids. Either way, he wasn’t listening. I asked him “What the hell is your problem?.. who do you think you are?!” at that point, he backed off the stairs and started walking away. I started to follow him to see where he lived and to see who would be so rude to someone they never even met before.

The kids started coming outside – then I could not follow him any longer. I have no words to use that are appropriate to say.

Instead, we called the police – filed a complaint, and noted everything that happened. They mentioned if he came to our door again just call the police and they would come out. They also told us (after we informed them of what he said) that they would not come out to the house for kids playing or for a dog barking. Which – by the way, and for the record, he does NOT bark excessively. He is a dog- yeah, so occasionally if someone startles him he can let a few barks out – but nothing excessive. Ugh, I don’t want to have to deal with this.

just Pray