Labor Day Weekend 9/2/13

On our last day we drove over to Trees of Mystery.  I wanted to get a picture of the giant Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox statues.  I was pretty excited to find out that Paul Bunyan could talk!  His voice boomed out over the parking lot, commenting on people going in and out of the museum and those taking photographs.  It was seriously funny.  Who knew that Paul Bunyan had such a sense of humor, eh?  He even winked at me!  And you could talk and interact with him.  The best part is that he saw EVERYTHING.  He saw a group of people taking a photo next to Babe's er...man parts, and he had many witty things to say about them.  Mostly condescending remarks, but how could you pass up an opportunity like that?  

  

Mike next to a giant Redwood tree. 

Driving down this road was very ominous. 

We stopped on Highway 101 near Crescent City, CA so I could take pictures of some unique pieces of art.  The sculptures were very interesting, but also a bit eerie.  I need to credit this artwork, but unfortunately I didn't take a picture of the name of this roadside gallery.  I will try to find it and then update this post.  :)  But check out some of these amazing sculptures. 

Sometimes the right answer isn't the one you expect (or want) to hear...

     Mike recently received a job offer at a company in NYC.  He officially accepted the position as of last week.  It's still a shock for me.  We've only been in Portland for 17 months and now we are moving AGAIN.  And not just a small move.  We're moving to a GIANT city on the other side of the country.  I have loved it here ever since we arrived last year.  I have had my heart set on putting down roots, buying a house and raising our kids HERE.  I have grown to love the Pacific Northwest and it breaks my heart to leave.
     For many months now, Mike and I have been praying for guidance to know where we should be looking for houses.  We've also been praying to know what to do about Mike's job situation.  In my mind, I wasn't looking outside of the Portland area because I thought we were going to be here long term.  And for many years I've been telling Mike that the East Coast was off limits.  I figured he'd surely be able to find a job on this side of the country, because there was no way I would agree to anything different.
     Well, knowing that our lease was about to expire this past March, Mike and I started house hunting sometime around February.  And during our months of searching, I just never felt "right" about any of the places we looked at.  I kept getting the prompting to be patient because there would be something else out there to consider. I thought maybe the house we were supposed to live in just wasn't on the market yet or other various possibilities.  I'm not a very patient person, but I agreed to wait and trusted that the timing wasn't right, for whatever reason.
     In the meantime, Mike and I discussed the possibility of him leaving his current company.  There were some rumors going around that made Mike feel uneasy, and long story short---in order for us to be serious about buying a house he needed to feel secure in his job first.  So we decided to put the house hunting on hold until we felt more confident about his current job position or until he found another job that would provide more stability.  We both assumed that he'd find another job in the Portland area.  He applied to quite a few places, but there were no jobs listed in this area that would help him progress in the profession he is interested in.  Although, the jobs he was looking at seemed decent enough, he felt like he'd be taking a step away from his ultimate career goal.
     So he applied to a job posting that actually fit the exact description of what he does at his current job.  The posting said that they would prefer that the chosen employee work from the Houston, TX office or the NYC office, BUT that they could be flexible.  Mike thought he might have a chance to work from Portland if he got offered the job, because all he really needs to do his job is a phone and a computer, and many of the other associates are supposedly located all over the country.  Well, he killed it on all the interviews and made a great impression on everyone he talked to.  When he was offered the job he asked about the "flexibility" regarding location that was mentioned in the posting.  It turns out they were just kidding, apparently.  :)  They told him that moving to the NYC office was a requirement.
   Anyway, it's been a very stressful week and a half.  His new boss wanted Mike to let him know of our decision a.s.a.p.  But Mike's work schedule made it impossible for us to talk about it in detail for a few days.  The Friday after he got the offer we decided we needed to seriously take some time to discuss the prospect of moving.  We wanted to go to the temple to receive more insight about what was right for our family, but the temple was closed until the 19th and we didn't have time to wait for that.  We were signed up to attend the ward camp out that night, but instead, we arranged for a babysitter to come over so we could have some alone time from the kids to converse about the job he'd have, where we might live, and the craziness of it all.
     I mulled over it all weekend.  I weighed the pros and cons.  My mind kept going back and forth.  The Lord says He wants us ponder and study things out and come to a decision and ask Him if it's right.  But during times like this, I wish He would just tell me the right answer.  I have the mindset of "I'll do whatever it is you want, just don't make me decide, mmmmmkay?"  Making the choice is the hardest part because I so desperately don't want to make the wrong one.
     On Sunday Mike and I fasted together.  The talks during sacrament meeting really hit me hard.  God knew I needed to hear those words.  The first talk was about finding an answer.  Things I took from the other talks included seizing opportunities, jobs, education, priorities....lots of stuff that was at the forefront of my mind.
     That night I told Mike I felt like we needed to move to NYC.  And he concurred with me.  I think he knew the right answer long before I received a witness.  It isn't what I wanted at first.  But sometimes the right answer isn't the one you want to hear.  It is really sad for me in a lot of ways.  Mike's brother just got a job in Seattle and we were excited to live closer to some more of our family.  I love our ward and the people in it.  I have made good friends here.  I love our neighbors and our kids have friends.  Vessel will just be starting school and have to leave a few months in.  I love the whole Portland vibe.  I love the beauty that exists in western Oregon.  I loved the mild winter we experienced last year (no snow and no below zero temps!)  And it feels like we JUST MOVED.  That's because we did!!  It is still hard to wrap around my mind around all this, but if this is where the Lord wants us to be, then I will follow the promptings of the spirit.  It's definitely very scary, but I feel more at peace about it after praying.  Everything will be okay.
     And, on the bright side, the move to New York won't be permanent.  We will end up back here in a few years.  This is where Mike and I agree we want to settle down for the rest of our lives.  This job experience will be good for him and good for his resume.  And I support my husband in his new venture.  Hmmmm, I guess it turns out I will follow him wherever he goes, even the East Coast.  I must love him or something.
    There are so many things I need to do in the next few months.  Mike will be leaving to start work in a couple of weeks.  And while he's living in the city I will be here with my little ones, trying to arrange moving and talking to realtors.  It will be hard to be away from him for weeks at a time until we find the right house and the boys and I can finally move out there and be reunited with him.  *sigh*   I'll have to get back into the swing of writing on this blog so I can keep people posted on our latest adventure.       
     

Longest Month Ever

     It has been a dreadfully long month.  Mike has been super busy since the last week of April and the entire month of May has been even crazier.  There were a few weeks there that I only saw him maybe 3 hours total for the entire week, and that's not an exaggeration.  During earning season there were several days he woke up at 3am and rushed out the door and didn't get home until 11 or 12.  Seriously, almost 24 hour work days.  He'd come home, shower, and sleep for 1-2 hours only to start all over again.  I don't know how he functions on such little sleep. Truly.  If he comes out of this month with a meth addiction, I'll totally know why.   

     Obviously the worst downside to him being so busy is that we haven't had any time together for sooooo long.  Right after his busy week dealing with earnings reports, he took off on a business trip to Florida for a week.  We got to talk occasionally, though he was usually in meetings and then, because of the 3 hour time difference, he was usually in bed by the time I got the kids to bed and had a minute of quiet time to chat.  When we did get a chance to talk, I enjoyed hearing about the many shenanigans he took part in during his trip.  And he always had a funny story to share.  It sounded like the humidity was pretty intense, so he spent a lot of the time driving in an air conditioned car.  But for fun during one long drive, he told me how he decided to turn the heat on full blast for the last hour of his trip.  Stepping out into the humid heat of Florida really wasn't that bad after that.  Oh, the things that kid does for entertainment.  :)  And I got a real life gator head as a souvenir.  I can't think of anything more romantic than that as a gift.

 
     After the Florida trip, he was home for another week but I barely saw him due to his insane work schedule.  When that week was up, he took another week long trip to NYC, Boston, and Connecticut.  Lucky for him, the train derailment took place just a few days prior to his departure.  As he was about to board his train in Boston he texted me a picture of it and said, "Hopefully we don't crash.  Honestly, who crashes a train?  Seems like the easiest thing to NOT crash."  I lol'd because I know he was just trying to reassure me and be light hearted, but I'll admit I worried about him non-stop.  Though we were both grateful he survived the commute, I think he was pretty annoyed by the whole thing.  On Facebook he wrote, "So my train ride from Boston to New York has become two trains, a bus, and another train. This is the best day of my life!"  That sums up the amazingness of the trip right there.  Gotta love that boy's sarcasm.   

     We hardly got to talk to each other while he was gone on that trip too.  But not on account of our lack of trying.  Whenever I tried to call him he was on a train and the announcer was giving instructions over the loud speaker in a high pitched voice laced with an East coast accent.  Needless to say, neither one of us could hear the other, so we gave up.  If he wasn't en route to a new destination, he was in a meeting.  Also, I think the time change killed us.  He called me back at his hotel after all his meetings had ended for the day, but I was usually in the middle of making dinner and/or wrangling with the children.  On one very special night, we had just started talking when the smoke alarm went off.  Unfortunately, I had been putting off cleaning whatever crap fell at the bottom of my oven, so every time I used it, it continued to burn the already charred, incomprehensible food that got stuck there.  I pinched the phone between my ear and shoulder and frantically went around the house opening windows and fanning at the smoke detector with a cookie sheet.  The kids began to freak out and cry (the reaction that always follows the sound of the smoke detector) and I was sweating buckets from running around just trying to keep things from falling apart.  When the noise subsided, I sighed deep into the phone, feeling frustrated that our conversation was again interrupted.  Mike joked, "I sure have missed your home cookin' while I've been away."  If it wasn't for his wonderful sense of humor, I might've cried instead of laughed.  I told him I'd try to call back later when things settled down.  And once again, when I had finally got the children to bed, it was much too late for Mike to talk, at least to have an in-depth conversation about the day's events.  Instead he asked in a sleepy voice, "So what kind of knock-off designer crap do you want me to get you on Canal Street?  A Chanel bag, Oakleys, or a gold Rolex?"  I laughed, and told him I missed him.  "I miss you too, babe" he said, "but I guess I better get some sleep. Early morning meetings tomorrow."  Yes, I knew that he needed to sleep.  And so did I.  "Good night," I whispered.  "I love you."  Then the phone went "click." 

     This whole month has just been a blur.  I don't know how single parents do it.  I mean, how do they go to a job AND still be a parent?  Like, a good parent?  I feel like I was barely getting by as a "good" parent while Mike was away.  "You wanna eat ice cream for dinner?  Why not?"  "You wanna stay up until 10:30pm?  Sure, I'm okay with that."  Geez, I was hardly productive most days he was gone.  "Do I really need to get dressed for the day?  I have nobody to impress," I'd rationalize.  Although, it was nice to stay up reading in bed with the light on.  Nobody to disturb, right?  And I didn't miss Mike's alarm going off at 3:30 every morning.  Plus, without Mike there, I could sprawl out on the bed as much as I wanted and sleep in the shape of a starfish if I felt so inclined.  Our queen size bed felt as big as an ocean with just me in it.  However, the nights were a lot colder without someone to cuddle next too.  I have to say, the benefits of having him gone didn't really outweigh the disadvantages.  I hate being away from him. 

     Now that he's back from his NYC trip, I still haven't seen much of him.  This week is all about studying for the level 3 CFA exam.  He's been studying for several months, but now it's crunch time.  His test is on June 3rd, and if he passes he will officially be done with it and get a new title!  N. Michael Bates, CFA.  Sounds catchy, right?  Every spare minute is used to study, take practice quizzes, and then study some more.  I will be so friggin' happy when this month ends and his test is over with and we can enjoy a carefree summer.  I just have to get through the next 5 days!!!  Wish me luck, friends.     

Diets, here we go again

So you know how I had this great idea that people shouldn't go on diets, but rather, eat food for their specific, individual needs?  Well, while I was at the park a couple of weeks ago, I made friends with a woman who told me about DNA testing, where you swab the inside of you mouth and send it into a laboratory to get tested.  Not only are the results supposed to tell you the perfect foods to eat according to your genetic makeup, but they will tell you the perfect exercise for your body type as well.  She mentioned that a friend of hers was a long distance runner for many years, but never seemed to shed the weight he wanted to, despite "eating well".  He did the DNA test and it told him he needed short, powerful bursts of exercise instead of consistent running.  Hmmmmm, this got me really curious.  Then just a few days ago I saw a commercial for one of the many (yes, there are a few out there, and I didn't even realize it!) DNA testing kits you can get mailed to your house.  You swab the inside of your cheek and then mail it back in the confidential envelope and the company will send you your own unique guide to eating and exercising.  

It seems to be more about weight management rather than just being healthy.  I guess being skinny is what most people are after, hence the reasoning behind why it's marketed the way that it is.  Just another scam to get my money, right?  Skinny versus healthy.  That's a post for another day.  Anyway, I do feel like they're on the right track in realizing there isn't a one size fits all diet out there.  

Here are some links I found:

http://www.inherenthealth.com/our-tests/weight-management.aspx?utm_source=google&utm_medium=ppc&utm_content=dnadiettest&utm_campaign=dnawtloss&gclid=CL_0-5yF0LYCFSHhQgodmQUA9g

http://lifegenetics.net/weight-loss-dna-diet/?gclid=COPjgauF0LYCFSjZQgodlkYAmw

Homestead

     I have been dreaming about our future house for months now.  I've kept myself awake at nights and have been so absorbed in thought during the day just fantasizing about what this place will be like.  Mike and I really love Oregon, and I am ready to permanently settle down in a house we will raise our family in and stay for the rest of our lives.  I'm still trying to convince Mike to settle down for good, since he likes the prospect of moving around and experiencing new places.  But we both agree that this is the best place we've lived so far, and personally, I can see us here long-term.
   
     I can't believe we've been here for over a year now.  At the present time, we are renting a house and our lease recently ended so now we have a month-to-month contract.  This is nice because, when we do find the perfect house, we'll be able to make the transition right away.  But at the same time, we don't feel like we are in a huge rush to make a decision.  Our next move is something we definitely need to take time to consider, particularly if it will be the place we end up forever.

     Mike and I have been seriously looking at properties for the past few months.  There is so much to think about.  Obviously, price is a factor.  But we also don't want a place that requires a lot of "fixing up."  Mike's work hours don't accommodate for a house that needs a ton of remodeling.  Probably one of the most important thing for us right now is land.  I have been envisioning a place with big trees for the kids to climb, and Mike has been romancing the idea of a pond or creek. We would love a place with plenty of space for growing a garden and raising animals.  Aside from a regular garden, I also want to build a greenhouse and have fruit trees and berries.  We want to have room for a chicken coop, and housing for various other animals.  We especially need enough open space for the kids to play and explore and for our future dog to run around.  I can't wait to get a dog!
     
     It's important for us to teach our kids how to grow food and take care of animals and be self-sufficient.  We want them to learn how to work.  We can't invest our lives in running a big farm, because that would be completely unmanageable for us at the moment.  But I can imagine us undertaking a small scale farming project to start and then someday building up to more grandiose ideas as we gain further experience and know-how.  I grew up in a small town surrounded by farms, but never actually worked on a farm myself.  However, I have family members who have shared bits of wisdom from their own farming background, and so I think it's a feasible ambition.
   
      There are other things to consider besides land.  For instance, we can't be too far out in the country that Mike has an insane commute to his office and back.  We also don't want to be a ridiculous distance from our beloved downtown Portland, where all the excitement, fun shops and delicious restaurants reside.  Right now we live in the suburbs.  Nothing great about that except for the location.  You see, we are only an hour away from the beach and an hour away from the mountains and the gorge and I don't want to sacrifice being further away from those things that I have grown to love so much since moving here.  So the question is, does the perfect house for us exist?  Does it meet all of our  requirements?  Probably not.  So now we have to brainstorm and figure out what things we're willing to give up, if we have to, and what things are an absolute priority.  Not easy to do for the girl who wants EVERYTHING.  :)

In Bloom

  Spring is my most favorite time of year!  Everything is in bloom and smells fresh and alive.  Here are some flower photos from the last two months.

3-19-13
Outside our side window.

 3-30-13

On the side of our house.  

 

photo courtesy of Janet Bates

3-31-13 Easter

At Rivendale Camp

photo courtesy of Janet Bates

4-1-13 

On the hike to Punchbowl Falls

Cool looking plant in someone's yard in downtown Portland

4-7-13
Flower petals covering a neighbor's yard. They have to rake petals in the spring and leaves in the fall.  Tough luck, eh? 
 

4-8-13

Beautiful flowers we found around our neighborhood during our morning walk.  

 

The smell of lilacs is one of the best scents in the world to me. 

Can you see the baby spider on the flower petal?

Adventures with Gramma and Grampa

The Columbia River Gorge is one of our all time favorite spots.  So we took Mike's parents to the Bonneville Dam and then on a hike to one of our best loved places.  

Here is Gramma with Vessel and Jacob inside some kind of military defense shelter at the dam.  

 At Eagle Creek, we had a fun time locating several mossy things.  Here is a mossy drinking fountain/water spout. 

Mossy fire-pit

 The mossiest picnic table in Oregon.  Maybe even the United States!

Photo courtesy of Janet Bates

A really mossy boulder. 

 We took Mike's parents on a hike to Punchbowl Falls, one of the most beautiful hikes in the gorge.   

Photo courtesy of Janet Bates

Me, Vessel, and Haven

Photo courtesy of Janet Bates

How would it be to get toted around in a back pack and fall asleep from the lull of Daddy's constant movement?

After our hike we stopped off in Portland and got some grub at a food cart called Fiji Indian Curry.  I just love the food carts in Portland.  And check out these cute little monsters.  Haven is mad because he doesn't want to share a bench with Jacob (they are arch nemesis, after all) and the other two are all smiles at least.  Vessel's face cracks me up.