Fall Photo Op.

The fall leaves have just amazed us this year. We had to get out and get some pictures with them before they are gone. The forecast says snow on Saturday. ARRRRGGGHHH!

What a Difference a Year Makes!

I can't believe it's been a year since my pulmonary embolism. I have been reflecting on this last year and I am so grateful for it!

The day I came home from the hospital--Happy Birthday to me!

This is how I spent a good portion of the six months following the PE--
on the couch totally wiped-out!

Funny how a near death experience can change you, huh! Here are somethings I have learned this year:

1. The only thing that truly matters is family & friends! I cannot ever tell my sweet Mom, Dad and sisters how much it means to me that they dropped everything going on in their lives to help me. I hope they know I will do the same for them if they ever need it!!!! It still brings tears to my eyes how my sisters jumped in and cared for and loved my kids as if they were their own. THANKS!!!! Words cannot express!

Laura stepping in as Mommy

Tami tucking the kinds into bed

2. What a blessing the Priesthood is! I am so grateful to my husband and my father for petitioning the Father in my behalf. My Daddy can always make it okay! I am so grateful for the good life my Dad has lived and his wonderful example to me and my kids. What a blessing it is to have a husband who is worthy to hold the priesthood--I am grateful for his love and understanding.

3. I can do hard things! I am so grateful to have learned that the Lord will test me and give me even more than I think I can handle. He will also provide a way that I can overcome and have more strength then I ever thought was possible. I am grateful to have learned that lesson.

4. There are angels everywhere you go! I am grateful for good people the Lord has placed along my path to make life bearable. I will never forget the man on the other side of the drape in the ER. I was having severe back pain, a month or so after the PE and they had found a lot of fluid in my abdomen and needed to know where it was coming from--I was terrified that I had internal bleeding and was crying, scared and alone. He had just been in a motorcycle accident and had a few injuries and yet he kept reassuring me through the drape saying "my friend, it's okay, God can make a way, even when it seems impossible." It all turned out okay and I was not bleeding, but that was exactly what I needed to hear at that moment and it brought me peace and comfort. I am grateful for all the friends that called, stopped by and helped in any way they could. THANKS!!! I will pay it forward.

5. Concentrate on the big stuff. I was focusing on a lot of little things that seem so inconsequential now. I am working on really focusing on the big things that really matter and making those things important and meaningful to my little family.

6. I don't say thanks enough! So THANKS!!! to Brad for putting up with my quirky little ways and to my kids--I am proud to be your mother and grateful for the things you teach me, THANKS! Thanks to good parents who paved a nice smooth way for me, for loving me and giving me every opportunity that came my way and forcing me to do things when it was hard for you but you knew it was best, THANKS!!! Thanks to the great friends who have brought joy and love into my life I have been richly blessed and I am a better person for knowing all of you!

Okay, okay, this is getting way to sappy!
I just don't think I tell you enough so,
THANKS!

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

I laughed so hard the first time I saw it I almost peed my pants. But, wow, that's totally how I felt this year.

If you live in Alaska during the summer and the sun is shinning you've got to be outside playing even if it's 1 am! We take full advantage of the sunlight and soak it in at all hours of the day and night. It's nice to not have any sort of schedule and enjoy staying up late and playing all night long, however, I must admit I felt a little like the Staples Dad this year! I love the order school brings. I love knowing there's a schedule for each day and a plan to do some sleeping. Order and peace has once again been restored to the Matthews' universe with the introduction of a new school year. YEAH!!!!

OKAY it's not all good. My baby started Kindergarten.

In front of the school after her assessment day. A long day,
I locked my keys in the car (enough said.)

Yes, I shed a few tears, luckily my friend Tara saw me and side tracked me in conversation. I have 4 1/2 hours of freedom everyday--can you believe it? Any suggestions--what should I do? Just kidding. I have been running around like a chicken with my head cut off the last few days--trying to help a lady I visit teach, helping with the missionary zone conf. lunch and watching my BF's kids while she parties in Hawaii, not to mention soccer games, gymnastics, sharing times and oh yeah, getting ready for the infamous Primary Program. Good thing I am always happier when I am busy.

Back to the kids! They are all pleased as punch with school thus far. They came home fighting the first day saying "My teachers the best", "No, my teachers the best". I am so glad they are all happy and love learning.

So here's to order, organization and the most wonderful time of the year!

14 YEARS BABY!

Can you believe it! It's been 14 years! Brad & I celebrated our Anniversary at Alyeska--a gorgeous ski resort in Girdwood 40 minutes southeast of Anchorage.

The, we took no one with us, so we have to take our own photo, photo. Waaaahoooo!

The Hotel Resort

The Three Sister Glaciers from the Top of the Tram

The Double Black Diamond in Summer
Alyeska has the most and steepest double black diamonds in the country.

The Chugach National Park
Alaska's Rain Forest
The Iditarod dog race runs from Girdwood up to the north slope each year,
we were able to find the trail.

Just Relaxing on the Back Porch

Black Bears that kept running out in the road while we were driving to and from the Hotel

It was such a nice weekend! We were able to relax and just enjoy being with each other with not a care in the world, it was wonderful! I must say, looking back at the photos, we look so relaxed and happy! The massage totally helps with the relaxed and happy thing!

Here's to many more years!

Denali

I decided that we had to get used to doing somethings on our own now since September 20th is looming over us. So, for our first grand adventure my BF and I decided to go to Denali--with the kids. We both wanted to go in to Wonder Lake--a 12 hour bus ride round trip. No small feat for 5 kids. Really they did a great job. I only wanted to throw one of my children out the window, then she fell asleep and all was well!

Denali National Park in center

We started off the day by driving 2 hours from our home to Denali. When we arrived we boarded the bus to Wonder Lake. Within 5 minutes Michael was the first to spot an animal. The ranger said they are very shy and are only seen about once a week but, Michael found a gray wolf.


We got to see all sorts of wonderful animals and saw 4 of the big 5 people come to Denali to see. And, yes I did take all of these photos from the bus--we were that close! AAAHHHH!

Grizzly Cub (yes that's poop)

Momma Grizzly --check out those claws!

Polychrome Bus stop

The Polychrome rest stop was where our bus broke down. Not a good thing on a 12 hour bus ride. We waited about 1 1/2 hours for a new bus. We were determined to get to Wonder Lake! This was a great place to break down, there were a lot of hiking trails and tons of ground squirrels. Michael spent the entire time chasing down squirrels and now we have 40 photos of his new friend--Buddy.

Buddy

A caribou my Dad would be proud of!

It was the best day of the season to see Denali/Mt. McKinley. We've had such a rainy cold summer, it's been overcast and rainy almost every day. When we saw that it was going to be a nice day we had to go! It's rare to get a nice clear shot of Denali. Ta Da--the mountain in all her glory.

Denali/Mt. McKinley

Yes, that's the tallest Mt. in North America at 20,320 ft.

Wonder Lake

We traveled all this way to see Denali and all she could focus on were the rocks and sticks at the lake.

We arrived home at about 2 am after a day full of adventure and fun! It was a long day especially with the 2 hours there and back. I am so glad we did it--it was a once in a lifetime experience! It was so much fun to sit next to people who had come from all over the world to see these amazing things. I feel so blessed! A special thanks to my BF and her kids--we had a great time! We're so happy we got to go on this wonderful adventure with you all!

Olympic Fever

I am sure you've caught it too! We've been glued to our TV, morning, noon and night. The kids have all been taking swimming lessons this summer and are so anxious to watch the Olympic races. We have a favorite swimmer in our home--It is definitely Michael Phelps.

Michael Phelps

Our Michael announced the other day that he wanted to be an olympic swimmer and last night over dinner he said he wanted to go to the olympics for weight lifting--who am I to squash that dream? (The swimming thing might be a possibility--weight lifting not so much, I think you have to have some muscle to qualify.?)

Holy Cow!

The thing I love most about the Olympics is that it is the realization of a dream. I am in awe of what the human body can do! It's amazing. Hello, the balance beam--I am happy if I can walk a straight line--and I have never even been drunk! AMAZING--the balance beam part that is!

Alicia Sacramone

GO USA!!!

Knee Deep!

That is how I would describe the last few days, knee deep, let me explain.

1.  Flooding in and around Fairbanks

There is wide spread flooding in Fairbanks--the Chena River that runs all through Fort Wainwright and Fairbanks is the highest it's been since 1969.  Our oldest has been drawing plans for an ark.  We have not been effected by it as of yet, the river is just half a block from our home on 3 sides, so it remains to be seen.  That's what you get when it rains for 2 weeks straight.  Thank Heaven the rain stopped today!  They have finally opened the flood plains just outside of town.  We hope that helps--I am sure at least one day without constant rain will help a ton!  I know the train has been shut down from Denali to the northeast because there are areas where the tracks are under water.  We hope this is cleared up soon as we get a lot of things in the interior by rail.

A photo of Nennana just southwest of Fairbanks, 

we have not been hit nearly as hard.

2.  Beef Wellington.  My kids want me to be on The Next Food Network Star.  They know I love to watch the show and they think (I totally have them fooled) that I am a great cook.  According to my son I am "the best cooker ever"!  How can I disappoint them!?  So, I told them that I have got to learn a lot more and perfect some higher, culinary type, cooking skills.  So, each week I try out something new.  This week was Beef Wellington.  I started by shopping for all the ingredients on Monday of last week and then I made a mushroom pate yesterday and then spent a good part of the afternoon assembling and finishing off my baby wellingtons.  I have definetly been knee deep in wellington this week.  I was quite intimidated and although it took a while to prep, it was delicious and well worth all the work.  And best of all every one of my kids tried it and loved it!

Success!  Not my Beef Wellington, but it totally looked like this!

3.  Primary--Summer time--ARGGGHHH!  We had one new teacher and all the others were subs in Junior Primary can you say KNEE DEEP!

I should be happy, I guess I could be knee deep in debt, knee deep in backed up sewage or knee deep in paperwork--Oh wait, we're in the ARMY, I guess the last one is true!  I am grateful for the things I have been knee deep in this week!  

Want to try Beef Wellington?  Go to recipezaar.com I used recipe # 115129.  Let me know how yours turns out!

What should I try next?  Any suggestions?