MSgt Promotion Test

Rikk has his MSgt promotion test tomorrow morning at 0730. I am so proud of him and the studying that he has put into this test. He has sacrificed a lot of time with the boys and I, shooting his bow, his guns, and other things that he loves to do, but he is totally ready. He got a WONDERFUL blessing from my dad tonight and I know that he will do well. If we all could please keep him in our prayers tonight and tomorrow morning, maybe even fast for him if you can, that would be greatly appreciated.

RIKK WE LOVE YOU AND ARE SO PROUD OF YOU AND KNOW YOU WILL DO WELL!!!!!!

Little Treasures Bowtique

One of my friends Mandi has started her own business and it's really amazing. If you have a little girl, granddaughter, niece or friends with little girls, you have to check out this website.

www.littletreasuresbowtique.com

This website sells all different kinds of little girl hair bows and they are absolutely beautiful. I wish I had a little girl so that I could put them in her hair...Rikk doesn't like it very much when I do it to the boys!!! But seriously, check it out, Mandi has done amazing work.

A JOB AND A CALLING

I am posting this on behalf of Rikk because I am so proud of him. Rikk was incharge of this rescue and worked very hard on this soldier to try and save him. He had heard months ago that he did not make it, but just recently found out that he did. There is a picture below of the soldier that is being talked about, and he was severly injured. The picture is of him now.

This is a fine example of the difference AF fire can make, this is what we train for. Three Eielson firefighters responded to this call in March 08, a truck was hit with a 122MM rocket coming in at 700 MPH. 4 were killed and then PFC XXXXXwas assumed DOA until he began talking to first responders, see below.

Chief ,
Just got a response from Lt Col XXXXXX and he gave me your address. I wanted to track you down and send you some pics of SGT XXXXX. He and his familyare extremely thankful for everyone who helped bring Joel home. He truly is an amazing young man.

I know as a first responder, we are suppose to forget the last accident and move on, but I think about that day, every day and every time I go to sleep.I remember when we looked inside that vehicle and found the third body...still hits me hard.

When I got home, I got into contact with the hospital Joel was at. The Army LNO gave my info to Joel's dad and he contacted me. Joel at the time was very bad and wasn't expected to make it. Then after 81 days in a coma he came out of it. He was blind in both eyes, right leg amputated and 60% of his body burned. But things changed...

Now Joel is doing great, he is walking, jumping and he remembers everything...When I first met with him, he remembered me, and the other responders on scene with him, which was amazing.

In June, I was asked by the Army Leadership to take part in the Purple Heart and Bronze Star Ceremony for him. After 15 months, over 20 surgeries he is doing great. His sense of humor is great and he says he remembered talking with me that day. Joel wanted me to thank all the Air Force Police, Fire and Medics that responded that day.

Hope all is well with you and hope to hear back from you.

Thanks,

Capt XXXXXXX

SGT XXXX

That email made it's way around the AF and this is an email that Rikk got from a Chief that he worked with over there..

Rikk,

Goes beyond words to describe your effect and your attention to detail when all about you was chaos and death. Means more to me than you know to have you as a fellow firefighter and would go to war with you anytime and anywhere. Keep the faith!

Chief XXXX

Being a firefighter and soldier in the military may be Rikk's job, his way to make a living and to financially take care of us...

...but Rikk's true calling in life is being a wonderful husband to me and an incredible father to our five amazing little boys.

When Rikk deploys it is VERY hard on our family, especially our boys. But hearing a story about him and how he helped to save a man...well, it makes me realize it's not just about us when he's gone and makes it all worth it. Rikk is great at his job, but he's even better at his calling.

Who's Bringin' Sexy Back???

That would be a VERY smiley Conner

Look at all that chub...LOVE IT!!!

Conner may end up giving Kyler a run for his money in the "I'm not fat, I'm husky" department!

4th of July Fun

So I realize that these pics are quite a bit late, but I figure better late than never. We had just a small family get together and wish my sister Kathy and her family could have made it from Ft. Greely. The first picture below is of my Uncle Kevin and Kooper Kevin and the first time they met. My uncle Kevin is physically handicapped on the right side of his body. He lives a normal life, always has and has a very stubborn and strong will about him. He is also the nicest and loving uncle. We thought given Kooper Kevin's name as a middle name was a great idea. We want Kooper to be just like his Great Uncle Kevin...stubborn, strong willed, nice and loving.

Great Uncle Kevin and Kooper Kevin

Great Uncle Kevin, Kooper and Conner

Rikk and Walker shooting the boys' bow

Kyler taking a turn at the bow

Look at Hunter's form, he's a natural

Kyler telling me hi

Enjoying the slide and yard

Enjoying slide and pool

My mom enjoying the shade and Kyler saying hi

Kyler loves the pool

Ready, set, slide

Bullwinkle in the Backyard

The other night when Rikk went to go pick up the backyard, he came running back inside as giddy as a school girl who had just got asked to the prom by the guy of her dreams. The reason being you ask...a bull moose in our backyard. If it was moose season he could have killed it, but since it wasn't he just took pictures instead. There is also a video at end and Rikk is doing his moose call.

Definitely not the "Armpit of the Air Force"

Last August some of you may recall us getting orders to Cannon AFB, New Mexico. When we got our extension to stay here because of my pregnancy, they took those orders away. Well, we got our orders today and they came as quite a surprise all the way around. We got orders to the place Rikk really wanted other than Eielson...

Elmendorf AFB, Alaska reporting no later than March 2010

Although it would be nice to go to Anchorage, still being close to family and friends here and being around all the new friends we made in Anchorage while there...we don't think that these orders are going to stick. The reason being is because of Kooper's leg, we have to be near a Shriner's we are told. We got these orders before the Shriner's paperwork was handed in. We don't foresee the military paying for us to go to the lower 48, hotels, rental cars, food, etc at least 1+ times a month every month. Rikk just got the Shriner's paperwork back from the doctor today and now has to hand it in. But until we hear otherwise, Elmendorf here we come!

Baby Blessing Outfit

Rikk and I are having a little bit of a dilema about the boys' baby blessing outfit. You see, the three older boys were all blessed in the exact same outfit. We would love the twins to be blessed in that outfit as well. The problem is when it comes time to take pictures. We would want (as we always do) a family pic with BOTH babies in their blessing outfits and one of them together in their outfit...but that isn't possible if they are sharing the outfit....does that make sense? So here are a couple of possible solutions I have come up with and would appreciate your input and/or any solutions you might have.

1. Forget having pictures of them together in their outfits and just do pics in Sunday clothes
2. Buy the exact same blessing outfit
3. Buy two new outfits that match.

Let me know what you guys think.

I Spy With My Little Eye

Walker has been into wearing his Spiderman costume just about 24/7 since we have been back home. He wears it from the time he gets up to the time he goes to bed...if he doesn't wear it to bed that is!

He decided to trade with Hunter for a few minutes and be Batman Dark Knight and what a cute one he is.

Baby Powder Anyone

It has been really HOT here for the last week or so. So hot that Hunter asked for a little baby powder on his manhood. No big deal, he knows how to do it himself. He goes up to his bathroom and comes down a few minutes later and with every step there is a cloud of powder that comes from his underwear. Rikk asked him how much he put on and if there was a mess up in the bathroom. He just gave us his squirrel face...that meant he put on too much and that there was a mess. Rikk told him to take the dust buster upstairs and clean it up. After about five minutes of dust busting Hunter comes down and informs us that it isn't working, that it keeps coming out a a slot on the dust buster. Rikk and I look up at him and this is what we see...

Hunter covered in baby powder, even his eyelashes are white

He's a tan little mexican, but now a white little boy

Rikk wiped away his eyes and was able to write "DORK" across his forehead

The bathmats are supposed to be navy blue.

Needless to say, there was baby powder everywhere and we had a really good laugh. Oh and it took Rikk about 30 minutes or more to clean up the mess.

Something Exciting for Hunter

Something VERY exciting happened to Hunter on Tuesday...can you tell what it was???

That's right, Hunter lost his very first tooth, his bottom/middle right one! He came running up the stairs yelling, "My tooth fell out, my tooth fell out!" And sure enough it had. Of course we had to call Rikk right away and let him know and he was happy for Hunter too. (Rikk and I were both glad that Hunter did it on his own because for the last almost two weeks it had been grossing/creeping us out trying to help him get it out. There's just something about teeth pulling that just makes us cringe!) Hunter put his little tooth in a baggy and put it under his pillow so the tooth fairy would find it. And sure enough at 6:45 the next morning I was awaken by an even more excited Hunter and his $1 bill! YEAH FOR HUNTER AND LOSING HIS FIRST TOOTH!!!

A Newborn's Conversation with God

We got this in an email and I just had to share it. Careful, it may bring a tear or two to your eyes.


A baby asked God, "They tell me you are sending me to earth tomorrow, but how am I going to live there being so small and helpless?"

God said, "Your angel will be waiting for you and will take care of you."

The child further inquired, "But tell me, here in heaven I don't have to do anything but sing and smile to be happy."

God said, "Your angel will sing for you and will also smile for you. And you will feel your angel's love and be very happy."

Again the small child asked, "And how am I going to be able to understand when people talk to me if I don't know the language?"

God said, "Your angel will tell you the most beautiful and sweet words you will ever hear, and with much patience and care, your angel will teach you how to speak."

"And what am I going to do when I want to talk to you?"

God said, "Your angel will place your hands together and will teach you how to pray."

"Who will protect me?"

God said, "Your angel will defend you even if it means risking its life."

"But I will always be sad because I will not see you anymore."

God said, "Your angel will always talk to you about Me and will teach you the way to come back to Me, even though I will always be next to you."

At that moment there was much peace in Heaven, but voices from Earth could be heard and the child hurriedly asked, "God, if I am to leave now, please tell me my angel's name."

God said, You will simply call her, "Mom."

Twins Reporting for Duty

At Eielson they gave us a certificate of birth for the twins from Rikk's squadron. It will look like an official certificate. Rikk sent this to me on an email and I thought it was so cute I would share.

DIVISION OF GUARDIAN ANGELS
1 Golden Gates
Heaven Place, Heaven

ORIGINAL ORDERS

Maternity Squadron 1
Department of Joy
Cloud Nine, Heaven



From: Chief Angel
To: Airman Basic Kooper Kevin Matteson
Airman Basic Conner Harwood Matteson
Subj: BIRTH; ORDERS FOR
Ref: (a) USAF2009/05/09

1. In accordance with the reference, you will proceed and report to Providence Hospital, Anchorage, Alaska for further assignment to TSgt Rikk Matteson and Dawn Matteson herein after referred to as Father and Mother for duty as sons.

2. Your duties will include, but not be limited to, sleeping, eating, crying, wetting, and being lovable.

3. You will initially report to your Mother at 1738 hrs on 09 May 2009 and make yourself available as soon as possible for inspection by your Father. Your height and weight limits for reporting for duty are established as AB Kooper Matteson, 16.5”/3 lbs 15 oz. AB Conner Matteson, 18.5”/5 lbs 5oz.

4. No uniform or baggage is authorized or permitted in your travel to Providence Hospital, Anchorage, Alaska. Initial issue will be made prior to your Mother's viewing. Mobility gear is available at the Eielson Base Exchange upon the presentation of these Orders.

5. Upon completion of your temporary duty at Providence Hospital you will precede to your permanent address on Blessing Ave, North Pole AK 99705 for duty.




Lt Col Daniel J. Gerdes
354 CES/CC
Eielson AFB, AK 99702

"What's so funny?"

The other day we were all downstairs. Kyler went running upstairs and we thought nothing of it, that he probably had to use the bathroom. A couple minutes later we heard him laughing and then it stopped. Then he started laughing and then it stopped. This happened eight times. Rikk and I looked and each other and both said, "What's so funny?" Rikk went up to see what was so funny. He had the camera and was taking pictures. After taking a picture he would laugh and then stop laughing to take another picture. Just thought we would share some of his handy work, eventhough it really isn't all that funny, but he certainly had fun.