General Conference- The Wonderful Weekend of Peace

Last weekend Oct 1st through the 2nd was the Wonderful General Conference for our Church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints. We got to listen to the Prophet, Thomas S. Monson, and the 12 Apostles. This is always such a highlight for our family. We LOVE General Conference!! Our Caleb would always make a count down paper chain. We love just being together as a family during this time. There is nothing better then hearing the words of God through his mouth pieces on earth; to bring us words of comfort and peace, in these days of much trial and tribulation.
Here are our kids listening this Fall 2011 General Conference.



Here are our kids listening to General Conference in April 2009.



So you may ask "What has your prophet told you lately?" The answer would be MANY things. But one of the main things he said, "Communication with our Father in Heaven—including our prayers to Him and His inspiration to us—is necessary in order for us to weather the storms and trials of life."
Oh how we love the gospel of Jesus Christ, to know that he lived and died for us, so that we too may live again. And that because of the priesthood power being restored to this earth in these latter days we can be blessed and sealed to our families for not only time on earth, but for ALL eternity!!

Rain Trials Brings Rainbow Blessings

Here Liahona and I are, playing and splashing out in one of the rain storms last month. It was fun being out in the rain, something we did often in Nebraska because the water was actually pretty warm- unlike here.... brrrrrr! We jumped on the trampoline too. And almost after the rain stopped this rainbow popped out of no where directly over our house. Most people like rainbows, but I do NOT. It is just another one of those 2nd coming signs that we want GONE. So whenever we see rainbows, we yell, "Go away you dumb rainbow, we don't like you." But truly we all have trials that feels like the rain will just never let up, and it gets gloomy and depressing at times. That's when it is SO important to remember that the rainbow ALWAYS follows- making everything right and much more beautiful! We are GREATLY looking forward for that day, when Christ shall come, bringing healing in his wings, making all to be made right!!

The Kite Festival

In August as a family we went to the Kite Festival at Long Beach in Washington. It was a place we went as a family with Caleb, when we lived in Oregon. It was emotionally difficult to be there again, for it brought many memories flooding to my heart and mind. Especially of the memory how Caleb did NOT like all the BIG kites. They sacred him, cuz he thought that they were going to fall on him. Montey was scared at first of all the kites too, and strangely to say it made me happy . We even camped at the same campground in the same campsite. It was a bitter sweet to go back. We have decided that this will be part of our families annual angel anniversary celebration for our Caleb. I suppose to just give our family more ways to always remember our sweet buddy boy.

Tamara the Soccer Queen

Here is our Tammie. She was seriously born to play soccer. This was at her first game and she just got in there and ran everywhere to get the ball. However, if her mom doesn't pike it down she will be escorted off the fields. Her mom got overly aggressive with all her hooting and hollering that Tammie got quite embarressed. Her mom even tried to go out on the field to tie her daughters shoe laces. Hmmm... does this mom have issues or what?? She has many flaws especially when it comes to sports. You never want to sit in a room with her as she watches her favorite team sports, because your ears will never work again!!

(Tamara I love you, I promise to pike it down completely so that you are not embarressed by me, your mother. Nor with sending out the wrong vibes because we are Christian people.)

Go Team Angels!

Dear Family and Friends,

It was yet another successful 'Make A Difference Day,' our family has a name for all of us; we are called, "Team Angels!"
Thank you for combining with Caleb and the other angels above as we served with them, in being the earthly angels here; as you did your various acts of loving service. Thank you for going out of your way and using some of your most valuable time to put your lives on hold to serve and share your love of the Savior to others. Whether it was that you donated to Caleb's scholarship, shared your talents and gifts, wrote letters to long lost friends or grandparents, or simply just smiled and waved to strangers....
We know of so many friends and family that have joined with us in our efforts to simply Make a Difference.

I was so full of anxiety going into another Angel Anniversary, I felt that I would be all alone with our memories, and carrying the full weight of sorrow and pain, but I was simply wrong.
Our aching hearts truly have been lifted by all your loving support: your service, your emails, your cards, your phone calls and most importantly your prayers. I can not begin to express how much each and everyone of you have so greatly helped with bring comfort to our aching hearts at this time of year.

From the depths of our soul we express with much gratitude to you, our Family and Friends, Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Thank you for helping us to Make A Difference, in sharing and bring the light of Christ to all those that we served.
Thank You Team Angels.

With Much Love, The Mathison Family

Calling ALL Friends and Family!!!

Dearest Family and Friends,

Our Second Annual Make A Difference Day is coming up. It's on the 24th-25th. We have two days because on the 24th was the accident, but it wasn't until the wee hours of the next morning that they declared that Our Sweet Caleb passed. This is a VERY difficult Angel Anniversary for us. We are greatly in need of ALL our Family and Friends to stand by us, to help us, that these days may be used for much good. That on these days we may help to share our love for Caleb, by serving in some small way, anyway you can; to show him that we haven't forgotten him, nor his loving example to us all. By doing this we help and serve with him on his mission, in assisting him to help people feel the Love of Christ in their lives.

Please if you can serve with us, please do; it will help with our healing hearts. As a family we are once again going to deliver baskets of goodies to many families in our city, with leaving a note saying "Happy Make a Difference Day."

If you can, please post on this blog or on Caleb's of what service that you and your family performed to help Make a Difference.

We cannot express ALL of our gratitude and appreciation for ALL your continued love, support, and prayers- of which we continue to be in need of.

Much Love to you all. May you feel the loving approval of the Lord smile upon you and your family as you help Make a Difference with us this year! And may you feel our sweet Caleb smiling upon you too.


=) Love The Mathison Family
Eric.Tanya.Liahona.Tamara.Montey. AND of course Caleb

11 Year Wedding Anniversary

On July 28th, We, as a family celebrated together.

We rode on a ferry to Orcas Island.

We went swimming.

We went hiking.

It was a nice way to celebrate this special occasion as a family, with being together. I use to think it was important to be only a couple on our anniversary, but truly it is our family that we need to celebrate- for we have been together for all these years.
We are grateful to be blessed with a goal to become and strive for an eternal family someday. And to have these opportunities to build strong earthy memories to keep us close.
Happy Family Anniversary to us!

(The kittens in the picture are our new family members. It is nice to have some healthy happy distractions in our family, not to replace the deep whole but to help soften it. They have been a joy to have. They too loved the Orcas Island trip and all the attention from strangers.)

North Fork, Montana Trip

Cowgirl Liahona- standing by the stable up on the North Fork family property up in Montana.

Cowgirl Tamara

Montey swinging in the barn- something that Eric loved to do as a kid.

The original Mathison/Holcomb family property- very beautiful.

The Mathison Homestead Property of 10 acres to roam around and play in. We did have to carry bear spray around just incase, because our niece did encounter a bear last year when she came up with family.... YIKES!

All Mathison Cousins at play on the playground

Montey wearing underwear?

Well.... he sure is wearing it! Does that count? At least it is on his body, right?
We are one step closer in getting this cute kid potty trained.
Boy he is sure funny!

Joseph Smith Tribute

Happy Angel Anniversary to our Prophet Joseph Smith and to our Faithful Brother Hyrum Smith.

Pictures shown in this video were first: from our trip to Liberty Jail, then from Kanesville or other wise known as Council Bluffs, and then of course Nauvoo- from our trip after Caleb's baptism in 2009.

May the Work of God continue to move forward- Hurrah, Hurrah For Zion!