A Spectacular Saturday

 Arielle has been working on the MatSu Burrough Trails Passport challenge all summer. Melia and I have been meaning to work on it but have mostly been doing the same trail over and over.  We suddenly realize we have 10 days to do 8 more trails....

This morning Melia got up early and joined Arielle, Benny, Danny and Ellie and me to hike the Settler's Bay Coastal Trail. Charles doesn't like hiking and had other activities planned for the day.  I had visions of hiking along the coast line....but it took us 31/2 - 4 miles of hiking (according to my watch)....

Benny, Melia, me, Danny, Arielle, Ellie

... up and down the trails below to reach this scenic outlook. 

We hiked around various trails and found ourselves back at Arielle's van twice without finding anything we would count as a "scenic outlook."  We did find rabbits, a ptarmigan and many moths, bees and flies...and we enjoyed the SUNSHINE, the light breeze, the company....

If you've read the blog long you KNOW the fireweed are our indicator that winter is on the way. The fireweed in OUR YARD has not begun to bloom yet. These are about half bloomed....

Check out Ellie's open mouth...

This bench makes me want to contact "someone" and see about having a few with Josiah's names placed around various trails. 

We were about to pack it in and go home when a gentleman pulled in. I went up and asked him if he hiked these trails often. He did. I asked him WHERE the scenic outlook is....out our parking lot, across the street and a very short walk... about 1/10th of a mile....and we found the pretty views. 

Note Ellie - the little ginger head bobbing about mid-picture. She loved running ahead...and as there hadn't been other folks on the trail we let her go. 

Ellie and I got in a little race. She caught up to me and motioned that she wanted me to bend down. She filled my pockets with big rocks. She's a thinker than one. 

It was good for body, soul and spirit to get out and hike today. I loved sitting on a bench with Benny and listening to the wind blowing in the leaves. Of course, the others did catch up to us...and then there were other fun things to listen too. I don't worry about bears when hiking with the kids. They warn the critters away.  Thank you so much for the invite, Arielle. Melia and I are determined to see how MANY of the remaining 7 trails we can fit in before the 19th. 

Allie worked today. She was gone we got home. Stacia joined Melia and I for our first Reuben Haus meal of the season. It was the perfect day for it - and it made us nostalgic for Luke and Krista. 

Stacia had an engagement and left us after a quick run to Bishop Attic. Melia is spending the night with Akemi, her younger sister.

I made a double batch of Kim's Golden Honey Granola (though I added some almond extract). I made a double batch last week and Melia and I finished it today. I have made a LOT of different granolas through the years, but THIS one is the crunch I've been searching for - I think it's the baking powder. 

Michael is having new aches and pains post-surgery. He is staying down. Allie, Stacia and I are heading for the hot tub. 

Michael's Back Surgery

 I don't have a single photo for this post but as I attempt to recapture the time I realize I haven't mentioned Michael's back surgery.

Michael has arthritis in his spine. He developed two cysts in the same spaces as the arthritis. This has led to constant nerve pain of varying degrees for the past 6 months or so. He has had pain for YEARS and the VA sent him to a chiropractor - which he has done weekly for at least 4 years. They said they don't want to do back surgeries on men his age...wanted him to be at least 70. You can see where I'm going. The back pain has been constant for 4 years. He was getting aligned weekly. I slowly realized that where he used to have bad days after he was active now,  he wasn't moving around much at all. He basically has been in his recliner and was in pain if he did ANYTHING. 

He went back to the VA. There is a new primary doc. She sent him for an x-ray. They also sent him to PT.  Then he was referred for an MRI and to the civilian orthopedic in the valley. They quickly noted the problem. They said no amount of chiropractic alignments or PT would help. The cysts and arthritis had created a situation where his nerves were compressed...all the time. He was told not to twist, walk, lift and to wait for the VA to approve surgery.  

It took several weeks to get the initial VA approval, then he needed to be cleared by the cardiologist, then someone else...he attended two pre-op appointments and then the day before surgery we were notified the VA wouldn't let the surgeon give him a brace so we had to drive to Anchorage to get the brace from the company they would pay. 

Finally, on the 2nd of July, Michael had back surgery. It was to be two incisions. They would cut the top off a bone to allow more space for nerves, and they would remove both cysts. There was nothing they can do about the arthritis. 

I waited past the time they said he would be in surgery. 

The surgeon called to let me know that they were having trouble with Michael excessively bleeding. They had "thrown everything we have at it" and got it to stop. They had sewn him back up. They were 1/2 done. They were not comfortable making the 2nd incision to do the same thing in the other spot.   

We will have to see how much relief he gets from 1/2 the surgery and determine if he will do another surgery when he recovers from this. 

We came home with meds and ZOFRAN. We were sure we'd avoid the horrendous vomiting that usually accompanies Michael's surgery. We didn't.  He was pretty miserable with back pain, throwing up and dizziness...and we had a "control slide" which ended up with him face down on the floor. We were a mess. He didn't want me to call the kids (out at a movie night at BreZac's) or any of the guys to help me lift him. He was sure we could do it...and we did. 

He can't drive for 6 weeks, maybe 3. 

He is still in pain. . . new pain. 

I'm writing this on the 11th and he has new pain yesterday and today...his LEGS are bothering him. He says this is to be expected. I'm not sure. BUT he's doing better than he was on the 2nd. 

The kids have been great help. We have hunkered down and focused on Michael recovering. 

Elevator Pitch - Allie's Thesis Film

 Hi, guys. It’s Allie.

I think this might be the first blog post that I’ve actually written, which is odd because I feel like I’ve spent a fair share of time on this blog. I know you guys can move mountains – I’ve seen it before, and I trust you can do it again. All that to say, I’ve got a request. But first – story time. As many of you know, I left Alaska in the fall of 2025 to go to Liberty University to pursue a bachelors degree in film.

I left during a tumultuous time. The family attended the sentencing for Cy’s murderer barely a month before I left for school. On one hand, it felt like closure. But on the other hand, it didn’t bring him back, and that wasn’t any kind of ending I was content with.

I left Alaska, moved to a new state without anyone waiting there for me, and began working on what would be the culmination of all my work as a film student – my thesis film. I wrote the first draft of Elevator Pitch on a random summer afternoon. At the time, I was a freshman in college, fresh out of a very unconventional and harried high school experience. I was taking a screenwriting class with Liberty University online, just for vibes. That week, we were talking about elevator pitches, which referred to being able to pitch your story in the time it took to ride an elevator.

I thought, “What if instead of having to pitch your story in the time it takes to ride an elevator, you have to pitch why you should be allowed to live in the time it takes to ride an elevator?” And Elevator Pitch was born. It began with a man riding in an elevator, another man jumping in and threatening him with a gun, asking, “Why should I let you leave this elevator alive?”

The initial script was just dialogue. Just two guys in an elevator talking about life and not wanting to be a part of it anymore. It was dark, comical, and had heart. My gunman, Boston, was a zany, hapless character. He was suicidal and looking for reasons to live, so he asked someone else for inspiration. Only Matthias was even more suicidal than he was.

As I continued my college experience, hopping from pursuits, passions, callings, and jobs, Elevator Pitch stayed with me. When it came time to write my thesis film, Elevator Pitch was one of the ideas I pitched – pardon the pun.

As life progressed and I changed, so did the characters. Boston went from being an entertaining, flat character to a fully fleshed-out person. A young man from an abusive background who was kicked out for something that wasn’t his fault. Sound familiar?

Matthias was harder to understand. He was so angry and so sad. What was the source of his suicidality? I decided that his sister, Lily, died, then his girlfriend dumped him, then he lost his job. In my experience, there are times in your life when there are so many horrible things happening at once that it’s almost comical. Still, though, Matthias felt flat. Undefined.

Then we lost Cy, and suddenly Matthias made sense. All the rage, all the grief, all the hurt. I decided his sister didn’t just die. No. She died pulling people out of a burning car when she stumbled upon an accident on the side of the road. She was struck by a truck and killed. She died saving people she didn’t even know.

I knew exactly what people would say to Matthias after his sister died. “She was so brave.” “She died a hero.” “She was such a selfless person.” But that didn’t matter to Matthias. What mattered to Matthias was the fact that his sister was gone. Dead. Never to return. The one person who made him feel human and connected to the world was dead in an instant, and she wasn’t coming back. Yes, she died a hero. But she still died.

There was more than that, though. Why had Lily felt inclined to risk her life when she knew she had a family that loved her dearly and would’ve been deeply affected if she were hurt or killed?

When I went to Liberty, I may have left home and my family and court and Cy’s grave and the couch I was lying on when I heard he’d been murdered behind. But that grief came with me. The anger, the hurt, the pain – it never left. It just didn’t identify itself as what it was. Boston and Matthias – Elevator Pitch – became vessels for all the pain that I couldn’t yet voice.

Elevator Pitch is a story about grief, loss, love, and human connection. It’s about how doing the right thing doesn’t always make it all better or make all the pain go away. Elevator Pitch is not a story that will tell you to hurry up and feel better. It is a story that will tell you to slow down and feel. There are not always easy fixes in life. Not for things like grief.

Dad always tells me that giving speeches and pitches isn’t scary if you know you have something to say. Something that matters. I believe I do. I am passionate about Elevator Pitch’s message and I am eager to share it with people who are grieving and in pain.

This brings me to my request. As film students at Liberty University, we are required to fund our own thesis films. This means paying for actors, non-Liberty crew, locations, food during the shoot, and post-production work, such as composing a score and coloring the film. I am asking, if you are able and if you believe in Elevator Pitch’s message, that you donate to the film. Any donation of any size is greatly appreciated by me and by my cast and crew. I wouldn’t ask if I wasn’t absolutely confident in this story and its message.

If you can’t donate, I completely understand. I’d still love for you to be involved and follow along. Elevator Pitch has an official page on Instagram where I post updates, and you’re all always welcome to come hang. I promise the vibes are good.

Thank you for listening to my elevator pitch, even if it took longer than an elevator ride. And thank you all for always cheering my family and I on. This life is heavy sometimes, but we ramble on.

Much love and many thanks,

Allie Goecker 

Follow the film on Instagram here. @elevator_pitch_film 

Donate to the film with Venmo here or at PayPal here.

The Day the Bear Came to Visit

This is our first full day back from our Idaho adventure - which I will eventually blog, maybe after I catch up on May or last fall. ::snort:: 

Melia and I met with her home school contact teacher in the morning. Freedom is moving on to new opportunities, and this was our last meeting with her. We brought her an iced White Mocha Latte and settled in to report Melai's grades since moving into our home. Check this out! These are all the courses Melia has completed since January. She finished her 10th grade classes and went back and took 9th grade classes. These were not "recaptured" credits. She completed the FULL credit course for each one - unless it was a .5 credit class. These are not "mommy grades." These are the grades she EARNED on Acellus. 

Because IDEA cannot change transcripts from other schools (even when they obviously messed up), they decided to award her full credit for each of these which she completed - though she did them all in one semester.  When she came to us and we began homeschooling her GPA was 1.8. They added 4 of these classes a few months ago so we could add new courses. When they added those courses, her GPA moved up to 2.5. We are HOPING now that she added another 5.5 credits of A's that it will go to over 3. 

We explained our plan for next year. Freedom agreed. We are changing to a more rigorous program which will include online AND textbook learning. Melia is also applying to take one class at a local college.  She will continue one on one lessons in Japanese. The college requires a 3 GPA to enter...so as I said, we're praying and hoping.  We are happy with the plan. It will challenge her, but we believe she is up to it.  It will provide independent learning as well as institutional instruction and socialization. We are blessed Melia trusts we have her good in mind and is willing to push herself to new challenges! We are happy she wishes to continue homeschooling this year. She has decided she wants to be an obstetrician and so we have much math and science to cover in the next two years. 

We have been gone and GG was missing us. Melia agreed to come with me to the Assisted Living. We asked Dad if he'd like to visit there or get out. He wanted out. ::grin:: We went to a local greenhouse. 

Our next stop was Luci Mae's Bakery for a coffee and treat. 

Meanwhile, back at home the chickens and Millie were being odd...and lo and behold...a bear came to visit.  We watched the security cameras and laughed as Millie sunbathed, the chickens ran to investigate and a bear came out of the woods and walked between the chicken coop and our house. Millie didn't alert until she smelled something and the bear was already past her. WHAT? 

It looks to be about a year old. Evidently, he's been in our neighborhood for about a week and a half. He's very comfortable finding food in garbage cans and was a challenge to scare away. We have liv3ed here 9 years without a bear getting into the garbage. Now we have a ratchet strap on it. 

A state trooper visited to tell us when we can take a bear down in our yard. If we have baited it or lured it - we can't. Having an un-ratcheted can could be considered luring. He is the one who told us to just put a ratchet strap on it. If he comes back and threatens us, the dog or the chickens we are allowed to attempt to shoot him without a tag. We have two sons in laws with bear tags so we'd call them...but our neighbors would be very unhappy with us. 

After dinner Melia, Michael and I did a bit of yard maintenance. Here the two of them remove flags for our e-fence and spray paint the boundary so we can mow. 

Melia thatched the yard. 

Michael set up the new tiller. We didn't get to using it. I began edging the yard. We stopped when the batteries ran out. Our final job of the evening was releasing 1500 lady bugs into the garden. 

Melia was happiest taking pictures rather than letting them crawl all over her. I had to keep reminding myself there are no ticks in Alaska (sort of). 

Big Catch Up - Shew it's been busy.

 Life has been really busy. We have been catching Melia up on much "delayed maintainence."  We have also been busy with life, school and church.   The easiest way to catch up since May 7th is do a giant "catch up"....

May 7th - Bella and Annie surprised us in the middle of lifegroup! Check out this lovely flower bouquet from Bella! Bella is growing into a very thoughtful young lady. 

May 8th - Melia had a dental appointment. The purpose of this is to take care of a tongue tie. They referred us to oral surgery in Anchorage as well as to Orthodontics out here. Thankfully, there are no pictures of this appointment. 

We also had CoRielle's children over for a few hours, got out the summer toys and had a fire...Post and photos to follow. 

May 9th - Melia and I met with her sister Akemi and Akemi's foster mom at a mall in Anchorage. We had a really good time shopping for dresses for Akemi's 8th grade graduation. Both Melia and Akemi got beautiful, sparkly, black dresses.  I was introduced to Korean hot dogs. I'm a fan.

May 10th - Mother's Day - Post and photos to follow. 

May 11th - Melia and I visited her 6-month-old baby sister. We also saw the dietician and Melia's primary care physician at the Valley Native Primary Care Center. We continue to be impressed with the clinic and the care she is receiving.  

May 13th - I met in Eagle River with Kimber to discuss new ways to be involved in discipleship ministry at our church. While I met with Kimber, Melia was able to meet up with Ayana, her oldest 1/2 sister. Ayana is 21 and was home for Mother's Day. The girls had a nice visit and then I took them to lunch at Lime Leaf.  I didn't take photos. 

While we were occupied Michael had a spinal MRI, one step closer to understanding his constant pain. 

Bre and children came by for a make up campfire and s'mores. Post and photos to follow. 

Melia ended the evening at a Sibling Game Night at Nolan and Alex's. 

May 14th  -  I took Melia to the nail salon for a 2-hour appointment. She had acrylic nails installed. ::snort:: She wanted the nails by Akemi's graduation and hopes they'll last through our Idaho trip.  Kathy at Dream Nails did a great job. 

Melia had an orthodontic evaluation. They confirmed she needs braces. They seconded the referral to the Oral Surgeon in Anchorage. 

Life group is growing and we needed 2 tables tonight, 16 of us. This is fun. We started late in the year and its sad the year is ending just as we're digging in. We plan to offer a summer schedule - fire and s'mores so we can still maintain connection. 

May 15th -  The highlight of our day was having CoRielle's kids over. Tea party!!!!

May 16th  - Melia and Stacia attended the Alaska Bible College commencement. It's hard to believe Stacia has finished her junior year of college. 

In the afternoon the family gathered -Post and photos to follow. 

May 17th - Impact Alaska - This is an event that is gathering momentum. It's one Sunday when the church goes out in the community. This year 17 churches and 2 organizations from Fairbanks to Homer participated. ACF changed oil, paid down gas, did yardwork, delivered doughnuts, cleaned and painted parks, cleaned up schools and a senior center...  Mike and Melia joined a group delivering doughnuts to first responders and businesses in the valley.  I was ill.  No photos. However, Larissa shared a photo and a story.  

Noah and Larissa joined a group in Eagle River to drop off doughnuts. At the ended they had a final prayer huddle. The lady next to Noah asked if he wanted to hold her hand for the prayer. He took that as a signal it was his turn to say the prayer. He said, "Thank you Jesus for Noah and mama and dada and thank you for the snacks that are sooooooo nummy!" 

May 18th - The MRI discovered the source of Michael's back pain. He not only has arthritis of the L4 L5 vertebrae, but he also has two cysts on either side of his spine at that point. This impinges on the spinal nerves resulting in near constant pain. Somewhere from 2 - 8 depending on if he is simply sitting or if he's trying to walk or twisting. SO...until the VA and cardiologist give all the approvals for surgery, he is sitting a LOT and trying not to twist, lift, stand or walk too far. Given the size and placement of the cysts the doc wants to do surgery rather than trying to rupture them. He thinks there is less chance of complications. 

May 19th  - Melia and I drove into Anchorage for Akemi's 8th grade graduation. It was a fun day. Alena, Melia's 15 yo sister,  was there with the Guardian Ad Litum, April, Ingrid, Tim and Chelsea....it was fun. Alena had to go back to school after the graduation. April and I took Akemi and Melia to lunch and then I took the girls out to take photos. Post and photos to follow - maybe if I get time to edit faces. 

Stacia, Melia and I went to watch "The Sheep Detective," in the evening. We enjoyed the movie. 

May 20th - Melia and I drove to the ANC in Anchorage for an Oral Surgeon consult. He irritated me when he repeatedly chided her for not having this taken care of years ago. Grrr.... he kept asking, "Why didn't you take care of this earlier?" Until I pointed out, she is a minor and her father didn't take her in. She is on meds and we'll go back in a week to see if he decides it's time to take care of the problem. 

May 21st - The girls and I began clearing out the storage/library room to make a summer room for Allie. We bought a bed frame and some drawers, moved boxes, and organized. We couldn't move the treadmill and Michael couldn't help. 

At Lifegroup Chandler showed us how to make s'more in foil. Yummm....and then he single-handedly moved the stubborn treadmill. Allie's summer room is ready. 

I discovered someone had totally dismantled the decorations at Josiah's gravesite. I determined to remedy the situation. Other graves were still decorated. 

May 22nd - Allie is home! What a long trip - but she did fly first class on the longest leg of the journey. No, not true. The layover was the longest leg. ::snort:: 

We made plans to meet Jared for lunch in Chugiak. Unbeknownst to us a garbage truck caught fire and it took well over an hour to make it 1 1/2 miles. We were hangry when we made it through. 

Charles helped me attempt to put the volleyball net up. "Hmmm....Bachan we need Papa's duct tape!" 

May 23rd - Melia and I took Arielle and the kids out for a BIRTHDAY BREAKFAST. It's Arielle's birthday.  

This was Ellie's first or second time in a restaurant. She watched everyone tell the waitress their order and then interupted....."Um...I nummies please."  ::snort:: 

After breakfast Melia and I took the boys shopping for gifts. It was a great little trip. 

I stopped by and had tea with Josiah and made sure his site is fully decorated. 

When I got back home Nolan was at the house and a night of games and laughter commenced. Post to follow. 

May 24th - Sunday morning tea followed by church, a really long "fast" food lunch with Jared and Noah. Allie, Melia and Stacia met up with Alena and went on a hike. Post and photos to follow. 

May 25th -  I made a last minute stop at the store and came out with a ballon to add to the picture. I was happy to see so many people out taking care of graves. Family BBQ. Post and photos to follow. 

May 26th - Allie spent an "at home" day. She took care of all the things one needs to do when moving locations. Melia and I ran some errands and bought some starts for a garden. In the process we ran into Bre and kids at a coffee drive through....we quickly took pictures of each other...because we're like that. LOL 

I made Chandler's corn on the grill - as well as salmon and veggies for dinner. That was good corn. I must do that again soon - but at $1.50 an ear of corn. Shew. 

Stacia invited friends over for a movie night. 

And now I'm caught up...... "sort of."