Scott and Alie

Army Life. Education. Faith. Family

Archive for the category “deployment”

18 May 2011
5 Comments

Wednesday Weekly: Stars and Stripes Father’s Day Greetings

For those of you that know a dad who is deployed, Stars and Stripes has set up electronic Father’s Day greetings. If you submit your entry before May 27th it will be printed in the Stars and Stripes as well as be online.

Please click here for more information and all of the details you will need. Also, please forward this to your family and friends and help get the word out so we can support all of our Soldiers and dads.

Much love, ~Alie

Posted in Army, deployment and tagged , ,
15 Mar 2011
3 Comments

Reminiscing

Photo by Cat Palmer

Today I find myself reminiscing about when Scott and I first met. I was looking through photos to edit and update, that usually leads to missing someone that is far away.

This was my post that pretty much started my blog and it was after Scott deployed.

Did you know that Scott is over a foot taller than me (he is 6’4”)? This photo shows how tall he is, granted I am only 5’2” on a good day.

I truly enjoy his persona. He is strong physically, yet, his inner strength supersedes the physical. Scott has excellent leadership, organization, and planning skills, along with integrity, and reliability. The military has helped his natural talents expand into a career where he serves others and he enjoys it.

We have taken personality tests, color tests, and most recently the Flag Page. What we have learned from these various tests is that we approach life differently and our differences help one another to be a better person.

This post is dedicated to my best friend and future husband. Thank you for your differences and inspiring me.

~Alie

Posted in Army, deployment and tagged , , ,
20 Sep 2010

Reminisce

 

The Surprise! December 2009

Today, I found myself reminiscing about last Thanksgiving and spending time with Scott before he deployed. We went to Arkansas where I met his entire family, well immediate family. We had all of the kids with us except for one who could not make it. I think that was one of the best times watching all of the kids.

There is something about kids, that playful inquisitive nature it is contagious. I liked going on the small hikes and seeing the world through their eyes. I also enjoyed searching for the perfect branches to build a fort, and setting the “kids” table for meals, just being a part of a large family, it was the nicest feeling.

Also, when Scott is here I sleep soundly, something that escapes me when I am alone. I think I am in guard mode and wake to noises and never feel like I am getting a deep sleep. In fact, when I hugged Scott for the first time, what I felt was safety and a sense of being home. For me he has a calming presence and I really like that. I think most people have a sense of intimidation around him because of his height, yet I feel totally comfortable.

I started this blog when he left to document the deployment and the many stages of our relationship. Overall, my attitude is positive and brave. But, that does not mean that I don’t have times of weakness, sadness, and the aching feeling of missing someone. Yet, when Scott and I talk we think that the time away has developed parts of our relationship that would not have been the focus had we not been apart.

There are many pros and cons, and right now I am very thankful for the pros. I feel reassured and ready for the many adventures ahead. We are a team and it is an absolute blessing to be part of such a phenomenal team.

~Alie

Posted in Army, deployment and tagged , , ,
16 Sep 2010
1 Comment

Going the Distance

Today, I have realized that misunderstandings via long distance, bite. We assume and in our assumptions we can be way off track with our judgments. Isn’t that how most misunderstandings happen?

To find resolution, you have to factor in the ten hour time difference, hope the person checks their email, wait for their response, and eventually come to an agreement. Whereas, face-to-face you can deliver your information quickly and come to a compromise and resolution that day, especially if you have the understanding of not going to bed upset.

Being long distance has so many variables and at times it is quite challenging. When you are together it is rushed and so many things happen in such a compact amount of time. Then suddenly the person is gone again and it almost seems as if it was a dream. Our lives merge and then are separated once more.

Overall, I feel like the distance gives me strength and helps me be creative in my relationship with Scott. I feel better prepared for the challenges that remain ahead. I want to be there for Scott, whether we are physically together or thousands of miles apart. He is my best friend. I want to improve and grow through our misunderstandings.

~Alie

Posted in Army, deployment and tagged ,
13 May 2010

Inspiration

I was listening to a program on NPR about military teens and how deployment of a loved one impacts their lives. What was interesting about this program is that two teenagers created a forum for military teens to be able to connect, share stories, and offer support.

The Sisterhood of the Traveling BDUs

Projects

Stories like this are so inspiring. I truly believe that if you reach out to others you are not only helping others in similar or unique situations, but you are also helping yourself. Also, taking the focus off of yourself and reaching out can change and impact the world. They started small their state (California) and now their story has spread across the nation. I am sure their example will encourage others to create similar groups.

Great job to The Sisterhood of the Traveling BDUs!

Posted in Army, deployment and tagged , , ,
17 Feb 2010

Crescent Moon

The moon is beautiful tonight. A barely visible crescent moon immersed in white fluffy clouds. When I look upon the sky I often think of long dead poets that penned their love for the moon and sky. I think of my love far away and imagine him looking upon the same moon. Times like these he does not seem so far away as the clouds motion me to dream of him while the moon reflects the ebb and flow of life.

Now go and gaze upon the sky and let the beauty sing you to sleep,
~Alie

Posted in Army, deployment and tagged , ,
04 Feb 2010

Let Us Dance

“Let us read and let us dance – two amusements that will never do any harm to the world.“
~Voltaire

Too true. I have been reading voraciously lately and sharing with Scott what I have read and we are keeping a Facebook page with our book reviews. It has been nice to actually read again and encouraging when you share this with someone else. The distance does not seem so far when we are reading books together.

Dancing, oh the love of dance. I play music often and we dance as a family. Also, some of my best memories with Scott have been when we were dancing. We have done techno dancing in Germany and spontaneous dancing in Gateway while shopping for Christmas presents. Music brings great joy and dancing is a natural reaction.

So with January past and February here, time motions us closer and soon the distance will be no longer. Thankfully February is a short month! Spring will soon be approaching as we sing and dance to the rebirth upon us. With each passing day I am one closer to being in Scott’s arms.

Sending my love to a Soldier that is greatly missed.
~Alie

Posted in Army, deployment and tagged , ,
01 Jan 2010
2 Comments

Reflection

You know you are missing someone when you find yourself re-reading emails, texts, checking Facebook for new posts, and after listening to new messages on your phone you let it cycle through to the old ones so you can hear their voice.

Tonight is a blue moon, which means that there are two full moons in one month. This happens about every twenty years. It is already the New Year in Baghdad and I hope Scott is sleeping soundly. Although we will be apart most of 2010, I hope he knows that he is loved no matter the distance.

Once it gets dark and I can see the blue moon, I am going to blow a kiss for Scott to catch. I am sending my love to Baghdad on this night, the last night of 2009 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

I chose to love a man committed to the military and I accept him the way he is. I will patiently await for his return and do everything I can to help him during his deployment.

SAFE

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/12/091230-blue-moon-new-years-eve.html

Posted in Army, deployment and tagged ,
29 Dec 2009
1 Comment

Strong and Positive

Well I just heard from Scott, yay! It was perfect timing and I am so happy to hear that all is well. There are so many mixed emotions that I am experiencing. Yet, none of them are negative. I feel happy and I know that I will see him soon. Of course I miss him immensely, but I also know that he wanted to do deploy again. I support him 100%.

The struggle I have is that each time I read a book about deployment I can’t relate to the author. I will write more about this on our Facebook group page. Part of the problem is that the authors are recently married then their husbands deploy, they don’t have children, they are not secure in their marriages, and feel isolated in their communities. Instead of reaching out they retreat.

I on the other hand, am a firm believer in not wallowing and not feeling sorry for myself. I believe in reaching out to others. When you give of yourself you realize that your adversities seem small compared to what others are experiencing. When you are in a state of giving you create happiness and peace.

While Scott is away, I want to be strong, positive, and help others. By being focused and strong the time will go by quickly and our relationship will flourish. As a dear friend pointed out, he has a job to do and that is where his focus needs to be. I agree!

To all of our soldiers, thank you!

Posted in Army, deployment and tagged ,

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