Scott and Alie

Army Life. Education. Faith. Family

Archive for the category “family”

20 Feb 2012

Strong Bonds Marital Retreat

Our family spent the weekend at a Strong Bonds Marital Retreat, sponsored by the Army. The hotel where the marital conferences were held had a water park for the kids. Also included in the retreat was child care, a date night, and a few meals.

The retreat is based upon Mark Gungor’s, Laugh Your Way to a Better Marriage. Scott and I had watched Gungor’s CDs after he returned from Iraq. I wrote about it here. So it was a nice refresher and also beneficial because we were able to talk to other couples.

The book complements the CDs and it has four parts:

1. Setting the Stage

2. The Laws of Marriage and Physics

3. Sex, Lies, and the Internet

4. Till Death Do Us Part

I would highly suggest the book or CDs. Mark Gungor has some sound advice and a great sense of humor. If you are part of the Army and can take the Strong Bonds Marital Retreat then definitely see if you can sign up. It will allow you to spend some time with your spouse, meet other couples, learn skills to keep your marriage strong, and if you have children they will have fun too.

The number one advice we learned from another couple (they have been married 16 years), is to calendar in lunch or coffee dates during the day while the kids are in school. They said that “dates” do not need to have all the “bells and whistles.” Instead it is better to have them anytime you are both free and to keep them “real.”

Scott and I really appreciated hearing how they had worked through tough times and how they are maintaining their marriage. We have tried having weekly date nights and most recently changed them to monthly so we could plan something nice and hire a sitter. What we never thought of was to meet during the day while the kids were in school and that it can be something simple.

If you are married, what do you and your spouse do to keep your marriage strong? Do you have regular dates? How often?

~Alie

Posted in Army, family and tagged , , , , , ,
03 Feb 2012

Rest and Relaxation

A huge thunderstorm rolled through early this morning. I am still adjusting to the midwest storms, they are fierce. The thunder feels like an earthquake and then the sky lights up while the rain pours down.

Today is a rest and relax day as I am still recovering from surgery. I was feeling really good yesterday and then woke up today feeling not so great. So, today will be a “take it easy” day.

Flowers from My Father and Mother-in-Law

Enjoy your Friday,
~Alie

Posted in family
02 Feb 2012

Mixed Media Canvas

This is a photo of a mixed media canvas that I did for the Jeanne Oliver workshop. The workshop has taken most of us out of our comfort zone trying our hand at new mediums. It is a lot of fun. There are several more projects that I am going to do, most of them I am posting and writing about on PaperArtScene.

Currently, I am recovering from gallbladder surgery that I had done on Tuesday. I am hoping to take more photos and get out of the house in the next few days.

~Alie

Posted in family and tagged , ,
12 Jan 2012

A Game of Skill

Operation

Do you remember this game? I loved Operation when I was younger. The new version has more ailments, along with sound effects for each ailment. There are also two levels. My daughter loves this game too. We played it tonight and last night and the night before, you get the idea.

Do you have a favorite game? Or one that brings back childhood memories?

~Alie

Posted in family and tagged
11 Jan 2012
1 Comment

There is a place…

Stepson Playing the Cello

Scott’s son visited us over the summer and we rented a cello so he could continue practicing. The cello is one of my favorite instruments. It was beautiful and moving watching him play. I am so proud of him and hope that he continues to play and master the cello. The photo is from a scrapbook I made him for Christmas.

Last Page of the Scrapbook

Here is the Original. Photo Courtesy of the Artist

The time went by quickly and we explored so many places. Since our kids are close in age, they got along well. The only problem was having an odd number and at times one person would feel left out, which usually ended up being the middle child. There is something to birth order, even in blended families.

We are looking forward to having more family time this summer. I am hoping we will be more settled, as we had very little furniture during our oldest son’s visit. We were still waiting for Scott’s household goods that had been in storage in Kentucky for four years. It definitely was an adventure and we did make a couple of trips to Nebraska Furniture Mart so the kids would have somewhere to sleep.

For our oldest: We love and miss you!

“There is a place where the sidewalk ends
And before the street begins,
And there the grass grows soft and white,
And there the sun burns crimson bright,
And there the moon-bird rests from his flight
To cool in the peppermint wind.

Let us leave this place where the smoke blows black
And the dark street winds and bends.
Past the pits where the asphalt flowers grow
We shall walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And watch where the chalk-white arrows go
To the place where the sidewalk ends.

Yes we’ll walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And we’ll go where the chalk-white arrows go,
For the children, they mark, and the children, they know
The place where the sidewalk ends.”

~Shel Silverstein

Posted in family and tagged , , , , , ,
10 Jan 2012
4 Comments

Speed Trap

Well, I posted my 2012 resolutions on Evernote. One goal is to blog consistently. On this blog I am going to post a photo a day. On Paperartscene I am going to blog about art, Monday through Friday.

I have set some really high standards for myself, but I like the challenge. One area that I am working on is to find a volunteer project and work with only one. I tend to spread myself thin and take on too much. I have decided to volunteer within our parish. I am going to help at the soup kitchen once a month, either serving the poor meals or donating food to be served. Scott and I also teach religious education to the fourth grade. Once we move I will continue working with the poor in our new community.

During November I had some health scares and have been to the doctor too many times to count. I am very thankful it is nothing serious and still not sure if I will be having surgery to remove my gallbladder.

When I was not feeling well, my life halted. It was a moment where I realized that my family is number one, literally. I need to slow down and focus on what is important. Saying “no” and admitting you have taken on too much is sometimes necessary. My health is vital to me seeing my children grow up, be a part of the awkward middle school years, their teenage angst years, and up into adulthood.

So, I can set high standards while realizing my boundaries, saying “no” when needed, and accepting change. While driving today, I stopped the car and took a photo of this sign. It reminded me about 2012 and the goals I have set for myself.

Slow down.

Accept saying "no" as a tool for balance.

~Alie

Posted in Accomplishments, Balance, family and tagged , , , , , ,
07 Jan 2012

Cats. A Tale.

Barn Cat

“If animals could speak, the dog would be a blundering outspoken fellow;
but the cat would have the rare grace of never saying a word too much.”

~Mark Twain

Today a friend of mine had to say goodbye to his cat. I know many friends that have lost their pets to old age and illnesses. It is never easy to part ways. Pets quickly become part of our family, daily routines, even our confidants, and also a way to practice unconditional love. In so many ways they are like children.

My all time favorite cat was “Cleo.” She had so many canine traits that I often would forget she was a cat. She had a fine balance of independence and adventure. What was unique about her is that she would travel by car just like a dog. She rode with me in a car from Sarasota, Florida to Seattle, Washington. It was an awesome ride. I did not feel alone and she was so easy-going at the rest stops, motels, and sitting in the car. A pet carrier was not necessary she sat on top of her favorite box and watched the sites on our long drive.

Yesterday, I was looking for some old Indian Head coins (my father-in-law collects them) and I came across Cleo’s old collar tag. It brought back good memories and was bitter-sweet. I am not sure when we will have another pet as we move so often with the Army. There is also one deterrent, my daughter and husband are allergic to cats. So, we will have to agree on a dog which will be a bit difficult as we like different breeds and sizes.

Until then, I will keep the memories of former pets with me and send my love to those that are experiencing the loss of a pet.

~Alie

Posted in family and tagged , , , ,
23 Nov 2011

Thanks

Thank you family and friends for your love and support throughout the years. I am so incredibly grateful for all you do.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Posted in family, friends and tagged , ,
12 Apr 2011
12 Comments

Wordless

 

Photo by Cat Palmer

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you are looking for a photographer in Utah, be sure to read this post.

Cheers, ~Alie

Posted in family and tagged ,
11 Feb 2011
1 Comment

Mom

My Mom (on the right) Her boss (on the left).

This post is dedicated to my mom. This is a picture of her at her retirement. Her boss is handing her a thank you card signed by her team and a framed letter signed by the governor thanking her for her service. She worked for the state of Utah for 25 years. Due to legislative changes she was persuaded to retire early or she would have lost a good size of her retirement. Can you believe how young she looks? Doesn’t look like she should be retiring does it? This photo was taken about five years ago.

That is my mom, the hard worker, the first in our family to get a college degree. The one that showed me you can go to school, raise a family, and work. She encouraged me to get my master’s when I was trying to decide what to do after my divorce. Becoming a full-time single parent is an eye-opener and one that my mom was familiar with.

Despite our differences and not always agreeing, she is my rock. I know that I can call her at any hour from anywhere and she will listen. Because that is what moms do, we listen, and we want our children to succeed.

Thanks for all you do Mom.
~Alie

Story about my Dad.

Posted in family and tagged , , ,

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