Can't Help Myself

Ok...I just couldn't resist showing you two more pictures from our photo shoot last week.

Me & the kiddos waiting on Q...we were just goofing off, but I think it might be one of my favorites of the day.

Sgt. Mom
"Don't even think of messing with me....or more importantly, my family."

Army Wife-Army Strong

Sneak Peak Portraits

This past Friday we had our family pictures made for the holiday season...since Q will be deployed by then, I wanted to get them done now. I could not be more pleased with the results! Jenny did an amazing job and I'm dreading having to choose....Here's some of the faves right now...

Everyone's smiling...that in itself is amazing! This is definitely one of the best family portraits we've ever taken.

Me & My Soldier

Handsome Feller ain't he?

I love this picture of Mallorye...dreaming of her daddy.

And this one just about rips my heart out..Blake's eyes are like windows deep into his soul...how she captured that I'll never know.

Check out more of Jenny's work at Reflective Memories

Dig For The Cure

Ok...I'm way behind on blogging, but today I got ALL of my pictures uploaded to my computer...so this week will be all about "blogland catch up."

September 15th was Paragould Lady Rams Dig For The Cure volleyball game. The girls started this last year as a way to promote breast cancer awareness and raise money for the Susan G. Komen Foundation...all while showing their support for fellow teammate, Kobi...her mom lost her battle with breast cancer this past March. The girls bring all they have to this game...their passion for volleyball and love for Mrs. Kim & Kobi shine brightly...and it helps that they play their long time rival Greene County Tech.

Courtney Parker...proving that white girls can indeed jump!

Awesome effort by Kat Keel & Courtney Parker..probably one of my favorite pictures from the game.

Mallorye is still side-lined with an ankle injury, but she's still there every game & practice, cheering her team on. She had arthroscopic surgery August 30th and we're hoping she can play on Senior Night October 15th. This is Mal & Hailey Saunders reacting to what appears to be an awesome play.

We WON! 3-1

Showing a little love to Kobi after the win...and remembering why we play this game...to make a difference and be a part of something bigger than ourselves...huge life lesson these girls have learned.

The Price of Peace

This song says it all...below the video is the story of how the song came about...

One day while watching my Dad leaving for work in his uniform, I realized that most people don't understand what the families go through when their loved ones go off to war. I wrote this song from my heart on a daughters perspective of what it is like when her Dad goes off to war. The Price of Peace is a great song that has a message of love and support for any loved one in the military.I sat down one night and wrote it with my dad's help. I didn't realize my dad knew so much about it until he started telling me about the deployment ceremonies he has attended. He told me how the soldiers families and the children clutched their dad's neck and cried unashamed. This really hit home for me. I know it has to be hard for any family to watch a loved one or a friend go off to war. It is hard to understand how they feel everyday as they wake up praying that their loved one is ok. When people listen to this song I hope it moves them to a better understanding of what a military family has to cope with. The song also tells how a family sticks together and realizes God has a reason and purpose for all things.
Alyssa Gaddis7th Grade

Update & Pictures

It has been a busy few weeks around here! Some of what I've been up to...

*I got my new camera :) I'm still learning how to use it, but I'm so excited about it!

*We attended a Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Event last weekend...quite a bit of valuable information

*This past weekend Quentin and I attended The Adjutant Generals Family Readiness Leadership Symposium...yeah...that's a mouthful! We had the best time! Super fun and learned about all kinds of resources for our military families that I had no idea existed.

*Mallorye's volleyball team hosted the Dig For The Cure event in honor of Mrs. Kim Smith...we played GCT and WON! And all for a good cause!

*and last but certainly not least....Baby Bethany was born on Sept 14...enjoy the pix!

Welcome to the world Baby Bethany

Already leaving her mark...

I absolutely love this picture....I was so blessed to be able to be in the delivery room and capture these moments for my friend, Amy...there is nothing like witnessing a new life being born...

Bethany Leeann
8 lb 3 oz and 22" long

Big Brother Carson and Baby Sissy Bethany

Because I Have Not Forgotten....

Housekeeping

It's Fall...or almost ...and I always get a little antsy around this time and feel the need to clean and organize EVERYTHING!

My blog is no exception!

So...over the next few days, I will be updating my blog roll...moving things around...organizing into categories...on and on it goes. Please be patient. And if something isn't there that you're used to seeing...LET ME KNOW! Please. I may have deleted it by accident...I'm kind of known for that.

Ok...back to the blog roll housekeeping....

Hmmmm...

After over 15 years of wearing my hair {bored} straight, I decided...

to go curly!

I don't {love} it...but I don't hate it either...so the jury is still out on what I think...

No one has asked me what in the world happened to my hair (unless you count my adoring son, Blake)...and it was a whole heck of alot faster to get ready this morning...so definite perks!

Thoughts on a Sunday

Hold your breath for 2 minutes.

Did you do it? What did you notice?

Our bodies were created to need oxygen and when we go without it..even intentionally...there becomes this desperation. Breathing oxygen is not something we think about. We just naturally do it...automatically...without thinking.

We were also created with a need for a relationship with Christ....a fellowship with Him...worship of Him....and when we go to long without that need being met, there is a desperation. Worship of the Creator God should be automatic. We should not have to think about whether or not we're going to give Him praise.

I'm reading an awesome book right now that hammers that point home....Praise Habit by David Crowder. This book has challenged me to look at worship in a different light. Where do I find God? Because really...He's everywhere. He doesn't move...but do I notice Him?

Smile Complete

Really, what is the point in having a blog if you can't use it to embarrass you children?

Wednesday was a banner day in the Bales' house...Blake got his braces off...after nearly 2 years! We have now successfully put 3 of our family of 4 through the brave world of orthodontic treatment...and beautiful smiles of course.

I was not able to go to this visit, but my best bud Misty, happens to work at the Furgus/Burris Orthodontic office and thought to snap these photos for me! That is a great friend!

The staff singing to Blake after he got his braces removed...I think this made him just a little "red-faced."

Receiving his water bottle (that I will use) filled with all the candy he wasn't supposed to eat during his orthodontic treatment (which I'm sure he ate most of what was in there while the braces were on).

And here we are...with our new smile!

Thank you Dr. Burris & Dr. Fergus! (check them out...they're the best...and coolest!)