Long Awaited Christmas Pictures....

So I finally figured out that Blogger was fine...I was just not being very patient...imagine that! Anyway...here are a few Christmas pictures. Yes, I know it's February (we've went over this already)

So the best part of Christmas was having Q home...Santa brought him a Nikon Coolpix camera to take to Afghanistan with him. He's excited really...I know it's hard to tell from this picture...lol...

Mallorye & Blake opening their cash from Grandma & Pa...you can never go wrong with the green stuff...

Blake & his new basketball goal....which was the huge package under the tree. I'm sure if someone had gotten a video of me trying to wrap that...by myself...we would have won some green stuff on "America's Funniest Home Videos"

Blake, Papa Teddy Joe (my dad), and Mallorye...I think dad kinda looks like Santa Clause...what do you think?

Mallorye, Memaw Vines (my grandma), & Blake

Caleb begging to open presents....that face was hard to resist!

My adorable nephews...Daniel & Caleb

My sister Tiffany & her husband, Daniel....this year has been one of building relationships with my sister & brother-in-law...we are fast becoming best friends...and I love it! I'm sure no one would have thought that 15 years ago!

Matt & Mallorye...she doesn't have a stitch of make up on....so you know it's really love! This was the first Christmas we've ever had a boyfriend "home for the holidays."

Tiffany, Mallorye, & Me

See no evil. Hear no evil. Speak no evil.

Hope you enjoyed the pictures...there were 100's more, but it is February, and I'm just trying to catch up...lol.

He Said, She Said

A banner day in the Bales' household....He said, "will you marry me?" and she said, "YES!"

Matt & Mallorye....newly engaged :)

Ok, so the story. Mallorye & Matt started seriously dating in November 2009, and it was quickly apparent that this was not just a passing fancy. I had an idea early on that this was probably the man that God had chosen to be her lifemate, but I wasn't sure if they knew it yet. {It didn't take them long to figure it out} Quentin & I have prayed since Mallorye was very little for God to bring just the right man into her life to be her husband...we knew it would take someone special...patient, loving, kindhearted, strong-willed....and as this relationship began to take shape, I knew..this was our prayer answered. Mallorye made a list a few years ago {at my prompting} listing specific things she wanted in her soulmate...and God provided.

Mallorye sharing her good news....


a lighter moment and playful fun!

I love the way he looks at her....and loves he so completely....

I see many days of laughter ahead for these two....

and ...the ring! He did an amazing job!

The proposal was definitely memorable. The short version;

He brought dessert. The dessert was chocolate chip cookie cake. It had written in icing "Patients is a virtue" {and yes I know its spelled wrong...was on cake too...which just fits Matt to a tee}. She thought he was being mean. He went down on one knee. Asked "will you marry me?" She said yes. Followed by a big kiss.

Check out Mallorye's blog for her story.

Mallorye's Blogging :)

Check it out!

My daughter, Mallorye, has caught the blogging bug. I guarantee this will be a blog you'll want to follow....deep, serious thoughts to complete randomness.

So....hurry...go read her first post at Living Life FEARLESS

Christmas 2009

OK..so yea, I know..it's February and I'm just now blogging about Christmas. I even considered just forgetting it, but my OCD tendencies wouldn't let me!! {it is a curse}

the presents....

it took me 2 hours to wrap that huge present in the back...and the sad part is...Blake had already seen it, so I didn't need to bother...ugh!

Christmas this year was made wonderful by the fact that I was able to pick up my soldier a few days prior to spend the holidays with us :) We weren't sure if or how many days Quentin would get for leave and were ecstatic that he was able to be home for Christmas and New Years.

Christmas at my mom's was postponed because we were drenched with torrential rains that made the roads impassable. {this resulted in WWIII...but definitely not getting into that} My sister and her family ended up coming to my house and we had Christmas breakfast that night...the first time I can remember making chocolate gravy by myself. It's my favorite tradition and it definitely didn't disappoint. We had a blast, just watching the kids open gifts...playing...laughing....creating memories.

We made it to my Aunt Liz's on Saturday...we had to park at the end of the road and be shuttled in because the roads were under water. It was definitely interesting! My grandma thought she would try to navigate through the "lake" and let's just say....her truck will never be the same & I'm pretty sure she'll never try that again!

Christmas Day was spent sleeping in {you can do that when your kids are teenagers} and just enjoying each others company. We try to keep this day as stress free as possible. We played games, slept, laughed...knowing Q would be going to Afghanistan soon.

Later that week we had a "open house" for our friends to come and tell Q goodbye. It was bittersweet. It was nice to see the outpouring of love, but bitter because I knew it meant that our time was getting short.

And if blogger would cooperate...I'd share more pictures, but it's not...and I'm determined to get this posted tonight :)