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 :)

Where To Begin....

Wow! I'm so far behind on blogging I think I'm ahead!! I'm not even sure where to begin....

I guess first I'll try to explain my absence in the blogosphere...let's see...

(1) my husband has deployed for a 12 month tour in Afghanistan and has been in Wisconsin since

the beginning of November...

(2) we moved! which was totally not planned!! Our house changed hands in November and

rather than live in a house that was going to be actively shown to sell, we opted to move...

or I should say...I chose to move...'cause hubby is deployed...

(3) the kids went to Nicaragua over Thanksgiving break (which is also the week I moved...aargh)

(4) Christmas came and went...and hubby was able to come home for a brief leave

(5) Mallorye competed in Miss Arkansas Teen USA in Bentonville...

(6) I'm still writing for Army Wife Magazine and just submitted my 4th article for publication :)

(7) and of course...we're in the thick of basketball season around here...

So, as you see, there's definitely not been a shortage of topics...just a major deficit of time!

I never know the best approach for catching up, so I think ...I'll work backwards...this could take a few days...lol!

Basketball season is in full force right now and Blake has finally got his game face on. The season started out a little rocky for him...lack of motivation, laziness, etc...but he finally has come alive the past couple of games and is averaging 10 points a game. His defense has never been better and I am loving cheering him on!

The magazine is doing incredible and just continues to get better and better...challenging my creative writing and grammar. I still have a hard time believing that I'm writing and it's actually being published...and that I have a monthly column...I pinch myself daily! If you haven't had a chance to check it out...go here now...we have some of the most talented writers around.

Mallorye competed last weekend in the Miss Arkansas Teen USA Pageant in Bentonville. This was her first State pageant and she did incredible! I was so proud of her...she didn't place, but she had an amazing time and made friends & memories that she'll cherish for a lifetime. Matt (the boyfriend) came with us to cheer her on...oh yea...that's the other thing that's happened..she has a boyfriend and they seem pretty crazy about each other (more about him later I'm sure). So...how about a few pictures of the pageant and I promise to be back soon with more pictures and updates ;)

Blake & Mallorye after competition on Saturday night...one of the few moments we actually got to see her up close & personal

Mallorye & Matt at Friday nights banquet...don't they look amazing?!

Me & Mallorye at the banquet...and yes, I'm in a dress...doesn't happen often, but I thought I cleaned up pretty well ;)

Mallorye on Sunday morning after her interview...getting ready to go to more rehearsals. I'm pretty sure we was pooped out at this point, but soaking up the memories!

Overwhelmed!

Ok....just wanted to let you guys know that I've not been abducted by aliens... or fallen off the earth or ... even disappeared to some remote island for some R& R.

I'm still here. I have tons to share, but for now I'm just trying to keep my head above water. This is an extremely difficult month for me...when my name comes to your mind, say a little prayer.

I'll be back soon with some updates! Love all my bloggy friends :)

It's Official....

...I'm a published freelance writer! It's exciting times here at the Bales' house. I've been sitting on this information for months now and today is the day. Army Wife Magazine went live online today and I'm a Key Contributor with my own section highlighting life as the wife of a Guard/Reservist. So...what are you waiting for? Go check it out! Just click on the picture below.

(look for my column on page 36...and my name credit on page 4)