Back To Normal

It's back to normal (as normal as we get) around the Bales' house...and I for one...am GLAD!

I love the holidays, but I crave routine and order, and the holidays wreak havoc on both. The kids started back to school on Monday (although they got out early for ice!) and Quentin and I headed back to work. The house is free from holiday decor and actually is almost clean. Blake had a basketball game last night where they suffered their first loss of the year against MacArthur Jr. High. It was an intense game and we lost by 3 points, which puts our record at 12-1. Not bad.

I've started a few new blogs (because I didn't think keeping up with one was enough...lol)....
one of them is my journey through losing weight and I've been much more candid than I ever thought I'd be...even posted disgusting before pictures. You can keep up with my journey at Clawing My Way Out...feel free to offer up some encouraging words.

The third blog is one to collect the poetry and stories that I've written over the years. I've been writing since high school and some are pretty corny, but I thought "hey, what the heck? I'd like to have these in a permanent place and maybe Blurb them some day" So, if you'd like to check that out, it's here, at Inside My Head.

Tonight is church and some meetings...Women's Ministry & Praise Team Leadership...and practice for weekend worship. Like I said...back to normal.

One last thing...my husband and I have a meeting tomorrow night that I would very much appreciate prayers for. If you think of it, could you lift us up in prayer tomorrow night? Thank you so much! I love my blog friends!

A Day For Doing Nothing

New Years Day couldn't have been more perfect. We spent the day doing absolutely nothing and ALL of us stayed in our jammies ALL DAY. There were no schedules. No rushing to get somewhere. No agenda. There was napping. Ordering Pizza. Games. And relaxation.

Here's a few pix of yesterday's Spades game with the kids....

Quentin being silly...he's kinda new at Spades. We were in a tournament the night before and he went Neal holding the Ace of Spades...LOL! He did much better last night against the kids.

Quentin & Mallorye...(like the trash can in the background...ugh)



I was kinda scared to put this one on the blog...we do feed him...I promise! He's trying to do some fancy shuffle thing here...it wasn't workin' for him!

Mallorye...intense concentration...she is a serious competitor.

Final score....508-238....Mom & Dad win! Woo Hoo! No Mercy!

Today has been a housecleaning day for me...Quentin had to work, but I was off..yeah. I think Mal and I are going to watch the Countdown to the Crown on TLC and I've been working on some journals for Quentin's 7th Grade Boys Class at church...but other than that...another lazy day...I love it!

This is a picture from today....a new gas station in town is having their grand opening and have started a price war. Quentin & Blake went out and snagged this picture. 99 Cents!! And it's dropped since then. Wow! The line is horrendous. Amazing what people will do to save a few pennies!

Scripture Memory

The last few months of 2008 have been hard on my heart and soul. I know that God did not call me to a defeated life and that He doesn't want me to just roll over and give up. So today, I have my big girl panties on. I know that when I stay focused on God and my goals that life just seems to go much smoother....not perfect...but better.

I have a ton of goals for the coming year, but one in particular is scripture memory. I'm joining Siestas around the world and committing to memorize 24 verses this year. Very within reach. Mama Beth, as she is affectionately called, is leading the masses in this endeavor. Check it out.

My verse for the first part of January;

You made me suffer a lot,

but you will bring me back from this deep pit

and give me new life.

You will make me truly great

and take my sorrow away.

Psalm 71:20-21 (Contemporary English Version)

I've not used this version before, but I really liked the way it was worded in this passage. So,here's to a new year...I'll be sharing more goals throughout the month of January.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Christmas 2008...Part 4...The Finale

Ok, first I have to add to my Christmas Eve post, as my mom reminded me of actually one of my favorite traditions....I Saw It First. I think I did mention it around Thanksgiving, when the game started, but Christmas is when we wrap this game up. This year I gave my Aunt Jane (who always wins) a run for her money, as did my Aunt Liz...but guess what...I forgot my list!! I couldn't believe it! I got out to my aunt's for Christmas and realized I'd left my list at home and it couldn't be counted. It was still a close race between Aunt Jane and Aunt Liz, but alas, Jane won...again! Everyone loves doing this game and I think my mom loves coming up with the list and the prize. (*by the way...pray for my mom..today's her last day to smoke...she's quitting )

On to Christmas day....

I woke up early and waited for the kids until I couldn't stand it any longer and woke them up. I know...I'm worse than any kid...lol. Santa was on a budget this year, but we still managed to have some things under the tree that everyone loved.

The kids made it to the living room, but just wasn't quite feeling the Christmas spirit just yet...lol
Quentin got a much needed new shirt

Blake opening up "Something he needs"....clothes....his fave gift? Camo Crocs
Mallorye and a really kewl sweater from Aeropostale...you cannot go wrong with teenage girls if you buy them clothes.

The stocking's.....with a new game for the fam...Apples to Apples

I've had a Garmin on my list for most of the year and finally got one for Christmas...definitely my favorite gift this year

Blake & Mallorye posing in front of the fireplace...after showers of course

And a close up ....hard to believe that next year Mallorye will be a senior and be preparing to leave the nest....

After presents, Quentin's parents and his brother came over for Christmas breakfast....eggs, bacon, biscuits, gravy, pancakes, and juice...yum!

Most of the day was spent just lazing around, which was perfect! I watched Tinkerbell with Mal...all snuggled up on her bed, and the guys watched football. Later on in the day, we visited my Grandma Vines and dad.

This Christmas was alot less about what we get materialistically...and much more about being a family. Couldn't be better.

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and that the New Year is full of new experiences and wonder. Happy New Year!

Christmas 2008...Part 3

Finally, Christmas Eve...

I had to work a 1/2 day, but it was worth it for a 4-day weekend...AND we had a work party!

That's my boss getting a big helping of cheese dip...and the rest of the guys

Office staff...Amy (boss' daughter), Kim (boss' daughter) and Me

Me & Amy with Patsy (boss' wife)...are you seeing a pattern? LOL....who also works in the office

The office staff exchanged gifts and I got some cool new scrapbooking toys to put to good use now that I have a little free time....the guys ate food...and Gerald gave us our bonus including an extra day off with pay...which I'm extremely grateful for :)

That evening, we headed to my mom's to celebrate Christmas with her & Jack and my sister, Tiffany. Remember my last post? Never a dull moment? Well, my sister and her husband got pulled over for having a headlight out (they had the replacement bulb on the dash, just not installed) and they couldn't find proof of insurance or her husband driver's license (he was driving). Luckily, the trooper was feeling generous and they only received a warning and a seat belt violation. Whew!

They finally made it to mom & Jacks' and we ate some great finger food and exchanged ....more gifts....no livestock this time, but Blake did get a rabbit trap.

Mom & Jack showing off the Camping Scrapbook I made for them.

Quentin & his new apron that mom made and embroidered for him...."Grill Sergeant"

Mallorye showing off probably her favorite gift....a gas card from Aunt Tiffany


Blake & his rabbit trap...funny thing is, he helped build it and had no idea it was for himself

Me showing off a folk painting mom made and painted for me to go in my kitchen


Me & my sister Tiffany....our relationship has gotten so much better over the past 3 years and we finally act like sisters.....

And sometimes we act crazy....I love her!

Grandma Pat & the new silverware

Caleb opening his birdhouse & binoculars that Jack made for him...well, he didn't make the binoculars, but what good is a birdhouse without something to watch the birds with?

Little Daniel & his new flannel shirt from Aunt Gin-Gin (aka me)...he loves button up shirts and looks pretty awesome in green!

Most of the gifts were handmade and of course we all got our Santa bags with yummy treats from momma's kitchen, including the infamous "walnut"

Blake's walnut and it's contents

The kids think this is so cool when they get a walnut with money in it. My Great Grandma started this tradition a long time ago and it's continued...one of the things I love about Christmas.

I love the old traditions and now, some of the new.

Ok, we're almost there. Are you still with me? Tomorrow's post is Christmas Day!

Christmas 2008...Part 2

.....continuing on...

Tuesday night was Christmas at my Aunt Liz's with my entire extended family. There is never a dull moment...

leave it to my kid to cut his finger on a book light...and I'm not sure why in a house of boys that my aunt didn't have any Bandaids...but we had to make do with gauze and electrical tape

Blake sporting his boo-boo...notice the Hollister hoodie he got from his girlfriend


My sister and her boys...Daniel & Caleb

Cuddlin' Cousins...Colten & Mallorye...these 2 really have grown close over the past few years and now that Colten's in college, Mal doesn't get to see him quite as often

Little Logan seeing his gift from Aunt Deb .....a live goat! I am NOT kidding! He said he wanted a goat for Christmas so he could rope it and a goat he did get...only in my family!


My family...Quentin, Me, Mallorye, & Blake

This was at the end of the night and we were pooped and ready to get home, but as always, we had a great time hanging out with my family...chaos and all.

We still have a few more days of celebration...so tune in tomorrow!

Christmas 2008....Part 1

I don't know about your house, but around here we don't just celebrate Christmas Day...we celebrate Christmas WEEK!

Our Christmas festivities began last Friday...the opening night of Festival of the King. Let me just tell ya, it was worth every ounce of sweat and tears. Nearly 1,000 people attended over the course of the weekend and I know of at least 3 salvations.

We had a great time building friendships with new people....(at Chili's every night after performance...lol) and I discovered that I actually like being in Drama's.

Here's a few pix...

Adrienne (Flag Dancer) & Mallorye (Stick Fighter)...don't you love the make up?!

Jenny (Leyla) and Me (Mourning Woman)...I didn't even have a name...during one of the most emotional scenes in the production

The Mourning Woman crying out for the people who continue to reject Christ

The final scene....rejoicing at the Coming of the King

That takes us through last Sunday....

Monday we went to the Graham's for Chicken and Dumplings, racing on the Wii, and a competitive round of Bible Outburst...where the girls won! Woo Hoo! It's really great to have Christian friends to hang out with...and it's nice that our kids are close in age and get along! Friends, Food, Fellowship....some of God's blessings this Christmas season.

Ok...you'll have to stay tuned for the rest of Christmas week with our families and more friends.