Beyond Bringing Up Boys

David and I had been married 5 years when we moved to Louisville, KY, for David to teach at Highview Baptist School. Zachary was 7 months old.  It soon became our custom to walk the sidewalks of our neighborhood, Ashbrooke Gardens, after dinner. Zach was as happy-as-a-clam in his stroller and it gave David and me an opportunity to catch up on our day. He was a rookie in his teaching career and had the stories of the day to prove it. I was at home with Zachary, and was always anxious to share the newest milestone or development that he had achieved. Three years later when Samuel joined our family, we were still walking and talking each evening after dinner.  And three years after that, when Seth joined Team Balty, we were still walking together. Over the years things changed of course; Zach outgrew the stroller, then rode a bike, and then drove a battery operated truck. As soon as Samuel could hang on tightly enough, he was not content to be in the stroller either and h...

Planning is a very big part of what I do. In fact, I often talk about the importance of it to my boys and listed it here .  It's a large part of why I think our home operates smoothly. But, I did have a couple of areas of my life that needed "cleaned-up."  Areas that I always seemed to procrastinate. (See, boys, I'm not perfect) I feel so much better getting that out in the open.  One of those areas was grocery shopping. I. Hated. It. I discovered in talking to other SAHM's, I wasn't alone. But, I needed a solution.  So, I started looking at why I hated it so much.  And, as I peeled back the layers here's what I discovered about me: I do not go to the store without a list, and I do not make a list without a menu, and making a menu seemed HARD.  Until, about 5 years ago.  I discovered plantoeat.com . I think that it was promoted at that time by Money Saving Mom . This software changed my life. Seriously. Well, part of it. I still actually had t...

David has a class he's in contract to finish writing for a university before he leaves for England, which is less than two weeks away. So, while we talked about doing something fun, like hiking or catching a Braves game, we decided that our responsibilities should keep us home.  David got up at 4:30 to start writing but told me to call him when I got up and he would come upstairs and have coffee with me. Drinking coffee with me is something new he's started because he knows I love coffee and he loves me. And, as much as I love coffee, I love it more when we're drinking it together.  I called him at eight and we went out on the porch. It was a lovely September morning here: low sixties, cool breeze with bright, cloudless sunshine, the plaintive cry of the mourning dove, and the cacophony of other birds singing their morning praises. We drank coffee and read the Bible together.  Within a short time, the boys were up and our solitude was disturbed.  David retreated to h...

  We set out Saturday for another anniversary adventure--it has been 23 years after all!  We realized that we weren't going to make our destination on time and I was having a "rumbly in my tumbly," (thank-you, for the reference, Pooh Bear) and we found a gem in the middle of  "little Mexico!"  I am not kidding when I say that we could hear roosters crowing from our seats on the patio.         I am not sure what Dr. B. ordered, it was a daily special. But, oh my!  Salmon with some kind of spicy, sweet (love the generalities here) sauce with pickled carrots, cucumbers, and jalapenos.       I had a blackened tilapia fish taco with their house tartar sauce and heaps of cilantro. And really, can you ever have too much cilantro?  Well, except for Dr. B., who is not fond of it and finds a miniscule amount too much. However, because he is awesome like this, he gave me half of his and it was tot...

   Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies.  --Aristotle   Happy 23rd Anniversary to my soul mate and forever love.

Circa. 1973  Circa. 1977 4 siblings, 3 spouses, 1 boy friend, 11 children, 1 son-in-law, 7 dogs, 5 cats, 2 birds, 2 peacocks, 15 chickens, 2 geese, 1 goat, 1 guinea pig, 1 chinchilla, 1 snake, 1 hedgehog, 1930 combined miles, and diversity galore. Our family is not perfect. We argue. We fight. And sometimes we stop talking to each other, but we're family and when it matters, we are there for each other. And so, it was notably special that each one took time out of their active schedules to celebrate Zachary's achievement. I love you all!

When Zachary’s slender hand grasps yours You lay aside your evening chores, Embarking out upon a pillowed sea. The books reclining on your knees (Yours motherhood; his history), Two spirits blend, his head leans on your arm. He doesn’t have to say, “I love you, Mom.” Seth’s plaintive cry splits pre-dawn’s calm Needing, it seems, your loving balm. His message, to the point: “Take me to Mom.” Setting the steaming mug aside You let him burrow deep, and hide, Enveloped in the solace of your warmth. He doesn’t have to say, “I love you, Mom.” Sam, snuggled in the upper bunk The drink of sleep not fully drunk Has no idea you’re already up. The mixing bowl, the flour and spice He’ll see, and lisp, “O Paradithe” And wrap two sturdy arms around your waist. He doesn’t have to say, “I love you, Mom.” Your husband rises every day And views – miraculous display – How shirts, once hampered, now hangers adorn. Somehow his bride has taught the boys, Delivered meals and picked up toys Each task accomp...

For any of you who have read my other blog, you know that I have been posting a Thankful Thursday for several weeks. You also know that while I have done posts on my other two kiddos, Seth has not had a post dedicated to him! If you know us well, you already know that I am too busy keeping him out of a zillion things to think about thankfulness . Nah. Just kiddin.' I am thankful for Seth's precious little hugs. Often I'll feel little arms around my legs and him lovin' on me--although he wipes off any kiss I give him with a dramatic flair. I am thankful for his good manners. I hope they last! He is quick to say "please" and "thank-you" without being reminded. Just the thought of Seth's mischievous eyes makes me smile...always. I am so grateful that God gave us our sweet Josiah Seth and that my life was spared to be here with him each day. Thank you, Father, for Seth.