Beyond Bringing Up Boys

In a world of brokenness, I'm thankful that we've been learning how to forgive for 25 years.   Intentionally grateful for forgiveness today (and everyday!).  Colossians 3:13 "bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive." #staymarried

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...

Hats. Today I am intentionally grateful for hats. I love hats--whether it's a basic baseball cap, a 1920's cloche hat, a Derby Day fascinator, or almost everything in between. But, my favorite hats are those ones that aren't visible to the eye.  I've worn a mom-hat since 1997, and it is my favorite hat. But with that came a closet full of corresponding headgear to complete my uniform. There was the nurse hat that came out to clean abrasions, lovingly kissed boo-boos, wrapped sprains or splinted fractures. Also, over the years, I've had the chauffeur hat. I've chauffeured to and from the library, school, piano, field trips, baseball practices, marching band events, friends' houses or swim.  I've worn the hat of a teacher. I taught them how to pray, how to use good manners, and how to properly brush their teeth. I taught them how to read and how to write. And, as they grew, so did the other subjects.  I've worn a firefighter's hat, to...

Laughter.  I am intentionally grateful for laughter today! Our home often rings with laughter, and nothing can cheer a weary heart like the sound of happiness springing out of the soul. My husband makes me laugh everyday. And, often when I'm on the phone with my sister, I laugh until I'm crying. In addition, David's sister makes me laugh every time we're together. Laughter. Listen to it. Enjoy it. Be grateful for it. Proverbs 17:22 -- A merry heart does good like medicine.#intentionalgratitude #november #givethanks #baltyfamily #baltyboys #laughteristhebestmedicine

Wisdom. There's no biological connection in this picture, but I don't recall a time in my life before I knew her. My "Granny."  She is the one that patiently combed out all of the goop that was in my waist-length, thick hair after spinal surgery. She is the one I've sought out when I've needed spiritual guidance throughout the rough places of life. It was her house that I went to the night mom died and it was in her arms that I sobbed like I was a small child. It's her voice that, even today, tells me every time that I talk to her, that I am special to her. She represents so many characteristics to me, but today I am especially thankful for her wisdom.  Psalm 37:30 The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom and their tongues speak what is just. #intentionalgratitude #wisdom #granny #love #thanksgiving #givethanks #everygoodandperfectgiftcomesfromabove

As I begin this month of intentional gratitude, I'm overwhelmed. I have so many blessings that it's difficult to know where to kick off! But, today I'm choosing beauty.  I'm thankful for the beauty of God's earth! Whether I have my feet in the sand at sea level, standing at 10K feet above looking over the handiwork of our Creator, or viewing my lovely home state, I'm thankful for what I can see. psalm 96:11-12 Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound and all that's in it. Let the fields be jubilant and everything in them, let all the trees of the forest sing for joy. #intentionalgratitude #beautyoftheearth #givepraise #november #jekyllisland #bloodmountain  #amishcountry #pennsylvaniaisbeautiful

Like most mothers of boys I have a box full of first-aid supplies! Most of the time (thankfully) they sit unused in my cabinet. But, have you ever noticed how accidents happen at the most unexpected time?? Seriously. The marching band director called last evening to say that the gong fell over on Samuel and cut his head. A what, you say.  Yeah, that was me a few years ago, so here's a visual. After the blood stopped flowing, a one-inch laceration, greeted me. It was almost 7 pm and my only option was urgent care, as I don't deem "needing stitches" Emergency Department worthy, unless of course, you're losing a limb. Then, that's fine! Go on in!  I've taken my boys to urgent care before, but they've only used glue or in one case, nothing. And, that time was worse than this! But, I digress. After cleansing it thoroughly and spraying Banda-Sil on it, I was still lamenting that, in my opinion, this still needed closed. I felt certai...