Posts from — July 2007

My sister, Stacey and niece Ashlyn came for a visit this past weekend. We went to the arch on Friday afternoon and then on Saturday we went to SCOSAG and then made our way over to City Museum. I LOVE that place! I played like a kid and realized the next day that I’m not as young as I used to be. What in the world?! How does that happen all of the sudden? I am so sore all over and have bruises like you wouldn’t believe. It was so worth it, though. You can see pictures of our visit here. Enjoy!

I met my friend Maggie and her kids at Vlassis Park in Ballwin today and we LOVED it. I mostly loved catching up with Maggie, but Gage loved it because they had a huge play tower with really fast slides and Shea was happy with the water shooting up everywhere. They also have a pond stocked with fish. Gage gave it a good try, but didn’t catch anything. So, is the pond truly stocked or are there some tricks we need to know? Coming from the coast, where I grew up salt-water fishing, leaves me clueless when it comes to fishing in fresh water. A few months ago, I was at a park and saw a kid fishing and so I asked him for some tips. He recommended using canned corn and chicken liver. So, today we went prepared with a can of corn, but no luck. Looks like I might have to give in and do it the nasty way. The fun of having boys! Here are some pics of our day….

 

Jared’s Dad came to town for the weekend and we had a great time catching up with him. I’m so sad that I didn’t take my camera, but we went to Stone Hill Winery in Hermann, MO on Friday without the kids, and it was WONDERFUL. Hermann is a quaint little German town with so much personality. I highly recommend the drive to anyone looking for a day trip. On Saturday, Jared and Dad went to the Kirkwood Winery (they really like wine) and the boys and I went for a hike at Rockwoods Reservation. I discovered that there is a 10 mile trail there and I am determined to hike it with Jared sometime soon. Kidless, of course! The weather was beautiful over the weekend and on Sunday after church we took Dad to Grant’s Farm and our great friends Matt and Emily tagged along. Emily doesn’t like animals and she even enjoyed it! I’m sure it had something to do with the free beer and snow cones. Here is a slideshow of our trip to Grant’s Farm. Enjoy! More to come soon, when I find the time.

I encountered a homeschool mom who was very frazzled the other day. When I say frazzled, it is really an understatement for what I saw and heard. She has 5 kids and her most recent addition to the family is under 4 months old. I’ve seen her in the same setting before, and have never seen her so close to unraveling and completely losing it. It was so bad, that I actually worried about the children and what would happen to them when they got home. At one point, she stood there and cried and said to the oldest, “Why do you do this to me?” I felt so bad for her and offered to let her sons work with us on the project we were doing. But, she was so angry and didn’t want anyone to help him because she felt like he wasn’t doing his part. It was one of those situations that I just felt like I was supposed to do something, but I was afraid. Later, as the group left the room we were in, it felt like a magnet was pulling me back into the room where she and her kids remained. The familiar voice was saying, “Lyra, go talk to her and ask her if she’d like to get together sometime. Maybe then you’ll have the opportunity to help her with her children.” Instead, I stalled and stalled and finally gave in to Gage calling for me to come with the rest of the group. I’ve been beating myself up ever since. I can completely relate to feeling like I’m going to lose it, and I’m sure all of the moms in that room could relate. The interaction going on between this mom and her kids was not hidden in any way. Every mom in that room knew that she was on the brink of really losing it. I don’t think I have ever seen someone act that way in public with her kids. And, that’s what scared me. I kept thinking to myself, “If she’s talking to her kids like this here, what is she going to do when she gets home with them?” What saddens me so deeply is that no one in that room reached out to her. I think we were all scared. I know I was. I was afraid that if I reached out to her she would interpret my actions in the wrong way. I was afraid she would think that I was trying to say she isn’t cutting it as a mom. In reality, I can relate to how she was feeling and wanted to do something to help her bear this burden. But, my fear got in the way and I passed up the opportunity. Now, all I can do is pray for this mom (who’s name I don’t even know) and her kids. The comfort I have found in all of this is knowing that I didn’t mess up this woman’s life by not helping her. God is so much bigger than that, and He will send someone else her way to help. I just wish I had let Him use me, rather than give in to my fear and walk away. It’s all part of the journey. The times that I listen are so rewarding and yet there are always those instances where I resist His nudge and close my ears. My prayer is that those times of closing my ears will lessen and that I will move forward in listening to His voice. In fact, that is my prayer for all of us, because it is in those moments of obedience that He uses us for each other and shows us how to bear one another’s burdens. Praise the Lord that we are not called to walk this journey on our own!

The slideshow you see over to the right is full of pictures taken by Amanda Hardy.  I’m just so excited that I figured out how to put it there!  I know, it needs some adjusting, but Jared can help me with it later.  We just said “goodbye” to our dear friend, Mandy, today.  She was here for 9 nights and we had such a good time with her.  It is such a blessing to have friends who are like family.  We went to the art museum, the zoo, and Grant’s Farm.  We also had a “girls night”, as well as celebrating the 4th with friends, and going to a cookout/birthday party for our pastor’s son, Joseph, who turned 3.  It was  a busy week and the time flew.  We love you, Mandy!!!!!

 

Gage made this ramp by himself!

We are totally in the country and it seems that the internet here has some issues. So, my frustration with that has prevented me from blogging as much as I would like. But, don’t give up! I’m planning on posting some pics soon. Shea’s hair is short now, so I have to at least post those pictures! And, our good friend Mandy is here, and she has taken some great pictures, because she is in fact the most talented photographer I’ve ever met. So, more to come soon! I promise!