April 1996

1 – I went down to Front Range today to talk to one of the advisors about what I might do now that Naomi will be in school. Most of what I would like to do would take quite a bit of schooling. I’m not sure it’s a good idea to be spending so much money on college for me when the boys will be ready for college in only 2 years.

2 – Naomi went to the orthodontist today and got the rest of her braces put on. No sooner did we get home than one of the brackets popped off so we had to go back again. Dr. Ebert said she had really been pushing to try and get that one on any way. At first Naomi said her teeth didn’t hurt at all but by the afternoon they were really bothering her. She wants soup for dinner.

5 – Michael had a physical therapy appointment today. The therapist came out and talked to me while Michael was having ultrasound. He basically said the same thing the other therapist said – Michael will always have to do exercises to keep the hip loosened up or he will have pain.

6 – Naomi’s basketball team looked much better today and won their first game.

7 – Today was the Cantata. It really went very well. I think this was probably the most moving cantata I have ever been a part of. The people who designed the set did an excellent job and all the drama people remembered their lines. I think the congregation really got caught up in it. Afterwards we all sang the Hallelujah Chorus. It was really a wonderful morning.

13 – Naomi had another winning day at basketball. Her team is now 2-2.

14 – Today 26 churches gave up their regular Sunday services and all met together in Moby Arena for worship. They expected about 5000 people but ended up with over 7500. It was really exciting to see that many people come together.

15 – Today was the chili supper for Boy Scouts. Stephen was not happy with Michael or Peter because they just would not go out and sell tickets. The supper went all right but they didn’t have as many customers as they had hoped for.

16 – The boys had a JV meet today at Thompson Valey. We weren’t able to stay for all of it because Stephen had a meeting. We got to see Michael do the shot and the 800 and Peter do the mile. Michael was not happy with his performance in the shot nor Peter with his in the mile but they were both happy with the other races.

I went to the doctor for my yearly physical today and as usual I am galling apart. The latest thing is that I apparently have asthma!

17 – Stephen went to the doctor today and his blood pressure was 140 something over 99! The doctor told him it was time to quit fooling around and start taking medication. One of the side effects of the medicine is that it is slightly diuretic. As if Stephen doesn’t spend enough time in the bathroom as it is!

19 – Today was competition for the area’s choirs and bands. We went this afternoon to hear Peter’s men’s choir sing did very well and got all ones (the highest score) from the judges.

Earlier in the day I helped Naomi finish cleaning her room. She was not at all happy about that. It was amazing all the things we found!

20 – Naomi was one of only 6 players for her basketball team today. Nevertheless our team beat a previously undefeated team. Naomi got a rebound, forced a jump ball and was fouled against for a turnover.

Afterwards we went to the church yard sale and got a desk for Peter and a bicycle for Naomi.

We spend the rest of the afternoon doing yardwork – Stephen watering & mowing and I cleaned out the vegetable beds and got the broccoli planted.

21 – This afternoon Naomi & I rode bikes over to the Treasure Publishing open house. My legs were like rubber when I got back. I’m really out of shape.

Stephen & Peter went out to get legs for his new desk and get it all set up. Both Stephen & I (at separate times) told him we figure his GPA would go way up now.

This morning was youth Sunday and Peter led the prayer for the offering. Everyone keeps telling me what a good job he did.

23 – I took Naomi down to Denver today for the State Board of Education hearing of the charter school approval. The board turned the charter school down. Naomi was so upset she was in tears.

27 – Stephen & the boys went camping with Scouts. Hike 8 miles. It started to snow and the troop decided to leave early. Our car would not start.
28 – Stephen and Norm Brown went back to Scout camp, but couldn’t get the car started and had to get it towed.

Saturday, April 20, 1996

We won the game! 21-10! The other team had all their players yet we (with only 6 players) won the game. Coach Simecka says I did very good today. I am so happy. I also brought drinks today. After the game we went to the yard sale at FBC. We bought a bike for me, a desk for Peter and a Radio for Dad, plus food. Really a fun day. Last night our troop went on a night hike at ELS. Very fun. got a shirt there - it was free.

Love,
Naomi

Wednesday, April 17, 1996

Only 6 player this Saturday!
Today at girl Scouts we decided on a song and game to teach the Brownies. We choose the Human Knot and a song I've never even heard of before. We also decided on what to do at the mother/daughter tea on May 11th. I was part of the menu committee. Also, even after that and going to the YMCA at Estes Park we still have $675.00 to blow. We have decided to get manicures and pitchures and give them to our moms. Still, that only takes $64, so we still have over $600. We have no idea what we want to do with it. Some of may be spent on Bridging costs. The Bridging ceremony may be at CSU! (the same place we will hold the mother/daughter tea) It is outside but if we like it we'll use it. One place we definitely won't hold it is at the Tavelli Gym. Ugh!

Love,
Naomi

Sunday, April 14, 1996

Dear Diary,
Today was the City in Harvest Sunday. 26 churches (I think that the right number, either that or 29) participated. Pastor Larry speaked as did Dary Northorp of First Assembly of God and Rick Olmstead of Vineyard (I think). At night church we talked about what had happened to us the past few weeks. Everybody was razzing Jack Hill because he fell down in the cantata.

Love,
Naomi

Saturday, April 13, 1996

Dear Diary,
We won! By one point. The 1st half we were way ahead of them. Then in the 2nd half they came back and were winning. But Kari sunk a 3-pointer and that clinched the game for us. It was an exciting game for sure Dad showed me a few things that I think will help with my next basketball game. Only 2 more left.

Love,
Naomi
Don't you just love my signature

Friday, April 12, 1996

Dear Diary,
Today I didn't do much. Just school and I started on a new puzzle. Tomorrow is a basketball game at 11:00! I don't know who it is against. I hope we win like we did last time. It was something like 17 to 31 our favor! I also have a night hike with me GS troop. Tell you all tomorrow.

Love,
Naomi

March 1996

1 - Naomi, Stephen & I drove up to Estes park & Rocky Mtn. Natl. Park with his folks today. We stopped at Estes Park to eat. While we were there we went into a chocolate shop and got some candy. Then we drove up to Bear Lake but we didn’t even get out because the snow was so high & it was snowing so hard. When we came home we had to rush Naomi over to Moby Arena. The Girl Scouts were watching the women’s basketball team play. It was very exciting for her because the CSU team won & became the WAC co-champions.

2 – Mom & Dad Barr came up for the play. Dad worked on getting Michael’s closet in. At 2:00 we went to watch Naomi’s Jazzercise performance. It only lasted about 5 minutes. This evening we all went to see Peter in Guys & Dolls. He did a very good job. He went to a cast party afterward and doesn’t expect to get home until the wee hours.

3 – Stephen’s folks went to church with us this morning. Afterwards we were all so tired that everyone took naps. Then later in the afternoon we celebrated Naomi’s and my birthday. Mom & Dad had purchased a strawberry shortcake that we had instead of a regular cake. We said goodbye to them tonight since they are leaving first thing in the morning.

8 – Stephen went to the doctor today. His blood pressure is down, but not enough to please the doctor. He wants to put Stephen on medication but Stephen would really rather try the exercise & deep breathing route. He must get it down or he can’t go to Philmont.

9 – I am teaching Spanish to the group that will be going to Nogales this summer. Today was the first day and I wish I had it to do over again. All we did was learn the alphabet, choose names & sing a song but I feel like I could have done a better job.

10 – Stephen & the children played basketball today. Naomi & Stephen beat the boys for 1 game and the boys won 2 games. Then they played Pig and Naomi won. She was really excited by that.

11 – I took Naomi down to Mom’s & Dad’s today. She is going to spend the week with them. Michael is disappointed that he can’t spend the week, too. While I was there Cindy & the kids came over. The kids are so cute but I’m sure glad mine aren’t so little any more!

12 – I took Michael out this morning to get new running shoes. The cost of those things is outrageous!

This afternoon Stephen & the boys went hiking up Arnold’s rock. Stephen carried a pack to help him get ready for Philmont.

13 – We went out and bought a new bike for Michael. Actually, it is a used bike we got from a cons pawn shop. It needs a little bit of work but Stephen thinks he can fix it.

This afternoon Stephen took Peter out on the freeway in the Dynasty and Michael out in the Colt.

14 – Stephen took the boys up to Cameron pass to go snowshoeing. They were out about an hour and had a great time. Peter told Stephen that it has been a good spring break.

15 – We went to Longmont this afternoon for a track meet. It was well run and the different events were even being run a little ahead of schedule. We barely got there in time to see the boys’ first event. Peter scored a point for his team. Afterward we drove down to Mom & Dad’s. today is Naomi’s birthday but we won’t celebrate until tomorrow we we’ll have a big family party. I did manage to get her birthday spanking in though!

16 – We had a combined party today for Naomi & me. Most of it was aimed at me. There was a black table cloth and everyone wore black armbands. Mom made a tombstone cake. Of course, everyone had nasty “old” gifts for me. Naomi got a dress from Mom & Dad that is quite a bit above the knees. It’s really cute but I wish it were longer.

17 – Stephen (and the kids and the life group) planned a surprise birthday party after the evening service today. It started out with the final NOT question being “who in the congregation will be 40 on Wednesday?” Then we all adjourned to the lounge where we had cake, nuts, punch & balloons. Stephen also borrowed pictures of my childhood from my folks and put together an album for people to look at.

19 – Last Saturday Stephen & I went to the mall by Mom & Dad’s to get a present for Naomi. While there I answered a survey a was given a pan of rolls to try by today. However, I left them in Mom’s refrigerator, so today Naomi & I went down to get them. We spent about an hour there & then went over to Cindy’s. Her kids are so cute! Naomi brought UPWORDS down so we played that and Cindy won again (the first time was Saturday after Naomi got it).

20 -what a day! At noon Stephen cam home and took me to Caninos for a very nice Italian lunch. At 3:30 Naomi had Girl Scouts and we just left her there for Basketball practice at 5:00. At 5:00 Stephen dropped me at Poudre and picked up the boys for dinner. I started parent-teacher conferences. Michael started wrestling while Stephen joined me for conferences. At 6:30 we had to get the boys and go pick up Naomi and go over to the mobile home park where the Girl Scouts put on a play and had an awards ceremony.

21 – we went to the parent-teacher conferences again today. From the reports you would almost think the boys had switched with each other. Michael had very good grades and all his teachers were saying things like “he’s really a hot student.” Peter on the other hand is not doing so well and all his teachers are wondering why. Classes he should be acing he has C’s in and in chemistry he has an F!

23 – Today was Naomi’s first basketball game. It’s easy to tell that she has never played before. Still, if she has fun and learns then it will be good for her. I missed the first part (I was teaching Spanish) and Stephen & the boys weren’t sure of the score but I know her team lost.

28 – Naomi had her registration at Boltz today. She started at 8:50 and ended at 1:15. I didn’t know what to do with myself. She took math tests (which she thinks she did well on) and leaned about band and other classes. This evening we took Naomi to see Anything Goes at the dinner theater for a birthday present. It was a cute show and we all enjoyed it. We embarrassed Naomi by having them announce she was celebrating her birthday.