July 1996

1 – When we took the car in this morning they told us they couldn’t work on it until the end of next week! Thank goodness my cousin works there. He said he would push it through for us.

3 – Naomi had her first concert today. Unfortunately it was at 8:00 in the morning so I didn’t get to see it. Stephen and the boys all went though. I hope Naomi recognized it as a sign that her brothers really do lover her since they didn’t have to get up early to go.

4 – We went over to the Hundtoffs for a life group pot luck picnic today. It was very nice and the kids even seemed to enjoy themselves. Afterwards we came home and did fireworks. I think it’s getting to play with fire that the boys enjoy more than anything. In the middle of doing ours the display at City Park started so we stopped to watch that. The kids all went up on the roof and Stephen & I sat in Peter’s room.

June 1996

9 – The church voted unanimously tonight to call Ray Gustafson as Associate Minister of Christian Education. I have never seen a church vote unanimously on anything before.

13 – Naomi has made friends with some of the girls in her clarinet class. One of them invited her and 2 other girls to spend the night tonight. They will eat pizza &watch a movie. Her mother will take all the girls to practice tomorrow.

17 – Stephen & the boys left for Philmont today. They were supposed to leave at 1:00 but did not leave till after 2:00 because Norm was late. The car stalled 3 times by the time they got to Denver. Stephen called Daddy who came and swapped cars with him. They finally caught up with the others at the Kochari Indian reservation.

20 – Naomi is spending the night with Brianna tonight. It sure is quiet. The appraiser came earlier today. He really went over the house carefully, did some measuring and took several pictures. He said he would call if it didn’t appraise for enough and we wouldn’t have to pay so much. I’m not worried about that being a problem.

32 – After I got home from work Naomi & I packed up and drove down to Mom & Dad’s for the weekend. Traffic was absolutely crazy. Everybody was heading down to Denver. This weekend is Promise Keepers, the Home School Convention & a large women’s conference and everyone was on I-25 trying to get there!

26 – When I picked Naomi up after work today I also picked up SaraJean so she could spend the night. We went to the show case of homes. It didn’t compare at all to the Denver show. After a dinner of pizza we all played Life

Naomi & I got postcards from Stephen today. It sounds like they are having a pretty good time. He says he has a white beard.

27 – I got another post card from Stephen today. He slipped and hurt his knee pretty badly. He is not sure if he will be able to continue. Of course the card was written last week and I haven’t heard anything from him so he must not be too seriously hurt. He says his beard is white and soft. HAH.

28 – I got the appraisal to day. I knew it didn’t have to worry about it. It appraised at $135,000 which gives us just a little over 32% equity.

29 – I thought Stephen & the boys were going to be home today. At noon he called to say he was back at base camp and that he would be back sometime after lunch tomorrow. I am very disappointed.

30 – The guys got home today. Stephen’s beard is gray & white. He looks like a vagrant off the street. I am so glad they are home.

May 1996

1 – Stephen brought me flowers today. In the morning one of the boys asked what day it was and I said “May 1^st – oh, it’s May Day.” I was remembering the May baskets I would give as a child. Stephen thought I was giving him a hint. It was the farthest thing from my mind. Anyway, he came home in the middle of the day with a boquet of daisies. Hint or not, it was still nice to get flowers.

2 – Naomi got her hair cut today.

5 – My speakout soap box piece was published today. Naomi is totally embarrassed. That’s because I used her name in it. She didn’t mind the article itself – she just would have preferred to remain anonymous.

6 – After Moppets today there was a luncheon for all the workers.

8 – I started work today.

11 – Today was the Mother-Daughter tea.

13 – Tonight they had an ice cream social at Boltz for all the Core Knowledge kids. Naomi enjoyed herself except for the scavenger hunt. Mike Walz just went alphabetically through the list to assign groups. She got “stuck” with to “idiotic” boys. I didn’t go with her to the social because I spoke at the school board meeting. I gave a speech about Bran flakes & Cocoa Puffs. The school board members did NOT like it. Cindy Lopez was “outraged” that I would call PSD education sugar coated fluff.

18 – Stephen and the boys went on a hike with the Scouts today. When they got home Stephen was absolutely exhausted. I don’t know how he will make it at Philmont. I took Elizabeth Murphy & Naomi down to Red Rocks for a Girl Scout Sing. The car got vapor lock right where 76 joins 70. I had to cross the freeway and call my Dad. Of course, I didn’t know it was vapor lock and wouldn’t have know what to do any way. Then on the way home a semi tried to run me off the road. I ended up on the shoulder. I tried to honk at him but I couldn’t find the horn on that car. I much prefer my Colt!

19 – Peter sang with his school choir at graduation today. He and I left right after church so we would have time to eat and get ready.

21 – I took Michael to the orthodontist today. He was concerned that he would end up having to take finals since he was missing a class during the last week of school. I cleared that all cleared with Randy Yaussi. At the orthodontist it turned out the Michael has not been wearing his retainers. He has lost a lot of his correction. Now he has to wear the retainers all the time. Dr. Ebert adjusted them so the help bring his teeth back in line.

22 – Naomi got her clarinet today. We left for Boomer’s Music as soon as I got home from work. Steve McNeil’s wife worked there and helped us with all the details since I know absolutely nothing about the clarinet. Naomi is disappointed though because they asked her not to even try to put it together until the first day of class.

23 – Today was the last day of school for the boys. Michael only had to go in for a speech and was going to ride the city bus home but since it started to rain he decided to come home when I picked up Peter. I took Peter over to the podiatrist where he was fit for orthotics. I hope they will really help. This evening Peter went out to Beau Jo’s with his friends to celebrate their summer freedom. Afterwards they went to a friend’s house. He was out till 10:00.

24 – We went down to Mom & Dad’s today. Stephen came home at 1:00 and we planned to leave by 3:00 but then we found out that Mom & Dad were going out to dinner. We decided to take a nap instead and then Stephen & the boys tried to get to Greeley & the Scout shop before it closed at 5:00. (They missed by moments!) We didn’t leave here until 7:30. Stephen let Peter drive almost all the way down. I would not have chosen a rainy night to be the first time he drove through Denver but he did all right until he got on the Morrison Rd exit.

25 – Today was Westin’s BD party. He was so excited. Every thing had a western theme down to the cake which was a cowboy boot. It’s a good thing Mom didn’t plan the meal to be outside since it is still raining. After watching Westin’s new movie “The Aristocats” we came home. Only 3 of us came home though. We left Michael and Peter there so they can go with Mom and Dad down to Texas for Doug’s graduation & Eagle ceremony.

28 – Naomi had her first clarinet lesson today. She was thrilled. She learned how to put it together, how to clean it, and how to play 4 notes. All afternoon she kept practicing those 4 notes.

30 – After only 3 days of lessons Naomi is playing “Ode to Joy.” Granted, it is only the first part and it is simplified so there ae no eighth notes. Still, it is very recognizable and she is doing a very good job with it.

May 24th

Today we came down to G&G Barr's in Denver. Tomorrow we celebrate Westin's birthday.
N.E.O.

May 23

Schools out Yah Yah Yah (can't you just hear the sarcastic ring). Who cares if schools is out if it's raining cat's and dogs. Bri went to an after school party. They were playing with water ballons when the downpour hit them. Bri was freezing. She also told me that there is a tornado watch out. I doubt it will live long.

May 21

Nothing much happened today. The Brothers & Dad went to Shane Sanker Eagle Ceremony.

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.