April 2023

 April has been a good one!  Lots of activities, two birthdays, two trips, and the celebration of Easter.

We wrapped up volleyball season!  The season was different, but still had some fun and got some more reps in.

Reeve, Mike, and I joined the celebration of Jody's life.  This just doesn't seem fair and is so heartbreaking to know the Norgaard family is without their dad.  Big prayers for them all as they mourn the loss of Jody.  

Soccer season for Joden was fun!  He learned some lessons getting bumped from A to B team.  It was fun though to watch this because he got to play a different position.  Not sure if he will ever play again, but it sure has been fun to watch!

Typically we visit my sister in March when we go to a gymnastics meet.  This year not having gymnastics, we had to plan a different time to go.  Easter weekend was it because we had four days off and did not have any plans.  We had a great time spending quality time together with our kids.

My birthday was on Easter this year.  This was my birthday meal:). It was yummy!

When we got back we went and met the newest dinner group member, Tatum.  She is so sweet!

Did a quick birthday celebration with Mike at the property since we did not get to see each other on my birthday.

Got to take some juniors to tour Wayne State College.  We had a great time and the weather was beautiful!

Baseball season has begun!  These three Barr kiddos have enjoyed being teammates.

Last show choir performance--possibly ever.  Not planning to be in this in high school, but I guess you never know.  

Last dance competition!  The boys watched from afar.  Sad it is over, but we sure enjoyed every minute of it!

Finally took the plunge and went to my first ever Juice Plus conference.  It was wonderful and I sure enjoyed my time with these amazing women!

Second birthday of the month was miss Reeve.  She got to spend time with family and friends!

Last dance recital.  Bittersweet for sure.  This was her fan club!

April ended with dad getting to take both kids turkey hunting.  They walked away with one turkey and some quality time together!

March 2023

 March is an exciting month each year because of Joden's birthday and spring break!  This year did not disappoint.

What a difference braces make!  Love his results and he only had to wear them for one year and five months!

I was really wanting to go to state basketball with Reeve this year and when I found out my hometown, Sidney, made it, we had to go.  Luckily it was at night.  It was such a fun game and they pulled out the win!

Overnight in Omaha with some dear friends!  Halpines were supposed to join us, but had a sitter have to back out due to being sick.  We missed them lots, but did have a good time.

Spring break week!  Mike and I squeezed in a movie date.  We saw Jesus Revolution.  It was a great movie and I am glad we had time to go together!

Meanwhile, Joden got to go to DC with some other 8th graders from his middle school.  They had a blast and I am grateful he had this opportunity to go.  

Joden's birthday always falls over our spring break.  He turned 14.  He celebrated with a movie, dinner at Valentinos, gaming with his buddies, and a sleepover.  They had a blast!

The second weekend of spring break we had to go to Omaha for show choir and dance.  Reeve and I got to hang out that Friday for a bit while Joden traveled there with his show choir group.

Annual dance pictures!  This is her hip hop outfit.

Happy birthday to my mom!  We enjoyed dinner at the Saddle Club.

Horse races with my book club group for Katie's 40th birthday!

This dude is never a dull moment.  This was a snapshot of him being obnoxious at Reeve's volleyball tournament in Minden.

They got first place!

Reeve got glasses for school and here is a snapshot of her notes to herself in her room::)

My students taught some lessons to another pathway at school.  They did awesome and I was so proud of them!

One more over night in Lincoln for a show at the Lied.  We saw The Book of Mormon.  It was definitely rated R and was very comical!  We had a good time with friends.

Random snow dump at the end of March :)

These two finally got to see each other.  These two spend a lot of time together in the summer because Avery comes here to visit her dad.  During the year she comes every other weekend, but it had been a long time since they were able to connect.  Love their friendship and I hope they can be lifelong friends!

My father in law gave me some money for my birthday/Christmas gift.  So, I went and got a hydro facial.  It was glorious!

Mike has been getting up to work out with me in the mornings!  

Cheeseburger pizza on sourdough turned out great!

Several of my students were in the musical at GISH.  Mike and I went to the show for a date and we loved it!  It has such a great story line and the kids did an awesome job:)

February 2023

 Lots of fun in February!  Best of all was Joden's confirmation.  So grateful that confirmation is that continuation of growing your relationship with God.  We love the path Joden Is on and we sure hope he continues to walk with God, becoming closer to Him everyday!

Due to dance in Omaha on a Sunday, we decided to go hang with some family the Saturday prior.  We enjoyed some sushi and hit up a few places for some cocktails.    

First dance competition of the year was fun and the girls did great!  Love how Reeve's friendship with Eleanor has grown through dance:)

Teambuilder fun and on the right is my student Perla who is doing her practicum in a high school art class.  I really do love my job:)

All my friends are turning 40!  I am grateful I was able to help this gem celebrate.  Grateful that I have gotten to know Nicole and her family.

Joden applied for National Honor Society and was accepted.  We are super proud of his hard work and are hopeful he continues on this path in high school!

Super Bowl party at our house with family and friends!  We had a great time:)

Decided to try a color I normally would not, but one that is in my season.  I have actually really loved it!

The kids' Christmas present was a memory.  We skied at Snowy Range, stayed one night in Greeley with the Anderson's, and then had a cabin for several nights in Estes Park.  We had such a great time and enjoyed getting to spend a few days with the Anderson's.  

Show choir again this year for Joden.  It was really fun to watch them.  Choreography was pretty good, but in the gym it was hard to hear what they were saying.  Super glad Joden does what he wants and doesn't worry a whole lot who might be there.  

Joden also was a manager for the first ever girls wrestling team.  He really enjoyed it!

Reeve missed the first volleyball tournament due to dance.  This was their second tournament and they got first in the silver bracket.  Looking forward to seeing them hopefully get more aggressive as they go!

A part of confirmation was that all of the kids had to read a faith statement that addressed if you were asked who Jesus is, what would you say.  All of the kids did great and I love how brave they all were to speak in front of a large group!

Joden has had lots of bloody noses, so we tried some acupuncture with light therapy.  Hopeful that this helps out!  We sure do love Dr. G in Grand Island:)