Morgan Family Week in Review - 3-9 July 2011

Sunday was a lazy day. The boys were not feeling well so we kept them home, but I went to Church at noon to teach my Sunday School Class. The lesson this week was George Albert Smith: A Mission of Love. We had a very good lesson with some of the students participating in a role playing exercise showing examples of President Smith's love for his fellow man. Sunday evening we grill some chicken in which I overcooked a tad (I would have probably been better off just throwing the chicken on the patio as hot as it has been!).

On Monday after my run, we gathered up my little duckings and headed to the Round Rock 8 Discount Cinema to see the movie Rio in 3D. I was both amazed and impressed by the quality of the 3D effects: plus no nausea or dizziness. We then went home for the boys to rest while Tara and I worked on our new 1000 piece puzzle together.

This past Tuesday Tara had an appointment out in Taylor so she took Zion and Exodus, on her way back she was going to get the van registered, but the boys were being a bit unruly, so as a de-stresser, when she returned home, she took the boys over to the Waldorfs so that they could swim all afternoon. That evening while preparing dinner, Tara said that she did not feel good, and within a few minutes she went from standing in the kitchen to on the family room floor doubled over. I called Chrissta to see if Madi or Natalie could come and watch the boys while I took Tara to the Avery Ranch Urgent Care. We got to the Urgent Care about 6:15 and we were headed home by 7:20. I have always been impressed by the quality and speed of the service with the staff at Avery Ranch Urgent Care.

Thursday night I taught and that night Miss Natalie came over to spend time with her Auntie. I came home from teaching that night and then Josh came over to pick up Natalie, and I went to bed soon after coming home.

Friday morning I woke up at 4:30 so that I could go for a 5am run. Then on Friday at 11am Tara, Phoenix, Exodus and I left for an 1145 appointment at Speciality Pediatrics. We met with a Urology NP to develop a plan of action for Phoenix. Three hours later we were finally leaving from that appointment.

Saturday morning I went on a 14 mile bike ride at 7 am, and then I came home to clean up the pantry. While we were just hanging out in the kitchen, we noticed that Jensine was on Skype, so we all sang her happy birthday over video conference. Saturday morning at 10am, Tara took Phoenix over to Hayden Turner's 6th Birthday party. I then took Zion and Exodus over to KFC to pick up some chicken. We all had a lazy Saturday afternoon: everybody in the house took naps. Saturday evening the entire family went to Pump It Up in Round Rock to celebrate Zion Hyde's 1st Birthday party.

Running Journal - Non Runner's Marathon Trainer - Week 0

I am back at it again. I have started up my training from last year in order to complete the 26.2 Frankenthon on 22 October 2011. The Training Program suggest that you keep a journal of your thoughts and feelings during the week, so this is my attempt at doing just that. Last year when I got to week 12 of my training program, my work situation changed and I was unable to complete the training and therefore unable run in the race. The race organizer agreed to transfer my race registration to this year.

Week 0 for me was to ensure that I was ready for the start of Week 1 which will begin in the morning with a three mile run. This past week I had runs of 3, 4, 3, and then 5 miles, for a total of 15 miles. The weather here has been unbearable hot and one of the mornings I started later than usual, and I paid for it: the sun was bearing down on my like a slave in Roots! This summer I will have to ensure that I am up well before the cock crows. I am so looking forward to two weeks of training in Oregon this summer where I will be able to run at 9 and 10 in the morning and it will still be in the 70's. As far as training is concerned this week, I plan on doing the same this week starting on Monday running 3, then on Wednesday, running 3, and Thursday running 3 again with a 5 miler on Saturday. I will run starting from the house on Monday and Thursday, and run on the Brushy Creek Trail on Wednesday and Saturday.

I really love this training program because it emphasizes FINISHING the race, not completing it any certain amount of time. Two of the major focuses are on safety (not hurting yourself by over training) and hydration (they want you to drink plenty before, during, and after your runs).

So wish me luck and if any of you want to come out and walk/jog with me during the race, I look forward to your support. I am hoping that I can have enough people come out to run with me (it is an open race trail during the race) that I will have the strenght to finish. I will be reaching out to folks as the race date approaches in the fall.

Much Love and Respect, Byron Lynn

Morgan Family Week in Review - 26 Jun - 02 Jul 2011

Sunday started as a spirit-filled day. When I returned from my morning sabbatical, I had that thought that for some reason we needed to sit in the front at church today. While preparing breakfast for the boys, Phoenix said to me, "Dad can we sit in the front at church today." So at church we sat in the front. Once at church, I noticed when we sat down there were only two young men ready to bless the sacrament, so I volunteered to bless the sacrament with Brother Barry, and Drew Chandler. I took the lead and blessed the bread. It has been a long time since performing the sacrament duties, and it felt really good. During the prayer for blessing the bread, I felt the comfort of the Spirit surround me. At the end of sacrament meeting, Brother Brandon Wagner caught up with me and ask if I was doing anything during the 3rd hour, and I told he that I was not, so he asked if I could come to the Deacon's quorum class. After I gave the Sunday School Lesson #25, George A Smith: Responding to the Good, I stepped inside of the Deacon's classroom. Brother Wagner bore his testimony concerning the upcoming lesson and then he told the class why he had invited me to class: he stated that he really felt the spirit that morning while I was saying the prayer while blessing the bread that he wanted me to bear my testimony of my we come to church each Sunday to renew our covenants with Heavenly Father. I bore my testimony to the class while weeping as I was overcome with emotion for the spirit was strong in my last Sunday. At 4:00 pm that day, I made my way over to the Banks family for a home teaching visit with Paul Cannon.

Tara ran on Monday morning with Chrissta over at the Brushy Creek Recreation Center (BCRC). Mr. HoneyDo came by the house at 0945 to install two new Hyloft systems in the garage to create some additional storage space at the house. Will Smith also came by to start weeding the beds in the backyard so that I can get them preped to put down additional weed stop materail for the remainder of the season. Monday night for Family Home Evening, we took the boys to the Round Rock Express game, and they got to see a double amputee, Dana Bowman parachute, into the stadium. Beacause it was Military Appreciation night they had all kind of give aways and junk for the boys. Before we left the game we got in line to get Dana Bowman's autograph. Afterwards we stoppped by the Salt Lick.

On Tuesday, I got up at 5:30 and ran and then Tara left to run with Chrissta at the BCRC. Later that morning Tara took the boys to the Rugrats in Paris movie and then that afternoon, Tara ended up having to take both Zion and Exodus into Treehouse because they were coughing just like Phoenix was last week. They were both put on anitbiotics and steriods. Then Tara recevied a last minute call that day and was invited to go to the New Kids on the Block concert in San Antonio with Beth Dellis. She had a great time but did not get home until about 2 am on Wedensday.

Wednesday was a day of recovery for both Tara and the boys. I ran four miles at the Brushy Creek Trial (BCT), and spent the remainder of the day working from home.

Thursday afternoon, Tara filled up the blow up pool in the backyard for the boys to have some fun in the water.

I took Friday off, and Tara and I were able to spend some time together. I got up and mowed the lawn after Tara returned from her run. Tara went out after her run and picked figs for the fifth time in as many days. She has been picking about 8 pounds of figs per picking. Later that morning we went to the massage school and each received a massage. We then went and picked up the pictures from Father's Day from JC Penny. Then we had lunch as Mimi's Cafe, and afterwards went to movies in Cedar Park to watch Super 8.

On Saturday morning, I went for a five mile run at BCT, then came home and later that morning we took the boys swimming. Afterwards we came home for some much needed rest. When Zion got up from his nap we loaded up the family and went to Georgetown to visit RV Outlet Mall. Then we had family dinner at Hao Hao's in Round Rock.

Morgan Family Week in Review - 19 - 25 Jun 2011

Father's Day began with being awoke to three very loud boys and a poster board sized Happy Father's Day card. At 0900 we met my mom for breakfast at the 620 Cafe. After breakfast we headed to church where I taught my Sunday School lesson and all the boys went to their 2nd and 3rd hours classes. After church we came home and the Hinzes' came over for a short time and then I fired up the grill for some steak and lobster.

On Tuesday Tara took the boys for a car seat fitting where she scored two new car seats for the boys. Then afterwards Tara met Kelly and Beth for lunch. On Tuesday Lisa Hancock came over to watch the boys. She will be working for us over the next 10 days until she leaves for Utah and then comes back to get sealed in early August. The boys really love having her as she worked for us last summer for about three months.

On Thursday morning I was able to get in a three mile run. Thursday night was the 4th night of school. I am really enjoying my summer class as the students seem especially engaged this summer.

On Friday I ran another three miles. Then that afternoon, I had a massage appointment at TLCS. Then on Friday night Tara and I went to dinner at Logan's and then we went to see X-Men First Class. It was so nice for the two of us to get away that afterwards we just stood in WalMart watching people til it was time to go home.

On Saturday I woke up early and headed to Lowes to purchase to more 48 inch Hyloft racks for the garage. Then I spent the better part of the day moving items in the garage to make room so that the systems could be installed. On Saturday night Tara and I headed out to dinner and a movie again.

Morgan Family Week in Review - 12 -18 June 2011

Sunday started with attendance at Sacrament. I taught my Sunday School Class and the lesson was about Heber G. Grant, Success Through Reliance on the Lord. We made it til the beginning of Priesthood, and boys needed to get home to take a nap (Phoenix was coughing and crying and Zion would not sit still in his class). Sunday evening we invited two families over for dinner: the Ryan and Joanie Harbor and the Perry & Krista Seale along with Perry's brother. Tara made Hawaiian Haystacks which has become a staple for Sunday dinners in our home.

Monday Tara took her friend Bridget to lunch for her birthday.

Tuesday morning Tara took the boys to see The Spongebob Movie at the Dollar Theater in Round Rock. At work on Tuesday we had a potluck in which included main dishes from India. It was all very good and tasty....but very hot and spicy. Here are a few pictures from the Potluck:

I worked in the office at Dell, Monday through Thursday with my partner Julie Diep (she is a remote worker from Houston) and then took Friday as a personal day. Had a lazy morning in which I watched a movie, then Tara, Exodus, and I went to a faculty and staff appreciation luncheon at the Round Rock Campus. Afterwards I was going to spend the afternoon visiting with my friend, Justin, while his wife got a massage, but stubborn as he was he did not leave his office, so I went back home and Tara and I worked on a new puzzle together while the boys were napping.

Saturday morning I had a date with Zion and I took him to breakfast and then we went shopping for fresh fruit at the Round Rock Farmer's Market. Once I got home with Zion, Tara took Phoenix over to Treehouse Pediatrics because he has been coughing for the past week. We had at 1040 appointment at JC Penney for our 2nd Annual Father's day photo session. Later that evening we packed up one more time and took the boys for dessert at The Yogurt Experience.

Morgan Family Week in Review - 5-11 June 2011

The week started with Fast Sunday and two of the three boys being sick (Zion and Exodus). Tara stayed home with them while Phoenix and I went the the last two hours of church so that he could attend Primary and I could teach my Sunday School Class. This was my first class and the lesson was about Heber J. Grant, Man of Determination.

Tuesday Tara took the boys in the morning to the see the Rugrats Movie at the dollar theater. I picked up my mother on my lunch hour and took her to the County Annex to get a duplicate copy of her car registration.

On Wednesday she set up the Slip and Slide in the backyard so that boys could all have some fun playing in the water. On Wednesday night Damon and Tara Demars came over for a visit with Master Ellis Demars. He has grown so much since we saw him when he was just a few weeks old.

It was a good week at Dell. I went in Monday through Thursday and then worked from home on Friday. Thursday morning I picked up my mom and took her to a dentist appointment. Tara and I broke out 4.5 fast with a quick lunch date at Olive Garden. I taught class number two at Texas State on Thursday night and spent the last 20 minutes talking to a student who may be interested in pursuing a graduate degree.

Friday afternoon after work, I stayed home with the boys and Tara picked up Natalie and took he to see Prom and then went for dinner afterwards to Panera Bread.

On Saturday, Kyle Grant picked me up and we drove to Keller, Texas to see Mandy and Brian's new baby boy, Owen. We took off at 9:30 made it to Keller at 12:30. Stopped by a Dickey's and bought lunch for everyone and then we were back on the road at 4:30. When I got home that evening, Tara and I went next door to our neighbors home to celebrate Russ Sage's 60th birthday. Tara and I capped off our evening by doing a bit of shopping at HEB.

Morgan Family Week in Review - 29 May - 04 Jun 2011

We started off the week by going early to church so that I could receive a new calling: Sunday School teacher for the 13 year old class. We met early with Brother Hancock to extend the calling and then after church, Brother Hancock and Brother Mattson set me apart.

Monday was Phoenix Blythe Elijah Morgan's 6th Birthday. In the morning he opened is cards from Grandma and Grandpa Clift and Aunt Lisa. To celebrate he had a few of his friends meet him at Gattiland for pizza and games. He invited Taylor how he had not seen in over six months.

Phoenix had his 6 year old pictures taken on Wednesday. We also found out that Robert, the manager of the picture studio, is moving to Arizona. Robert has been taking our family pictures for the past two years.

On Thursday we met Tara, Ellis, and Damon Demars for lunch at Mighty Fine. Later that evening, Byron started teaching MGT 4375 for the summer semester at Texas State University-San Marcos at the Round Rock Higher Education Center.

Friday morning Tara took the boys and Ms. Sarita to the Brushy Creek water park where she met up with Bridget Barbee and family. Phoenix attended Cade, his classmate's, birthday party at the local swimming pool on Friday evening.

We all woke up on Saturday morning and went to breakfast at IHOP. We then attended our nephew Xander's baptism at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Xander was baptised by his brother, Benson, and later confirmed by his father Josh, myself, and several others. Since our stake performs stake-wide baptisms, we also were able to see our Jackson Steed, a good family friend, baptised by his father Jason.

Morgan Family Week in Review - 22 - 28 May 2011

On Sunday we attended Kamryn Carden's 1st Birthday at Futurity Farms out in Elgin, Texas.
The boys love going out there because they get to see and pet all kind of animals.

On Monday morning I was summoned to Williamson County Court for Jury Duty. I made the first two cuts but then they released me with a vote of thanks and sent me on my way with $6.00. The one thing that I learned that day was that the Great State of Texas has there own Texas State Flag pledge and the attending judge made us all say the Pledge of Allegiance and the Texas Pledge.

Tuesday morning Tara, Kelly, and I went for a three mile walk. Tara and I went to Brackenridge hospital to visit my fraternity brother, Justin Yule who had a UTV accident.

Wednesday morning, I did a quick two mile run. That afternoon I attended the CRP for staff, lunch, and an afternoon session. Tara took to the boys to the dentist. Wednesday night, Jamie Echols and family came over for diner. Tara made Cordon Bleu and fresh green beans from the garden along with garlic mashed potatoes. Jamie brought some yummy brownies.

Thursday I was able to get the yard mowed and cleaned up the back yard and set up the patio set. On Thursday night I attended Alex Oldroyd's Eagle Court of Honor.

Phoenix's last day of school was on Friday. Tara attending his end of year party in the morning and then later in the day, Tara and I both had massages. Friday night we attended a Graduation Party at Brushy Creek Park and the boys were able to play at the water park before coming home.

On Saturday I went for a run/walk at Brushy Creek trail for the first time since early March. I didn't get started until about 9 and it was already very hot and windy. When i finished I delivered graduation cards to several of our family friends and was able to give Daryl Gibson a few fresh green beans from the garden. When I returned home, Tara told me that the garbage disposal was not working so I called InSinkerator and did some troubleshooting and got it working again. Overnight the wind had kicked up and knocked over the patio table and umbrella. Tara and I we out attempting to fix the table when the wind caught it and it just right on the edge of the patio and shattered the entire glass tabletop. So then we spent the next 30 minutes using the Shop Vac cleaning up the mess. It was sort of sad b/c we purchased that patio set while we lived in our first apartment waiting for our house to be built back in 2004. For dinner we rounded up the boys and headed to Red Lobster for family date night and then did some shopping at Sam's and HEB.

Morgan Family Week in Review - 15 - 21 May 2011

Week started with attendance at church. Sacrament went well but Zion did not want to be left in Primary, so I took Tara and the two younger boys home and I went back for Sunday School and Priesthood.

Sunday afternoon the family met up with Hinze's, Steeds, et al, at Pepperrock Park to celebrate Benson's and Natalie's birthdays. The weather was perfect and we had a fun few hours spending time with family and friends outside at the park.

The week was pretty laid back with Tara back on the scene from her New York visit. Tara met Bridgett for lunch at the new Rosa's cafe on 1431. My mom stopped by with fresh baked cookies on Wednesday morning. Wednesday afternoon Tara had to take Exodus to Treeshouse because he was not feeling well. The doctor said it was a virus in his throat. Then on Thursday, Exodus had his 18th month well check.

I went in to work on Wednesday and Thursday with week. I had a demo of USP on Thursday morning at PS3 and then attended a session of the LATAM 1.5 CRP.

Friday morning I took Phoenix to school and stay with him for breakfast. I went back later that day to pick him up along with his classmate Hayden Turner for a play date. Phoenix said his "joints were hurting" so when we all got home I gave him some Tylenol and he settled down and had a great time with his buddy, Hayden. Tara was supposed to have a massage today, but she even mentioned that she was not feeling well.

Friday evening, I had a work dinner at the Walburg Restaurant in Walburg which is about 30 minutes northeast of the house. Scott met at the house and then I drove. We all had a good time and the food was great. We even stayed for a while after dinner to listen to the band which reminded me of my times in Germany during Octoberfest.

On Saturday morning, I got up at 6 with Phoenix. Phoenix had a soccer game in which he almost scored a goal and had a very good assist. That even Tara and I had a date in which we went to see Bridesmaids and then went to dinner at the Seoul Korea House on Anderson.

Garden of Eden - May 2011

Well it is not looking good for the cucumbers and squash. Most of the plants have shrivelled up and there are but a few blooms left. We have been watering every other day, but it has not seemed to help. The green beans look really good and we pulled off a few of them this week, but not enough to to. Tomatoes and peppers look ok, but only one of the tomoate plans actually has tomatoes on it. The figs look pretty good with only watering once a week, but the plum and apple have not really shown any promise.

Pictures to follow either this evening or tomorrow.