Merry Christmas

My New Adventure

Started working for Dell today in a professional position as a Business Systems Analyst for IT on the Unifed Sales Plaform....thanks to my AKPsi brothers, Scott and Jamie, I have a new place to work with true opportunities for growth.

I did a quick scan of my Outlook Contacts and I have over30 follks that I know who work there (AKPsi, LDS, TSU-SM).

Let's hope and pray that I am successful.

Bittersweet Day

My mother and father inlaw flew back to Oregon after a five week visit.

We loved having them here and being able to enjoy spending time with them. All three boys especially loved having their grandma and grandpa here with them everyday for dinner. They were here to spend both Halloween and Thanksgiving and saw Phoenix perform in his Primary Program at church. Phoenix loved the fact that they were able to come up and visit at the school and Zion and Exodus were showered with love every minute of the day.

It was nice having my father in law fix all the broken things that I just couldn't find the time since returning to work and were were able to get up most of the Christmas decorations before he left. My mother in law was a great help around the house lending a hand where ever needed especially in the morning when I had to leave early for work. Plus she is an expert whipping up a feast with nothing but leftovers and some yeast bread dough.

We had such a great time, we are already planning on having them come down next winter if all goes well.

Dell Offer

Received an offer from Dell this morning for a permant professional position. The job comes with great benefits, opportunities for overseas travel, and training opportunities.....can't wait until I start on the 6th of December. Will have to let my training managers know in Sales what is going on.

Dell Sales - (Magrabbit Temp)

Started training for Dell Sales today. Reached out to my AKPsi brother Scott, who commented that I would get worked like an indentured servant (not his words...smiles). The pay is a bit better and there are opportunities to go from temp to perm....so things are looking up work wise.

The only other thing to report on is that I have been sicker that a dog and they said if we miss more than four hours of training that we will get booted from the training program....so I am going to have to wait until we start working night to get to the VA one morning on standby.

Magrabbit Update

Had to quit working at the manufacturing plant today so that I can apply for $12 an hour sales job at Dell. They have a strict policy of temps not being allowed to occuply two requisitions, so that meant that I had to give up the $10 an hour job to apply for the $12 hour job.....hope I get the job!

Magrabbit Employment (Temp at Dell Manufacturing)

Started working for a temp service that provides manufacturing workers for Dell at Parmer North. In at 5:30 in the morning just to see if you will get to work that day and some days we work 9.5 hours and some days we work 3.....but at least I am making a little bit more that I am making at Home Depot and I am getting a few more hours.

Home Depot

I started working for Home Depot today as a cashier. It has been the only place that I have applied since June where I have recieved a face2face interview. The entire process took almost a month. Frist I applied on line in late July. Then a week later I had a phone interview with corporate out of Atlanta. Then a week later, I had a store interview with the Front End Supervisor. I then had to have an interview with the Ops Manager (who was the head cashier at the Great Hills store that I worked at with Tiffany Tull eight years ago) and the store manager. Then I had to go and take a urinalysis and have a background check which took another week...all for a little over minimum wage......but thank goodness I am working. True unemployement in the US is near 15 percent.

Aunt Lisa's Visit to Texas

Tara's sister Lisa flew from Oregon to visit us for about 10 days. We had a great time and the boys love having Aunt Lisa spoil them.

We were able to get the Hinze and the Morgan clan together for a great photo!

Summer Attendants for Phoenix and Zion

We have been very blessed to have two attendants for Phoenix and Zion this summer. Lisa Hancock worked mainly mornings and Sarita Waldorf worked mainly evenings....they will be sorely missed.

Summer Soccer - 2010

Phoenix played an organized 8-game soccer season for the first time this summer as part the YMCA. On the 9th the August at his second to last game he scored a goal. I had to teach that night and was bummed that I missed his goal. At Phoenix's last game today, he gave daddy a present by scoring one of his team's goals today and he had in attendance his Aunt, Uncle, and Cousin: Chrissta, Josh, and Xander.

16 Miles: 14+2 with Sarah, Shar, and Chris @ Brushy Creek

14 Miles: 12+2 with Sarah and Shar @ Town Lake

Job Search (60 Days)

Have increased then number of resumes that I am sending out, but still no feedback. You would think that having four degrees would give me a leg up.....I guess 45 year old AAs are falling from the trees (Smiles!)

Have even started reaching out to old friends and ex students to see what might be available....starting to get a bit depressed.....the war chest is being fast depleted. Going to have to take anything at this point just to generate some revenue. Going to take my own advice I gave out as the Employment Specialist at my chruch and start with Home Depot and Lowes.

Looking forward to going to Cowboys preseason game with Mandy. Plus Tara's sister Lisa is coming for a short visit which should raise spirits in the house.

13.1 Miles - Brushy Creek Trail with Sarah and Chris

Brushy Creek Trail with Sarah, Stacy, and Chris by mgtprofswt at Garmin Connect - Details

Marachas Project

 
Phoenix had been asking to make homemade marachas for the past week so we finally gathered up all of the necessary items and made them.

This is a Nick Jr. project from there website that I substituted 1/2 PVC instead of wooden dowels which saved me a few bucks and I still have six feet of PVC to use elsewhere.

Both Phoenix and Zion did their own painting.

Visit from An Old Friend

My friend Allison (in the light blue shirt) came for a visit from Eureka, California from the 13-17 of July. We had not seen each other since 2002. We had a great time while she was here. We mostly spent time catching up, but we also went shopping at the outlet mall in San Marcos, went tubing on the San Marcos and got to eat at my old haunt, Herbert's. Allison also went to see Splice with me (Tara does not like scarry movies). On Alli's last night a mutual friend of ours, Lesley (in black) came over for dinner with her fiancee, Joe.

Twin Lakes Trail Long Run (Week 4) July 9, 2010

July 2, 2010

We made our annual pilgrimage to Lake Travis to Casa de Yule for the Annual Carlos and Charlie's firework display, but due to rain it was cancelled. We did enjoy some great fajita's and spending time with the Jamee and Justin, Scott and Kasey, Reggie and Michele, and Lara.

Job Search (30 Days)

Started looking for work in earnest at the beginning of June.....still no bites. Am turning in three to four resumes a day, but still optimistic. Never been out of work for more than a few weeks in my life, but I guess I can't same that I am unemployed due to have job at Texas State. Keeping my fingers crossed. At least running four days a week is keeping my spirits up.

Brushy Creek Trail Long Run (Week 3) July 1, 2010

Brushy Creek Trail Long Run (Week 2) June 27, 2010

*Note: This was only a 6.6 mile run....I forgot to turn off my GPS as I drove away from the trail.

Father's Day 2010

These pictures speak for themselves......could I be any more proud!

Phoenix's First Soccer Game - June 19, 2010

Phoenix played his first official soccer game. His team, the Goldstrickers is part of the youth program at the YMCA. Phoenix is #8.

Brushy Creek Trail Long Run (Week 1) June 19, 2010

Jeni & Kevin's Visit to Texas - May 2010

Jensine and Kevin flew in from Seattle on Tara's Birthday (well at 1 am in the morning the next day). We had a great time while they were here.

We all went to see a Round Rock Express game, Fogo de Chao, and even a trip to the Cameron Park Zoo in Waco, and of course one of our new family favorites, The Yogurt Experience.

The Wizard of Oz - June 12, 2010

This was a great follow-up to Wicked which Tara loves. I thought it was great because it was one of the few shows that I had actually knew the storyline prior to seeing the show.

A Chorus Line - 15 May 2010

Tara and I attended A Chours Line at Bass Concert hall and I can say that I was very impressed with the entire show.

Brandi's Visit to Texas - April 2010

Brandi came to visit from California and she was able to spend time with both the Hinze's and us. Pictured below is Aunt Brandi reading to her nephews.

Let the Celebration Begin.....6 Years and Counting

On the 12th of March, Tara and I will celebrate our 6th Anniversary. We decided when we were sealed that instead of purchasing gift for each other that we would purchase a timepiece. So last year we put on lay-a-way the following wall clock. It is called the Norristown by Howard Miller and now graces the entry way to our home.

As part of our anniversary celebration this year we will be having his and her mani-pedi's today at Friendly Nails at Lakeline. This evening we have reservations at the famous The Mansion at Judge's Hill which will be followed by a movie. Then next week on Wednesday we will be attending the The Star of Texas Fair and Rodeo. Our anniversary celebration will culminate with the matinee viewing of The Phantom of the Opera at Bass Concert hall.

Snow is falling all around!!!

We actually got snow today, and really quite a bit of it too. My boys were so excited they could hardly stand themselves(this is the first time they have really seen snow)....We HAD to make a snowman!!

Endowed From On High

In February my friend Christin invited me to Phoenix to go with her through the temple for the first time.....it was wonderful. Below a a few pics from the 24 hour trip that almost didn't happen thanks to the airlines.

Me outside the Mesa Temple....isn't it beautiful!

Christin, with mom and dad, Bonnie and Ron.

Christin, brother Brad, mom and dad.

Group shot inlcuding Christin's bud John.

My New Addiction - Couponing

Tonight after teaching, I stopped by Randall's to pick up some Sobe Life Water Zero becuase Randall's had the water for sale: 10 for $10.

This week on what has become my two favorite blogs/website SavingwithShellie.com and Couponing101.com, they had a link to a coupon for up to $1.50 off the purchase of each Sobe water.

Go figure, 10 for 10 means $1 each, but the coupon was for $1.50, meaning you make 50cents per unit.

Well I made a few copies of the coupon (50) and headed to Randall's--and low and behold I came home with 50 bottles of Sobe Life Water and $25 dollars worth of free groceries. Go here to check if the coupon is still active.

Next up: When I take my new Kia scotter in for an oil change on Friday they are offering a free $25 for test driving a new Sorento.

So that's a quick $100 ($50 Sobe + $25 Groceries + $25 Kia test drive) this week without going out of my way.

Last but not least, the Graveyardmall.com is offering men's and women's name brand sunglasses 10 for 9.99 and 5.99 shipping. You have to pick shipping dates about two or more weeks out, but for such a bargin it is well worth the wait. Hurry fast this will not last for long.

I thought cutting coupons would be a pain, but it is actually fun and very rewarding finding new ways to spend less, save more, and stretch a buck! By the way, Tara and I started the day off by having breakfast at Denny's for free.

Much Love and Resect,

Dr. B.

Happy Baby

This is one sweet baby boy.....man we love him soooo much!!

Handsome little Bug

Thank you Aunt Jen for letting me use this super cute outfit. My Mom says I look real CUTE in it!!

Riding the school Bus

Phoenix started Pre K at the elementary school this week. So far he loves it. He gets to ride the bus to and from school every day and I think that might be his favorite part.

A Name and a Blessing

Exodus Israel Morgan was blessed today in church by his Daddy Byron Lynn Morgan. We were thankful to have Matt Miller, Brian Barbee, Josh Hinze, Jason Steed, Mike Smith, Todd Sierer, and Gary Perente all in the circle to assist with the blessing.

I wish I could have heard Byron a little better, but I am sure it was a beautiful blessing! We are so thankful for family and good friends.