It is this time of year that brings a sparkle to children's eyes. That belief in something beyond the daily life, an escape from reality. For those of us with kids it brings special feelings that make having children worthwhile.
Christmas is about faith and family. The reason we celebrate Christmas is for the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. As we all gather in our houses to celebrate Christmas reflect on the true meaning. Share the real gift of Jesus to those around you and soak up the time you get to spend with family.
You see I have five children and I am going to enjoy every moment spent with them.
I am going to enjoy seeing my older daughter and her husband. It is their first Christmas as a married couple and I am proud that he is serving our country and I am proud of what a strong and smart woman she has become.
My second daughter will be here as well and I really enjoy spending time with her. I am very proud of how hard she is working and that she continues to forge ahead to her dreams. Her sense of humor makes me laugh.
My third daughter is a delight to have around. She still lives with us and it has been great watching her grow up. I love her unique style, her artistic ability and her love of animals. She is growing into a wonderful young lady.
My fourth daughter is never at a loss for words. She has a passion for life and she has poured that passion into her love for swimming. She amazes me with how fast she is in the pool. Her passion will take her places.
Then there is my son, the youngest and my biggest fan. It is humbling to know that someone so little could find such joy in hanging out with his dad. He follows me like my shadow and would probably come to work with me if we let him. I can't wait to see the man he will become.
Children bring such joy and it wouldn't matter to me if I didn't receive anything for Christmas. I have Jesus in my life, a fantastic wife, five glorious children and a wonderful son-in-law. What more does a man need!
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Two Rules to Change
As I sat and watched the Rodgers led Packers dismantle the hapless Vikings last night I was struck by the fact that the NFL has no clue how to write or enforce rules of the game.
A rule is defined as a principle or regulation governing conduct, action, procedure. They have been created to bring some order to an otherwise chaotic world. The NFL in their infinite wisdom has created two rules that bring chaos to the game instead of order.
The first one is the excessive celebration penalty. What exactly is excessive celebration and who determines exactly what excessive celebration is? I have watched game after game of players getting called for excessive celebration for spiking the ball or dancing in the endzone. I've also seen these same things not be called excessive celebration. So what exactly is excessive celebration when it comes to a football game? In the case of the Packer Viking game I would think the infamous Lambeau leap would constitute excessive celebration, afterall the players are actually leaving the playing field and partying with the commoners.
The second rule is intentional grounding. If a QB is in the pocket he cannot throw the ball away unless there is a receiver close by but if that same QB moves outside some imaginary lines of the pocket and throw the ball away it is not called intentional grounding. Who thought of this one! Throwing the ball away is throwing the ball away whether you are in the pocket or not. In the game last night Rodgers clearly threw the ball away with nary a receiver in sight but didn't get called either time because he supposedly was outside of the pocket.
It is time to change these and other NFL rules. My proposal if they insist on having excessive celebration then anything aside from handing the ball to a ref constitutes excessive celebration. Or just do away with this stupid rule. As for intentional grounding. Define it better, if the QB throws the ball away even out of bounds it is intentionally grounding regardless whether they are in the pocket or not.
I would like to hear your thoughts.
A rule is defined as a principle or regulation governing conduct, action, procedure. They have been created to bring some order to an otherwise chaotic world. The NFL in their infinite wisdom has created two rules that bring chaos to the game instead of order.
The first one is the excessive celebration penalty. What exactly is excessive celebration and who determines exactly what excessive celebration is? I have watched game after game of players getting called for excessive celebration for spiking the ball or dancing in the endzone. I've also seen these same things not be called excessive celebration. So what exactly is excessive celebration when it comes to a football game? In the case of the Packer Viking game I would think the infamous Lambeau leap would constitute excessive celebration, afterall the players are actually leaving the playing field and partying with the commoners.
The second rule is intentional grounding. If a QB is in the pocket he cannot throw the ball away unless there is a receiver close by but if that same QB moves outside some imaginary lines of the pocket and throw the ball away it is not called intentional grounding. Who thought of this one! Throwing the ball away is throwing the ball away whether you are in the pocket or not. In the game last night Rodgers clearly threw the ball away with nary a receiver in sight but didn't get called either time because he supposedly was outside of the pocket.
It is time to change these and other NFL rules. My proposal if they insist on having excessive celebration then anything aside from handing the ball to a ref constitutes excessive celebration. Or just do away with this stupid rule. As for intentional grounding. Define it better, if the QB throws the ball away even out of bounds it is intentionally grounding regardless whether they are in the pocket or not.
I would like to hear your thoughts.
Friday, October 21, 2011
Cherish The Cabin
There was a Seinfeld episode that talked about cherishing the cabin. This was George's future in-law's cabin and in Kramer fashion he accidentally burned down the cabin. There is some truth to that phrase, I sit here this weekend at my in-law's place at Grand View Lodge. I am reminded of three things that make coming here enjoyable, family, fun and food, with faith being the bond that binds it all together.
I have never been part of a group that is so closely knit together as this family is. The six younger cousins are all very close and get a long so well. My son who is four absolutely adores his 12 and 14 year old male cousins and they don't mind hanging out with the little guy. Even when my two older daughters are around they are welcomed with open arms. There is rarely any incidences among the cousins.
The fun extends in many areas from taking the kids swimming or to town or finding a number of other things to do depending on the season. The fun of course always includes my brother in-law and I golfing with our mother in-law or trying to always beat our father in-law in cards. The amount of fun is endless and nothing beats hanging out in the north woods and relaxing with the family.
The food is always delicious, from the big breakfasts to the expansive dinners my mother in-law always out does herself, she is truly a treasure. Of course the desserts and the pirate booty ice cream at the Chocolate Ox is unbeatable.
The bond that brings us all together is the faith in Jesus Christ that we all share. Praying together, praising together and playing together binds the family, fun and food together to make this an unforgettable place and experience.
Don't forget to "cherish the cabin".
I have never been part of a group that is so closely knit together as this family is. The six younger cousins are all very close and get a long so well. My son who is four absolutely adores his 12 and 14 year old male cousins and they don't mind hanging out with the little guy. Even when my two older daughters are around they are welcomed with open arms. There is rarely any incidences among the cousins.
The fun extends in many areas from taking the kids swimming or to town or finding a number of other things to do depending on the season. The fun of course always includes my brother in-law and I golfing with our mother in-law or trying to always beat our father in-law in cards. The amount of fun is endless and nothing beats hanging out in the north woods and relaxing with the family.
The food is always delicious, from the big breakfasts to the expansive dinners my mother in-law always out does herself, she is truly a treasure. Of course the desserts and the pirate booty ice cream at the Chocolate Ox is unbeatable.
The bond that brings us all together is the faith in Jesus Christ that we all share. Praying together, praising together and playing together binds the family, fun and food together to make this an unforgettable place and experience.
Don't forget to "cherish the cabin".
Sunday, May 01, 2011
Bin Laden
Bin Laden, the mastermind behind 9/11 has been killed. After almost ten years since the devastating attack of 9/11 a covert operation by American special forces have found and killed Osama Bin Laden. This is great news, good job!
Two questions arise from this monumental incident. Will this drastically change the face of terrorism in the world? I do not believe it will. America and the world should still be alert and on guard. I believe that this incident may even increase the possibility of terrorism. It will be viewed as retaliation for the killing of their leader. Don't let your guard down, stay vigilant America.
The second question: Did Barack Obama just solidify himself a second term as President? I think he did. This may seem callous but President Obama just accomplished what America has been trying to do for almost ten years. This will be a huge feather in his cap. The only way he could mess it up is if he continues to lead our nation down the primrose path of socialism. If he continues to tax all of us to death and spend our tax dollars like a drunken sailor. Wait, maybe he won't get re-elected, after all this seems to be the path he wants to take us down.
Now that Bin Laden is dead lets focus on getting our economy back. Cut spending, and cut taxes that will jump start the private sector, increase jobs and help the economy grow.
Two questions arise from this monumental incident. Will this drastically change the face of terrorism in the world? I do not believe it will. America and the world should still be alert and on guard. I believe that this incident may even increase the possibility of terrorism. It will be viewed as retaliation for the killing of their leader. Don't let your guard down, stay vigilant America.
The second question: Did Barack Obama just solidify himself a second term as President? I think he did. This may seem callous but President Obama just accomplished what America has been trying to do for almost ten years. This will be a huge feather in his cap. The only way he could mess it up is if he continues to lead our nation down the primrose path of socialism. If he continues to tax all of us to death and spend our tax dollars like a drunken sailor. Wait, maybe he won't get re-elected, after all this seems to be the path he wants to take us down.
Now that Bin Laden is dead lets focus on getting our economy back. Cut spending, and cut taxes that will jump start the private sector, increase jobs and help the economy grow.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Cooperstown Conundrum
Recently the new inductees to Cooperstown were announced, Bert Blyleven and Robby Alomar. The interesting thing is that it took Blyleven 14 years to make the hall. His numbers were equal or better than other pitchers that were already in the hall. Why did it take him so long? Why does it take other deserving players so long? Is it because the baseball writers vote? Why do they get to vote and is there criteria that they must follow when they vote?
There is where the conundrum comes in. There is no consistency in who the writers vote for, they have turned it into a popularity contest. Now that Blyleven is a member of the media it has become easier for the writers to vote for him. He should have been in the hall on one of his early ballots.
What can we do to ensure the right players enter the hall at the right time? Not sure there is an easy answer. Writers see them everyday and write about them but there is always the personal side to that equation. Do you base it strictly on stats and have benchmarks that must be met? If this is the case those whose careers were cut short because of injury may not make it even though they are deserving. Maybe a combination of writers, stats and current living hall members and each of these have the same weight as the other.
What are some of your thoughts? I'd like to hear from you.
There is where the conundrum comes in. There is no consistency in who the writers vote for, they have turned it into a popularity contest. Now that Blyleven is a member of the media it has become easier for the writers to vote for him. He should have been in the hall on one of his early ballots.
What can we do to ensure the right players enter the hall at the right time? Not sure there is an easy answer. Writers see them everyday and write about them but there is always the personal side to that equation. Do you base it strictly on stats and have benchmarks that must be met? If this is the case those whose careers were cut short because of injury may not make it even though they are deserving. Maybe a combination of writers, stats and current living hall members and each of these have the same weight as the other.
What are some of your thoughts? I'd like to hear from you.
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