welcome back my friends to the show that never ends

We're so glad you could attend. Come inside, come inside...

I thought this past weekend was truly a great one for just about every reason. First and foremost, I got to talk to my wife a couple of times on the phone. The biggest difference between calling from here and calling from the war zone is the time delay. I'm not talking about doing the math to figure out if she's awake. I'm talking about an actual delay on the phone. From here, there isn't one. She could be in the next room from the way she sounds on the phone. That's also good if you're trying to talk to your children, like I did. They're doing so much growing up (especially my little one) and I'm not there to be a part of it. I honestly feel bad for families whose children are teenagers before Dad retires from the military. They must hardly know their father. Fortunately, I can retire in about 5 more years, which means Trey will just be 10 and I'll still be able to guide him into his manhood. I'm reading a book right now on the various stages of manhood according to the Bible, and I've got some good books at home as well.

Of course, I also thought this weekend past was just outstanding for my favorite active sports teams. To start, Troy Smith won the Heisman trophy for the Big 10 champion Ohio State Buckeyes.

Here's a shot of Troy in last year's Fiesta Bowl.

Wait a second... didn't the Buckeyes win the 2002 National Title in the Fiesta Bowl? I think I've already said this, but Ohio State could make an argument to open a satellite campus in Tempe, AZ based on how many times they've been there in the past few years. What is this, five of the last six Januaries have seen the Buckeyes playing in Arizona? How awesome is that?

Also, in the professional ranks this week:
The San Diego (Super)Chargers clinched the title for the AFC West and though the Bengals and the Eagles are still in danger of being eliminated from the post season, both teams still have wild card hopes. This is after Donovan McNabb is lost for the season on the Eagles side and after all the shenanigans of "Ocho-Cinko" Johnson on the Bengals. If the Bengals go to San Diego for a playoff game, let's just say I'll be very bummed because I don't know if I'd be home for that yet, and even if I was, I could never afford the tickets. You better believe I'll be trying to watch that game though, wherever I may be in the world.

Last, but certainly not least, it's finally advent season! For those of you who may not know what that is, it is the four weeks leading to Christmas when the church prepares for the coming of the Messiah. I love this season because I love candle light. I love the idea that we can be cleansed of our impurities by the gift of a little baby who would grow to become the Lamb of God. And this year, I love that I'll be reunited with my family shortly after this holiday is over. I can hardly wait.



My wife is so cool that she sent me cookies literally straight from the oven I think. I opened the tin and these cookies were still soft. She'd made my favorite (peanut butter balls with Hershey kisses pressed into the center) and her favorite (sugardoodles (?)) and enclosed a card that said in this way, if no other, we could be together this holiday season. Isn't that great? I'm just about done with my Christmas shopping. I'd tell you what I bought everyone, but they all read this too and that would ruin the surprise. It's hard to believe that 2006 is almost over. What have I done with the time God's allowed me to have? What am I going to do with the time in 2007 that He has ordained for me? What about you?

Finally, on a house keeping note... I think I'm tired of this nautical theme. I may be in the Department of the Navy, but I am definitely not a sailor. Stand by for some more template changes over the next few days or so.