Super Bowl

Just in case you've been hiding under a rock.....WE ARE GOING TO MIAMI FOR THE SUPER BOWL! I have not really ever been an NFL fan, mostly just stuck with my beloved Georgia Bulldogs. I've tried in vain several times before to explain the Saints vortex to my family and friends. You move here, you get sucked in, and before you know it, you're a crazy fan just like everyone else. A few examples: 1) On Sunday every single person on staff at our church was decked out in Saints paraphernalia, and half the congregation. 2) Out to lunch last Sunday, at least one person at every single table wearing Saints stuff. 3) Every worker at Walmart--saints. 4) I could go on, but why? you just have to be here, it's electric. The night they won the NFC, I went outside b/c people were shooting off fireworks everywhere and upon listening, I could hear people outside running around screaming. My neighbor is from here and was beyond excited. The Saints have never been to the Super Bowl in their 42 year existence , so even if you're not a fan, do us a favor and give us a little WHO DAT? on Sunday night!

Isn't she the cutest little fan you've ever seen?

Christmas and Beyond

Since I have 670 pictures in my december iphoto album,

you can safely consider this a taste of Christmas!

Maddy LOVES Veggie Tales (aka La La) and when she got this coloring book,

she promptly climbed into my lap to read it, too cute.

Santa came and Maddy loved all of her gifts!

The boys + mad at breakfast!

The girls!

Taking part in Jo's photo shoot of me.

I think we played Apples to Apples at every single Christmas gathering we went to! It was so much fun hanging out with the Perry's & Burkhalters! Favorite quote was from Georgia after someone played the Puff Daddy card and everyone was laughing she said:

"well, he is a daddy...." haha.

Maddy trying on Pop's new hat for size!

We went to my aunt & uncle's house a few nights after Christmas and had a blast. Swinging Maddy around, eating some great food from Macaroni Grill and you guessed it: playing Apples to Apples!

Alan got this horse when he was little and we (as in all 4 kids) had a great time playing on it! Mom lent it to the Burkhalter kids for the past several years and just got it back. Maddy loves it, although it scares me to death, she goes fast!

On the 30th, all the boys went quail & pheasant hunting!

Fun Fridays

First of all let me say a HUGE congrats to my brother Jeff and future sister-in-law Courtney! They got engaged this week and hope to be wed before the end of the year! I'm way excited!

Maddy just hanging around with her aunts! Happy Birthday to Christie on Sunday! Wish we could be there to celebrate!

Daddy was gone for lunch today so we had a photo-shoot! Enjoy the many faces of my little girl; starting with the cheeseburger smile....I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say that Uncle Alan taught her that.

I'm not sure what she is doing below, but it cracked me up and then

both of us were laughing hysterically, fun times.

I'll eventually post some pics from Christmas, it's just a little

overwhelming when there are 500 to choose from.....

Babyland General

This is the NEW Babyland General! Isn't it crazy big? It's a doll mansion. As you can see, I don't even have the whole building in the picture....

Mom, Dad & Maddy on the way inside

She thinks we are cruel parents for making her see Santa again....

hopefully she's not traumatized.

Mom just kept picking up all of these babies and handing them to Madison.

Later we found out these were the $200 and up dolls.....

Love my sister!

Keith next to the tree house

Watching Mother Cabbage give birth with an 'easyotomy'

Check out this hair.....kinda reminds me of maddy's

She loved the stuffed dogs too!

But, this is the doll she came home with. Of course we had to get a stroller too!

December part 1

Before we left the Crescent City we got to do a few fun Christmas things. Wish it was more, but an ear infection ruined our last plans :( We went to Miracle on Fulton Street in New Orleans. A street they set aside and decorate and it snows every hour. Our friends James, Ella & Annie joined us, the girls loved it! It was like a winter wonderland without the frigid temps.

Maddy and Ella playing in the snow!

Since we were going to be gone for Christmas, Keith and I gave Mad her Christmas present early. She LOVES to cook and loves playing with her new kitchen! The morning we gave it to her I made pancakes and when I gave her one she took it straight to the microwave on her kitchen and started pushing buttons....too sweet!We left for Mema and Papa's house (Keith's parents) on the 18th and spent a few days with them for Christmas. We had an awesome time playing at home with grandparents and more cousins than she can count! For good measure, I threw in a picture of Maddy in this swing from last Thanksgiving, they grow too fast.....

Mema and Papa got Maddy Elmo Encore for Christmas and she is in L-O-V-E.

She even shares her sippy cup with him!

On Sunday we went to Chrissy & Stephen's church so we could see Luke's Christmas program. It was TOO cute. We snapped a few photos outside before the service started. Mema made this jumper for Maddy. We really are blessed, thanks Mema!

Here's Luke! (he's the one in the back) He was a Shepherd in

The Greatest Christmas Present Ever!

Papa is playing with Maddy.

Her cousin Cassie got the food/pots & pans set for her.

She wanted to cook from then on.

We had a few errands to run, which included a stop in the mall, so we decided to try the Santa line. We only waited about 5 minutes, and when we got up to Santa, Maddy was shaking her head no just as fast as she could. So I held her and we 'talked' to Santa! It was pretty funny!

Lunch at McAllisters!

What can I say? She's a ham. I wish I could capture more of these moments on film!

Our trip to Babyland General coming soon....

Thoughts from Keith

"He made HIM who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." 2 Corinthians 5:21 (NASB)

A question to consider: When reading this verse, what automatically comes to your mind?

For me, this verse says a lot about who God is and the true meaning of Christmas. During this time of year the phrase that is tossed about is 'Jesus is the Reason for the Season.' To some this is just a phrase and to others it really speaks to the true meaning of why we celebrate during the Christmas Season. Jesus did come to this earth to carry out the will of God and for this reason he took on our sin so that we could have a personal relationship with him. Oswald Chambers wrote "sin is a fundamental relationship; it is not wrong doing, it is wrong being, deliberate and emphatic independence of God." Jesus came to this earth to take our sins so we may have that relationship with the Father. We now have direct access to approach the Father anytime we want. With this in mind, consider how many times in the past few days we have spent talking with God and allowing the relationship to grow?

The last few days have truly been a whirlwind, trying to finish a semester of classes, attending Christmas parties, managing a staff, and getting ready for the Holiday Season. For me this season is more then gifts, it is about being with my family. I have been blessed with an amazing wife that supports me one hundred percent. What can I say? My heart stills beats as fast as it did the day that I truly knew she was the one. Our daughter is a joy that brings a smile to my face every day when she says 'daddy!' when I get home from work. This is the best gift that someone could ask for: being with the ones you love the most. However, our fellowship and our love for Christ should surpass the love of our family. This season think about your relationship with the Lord and evaluate it. Is he truly number 1 in your life? Family is next in line. Because the best gift we have ever received or can receive is the free gift of knowing Him and believing in him whole heartily.

This is something to just think about this season as Christmas approaches. There are so many people in this world that truly have nothing, but are happy because they know that they have real meaning in knowing Jesus Christ. To often, we (I am just as guilty) are not satisfied with what God has truly blessed us with. I have a roof over my head, food on the table, and a family that loves me. But most of all, a God that loves me unconditionally! Here are some lyrics to a song that I heard the other day that really sums up why I chose to write some words:

Give this Christmas Away by Matthew West and Amy Grant:

What if I told you

You have the power

To give someone hope

Beyond their wildest dreams

What if I told you

It’s right there in your hands

In your hands

It’s hard to imagine

How something so small

Can make all the difference

Tear down the tallest wall

What if December

Looked different this year

What if we all just

Give this Christmas away

If there’s love in your heart

Don’t let it stay there

Give this Christmas away

And your life will be changed

By the gifts you receive

When you give this Christmas away

Merry Christmas!

One of many highlights of every day

Please excuse my hand, I'm not really sure how I achieved that effect. Sesame Street is a highlight of Maddy's day too, she LOVES Elmo and now she's figured out when the sponsors come up (Earth's Best, Mcdonalds, Beaches, etc.) that the show is about to come on and she gets ridiculously happy! I love it. Enjoy our little girl who is growing up so fast!

Oh, another highlight is when Daddy gets home after work. She looks for his truck out the window and then goes to the door to wait for him, it's so sweet.

30 Years

I can't even begin to describe how blessed I am to have been born to these two! They have been and still are awesome parents and a great example of how a marriage should function biblically. Mom and Dad, thank you for living out your faith day by day and giving your children a wonderful model in marriage. I love you. Happy 30th Anniversary!

I have done something horrific

Unspeakable cruelty in the eyes of my child. I was washing her clothes this morning and of course I grabbed everything I could see. The tears started when Maddy looked around and could not find a blanket. We went to her dresser where they live and she was not interested in any of those blankets. All of the good blankets are now in the dryer. You would think the world has ended. Never again will that happen.

I get this look a lot

We are well into the talking stage, but I still can't understand most of what is being said.... It's frustrating on both ends. Usually Madison rattles something off and gives this look of expectation and when I don't follow through, I get this: