Super Bowl- A Chance For A Championship

Well, it all comes down to the Super Bowl Sunday. I have been in the DDDC challenge for the past 10 weeks and am looking to finish the deal on Sunday. I have trailed Dan Weiss most of the year, but overtook him the past few weeks. He ended up tying me up during the week of the Division Championships. Whoever wins this week will win the Championship in it's inaugural year. Let me say this, I let Dan back in the hunt after picking the Eagles over the Cardinals. It comes down to this:

Steelers win, I win the title. Cardinals win, Dan wins. Heading into this Sunday, I like my chances big time. Here are a few reasons why:

• The Steelers have the best defense in the NFL


• The Cardinals are way to streaky


• Big Ben


• The Steelers have been there before


• The Cardinals won't put up 30 this week

I really do like Kurt Warner, but I just don't think they have enough to beat the Steelers. Come Monday morning it will no longer be called the DDDC. It will be called the CDDD.

GO STEELERS

Our Dog Maddie

My wife has a Golden Retriever named Maddie. Well, let's just say I am getting used to Maddie, and she is getting used to me. Maddie is a fun loving dog. She loves to play with her tennis balls and ropes. We have a good time with those things. Maddie has adjusted to me pretty good, except she snores some at night and likes to hangout outside my bathroom in the morning waiting on me to get out. She is a great dog, MOST of the time!

When we were on our Honeymoon, Maddie stayed with Jill's aunt and uncle. We found out that Jill's aunt had her Subway sandwich eaten by the Madster when she walked away for a brief moment. Well, I told my wife that I hope that never happened to me! Well, we were just talking about that story recently. My wife fixed these awesome turkey and cheese sandwiches and I was getting ready to have my second one. Well, I was sitting on the couch and I went to grab the remote, and guess what? You got it!!!!! Maddie stole and ate my sandwich in like 2 seconds.... let's just say I WAS NOT HAPPY!!!! I have learned a valuable lesson, NEVER leave any food close to the dog even when you are right there. I need to guard my food at all times. Overall, I am enjoying my new dog and I think she is enjoying her new Dad.

Merry Late Christmas Dan

Heading into yesterday's conference championships, I owned a 1 game lead over Dan. We went back and forth a bit last week to who we would pick. I could have wrapped it up yesterday by picking the same two teams he did, but I picked the Eagles and he picked the Cardinals. As you know, the Cardinals won and now we are tied heading into the Super Bowl.

I am sure Dan is feeling good today, while I am not. I see he pretty much has given me the Steelers in the Super Bowl. I like that a lot, I don't see how they lose to the Cardinals in this one!

NFL Predictions- Week 10 Conference Finals

Well, it has come down to the Final 4 in the NFL. I have a one game lead over Dan heading into the Sunday games. These two games are going to be up for grabs. I have had a hard time deciding who I'm picking this week.

AFC Championship:
Ravens at Steelers- I really had a tough time with this one. Both teams are great defensively, they play hard and it will be a smash mouth four quarters of football. Both these teams hate each other. I had to go with the experience at the QB position in this one. Joe Flacco has been good, but he is no Big Ben. I like the Steelers to march on.

NFC Championship:
Eagles at Cardinals- This was another tough game to pick. I like the Kurt Warner story and what he has provided for his team. Nobody picked them to win a game in the playoffs and now they are hosting the Championship game. I like their chances at home, but I figured I would go against Dan and hope to wrap up my title this week. Donovan McNabb was benched earlier in the year, the Philly media had him and Andy Reid on their way out of town, and now they are playing the best football in the NFL. McNabb deserves a title this year and could get one.

Super Bowl: Steelers vs Eagles

First Trip To Notre Dame

This past Saturday Jill and I headed to South Bend to watch the Irish take on Seton Hall in men's basketball. This was a big trip because it was the first time my wife had ever been on the Notre Dame campus. We headed out in the bad weather and made it there about five minutes before tip-off. To be honest, I was a little nervous because I didn't know if Jill would like it or not. Let's just say as the game got interesting, Jill was with me clapping, yelling, and being a big part of the ND faithful! By the way, my parents got her a ND jacket for Christmas so now she is an official Irish fan!

The Irish pulled it out by nine and we left happy. My friends gave me tickets the day before (great seats, like 9 rows off the floor). After the game we headed to University Park Mall for a little while before heading to supper at Carabba's. I had never been to Carabba's before. We both enjoyed a good meal and we will visit there again. After supper we had to get some ice cream at Coldstone. It was a great time and I hope my wife will go back with me :)

A Blast In Allegan

Jill and I headed to Allegan, Michigan for our Honeymoon time. We had a great trip. We were gone about seven days. After all the preparations and running around the past several months, it was so nice to just get away and relax. I honestly don't remember our last free weekend in months.

We stayed at a place in Allegan, Michigan called Castle in the Country. It was an awesome Bed and Breakfast place. Our room was totally awesome! We had a great view, fireplace, jacuzzi, and much more. Every morning we were welcomed with an awesome breakfast made by the owner Herb. We had stuffed french toast, freshly baked scones, fresh fruit, bacon, eggs, puffed pancakes, fresh orange juice, and much more. It was honestly the best breakfast foods I have ever had! Jill always was ready to get up for breakfast!

While we were away, we headed back to South Haven where we got engaged. It was so awesome. We walked down to the beach, sat at the same rock I proposed to Jill, ate at our favorite restaurant, Clementine's, went to a movie at the old theatre, walked the shops, it brought back awesome memories of this past summer for both of us.

We also had the chance to go to Holland and Sagatuck. We really like Sagatuck a lot also. We headed there on New Year's Eve for the night. We had a great dinner at the Butler, went to Corel Gables to do some dancing, and watched the fireworks on the lake. What was cool is that we saw fireworks there this past 4th of July as well.

This was just a great seven days that Jill and I could just relax, spend quality time together, have a ton of fun, laugh a ton, and just enjoy our company with one another. God has truly blessed me with an incredible wife! I am a very lucky guy!

NFL Playoff Predictions- Week 2

With only 7 games left, I have a two game lead on Dan. I like my chances heading down the stretch. This week offers a few challenges, but again, I have some room to work with.

Ravens at Titans- I like the way the Ravens have been playing, but I think they will be tired from a short week. The Titans have played pretty well all year. Having a bye will help them survive.
Chargers at Steelers- I like the way the Chargers have bounced back. I'm a little nervous if Big Ben doesn't play. However, the Steelers are a tough out at home.
Cardinals at Panthers- With no Boldin for the Cardinals, this will be the biggest blowout of the weekend. The Panthers may be my pick to get to the Super Bowl in the NFC.
Eagles at Giants- The Eagles are playing the best right now out of the two and I don't think the Giants have what it takes to win another title. The only reason I am picking the Giants here is because they are playing at home.

New Year's Resolutions 2009

It is that time of the year again to talk about new resolutions in my life. In the past, I have done a pretty good job of sticking to my guns. After thinking about this year's goals, I think I can do these main three things. Here they are:
1. No Pop- I don't drink much pop anyway, but this still is challenging. I went 2 1/2 years without pop and know that it isn't good for me.
2. No Fries- Now this goal is going to be really hard for me. I really do like fries a lot! I order these a lot when I go out to eat. My wife has gone 9 years without them, I don't see how she does it! This will be a tough one.
3. Work Out 5 Days a Week- I really do like to lift and workout. I am in pretty good shape, but would love to be in the best shape of my life this year. I have started the year off right so far and am looking forward to seeing what working out and eating healthier will do for me. It helps that my wife also likes to eat healthy also!

The Best Christmas Present Ever

This Christmas will be one I will never forget. On December 27, I married the most wonderful woman in the world! I married Jill Bause, now of course Helfrich, at my church in Nappanee. It was an amazing day! Pastor Justin Lamason did a great job with the ceremony and my buddy Chris Atkins sang for us at the wedding.

It all started last February when Jill and I met and I basically knew after the first few dates that God had brought me the woman of my dreams! She is the best thing that has ever happened to me! She is a ton of fun to be around, she laughs a ton (at me mostly), she is HOT, and most importantly, she loves Jesus with all her heart! I am so very thankful that God brought someone so amazing in my life that I can spend the rest of my life with. God is so good!

My buddies Marty, Dan, Denny and Chris, along with my brother Kevin were in my wedding party. It was great to be able to hangout with them and have them be a big part of this special day in our lives. It was also wonderful to have our family and friends share in this special day. Jill and I want to express our thanks to each of you that made this day so special.

Our Christmas went really fast as we had lots to do before the big day. We then headed to Allegan, Michigan for our honeymoon which was awesome. I will be posting more on that soon.