Happy New Year!

Anybody who thinks much cannot change in a year, I will tastefully disagree. One year ago we knew two things, we were going to have a baby sometime, and we were moving to Cincy soon after.

Most of you know the story for 2006, but if you missed anything it is all pretty much logged here in the archives. It has been an amazing journey and we are extremely excited about what God has planned for us in 2007 and beyond. Honestly, at the end of the day I just want to enjoy my family and touch as many people's lives as I possibly can through Jesus Christ.

One of the biggest things I learned this year is that I do not, nor will I ever "own" anything here on Earth, I simply want to be the best manager of what God gives me.

I absolutely love Bonnie and Reese more than anything in the world, what a phenomenal year 2006 was. It will be hard to top on shear number of milestones, but I have learned that through God anything is possible. (I think there may be a verse a little similar to that in Luke somewhere).

One song meant a lot to us towards the beginning of 2006 and has become kind of a reminder of where to keep our focus moving forward...

"Walk by Faith" by Jeremy Camp, you can listen to it by clicking below...

Tube Socks and a Cigar...

Ladies and gentlemen, the great Reese Karnak! She predicts presents before opening them...

Just a great shot of our wonderful Christmas, we had such a great time with Reese, and I am sure it will only get better as the years go by. As far as I am concerned, you know you are getting old when you get a mower for Christmas and are extremely excited about it. My first mower, what a milestone...

Our Gift

We got the best gift of all this Christmas, and it came early! New for 2007, a basket full of Reese!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

My Favorite Christmas Song...

"Last Christmas, I gave you my heart"...

I can joke about alot of things, but on this one I am dead serious. I know making this fact public puts a SEVERE ding in my street cred, but I have got to give George Michael his props. I mean, The Cheetah Girls just re-made the song, is there any other greater form of flattery?

Enjoy...

Congrats to one of the good guys...

Grobe earns coach of the year honors

Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) - Jim Grobe held Wake Forest together after a couple of potentially devastating injuries, refused to let his players feel sorry for themselves and turned the perennially downtrodden Demon Deacons into champions.

For orchestrating one of the most surprising turnarounds in college football - and the best season in Wake Forest's 105-year football history - Grobe was honored as The Associated Press Coach of the Year on Wednesday.

I can't put into words how satisfying it's been," Grobe said in a recent phone interview. "It's just now that we're starting to appreciate what we've done and to enjoy it a little bit."

In his sixth season at Wake Forest, Grobe took the Demon Deacons (11-2) from worst to first in the Atlantic Coast Conference without their starting quarterback and top tailback. Wake Forest set a school record for victories and won the ACC for the first time in 36 years.

"This is one football team that appreciates the opportunity to go to a bowl game and especially appreciates the opportunity to play in the Orange Bowl," Grobe said.

Italian and Hoop

What a great night, Bon and I had the chance to get some nice Italian at a restaurant called Johnny Carino's with six other couples from our church. We are all in a similar place in life so it is definitely a blessing to have that available to us and build those friendships.

Tuesday also happens to be the night of church basketball now, so Mr. Hartsock and I ran over after dinner to get our hoop on. What little skill I ever had has now clearly vanished and I should now look into "Over 30 leagues". I was taken to school all night by Joel, including the game winning shot at the end, he dribbled between my legs, crossed-over, and took it to the rack. Amazing! I then proceeded to pick up my shorts and head home...

I have aged...

Just for kicks I google my own name sometimes, apparently I am a wicked sweet businessman in England. See my altar-ego's photo at left, (Jeremy Furniss, part two).

So my plan is to fly to London in a few years, flash the ID around and use my name to help me gain world domination.... (Boo Ha-Ha)

Sweet Sorrow

Congrats to The Godfather who has knocked the ThunderCats out in the semi's for the second year in a row. He owns the Sharks, thus the photo to your left. He had the better week, and I wish him the best in the championship, hopefully Jum gets a shot at redemption.

The Bears secured home-field advantage throughout the playoffs yesterday and Reese started clapping when Rashied Davis made a big-time catch in OT. (She is learning already who the good guys are)

Should be pretty slow this week in the office, leading up to a weekend of family beginning Friday night. We took some more pics of Reese this weekend, so will try and get those up ASAP.

Peace out...

Gas Fun

Our service project was awesome, I really enjoyed it. We hooked up almost 200 cars with some free gas, and it was great to see the reactions that folks had when you ask them, "Can I pump some free gas for you?" I thoroughly enjoyed it and am looking forward to doing other things moving forward.

We had Reese's dedication this morning, kind of bad timing on her part, she woke up wicked early this morning and was falling asleep in the car on the way to church. So unfortunately she was pretty tired throughout the service and a little irritable. She was out in two seconds on the way home, but overall it was another great experience. (We are full of them lately)

Big day in sports today, ThunderCats in the semi's...

GO BEARS!!!

Strike a pose...

More proof that these are strange times...

I have been asked to model, not really, here is the scoop. At our church, like most, there are Sunday bulletins. With each teaching series our pastor does there is a new theme. With each new theme comes a new cover shot for the bulletin.

Ladies and gentlemen, I have been asked to appear on said cover. If you visit our church for about 5 seconds you realize they do everything with a twist of sarcastic humor. Why else would they ask me to do this, huh? Well the new theme is related to having a gameplan, so a few of us are lacing up the tennys and hitting the hardwood for some photos. Should be hillarious!

Also, we have a little service project on Saturday, let's just say there is a gas station in town where an unknown consumer will pull up, get some hot chocolate, their windows washed, by me possibly, and pumped a tank full of gas, FOR FREE!!! All courtesy of the crazy guys at 4 Corners Church.

Peace out homies...

Bet you didn't know

As a tribute to Steve Carr, who about this time last year revealed his "top 5 things you may not know about me", on his blog, I have decided to give some inside info.

I am a Pink fan. The Sunday Night Football intro on NBC always fires me up. I guess it is the perception that she doesn't give two craps what anybody thinks which is cool. If you have yet to see her True Hollywood Story on E, I highly recommend it. Some of my other music favs include: Mary J. Blige, Usher, Tim McGraw, Big & Rich, Tobymac and Sugarland.

Bon had the chance to do some Chrsitmas shopping last night, while Reese and I chilled here at the casa. We had a great time, and I was able to hit the sack pretty early.

Another day, another day closer to moving...

I could have caught him...

The Bears game was awesome, how sweet is Devin Hester?

I haven't seen speed like that since Aaron Hough was sprinting down the sideline of Bostic Field. For the record, I plan on donating enough money one day for the field to be renamed, how about the "Reese Dome"?

Man, I have not been this excited about the Bears in a long time, they are so much fun to watch.

Update

A new pic of the girl, she has grown alot, it seems like her retired clothes pile gets bigger every day.

Big game tonight, the Bears are on Monday Night Football, definitely want to see a strong showing from Rex.

Church was awesome yesterday, solid message and got to meet some more folks. We are having Reese dedicated next Sunday, so that is very exciting.

Bon and I had an epiphany over the weekend and have decided God is putting it on us to launch a second company in about 5 years. More to come on that, but want to plant the seed. It involves bringing multiple family members on board.

Christmas is two weeks from today, amazing!

GO BEARS!!!

Welcome Home

Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, our back yard. Perfect for cornhole, backyard football, snowball fights, and even some sledding for the little ones.

God has truly blessed us, and this is just the beginning!

All able-bodied males within a 60 mile radius, (and Uncle Bruce of course), expect a phone call in a few weeks...

Closing Time

Bring on the righty, the wild thing, it is closing time!

We are closing on the new house at high noon today. Cannot thank The Godfather and Buff enough for their help with this entire process.

Big shout out to "The Rock" Stu Detter, yep another friend, another nickname. Stu and I go back to the OU days, selling Tommy Hilfinger to folks at the Elder Beerman in Athens. It was great to get an e-mail back from him and hope to get together with his family soon, they live in Piqua, which is not far away at all.

Mad props to SBraine on getting his blog up and running, he has some phenomenal kids.

Took the whole day off, so hope to catch some more 24 this evening.

Peace out!

24 and the wig

Reese loves bath time, or maybe it is being without clothes... Anyway, she was running around in excitement for her bath and ran over, gave me a great hug, and then sat in my lap for this great photo op. She gets her skin tone from Uncle Jase at this point...

Some of you also get a look at my wig for the first time in a while, some folks are buzzing at the shear volume of hair I am carrying around these days. Everyone seems to like it and my boss doesn't seem to mind, so rock on! You only live once, now if I could talk Bon into letting me get tatoo sleeves down each arm...

Other big news, we got the first disc of 24:Season 5 last night, holy crap! This show is unbelievable. The new season starts on January 15th I believe, if you have never watched it, start that night, it is awesome.

Mad props go out today to N2 for hooking me up with a TJ "Whozyourmomma" autograph for the little boy we are buying the house from. (Yes, the 5 year old is the one making it happen)

In my simple way guess you could say I'm living in the Big Time...(Big & Rich)

We are back!

So many things to update you on, closing on our new house Friday, a Whatif Sports Championship for the Cincinnati Heat, an old friend getting hired into our office at the Enquirer, Jum is back in Alaska, ThunderCats are in the playoffs, Reese is as cool as ever, Bon is rockin', etc.

You will get DAILY updates here on what is going on with us, or just random thoughts from my mug.

Be prepared...

Happy October!

There is so much going on, I am a slacker.

Reese is walking completely on her own, across the room, starting, stopping, changing direction, it is awesome! My little girl also has her first tooth. We have taken some new photos that I will try and get up later today. I also intend to get a video clip of her moving and her new dance skillz. She danced throughout the church service yesterday and entertained everyone surrounding her, she loves music.

The Bears are the best team in the NFL.

I will be 30 in 22 days.

Bon and I had a phenomenal time this past Friday night, we went a murder mystery dinner on a train in Lebanon with the eats from the Golden Lamb restaurant, it was delicious. Mad props to Brian and Carrie for taking care of The Reese for the evening.

More mad props go out to Brian and Carrie for giving Bon a new cell phone. We found out what baby slobber can do to a cellphone once it gets inside. It is now...inoperable.