moving on up

Lexie at 11

Ryan Williams — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 15:52:34 +0000

Lexie marks another big milestone today as she turns 11 years old!

Spend 5 minutes with Lou and you’ll quickly appreciate how much there is to looooove about her. She’s witty, caring, funny, kind-hearted, artsy, silly, etc., etc., etc. She strives to keep the peace, will take one [or 10] for the team, and is willing to step out of her ‘safety box’ to try new things or take a risk. Lexie is simply a joy to be around!

I love you Lou!

——-

Here are some pics over the past 12 months that provide a peek into her world…

Crazy hair

Speech contest winner!

Besties!

Rib eater!

Classic Lou!

Zipliner!

Lou and pal Jenna in a serious moment!

Swimsuit model! This one did not make the cut but it was a hilarious option. As her face indicates, Lou’s is obviously comfortable in her own skin!

Chocolate connoisseur!

Gymnast in training!

Easy on the lettuce

Ryan Williams — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 02:33:49 +0000

Lexie started a gymnastics class this past Wednesday [more details soon!] so, after watching her get started, Meagan, Katie, and I headed to Panera to grab a quick bite to eat. We all chose the Pick 2 and had a sandwich and a cup of broccoli cheddar soup. To most observers, I’d guess we were an uncomplicated, predictable trio with an uncomplicated, predictable order.

Controversy, however, began swirling when I started prepping my ham and swiss on rye [I ordered it lettuce only] and found this…

That’s the lettuce [actual size] carefully located in the center of the swiss. For whatever reason, the sight of this parsley-sized twig of lettuce made us belly laugh [though inwardly I felt slighted]. I considered my options and decided to plead my case for more of the green stuff with the sandwich maker. He never blinked. He never questioned me. He never doubted my story. He simply made it right.

Just another reason to choose Panera over rival soup and sandwich shops. Get a twig and trade for the full head.

Heehaw

Ryan Williams — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 12:00:22 +0000

After 5 months of Ricky Perry gaffes and “oops,” it seems another Texan is jumpstarting his journey toward national stardom. Roger Williams, car salesman extraordinaire, is taking his political aspirations to the next level and running for Congress. His initial video certainly adds a creative twist to an old controversy.

Papal Panther

Ryan Williams — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 02:00:56 +0000

One of my favorite scenes from a movie we’ve watched more than thrice…

I think I can, I think I can…

Ryan Williams — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 02:30:42 +0000

Meagan is in serious workout mode and here are the awkward looks and floppy pony tail to prove it!

The girl can chew gum and ride the ab coaster!

“…easily train your obliques by simply turning your hips…” @#$%^&?

Where temptation begins

Ryan Williams — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 17:17:55 +0000

I’m reading Russell’s Moore’s book on temptation. In the excerpt below, he details how temptation begins.

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Identity confusion is the reason people are able to affirm one thing and do another. And it’s the reason more worldview training on how to think like a Christian doesn’t stop people from wrecking their lives.

Most people don’t “choose” fiery tempers or alcoholic binges or torturing prisoners of war or exploiting Third-World workers or dumping toxic chemicals into their community’s water supply. Most people don’t first conclude that adultery is right and then start fantasizing about their neighbor swinging from a stripper pole. Most people don’t first learn to praise gluttony and then start drizzling bacon grease over their second helping of chicken-fried steak. It happens in reverse.

First, you do what you want to do, even though you “know God’s decree that those who practice such things deserve to die,” and only then do you “give approval to those who practice them” (Rom. 1:32). You start to see yourself as either special or as hopeless, and thus the normal boundaries don’t seem to apply.

It might be that you are involved in certain patterns right now and that you would, if asked, be able to tell me exactly why they are morally and ethically wrong. It’s not that you are deficient in the cognitive ability to diagnose the situation. It’s instead that you slowly grow to believe that your situation is exceptional (“I am a god”), and then you find all kinds of reasons why this technically isn’t theft or envy or hatred or fornication or abuse of power or whatever (“I am able to discern good and evil”). Or you believe you are powerless before what you want (“I am an animal”) and can therefore escape accountability (“I will not surely die”). You’ve forgotten who you are. You are a creature. You are also a king or a queen. You are not a beast, and you are not a god. That issue is where temptation begins.

♦ Moore, Russell D. (2011). Tempted and Tried: Temptation and the Triumph of Christ (pages 36-37). Good News Publishers/Crossway Books. Kindle Edition.

Let’s get this party started…

Ryan Williams — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 17:26:59 +0000

Lexie turns 11 next Saturday but why wait to begin the festivities? We put together a little impromptu birthday gig last night and here are a few of the highlights…

Sisterly chefs

This was our first attempt at extreme pancakes…a monkey incognito? Bear? Any ideas?

It’s officially official

Ryan Williams — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 02:46:54 +0000

After a wildly enjoyable ride, we bid a fond farewell to Ricky Perry. Ricky, you kept us combing YouTube time and time again for quips, quotes, and pregnant pauses. We’re going to miss you…

Exactly!

Ryan Williams — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 12:00:33 +0000

Channel surfing the other night after Tebow mania officially imploded, we stumbled across the always-informative Miss America pageant. Spoiler alert [in case you DVR'd it]: Miss Wisconsin narrowly edged out Miss Oklahoma in a tightly contested battle of brunettes who repeatedly blew kisses to strangers and mouthed things like “Thank you” and “Oh my gosh” as if they were unworthy of such honor.

This reminded of the YouTube hit below from a Miss Teen contest several years ago…an oldie but a priceless goodie. Enjoy!

MLK tribute

Ryan Williams — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 12:00:53 +0000

Somewhere along the way, Lexie developed an interest in Martin Luther King, Jr. She has a framed copy of his “I Have a Dream” speech hanging in her room and she’s read several books about him. Above all, she would like everybody to quit judging people because of the color of their skin. A noble concept to heed and honor.