Let's Party...

Hey K2 Kanakuk Gals,

Well, this weekend we (Tanya Beardsley and I) will be mapping out the K2 parties...well, the meals for the K2 parties! I promise soon to let you know what they are and have costume ideas on here. Oh summer is so close...so close!

Be Awesome & Love Jesus,

kanakuk ashley robbins / ashley@kanakuk.com

photo: etsy.com / seller: YourSweetTreatStore / Click HERE to purchase.

Do You Do Your Own Laundry...

Hey K2 Kanakuk Gals,

Well, after the sickness comes the LAUNDRY. I mean I think I did 6 loads yesterday! Crazy! I remember growing up and I must admit I had an amazing mom who did the laundry. I think we had to put it away like once she folded it we had to take it to our rooms and hang it, drawer it or shove it somewhere. Now that I'm a laundry-doin' momma I have already enlisted our kids to start learning. Our firstborn is great at taking out each piece from the hamper to help me separate them and then once clean she is great at pulling each piece once it's folded just to re-fold it her way (which is just pulled and thrown on the floor). I must admit I don't even let it bother me because it's so cute and in her little mind she is helping.

So question...do you do your own laundry? Do you do certain steps like taking it to the laundry room? Fold it? Just wondering...

Be Awesome & Love Jesus,

kanakuk ashley robbins / ashley@kanakuk.com

photo: etsy.com / seller: frivoloustendencies / Click HERE to purchase.

Germs, Germs Go Away...

Hey K2 Kanakuk Gals,

Well, goodness, it's been too long. Trust me I would have much rather been blogging each day than dealing with what our house got hit with for 2 weeks. We have had sickness floating through our home. Our firstborn got to feeling yucky and so here we come doctor. My kitchen became my medicine cabinet and medical journal of logging times and doses. Then I got a bacteria infection in my throat (like strep but yet strep was negative). So to the doctor I went and more meds and medicine journals of times and doses. It was crazy!

I was once again reminded of 2 very important things...One: I am the luckiest gal in the world to be married to an incredible man, husband and dad! He was like super dad, emotional stabilizer and doctor. We had to keep firstborn from secondborn so hubby would take one kiddo and I'd have one and then we would switch half way through the day. It was just nuts...hysterical now but at the time pretty crazy! I digress...

Two: GOD IS SO IN CONTROL! I felt so helpless for my kids! To keep one from hurting and the other from catching the germs! I literally at 7:00 pm every night was in tears as I just felt so helpless! I am no theological debater of the Word. I don't know all of the Gospels. I don't have all the answers. BUT I do know I could not be a wife and mom without HOPE. Even more than that I can't imagine being anything without HOPE. I had to lay down all my fears and anxiousness every moment of every day of these crazy 2 weeks to the Lord and just pray sweet secondborn wouldn't catch those germs that could really harm her. I had to pray for understanding as I had to give meds to firstborn that I prayed have no crazy side effects. Some might say I'm a crazy mom, so worried...but I would say THAT'S BEING A MOM. Period! We worry, we want to take any hurt from our child if we could...but I know I can't and I know the Lord used this crazy sick time in our household to remind me HE IS GOD. HE IS IN CONTROL.

So I think I'm back...all is healthy. Medicine cabinet is back where it belongs and we are a house of thankfulness for the HUGE blessing of being healthy!

Be Awesome & Love Jesus,

kanakuk ashley robbins / ashley@kanakuk.com

photo: google.com / search: "my kids are sick"

Bieber Fever...

Hey K2 Kanakuk Gals, (Revised Feb. 16, 2011)

I got a message on my email today and just laughed and laughed and then laughed some more. This dinky blogger got an email to promote the movie. Now let me disclaim that I have no idea if this kid is a believer or even a good kid (side note: I think he is precious on interviews I've seen). So girls, check out this email and know that Kanakuk Ashley has officially arrived because Justin Bieber wants me to promote his movie...well, some movie promoter wants me to blog about it.

So what does everyone think of the movie? I'll probably be waiting till RedBox to see it because really do I need Justin Bieber in 3D moon walking over my head...well, maybe I do if it's that awesome! :)

Be Awesome & Love Jesus (and Bieber Fever!),

kanakuk ashley robbins / ashley@kanakuk.com

photo: google.com / search "justin bieber never say never"

What Every Little Girl SHOULD Hear...

Hey K2 Kanakuk Gals,
Well, part 2 of What Every Little Girl Should Hear...and maybe I should even change it to What Every Little Girl Should KNOW. I think we can "hear" it but not allow it to truly get to our hearts because of all the other voices. So know with each message that you should know, rest and just deeply embrace the words.

So Part 1 was to know you are Beautiful! Part 2 from a parent to a daughter (or son) is to know that you are protected. This one is tough to type as some of you reading may have walked through a parent that abused you in some way. First, I am so very sorry. My heart breaks that they hurt you in any way. Second, I want you to know that there is a Heavenly Father who does protect you...even in the midst of hurt and pain. I promise!

As a parent, I want my kids to know I (and the hubby) will protect them. Not overprotectively (well, maybe) but protect them from harm and hurt. I promise to protect them. PERIOD! So girls today know that your parents (prayerfully) do want to protect you and guard your hearts till it's time to let each wing find it's flight...not too soon but not too late. It's a delicate balance...protecting versus letting them "fly." I'm sure most parents reading this pray for that perfect balance. I know I am and will continue to do so.

So girls, today, know that you are protected. Hopefully by your Heavenly Father AND earthly parents but if not then rest and know that God watches over you.

Be Awesome & Love Jesus,

kanakuk ashley robbins / ashley@kanakuk.com

photo: etsy.com / seller: LoveSugar (Click HERE)
seller: myzoetrope (Click HERE)

I'm a Part of the Geek Squad...

Hey K2 Kanakuk Gals,
Well, we are in the thick of hiring as I type. We are also in the thick of snow, snow and more snow. So hiring is a bit hard when we (the Women Directors) can't get to the office to hire because of snow, snow and more snow. I am at home this weekend (this might not post till next week) typing in ID#'s, one after another, to get our veteran staff all entered into this fancy website that our awesome web person put together! So far...it's stalling. I just love technology! Ha!

Anyways, this sign is my life on this cold, wintery Saturday. The girls are sleeping...actually everyone is sleeping...the girls, the hubby and the visiting grandparents. What? Why am I not sleeping...deep question?

Hope you all are enjoying your day...snow or not!

Be Awesome & Love Jesus,

kanakuk ashley robbins / ashley@kanakuk.com

photo: etsy.com / seller: SadLittleCrown / Click HERE

Coolness is Gone...

Hey K2 Kanakuk Gals,
Well, I am wondering today if my coolness factor is completely 100% totally gone. Why, you might be asking? (I'm sure most of you would never think my coolness factor could be gone...ha!) I thought through most of my days...with 2 little precious faces my life and it's coolness might be gone.

Things that I do mostly every day:
1. Crawl like a horse as our 1st born rides and thinks its funny to "fall" off. Quite the workout.
2. All my shirts and really all parts of my clothing have become burp cloths and most of the time have some sort of spit up.
3. I sing songs with words like "wiggle, wiggle, waggle" in them.
4. I repeat words like nose, belly, eyes, and feet while pointing to mine and a 14 month olds.
5. My body is the newest jungle gym to crawl, poke, and pull.
6. I bought 3 different size diapers at Target the other day...1 because they were on sale, 2 because we will need them all.
7. I use scissors in every meal to cut up food.
8. I am hardly ever by, around, or on my cell phone.
9. I daily look up something in a book called Baby 411 or Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Baby.
10. I am a laudry company. Seriously.

So today I laughed as I wouldn't change any of those things for my "coolness" back. Just remember gals this summer you have to keep me "cool" by keeping me up on all the trends of music, fashion, lingo, etc...I'm sure the K2 girls leadership team will have a field day.

Be Awesome & Love Jesus,

kanakuk ashley robbins / ashley@kanakuk.com
photo: etsy.com / seller: artsyville / click HERE to purchase this adorable print!

Peppermint Happiness...

Hey K2 Kanakuk Gals,
Well, I realize Christmas is come and gone but these little deliciouos mallows were given to us by a dear friend and they were just amazing! I figured with it being February (ya know...Valentines) that you could make them for that too. So it's that time to grab your mom, little sister, best friend, daddio, or whoever you want and put on your Martha Stewart mask...please don't really put on a Martha mask as that would be rather creepy. Get ready for deliciousness explosion in your mouth!

Candy-Cane Marshmallows

Give out homemade treats that are great in hot cocoa -- or straight from the bag. Peppermint marshmallows are easy to make; they get their red swirl from a quick marbleizing technique. Follow our recipe, then package them in small cellophane bags to show off their good looks. Fold the top of each bag over once, and staple it shut. Use a small hole punch on either side of the staple. Thread a length of red twine through the holes, and knot it in front. Pull one end through a gift tag, and finish with a bow.
.

Ingredients
Makes sixteen 2-inch squares.

Vegetable-oil cooking spray
2 cups sugar
1 tablespoon light corn syrup
4 packages (1/4 ounce each) unflavored gelatin
3/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
2 large egg whites
2 teaspoons red food coloring

Directions

1.Coat an 8-inch square pan with cooking spray; line bottom with parchment paper. Coat the parchment with cooking spray, and set pan aside. Put sugar, corn syrup, and 3/4 cup water in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring, until sugar is dissolved. Stop stirring; let mixture come to a boil. Raise heat to medium-high; cook until mixture registers 260 degrees on a candy thermometer.

2.Meanwhile, sprinkle gelatin over 3/4 cup water in a heatproof bowl; let stand 5 minutes to soften. Set the bowl with the gelatin mixture over a pan of simmering water; whisk constantly until gelatin is dissolved. Remove from heat, and stir in extract; set aside.

3.Beat egg whites in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment until stiff (but not dry) peaks form. Whisk gelatin mixture into sugar mixture; with mixer running, gradually add to egg whites. Mix on high speed until very thick, 12 to 15 minutes.

4.Pour mixture into lined pan. Working quickly, drop dots of red food coloring across surface of marshmallow. Using a toothpick, swirl food coloring into marshmallow to create a marbleized effect. Let marshmallow stand, uncovered, at room temperature until firm, at least 3 hours or overnight. Cut into squares.

Be Awesome & Love Jesus,

kanakuk ashley robbins / ashley@kanakuk.com

photo: marthastewart.com

American Idol...

Hey K2 Kanakuk Gals,

Oh my goodness, how have I not posted about Idol till now? Do forgive me? We (the hubster & I) have had a blast watching this season and I must admit I really like the new judges and new vibe to them. I think Steven Tyler is pretty funny and Jennifer Lopez is a breath of fresh air. I was thinking the show would spiral downward with no Simon...and I do still miss him and need someone to be "totally honest" once we get past Hollywood; but I like the Idol team of Tyler, Lopez, Jackson and Seacrest.

What do you gals think? Hating it? Loving it? Indifferent and don't care? Holler...

Be Awesome & Love Jesus,

kanakuk ashley robbins / ashley@kanakuk.com

photos: google.com / search "american idol new judges"

MTV Strikes Again...

Hey K2 Kanakuk Gals,

Well, my goodness, just to find a picture of this new show called "Skins" was impossible as I obviously keep this blog "G" rated. I must admit I have not watched this show and quite frankly will not be watching this show. You know that something is way inappropriate when even liberal media is claiming this show is bordering child p*^n#graphy (I don't want to type the word so it won't show up when people look for that word). The Today show commented that advertisers are pulling their markets and ads from the show because of the outrage from parents.

As I researched the show it appears it is underage kiddos doing all things drug, sex, and rock and roll. One of the actors even commented..."well, it's what kids are doing these days." Oh, my, where to even begin with this comment. Girls, please don't buy into this show. Sadly I believe that christian gals feed this craziness. We claim we love Jesus and then we ride the clouds of these shows thinking it's okay because we are just watching them, not doing those things. Friends, don't believe this. Your mind and heart begin to fantasize and become curious with the lies of the world. Again, I can't type too much about this show because the content I don't even want to put in a blog post. Parents, please pull this show from options...blocking MTV all together would be my suggestion...but that's simply my opinion. The media is screaming over-sexualization of our daughters (and sons!). Don't just say "no" to the show...sit down with your precious girl to talk through this. Help them come to the answer with great questions & don't forget to LISTEN...

1. Tell me about the show.

2. What messages do you think the show is trying to convey?

3. When you are done watching the show what have your learned? How are you better?

4. Do you think this show shows true reality?

5. Why do you want to watch it? Popularity?

6. Would you still watch it if your little sister or grandmother was sitting beside you?

7. When you are a mom someday would you want your daughter/son to watch this?

8. What in this show is good for you/your mind/your thoughts/your heart?

9. (if your girl loves Jesus) Does this show instill the messages that God wants in your heart?

I have to wonder as these young actors, money hungry directors, and who cares producers get done shooting for the day and go to bed...as they lay there at night do they really think this is all okay? Maybe they do...that probably scares me the most.

Be Awesome & Love Jesus,

kanakuk ashley robbins / ashley@kanakuk.com

photo: google.com / search "mtv"