Being the Green Gummy Bear...

Well, first of all, all you Kanakuk girlies I hope you all had an awesome Easter with reflection on the fact that He is Risen (he is risen indeed...does every church do that little saying?), lots of time with family, and maybe a fun easter egg hunt.

This morning I awoke bright and early for our 7th/8th grade small group that Katie Hurst (K-Life Branson gal and K-Kountry leadership) and I co-lead. We are going through Ephesians with the girls and it's been awesome. This week we hit on the Holy Spirit...

"And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession --to the praise of his glory." ~ Ephesians 1:13-14

Well so this verse speaks of being sealed with/by the Holy Spirit...which then made me ask the girls, "What does the Holy Spirit do in your life?" (Insert: Silence and the hum of the coke machine in McDonalds). They just weren't sure...and maybe you aren't either.

So tying it all back together to the gummy bear picture...we are to look, be, act, speak, live DIFFERENTLY. I always say the Holy Spirit lives in my gut...when I choose to sin there is that moment when my gut turns and I know I'm doing something wrong. That's the Holy Spirit pulling at you. (Please no theological comments about Holy Spirit in my gut :) You sweet girls should look different than this world. You should walk away from gossip...you should desire to dress to point people to Jesus not your body...you should feel the twist of your gut when you walk by your mom and preceed to slam your door only to see all your laundry folded nicely on your bed and you should go out and say thank you and hug her. You should because the Holy Spirit lives in your girl! You are different. Be that...be different.

p.s. I adore Haribo Gummy Bears...and now because of the picture I like want them! Wish they grew on trees...

Be awesome, love Jesus and be the green gummy bear,

Kanakuk Ashley Robbins / ashley@kanakuk.com

Survival of the Fittest: Episode #2...

Hey Kanakuk Girls, Here is episode #2...enjoy laughing.

Check out these classic quotes from Episode 2:

"Rex Horton is never going to find the corn dogs in my secret trap door in my sombrero...ever." -Juan

"You can never have too much nasal spray...yeah!!" -Kathy

"Turn the camera off, turn the camera off." -Rex

"Taste like dirt, because it is dirt." -Rex

Be awesome, love Jesus and I want to be Juan,

Kanakuk Ashley Robbins / ashley@kanakuk.com

Survival of the Fittest: Episode #1...

Well, my Kanakuk Girls, here is the hysterical K-Life Video from summer 2009. Sorry we are a tid bit late in getting them up but enjoy them now. Remember if you aren't signed up for Summer 2010...one: what are you thinking? two: go to www.kanakuk.com to sign up like now.

Be awesome, love Jesus, and you kiddin' me,

Kanakuk Ashley Robbins / ashley@kanakuk.com

Kanakuk Princess-es are coming...

Hey Kanakuk Girls/Moms/Whomever,
Well, today starts our Chief and Princess Weekend. Woohoo! This is a weekend that the K1, K2, and K-Kountry chiefs and Princesses that were elected last summer come into Branson for a weekend of fun, training, and bonding. We will have all the directors from K1, K2, and K-Kountry hanging out and it will be a blast!

I know the Princesses for K2 are pumped to get to summer and their terms to lead their Kiowa and Kickapoo tribes. So make sure to keep your eyes out for red, yellow, blue and white anything for tribal gear!

Be awesome, love Jesus and royalty is coming,

Kanakuk Ashley Robbins / ashley@kanakuk.com / (picture: weheartit.com...careful some artsy sketchy shots)

American Idol Recap...

Hey Kanakuk Girlies,
Well, so last night we all said goodbye to Paige Miles...I must admit that I felt indifferent with who went home this week.Here are my thoughts:
1. Paige I really like but this week she did not do well. I just hurt for her because I do think she is better than ahhhmm, a specific 17 year old girl on the show...not that I'm mentioning names.

2. Tim...I agree with Miley (wow, never thought I would type that) that I liked your song. It was fun, upbeat and I like the slide.

3. Katie, I do want to like you (musically, I'm sure she is delightful as a person) but I just don't think you are quite ripened yet. I am still working through feelings of bitterness about Lilly being gone and not you...I'll keep pushing through those feelings.

4. My Favs: Dread-Locks Bowersox, Big Mike, Lee Di-weezy (spelled how I like to say it), and Siobhan (did you catch her friends that were "siobombies...like Zombies for Siobhan...rather strange).

5. Next week with R&B Soul...should be interesting...

Okay, there's my thoughts on the show. Again, I am fully aware that I might have a total of 2 people reading my thoughts but to those 2...I tip my hat.

Be awesome, love Jesus & could I do my hair like Siobhan, Kanakuk Ashley Robbins

Hello Little Kitty...

Hello Kanakuk Kitty Fans,
Okay, I don't know necessarily that all of you are Hello Kitty fans but I was thinking today of random childhood memories and I remembered Hello Kitty. I loved her (assuming it's a her since she has a bow...but saying her sounds very person-like but she is indeed a kitty). What's somewhat odd is that I do not, well, let's be honest I hate, cats. But Hello Kitty and I were tight. I actually one time stamped my whole closet in this Hello Kitty stamp that had my name in it...my mom probably just laughed at me which makes her a great mom since she didn't get mad. Oh, wait maybe she was a tid bit upset...oh, well, still a great mom!

So I thought let's blog about Hello Kitty...so here it is. The below picture is a little overboard for me. I loved her but goodness, this crazy gal put her on her wedding dress...that's a true Hello Kitty fan...she's prob her president of the Hello Kitty Facebook Fan page no doubt.

What about you girls? What were things from your childhood? Hello Kitty is making a comeback as is Rainbow Bright, Care Bears, Cabbage Patch kids...I think it's because the generation raised on these toys are now the moms so they buy them b/c of the heart strings and memories. Smart marketing you toy companies very smart!

Be awesome, love Jesus, and Hello Kitty forever,
Kanakuk Ashley

Kanakuk Ashley Robbins
ashley@kanakuk.com
(Picture: weheartit.com...careful weird artsy pics on site)

Oh, Allergies...

Hey Kanakuk girls/parents/any other random someone that checks this blog...

Well, today is Friday and I am pumped for today. Why you ask? (Assuming you did ask your computer screen b/c you are dying with anticipation, right?). Oh, allergies, oh, allergies...how I've missed you?! They have hit full force in A.Robbins' world. I have heard it's the cedarwood. What is cedarwood? Where is it and I will stay far far away. My eyes are so red, nose is dry with flakes of kleenex on them, nose is stopped up to where sometimes I don't even know my nose is running, and throat itches like you wiggle your ear because that itches the back of your throat. So today, if you are a fellow allergen sufferer...I applaud you and link arms with you (kleenexes in hand of course) to say let's fight these allergies together by sleeping in tomorrow on Saturday (well, my sleeping in is a bit different with a 4 month old), staying in our pjs till early afternoon, and shoving kleenex up our nostrils for several hours so we don't go through 3 boxes in 2hours. So all you allergen comrades what do you say? Are you with me? (rhetorical question but feel free to scream yes and fist pump in the air).

Enjoy your weekends my friends...I will be in my pjs with hubby and daughter cleaning the casa de Robbins. Woohoo!!

Be awesome, love Jesus, and go blow your nose,

Kanakuk Ashley Robbins

ashley@kanakuk.com

(picture: www.google.com: images)

The More I Seek You...

Hey Kanakuk Cuties,

Well, today this song would not get out of my head. This song Shay and I had sung at our wedding and it is so simple and intimate between us and our Heavenly Father. The video is of Kari Jobe (one of my fav artists...thanks ashley gross for introducing me) who has an incredible voice. I have already starting singing to sweet Lulu this song...I pray each of you today will take even just a moment to read the lyrics, listen to the song, and then get to praisin'. God's love for you girls is OVERWHELMING! Remember that today as the world can get so loud in your ears telling you that you just aren't good enough. His love is so deep...it's overwhelming...

The More I Seek You:

The more I seek you,
The more I find you
The more I find you, the more I love you

I wanna sit at your feet
Drink from the cup in your hand.
Lay back against you and breath, feel your heart beat
This love is so deep, it's more than I can stand.
I melt in your peace, it's overwhelming

Be awesome, love Jesus, & be overwhelmed,

Kanakuk Ashley Robbins

ashley@kanakuk.com

(Note: Due to a blonde working the computer I can't get the Kari Jobe Video to work. But click here and you can hear it.)

(picture: weheartit.com)

American Idol...

Hey Kanakuk Gals!
Well, it's Wednesday...that being said it's time for my American Idol rundown. I love that I think people even care about my take on American Idol. (I'm just laughing in my office right now...I just wish you all could be here with me, probably laughing at me). Anyways, first off I need to go back to last week's result show...seriously people...Lilly Scott. What in the world!? I was devastated. I know Katie has a huge following but Lilly Scott should have been in the Top 12. She was so unique and let's be honest that I adored her earrings (or were they hair attachments). Anyways, I was pretty ticked...okay, I admit it that I let American Idol affect my mood. But now I'm over it because I think Katie will be sent home tonight...well, that's my prediction at least. She just needs to "grow more as an artist." (I should be a judge on Idol...just say grow and make it your own a lot and you are a shoo-in).

Also was pretty sad about Alex Lambert...he was just so nice. I truly liked his unique voice and I mean you gotta root for the guy with a mullet, on purpose mullet. So I was pretty sad on him too...I would have rather Aaron Kelly go home. I know he is 16 and all the little girls love him but he just isn't my fav. The judges like adore Aaron but his weird hip dancing is awkward and I feel awkward watching.

So...last night show...all in all I still hold true to my favs...Big Mike, Krystal DreadLocks-Sox (I just renamed her), Lacey Brown, Lee Dewizzy (also renamed him),Siobhan Quirky Magnus (she is totally growing on me and makes me laugh), Tim FratBoy from OleMiss Urban (also renamed)...there are so many I adore...

Prediction for Tonight: (if I'm right do I get anything...no Ashley you don't...did I just type in 3rd person...weird)...So Long Katie Stevens...

Be awesome, Love Jesus, and watch for me as a new guest judge for season 11,

Kanakuk Ashley Robbins
ashley@kanakuk.com

Oh, to be this Bicycle...

Hey KANAKUK girlies! How's this Tuesday morning for each of you? I pray good...ya know what, I pray it's great! I guess most of you are on Spring Break or at least close to being on spring break. Where are you? I hope that you are with your family and loving that time with them.

Not sure what the bicycle is about...but I just love beach cruisers. When my friend, Aly (who is having twins...woohooo!) got married she had a beach wedding and it was beautiful. We stayed at this beach house and it had beach cruiser bikes...oh, they were awesome! Maybe I am dwelling on this picture because it is so feminine, slow paced, and it just looks like the world is all okay. I just love it so! Too bad I live in Branson and having a beach cruiser would be rather pointless...but so stinkin' awesome!

This post has no point...enjoy! Some of you could find a deep point somewhere in this...I'm sure. Maybe it's that we too should be like this beach cruiser...feminine, slow paced, and fully calm in the Lord...ooooo, good comparison for those that thought of that...

Be awesome, love Jesus, and ride a beach cruiser if you have one,

Kanakuk Ashley Robbins
ashley@kanakuk.com

(picture: weheartit.com...careful some sketchy/artsy/weird pics on there...mandy lynn photography)

KANAKUK PARENTS, Go On & Get Your Armor,

KANAKUK PARENTS: Goodness, I am pretty much fired up this morning...okay, not like go out and start a strike fired up but fired up as a woman of the Lord, wife, and mom of a girl. Today I hopped over to foxnews.com to catch up on what is going on in the world. I am usually so very clueless and rely on my husband and fellow K1 assistant director to keep me informed on all things politics, religion, world affairs, and entertainment. Well, Shay never helps with entertainment unless it's sports related. Anyways, I am very shaky on writing this because I DO NOT want people to watch this video. To preface this article let's just say that MTV has banned this video.

I am 10000000% writing this to parents because I have had dear parents say..."Lady Gaga oh it's a fun upbeat song," or I have heard "Okay, now who is she because my kids love her." Oh, moms and dads...RED FLAG RED FLAG! Lady Gaga's latest video is with Beyonce and has an abundance of trash...again, please trust me or head over to here to read article. I know that during the teenage years you cannot control everything from sun up to sun down that your precious daughter(s) hear. I know that the world's voice each day grows so very loud over yours and sometimes even the Lord's voice in your daughter's heart.

But this morning, with my little 4 month old little girl sleeping, I made a vow. A vow to be involved. A vow to be a MOM not a best friend. A vow to be aware. A vow to be the protector of my home like Mel Gibson in Patriot. I will guard my computer in my home. I will guard the iPod. I will guard the iPhone. I will guard iTunes (are "i's" taking over the technology world!...sorry, side note for comic relief with my motivational blogging monologue). Lady Gaga...Beyonce...or whoever else, you will not influence my daughter. You will not be someone I want her to be like. You will not be an upbeat song I play without having a clue.

My banner is raised...this momma is putting on her armor (oh, Jordin Sparks song just jumped into my head...go on and get your armor, get you armo-or!). Parents, you in?

(*Side note: I am not "angry" at Lady Gaga as a person. She, I'm guessing, does not know the unconditional love of a Savior. I am simply not allowing the junk of this world to win...to stealthly make their way into Shay and I's home. Every crack in our home will be sealed with the TRUTH of God's Word.)

Be awesome, Love Jesus, and go on & get your armor,

Kanakuk Ashley Robbins
ashley@kanakuk.com

I Heart My Friends...

Today is Friend Sunday! I just love friends! Don't you? Duh, Ashley, of course they do! Who doesn't love friends! I have some unbelievable friends...seriously, I might rival that I have the BEST ones. You all are thinking..."no ashley I do." Well, you don't but it's okay, I'm sure yours are great too. (the above is all said in jest, sort of, okay, seriously it's just to be funny)

Think about your friends today and go grab a hot apple cider or Sonic Happy Hour Cranberry Limeade (my personal fav!)...here's to my friends:

Plainly Jane: oh, my crafty dear speed talker friend...you complete me (well, my sentences)

Reens: oh, my crafty young house love friend...you challenge me...i could go on a vacation with you...you know all...scary, and still are my dear friend.

Friend: you don't even have a name...you are still plugged into my phone as friend...you walk beside me...you technically don't because you live in austin...can your little guy marry my little girl? In-laws!! woohoo!

TrishyDishy: you are the T in AT...you disciple me...you walk through daily routine and still think I'm funny.

Branson Girls (Sparksy, Rappers, CDoll, Melissa): you make me laugh...ALOT...you are moms charging the way for me to watch and learn from the elite!

Mac: oh, my longest of friends...i miss you...you have walked through many changes...distance is no issue for we pick up where we leave off every time!

HUBBY: you are the ultimate BFFAEAE!!! I would rather do nothing with you than the coolest thing with anyone else! you are my favorite...

Friends are friends forever...thank you Smitty!

Be awesome, love Jesus, and go drink a cranberry limeade,

Kanakuk Ashley Robbins

ashley@kanakuk.com

(pictures: weheartit.com...mostly awesome pics...some sketchy/artsy like)

Go Hogs Go...

Hello dear Kanakuk Friends,
Allow me a moment to relish in my past...I am forever a loyal Arkansas Razorback Alum! I love the town, love the school, love the Hogs, and love the people. I was quite excited when Kay Holliday (our Kanakuk Ambassador and alum of Arkansas...she played bball there! Woohoo!) sent me this article. I was exstatic (not sure of spelling on that one).

So girls if you are looking for a great school...

Be awesome, love Jesus and Go Hogs,
Kanakuk Ashley

University Athletics Puts Fayetteville on Forbes List Arkansas Newswire University of Arkansas:

"University Athletics Puts Fayetteville on Forbes List
City ranked among Top 10 College Sports Towns
Tuesday, March 09, 2010

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The combination of Razorback athletics and the quality of life associated with a “college town” has placed Fayetteville at No. 7 in the Forbes magazine list of “Top College Sports Towns.”

The magazine compiled the list by first looking at the quality of the total sports offerings at various universities as rated by members of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics. Then “quality of life” was factored in, based on average home prices, median household income figures, the quality of the public school system and the local crime rate. The magazine also pulled a few details from its previous “best of” lists to fill out the picture.

Fayetteville was recognized for its easy access to lakes and hiking trails, as well as its farmers’ market, in addition to a solid public school system and high marks in the other areas. The sports program at the University of Arkansas, by itself, was ranked 25 on the list of total sports programs."

Kanakuk Ashley Robbins

ashley@kanakuk.com

Lots of Random Thoughts...

Random Thoughts Thursday (yes, it kind of fits with the whole "th" thing!)...

1. Spring/Summer...I am so ready for spring...seriously ready! Sandals, nike shorts, and tshirts...here I come!

(picture: weheartit.com...careful most pics are creative/fun/awesome...some weird/artsy/sketchy)

2. Ruffles...I love them. These are actually the curtains I want to do in Lulu's room. My friend Jennifer (Kanakuk K1 Asst. Director) is going to help me make them! Oh, I'm crafty, well, my friends are!

(picture: weheartit.com...careful most pics are fun/creative/awesome...some weird/sketchy)

3. Water/Pink Lemonade...random! I just love ice cold water and also pink lemonade. Lately I have been adding lime juice to my H2O...yum-diddley-yum!

(picture: weheartit.com...see above)

4. HOME...just loving being at home right now! Awesome hubby, precious daughter, and lots of silly laughter)

(picture: weheartit.com...see above)

5. Home Decor/Design...don't freak out the room below is not in my home! I would love it though! My friend Jill (1st Kanakuk co-counselor) and I text back and forth about home design. We love it! My new favorite blog about do-it-yourself projects/home design is www.younghouselove.com. Oh, John and Sherri! Sherri and I have a very similar design style...side note: please know that I am sure all of you teenage girls could care less about my home design obsession...just runnin low on blog thoughts...hehe! Just laught at/with me! Kay? Just for knowledge I took the RealSimple Magazine design style...I am 100000% cozy casual! love it!

(picture: weheartit.com...see above comments)

6. Cupcakes...I am laughing so hard in my office with my sleeping 4 month old at this blog post. Please join me in laughing. There is nothing special about cupcakes...nor have I had them lately...i just think cupcakes are awesome...bahahahaha!!!

So there you have it...take this Thoughts Thursday to the bank...i mean this is good stuff!

Be awesome, love Jesus, and read this blog for deep insightful brain power,

Kanakuk Ashley Robbins

ashley@kanakuk.com

Sleeping Beauty...

Hey Girls,
Somewhat of a follow up to yesterday...Just wanted to instill the awesomeness (not sure that's actually a word) of your innocence. It's priceless!

CAUTION: Moms/Dads/and Kanakomo girls, get a tissue before reading below. I'm so serious, go get one right now...pause...okay, now you can read.

TO A SLEEPING BEAUTY
Dear daughter,
I tiptoed in your room tonight and I looked down at
you smilin' in your sleep.
You were so lovely my heart nearly broke;
and I thought how much like Sleeping Beauty a little girl is.
When I tuck you in at night I never know
how old you'll be when you wake.
One evening you crawl on your dad's lap
and throw your arms around his neck,
the next morning you might be
much too grown up for that sort of thing.

You're so quickly approaching the awkward age,
too young to drive the car and yet too old
to be carried in the house half asleep on daddy's
shoulder. I have a secret that I've never told you,
Sleeping Beauty, you're going on a very exciting trip.
You'll travel from yesterday all
the way to tomorrow.
It's a rapid journey and you'll travel light,
leaving behind you - measles,
mumps, freckles, bumps, bubble gum and me.
I promise not to feel too hurt when you
discover that the world is more
important than your daddy's lap.
Yesterday you were blue jeans and pig tails,
the neighborhood's best tree climber.
Tomorrow you'll be blue organdy and
pony tails and you'll view the world
from a loftier perch - a pair of high heel shoes.

Yesterday you could mend a doll's broken leg
with a hug; tomorrow you'll be able to break a
young man's heart with a kiss. Humh! Humh!
Yesterday you could get lost one aisle away
from me at a supermarket - now I have to worry
about losing you down another aisle
to some strange young man. You see,
just at the point where you're
growing pains stop, mine begins. Yesterday
you were kind of a pain in the neck
when you were around, tomorrow you'll
be an ache in my heart when your not.
Tomorrow you'll lay aside your jump rope
and tie up the telephone lines
and that little boy that used to push you in the mud;
well, he'll fight to sit out a dance with you.
The clock is countin' the minutes for you and the
sky upstairs is savin' its' brighest stars; -
and the sun is waitin' with its' shiniest day.

Oh I, I can't expect you to live in a doll house forever.
Sooner or later, the butterfly sheds it's cocoon
and the smallest bird must try its wings.
But when you grow up and out of my arms;
when you finally get too big for my
shirts, I'll still recall how you used
to scatter dust and dolls and partially
through ev'ry room in the house;
but you spread sunshine too. The dust is
settled, your mom picked up the dolls; -
but the sunshine will always fill
the corners of our hearts.
So, here I am talking in your sleep, because,
well if you saw this look on
my face, you'd laugh and if I spoke
with this lump in my throat, I'd cry.
Yea! honey when I looked at you tonight you
were a Sleeping Beauty.
So, I tiptoed over and I kissed you -
you didn't wake up, I knew you wouldn't.
According to the legend only the handsome
young prince can open your eyes
and I'm just the father of the future bride.

So you sleep on pretty thing, tomorrow you'll wake
and you'll be a young lady and you won't even realize
that you've changed courses in the middle
of a dream. But you might notice a little change in me;
I'll look a little different somehow.
A little sadder, a little wiser, but a whole lot richer.
Tonight, I kissed a princess and I feel like a king.
Recorded by Jimmy Dean
Written by L. Markes

Well, I'm in tears now...going to hold my precious Lulu....forever.

Be awesome & love Jesus,

Kanakuk Ashley Robbins

Price of Perfection...

Okay, I must admit that I am flustered. I got on Vicki Courtney (an author/christian speaker's) site today and found her article on Heidi Montag. Oh, sweet teenage girls...my heart is racing and my fingers are slow. I feel almost stunned by the reports and quotes of this precious girl. I say girl because she is 23 and has had 10-15 plastic surgeries. 10 of them at one time. My heart in posting on this is to just help to shed light on the MADNESS of it. To try and shed truth and light into each of your hearts to tell you that there could not be a more beautiful YOU!

Heidi Montag throws a curve at young girls :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Laura Berman: "Perhaps even more troubling than her procedures is Montag's justification for this obviously excessive amount of plastic surgery. Like a lot of children, Montag was teased while growing up, and she says this prompted her to go under the knife, as her so-called imperfections 'held me back from a certain inner light and an inner happiness.' It's as if Montag is broadcasting right into the insecurities of young girls everywhere. And, while men also grapple with body image issues, it is young girls who will examine her newly taut body and decide they don't measure up. Contrary to popular belief, it isn't men who are handing women measuring sticks and asking them to fit into a certain size of jeans. Women do it to each other, and we do it to ourselves. Most men would simply be happy if the woman in their lives was confident and would embrace her curves (or her angles)"

I looked up article after article that made my mind spin as a new mom. I sat in my office in disbelief that it's real. Girls, women, teenagers are actually doing this. The statistics for plastic surgery is sky-rocketing each day. My mind is swirling with thoughts of our precious daughter ever feeling or thinking she isn't good enough. Having thoughts that she isn't beautiful the way El Elohim (Her Creator, your Creator) made her to be! I plead with you to stand and walk in TRUTH. Not the lies of the world. Heidi speaks of being held back from her inner happiness...I am mystified how she can speak of inner happiness by having 10 outer surgeries. I pray my 23 year old daughter someday never seeks inner happiness by changing everything about herself.

My heart hurts for Heidi's mom...not that I know her. But I have to wonder if she sits at her home and flips through pictures of her baby...her precious Heidi. The natural, beautiful, pure daughter she had. The innocence is now gone. The purity of life is now tainted and her joyfulness is skewed with seduction with each smile. I just wonder what this mom feels? More than that I wonder if Heidi, when the cameras aren't on, the expensive clothes are off, the professional hair and make up is all removed...what does she see? Does she feel her "inner light and inner happiness" then? I fear she will be left empty. In that moment may she feel and know the hope, love, and tenderness of the precious Lord and Savior!

"Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord shall be praised." ~Proverbs 31:30

Be Awesome & Love Jesus,

Kanakuk Ashley Robbins

* Side Note: This is obviously an extreme case...this does not apply to plastic surgery that was done for medical purposes/health reasons/birth defects/etc. I apologize for being late in adding this note.

Okay, American Idol...

Hey Kanakuk Girlies!

Okay, I admit that American Idol is one of my fav shows! We had my best friend and her hubby over last night to watch the Top 12 Guys go. Jennifer and I (you can check out her K1 Kanakuk Blog: Click here) LOVE American Idol! So anyways, we waited till 7:25 pm to start it so we can fast forward through all commercials (Genius, right?) and began our journey of being our own Idol judges in good 'ole Branson.

Who were your favs? I must admit Tuesday night I was left not impressed...at all! Simon thinks it's the year of the girls but goodness, they have some improving to do. But let's be real honest I, and most Americans, would have been a nervous wreck on that stage so nerves are understandable.

Okay, so here are my thoughts (please don't comment not nicely...only your opinions and fun light hearted comments...thanks!)

1. Judges: I truly do think Ellen is funny on her daytime show but I just have not really liked her on the show. I thought she would be the funny, well, just funny voice but it has come across to me as just another 4th judge to agree or say something not that funny. There have been some awkward moments and I feel like she talks about young girls voting for all the handsome guys a lot which is just weird. Anyways, I like it but literally when it comes to the judges I just wait for Simon (sometimes Randy) and that's the only judge I care to listen too. Jennifer and I decided that Kara, who I know is super talented and a great songwriter, well, I just don't love her as a judge. (please don't comment that I'm judging her...I am constructively telling an opinion on a TV show where there job is to be a judge...I'm sure Kara is very nice and sweet in person as far as her personality but as far as her job as a AI judge, I'm just not a fan)

2. Top 12 Girls: Oh, gooodness, I just wasn't impressed on Tuesday night...hoping it was nerves. Here are my favs in order: Lacey Brown (red head), Lily Scott (white hair), and well, those 2 are my favs and then 3rd place could be several people...Ashley Rodriquez, Katie something, or Paige something....it's a toss up for now.

3. Top 12 Guys: I thought the guys did much better than the girls. Top 3 fav guys in order: Lee Dewyze (2nd from left), Andrew Garcia, and Alex Lambert/Big Mike...it's a toss up between those 2 for my 3rd spot...

4. My Official Top 3 that I love for sure:

A. Lacey Brown: Love her! I secretly (well, not secretly b/c I just typed it on here) love her hair and would love to do that someday when my facial bone structure changes...so therefore I never will. A girl can dream!

B. Andrew Garcia/Lee Dewyze: fan of both of them. I like Lee's voice (he needs some spunk though when he is being interviewed) and Andrew's story just makes me cry and he has great pipes. I have heard that Kirksville K-Life is like fan club of Andrew's. Random fact for ya!

C. Lily Scott: one her name is awesome, two her hair is awesome, and three she is just different. I like her!

Okay, there is my OPINION of Idol last night...any predictions of who will be sent home? I think it might be...oh, I just don't even know who it could be...2 guys and 2 girls I think go home? Yikes!

Be awesome & Love Jesus,

Kanakuk Ashley Robbins

Happy Monday & More Olympic Tears...

Hey Kanakuk Cuties! Well, it's Monday....so therefore Happy Monday friends! This weekend was pretty laid back with lots of great family time for Shay & I. We continue to watch a lot of Olympics...I am already dreading not hearing the theme music in my house all the time...I just love it!

Okay, so last night (well, I think it was last night) Tom Brokaw did a special on Kevin Pearce...Wow!!! I was in tears, surprise surprise, and was in awe of this precious family. I would love to go into great details but basic summation is that Kevin Pearce was a highly favored contender for the Olympic snowboarding team. Kevin actually beat Shaun White in a X-games competition this year. Anyways, during a practice run he had a terrible accident and should not have survived. He did and is daily fighting to make a recovery. Oh the precious mom of Kevin seemed so strong and it just amazed me. So last night...I was in tears over how there are so many stories out there...everyone has a story. Lulu and I prayed for Kevin's family this morning and prayed that they see the Lord each day in the miracles He is doing!

* Picture of Kevin Pearce.

* Picture of Kevin & His family (4 boys...he is the youngest)
*Some of the boarders have a sticker on their boards that say "I ride for Kevin."

Have great Mondays everyone...Kanakuk Countdown is coming close! Summer please hurry!

Be awesome & Love Jesus,

Kanakuk Ashley Robbins