To Advent or Not?...

Hey K2 Kanakuk Gals,

I must admit I don't know much about what I am blogging about today? I have heard so much about advent calendars. On Etsy (surprise!) they have super cute ones (hello, see the one above...I love it!) but I guess I just don't quite understand. Off the cuff I think you put little bitty gifts in each little number box and count down the days till December 25th. Or maybe you could put little notes of things to be reminded of the blessings during this season...or maybe you just put a part of an itty-bitty nativity scene and each day gains a new member to the scene. Or maybe you can do whatever you want in them...good thoughts.

So does your family have one? Tell me about it...Shay and I are still starting our Christmas traditions as our girls are still so little but we are starting to think through them...

Be Awesome & Love Jesus,

kanakuk ashley robbins / ashley@kanakuk.com

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

Best Inventions...

Hey K2 Kanakuk Gals,

I LOVE, I mean oddly love, wrapping presents! I mean I'm obsessed! One of my friends actually each year has a theme for her paper and bows and so they all match for her gifts! Love that! Anyways, so I keep seeing these commercials and I just can't wait to hopefully pick them up to have a night of wrapping! Oh, what a glorious night! I'm sure you all are so very excited to have your own wrapping night! I'm just sure of it!

So wrap away friends with cute paper, bows, and ribbon galore! Woohoo!

Be Awesome & Love Jesus,

kanakuk ashley robbins / ashley@kanakuk.com

photo: google.com / search "scotch pop up tape" and "wrapping paper cutter"

Almost Time for a New...

Hey K2 Kanakuk Gals,

Planner...I know most of you probably have your whole life calendar in your fancy smancy iPads (I'm not bitter, really!) but I, being just a bit older than you, still trust in my paper, 1960's, pen and pencil, scratched out day-timer. I love them. I keep some appointments in my phone calendar but I just love opening it and writing events and little tidbits of info for my days.

So I'm on the lookout now for my 2011 planner. This one, above, is super cute and I was a Chi Omega so cute cartoon owls are sort of near to my heart (not like in a creepy I'm still a sorority girl way...just in a oh, that's a fun connection to owls that are not normally cute). But I'm not sold...TJ Maxx was my location of choice to purchase my 2010 one last year so we shall see.

Paper? Computer? In your brain? What's your planner of choice?

Be Awesome & Love Jesus,

kanakuk ashley robbins / ashley@kanakuk.com

photo: google.com / search "2011 calendar"

Oh, Chick-Fil-A...

Hey K2 Kanakuk Gals,
Ode to my little town of Branson...girls, most of you might be very hardened and "used" to having a Chick-Fil-A at the turn of a corner or maybe a few corners...but here in Branson we do not experience this luxury. Why you might ask? (or you probably know the answer and so therefore are not asking) Because we dont' have one! I keep waiting for the day when I drive over to the new Target/Walmart area where new eating and shopping places are popping up but alas the only thing new is another stop light located 10 feet from the other stop light. No red sign, no weird cow writing banner, and no chicken biscuits.

So I did join the facebook group...will it help? I don't know. Does it make me feel like it might? Yes. So Chick-Fil-A important executive people, please come to my humble abode! Your food is amazing, your service is just amazing, and your family nights (which I hear about all the fun family nights you have from the Springfield one) are amazing. You are amazing. Please come to our little town to bring your amazingness to it. I promise to bring my amazing family and spend money.

Be Awesome & Love Jesus,

kanakuk ashley robbins / ashley@kanakuk.com
photo: facebook.com

4 Years...

Hey K2 Kanakuk Gals,

Today, well 4 years ago today, I got to marry Shay Robbins! Woohooo! It is one of my favorite days in the whole world! I just told him the other day that he is my favorite person to just hang out with and be with...and girls, I have some rockin' awesome friends...but he is my favorite! He is in love with Jesus, leads our family, adventurous and spontaneous, funny, the anchor of our home, comfort, an amazing daddy, my hero, and my best friend! I just love him!

4 years...they have been so fun! I pray each of you know that there is a Godly, so fun, perfect for you man out there that the Lord is looping your journeys together even now. Don't settle for anything that is not God's best because God's best is AWESOME!

Happy Anniversary Day from us to you for us though! That was a confusing statement...

(picture from when we were dating...oh, just still melts my heart)

Be Awesome & Love Jesus,



kanakuk ashley robbins / ashley@kanakuk.com


photo: google.com / search "happy anniversary cards"

Christmas Playlist...

Hey K2 Kanakuk Gals,
Okay, I need your help! My Christmas playlist is, well, it's pathetic! HELP! You can comment at the bottom of this post, on facebook, or any other method of commenting that I probably don't know about and tell me your ultimate Christmas playlist...let's do top 5 songs!

I have a borderline obsession with the Christmas season of music, carols, and jigs! So tell me your faves and I'll be putting the playlist together for the Robbins' house! Thanks for the help!

Be Awesome & Love Jesus,

kanakuk ashley robbins / ashley@kanakuk.com
photo: google.com / search "top 10 christmas songs"

Peppermint...

Hey K2 Kanakuk Gals,
Well, let the debate begin...peppermint or not so much peppermint? My friend Jennifer (K1 Asst. Women's Director. You can check her blog out by clicking HERE) LOVES, and I mean LOVES, peppermint. Me, not so much. In fact I don't like peppermints at all. So although this season is festive with them (oh, ya know what I wouldn't mind decorating with them...ya know like filling a jar with them or something for color...but that's about it) I turn my nose to the peppermint cookies, peppermint hot cocoa, and peppermint Andy's blizzards. No thank you!

What about you? Love it so much you would eat peanut butter and peppermint sandwiches or no, thank you even if it were the last breath stabilizer on the earth and you had just eaten a whole onion? Drastic question, yes...deep question that needs an answer, absolutely.

Be Awesome & Love Jesus,

kanakuk ashley robbins / ashley@kanakuk.com
photo: google.com / search "peppermint candy"

Hope During This Season...

Hey K2 Kanakuk Gals,
This December season I again am brought back to the word HOPE. I blogged about it a while back too but during this season of shopping, wish lists, wants, and borderline greed I am reminded of the word HOPE.

As believers, we have a HOPE of a bigger picture to this oh-so-fun holiday. We know it's bigger than any package we could get. We know it's worth is more than all the money in the world. We know it's value is infinite and priceless. We have hope because during this season "a child is born." And this child is a "wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" to each one of us.

Remember today that your wish list and latest gadget is not important...at all as a matter of fact. You have hope in this season that so many don't. Live it, embrace it, and share it...HOPE!

Be Awesome & Love Jesus,

kanakuk ashley robbins / ashley@kanakuk.com
photo: etsy.com / seller zinckdesigns / click HERE to purchase this awesome print

O Holy Night...

Hey K2 Kanakuk Gals,
Well, I have my Christmas carols going today! I love how radios and iTunes during this season is overflowing with the latest, most fresh Christmas songs but also the old school ones that everyone knows! I love that! Christmas carols and christmas tunes in general just put a little extra skip in my step! Oh, how I love it!

I was trying to think of the last time I went caroling. I must admit I am not real sure. I can vaguely remember being at an elderly home and caroling with high school friends...or maybe it was freshman year in college. Either way, it's been too long. So I am thinking (just thinking at this point because I might chicken out) of rallying some friends/neighbors and going to friends/neighbors houses and caroling. Oh, wouldn't it be so much fun!? Now if I only had like costumes with robes and fur hooded hoodies to make it all the better! Oh, and top hats too!

If you get a chance I think you should go caroling in your towns! Go to a nursing home or your neighborhood or just sing to your teacher one day! That would be awesome!

Be Awesome & Love Jesus,

kanakuk ashley robbins / ashley@kanakuk.com
photo: etsy.com / seller ormolu / click HERE to purchase

She's Here...

Hey K2 Kanakuk Gals,

Well, she's here! She's actually been here since November 15th at 4:36 am. She is perfect in every way! So Belle Channing Robbins will be joining the K2 family this summer.

Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving with your families and friends! We had a great one with this little addition to our family!

Be Awesome & Love Jesus,

kanakuk ashley robbins / ashley@kanakuk.com

photo: by me

It's Coming...

Hey K2 Kanakuk Gals,
Well, I just can't help myself!!! I know it's November 29th and let me be the first to say I love Thanksgiving! But...oh my goodness I adore Christmas! I adore it for a bazillion reasons! So I just wanted to warn you this month will be a lot of Christmas banter, pictures, stories, red and greens, and all things warm and fuzzy and Christmas-y all over!

You have been warned...jump on board or make fun of me! Either way, I am confident in who the Lord made me! :)

Be Awesome & Love Jesus,

kanakuk ashley robbins / ashley@kanakuk.com
photo: etsy.com / seller firstlightphoto / Click HERE to purchase photo

P.S. I'm obsessed with Etsy (you should know that) and found this photo. Isn't it amazing? I just love how the snowflakes are barely visible and the light is just perfect! Well done seller firstlightphoto!

Why Don't We Get Nap Times...

Hey K2 Kanakuk Gals,
Well, after the feast of Thanksgiving I always ponder 1 thought...why don't we as pre-teens, teens, college students, and young adults (I think I still fall under young adults...or maybe not?) still get nap times? Oh, glorious days of 2-3 hour naps!

My stomach is so happy from the feast and then even leftovers are delicious but I am always left thinking, "okay, now naptime." Maybe someday schools will catch on and continue nap time from pre-K all the way through high school! That would be so funny and yet awesome.

So today, go take a nap and be okay with it! You girls are so busy anyways that it probably wouldn't be a bad idea! No homework, no reading, no facebook, just go lie down on the couch (sometimes couches breed for naps since it's not the typical night sleep bed). Just lie down and enjoy a nap! Ode to Kindergarten days!

Be Awesome & Love Jesus,

Kanakuk Ashley Robbins / ashley@kanakuk.com
Photo: etsy.com / Seller AllSpelledOut / Click HERE to purchase door sign

Happy Thanksgiving...

Hey K2 Kanakuk Gals,
Happy Thanksgiving my friends! I pray today is just so full of turkey, yummy green bean casserole (I'm serious, I think this stuff is so yummy!), corn stuff, lots of pies, pecan pie, apple pie, and whatever else you want to make yourself full with. But I also pray that you make the day full of family hugs, laughter, memories, tag football, more hugs, and a heart of thankfulness.

I am thankful for Kanakuk today. Thankful for the ministry it is and continues to be. I am thankful that in a small way we are all connected because of this crazy, awesome place called Kamp!

Be Awesome & Love Jesus,

Kanakuk Ashley Robbins / ashley@kanakuk.com
Photo: google.com / search "happy thanksgiving signs"

The Parade is Coming...

Hey K2 Kanakuk Gals,
Well, the day before Thanksgiving!!! I just wanted to remind you all to awaken promptly at 7 am, eat some yummy cinnamon rolls (no need for homeade when you can get the Pillsbury ones with cream cheese icing...can we say unbelievably deee-lish!), and stay in your PJ's for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. I think I blogged on it last year but it is tradition in the Medlin >> Robbins' household. This year the firstborn might actually be able to watch it since her eyes aren't 2 days old.

I'm off to get everything ready for in the morning! Woohoo!

Be Awesome & Love Jesus,

Kanakuk Ashley Robbins / ashley@kanakuk.com
Photo: google.com / search "macy's thanksgiving day parade logo"

iPad, Why are You So Cool...

Hey K2 Kanakuk Gals,
Well, at first with the latest techy gadget having an apple on it I scoffed at it. I usually do simply because technology frustrates me most of the time. Don't get me started on Facebook...if it weren't for you girls, I would be off that crazy thing? Why do we care if someone's going to the mall or sleeping in till 9 am. Ugg...let me get back on track.

So during Shay and I's travel for kamp I stayed at some of our dear friends house and they had an iPad. Oh, why did I even use it...I am so hooked. I love it. It is small, simple, and does everything I would need. So today I share my shameless, and totally pointless since we have a laptop, want...oh, Mr. Gates would you please read my blog and send me one for free. I know you have some pull around that Apple/Mac place. Thank you sir for your time.

CORRECTION: Dear Mr. Gates, you wouldn't and couldn't send me a free iPad b/c you work for Microsoft. Welcome to the world of a natural blonde, uninformed techy, mother of a 1 year old, and 1 week old that hasn't slept very much. Thank you for understanding. Mr. Steve Jobs, if you would like to send me an iPad please go right ahead. Holler and I'll get you my mailing address. Thanks!

(side note: i have never laughed at myself so hard after several comments revealing my error. I mean Shay and I laughed hard...still laughing)

Be Awesome & Love Jesus,

Kanakuk Ashley Robbins / ashley@kanakuk.com
Photo: google.com / search "iPad"

Let's Run with Them...Sort of...

Hey K2 Kanakuk Gals,

I wanted to pass on this story (true story by the way!) about some K2 gals and staff that are running the race...literally! So read, help, and give some money! I mean, if you want too...

Who's involved?

Monica Rex- Orlando, Fl- 11th grade
Natalie Rex-Orlando, FL- 11th grade
Emily Ross- Orlando, FL- 12th grade
Aly Fleck- Orlando, FL- UCF Senior

Where did the idea come from?
A couple of our friends had recently completed a half-marathon, so we all thought that would be a fun feat to attempt. We didn't want to run with no purpose; that would've been pointless. So we thought back to K-Equip when Adam Donyes talked about Zach Hunter, a modern-day abolitionist. The movie, Taken, also was an eye opener to the fact that WE could be the ones in slavery. So we wanted to combine something we wanted to do with something that would further the kingdom and help our brothers and sisters! We decided to run a half-marathon for the purpose of raising money for victims of the modern-day slave trade.

When is the race?
Saturday, December 4th at 7 am

Goal? $13,100- ($1000/ mile)
Why? We made our goal so lofty from encouragement by Adam Donyes to "dream a dream so big that if God didn't show up, it would fail."

Why are we doing this?
When we think of the slave trade, we think of the triangular trade and the Emancipation Proclamation, of something ancient and that ended long ago. It's unbelievable, and astounding, and SCARY that slavery is still continuing and even GROWING daily. We knew we wanted to do something to stop the perpetrators and help the victims of the slave trade, so running a half-marathon to raise money seemed ideal. I mean, we could have potentially been trafficking victims ourselves, had we been born under different circumstances.

How do people give?
by going to our website, FREEDOMRUNNERS.ORG, and donating online! If they want to give via check, they can contact me personally (by email: momox@cfl.rr.com) and I will give them information on how to do that.

Be Awesome & Love Jesus,

kanakuk ashley robbins / ashley@kanakuk.com

photo: google.com / search "13.1 miles"

Ooey Gooey Butter Cake...

Hey K2 Kanakuk Gals,
Well, it's Sunday, it's fall, and it's a day for baking! This recipe will pretty much rock your face and make you want to sleep in this pan with the deliciousness called OOEY GOOEY BUTTER CAKE. Oh, praise the Lord for this recipe! Enjoy! Seriously, go grab your mom, keys to the car, and this recipe and have a fun mom-daughter (or dad-daughter, grandma-daughter, sister-sister, brother-sister) date!

Ingredients:
Cake:
1 18 1/4-ounce package yellow cake mix
1 egg
8 tablespoons butter, melted

Filling:
1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
8 tablespoons butter, melted
1 16-ounce box powdered sugar

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Combine the cake mix, egg, and butter and mix well with an electric mixer. Pat the mixture into the bottom of a lightly greased 13 by 9-inch baking pan. Prepare Filling
In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add the eggs, vanilla, and butter and beat together.

Next, add the powdered sugar and mix well. Spread over cake batter and bake for 40 to 50 minutes. Make sure not to over bake as the center should be a little gooey.
Servings: 6 to 8 servings
Prep Time: 30 min
Cook Time: 40 min
Difficulty: Easy
Show: Recipe courtesy Paula Deen and Random House Publishing

Be Awesome & Love Jesus,

Kanakuk Ashley Robbins /ashley@kanakuk.com

Frandom Friday...

Hey K2 Kanakuk Gals,
Well, I made up a new word...Frandom! It's Friday + Random = Frandom...embrace the word people! I feel like my posts have been well, very random which I'm sure makes you all gasp for air and throw your hands up in complete disbelief, but alas (I love that word) another random post is about to hit you in the face, not really.

Today I just wanted to remind you of a K2 Kanakuk memory. Obviously I am a bit biased but the hubby's message this past summer on being Relentless (remember?) in our journey with Jesus was so convicting to my heart. I told him even if none of you listened or had heart change, his own wife did. It truly was a transforming night for my heart. I had let mommyhood, kamp, and just life take over my relentless heart to just be the Lords and seek Him. So today I want you to remember the verse Shay really hit on (now actually the Robbins' family verse):

Psalm 27:4

I have asked one thing from the Lord; it is what I desire; to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, gazing on the beauty of the Lord and seeking Him in His temple."

Amen, amen! Know of God's unconditional love and live in the midst of that love by seeking Him each day with your heart.

Be Awesome & Love Jesus,

Kanakuk Ashley Robbins / ashley@kanakuk.com
Photo: google.com / search "random thoughts"

Thankful for You...

Hey K2 Kanakuk Gals,
Well, today I am going to coin Thankful Monday. It has no rhyming ring to it but it is quite fun. This isn't about writing thank you cards, it's about a spirit of thankfulness that I hope overflows to each of your homes today (and maybe a bit each day!).

So today go grab some index cards, cute paper, or whatever and write a little note to EACH person (yes, even your annoying little brother/sister) to tell them you ARE thankful for them and why. You can be mooshy, funny, or super duper loving but be authentic and sweet. Wouldn't you love to hear that...so go my friend. Go write a little love for someone.

Be Awesome & Love Jesus,

Kanakuk Ashley Robbins / ashley@kanakuk.com
Photo: google.com / search "thank you notes"

Would You Rather...

Hey K2 Kanakuk Gals,
Okay, deep deep deep question for you today? Would you rather have a fall break (usually a Thursday and Friday off on a random Fall weekend) or not have a fall break and have more days off for Thanksgiving break?

I know it's deep. Take some time. Pray through it. Let me know.

Be Awesome & Love Jesus,

Kanakuk Ashley Robbins / ashley@kanakuk.com
Photo: google.com / search "fall break"

1 Week, Seriously?...

Hey K2 Kanakuk Gals,

Well, I am blogging ahead as The Robbins' have a new little adventure arriving very shortly. So when this blog posts goes up on the blog we will have about 1 week left before secondborn precious girl arrives. She may come early (hence I am blogging on November 8th and getting a lot of posts ready to just post themselves so you all don't miss out on the random ramblings of Kanakuk Ashley...I mean could life go on? haha!)

Anyways, so when this post launches it will be November 13th. We will be celebrating precious 1st borns birthday (a week early so she can have a special day) with family and be getting ready to welcome precious 2nd born girl very soon...Thank you Lord for choosing Shay and I for this child...for these girls! Let us show them each day of YOUR love by how we love them.

Would LOVE prayers for all things about having a baby (yikes!) and for our family as we transition to 2 little girls! Thanks! Blogging will continue...or at least I have a great goal of it continuing!

Be Awesome & Love Jesus,

Kanakuk Ashley Robbins / ashley@kanakuk.com
Photo: google.com / search "due in november with baby girl"


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When did this happen...

Hey K2 Kanakuk Gals,
Halloween. I realize I am a week or so late but I just had to post some thoughts. I was so disturbed when I received an email from some family friends about her friends and what she missed out by not being with them for Halloween. What she missed was her 16-17 year old friends dressed as, well, Victoria Secret models with everything showing...bras, legs, everything. I was so taken a back by it and honestly still don't really believe these juniors and seniors in high school wore these outfits out. What happened to funny, silly, and cute costumes. It's like all of a sudden Halloween gives clearance for great girls to wear the most revealing costumes and it's "okay" and even "awesome" or "cute."

The picture above just set me off more as I thought about raising 2 daughters in this world. Why is it that 10 year olds no longer want to be Cinderella but they want to be the girls from Jersey Shore or Lady Gaga. How does this happen?

Parents, it's time to engage...it's past time! When your girls head out the door, dads stand up and be THERE! Be there to say, you are beautiful or to say, "my sweet daughter you cannot wear that out because I am your father and my job is to protect you and raise you to honor your body as God's temple. This outfit does none of those things." Anything to engage your daughter in teaching her that she is worth more than her parts.

Okay, breathe Ashley...just breathe! Girls, you are worth so much more than the costumes they are selling to you all. So get your princess dresses out, pull out some good ole fashion overalls and but adorably dressed for Halloween...next year (I am realizing now this would have been good to do before Halloween...good one Ashley!)

Be Awesome & Love Jesus,

Kanakuk Ashley Robbins / ashley@kanakuk.com
Photo: google.com / search "halloween costumes"

Hope...

Hey K2 Kanakuk Gals,
HOPE...nothing too funny or too serious today just a simple question to make you sit back and ponder (don't you girls ponder anymore? try it, it will be fun).

What is your hope in? Really...don't you just answer the typical answer! (really though I can't really stop you since you are just reading this through a computer screen and I have no way of knowing if you really look introspectively (is that a word?) to search your heart to find what you are placing your hope in? Sorry, random tangent)

Think girls...where is your hope? Why is it in _____?

Be Awesome & Love Jesus,

Kanakuk Ashley Robbins / ashley@kanakuk.com
Photo: etsy.com / Seller ishootnouns / Click HERE to purchase print.

Attacked by a Bug...

Hey K2 Kanakuk Gals,
Oh, man, oh, man...I wish the picture above was what hit the Robbins' household last week but it was not so much a bug like a cute friendly ladybug. Sorry for the absence in the blog world of Kanakuk Ashley. We have been locked into our house with a yucky, yucky, yucky, did I say yucky flu bug. Luckily it didn't last super long and our firstborn didn't catch it! Woohoo! So needless to say blogging just did not happen.

Thanks for understanding and we have no more bugs (prayerfully) visiting anytime soon. Have you guys caught any flu bugs? I pray not! I think it is going around Branson right now...so if you live close...Beware!

Be Awesome & Love Jesus,

Kanakuk Ashley Robbins / ashley@kanakuk.com
Photo: google.com / search "ladybug"