Ummm....

Y'all, it's almost Christmas!!! Unbelievable! Where has time gone? People always say that the older you get the faster time goes...post-college has gone faster then I would assume Dale Jr. rides in Talladega.

I.love.this.time.of.year. So very very much!! Even though the reason behind the magic has changed as I have grown up, it will always be a magical time of year. I would say it's safe to assume that would be because it's Jesus' birthday and all. Pretty crazy to think we get to be apart of celebrating Him. Too bad we take the privilege so lightly far too often. At least I know I do.

This year has been far different than years past for so many reasons. The main one being, I have a real j-o-b. For those of you not at this point yet, in case you weren't aware, Christmas break goes from 2+ weeks to about 2 days. Unless, you have pursued a career in one of the most valuable job markets on this earth...education. In that case, you deserve it. Anyway, I've been a real baby about it. I can admit that. I'm so obsessed with my family. Not being with them while they are all home watching Christmas Vacation on VHS, seeing shoddy McDonough Christmas light displays, eating at Olympia, and attending Christmas parties is killin' me. You know what they say, "Be there, or hear the stories!". Yeah, I'm hearing the stories.

You know what just dawned on me though, amidst my pity party (that is going on about 2 weeks now)? It doesn't matter where I am because baby Jesus was still born in that little Manger many years ago and I can celebrate that anywhere, anytime. Even better, the story doesn't end there. He walked this wretched earth for 30 years, died on the Cross for me (and you and our families and friends and enemies...), rose again, and His Spirit is alive and well and gets us through each and everyday. For that I am ever-grateful! SO, I'm trashing the party hats, gonna quit complaining to my oh-so-patient boyfriend so he can enjoy home, enjoy these next few days at my awesome job and the new great friends I have made there, sit by our tree, and anticipate 9:30PM Christmas Eve eve (when I'm going home) like a 5 year old girl getting her first Barbie.

The simplicity and Peace of the Baby in the Manger is such a sweet thing. Let's all work harder to just revel in His Glory this Christmas season. (And yes, I kinda just assumed we are all a little sinful. Forgive me?)

BIG love,
Kenz

P.S. If you need a little somethin' somethin' to get you in gear, just watch this preciousness that Ashley shared with me...  

a nugget of wisdom...

"So…

I am trying to process the week's events and discover their lessons.

I am thinking of milestones and miracles. Of temporality and timelessness.

I am thinking about how thin is the veil between two worlds.

How fragile and fleeting life is.

And how important it is to take the time to connect with the people you care about while you’re here… even though plans are often circumvented.

I'm thinking about how miracles happen even when our plans don't."

-Kim Arnold, author of one of my favorite blogs Margery Raves On.

Yes...I follow blogs of people I don't know. So what? This one in particular has been a life changer. The story behind how it came to be is miraculous. Just read it.

I love the truth that "miracles happen even when our plans don't". PRAISE THE LORD.

Here's to a new week...may I make it all God wants it to be!

Go M.A.D. (make a difference) this week.

BIG love,

Kenz

i don't know what to blog about...

because I have been MIA from cyberspace for so long with the exception of the 2 most important posts (Mama and Sissy) of my blogging career, there are so many things I could tell you about and I don't know where to start. My heart is overflowing faster than my pudgy little fingers can peck this keyboard. So for a little recap...

I managed to finish 13.1 miles in Mon-a-rheaaa (that's Monterrey auto-tuned T-Pain style), California with my studly beau and AwesomeAmbitiousAustin. Not too mention, we had an incredible cheerleading squad...the whole Griswold, I mean, Ausband clan. Listen, if you ever have the urge to do a half this needs to be the one you do...

Look at how much fun we are having!!!

Let's see what else...Oh, well I have a new job. I think everyone knows that now but for my millions of readers that may not, I'm studio manager at Dance101. I use the word "job" lightly. I don't really feel like I work because I love it so much. It's been a very interesting and rewarding transition. I left the comfort of working for a family business, a promising position, and a big future in the company to begin pursuing my dreams. As risky as it seemed, I feel so free. I love my day to day duties. I love the entertainment industry. I love Ofelia and Paulina de La Valette. I love providing a service that boosts people's confidence and self-esteem. I am SO grateful for this opportunity! I feel so blessed to be able to say "I love what I do" with a messy economy and as a part of what some have tagged "the Lost Generation". God's provision continually blows my mind.

Thanksgiving came and went way too fast. Let me just say, I am obsessed with Christmas music and Christmasy things and Christmas in general but sheesh...this year Thanksgiving seemed to get  more inundated than normal by the holiday hoop-lah. Nonetheless, the family time was much needed. ANDDD I also got to take a sweet little trip to Virginia to see Patrick's old stomping ground. It really is just a sweet, sweet place and I loved finally getting to go!!

God's abundant goodness is real and for your taking if only you will open your heart to it. My heart is so full these days and for that I could not be more thankful. I don't even know what to do with myself. Experiencing true joy is unexplainable. To God be the glory...

The half-baked cookies and ice cream I ate for dinner are making me sleepy. Plus, if I keep typing I'll continue to get frustrated because I don't feel like I can adequately explain myself in a funny creative way. That would be bad because then I might lose followers. I'm gonna stop.

Basically, I just want to learn to be a good steward of all that I have been given. I want to learn to love Jesus better and pass that on to others. Annnnnd let the advice and wisdom commence....

BIG Love,
Kenz

Dear World,

Meet the most vivacious 20 year old that walks this earth, Miss Shelby Carmichael Ausband. Today is HER day (and Britney Spears's...remember when you thought that was so cool, Shel?). If you know her you can't get enough of her and your cheeks are sore from smiling after being around her. If you don't know her, change that. Maybe I'm biased, because she is my sister and all, BUT she lives to change lives and for that I am so thankful. She's a rebel without a cause. Her heart is larger than life. Her ideas are outrageous (as in BIG and awesome). She goes after things she wants in life. She unashamedly and boldly stands up for Truth. She can take care of herself when she's sick unlike someone else I know. She's crazy-fun. As Tina Turner would say, "She's simply the best!". Shel or She'll as BBM puts it, I hope today is pure perfection. I hope you feel loved and celebrated over there in Oxford. Thanks for your zeal for life, encouragement, ambition, love, support, and ability to stay calm in the midst of craziness. Thanks for being my very best friend in this whole wide world. I love you, Shebry!

#luhdisluhyou

IT'S LOVE,
Kannnnsie