Fitness Lately

Today I'm headed to Minneapolis for an appointment with my rheumatologist. It might actually shape up to be a pretty crazy day because we're discussing "what to do with me" when I turn 18 in a few short months. I currently go to a Gillette Children's Hospital, and since I'm almost NOT a child anymore, (WOAH) It's time to find a doctor to better suit my needs.

Anywho, I've been failing COMPLETELY when it comes to keeping up with my fitness. I like to blame it on being a full time student with two part-time jobs, but I know there's not an excuse and my physical therapist would be ticked...

It's been hard dealing with the fact that I simply cannot be the runner that I used to be. It's truly something that is beyond my control. I thought I'd officially learned how to be proud of the new me last summer, but there's still a lot of hurt and feelings of "inadequacy" here. Therefore, I've decided to take a break from running. If I feel well enough to run, I've promised myself not to exceed 1 1/2 miles at once. I was averaging about 2 1/2 miles per run last  month, but the pain I've been in the past few weeks is just not worth it to me at this point. I hate that, but it's the truth and I'm staying positive. I'm slowly realizing that I can still make progress and overcome... It just might be in other areas for the time being! I'd choose moving forward and being joyful rather than moping around doing NOTHING any day. :)

Since I don't have a nannying job this summer yet, (sad face) It looks like I'm going to have a lot more free time! I'm not sure how I really feel about that yet, but things will be okay! Someone I babysit for was just telling me about some awesome yoga classes she's been taking and I realize how much I want to get myself involved in that. She does special "healing" classes - so I'm thrilled to meet/get to know the instructor while learning more about my body, its limitations, and what I can do to naturally help it heal.

Another fitness goal I plan to accomplish this summer is going for and completing The 300 Challenge. My core is one of the few areas of my body that my arthritis has not taken control of which is amazing! It gives me a place to make progress while I let my joints off the hook. Again, it's just what's best for me right now and I'm okay with that!

In other news this weekend, I'm going camping with my family! Minnesota finally decided to give us SPRING and it's been feeling more like summer now that the rain has stopped. :) And, since our campground has some amazing trails, I'm going to attempt to squeeze in a 1 mile run and lots of biking. I'll take it one day at a time. :)

The first thing I'm going to do when we get to our camper tonight is make myself a kiddie cocktail. Cheers to the freakin' weekend! Ah, to be a teen blogger... ;)

Linking up with my gorgeous friend... Jen for

Summer Loves

It FINALLY quit raining here and the sun is out! Praise Jesus! I. Am. So. Ready. For. Summer. Only one full week left of class and I'm FREE.

I totally need to make a checklist and get my assets into town because I have about ZERO summer clothes. I only have two pairs of shorts that fit semi-decently, no swimsuit, and I'm in desperate need of a new pair of sandals. Luckily, I get paid today! HOLLA.

Priority number one is the fact that I NEED a swimsuit with an anchor on it. I don't care if its one or 16 trillion, that baby has GOT to be anchored the heck out. {And yes, I am totally, fully, and completely aware that I need to be checked in... HA!

1 // Unknown

2 // Target Sandals

3 // Old Navy Baseball Tees

4 // Old Navy Anchor Shorts

5 // Charlotte Russe Polka Dotted Sunglasses {similar}

My to-do list before the weekend arrives is as follows:

- Find an anchored swimsuit

- Raid my local Target for those sandals

- Hoard all of Old Navy's baseball tees

- Hunt down some anchor printed shorts

- Buy and ROCK a pair of polka dotted sunglasses

So far so good, eh? ;) Bring it on, summer! So ready for you!

- - - - - - - - - -

While you're here, go creep on these two pretty ladies:

I just met Ash through the Bigs & Littles Blogging Network and we're having a blast getting to know one another. She's been my motivation for working out lately and her son is absolutely precious!

Kala and I met through the Stop & Smell the Roses link up and she's easily become one of my best bloggy friends. We share a love for working with special needs people in our community and her DIY projects blow me away! She's always up to something!

- - - - - - - - - -

Understanding

A few months ago, I posted about applying to a PSEO program at Bethel Univeristy here. It really no secret that it's been on my heart... I've been vlogging about it, Instagram'ing about it... You name it, I've shared it. ;)

Last Wednesday, I received a letter from them. I knew that it would either be an acceptance or rejection, and after praying through things for MONTHS, I felt prepared to receive that answer...

When I grabbed the letter off the counter at home and found a quiet spot outside to open it... Suddenly all those months of praying, praying, praying seemed not to matter. It was just that moment. I was scared. And I had little faith.

Because I felt that way, I dropped the letter in the grass, closed my eyes, and started to pray. All I asked for in that moment was God's will and my ability to understand it. I didn't ask for my way. I didn't ask for an acceptance letter.

I just wanted HIS way. 

Only then did I feel it was right to open the letter... And when I did, I was blown away...

The letter said that I've been put on the waiting list. Basically, I'm not accepted OR rejected yet. I think that's so funny... Because EVERYTHING in my life lately has been all about patience lately. God knows that, and He's teaching me so much about that virtue.

I won't find out until mid-June what my future looks like, but honestly, I'm at peace with this situation for now. I know that God has called me to and promised a future at Bethel... He just didn't tell me WHEN that would be. It may not be next year or the year after... But He will fulfill those promises.

And through the tough seasons of practicing PATIENCE... God will give me faith. Understanding. Joy.

He will give me all that I need. He will make ALL things work together for my good.

His will, not my way.

Prommity Prom Prom '13

This post was supposed to be written and published last week, but because between final projects and getting caught up on sleep, I totally didn't make time for it! Happy to say that things have calmed down around here, though, and I can finally get back to sharing my heart here. :) Lots of good things scheduled this week!

Anyway, prom was last Saturday (May 11th) and I had the best time... On the Thursday night before, I decided to go for a 2 1/2 mile run because I was feeling pretty well except for the flare up I was in. I wanted to get one last workout in before prom and I'd been so busy that I hadn't run in almost a week. So, I went for it. And when I got home, my knees, ankles, and shins swelled up... My arthritis was in all of its glory. I cried a lot that night because I thought it meant I'd be miserable for prom, but God worked  an amazing, amazing miracle in my life and body because I woke up Saturday morning feeling better than ever! God knows how much I love to dance and I KNOW that He knew I just needed to be "Kenzie" for a night... Not "Kenzie with arthritis."

(DISCLAIMER: Prepare for a complete photo dump!)

I got my hair done by my incredible hair stylist Saturday morning. It was amazing to say the least... I LOVED how blonde it looked and how full it was. 

My bestie Amelia did my makeup afterwards (picture below, could NOT live without her...) and I basically got the rest of me ready in 10 minutes! Crazy how fast that day flew!

My date was a good guy friend. You can read about how he asked me here. He's super thoughtful and we had so much fun together! Plus, he cleans up pretty gooooooood. ;)

Obviously, we took loads of pictures before going anywhere...

Then we met up with friends for more pictures! Of course!

Then we did all the prom stuff... Went out for dinner, hung out, took more pictures... etc. etc.! :)

My school does something called grand march where you and your date get introduced and all the parents/families come watch!

After grand march, more pictures...

And then the dance started! You tell me who was having the most fun... ;) HA!

Afterwards, we went to a friends for a bonfire. It was great to just hang out and enjoy the gorgeous weather. :) I can't believe it's all over! So crazy how fast everything flew.

I went to bed that night with the biggest smile on my face. I'm so thankful that God gave me a day to be KENZIE in all of her glory. I danced my assets off, laughed way too much, and only took 2 pain pills along with my daily steroid. That's an AMAZING miracle. Juvenile arthritis had NO hold over me that night...

I'm.So.Blessed.