Its Fall Ya'll

Well Fall is certainly in the air here in OKC! I feel like we went from 70 to 40 in a few days.. but I guess that is pretty much expected at this point.. and Oh man, the rain! Its been great.. Lake Hefner looks fantastic!

We are gearing up for a busy Season.. I feel Like I haven't told you anything in awhile.. so here's a catch-up.. The girls started a new school in the Fall, Primrose Northwest, and its the greatest thing ever. They LOVE going to school now! We are so grateful, because nothing is worse than dropping off your crying, sad kid who does not want to go to school.. They have flourished there and they love their teachers and new friends so much! They get to go on a field trip to the pumpkin patch tomorrow.. and they go to the library on Fridays.. and have LOVED Checking out books! So.. we are super happy they love it! So that has been a HUGE blessing..

With Fall here.. that means Halloween is just around the Corner and the girls are cooking up some magic for you this year.. About 2 months ago.. Crosslee was watching the "He's Alive" video with Dolly Parton and decied she was going to be Dolly For Halloween.. so I tried to think of something that might go with Dolly.. Like maybe Kenny Rogers Perhaps.. but I didn't think that would make a good costume.. so I played "On the Road Again" for Londyn and asked if she wanted to Be Willie Nelson.. SOLD! And she's been singing "On the Road again".. since then.. #winning

So now.. not only am I winning at Halloween.. I'm winning at my kids listening to great music.. Oh, and if you want Extra.. they ate Beef Stew last night.. so yeah! Boom! Don't be surprised if I win mom of the year..

I've also been enjoying my gig on Hank FM.. (99.7 on your FM dial) and just really LOVING that I get to do what I love again. I cannot tell you how awesome it feels to be doing what you love and what you are good at. If you have that opportunity in your life.. take it.. Just make sure you also have another job that pays the bills.. lol.. #truth

I got another year older this year.. which will make me.. Old enough to know better and still too young to care.. (Thank you Wade Hayes).. I honestly feel rather great for being old as dirt.. This is the first time in 20 years that I work out 5-6 days a week.. Orange theory has been a life-changer for me. I started Last March when it opened, and thought.. "How do I keep from dying  when I do this workout?".. Well thankfully I did not.. and here I am over a year later LOVING my workouts.. WHAT? Stop. I know.. I never wanted to be THAT GUY, but I officially am.. I wear workout pants now! WHAT?? I KNOW.. I talk about working out with my fellow OTF friends..and we feel like we are in a special magical club that celebrates Burpees, Deadlifts, Run to Rows, all while high-fiving and cussing! I also love my coaches.. I'm so grateful to finally find something that WORKS for me.. I'm athletic.. but I'm not a runner.. I don't just 'run for fun'.. unless someone is trying to stab me.. I'm super competitive, and Orange theory allows me to compete with myself, and others.. all while completing an amazing workout with weights and cardio.. I even completed a dri-tri?@?!?! Yeah.. I know.. its a 2000 meter Row on the Rowing machine, a 5k on the Treads, and 300 body weight Reps.. and I DID IT!!!!! Another great part? yeah.. its done in an hour.. and I burn over 600 calories.. BONUS. We start Hell week on the 24th.. if you want to give it a go, hit me up, you get to workout for free for a week.. I'll cheer for you..

So all on my own.. I've lost almost 70 pounds.. Its been a great journey with Orange theory and also Profile.. They have helped me get my food in check with awesome coaching as well.. I cannot complain about much! Well.. I could.. Like the fact that Londyn has a cough that only happens at night and it wakes her up.. but overall. .Life is good here!

We are headed back to Branson in November.. so if you know anything magical that we need to do.. Let me know. We are staying at the Lodges at Timber-ridge, which is amazing.. and we are going to try to go to Silver Dollar City and to the Sight and Sound Theater to see "Samson" this year. I've heard amazing things about both.. and of course Cross wants to go back to the Dolly Parton Dixie Stampede.. #becausedolly Mom got her a weird Dolly Parton Doll, but we haven't given it to her yet, because we have to find Londyn a weird Willie Nelson doll to go with it.. lol

The girls still love all things Creepy.. The giant is up.. and they still take him food in the evenings.. blankets for sleeping..and talk to him all the time.. They also love the Bloody Clown. He was missing for a few days and they were very concerned, but then our neighbors put him out and all was well.. They pose with him on Sundays..

So all is well in my world.. Still loving my Church, My Small Group, and My Family and Friends.. I could not ask for more! Excited for the upcoming Vacation and Holiday Season! Hope you guys are doing well.. don't forget every Friday on Hank I have my Accordion, Helen with me at 5:15.. for Accordion Fridays..and the Bad joke of the day is back on Fridays! So give it a listen.. you can also listen online, or via the HANK FM app! Get down on it! woohoo!

Working Moms

Man. Sometimes being a working mom is hard. Especially a working mom with several jobs. Now Granted.. I did part of that to myself, but its still hard. I've run out of hours in the day.. some days I have great success filling all of the hours with meaningful, magical time.. Some days I don't. Some days I feel like I'm winning at being a Wife, Mom, and Employee.. Some days I'm not.

This week is Vacation Bible School, and Vacation bible School at Crossings Is LEGIT. I mean they have full size bounce houses INSIDE the church.. Amazing singers that teach them fun songs.. ITs LEGIT. I waited till the girls were old enough to go with excitement because each year we'd watch the videos and think "Oh man, that is so amazing" so they got to go for the first time last year, and I wanted them to get to go this year.. but this creates a few issues for the working mom.. For one, I go into work at 7am.. Bible School starts at 9, so I either have to wait till 9, then take them.. Or Go to work for 2 hours, send them to their school.. then go back and pick them up and take them to VBS.. Then they get out at 12.. So then I have to leave work..get them lunch.. and pick them up, then take them back to school.. and take myself back to work.. Its hard, but its worth it, because they love going, so we'll make it work.. just like we do everything else.. but being a working mom is hard.

However.. I know being a stay at home mom is hard too..and that is a job I'm just not able to do. I admire those that do it, and I'm in awe of their patience and tolerance! I've always just known that I wanted to be a working mom. Would I love to have a job that allowed me to do both? Sure.. Or only work a few days a week? FOR SURE.. Have endless amounts of money? Um, yes please.. But that is not God's plan for me.. and thats ok. My plan is not anyone else's plan. My plan is for me.

I want my girls to know why I work hard.. What I'm passionate about. What I'm good at.. Why I try to do better.. Why I went back on the radio to do something I love even though it requires more of me! I used to feel bad because I was not the kind of mom that said things like "I never lived until I had children" "My children are my World".. Yeah.. I've lived.. My college experience alone was legit.. lol And don't even get me started on some of the amazing times I've had on the radio!

I've had a pretty incredible life. My kids are incredible, but I'm a child of God, I'm a wife, I'm a daughter, and I'm a mother.. My kids are super important to me, but they do not define me, and I do not make them the Center of My universe. I want them to understand that we answer to someone bigger.. I want them to understand we all have to do crap we don't want to do.. we have to get along with people that aren't worth getting along with.. That I love their daddy and its important that we have time together by ourselves.. That We have to fall down and get back up.. That sometimes the world is Mean and Unfair.. We have to be disciples.. we have to be warriors.. we have to be supporters.. We have to be sympathetic, understanding, caring, and Kind..Even to people who don't deserve that..  And If I make them the center of the universe, do everything for them, Shelter them from everything scary, and move all obstacles out of their way, they are not going to learn that. Those are hard lessons to learn.. but I'm going to help them, and the Lord is going to help me through it all. But.......Its still hard.

IN a society of Busy.. I realize.. I'm busy.. I'm working two jobs, and I don't get to do a lot of things I need/Want to do.. For example, right now I'm neglecting my work as a Hospice Volunteer with my therapy dogs.. I just don't have the time to get to the nursing homes right now.. but I want to. I'm supposed to be taking Payslee & Sawyer on monthly visits to the Assisted Living Center.. but I feel like I run out of time. I'm leading a small group at church, but I am not able to research the lessons for us, because I run out of time! These are GREAT things to do! And I want to do them! But dang.. I just don't have the time right now, and....... I'm TIRED!!! lol.. Tired as a Mother is a real thing..

 I've had to really look at my life lately and decide What my Big Priorities are.. So as a result I've had to cut down on going to a lot of social events at church.. therapy visits.. hospice visits.. even though they are all important to me.. I just can't get to them right now, and you know what? Thats ok. Because eventually I'll get back to them.. But its hard to say no to them..

So whatever phase of life you are in.. busy.. not busy.. working.. not working.. momming, not momming.. Realize.. that Your plan is for you. Not anyone else.. Don't let others make you feel bad because you are not doing 'the norm' or filling a status.. God has a plan for me, and for my girls, and I'm excited to watch it unfold. I can't believe they are Five! Seems crazy.. its like some days stood still, and some days flew by in the blink of an eye.. Being a parent is hard.. Being a wife is hard.. and sometimes following God's plan is hard.. But we have to remember that through trials comes Grace, and while those little eyes are watching us, we can show them what it means to walk to the beat of our OWN Drum.. the Drum God created just for us.. not anyone else.. And I'm probably going to screw it up some days.. Because I run out of patience.. and time.. But all I can do is start over the next day and try again.. because as we all know, I'm not quitter.. and I hate losing..except for Weight.. and I've lost 65  pounds.. so Boom.. there's that.

Do tell.. Do Tell..

OH man. I have a lot to tell you guys.. I'll start with the fact that we went back To Great Wolf Lodge last month. This time Gigi and Pa went with us.. I will say this about Great Wolf.. To kids.. its the greatest place ever.. To Parents.. its.. an opportunity for ways to sneak beverages in a Yeti so that you can deal with the loud noise, Chlorine, screaming kids.. and people wearing things that should not be seen in public.. much less a kids water park..

I will give you a few tips.. Take your own snacks, your own Juices, Your own drinks.. You CAN take them down to the pool area with you as long as you aren't toting glass or an ice chest.. so that will save you a ton of money. Also, wait for a coupon, or a groupon, or a discount.. Those help.. But man, the girls love it.. they talk about it everyday and asked to go back the second we left.. so yeah, its a fun, quick trip.. and Grapevine has an Einstein Bagel.. which is Delightful, so #winning.

Ok, Second thing.. I'm back on the radio! I got offered the afternoon gig on 99.7 Hank FM from 3-7pm.. I'm so excited.. and through the magic of Radio, my regular day job at Loves, I'm able to do both and still be a good mom and Wife.. The girls are going to be making regular appearance on the show with me, so get ready for that.. I'm honestly just so glad to be doing something I love and having really supportive people at my Loves Job that encourage me. I'm mostly excited because I didn't know if I would ever get to be back on the radio again.. and when I look back at the way God has moved in my life.. its just fun to watch! You have to realize that through trials comes Grace, and when that Grace happens its such a blessing to see. God is good. I've setup a facebook page so you can interact with me while on the air.. go HERE-- https://www.facebook.com/kcsheperdcrankhank/

I was thinking about "God Moments" in my life today, because Today is my 1 year anniversary at Orange Theory Fitness. When I think about how crazy it was that I even got there.. its bizarre.. I saw a facebook ad For Orange Theory with a number to call about it.. It was a cold day and I was supposed to go down there and meet with a coach.. I cancelled.. He texted me and set up another time.. I agreed to go down there.. having NO CLUE what I was doing. I had not worked out in forever.. I hated to hear about people working out. I wanted to punch people that told me "Workouts are fun".. blargh. Shut up. No.. No. Stop talking.. But.. I put all that out of my mind and went down there. I somehow just felt like it was what I was supposed to do. When I went down there I met Jordan.. (not my Jordan, but another fantastic Jordan) and he went through the premise of Orange Theory.. I remember asking him 2 main things. 1) How do I keep from Dying. 2) How many times do I have to come here to see results..  He responded enthusiastically to all my questions.. and he was a muscly, good lookin dude, and he was a coach.. so how bad can it be? I joined.

The studio hadn't opened yet, so I had a few months to think about what I had gotten myself into.. but on day 1.. I was there.. I didn't have workout clothes. I had no idea what to bring. I was a probably a sad looking Sack for gym attire.. But I went.. There were a few times I thought.. Yup.. this is it.. My heart is going to explode.. Hell, there are days I still do that! It's hard! Its work! I fell off the rower.. I probably have looked like a fool more than once.. #yourwelcome But man, the payoff is good! And I love that its for everyone. Its go at your own pace, so if you are 14, or 84.. we can all go! I get inspired daily by the folks that go and literally hand me my butt on the treadmill. I mean..I started out power walking, and these folks come in in beast mode.. but I love it.. You do what YOU can do, and that is good enough! I also have crap knees.. so guess what? No lunges for me! No thank you. Pass.. So the coaches give me options that won't strain my knees. #winning. And sometimes I bring in Cross's Owl, Melba, and the coaches take pics with her.. See how Happy Khairi is With Melba?

At First I only Went 2 days a week.. Then 3.. Then My friend Eileen (who I worked out with, and loved because she cussed as much as I did through the workouts) told me 5 was the magic number.. FIVE! FIVE???? I'm DYING at 3! I'm sore! I can't do it! I'll miss all my lunches! No!.. Ok.. Ok.. Ok.. I'll go five.. and I started going 5.. I met new friends.. I met new Coaches.. I loved all of them.. I loved the OTF Family.. and I started getting muscles.. I started losing weight.. NOW.. Keep in mind, at this point I had no desire to eat healthy. Baby Steps guys.. baby steps.. So I would literally go to Orange Theory on Mondays so I could go to Qdoba $1 Taco days after.. My reason for OTF was to eat whatever I wanted.. and I still lost 20 pounds.. Then about 9 months in I decided to start eating right.. I joined Profile in Edmond. My OB, Dr. Goff had lost 75 pounds and told me about it, so I gave them a call. When I first talked to them I was like.. No thanks. Pass.. But after thinking about it.. I realized I needed a PLAN.  They provided me a coach, meal plans, food, etc.. and I lost 25 more pounds in 8 weeks. So here I am. Its hard. But I still go. Because other people are holding me accountable.. I love to encourage new OTF members because they are in the same place I was when I started.. and its been an awesome journey. People have encouraged me.. complete strangers will come up to me after class and high-five me.. or Ask me how much weight I've lost.. Its a journey, its a family, its been a good God moment for me that led me to some awesome people.. and 44 pounds lighter.. Plus My heart is in better shape! 4" off my chest, 5" off my waist, 9" off my hips.. And I still really like going.. so there's that.. My favorite part? Yeah, its still when its over.. but I'm glad I did it!

So I can't complain.. I started the process of enrolling the girls in Deer Creek.. then stopped.. Because they will just turn 5 at the end of May, and would've started school in August.. and I just don't see the point in putting them in early. They are in Pre-K right now at the Childcare Network and they love their Teachers and friends, so we are going to put them in Next Year when they are 6. I think that is the best solution for them and hopefully they will have gained some Emotional Maturity where we don't flip out at our sister wearing our Shoes, or because you didn't get the bike on the playground.. however, I don't want people wearing my shoes, so I guess that is Valid. We'll see..

IN the meantime, I'm on 3-7, and even have a Bio so please.. feel free to be Crankin It to Hank.. and Yes, I'm working on breaking out Helen, the Accordion for your listening pleasure, so give me a few weeks and I'll get that started up.. You can also download the app and take me with you! Boom!

We are super excited for Easter At Crossings. Its my Anniversary there too, and if you are looking for a service that will MOVE you.. Come Join us at Easter. I can guarantee an amazing Musical performance, Message, and gathering. We have several Services, so take your pick. I'd love to have you join us! There's a Maundy Service on Thursday that will be incredible.. Good Friday at 12, and 6pm, and all the Easter Services!  Look at what we have put together with just a small little Tail Tie (These are the ties I used to put my Heifers tail in when I was showing, but I think normal people call them Zip Ties). Just goes to show you that we are all small Pieces in God's Grand Plan, but when we are all working together, we can do amazing things!

You're Gonna Miss this..

Man, what a magical time of the year if you have kids.. Is it insanity and dang near impossible to keep the perspective on Jesus? Well sure.. but its also magic.. I feel like the months from May to Now have just FLOWN by..and I'm waking up and its 3 days until Christmas!

The girls are so much fun.. they love everything Christmas.. I look at my other friends who have older kids and know they are missing this age.. 4.. 3 was fun too, but 4 has been a lot of fun with the girls because they are starting to 'get it'.. and you can still totally threaten them with Eliza the Christmas Elf and Santa! So.. winning.. But this year they have just seemed to take it all in, and really love it.. They giggle with Glee when they see Awesome Christmas lights.. or really anyone who made the tiniest bit of effort on lights, lol.. They watch Christmas movies over and over.. And they even ask to watch the old classic versions of Frosty, Rudolph and the Grinch.. because their little minds have no idea what CGI is.. or High Def.. or all the new technology that makes Cartoons nowadays.. they are just as happy with the weird old Snow Monster and Rudolph with his stoic leg movements.. They sing Christmas music so loud and love it! Frosty the Snowman, Santa Claus is coming to town, Jingle bells..and I'm still trying to get them to love the Il Divo Christmas Collection and Clay Aiken's version of "Mary Did you know".. We may have to save those for next year..

Its really been fun so far.. but with all the Commercialism of Christmas these days.. and so many trying to leave Jesus OUT of Christmas.. Jordan and I have been trying to fit him back IN.. I realize they are only 4.. but each day on the way to school we talk about the Gift that Jesus gave us by coming to the world as a baby.. They love The Christmas Story so we take time to tell it (and yes, they do still think their Donkey, Kris, is THE donkey that carried Mary to Bethlehem) I somehow think finding out that part is not real might be worse than finding out about Santa! We have been rehearsing how we say "thank you" for gifts that we didn't always ask for.. and how we should always be Grateful for something someone gets us because they thought enough of us to get us a gift.. But man.. It feels like a daunting responsibility.. to teach your kids to be Thankful.. Grateful.. and Peaceful. Marty Preached about Peace last Sunday and it was a great message.. a Message that no matter what happens over the stressful Holiday season we can feel Peace because Jesus has overcome the world.. But its still hard.

We have 4 Christmas's to go to.. It makes our life hectic trying to get to everyone's house on time.. make everyone happy.. haul the girls around.. haul the dogs around.. Get everyone's hair fixed, packages wrapped, food cooked.. All while reminding the girls that we are NOT going to ask about opening Presents 6542 times, and we are NOT going to tattle on each other every 5 minutes.. Its stressful. Its easy to lose perspective and forget the Reason for the Season.. Its easy to lose your peace.. and your mind when the girls are trying to slap each other in the back seat.. Its hard realizing at some point this holiday season someone is probably going to be upset about something.. But.. We have to keep our Peace.. We have to keep our perspective.. Especially this time of year. I just read an amazing blog from my awesome friend Karen that talks about how easy it is to let Satan steal your Joy and Peace..(Read Karen's Blog because its awesome, so click here)  and its so true.. I'll admit this morning when that person in the Audi rode my car bumper all the way to work.. or when I ordered all my groceries online to avoid the crowd.. and then realized they forgot the dates for the date roll.. it was tempting to let my Peace be stolen.. But if I look at the big Picture, man, I'm so blessed. So Very blessed.. like beyond anything I deserve..

This has been an Amazing year. I love my Husband and the fact that he puts up with me telling Puns to MYSELF and then also laughing at MYSELF until I can't breathe.. The girls have grown and said some of the funniest things ever to me.. and each day we see more and more of their awesome little personalities. My family has been healthy and happy. We've had so much fun at the farm this year with getting chickens, riding 4 wheelers.. playing with Cows..  Jordan and I have good jobs that help us provide for our family. I love my bosses and my co-workers.. I LOVE my Minivan.. Yup, I said it.. I freakin love that minivan..I found Orange Theory Fitness and my heart and my waistline are healthier.. I also made some amazing friendships there that I have really enjoyed this year. I love my church.. the blessings I get from that place are incredible.. I love my Small Group and all the people who give me perspective, and a kick in the butt when I need it.. I love the girls Pre-K Teacher, Mr. Daniel, who is by-far one of the most patient men I've ever know.. (he has to be right?) I love my radio gig.. Even though its part time, its still allowed me to be back doing something I love and that is a Great Blessing. Its not hard for you to look around and see your blessings. I realize sometimes its harder to see them because something else is happening that makes you forget them.. but remember.. Have Peace.

I'm going to wake-up in 4 days and Christmas with my twins is going to be over. I'm never going to get that time back with them. Its a once in a life-time deal.. So even when they are being annoying.. when your family is being annoying.. when your friends are being annoying.. You have to remember.. that moment is fleeting and once its gone.. its gone.. I know there's going to be a time when my kids are not as excited about Christmas.. or ME for that matter, so we have to celebrate these little nuggets they give us! Its an awesome thing that God Gave us for Christmas, so Celebrate it, and Enjoy his Peace this Holiday Season! Merry Christmas!