You can't eat Suckers for Breakfast..

We have been going through the book of Ecclesiastes in my Small group and man its been so good. So many things that God does daily that reminds us he is present..and he is with us.. But I think the hardest thing to Understand about God is the WHY of it all.. I have friends who are non-believers that are always asking the age old question.. "Why does your GOD let bad things happen to GOOD people?".. Or "How could there be a GOD in a world that lets children die, family members die from disease?".. I think the answer to that is we don't know. We don't know what God Knows.. We don't see the Big Picture.. We don't know the end result..

I think the first thing we have to realize is that we walk with God By Faith. Faith that he has a plan for us.. Faith that he knows the ultimate outcome... Faith that he will take care of us.. Faith that he can take bad things and turn them into good.. But we also need to understand that God Doesn't promise "Good" all the time. Your Faith, and your Spirit is formed through trials in your life. Trials that aren't pleasant..they are hard.. Trials that break your heart.. and Trials that teach you lessons.

When I get frustrated with my 3 year old girls.. because they bark orders at me.. or they keep doing the SAME thing over after I have told them not too.. Or when they put HOT food in their mouth after I just TOLD THEM IT WAS HOT.. I think.. Geez.. What does it take for you to learn that lesson? And that makes me wonder how many times God Looks at us.. and says "GEEZ.. what does it take for you to learn to have patience? What does it take for you to learn Humility? What does it take for you to learn Selflessness?".. Again and again.. we screw it up.. daily.. Just like a Toddler.. And Just like the way I keep loving my girls over and over day after day when they screw it up.. My God loves me over and over.. Even when I'm screwing it up. The beauty is.. we are both leaning lessons. Crosslee is learning not to run as fast as she can on the sidewalk, because she will fall and scrape her knee... and I'm learning Patience to teach her right from wrong. I don't let my Child run like a crazy person and fall because I'm a MEAN Mommy.. I let her do it because its a lesson. God doesn't let trials happen in my life because he's a MEAN GOD.. He does it because its a lesson.. A way to grow in my faith.. A way to learn to trust him more.. To have Faith... And Just like Cross, when she falls, she runs into my arms, I hug her, I pat her, I reassure her, and I put a bandaid on her scrape.. Just like God Does for me. The Key is to always keep running back to him.

I am the first to admit that I have an amazing life. I have not had to live with a family member passing suddenly, or a tragedy that shook me to my core. When my Grandma Leona Died at 81 that was one of the hardest times for me. She had Pancreatic Cancer and they gave her 3-6 months to live. She died 6 months later.. But when I think back on that I still see God's hand at work.. She had 6 months to prepare everything.. I had 6 months to show her and tell her how much I loved her before she left us.. We had that time. God gave us that time.

When I lost my radio job, that was by far one of the hardest things I'd ever gone through. I know I'm good at being on the radio. I woke up every day knowing that. I felt like I was exactly where I was supposed to be, doing EXACTLY what I was born to do. Then without a thought, 1 man could choose to take that away from me with a single business decision. I had to re-learn what I was good at.. Redefine my goals for life. Re-FIND myself. I had no idea what I was supposed to be doing.. But when I look back (They say you see your faith best in the rear-view Mirror) I see God's hand at work in that situation too.. A listener getting me a job at Chesapeake.. Me Excelling at that job.. Meeting Aubrey McClendon.. Being in IT so my husband and I could talk about something in common, lol.. Having Great bosses that allowed me to Take it easy when I was pregnant with Twins.. Having Great bosses and companies that provided awesome maternity leave and insurance.. Becoming a Mom, and working for companies that celebrated that.. All God's hand.

 We may not see miracles everyday like burning bushes, or walking on water, but when I look back I can always see amazing details in the way God is working in my life. And as I'm raising these girls.. I have to remember, that they are NOT going to have all the answers at age 3. They don't know how to speak properly (They sound more like Dictators at this stage) They don't know why they need to eat green vegetables..Why you should wear coats when its 15 outside.. Why morning doesn't start at 2am.. They don't know why Suckers aren't an option for Breakfast. The things that took us years to understand, we expect them to get immediately.. and that is when I learn that we must be patient and mold them.. and form them.. and shape them.. through trials..and time-outs, and crying fits..and judgement stares.. and jerky comments from other people.. into the people we want them to become.. Just like God does to us.. each and every day..

Wonderful World of Easter Horses!

We have been having a pretty great time lately.. The girls had a BIG weekend last weekend.. Gigi got them tickets to Sesame Street Live, front row.. with Meet & Greets to see the creatures up close and personal.. We were not exactly sure how well this was going to go over.. because so far the girls hated Santa.. but Loved the Giant Snowman and Reindeer at church.. So it was 50/50.. Well they sortof.. liked them.. they really liked them from afar.. and they liked Hi-fiving them.. but not sitting with them...We stayed until intermission, and I think that was long enough.. Because even I wasn't sure how much more of the singing and dancing I wanted either.. So I was proud of them. They did a great job..

Up next.. The Church Easter Hunt! Our Sunday School Class had a pot-luck lunch at the church and we brought all the kiddos to hunt eggs. It was a lot of fun! They were not very "hidden" for my girls age, so they all just ran their little bodies out into the field and grabbed them up! We also Dyed eggs for the first time this year and they loved that.. Although Cross wanted to let hers Marinate a LONG time before she took them out.. Dying Easter Eggs was always one of my favorite things to do with My Grandma Leona when I was little.. and seeing that weird little metal spoon you use to scoop them, and smelling Vinegar made me happy to remember that.

We also went to OYE last weekend with the girls.. the Oklahoma Youth Expo.. We had some cattle that we had raised that were showing, so we took the girls to the fairgrounds.. Yes, I put them in White shirts. Judge away.. it was St. Patrick's day shirts.. Yes, they are ruined.. but Yes, they were cheap. It will be ok, lol.. They were also wearing Tutu's, which the cattle don't LOVE, but hey.. it was really cute with their St. Pattys' shirts.. So cute in fact that a boutique owner asked to take a picture with them.. This was of course after she asked me if they were 'sweet friends' or 'cousins'.. No, they are twins.. WHAT!!!! Ok.. yes.. I know, I know.. Crazy.. ok.. So they had a great time seeing the Mini Herefords, and all the other cattle.. Cille just loves walking with her Pa, and Cross loves everything.

Then.. after the Egg hunt on Saturday mom wanted to take the girls back to the farm since they hadn't been out there in awhile.. And Much to our surprise, Woody, their Mini Horse arrived! We have been waiting on Woody for awhile. He was living with some other little kids, and now he lives at the farm! He is Super cute, and very sweet. The girls loved him. Cille got on him first.. Then Cross..

As you can see.. they are pretty excited about Woody.. they also Love their Donkey Kris.. We are so blessed that they get to have fun on the farm. I love the fact that they love to be outside, and are not cooped up in the house all the time..but they can run and be free.. Living in town makes that harder now days.. When I was younger I could ride my bike to my friends house in Hobart all day and have a blast.. and he never had to worry about me.. or go and visit the Elderly people in the Neighborhood (Yes, I always did this.. I'm a weird kid) and spend my days doing that.. But we have to be so much more careful now.. People are evil, and we can't just let our kiddos run free anymore.. If we want them to have physical activity, we have to take them TO those activities... That is why I'm so thankful for small towns, and farm living. 

In other news MJ & I are doing good. We went to Aubrey McClendon's funeral and it was really sad. I know most people don't understand that fascination with him, or why so many people loved him, but his Son, Jack, really summed it up best.. "Those who knew him Loved him, and those who didn't love him, Didn't know him".. I've really been disappointed in seeing some of my former Oil and Gas co-workers, act so cruel and negative about Aubrey.. its really disappointing, knowing that most of the people who were doing it, got to work at Chesapeake, and enjoyed all the Many great things Aubrey did for that campus.. You would think people would learn to be grateful, But I guess some people just always choose to be negative over being positive.. Sad deal. If you can't look around the City and see what an Impact he has had on the community, you aren't looking very hard.. 

But other than that.. The girls are getting so big! Talking up a storm.. They both say "Thank you Sir".. when people do something for them.. And they both love Thomas the Train, and The Hulk.. Cross loved the Hulk first, and now Londyn likes him. We have learned that you must buy everything in 2's, and it has to be the same thing.. Welcome to Twinning.. Sharing with each other is short lived, but hugs are longer now, and they really seem to enjoy each other at this stage. They are excited about the Michael Jackson birthday party! We got into Crossings Mothers day Out, which we are SUPER excited about!! They will start that in the Fall on Tuesday/Thursday.. Its VERY hard to get in there (I logged on at midnight to sign up) so we are so so excited the girls got in there.. Now they will get to see their same Teachers and go to their classes.. It will be awesome! 

Cross still loves all sequins and all "Jackson" type clothes.. Londyn loves wearing her cape and mask and 'flying' around.. They both love playing trains and playing outside, and coloring on the sidewalks.. I can't believe they are almost 3! This is going to be an awesome week at Crossings.. I had bible study last night, Thursday is Maundy Thursday in which Terry Feix tells the Communion Story, Friday is Good Friday (That service is so so moving) and then on Saturday we are all going to Easter Service. If you are looking for a church to visit, Please Join us. You will not be disappointed! Plenty of services to choose from! Hope to see you there! 

Crossings Church-- 14600 N Portland Ave

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Who is this Guy?

This has been a rough week for MJ and I. We lost someone that we didn't really even know personally, but who impacted us in incredible ways.

When we heard the news on Monday about Aubrey McClendon being indicted.. all I kept thinking was.. "Ugh.Again. I'm so sick of hearing this crap". Was the man perfect? No. But we both always get fiercely defensive when talks of Aubrey come up.

I went to work at Chesapeake in the Summer of 2010. This was after I had been Let-go from the radio business and all my hopes and dreams were pretty much crushed at that point. Because I was on the radio for 13 years, I didn't know much about Chesapeake. I had heard about it.. and Drove by the awesome campus.. but I didn't "KNOW" what it was about. When I lost my job, both MJ and my mom kept saying "You should try to get on at Chesapeake, everyone who works there loves it".. and I kept thinking, "Why?".. I mean you have to imagine that for me, going from being an entertainer, to working at a corporate oil and Gas Company seemed like a stretch.. But God Works in mysterious Ways.

Out of the blue one day a message popped up from Linked In. An IT Project Manager, Bill, wrote me

"KC... I work at Chesapeake Energy... and wondered if you want me to inquire about a job for you there... Chesapeake is primarly a natural gas exploration and production company... very rapidly growing... It isn't radio **smile**, but most jobs pay well.. the culture is "hard working"... I don't know if there would be a match... but I can ask if you are interested. Bill"

On 5/25/2010, Bill McKinney said the following:

Bill would come to be a very important man to me. All I kept thinking, while super excited about this, was "Why in the world would this guy think I was even capable of working in the IT department at Chesapeake?" But for some odd reason.. he did.. 

My interview was hilarious. You have to remember people are LINED UP to work at Chesapeake. Most people would apply and never hear anything back.. This is my interview.. 

IT Person: So do you have a lot of IT experience?

Me: Well. In Radio IT. Like Editing Videos, web design, and Cool Edit. 

IT Person: Ok. Do you have any Experience with Windows Migrations?

Me: I use Vista. 

IT Person: Ok. Well do you think you can do the job?

ME: Yes. Whatever you need. 

And I was hired as a contractor in July 2010 to Help Bill Upgrade People to Windows 7. 

At first It was a complete and total Culture shock. Some ways Great.. other ways Awful. I basically had gone from entertaining people for 5 hours a morning to learning about Application development, Windows 7 Technical meetings, and how to CC people on an Email.. I was in a foreign land for my brain.. But my spirit was growing. Even though I was only a contractor I was still allowed to walk on this beautiful Campus. A campus with Ducks swimming in a pond underneath a bridge.. With beautiful fountains and trees that were planted exactly where the sun would shine through them every morning. Flowers that were planted AROUND those trees according to the season. Beautifully manicured lawns with Grass that stayed Green.. Amazing Restaurants with Culinary Chefs that made everything taste just a little bit better.. I mean it was like living in a magical land! 

After being there only a short time I realized I had one goal in mind.. I had to become a Real, Live, Chesaperson. Contractors don't get to do all the amazing things Chesapeople did.. and after I first Witnessed Halloween at Chesapeake.. Halloween was BIG at Chesa.. Big Prizes, big costumes, big food, big everything. It was AMAZING. One of my favorite things.. People went ALL OUT!  I realized I had to kick it up a notch. I HAD to be a Chesaperson!

Thankfully Bill was one of the smartest people I've ever been around in my life. Everyone Respected that guy. Wanted him to run their projects.. Wanted HIM on their team.. and for some reason he had Chosen ME.. So everyone just expected me to be Great like Bill.. Well.. I wasn't.. But I was funny, and entertaining.. And Bill liked that, and it happened to come in handy when we were dealing with Computer users.. So it was a perfect Match.. Bill took me everywhere with him.. Introduced me to Important People.. put me in important meetings.. And by the end of that Year I had 3 people asking me to be on their teams as a Real Chesaperson. I was elated.. you know why? Because Halloween was just around the Corner. You should know, that in my 2 years as a Chesaperson..I won the Halloween Contest.. both years. 

3 Months into my Official Chesaperson Life.. I was told to prepare for my Aubrey Meeting.. Now your Aubrey meeting is something you both Love & Fear. I was always amazed, that out of a company of 10,000 people, the CEO Still wanted to meet every single one of those people.. So my new Boss started to prepare me.. Give me the do's and don'ts, and asked me to be thinking about what I wanted my Aubrey Question to be.. But I already knew.. I was going to ask him when I could start a Chesapeake radio station. It made perfect sense to me. I worked up a logo, business plan, and got it ready.. Thankfully I had a really cool Boss at the time that didn't try to discourage me from asking my question.. He just told me I'd better really be ready to bring it when Aubrey answered.. 

My Aubrey meeting was just like everyone had said.. We all went into a big room, about 35 of us.. and waited for him to get there.. He showed up, on time, and went and sat right in the middle of the room. He was a BIG guy. Way Bigger than I was thinking.. He had a presence about him immediately.. and he ended up sitting right in front of me.. I was the 2nd person to ask my question (my boss had given me the heads up to sit to the right of Aubrey because he started on the right..and that way no one could possibly have the chance to ask the same question I was going to ask).. So when he got to me It went like this.

Aubrey: Hi there, tell me about you. Where you are from, How you got here, and What you do for me.

ME: I'm KC Sheperd, from Canute Oklahoma

Aubrey: Ahh yes. Home of the Trojans!

Me: Yes. I used to be a radio personality on KKNG and one of your IT guys thought I would be good at upgrading people to Windows 7. 

Aubrey: From Radio?

Me: Yes. 

Aubrey: Why would he think that? (we are both laughing at this point)

Me: I have no idea, but turns out he was right and I'm actually really good at it. 

Aubrey: Good to know. Glad he made a wise decision. 

ME: I agree. I work in IT now. I coordinate all the moves on Campus. 

Aubrey: Very good. That is a big job with as much as we move around here. Whats your Question?

Me: Given my extensive radio background, With all the technology we currently have on campus. why don't we start a Chesapeake Radio Station?

Aubrey:. Hmm. I had not thought about doing that. (looks to his assistant) Write that down and get back to her. Good question KC. 

And I really think we would have.. But not too long after that.. the Rolling Stone article came out and Chesapeake, and Aubrey had to go on the defensive. In My Aubrey meeting he told us to be "Endlessly Curious" and that is something I will always tell my girls. At at meeting he also handed us a giant bag of books. He loved to read.. it was like 15 books that he recommended to us. They ranged from new stuff, oil stuff, old stuff, entertainment.. etc.. He was always doing that. He would send out emails that he thought we would like.. He called every employee on their birthday and left them a voice message. Little things that took up SO much of his very important time. But he did them because he knew it made a difference to people.. and it made a BIG difference to me. 

I didn't have any more 1 on 1 time with Aubrey after that day.. But I felt so inspired by him. I emailed him a few times to let him know how much I appreciated how pretty the campus was, and how awesome it was to be a part of his vision.. I loved walking across the bridge to the fitness center each morning watching the ducks. He always emailed me back and said thank you. 

Even though I didn't see him a lot. I was fiercely protective of him. I felt the need to defend him to all the pessimists at every turn. To Protect him when anyone said anything bad about him. Because to me, he was a guy that GOT it. He knew that if you worked hard for your employees, and treated them well, they would work hard for you. After working for some really awful people in my career.. this was so refreshing. So exciting to have someone to look up to, a visionary.. Someone who was so charismatic when they spoke.. I didn't even have to know what he was talking about to know that I wanted to be a part of it. 

Throughout my short 2 years at Chesapeake.. I met so many great people.. Robin Wood, the Chesapastor was one of them. He would end up marrying Jordan and I and play an important role in our lives going forward. Aubrey was a true man of faith and thought it was important that the Chesapeake Campus have someone we could talk to when problems arose.. It was important to him.

So many friends.. that I still keep in touch with, and some that I work with now at Loves.. We all shared the same love for the Company Aubrey had built. The Amazing Parties..The Snacks, The Clothes,  The awesome "Chef's Specials" on Thursday.. the Incredible Campus.. The Christmas Lights! The Fitness Center..The Orange Juice that came freshly squeezed from the Orange Juice Squeezing Machine!!!  It was like we were all a part of the Cool Club.. We still are.. we still talk about it. We knew we were all living in a magical Land.. but boy was it fun while it lasted!

When Jordan was thinking about changing jobs from the Government.. to Aubrey's new company, AEP.. I told him.. "This will be an amazing opportunity for you. But if you go, don't go for money, Don't go for the job, Go because you believe in what Aubrey is doing".. and he went. Up to that point he thought I was a little insane about Aubrey. He didn't 'get it' yet.. But soon after he had his own Aubrey meeting, and several hilarious elevator conversations with him.. and he soon grew to see what everyone found so special about him. He never forgot Jordan's name.. Always slapped him on the back and told him he appreciated him. Had the BEST Christmas party ever that first year for AEP that I got to go too.. It was just awesome. All of it. Just like it had been at Chesapeake for me. 

I know that I will probably never know a guy like that in my life again. That is what is the most sad. Even though I didn't work for Aubrey anymore, I loved the fact that he was still out there pioneering and inspiring other people. I still will fiercely defend him. Especially now. And I understand those of you who don't get it.. thats ok. You don't know until you meet him, and sadly now you won't get to..

My thoughts and prayers are with his family, but I know they know what a special guy they had. How he inspired so many people and how even if you didn't KNOW him one on one, you knew you always wanted to know he was Out there.. Onward and Upward Aubrey. You were truly One of a kind, and I know the Good Lord is excited to have you up there! 

There are just some things..

A couple of days ago, on my lunch hour.. I ran to Target to get Cille some Bananas and a few other things.. and as I was walking in.. A Very pregnant woman was pushing a (maybe) 1 year old baby into the store.. Singing loudly.. "The Baby Hippo sings and dances" in an ooshy gooshy baby voice. It was at that moment.. (or probably way before) that I realized there are some types of Mom that I am never going to be..

This used to upset me.. and to be honest, it still does sometimes. I am NOT like everyone else. I never have been. I'm not sure why, but I've always been a little different. I can remember as young as 3 or 4 playing by myself and putting on Concerts.. I was a very driven child. I thought I could change the world at a very early age by stirring a giant stick in the sand, and calling on "The Power of God".. (don't ask my mom about this.. she still finds it creepy).. Its never bothered me that I was an only child.. or that I played by myself a lot, because my imagination was insane. I mean the things I could come up with were bizarre.

Mom and I were discussing this yesterday.. Because we see inklings of this in Cross and it scares us, lol.. When Mom was watching the girls last weekend she let them watch a fish cartoon.. Well apparently the baby fish got taken away from their mom (temporarily) and Cross began to cry and cry.. Mom eventually had to just change the channel and tell her the fish was re-united.. She takes things like that HARD. I used to cry when My dad would spank my stuffed animals.. Now, if he spanked me, It wasn't that terrible.. but if he spanked my bunny, I would cry and cry.. I've always had a soft spot for stuffed animals. Still do.. and sadly I think this has spilled out onto Cross, because she is so tender to everyone of her babies..

So anyway, I've always been different. I didn't do things the "norm" did.. I didn't really know if I was ever going to get married, and I honestly didn't care. I was always busy with radio and school and teaching and volunteering and the other 245 things I liked to do, that I didn't feel "incomplete" because I wasn't married.. I also didn't see the point in marrying someone that you were going to want to divorce in 5 years.. I don't feel like I had a good handle on God's view of marriage until I met MJ. I don't even know if we had a good view of it when we got married, but I feel like learning God's expectations of marriage has sure helped ours.. and Continues to teach us things daily. I also truly believe that God built MJ just for me. He fills the voids where I can't, completes what I am missing, and understands how my heart works. I'm certainly glad I waited for him.

I didn't know if I would ever have kids.. I also didn't care too much about that. MJ and I were really happy in our lives at the time we decided to give it to to God. If he wanted us to have kids, we would and we would see what happened.. Man. God is funny isn't he? Twins? Wow. OK God, that was funny.. As blessed as I am now to have my two goats.. We decided at that moment when we gave it to God, that if we didn't have kids.. that would be ok too. We weren't going to go to great measures to make it happen.. we were going to be happy with that decision.. But as you can see, God is funny, and gave me 2 at a time.. ha ha! I wouldn't have it any other way..

But I've realized as I have gotten married, and had kids.. that I don't always do things like everyone else..and that is ok, But sometimes I let it get the best of me.. When I see other mom's writing all these amazing things that their kids do, and mine has just kicked me in the face.. Or how excited they are to stay home all day everyday with their kids.. and I'm thinking "I gotta get out of this house pretty quick or my head my fall off".. Or When a kid is having a full on temper tantrum, and I'm thinking.. man, I would beat their ... ... .... And the patient mom has a relaxes look on her face, not even concerned about it.. It baffles me. Partly because it seems unrealistic to me, and partly because I ENVY that.. Like I wish I was that patient, and showed that much grace all the time!! But I've realized neither one of those things is bad or good.. Its just different. Its a different way to go about life.. Not everyone does things the same way, and there is beauty, and freedom in that.

There is a lot of Mom-shaming in the world today.. People touting one way of doing things as 'better' and 'healthier' for your kid.. "Don't give them medicine! Vaccines are bad! Make sure you Vaccinate! Don't feed Formula! Breastfeeding is embarrassing! Don't let them eat Pizza! Only Put Essential Oils on them! Don't let them listen to music! Enroll them in private School!  Don't let them on IPADS! Don't let them watch TV! Get them in Gymnastics! Why aren't they playing Soccer! Public School teaches them Life!! Why don't you let them stay home, they are only little once!"

I mean its really never ending.. And the point is.. Everyone's going to do it differently.. and that is Perfectly Awesome. What works for one, doesn't always work for another.. And what makes one smile, can make another one frown. The best way we can be good to our kids is by being good to our God.. being good spouses.. and being good to ourselves. So whatever that is for YOU.. Be ok with it. I struggle with it everyday.. but I'm happy to have always danced to the beat of my own song.. Usually a song I made up.. and sang to my stuffed animals, or my Grandparents out front on the lawn..So there's that.

The Wonderful World of Thomas..

So my girls are not usually 'into' what every other kid in the world is into it seems.. Like the whole "Frozen" thing.. I have put it on several times.. They just don't care about it. I feel like they are a choice few who are not.. but I can honestly say I'm not sad that I don't have to hear "Let it go" 235 times a day..

My girls have always liked.. 1) Daniel Tiger, 2) Bubble Guppies, 3) Sofia the 1st. out of those, they really like Bubble guppies the best. But.. Recently they started loving trains. The Church library has a train table and they love playing with it every Wednesday when we are there.. The Church was a lot smarter about their train table.. They SCREWED IN the tracks.. SMART. SMART.. Why you say? Because our train track looks like a sad mess. No tracks together.. no buildings standing up.. Just sad. In my defense, I tried to glue it.. but they magically tore up the glue.. So.. I'm either going to have to get out the hammer or screws soon for our train table..

Anyway I digress.. Because they have started liking trains.. the only Real "train" toys.. is Thomas the train. Now.. I have seen Thomas a few times.. but when I found the show on TV I have to admit... Thomas The Train is Creepy. Its a Creepy Show.. They have these trains that ride around on Tracks with giant faces on the front of them.

The Crane that puts stuff onto the trailers of the Trains is named "Cranky".. I mean that does not sound fair. Would you want to be named "Cranky".. I feel like it auto puts the Crane guy in a bad mood.. But they are all a little weird. The animated one is better than the older one that looks like stick people and clay trains.. but the faces are odd.. of course the girls now love this, so I'm resigned to watching Thomas.. and James.. and Spencer.. and Cranky Apparent. Welcome to Toddler Life. 

So the girls went to Western OK last weekend.. They are talking NON stop now, both of them.. and they love to face-time with their grandparents.. Although every-time Gigi Calls to talk to Cille, Cille says "Gigi, where's Pa?".. Mom came and got them last Friday and they had a big time. They went to Pops and Grammy's on Saturday to play with Ava.. They always have a good time when they go to the farm.. but now they never want to come back.. Which sometimes makes me sad.. because I have to convince them to come home with me.. But when you think about it, why would any kid want to come home from their grandparents house? Here's what they get to do at the Grandparents house:

1) Cross drinks Coffee With Gigi every morning

2) Cille wears her PJ's as a Superhero Cape

3) Cross takes off her clothes, gets under a soft blanket, and then has Gigi give her back rubs. 

4) They both eat Maraschino cherries out of a Jar. 

5) At Pops & Grammy's they drink Sweet Tea and Limeade

6) They eat whatever they want at all hours of the day

7) They go to bed whenever they want to

8) They Get up whenever they want to

9) They have someone to push them on the swing for like 24 hours straight

10) They play in the hay, feed cows, and feed their Donkey Kris

11) Pops and Grammy have a room that is filled to the brim with toys.. that they get to go in, destroy, and not even pick up after themselves! 

So yeah.. after I read over that.. I would also only want to stay at my grandparents house! I always wanted to stay with my grandma Leona. She kept me while my parents were at work when I was little.. and when I think back about why I loved being with her so much.. its because she made my time with her ALL ABOUT ME. I remember sitting in the floor and us playing marbles.. Eating Cherry pie filling right out of the can.. Building forts in the middle of the living room with sheets and cushion.. Going to the TG&Y and getting to pick out a new stuffed animal to take home (EVERY TIME WE WENT TO THE STORE)..We would play Old Maid.. or Hide & Seek.. It was like every moment I was at her house, Her own world stopped because she was only there to be with me. 

I'd imagine that is what every kid wants. Just to have someone want to spend time with them. I think with me having twins its sometimes hard to just let time stand still and just "BE" with them.. I'm always trying to cook supper.. or get them ready for church.. Or Rush around to this or that.. But all they really want me to do is just sit down and be WITH them.                                                                                                                                                                             This morning before I left for Work, much like every morning.. Cross wants "Mommy, sit by you".. that is all she wants. Me to just sit with her in whatever she is doing. Watching TV, Playing, whatever it is.. she just wants me to be present with her, because that is what is most important to her.. And I think that is why grandparents are so awesome.. For that weekend, or that day, or those hours they have them.. its all about The girls, and they love it. Parents have so much responsibility that we rush around and don't always get to enjoy the moments with them, but Grandparents just sit and wait for you to bring them over so they can soak up every drop of their childlike sweetness. That is Awesome, and something I'm so grateful for those moments. 

On our weekend of Freedom, MJ & I went out to dinner with Friends, and over to visit my brother Randy's new Baby, Harper.. I didn't hold her.. Because I barely wanted to hold my own babies.. so I just admired her from afar, lol.. Having my own babies didn't make me any less scared of other babies.. so there's that. 

I think our favorite thing about "No kid weekend" is sleeping past 5:30am. We both go to work early, and the girls have always Woke up early.. so getting to sleep till 7 is magic.. 

The Michael Jackson Party Planning is in full swing. I have to say, I think I probably get more excited about it than the girls.. They stop whatever they are doing if Michael comes on and immediately start dancing around the room. Here's some ridiculous things the girls have been doing lately.. Cille now knows all the words to "Joy Joy Joy" and sings it into her Karaoke Mic.. Cross still likes to sing "Santa Claus is coming to town" and "Sittin on the Dock of the Bay"

Cross gets upset anytime someone gets onto her, or onto Cille and she will say "Hey, quit being mean to me".. Not realizing that dicipline is probably going to be considered 'mean' for the rest of her life. She also points a crooked finger at you while saying this. They have started being sweet to each other a little.. and giving each other hugs. Cross will say "HI _____ I've missed you!" and then give you a hug. They both now say "TRUST ME" because Leslie says that to them.. so they will look at you and say "TRUST ME".. 

They love the new swingset. LOVE it. We got it from someone in our neighborhood who was moving. We have no idea if we got it at a good price or not, We paid $575 for it.. but.. We didn't have to put it together, so that was worth that alone! Plus Kenny at All Star Moving and Storage Moved it for us and put it back together.. So if you ever have things like that you need done, or furniture moved in your house, call All Star Moving.. 405-399-3004 Love those guys! 

The only other thing I have to tell you about, is a new Page I joined on Facebook where you can buy ridiculously Cute outfits for a fraction of the boutique prices you would pay elsewhere.. Its called "Spades Boutique".. Just hit "Join" and you can get in on the deals as well!... you're Welcome. 

Who's Bad?

For those of you that have followed my blogging about the girls.. You might remember at the young age of 2 months old, My sweet Crosslee had kinda turned into a jerk.. She would go into these fits of crying rage and we had no idea how to soothe her.. Until I figured out her trigger.. Michael Jackson Music. I remember sitting in Sunday School class, and getting the dreaded text from the nursery: "Please come to room 234 in the nursery".. which mean "Your child is hollering and we don't know what to do with her"... So I would go.. I would get her, and take her to a quiet room in the church and play "Blame it on the boogie" and all was well in the world.. This is one of the first signs that I knew that this was MY blood in her veins.. lol. Watch in this video.. At first I'm playing "Happy".. which only makes her sad.. Watch her little face as she hears the first "Wooo!" from Michael..

Now her love from him has grown into a fascination.. She watches the "This is It" and thinks that every fedora, or sequin jacket, or sequin anything really is a "Michael Jackson' Outfit.. When she puts on anything sequin, or shiny.. she will run up to people and says "look.. its my Jackson bow.. or my Jackson pants.. or my Jackson jacket".. People find her bizarre.. and I can't say that I blame them.. lol.. She's been wanting to wear the same Silver sequin pants for the past week.. she digs them out of the dirty clothes.. She also loves this jacket.. I might have setup a photo shoot..

Well I can't say that I have done anything to deny her fascination either.. I mean Gigi & I have bought her sequin pants.. (Although we aren't the ones that named them Jackson, she did that on her own).. So Now I've decided to just embrace it.. Because Londyn loves him too.. We have been having dance parties to Smooth Criminal and Blame it on the Boogie.. those are the 2 favorites.. They both LOVE Smooth Criminal..and when they hear it, they immediately start running around like crazy people dancing.. They also love the Michael Jackson Dance Experience on the Wii.. They really only like the Smooth Criminal Song on that one.. but they will watch "Bad" and "Billie Jean"..

As you can see.. She loves this.. She's like this every time it comes on.. and she will say "Mommy Dance!".. So.. I feel like if its something she is this excited about.. why not embrace it.. So without further adeau, I'm here to announce the "THIS IS IT--Crosslee & Londyn Birthday Bash"..  Yes ladies and gents, we are throwing a Michael Jackson birthday party.. Complete with "King of POP-Corn".. Thriller Water.. PYT (Pretty yummy Treats).. It goes on and on.. MJ is already frightened.. But I'm already seeing VIP Passes, Red Carpet, and Sequins dancing in my head. I've already ordered the sequin gloves..and sequin Socks.. and I'm on the lookout for the perfect birthday outfit. 

Will it be ridiculous? Over the top? Too much? Gawdy? Oh yes.. You better believe it! Keep in mind, this isn't until the end of May.. but I'm a planner.. and these events don't just create themselves.. So.. stay tuned.. All I can do at this point is Blame it on the Boogie... 

...............See what I did there.. You're welcome. 

When you split your pants..

Well continuing the saga of my ever embarrassing, choking, life...

Last week Jordan and I decided to grab the girls and head to BJ's for dinner.. I love BJ's for a lot of reasons.. 1) They have big, round booths.. (Big Round booths are great for trapping your children.. while also giving them freedom to play and enjoy dinner..) 2)They have Dark, DARK beer. I am a fan of Dark beer. They have a Tatonka Stout which I find delightful. 3) They have Pasta.. and Pazookies.. Pazookies are half-baked cookies in a skillet full of magic and wonderment. Its delicious..

So as we are about to pull up, I reach down.. and realize I feel something weird.. That something weird.. is my flesh.. I have torn my pants in the crotch area..  Now.. at this point I have two options. 1) Go home, change pants, go back out.. or.. 2) Power through this.  I chose option Number 2.. Now you might be saying, "KC, have you no self worth?You are seriously just going to go into an eating establishment with torn pants?"..... Hi, sorry.. yes.. Yes I am.. Because I needed a Beer.. and I needed some Pasta.. and those car seats are a huge pain to get the girls in and out of.. Because we were already there and I didn't want to turn around and go back.. Because I was hungry.. I mean I could go on.. but I won't.. The good thing is.. No one seemed to notice the big pant rip.. I wore my coat.. and didn't gallivant throughout the restaurant.. So I felt like it was a win. You'll be happy to know, I did throw the pants away.. and not continue to wear them..

Crosslee's obsession with Michael Jackson is still strong. Its mainly about "Smooth Criminal" the song, and wearing sequins or glitter, or lame' or anything shiny. Those are the things she associates with Michael.. For Christmas, she got several pairs of sequin pants.. Silver and Gold seem to be her favorite.. This week she wanted to wear the silver ones to church, so we put them on.. but when we got home, we realized she had torn a hole in the crotch.. Jordan's response "Like Mother, like Daughter".. lol...

These are some more awesome examples of 'Jackson' pants.. As you can see, Cille likes hers pretty good too, but she doesn't demand to wear them every time she goes out of the house.. Its really unfortunate Cross wasn't born in the 80's.. she truly fits the part.. 

IN other news.. Londyn has officially become "Normal"... if you recall when she was 18 months old our Pediatrician recommended we have her evaluated because she didn't say very many words.. MJ and I were never really worried about this.. but we knew she wasn't where she was supposed to be vocally.. so we took her to Sooner Start.. We got synced up with an Amazing Therapist who has worked with Londyn Since then.. and now she is officially being discharged from the program because she basically never shuts up. I will say, that as her mom, its been hard.. its so hard not to compare your child to other kids.. or even their siblings.. Our Therapist always assured us that we were doing the right things, and told us little things to work with her on..and with her help, Cille Blossomed! She is now talking non-stop, counting, coloring, naming colors, and is a little social butterfly. 

Cross is a very Precocious learner.. She's weird, and does things way before she is supposed to.. being that we have 2, we wondered why Cille wasn't the same way.. but the answer is.. all kids are different.. and they all develop at Different times. At 2, Cille didn't know her animals, shapes, colors, or Numbers.. Cross knew all of this stuff and spoke full on sentences.. What I've realized through the process is that as long as your child is making any sort of progress...whether it be saying a new word, or even mumbling a new sounds.. ITS PROGRESS. So don't get too worked up about the timelines, and charts that your kids are 'supposed to be' reaching.. they will get there.. But.. also, don't ignore obvious things that they aren't doing, because early intervention is the key for sure.. So be aware. I was always reading and asking a million questions being that I had never had kids before.. 

We are headed to Western Oklahoma this weekend. Pa & Gigi.. They will be gone the next month of weekends to stock shows and such.. so we are going for a quick Visit this weekend... Then we have Cousin Luke's 1st Birthday Party on Sunday.. should be a fun time!