Episode 071 - From Horse Wreck to Hope: Kalyn Grokett Rides Again

Kalyn Grokett: I was just different. I was different than everyone around me, and honestly, that fueled me, and that's really important to me, is my platform and my motto in life is really the idea that everyone deserves the right to be unlike anyone else.

Taylor McAdams: Hey everybody, thanks again for listening another week to the Kick Your Boots Up podcast. It truly means a lot to season three has been epic. So far, I've been able to show you a powerhouse of the ladies in my life that I look up to, and there is one sitting right next to me that we were just talking I followed for a while, and I'm actually starstruck that she's in studio. So guys, Kailyn grocha is here. Thanks for being in the studio and

Kalyn Grokett: on the podcast. Thank you so much. I am honored to be here, truthfully, so thanks for having me today. 

Taylor McAdams: You're welcome, and honestly, it's so cool, because there's a lot to talk about with you. Being a ranch wife is really hard, and then being a ranch wife of a husband that travels is really hard, and being a ranch Mama is really hard. So tell everyone out there what you do and basically how you got to where you are today. That's a very loaded question, but take your

Kalyn Grokett: time. Yes, ma'am. Thank you so much. So it's honestly been a journey to get to where I am today. And everyone has a journey. Everyone has their own respective journeys. And so honestly, I have always loved agriculture my entire life. So I grew up a ranch kid in Oklahoma on a commercial cow calf operation. I was eaten up with raising cattle and ranching and working hard in that way. And then I have gone throughout my career. I went through school, and then I found myself afterward, very much still committed to agriculture and pursuing that through Oklahoma, state and always also eaten up with FFA, also, too, in high school. And so I was destined to be in agriculture. And so after school, I met my husband, who was a ranch manager at the time in the Osage of Oklahoma. And so I had great plans after I graduated with my BS in animal science and Ag Econ and ag business from Oklahoma, state. And then I met Connor, and that took me to a middle of nowhere spot, which we actually really, really loved, in Shidler, Oklahoma. And so I went into the Ag finance industry. That was the opportunity that was afforded me at the time. Had a long commute, but you had to do what you could do to have a job right out of college. And so honestly, went from there to to then a an ag business, and did marketing for them, and then went to an Ag Marketing Agency, and then I've landed professionally with Land O Lakes. And I am, I am loving that I've been there for a few years now, and I am just recently their community development lead for the enterprise. And so congrats. Thank you. I'm really honored by the opportunity. So previously, I was working specifically in pre and animal nutrition, so I was focusing as a brand marketing manager there, and so all about stewarding a really rich, historic brand that has a lot of trust in our industry. And then now my my focal areas are now expanded to include our dairy foods business, our crop inputs business, and then, of course, still our animal nutrition businesses. And so really excited about that professionally. But even aside from the professional side of things, really most, most importantly, I am a mom and a wife, and that has has been really, really wonderful. It's pushed me a lot in my personal space, we have a lot of things that we're often doing, and on top of being a professional too. And so I have two little girls, Sonora and quay. And so Sonora is four. Quay is almost two, and my husband trains rain cow horses in Oklahoma. So we also then ranch. We run some cows on the side. We're trying to grow as much as we possibly can, super active in our church and in our communities, and so we are very, very busy. Did that answer your question?

Taylor McAdams: Yes, it did. You did so good. And I have a million more questions. Okay to ask you, because every word Okay, so I think you're, I think whenever I last looked at your location, you're in, you're currently in Wyandotte. Okay, yes, ma'am, which, like a lot of people wouldn't even know how to say that, but in okie, I'm like, Okay, where is Wyandotte at? Though,

Kalyn Grokett: yes, so it's northeast of Tulsa, and so it's really on this state line of Oklahoma. So we are in a tiny town that I actually grew up in, which I never would have thought I landed there. Never say never. Folks, never say never. But we moved back to there from Northwestern Nebraska, actually, when we found out we were having our little one, our first little one, and then so we landed, I think, five miles from where I grew up. So it's been quite the, quite the journey there. So it's close to Miami, Oklahoma, so Neo, A and M College, like, very close to there. So yes, landed where I grew up, which is crazy.

Taylor McAdams: Oh my goodness. And so I've got to go back to whenever you said you're in Shidler, in your Osage hills, yeah, that's actually kind of where I'm from. I'm from Cleveland. Oh. Okay, yeah, northeast Oklahoma, but yes, Osage. Actually, our crew is familiar with Osage. We just did a shoot there not long ago, so we got to kind of show, whenever your husband was there and you guys were there, talk about rural living there, because it's like, so remote, and even you might feel remote now too. But yes, let's talk about it. Oh, we

Kalyn Grokett: love our days in the Osage. Oh, my goodness, I had to be careful because my husband would take us back there, like in a minute. Was that at,

Taylor McAdams: oh, my goodness, I'm blanking on the name, oh, the Drummond Drummond ranch. So, so,

Kalyn Grokett: yep, Connor would work with the Drummonds. Absolutely. He worked for a lot of different ranches in that area. And so he worked at the bow tie at the time when we got married. And then he worked quite a bit with four acre the Deseret ranches there too. Sooner, Cattle Company would be another one. And so there's so many ranches in that area, really, that's like, the heritage is so rich, like, it is cool to be cowboy in the Osage. And so we loved, we loved being there, because then you felt like such a big part of the community, because everybody was a cowboy, and not like, you know, a cowboy, like, they were legit, handy cowboys, respectful, yeah, the real deal. Yeah, yeah. It was very much like a culture and a lifestyle there. And so living there, honestly, it was one of, one of our favorite places that we live. We lived a lot of places. So we went from Shidler, we went into the Flint Hills, which is where my husband's from. Oh, managed a ranch there, managed about four 600 cows, and a yearling outfit there too. And then we moved from there to no man's land, the panhandle of Oklahoma. So we've lived in a lot of rural areas and kind of painting this picture here. And so we lived in Turpin, Oklahoma, just south of liberal Kansas, in the panhandle. And then from there, we went to Northwest Nebraska, and he managed a grow yard there. So it was a very big journey of just rural living. We were a bit of gypsies, I would say. And so now we've been where we've been for almost five years, which feels weird, because I'm like, Okay, we've been here a long time. Like, where are we going? Yeah, we we do that, but honestly, you just get used to it living in the middle of nowhere. You get used to having an hour drive to anything, to get groceries, to go to dinner, and then when you get to town, you all you have is fast food. Like you get used to that, and it really was a very fond time in our life, because you don't have anybody but you and your spouse or your family. You're kind of like the people on the ranch. So you didn't really have many, many things. So you had to to make sure the things were right in your in your reach. So and

Taylor McAdams: it sounds like you guys have truly, just really bloomed, blossomed wherever you planted. And I think that's the beauty life. And I'm actually picking up on so much wisdom you're dropping because you being a few seasons ahead of me, I am like, hanging on to every word you're saying. Like, okay, so you're right. We don't have to have it all figured out. We don't have to have it. And I know a lot of our listeners out there are that same way. So along the same lines, yeah, we love a good eat cute story, a good love story. So please share with us your it sounds like short lived meet cute dating scene as to how you landed, or actually not, how you landed your husband, how he landed you.

Kalyn Grokett: I remind him that all the time good you should

Taylor McAdams: yeah. What did they say? Like, know your worth an ad tax, absolutely

Kalyn Grokett: yes. Yes. So my husband, Connor Grogan, we've been married for almost nine years, which is crazy to think about. We were just reminiscing about that on our trip up here. So yeah, crazy thing about been together for nine, almost 10 years, I guess, is how long we've been together. But yeah, my husband and I were met and married in 10 months. That's crazy. Oh my gosh. Oh my goodness. I If our daughters come up to us and say, Mom and Dad, we're getting married. Like, oh, man, nope, their dad is gonna shut that down really fast. It's one of those things that we have. We learned a lot at the beginning, and we're still learning every day. Now, I remember it's funny now to think about because my sister came in for our wedding, and she hadn't met Connor at that point, of course, because we were just 10 months in a lot of my family hadn't met Connor at that point. So we were, you know, getting ready for the wedding the night before, and she asked me, she's like Kaylin Does, does Connor have a sense of humor? And I couldn't answer the question, couldn't answer the question, come to find out he's hilarious and I he's he's so much fun and so funny to be around. So honestly, I'm thankful that happened, because I had to, kind of like, fake it till I make it. Was like, Yeah, I know him so well. And then we got married, and then here we are. It was honestly like, we have, we've been on a journey. And really, our marriage, I think, is a big testament of God's grace, because we honestly should not be together. There were many times where we were like, Okay, this is not gonna work out. We're gonna Yes, it was really, I mean, there were those moments where it was like, I am not a proponent of divorce, especially if, if there's anything that can be done to save it. But there were times where man we were, we had our hands in the air, and God, really. Restored. God stepped in and really saved our marriage. And now I look back, and, you know, nine years in, and I am so grateful because my life has been so blessed by my relationship with my husband, and he's restored that. So it's been really, really special. So to your original question of like, how we met? Yes, so Connor grochet competed with the working ranch cowboys Association, and they have a finals every year in Amarillo. And so in 2015 he was at the finals, and he rode a heck of a bucking horse called Betty White, and he got bucked off. And it was a heck of it. Was this huge wreck in the arena. And I remember looking at me like, Man, that's a handy cowboy. Like, man, he's like, he's got this stuff. She was a tough horse, but he I just like, I remembered him from that moment. And so fast forward a couple of months, and I get this Facebook message, which I honestly hate. If I'm being honest, I hate saying, like, yeah, I went through Facebook, met my spouse through a social media network, you know, yes, yes, but like, I didn't respond. So like, I this, this cowboy reached out and did? He was like, hey, beautiful. And I was like, I don't know this guy. Like, I don't know this guy, so I'm not gonna respond. Yeah, it's funny to think about. Now it's definitely, it's definitely fun. But then I responded, and then that was kind of the beginning of it. And so at that time, he wanted to meet up and we're gonna go on a date. So at that time, I was on Christmas break for school, and so he was, of course, ranching like he was two and a half hours away from my parents house. And so he was gonna come visit me, and we were gonna go on a date, and I was gonna make it a big thing, and he didn't. So, like, an hour before he was supposed to show up, he let me know. He's like, Hey, I'm not gonna be able to make it. And I was like, no, but this is not gonna work out then. And he was like, Are you available tomorrow? And he gave me this excuse. And he was like, yeah, man, we're like, we're working yearlings, like we're turning out I cannot get away in time to make it over there. And I'm like, yeah, yeah, those cowboys. No, I was at this point in my life and in my relationships, I was like, nope. Like, this is not gonna work out. And so he asked me if I was available. The next day came and he visited, and I made up some excuse, but I was like, I can be flexible though, I guess, like,

Taylor McAdams: I played hard to get meanwhile, you're like, free, wide open, free, right? Exactly. I'm like, Okay,  

Kalyn Grokett: you're a minute late. This is off. Yes, you showed up early. So thank goodness. So we got together to hit it off really, really well, thankfully. And then I went, I left, and I moved to Wyoming. No, I moved to Montana. Yes, yes. I moved to Montana for the summer. Okay, and

Taylor McAdams: tell me why you did Yes. Hold me off camera. But yes, yes, yes, yes. So

Kalyn Grokett: I just completely misspoke. I moved to Montana in the winter. So the end of January, I moved up to Sand Springs, Montana to cowboy and cowboy heifers there with the yellow bar ranch. So they are a wonderful family up there. They were excited to have a teeny, tiny little girl from Oklahoma come and like see if she was tough enough to brave. Yeah, yeah. Brave a northern winter on on Kavanaugh heifers. So went there. So Connor and I just started dating, and then I was gone for a few months. And then, yeah, yeah, it was hard since yeah for sure, and had no service, absolutely none. Okay, so those 10 months that we we knew each other before we got married, they really were very long distance. And so we had some really interesting conversations, you know, like Eugene time zone changes and and spotty service. But yeah, it was, it was really interesting. Came back a couple months later. He proposed on Mother's Day, I remember. And then we were married in in October. So, yeah,

Taylor McAdams: did you ever have like, a moment of like, oh, no,

Kalyn Grokett: um, did you just know my my personality is, like, an all or nothing? It was like, Nope, I would like, we're doing it or we're not dude. And so I was at a point in my life where I was I was ready, I was ready, and so I Yeah, we jumped in. And I think all of our family and friends had those moments where it was like, This is too soon, but we're like, see ya be there or not. We're getting we're getting married. 

Taylor McAdams: So I love that you were so real to talk about the hard part. Yeah, because my girlfriends and I chat about all the time, we're in a fun season. Where are you? As you know, everyone's in a different like, like, you already are married and almost for a decade, and you have kids and stuff, and then some girls are just starting to get married, just starting. Yes, I'm right in the middle. We've been married for almost three years, and I cannot lie to you, the first year was really hard. We decided not to live together, just as you guys, I mean, you didn't have a chance to really right? And he grew. Up with a brother, and I grew up with a sister, and we thought we were selfless because we really loved each other. But like, there were times when I would cry in the closet and he's gonna kill me for saying this, but there were times that he crying in the shower, and we'd both have to, like, meet each other at our worst, yes, vulnerable places, Yeah, but you're so right. The Lord restores, and we laugh about it now, we're like, yeah, we're so thankful for the hardest, for seer, because we are so good now, because and so I really appreciate you being real and sharing your story. That's like, so big. Thank you. Yeah, you don't understand how important that is, yes, okay, but something I held on to, and I really think that it's so cute that Connor is so proud of you, and he, like, made sure to throw it in, yeah, as we're talking about your timeline and cute story and all this. You're also a senior in college, and you mentioned graduating and all that, yes, but you were not only a, like, a very involved college student, but you were, like, involved in everything. And I think I have a memory. I wanted to say it was homecoming, but I'm guessing I saw you through all the other organizations. So talk about your involvement in college, because right now, there's a lot of girls that are right around that season of like in college, about to go to their next step, wondering if they should be more involved. Do more or less but quick brag. Shout out to your husband, Connor for saying this. You graduated valedictorian, not only with a double a double major and a minor, but as a valedictorian, 4.0 at Oklahoma State. That is amazing. Congratulations on that. 10 years later, nine years later.

Kalyn Grokett: Thank you. Thank you so much. Honestly, like that, God is so kind to me because he gave me opportunities, and honestly gave me the energy to explore them and to step into them. And so there were a lot of people along the way that honestly mentored me along the way. I have a big motor in general, sometimes that's my biggest strength, sometimes that's my biggest weakness. And so I was honestly just open to opportunities. And so if you're in college, I think a big, a big piece of advice I would have for folks is just be open to opportunities, regardless of what you're interested in whether it be agriculture or something completely different, get involved. We are the weakest when we're by ourselves. And so we've got to find people who not only are like minded, but also who may be different, in some cases, to challenge us, make us stronger, make us better people. And so you can't do that alone, and so you can't go to college. Sometimes people are going from small towns to bigger universities or even junior colleges, like of any when you're making a big transition from going from maybe living in your in a town that you're very comfortable or familiar with, with all the friends that you have or your family, to some thing completely different and new you have to find people to help hold you accountable, to help keep you safe, and also make sure that you're fostering community along the way. So there's so many opportunities. It's easy to get caught up in chasing everything, and it's easy to get caught up in maybe doing nothing. So honestly, one step at a time, find what you like, find people who you can trust, and then just get involved. That

Taylor McAdams: is such wisdom. Thank you. Because, like, I'm even looking at that in real world, not even college, that's so true. Like, I couldn't do life alone, let alone, like, without my girlfriends or without, yeah, that's and I would imagine that you had a huge people, huge amount of people surround you at such an early age with horse accidents. So tell us a little bit about what happened. I obviously know the story because I followed and followed you on social media about it, but it's so I think it's a huge part of your testimony. Yes, that like you continue to, like, have things come at you and you you overcome them. And so share your story with us and with our audience, because I know that they're gonna chills just listening. Thank

Kalyn Grokett: you so much. So, when I was 11 years old, I went out to check a couple set of cows, and at the time, I was working with a little Philly that didn't know much. I honestly am not a horse person. I mean, I'm a horse person, yes, but I'm not a horseman by any means, so I love it. But I was 11, so I was pretty green. You were fresher than I am now, yes. And so I had kind of a makeshift Basel on my horse's head so I didn't have a bit in her mouth. And I went to to get off this horse, to shed a gate I just come through. And when I went to get back on her, she spooked. She was just a three year old filly, and took off. And I had no control. And so when she took off, I got hung up my my foot was caught in my stirrup, and she took off and drug me for about 150 yards, and then my face hit a stump that was sticking out of the ground. She, of course, went way. She went home, yeah, and I just laid there. And so I had a pretty horrific horse accident as a result of that, I was. Was I was in pretty bad shape. My My family was told throughout this process, I was med flighted to a regional hospital to to undergo some pretty significant surgeries and procedures. Through the process, though, my family was was prepared for the worst. The doctors and physicians they they didn't give me much hope to walk or talk again, I was put into a medically induced comma coma, and it was kind of a wait and see game. And so after a few weeks later, after I was awake and unable to kind of process what was happening to me, I then learned that through all the reconstructive surgery, they did really great work. Half my ear was ripped off, my eye socket was crushed. My the right side of my face was completely, completely smashed, essentially. So through that process, I get discharged from the hospital, and then a few weeks later, I find out that my right eye is is not in good enough shape to keep and so I had to have it removed immediately. Through that process, it was it was challenging, because so much could have so many more. Things could have gone wrong. I honestly could have lost my life. That's what my family was prepared for, and that's what the doctors honestly were expecting. I would either lose my life or I would never walk or talk again. And so it was a few months to process that, and I remember my mom actually brought this up to me the other day. She asked me pretty quickly after my accident, if I blamed God because of the accident? And in my response at the time was, I can't, I can't blame God because He saved my life. And honestly, like throughout, throughout this process, it's, it's one of those things that we all have moments of impact in our life. I'm truly thankful that mine happened at 11, because that set me, that set me up to have a really purpose driven perspective through my life. And so regardless of if it was a high school opportunity, a college opportunity, my career, my personal life, today, you really have come face to face with the reality that if you have a breath today, if you're given today as a gift, you're there for a purpose, and you have to spend your life really seeking out the role that God has for you still, because if you're here, you have one. So that's really the perspective I'm thankful for to have gotten at a young age. So every step and opportunity I've had has been with that in mind of like, Okay, Lord, You've got an opportunity for me. Let's go give me what I need in order to pursue it, and

Taylor McAdams: let me be my service. That's just I am all because even I hadn't heard that many details of Yes, ma'am. First of all, thank you. That's incredible. And I can't help but wonder, because, like, at 11, it's a pretty prominent time in your life. You're about to go through the weird middle school phase. Were you ever, as of Were you ever, oh yeah, yeah, no,

Kalyn Grokett: that's a great that brings up a really great point. Thanks for asking it. So when I was homeschooled until I was in high school, and so freshman year I wanted to get into FFA. In order to get enough FFA, I needed to go to public school. So I went to the public school. And I, of course, like, another problem at a time was, like, really, like, from 11 to, you know, like, probably 17, like, those were my most awkward years. I like to think I've come out of them a little bit, but there was definitely a lot of things I learned and developed through that time. But absolutely so I going to a small school. Grew up, I mean, the town I grew up in the school I went to very, very small, very close knit community, but I wasn't really a part of it, honestly, until I went to high school, and then I had an excuse to develop relationships with the people that were were my age and kind of the families, and go sit at the sonic go to the ball games, right, right, right, right, because I was just a ranch kid. I mean, like I loved it, so, I mean, I stayed home ranch with my dad, rode horses, like all of those things, and love that part of my life. But when I got to high school, I was very different from a lot of the kids that I went to school with a lot of my peers. I was very clear, because of my accident at 11, I knew who I was like. I knew I was a child of God, and I had a really strong purpose in front of me. And so every time I had an opportunity, I took it. And in small schools, there's nothing but opportunity, because they just need warm bodies, you know? They just need people with an appetite to do. And so that was really, that was really kind of like one thing, I was already different, because I was very strong in my faith. Thankfully, I knew exactly who I was. I knew I had a purpose. And so I got into those, I got into school. And thankfully, because there were so many. Opportunities. I was successful. So there was a lot of opportunities. Again, took what God gave me and ran with it, and I there were a lot of people that did not care for me, and that was, it was so whether it was an eye thing or it was, it was another girl thing, right? Really, any yep, I was just different. I was different than everyone around me, and honestly, that fueled me, and that's really important to me, is, is my platform and my motto in life is really the idea that everyone deserves the right to be unlike anyone else. And so I hate, I hate a trendy culture, honestly, like, I do everything. That's why I've been off Instagram for five years, just because I'm like, okay, like, I just need a set of entrance, right, exactly, right, yeah. And so that's really honestly, it fueled that in me. It fueled that individualism in me of just wanting honestly, at that moment when people would say mean things, when folks would would seemingly attack me, it was, it was almost fuel to just to be better, to be stronger and to seek kind of perspective and support from people that I knew would would push me back to the Lord and would push me back to what would actually get me further in my life, and that was not responding to those kind of accusations and attacks, I think so. Yeah, it's definitely it made me stronger, which is hard, because bullying can look different for everyone, right? But it definitely I was thankful for, honestly, kind of the ridicule, so that it would set me up for success in my future.

Taylor McAdams: Oh, and you did. You did exactly what best take it and let it yep, that's like, so inspiring. And I see a lot of my younger self and, well, because there's a lot of, like, small town has its own thing. I love it. I wouldn't trade a film world. I would love to back to a small town. But for sure, there's, it's like, a lot smaller challenges that you Yes, and I hate that we're, like, talking about things that are so heavy. So I'm going to kind of shift it a little bit, but part of this I'm genuinely curious about, since you've had such a like a strong overcomer story, was there anyone that you ever to to kind of be through your faith? Because obviously, at 11, you couldn't know everything about the Bible, yes, and know everything about whatever. So who did you look up to talk to? Thank

Kalyn Grokett: you for this question. So my mom, Phyllis McKibben, is the most incredible person. I'm gonna cry. Oh my gosh, I'm gonna cry. I'm gonna cry here. Good. So Phyllis Mckibben is, is my mama, and she is a powerhouse interfaith, oh my goodness. She has the power of the Holy Spirit, just like flowing through her veins. And so having that as a child, and watching that even into adulthood, and seeing her with my kids, it's it's been such a gift, because I realized that few people get that. And my mom is, anyone who meets my mom, they get the exact same feeling. So she just radiates the Holy Spirit. And so thank you for the question, because I she is that for me. I mean, she's she's just wonderful. And she'll be the first to remind me exactly how the Lord has has come through in my life. Anytime I ask a question, or anytime I'm I'm doubting something, she will bring up 10,000 examples of how the Lord was there for us, how he made a way, how he moved obstacles for us, and so honestly, my mama, man, good, thank the Lord for

Taylor McAdams: I did not mean to make you cry. I'm so sorry. Oh, you're just, I would definitely same thing. It's, it's really beautiful. So I commend you too, because seeing you be a mama that you are, and seeing your kids, it's just a beautiful thing. But I have, I can't help but be genuine. Or about your eye situation. What has been Talk Talk us through some of the challenges, because people probably don't look at you and notice that you have a prosthetic eye. People, people can look at someone with like, an a limb and notice, okay, there's, you know, so you've probably had challenges through that. And then I remember on Instagram, you had done like, a series on how to change out your process, or not really how to change out, but, like, yes, getting fitted and all that stuff. So tell us that stuff, because that is so intriguing,

Kalyn Grokett: yes. So it's been a journey, but it's now been so, so long a part of my life, like it's, you know, it's just part of me. So sometimes I honestly forget too. So when I had my eye removed, my original eye removed, you get a prosthetic. So you get a prosthetic eye, and it's, it's formed to your eye socket. It looks like just a really thick contact, but it's completely custom to your natural eye color. And so that is a whole thing takes several days to complete. It has to be replaced every three to five years. So it's something that I'll continue to do throughout my life. So with with the whole process of going from two eyes to one, there are certain things that I am not good at because of it. So it is one of those things that you realize you have no depth perception. In when you only have one eye. And so if you can imagine 11 year old me, and honestly, like, 29 year old me here, you realize, like, oh gosh, like, that's further away, or that's that's closer. And honestly, I often just will, like, blame the fact if I, like, Miss A calf, or I miss a steer, I'm like, oh, sorry, I thought it was closer than this. Like, you know, like, it's a really good excuse. And, like, my husband's like, just rope the dang thing. I'm like, No, it's fine. I'm just

Taylor McAdams: having fun. I'm just playing, right, exactly,

Kalyn Grokett: Exactly. So, yeah, it's something that I that that is the difference. Like, you have to to kind of go into that. And so because I also work in front of a screen, or I work from a home office, I'm in front of a screen for many, many hours in a day. And so you realize, like, when you're not using your eyes just naturally, and you're sitting in front of a stationary object, you realize, like, you don't blink very much. And so there are certain things as I've gotten older that you just have, like, chronic dry eye, or you just realize some things might be a little bit harder without two eyes. Then with also My poor husband, when he started to, like, teach me how to run a gun, it's like, oh, I'm right handed my my right eye is the bad eye, and so it's, it's kind of, it's an interesting process to watch a right handed person try to shoot, shoot again when they have to use your left hand.  

Taylor McAdams: So that's those are the harder things, yeah, honestly, the things that I would never think about because I am so clumsy, and also I joke that I'm blind, but I am. I can't see close up or far away, so really, realistically, I should be wearing glasses today and just forgot them, but you quite literally, have probably found yourself like hitting your head on things or, okay, yeah, that is a struggle too, that a lot of people don't have to. That's crazy. And then briefly, I know, because we could be here for a whole nother hour, probably talking through the process. Is it hard or uncomfortable getting your eye refit or getting an eye in? Yeah, I remember the thing I remember specifically was there was like, this little suction cup thing.

Kalyn Grokett: Yes, yes. That seems cool, too. And, yeah, yeah, the process is fascinating, and I feel like I know way more about it now. Of course, we've gone through it several times. Yes, it is uncomfortable. It's a very uncomfortable and a lot of people will ask me, like, do you take your eye out on a regular basis? No, I don't. I probably should, honestly, I just get caught up. Yeah, in life, but you have to, just like any other like prosthetic, you have to maintain it, you have to make sure that it's cleaned and sanitary and things like that. And so it is an uncomfortable process, but thankfully, it fits perfectly now, so it's just part of me. 

Taylor McAdams: So yeah, yeah, that is awesome. So cool. I've learned so much. Thank you for sharing. I mean, I was, like, so intrigued. And then before we go, I can't help but wonder, are you on the sourdough train? Oh my gosh. Are you a baker?

Kalyn Grokett: Yes. So that's honestly one of the things I do for fun. Is when I do have I don't really get to have many hobbies right now at this season in my life. But one of the things I do, and this is actually really important to me as to like, anytime I make food, or anytime I have a minute to make extra food or sweets or something like that, I usually make extra for our neighbors or the folks in our community that may not have those things. And so I actually love it right now I have gotten under this sourdough trick, like, I'm not good at it. My gosh, I'm horrible at it, but I'm committed. So I feel like all in I feel like we're gonna keep the little starter alive to this point, yeah, we're doing that. But genuine life, all my bad loves. I feel so bad for our community. I'm like, here, it's the thought that counts, like, I made this for you. It may not taste good, but it's the thought that counts. But that is really special, because our oldest daughter, Sonora, who's four at this time, she she'll often ask, is this for us or for the neighbors? And so I really, like, you have to, as a parent, you realize your kids are watching everything you do. And so like, all the good and the bad, because there's plenty of bad things, I'm like, Oh, I wish you hadn't seen that, but, yeah, that's a pretty special, special thing that our little ones are catching on to. 

Taylor McAdams: Yeah, that is something that's like a full time job. Hats off to you. I have not tried it. I think at Easter I'm gonna sit my grandma in law, so Tyler's grant, my husband's grandma, yeah, down and have her. I might even video the process, because, yes, this is something that I want to do, and I I'm not good at growing things. I've never been able to keep a flower alive. Yeah, yeah. So the idea of feeding a starter sounds a little easier, because you kind of can forget about it and it might survive, right? They're tough, yeah? So if you have any tips, feel free to send them our way, like I need all the things I'm open to, but that's probably on my list. So I figured with you having all of your experience, and then also living as far away from things as you having the opportunity your own bread, that's super cool. Have you done anything fun, like cinnamon rolls or pizza? Oh,

Kalyn Grokett: yes, girl, I love carbs, so I've never met one I didn't like. So I love to make bread. Yes, anytime, anything. 

Taylor McAdams: Yes, that's awesome. Yes, yes, one day I'll be there. One day I'll be as cool. 

Kalyn Grokett: God, you are so cool. Yes, you are well on your way.

Taylor McAdams: Well, I know you have another the time of the refilm, and you have another event coming up super soon, so I won't keep you any longer, but Caitlin, this has been Truly a breath of fresh air to get to know your story. You are a breath of light, and I wish you the best in all that you do here. I'm so excited to follow and get to I love hearing your your songs and your music. And I don't know if you do that really much anymore. I know 2020 was like a big thing, but you're you're so talented and to be able to as firm as you are in your faith and or, I think at 29 too, like at 28 I look up to you so, so much so thank you for never changing and conforming for the world and for continuing the generations in the western lifestyle, but then also Jesus too.

Kalyn Grokett: I pray. I'm so honored. Thank you so much for the time today. I've loved your conversation. You're the coolest

Taylor McAdams:  I'm, like, so excited for them to get to and if you guys have any more questions, I know I have a million more questions, so feel free to comment below or DM us on Instagram, and we will, for sure, get your questions asked and answered. And as always, share this episode with your friends. Please tell everyone you know about it. Kaelyn story is so cool, and join me in cheering her along as she is inaugurated or is added to the 2025 class of capital magazine. A big deal. So proud of you. Thank you again, Kaylin, and thank you all for listening to the kick your boots up podcast. I'm your host, Taylor McAdams, and we'll see next time. Thanks for joining us on kick your boots up. I'm your host, Taylor McAdams, and we can't wait to share the next story of the West. Until then, feel free to like subscribe and leave us a review. Follow us on social media at Justin boots to keep up with our next episode, and we'll see you the next time you kick your boots up.