Krocks In The Kitchen

Happy Sunday friends! 👋 We are BACK with a LONG overdue update video! https://youtu.be/g5aw_vbcUpA

Highlights include... Elsie turns ONE, our latest CT scan results, new hair & more 🥰

Hey everyone – we know it has been a while since we posted an update. Life has been pretty overwhelming, but we are getting through day by day with the help of each smile from our amazing baby girl ❤️ We can't believe she's almost 9 months old!

Yesterday Brian filmed this update video for you on his recovery after having his left kidney removed just over 7 weeks ago. After the surgery, we were able to get more information about the stage / grade of his cancer as well. As always, thanks for all of the love, prayers and good vibes sent our way.

https://youtu.be/UmXk7Mbnzf8

For today's video, we're taking you along with us to Mayo Clinic as Brian gets his kidney biopsy: https://youtu.be/bdhrM-yDqIk

With the possibility of losing a kidney, Brian sits down with kidney donor Jeff to discuss the surgery/recovery process and what life is like with only one kidney: https://youtu.be/WTDOYWqvBEw

Well... we didn't see this one coming. Brian explains what's going on in today's video: https://youtu.be/F1Mi49wf7og

A little update for you on this fine Sunday 😁

https://youtu.be/03RymqT9Bk4

Today's video was a difficult one... 💔https://youtu.be/oM3G6CFp9c4

Our dear friend Jennifer Cooper Gravley passed away peacefully on the morning of Saturday, February 10th at age 54 after a long and courageous battle with stage 4 colon cancer. She went into eternal glory with her dear husband of nearly 32 years by her side. She joins her precious momma and daddy, along with Anthony’s parents.

Brian and I had the fortune of becoming close friends with Anthony and Jennifer over the past 5 years. As we came to know their amazing love story, and the stories of their parents, we felt blessed to have such an amazing example of love in our lives.

They met in college when Anthony was 18 and Jennifer was 21. They married in 1992 and created a beautiful family together - 3 amazing sons and now a daughter-in-law and precious grandbaby who just turned one. Over the years, they have given so much of themselves to take care of others. As caregivers for their parents, they selflessly set aside their own lives to ensure they received the best care possible. As a teacher, Jennifer helped shape the lives of so many students throughout the years.

We have witnessed so much loss in the Gravley/Cooper family, as all four of their parents passed over a very short time period from 2020 - 2022. But one thing we have not witnessed is a loss of spirit or faith in our Lord and Savior. Even as Jennifer was handed a life altering diagnosis of stage 4 colon cancer in August of 2022, it did not break their faith. Jennifer immediately started her fight with an aggressive treatment plan. And not ONE time did anyone hear her complain or question why this was happening to her. She faced this battle more courageously and determined than anyone I’ve ever met.

I know one of her wishes would be that her family is taken care of, and unfortunately along with so much loss, there has been a lot of financial burden on this beautiful family. Both Jennifer and Anthony had to step down from their teaching jobs to focus on her declining health and aggressive chemotherapy treatment plan. Due to the kindness and generosity of their friends and family, they were able to get through the last year and a half with the help of donations from another GoFundMe. They will be closing that campaign as we launch this new one (https://www.gofundme.com/f/the-gravley-family) and thank everyone for the continued support.

I wanted to start this new fundraiser as the family enters this next chapter. We would love it if you could help us honor Jennifer’s memory. I understand that not everyone will be in a position to give - but honestly every dollar helps - and if you are unable to give, please just keep them in your prayers as they try to figure out life without their precious momma, wife and NanNan.

Funds will go directly to support the family with any needs they have including:
* Funeral Expenses (estimated between $5,000 - $10,000)
* Remaining Medical Expenses
* Support as Anthony transitions from full-time caregiver

Thank you for helping us bless this family, and please keep them in your prayers as the most difficult of days are still ahead. ❤

AHHHH! We really don’t mean to keep so many secrets from you guys 😅… but we’ve been holding on to this one for a little bit 😉 and we are SO excited to finally be able to fill you in with today's video!! 😍

https://youtu.be/-ezWZtfkkxY

Just a merry little update for your Sunday afternoon!
https://youtu.be/5cT6jl6gMf0 🎄

More good news!
https://youtu.be/t5w-X8NUFFw

We said goodbye to Ohio last Friday 😭 but before we left, we filmed today's video with a very special guest... my cousin Tess! You know... the one who gave birth to our beautiful daughter for us! 😍

We answered some of your questions about Elsie (and her birth) and got an update on how Tess is doing as well. Please enjoy and we'll be back Sunday with an update on our latest trip to Mayo Clinic. ❤️

https://youtu.be/krWAMBzmeQM

P.S. Tess wanted to give everyone a HUGE thank you for all of the amazing comments over the past several months. She has enjoyed seeing all of the love our community has for baby Elsie, and she truly appreciates the love you have shown for her throughout this process as well. ❤️

Finally... the video you've been waiting for!! Elsie's here!!! ❤

https://youtu.be/ysLZbesaL8Y

Okay, okay... we know this is not the video you've been waiting for 😂 but there might be a little sneak peek of Elsie in there 😉 ... https://youtu.be/ZExyYIEmkjw

Our sweet miracle baby Elsie Clara Krock arrived into this world in the early hours of Friday, October 13th. 🥰 She’s the most perfect, beautiful, magical being we’ve ever laid our eyes on. We fell in love instantly and have been soaking in every single moment as new parents. Thanks to everyone for all of the messages and comments.

Just before she arrived, we filmed this silly little video of us unboxing a produce delivery. 🍅🫑🥔 We wanted to go ahead and post it while you patiently wait for us to be ready to share more about Elsie and her arrival. Besides… you know how much I love a good produce unboxing 🤪 LOL. Anyone remember our live stream back in 2020?

Please enjoy and come back next ✨ Sunday, November 5th ✨ as we celebrate our 12th wedding anniversary with a special video all about Elsie. 🩷🩷🩷

😁🩷

Happy Sunday!! In today's Q&A video, we answer all of your burning questions about the baby, what we're eating, our living situation & more 😁!

https://youtu.be/YV1nZsuaed0

Thanks to everyone who joined us today and helped us welcome our special guests 😉 ❤

Watch the replay: https://youtube.com/live/r3SkuT9Fp0Y

Live From Ohio... It's The Krocks!! Today at 4pm EDT

Join us as we continue to wait for Baby Elsie's arrival ❤️

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3SkuT9Fp0Y

Update time! We've been super busy lately and there's LOTS to catch up on... including our temporary move to Ohio!

Today's video ▶️ https://youtu.be/HnXn3hEBrv8

It has been quite the year. Yesterday was the one year anniversary of my first chemotherapy treatment. It honestly feels like it has been much longer. It is hard to even fathom all that has happened in that year.

We were able to get away for a few days between appointments at Mayo Clinic this week and celebrate Brian's birthday. We also celebrated the good results from my scans and the future we continue to build together with our baby girl who is due in just 68 days. ❤️

We have so much to celebrate this year, but one thing we have learned is how fragile everything is. How in one moment, it can all come crashing down. This can make it scary to celebrate, but it also makes all of the good moments even more special. I refuse to put my life on hold getting caught up in the "what ifs" that creep into my brain.

I know how hard it can be to live in the moment, but we always have to try. You'll never regret doing the things, making the memories, having the conversations, telling the people who mean the most to you that you love them.

None of this life is guaranteed. I am so thankful that I get to spend my life with Brian by my side. Here's to many more years ahead. ❤

Just posted a quick update video after my CT scan at Mayo Clinic on Monday! https://youtu.be/Ddx5lNNEMr8

BRAND NEW RECIPE! The Krocks’ Best Plant-Based Meatloaf Ever 🎉 https://youtu.be/8Si36EKirLQ

I have to be honest… when I watch these recipe videos we filmed back in 2022 but never released, I find myself asking “who are those people?!” It seems like there is SO much distance between who we were back then and who we are now. In some ways, it makes me a little sad… but not in the way you might think.

I am sad looking at the people we were back then because I wish I could whisper in their ears and tell them that ALL of the little things they are worrying about don’t matter. I want to tell them to be more carefree and never take a day for granted. I want to tell them that this life is not promised.

I may not be able to talk to the people we were back then, but I can find comfort in knowing that the trials we’ve faced have only made us stronger. The way we look at everything has changed. Our relationship with ourselves and each other is better. We’ve been through some of the worst trials life can throw at us, but we’re still standing and we’re ready to take on the world in a whole new way.

All this to say… I hope you enjoy this recipe and please don’t ever take one day of your life for granted. Do ALL the things. SAY all the things to the people you love... And eat all the plant-based meatloaf. 😁❤

LIVE STREAM TODAY! Join us over on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3pbDkHo-6M

Hey guys!! Sorry for the delay but the video will be 15 minutes late 😉 TRUST US - it will be worth the wait!

See you in about 20 minutes at 4:15pm CT!

https://youtu.be/sh501EODR0c

Drumroll please... 🥁 Our number 1️⃣ recipe is... Brian's Super Tasty Vegan Chili! This is our original chili recipe and we LOVE making this massive batch to keep on hand. I am warning you now... if you make the full recipe, it makes a TON of chili. But it also freezes really well and tastes SO yummy 😍

Get the recipe here: http://bit.ly/KrockChili

We are SO excited for our return to YouTube with a special video premiere TODAY (Sunday 7/16) at 4pm CT. See you there 😉 https://www.youtube.com/krocksinthekitchen

Today, coming in at number 2️⃣ on the countdown is our Super Smoky Hummus! This was the very FIRST recipe video we every filmed 🥹 and we had absolutely no clue what we were doing, but this hummus is something we will always come back to! It works perfect as an oil-free swap for salad dressing 🥗 or a dip for your favorite veggies 🥕🥦🫑 Yum!

Get the recipe & watch the video at http://bit.ly/KrockHummus