The Holiday Season.

 For Thanksgiving, Josh and I went to North Carolina to visit his dad and step mom. It was a long drive, but I'm happy we went. It seemed that Josh needed to reconnect with his dad once we got there, and I loved seeing the mountains.
 We only spent two days there, but we had fun. (And I got three bottles of wine out of the trip as well)

We also had a Friends-Giving before we left. That was alot of fun.

We just recently had an early Christmas gift exchange as well. Josh's mom, sister, my friend Miranda her husband Jason and son Marshel and our roommate Benny were there. We had dinner and opened gifts. Shared alot of laughs and stories.

 All in All, this has been a very good holiday season so far.

Many Blessings,
 Arielle Caitlynn

Home Photos!!

 We are very blessed and excited to have our own home now. We have been living here for half a year now, and it still feels like a dream to me.
 This weekend starts our first holiday season as home owners and again, we are very excited!!

~*Arielle*Caitlynn*~

It Has Begun!!!!

 Good Saturday Morning To You!

 Well, It's started. I ordered a GED practice book a few days ago and I am now on the path to finally getting my GED and possibly taking the ACT and starting some Online Classes.
 I'm so nervous about this. I was never very good at taking tests, or sitting down for lessons. Hopefully Josh will be patient with me as I go through this small struggle of anxiety, self doubt, and worrisome sleep. But I know it's for the best and that no matter the outcome of all of this, I will have tried my best and it is going toward something I've been wanting to do for a very long time.
 I am so grateful for Josh when I made the decision, He supported my ideas and dreams, and has offered to help me in any way. I also have some amazing friends who are saying that they are so proud of me and believe in me.
 I'm wanting all of this time and effort to go towards getting a degree in Early Childhood Education. I've always wanted to work with children, from day one to pre-k. I'm enjoying my job very much and seeing and hearing this kids learn new words and skills, it just melts my heart.
 I'm almost 27 years old. It's time I do something for myself and my future along the lines of education.

So...

 Be ready for some posts where I may say things like, I Can't Do This! I'm So Stressed and Confused.

But also be ready for some posts where I might say, I DID IT!! THIS IS HAPPENING!!

I'm scared, nervous, excited, happy and ready for this to begin.


 Many Blessings.
~*Arielle*Caitlynn*~

    

My Life As It Is...

As I sit, eating cheddar broccoli soup from a coffee mug, in my new kitchen, in my new home (not apartment, HOME) I can't help to feel a little home sick. Home sick for the days when mom would have a baking day and Allison and I would sit and watch Little House on The Prairie as it snowed out side.

 I miss being home sometimes. But at the same time, I am in absolute love with the life I have here in North East Arkansas.

 I am the lead teacher in my one year old class at the learning center. I have a wonderful boyfriend who went out of his way to get us a house to share. He makes sure the bills are paid and that there is always enough money for us to spend on a date night once a week. Now that we have the house, I'm going to start gardening again, and maybe even sell at the farmers market. Who knows, maybe I'll become good friends with some people at the farmers market that I can talk them into coming to the learning center and talking to the kids about home grown food.

 I'm also looking into starting a sensory garden for the school as well. I hared of them while at a seminar. The lady who was speaking had talked about how her son who has autism, had done very well with the garden they started in their back yard. He would go into sensory over-load with the lest bit of change, so the garden introduced change in a healthy way for him to cope. I would love to start a flower garden with my class and show the kids how to be gentle and use soft touches with the flowers, and how to care for them and not just rip them up. Then I'll move on to vegetables.

 I have so many great ideas for my class, but like many teachers out there, I really don't have the time or the means to make my ideas happen. But I'm slowly getting there.

 Now, I'm sure you are wondering. "When did you get a House!?"

At the begging of the year, Josh and I started to look at some homes, and get an idea of what we could afford. As we were looking at some homes, we came upon a new subdivision in the town were the learning center is, and we fell in love! We were able to build and customize our house, pick the colors, the style, a jetted tub, carpet, hardwood floors... everything was picked out by us. I am so happy with our home. I'll work on uploading some pictures. Our back yard is big enough for maybe 4-6 garden boxes, and we are even looking into getting a green house! I'm very excited for the green house. Next summer I plan on going full force into back yard gardening again. I'm hopping momma can come down and help me out and maybe even grandma Joanne. I do need to start doing more research on gardening in the south. Like when to start certain plants, what type of veggie would do best in the excessive heat, how to harvest and store the plants. So I may become friends with the extension office at the college. And, I'm ok with that.

 Other than teaching and being a home owner. Not much else has been going on. No word on engagements or marriage for Josh and I. Not yet anyways. And that's ok. I'm fine just being with him and learning about each-other and going on adventures.

 We did got to Florida last September. I got to see the Magical World of Harry Potter!!! I was like a little kid again. I bought so much candy. I would love to go again, and get more wands, and maybe some clothing items. But I would also love to go to the beach again. 

 This summer is about the house. We are new to mortgage payments, so we decided to stay home and work on saving up. And I'm ok with that.

 Right now we are planning out our holiday vacations. We might be going to North Carolina to see his dad for Thanksgiving, then Ohio to see my family for Christmas.

 With that said, I'm out of things to talk about. I will work on getting some house pictures up, and that is all for now.

 Many Blessings.

~*Arielle*Caitlynn*~

Dreams do Come True!!

 Well, it's finally happening. I may get to be a daycare/preschool teacher!!!
I'm so very excited. I can't wait to start this new chapter in my career life. I'll be working 4, 10 hour days, from 6 am to about 6 pm. The position that is open that I could possibly fill is working with the 1 year olds. I honestly couldn't describe how happy and excited I am for this opportunity. I'm just so happy. I also may be teaching a new friend how to crochet a blanket for her fiance, and we went to go get some yarn and a crochet hook for her today.
 I never knew what was to come of my life when I decided to stay in Arkansas. I just figured I would continue to waitress and work at the bakery until I got married again and had kids. But now.... My Dream Of Becoming A Teacher Is Coming True!!! I am just so, so, so happy. Wish me luck on my working interview on Monday and keep me in your prayers.
 ~Blessings~
*Arielle*Cailtynn*

Wanderlust

When I was little, I never thought much of the ocean.
It was big, dark, wet, scary, filled with strange creatures. The things my nightmares were made of. I am afraid of water, well, water I cannot see in. Dark, cold water. If I can't see the bottom, I wont go in.
 Well, when I went to California back in 2012, I was excited to see someplace new. Though we didn't do much other than sleep, eat and lay on the beach, it was still an adventure for me. But the ocean... Oh That Ocean.
 I couldn't see the end of it, and it was so dark, I was frightened, yet, mesmerized. Here I was, Just a dot, seeing for the first time how big this world was. I was awestruck. I teared up, I looked to the heavens and said, this is bigger than how much you love me?! This, as far as the East is from the West? From one horizon to the other. I was just, awestruck.
 After we returned back to our daily lives, I was hooked. I always thought of the ocean, of the waves. The sound of the water rushing over the shore, the gulls crying in the air. The warmth of the sun reflecting off the white sand. Children giggling in the foam and seaweed. I longed to go back.
 It wouldn't be until 3 years later that I would go back. Not to the same beach or part of the ocean. But back to a beach and see the ocean from a different point of view.
 In May 2015, I went to Florida with my dad, little sister and her best friend. We went to swim with the manatees in Crystal River, then made our way from north to south then back up, all along the coast. The waters in Florida were clear, and a beautiful teal color that I cannot unsee. The sand was softer, The sun was warmer. My heart was better. This was a vacation I needed after my divorce. I was so unsettled, and my soul was restless. That was when I found out for the first time what Wanderlust felt like.
 I was being drawn to go somewhere I have never been, nor ever thought of going. To be someplace new, meet new people, to just be new again. And I am better for it.

Never in a million years would I have ever thought I would put on a wet suit, go out on a boat at 6 o'clock in the morning, plunge into a cold fresh water river, and put my face under water and come face to face with the most adorable creature I've yet to meet, and touch it and almost ride on it as it swam underneath me and rose to the surface. I was terrified. My heart rate went sky high, my breathing was irregular, and I had the biggest smile on my face when my sister pulled my hand over to squishy, hairy boulder just inches in front of her. I reached for Lydias hand and did the same, when we all looked up at eachother, I couldn't tell if it was just water, or tears of joy, but the smiles we shared, and I was so thankful for my daddy. He paid for all of this, drove all night, woke us up, and was just as happy as we were. Just remembering all of this has me worked up.
 And I'm Longing To Go Back.

Growing up, I always thought I was named after The Little Mermaid. We looked alike. Skinny, long red hair, could sing pretty well. But I couldn't swim to save my life. But I do like some water. Pools, baths, hottubs, streams. If I could see and touch the bottom, I was fine. The sound of running water soothes me. Feeling it wash over my skin, like it's washing all the bad in the world away is the best feeling in the world to me. But the Ocean. Those waves, will kill me. I got washed away in a wave in California. Was rolled and flipped, I didn't know which way was up or down. I panicked. I cried, I prayed. I even sent an I Love You to my family in my mind, thinking I wasn't going to make it back to the beach. But luckily, I floated, and made my way back. That was the first and last time I ever went into the water.

 But, In Florida. Allison and I went out so far, the people on the beach looked like dots. We didn't realize this. We just kept walking and talking and watching our feet and looking for seastars and fish.
 When we looked up, the water was up to our chins and only one thought came to mind for me, SHARKS! Time to go back, and quickly, I said to her and we swam, and laughed, and rode waves like we were mermaids. Smiles on our faces. Lydia thought we were crazy and dad did his, I should be upset with you but I just can't be cause look how happy you are, laugh. And we all sat together and watched the sunset over the water.

This winter I have wanderlust so bad, I can't sit still. I keep looking at all my pictures of my adventures from summer, and I am just beside myself I didn't do more. I didn't travel further. That I am living in an apartment instead of a pull around camper and seeing the world.
 I do like my apartment and warm soft bed. I love being with Josh, and my job. But OH THE WANDERLUST!!

The Warm Sun...

 The Colors...

I have made a promise to myself, that this summer, I would go somewhere new.
 A Dessert, A Snow Capped Mountain, A Muggy Rainforest.
              ANYWHERE!
As long as it was new, I was going to go.
 But for now, I have the memories, and those will do.

 
Many Warm Blessings To You.
 ~*Arielle*Caitlynn*~

Girl Under Construction

 So much has happened in the past year,

 I'm putting myself under construction. As well as the Blog.

 Not sure where to begin, but I'll have this blog up and running again soon.

 I'm sorry for being away for so long and keeping you my dear readers out of the loop.

 As for Caitydid Creations.... I'll start that back up again soon as well.

 Check back in to see new pictures along the side bar, and for posts about what has happened in my life sense last may.

 Warning... some of it is pretty deep, and we may cry together.

 Also,

  Some Prayer is greatly needed right now. I've been a bit lost and feeling kind of... broken. So maybe just a prayer for courage, and peace,

 Good news though,

 I get to move into my new apartment this Thursday, and I can't tell you how Happy and Excited I am about that. (story to come as to why it's MY apartment and why I'm so happy about it)

 Like I said, it's been one Hell of year and past 5 months. I'll be back to tell you all about it soon.

 Much Love and Many Blessings to you My Dearest Readers.

"Where You Go, I Go..."

  We make our own plans, but the Lord determines our path. Proverbs 16:9 (NLT)

My darling has been working very hard at his job as a manager in training, and because of that he has finished with his training and is now ready to take on a new task. He has applied within the store family to see where his next job will take him.
 As he applied he saw that he would have to apply out of town, and out of state. We prayed that his job would keep us in Ohio, and close to our family. But our paths are not ours to pave ourselves. And God has laid ours out ahead of us.
 His job called a few days before my twenty-third birthday to tell us that he was accepted to join the team and store family down in Southern Missouri. I was happy that we finally got the call and no longer had to wait, but was also very upset that it would be taking me eight in a half hours away from my family and friends. I asked if we could say no and wait for an Ohio job, but, if we were to do that, my darling would be put back on to part time work and would not make enough to pay the bills. Even if I got a second job to work after working eight hours a day, we could not make ends meet. So we prayed. And we now know that this is where God needs us to go. I don't know what for, but that is where we must go. I don't want to, but when I married my darling husband, I promised to follow him where ever goes, and he promised me the same. We also promised to Trust God and to follow the path He lays out for us. We made the promise to each other to trust each other. So, we shall.
 We have until a few days before his first day of work, March Thirty-first, to find a new apartment and get moved in. We have been looking online mostly. Calling real estate, and land lords, trying to find a decent place in a good neighborhood and with a decent price per month. It's hard. We have been praying, but it's still hard. I'm trusting that God leads us to a good place to live where we can find a new church and make new friends.
 This is such a hard spot in my life. Having to pack up my life, move to a new state and town, leave my family and friends behind, make new friends, and find a new job, all within a few weeks!! No wonder I can't sleep!!

 "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow. Tomorrow will worry about its self. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Mathew 6:34

 I saw on pinterest one day as I was passing time, a picture. It was a pretty picture with lots of colors and patterns. And on this picture were nine words that stuck themselves to my brain.

 Worrying is like Praying for Something you Don't Want.

 That is very true. I'm trying to not worry about this move too much. I mean it's only human to worry a little bit. But I shall try to not worry too much.

 Prayer is much needed in this time of or lives. Prayer for a new apartment, new job (for me) safe travels, and protection, and prayer for this new chapter in our lives.
 Thank you so much.

Many Blessings to you,
 ~*Arielle*Caitlynn*~

Merry Christmas, so far.......

 WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS,

WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS,

WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS,

AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!





 Well, Christmas is almost here. I'm very happy. I love Christmas time because my family comes together under one roof and shares laughs, and love. I hope your Christmas Season is going well. With Love and Warm Prayers,

 Arielle Caitlynn.

Being who I am.

 I'm not a math person, I'm not a science person, I'm not a history person, I'm not a chemistry, I'm not all that book smart, but you know what?! I can read, I can write, I can add, subtract, multiply and divide. I know enough science to get me by, as well as history. Chemistry, well I know not to mix bleach with anything, and I know how to make a small "boom". I am who I am. I am life smart. I cook, sew, knit, crochet, paint, sketch, keep house, work my butt off, I know how to care for Kids and animals. I pray, I love, I care, I get mad, But I'm an all around nice, happy person. I'm sorry, I didn't go to college. I was never good at paying attention. But who says you need a college degree to raise a family, homeschool, and be a wife and mother.

My little sister and Niece.

 I've been married for a little over a year now, and so far it's been good. Fights like always, but the next day we are going out to eat and laughing. We are moving! Down the street from where we are now, there is a 2 bedroom apartment for rent. It's only $25/mth more, and we can get a pet deposit! Not that we have a pet now, but it's nice to know we can get one. The place is about the same as my Darlings last apartment he lived in before we got married. Actually, it looks just like it only in the first set of units. It's two bedroom, with a nice big living room, a bigger kitchen, but no counter space, so I am going to get a small shelf for putting pots, pans and food on, and a bakers cart for my coffee corner. There is also a small patio. And the best part, I can plant a garden! I'm already thinking, getting some BIG pots, and making a box or two and planting some turnips, green beans, some pretty flowers and other late season plants. Oh and Pumpkins! 

I wasn't happy about moving at first. I like the place we are in now. Ac, Free water and gas for cooking and heat. Our neighbors are so quite, and it has become my home. Go figure as soon as I get settled and start calling this place my home, we pack up and leave. Oh well. I guess this will be good for us. My Darling will have an office space, so I can go from living room, to bed room with out disturbing him on the phone anymore. Our guests will have some more privacy when they stay the night. And I can have my garden and my darling can BBQ! No more mountain climbing to get the groceries up stairs, and no more 6am big rig trucks blazing through town under our living room windows with the engine brake on. Not sure how the neighbors are yet. I don't do well with neighbors that stay up til 5am yelling and screaming, or playing video games too loud, or music, or vacuuming. My upstairs neighbors did that. All of that. Every night. I went insane. But thank goodness this is a one level apartment unit. 
 In this new apartment, I can be who I really am with my garden. I can get dirty, and be happy about it. I can start a compost again, and not feel like crying everytime I have to throw away peelings or coffee grounds. They can go straight to my garden. Oh happy day!

The past month, pretty much, I have been home with my family helping to get the place ready for my Grandma and uncle to come visit. It was great. I worked in the garden, worked and played with the animals, got to spend time with my family like we used to. It was so nice. I miss working in a garden everyday with my momma, or going out to eat for lunch with my sister. Staying up and watching movies with my daddy. 
 Momma and I had a deal. And it still stands. When I come up to visit, I make dinner. And I'm ok with that. I made dinner every night. And it was never a repeat. Everyone sat down at the table to eat. No tv or radio. Just us. I loved that. I want family meals every night with my future family. No tv, no radio, unless it's classical or even big band music. Just the family, mommy, daddy, kids. Friends are invited, family too. A nice big almost 3-4 course meal. With Veggies, and meat and bread, and a salad. Always a salad. I want my family to know what a good dinner is. I don't want anyone to go to bed hungry, ever. Also, no soda. At dinner, it will be water, juice (apple, grape or orange, no koolaid.) milk or iced tea. No soda after lunch. Only on special occasions like BBQs or holidays. We will talk about our days. No cursing, or griping or complaining. Just talking. How was your day? "Good, had a run in with a coworker but noting too bad. How was yours?" "Fine, worked in the garden, went shopping, today the kids and I learned about the civil war!" Stuff like that. Think 1950's movies where the dad comes home the the table is set and everyone looks like a magazine cover. Only, the kids will probably have paint in their hair, their feel will be dirty from playing out side and the class room/living room will be filled with crafts and projects. But their hands and faces will be washed. I will have messy hair, tired eyes, and running eyeliner. But My Darling will still think I'm beautiful. (He has said so. ^_^) 
 Then after dinner, we will go out side for some play time, then take care of animals, then we will watch a movie, read the kids a story, bed time, then sleep. 
 Yes, I have had plenty of time to think about this. And I know, not everything will be the way I have imagined it. But it will come close.

Well, the time has come for the local college to start up again, so that means work. I have been hired FULL TIME! I will be working full time and will get a raise in my pay. With my darling, working weekends as a bartender and also full time in the kitchen, and me working full time and selling my creations at The Little Red Hen Gift Shop, we will be making so much more money, that we can save up for future baby and other things. I'm not too happy about full time work because I love my time off, but I'll take it so I wont have to work when I have kids.

So to end this long post, I want to just say,

 That Life isn't about Waiting for the Storm to Pass, it's about Going out and Dancing in the Rain.

In life you will go through so many storms, so many bad spots, and you may think life sucks and wont get better. But let me tell you. You will make it through. I have been through so much in just the past 91/2 years, and there is more crap to come, but I made it through and I know I can keep going. As long as I keep praying and have my amazing friends and family to go to, I can make it to the end of times. I know you can too. I pray that God gives you peace, and strength. Love and joy, but also tears. And that when you come out of the storm, that God gives you the knowledge and mindfulness of just how great life is. You really never know how great life is until you come out of a bad spot. Then you can look life in the eyes and stick out your tongue and say, "I made it, and I'm happy I did. You didn't beat me this time and you never will. Thank You GOD!" 

 So, be who you are but always strive to be your best. If you are a bad mood or are feeling low, smile and say something nice to a stranger, and see their smile, in that smile you will see that their day is worse than yours and you just made it better. Always remember, someone out there has got it so much worse than you, so treat others with care. Be Kind. 

 With so much Love, 
Arielle Caitlynn.