Living...

 As 2017 draws to a close, Everyone is setting their "New Years Resolutions".

-Go to the guy-Be healthy in some new fad-ish way-Find inner peace-Forgive and Forget-

Blah-Blah-Blah...

It's all excuses, all fake. I'm sorry, but, NO ONE Keeps Their Resolutions. I never did. I never will.

But, I'll tell you what I will do...

 I'm going to keep being myself!

I'm going to take care of myself-Love myself-Accept myself-I'm going to TRY!

 Try to be more positive-try to be more accepting-try to be more forgiving-try to me more-ME!

 This is a resolution that everyone and their mothers should set. But let's not call it a resolution, let's call it... LIVING.

 Because that's what it is! That's what we all should be doing-Living.

 ~Don't be so busy trying to make a living that you forget to LIVE~

So, 2018, Let's all just get along and live our lives.

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*~

Just a thought....

These are some pictures I found on the internet of some farm ideas I like. I really do hope to have a farm someday to raise my children on!

My house. (google image)

The Drive Way. (Google Image)

my main barn. (google image)

My garden. (google image)

The Hen House. (google image)

My kids Tree fort. (google image)

These are just some ideas for my (someday) farm. I figure if I'm going to dream about I'd better dream big!

Till next time,

 ~*Caitlynn

Shoot for the Moon. Even if you Miss, You'll land Among the Stars!

"And He Said 'Peace...Be Still' and the storm was calmed!"

 I think that is one of my favorite lines from the Bible. "Peace...Be Still".
 I use that line very often with my own heart, mind and sole! I'm such a worry wort, and very much a nervous Nellie!! That I often catch myself thinking, "What if...? What might...? Who will...? When is...? Am I...?" and I find myself almost in a panic attack! I can't sleep, sometimes I can't eat, and I just can't think straight! I feel like my sole is the rolling sea in a viscous storm of trial and turmoil, and thought.
 I often lie in bed and pray with tears in my eyes for peace. For my restless heart to be still in the presence of the Lord so that I may hear Him, and so that I may converse with Him and share with Him my lot. Sometimes I can feel myself calm right away, and other times it takes a while, like after I go through/do something. I know that if we pray for patience, God will put us in a situation that calls for us to be patient. So maybe if when I pray for peace, God gives me something to do that will require me to have a peaceful heart or will result in peace.
 All I know is, I've not been very peaceful lately. I've been on edge and emotional. I've not been thankful for the things I have, just worrying about the things I need or will need to get soon. I've not had a full conversation with God in a while. I've been so wrapped up in me, and wedding, and stuff that I've forgotten to praise God for what He has given me. A wedding to plan for, a new life with someone to share it with. A husband who is my best friend.
 "Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done." Philippians 4:6
 That verse is taped to the inside of my laptop. so every time I open it to get on Face Book to complain about something (just as a joke of course) or to look something up that I know I can never have, I see it and stop and think and pray!!
 I am very thankful for all that God has given me and my family. A house to live in, clothes to wear, food to eat, a yard for animals, a garden every spring, a family, friends, LOVE!
 I am a happy person. I just hit a low sometimes. And those times are times of stress and such things. But it's nothing time and prayer can't fix.
 This time of low mostly happens in the winter. Usually around this time. Late January and in to March. I'm just ready for sunshine, warmth and dirt and grass between my toes. Being cooped up in the house all winter is not something I look forward to every fall. I love being outside, love just being surrounded by Gods creation and beauty. Listening to nature, and just being at peace. I know that this Spring will bring promise.
 A bigger garden, more garden boxes, more to do. I will be looking at and planing how to set up my wedding in my front yard, and going out and sitting on top of the chicken coop roof with my beloved watching the sunset. Climbing trees with my niece, maybe going to English riding/jumping lessons at a friends riding stables. I want to enjoy life as God intended. And if that means no college and just a part time job... Then so be it. I just want to uphold my God! And that shall bring Peace to my heart.
 I try to bring peace to every one I know. I try to be patent, and calm. I try. And that's all I can do in this crazy stress filled world. I know life is not just laying in the hammock all day sipping on an iced coffee in the sun. But it can be at the right times. Ecc... "There is a time and reason for every thing under the Heavens..." (in my own words) I love that Chapter and verse. It tells me that it's ok to cry sometimes. It's ok to get frustrated. It's OK! Because God knows when to put those times in your life. He puts you in a time of sorrow (I'm sure) when He feels you are just seeing only the Happy and Good in life. When in reality, you need to know there is grief and sadness. And maybe when that happens it will motivate you to see a cause that needs help, or to just appreciate what God has given you. This verse also tells me that God has a plan for you. There is a reason you are here. And if you feel you are going through Hell, just look up. Because God and Heaven are not far away. Just pause your life for one minute, or even just a second, and pray. And you'll see. Every thing will start to fall in place.
 I know that spring and warm weather are coming. So I'll just keep praying for those I love, and keep looking up. Peace will come. And it will be so sweet, because it will be worth the wait.
 I hope all is well with you, I may not know you but I pray for you. I pray that you find peace in God. And that, in Him, the weather will always be warm and comforting!
 God Bless.
   *Caitlynn.