20 Facts About Caitlin

1. I love the person I'm becoming! )(Most days...I still have to eat crow some days!)
2. My mind is always racing and I don't think anything I say makes sense.
3. I have an infatuation with boy bands. (Don't worry, I like the "good stuff", too!)
4. I love the city. I hope to see myself there one day.
5. I'm allergic to everything. It sucks!
6. I absolutely love to color! I could spend a week just coloring and watching movies.
7. I love how much I've come out of my shell, especially in the past few years.
8. Apparently I'm easy to read but hard to figure out.
9. I have a vivid imagination. Even I can't keep out.
10. I have the best family ever. I don't know where I'd be without them!
11. My friends and I take our nerf gun hobby very seriously.
12. Speaking of friends, I have amazing friends. They've helped me, challenged me, made me laugh, made me cry, and made my life both miserable and unbelievably awesome.
13. Antonio Banderas is who I base everyone's level of coolness.
14. People think it's weird that I walk into stores like Aeropostale just to smell their cologne. It smells so good, though!
15. I am so ready to grow up.
16. I planned a makeover for my room inspired by Tiffany's! I can't wait!
17. I'd like to think I'm independent but that should not excuse a man from being a gentleman.
18. I've learned that 87% of the time the best verse of a song is the second.
19. I'm one of those people who can be told something straight out a million times, but only grasps it when it's mentioned indirectly by another person.
20. This was difficult. I don't think I'm a fascinating person. :)

"I do not think I am ready."
"It is for that very reason that I know you are"

-The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian-

This quote was one of those Gibbs slaps I always talk about. The first week we had the movie, I watched it six times. Not kidding. I love Narnia. It's not a secret. I've written about it so many times.

I think the reason I love it because it's how I feel all the time. I never think I'm ready to do something. I'm so good at talking myself out of thinking I'm good enough, etc. But the truth is, if I don't do it I'm never going to know. And God knows I've backed out of a lot of things because
"I don't think I'm ready"

God wouldn't give us opportunities if we weren't ready for them.

Sometimes we forget that He knows us better than we do. He's got everything figured out.

But, for whatever reason, He gave us free will and that is probably my biggest enemy.

Garth Brooks once said,

"The greatest wars in life are not between two people, but between man and himself."

Ain't it the truth?!

We can talk ourselves in and out of things better than anyone.

It's not really what people might think of us that holds us back -

it's who we think we are not that does.

I've been blessed with some awesome Sunday School teachers over the years. Ronna was amazing! I learned more from her in the two years she was my teacher than I think I have my entire life in the church. God, I miss her!

Anyway, we read the book "If You Want To Walk On Water, You've Got To Get Out Of The Boat"

If you've never read it,

YOU MUST!

It's so good!

It's all about the steps of faith, big or small, that make up our life and our walk with God.

Not long after we read that book, Britt Nicole release "Walk On The Water".

Uh-mazing.

It's still my theme song.

So, Jerrilyn,

it's a big deal what's going on,

but it's only a small part of what's going to happen.

God's got it all figured out.

All you have to do is take the step of faith.

We all love you and believe in you.

I cannot wait to see where this takes you!
:)

I wrote this in your scrapbook for a reason. Don't forget it!!

“If ever there is tomorrow when we're not together, there is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we're apart, I'll always be with you.”

Say what you want,

but Zooey has an amazing voice.

LOVE THIS SONG!!!

Do you want to know a secret?

My most favorite and least favorite things about myself are the same thing.

I love that I have a sarcastic sense of humor. The constant banter between my family and friends is awesome. I've always appreciated the dry, quick-witted sense of humor that is sarcasm. Some of my favorite shows and movies are proof of that: Psych, That '70s Show, Two Weeks Notice, Baby Mama, etc.

Unfortunately, not everyone shares my sense of humor. And it's far too hurtful to those who don't. It's not their fault. I just know that I've hurt too many people by comments I said. Unintentionally. It makes people angry, upset, and the whole situation gets awkward.

Now, I know there is a time and a place for this kind of stuff, and I'm usually very careful.

Sometimes it happens, though.

Sometimes I take things too far.

Sometimes I'm cynical.

Sometimes I'm bitter.

Sometimes I just don't know what else to do.

Really, I think it's a defense mechanism.

When I want to hide my true feelings, whether they be good or bad, I have a snide remark.

Some people keep it going which only adds to my feelings.

As you can see, this is a vicious cycle.

I'm working very hard to keep it under control, knowing who to use it around and when it's appropriate.

But I'm still a work in progress!

So to anyone I've hurt or angered with my opinions, sarcasm, or general "lack there of" sense of humor, I am truly sorry.



Do you have one of those songs that, when you listen to it, an overwhelming peace comes over you?

Maybe you're like me and have a few.

One that never fails is

"Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)" by Chris Tomlin.

I'm relaxed just thinking about it. It's a song that soothes the soul

and makes you feel at one with God.

At ASP, Jerrilyn and I were talking about those seasons in our walk with God when you feel like you've lost your passion and zeal.

It seems to happen all to frequent for me.

But this is what I think:

It's not about raising your hands in church or reading your Bible everyday.

It's about that connection between you and God. Only you can judge that.

People have no authority to convict you. Only the Holy Spirit does.

Just pray. Even if some are only "Thank you, God" or "Help me, Lord"

HE GETS IT!!
Sometimes no words are required - just a humble heart.

Sometimes I just sit there, with my eyes closed, earbuds in, and tune out the rest of the world.

I focus on who He is and what He's done for me.

No hands are raised, no words are sung. Just me and God.

That is when I feel closest to Him.

I'm at peace.

I know that it isn't hard to get lost in Jesus.
And what a sweet Jesus He is!!



My awesome Aunt Vera sent me the lyrics to this song during my senior year of high school. It was the beginning of the season I'm still in for me. Three years later, I still listen to it and think of the amazing encouraging words she's given me since. I can't help but smile.

After the move, and after ASP, I went looking for a job. I thought things were looking up when I went to Family Video, got an application, returned it and had an interview immediately. But no cigar. I'm searching the papers and online but no bites...yet. So what if I'm not very good at finding a job? It's okay, because soon enough I will find the right job. Who cares if I'm not big on dating? One day, I'll find my "darling". So what if I don't know what I want to do with my life? Someday I will. And when I do, watch out!

I heard a quote the other day: "Some of the most interesting people I know don't know what to do with their lives." How true!

Right now, I'm still blessed. My family is pretty much the greatest. Seriously, there are no words to describe the love and respect I have for everyone in my family, near or far. My friends: I have the best friends. The most amazing people in the world. They've helped me more than they even know. I hope they can say the same about me.

God, thank you for blessing me with friends and family that are too awesome for words. I don't know where I'd be without them. Or You.



Wow! To say I'm so over this move is an understatement! We are still trying to get stuff put away. We only have a few pictures on the walls. It's slow, but we're almost there!

Moving day was...fun. Or should I say moving days. They messed up the truck order and gave us a smaller truck resulting in multiple trips. We had KVAG members help us pack the truck, and family and friends helped us unload it all. And boy was it a hot day!! I was completely gross by 8:30 that morning, so you can imagine how beautiful I was by 2. :)  It was a good day, though. I got better acquainted with friends and reconnected with people. For me, that is my favorite part. I was reminded how blessed I am. Even with the giant confusion that is my life, I have a great support system. Thanks again to Pastor Todd and Tina, Pastor Jim, Frank, Jordan, Uncle Carl, Russ, Doug, Chuck, Kari, Travis, and Mikael!! :)

A few days later, I went with Jerrilyn's church to Chapmanville, WV  for ASP. What an awesome, yet exhausting week! I cried a lot, too. Ask Jerr!! It was a good time for sure. Just check my Facebook page for photos. ASP is really big on sharing "God moments" My God moment came on Wednesday or Thursday. I'd been having stomach issues (acid reflux, pms) since Saturday and by then I was doubled over in pain trying to dig a hole for the deck/ramp we were building. I'd taken my allotted medicine (and I hate taking medicine so that tells you how bad this was) and just could take it. I prayed and asked God to get me through the day. And then I got Gibbs slapped (dontcha love it when He does that? I do!!) and I heard him say "This trip is not about your comfort zone." I asked forgiveness for my narrow-mindedness and continued to work. Within thirty minutes, the pain in my stomach was gone. I felt 100% better. Once I got over myself, I was able to give all of me to God and the job He wanted me to do.  Jerrilyn had her moment, too. And let me just tell you, I have NEVER been so proud of a friend in my entire life! I love you, girly!!

I'll post pictures of the house soon, but only when it's completely done!