New Year, New You

New Year. Part of my resolution list was to blog more, that may sound strange, but I think if i use this as a platform for my thoughts and ideas about family, life and God it will be great to go back to later in life and watch how God has molded my life...rather than looking at my facebook feed. Another resolution was to spend my evenings in prayer, reflection and reading rather than vegged out in front of a television. I go through phases where I'm really devout about reading and reflecting, but i fall out of it so easily by just missing one or two times. So, this year im trying to be more open and vocal about my resolution that way people can ask me about it and I have some sort of "support" group that can keep me on track.

I should also bring everyone up to speed since its been FOREVER since i last blogged, but Matt and I are expecting our first child July 21, 2012 (i'm 11 weeks). Since we keep getting asked, here are some answers: 1. no we dont care what sex it is, yes we will find out
2. we are breast feeding
3. we are cloth diapering
4. we have little expectations for whats going to happen, and are trying to just go with the flow and read as much as we can before this baby debuts

When we figure out other stuff i'll try to keep you updated.

The dogs are all fine, and seem to have just figured out last week that im pregnant. If im sitting down or laying down i'm dog piled...literally, and Tyson weighing over 100lbs makes that really interesting because he usually wins. Also, they have all taken to "protecting" me from the others, so things sometimes get nasty when another gets to close. I can't go pee without an entourage, and that also usually ends up in a flight about who gets the "prime" spot of sitting directly in front of me. I think Matt's getting a little jealous that i'm the new favorite, every time he lets them in the house its a mad dash past him to search for me...i started turning that into a game if i feel well enough and i try to hide, which makes them crazy. Its the little things in life people :)



On that note, i'll bid you all adieu and until next time (which hopefully is very soon according to my new year resolution).

Death Row Dogs

So today i had this idea while sitting at the doggy park with my pack of 3. I want to open an animal shop where people can come meet and purchase dogs or cats, but all of the animals to select from are saved from Kill Shelters, where they were on death row. I know these types of places exist, i googled them! I have no idea how this could or would be funded, i think i'd have to get a non-profit business license...but i also think this would be so awesome. What prompted this was meeting Zoe, a female mixed breed at the park today, whos owners saved her life just in time. Zoe is so sweet, smart as a whip and gets along with people and dogs and even her new cat roommates. To think she may have been killed because nobody came in looking for her is just unbelievable. I really wish the option to kill animals in shelters wasn't even there, but i also understand that like our prison system for humans, there is over crowding and low budget and just not enough of anything to properly care for the animals that get dropped off or found. I was thinking i could find a way to rent building space or an old pet shop and turn it into my death row style pet shop. I worry about this only because dog owners have such a negative view of even the words "pet shop", i would have to think of a name that really conveys that they are not puppy mill bought, even though i strongly believe those puppies need just as much saving. They had no choice being brought into the world and should not have to be brought up in a crate with plastic glass like they are. All three of our dogs have been purchased from a pet store, and all three were at the end of their time with the pet shop because they were getting "too old" to be adopted. Most people looking for a dog want a puppy, which drives me a little crazy when you actually think about all the extra work that goes into a puppy rather than a trained adult dog. So, im thinking this might become my newest project since we met 2 people today with packs twice our size. At this point could not imagine having 9+ dogs, but i think when you have the time, money and space available, you should do what you can for those that are less fortunate. I know i could use my time and effort on people, but for some reason the pulling in my heart is for animals right now, and lets be honest, dogs are much more appreciative. I'll keep you guys updated on what i figure out, as of now this is more like a pipe dream. I used to want to open up a boutique for womens clothes, but now i think it might be so much nicer to open a store that helps animals and the community. Maybe i can combine both passions and have the front of the store a boutique (proceeds to go towards the dogs boarding and health) and have the boarding in the back.

Basically, im going to think and pray on it and try to really see where God is trying to get me to go with this idea, and hopefully i am open enough to take whatever job he gives me and run with it. So here's to having an open and willing mind, heart and body for what is in store for me.

oh yeah, i have a blog!

I am so bad about keeping up with this blog...I'm gonna have to set a google reminder in my calendar to update, how sad is that! I don't have anything important to blog about right now anyway. Wedding plans are going fairly smoothly, were about 2 months away from the wedding now and i still haven't gotten my dress in so im starting to feel the panic a little. I have also really been sucked into the world of ebay the past few weeks and its a pretty dangerous place. Once you set up pay pal its like a free for all of junk i can buy. (200 personalized napkins for $20)
Going to Harry Potter 3 D tonight, so let hope that's fun!
Adios!

Easter Shmeaster

So with all the changes that have gone on in our lives this past year, this so far is one of my favorites. Matt and i have finally figured out where each other are spiritually, and that's on pretty much the same page. (phew, what a relief!) So this year were celebrating Easter not just with our own families, but also our church family. Last year we spent Easter together, but it involved nothing about Jesus or church, just food and family. This is the first time i have noticed the huge difference from our old lives to the new one we are trying to create. Instead of holidays being about who's house are we going to, what dish are you bringing and how long do we have to stay...its about the real deal, and it's so much bigger than any of us that we can step back and appreciate the real reason we are all getting together in the first place.
Last year at this time I was consumed with work, at a job i was unhappy with and just doing it because i figured work wasn't supposed to be enjoyable, hence the name right? Wrong. I found a job that was flexible, weekends off and holidays...a dream come true if you have ever worked in the retail industry. I used to miss all the holidays, even Christmas and Easter most years because of work. It really makes you think, what is the world coming to when we make stores stay open for 24 hours on a holiday so we can shop...what about the holiday? What happened to celebrating at home with your family and friends? It's all about money and "things" now instead of bonding and learning and celebrating. So this year, i am most thankful for my new church family, who are amazing and have really been a critical part of Matt and I's ever changing lives. We thank God for them every night, because without this new group of people to guide us in the right path, and keep us on it...we would surely be wayward children in our Christianity. I never knew how much a difference being in a small group would make for us, but it has taken us from "sunday" Christians to participating, active Christians. Happy Easter all!

Long time no see...

It has been over a year since i started this blog...and to be honest, i forgot i even started it! So here's to attempt number two!
So yesterday I kept hearing on the radio about this water filtration system for Hati, over and over and over and...you get the point. At small group last night i brought it up because we were discussing what is it in our life that God is calling us to do, and are we obeying? Are we open to what he is asking of us? Are we ignoring his calls because they make us uneasy or worried? I thought, hmm...maybe this is a sign. So we prayed about it and i came home and gave it a lot more thought. Well, this morning it came to my mind again, so i got on Google and did some research. I did end up buying a water filtration system, but i also somehow ended up on a "sponsor this child" page. Yes, i decided to sponsor a child from Asia who is 3. The site is legit...i know you're all cringing thinking ahh she just gave her money to a thief in Bahrain. I always knew that you could sponsor a child, but i never felt compelled to. I had a really hard time picking which child...it was heartbreaking. Eventually ihad to just shut my eyes and ask God, who am i meant to help? Show me which child needs me. And of course one of the images of the children came right to mind, over and over. I wrote her my first letter already and i can't wait to hear back...even if she is only 3 years old. It is so hard trying to figure out what to say to a 3 year old, how do i tell her about myself and ask her the right questions? So this is what i sent her...

Child ID: Herti Windayanti Hulu(IO1310020)

Message: March 30, 2011

1 Timothy 4:12
Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.

Dear Herti,
I am so blessed to have you in my life! Thank you for being you. My name is Caroline and I am 25 years old. I live in the United States in a hot and humid climate in Georgia. What is the weather like for you? I will be getting married on October 8, 2011 up in the mountains and am very excited for it. I attend a church called Dunwoody Community Church here in Georgia, do you like to attend Church? I would love to hear about some fun church activities you have been to.
I hope when you get this letter you are healthy and happy, i will pray for you and your family and ask God to bless you every day in all that you do. I hope to hear back from you soon Herti! Until then, live and love in God's words little one. You are cared for and loved.

Love,
Caroline

The Biltmore...what a house!

I flew to North Carolina to see Matt two weeks ago. We drove out to Asheville to stay a few days and see the Biltmore, which was just amazing! We already have plans to go back in the summer with both of our families who haven't seen it and go horseback riding and see all the gardens in full bloom...its going to be just gorgeous! Pictures to follow...this was our first vacation together!