Word-Filled Wednesday

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Happy New Year!

Read my previous post about the new year.

Almost A New Year

I can't believe it is only days away from being 2011. Wow. This year has went by so slow,but at the same time went by so very fast. It was a particularly hard year for me and still has been. It's not been a worse,just hard. A lot of trials and self-discovery. That's why I said hard,not worse. Trials and finding out more about yourself are probably two of the most effective ways God can draw us to Him.

I hope to sit and write down a few goals for the new year. I have done this since 2005 and really enjoy it. I seem so scatter brained with being a young Mother of young children. Most days I just want a bath and to be able to see my floor in the apartment. Tis a season that will pass,more quickly than I realize I think.

I turned 27. My oldest son turned 2. We got a used SUV. We had snow. A dear friend and mentor passed away. I became pregnant again. My youngest turned 1. That's just some of the things that happened this past year. We made mistakes and we conquered new ground. It's all a part of living and learning. We have dreams of moving back "home" near our families,but it has to be part of God's will for us. It would truly be a miracle if this happened for us. We shall see what God has in store for us in the near future.

Some of our year in pictures! If I really think about my life,I am blessed. I am blessed more than I think I should be. I have a Savior who still calls to me even when I don't answer. I have a God who sees fit to give me things that I know I do not deserve. I have a husband who is the most amazing man God could have given me. I have 2 beautiful boys that adore me and that I adore. I have another little one on the way to hold,kiss,and sing too. Really....what do I have to complain about? Not a lot compared to what I have not to complain about. Thank You,Lord. Keep me humble. Keep me pure. Keep me focused on You and my blessings. In Jesus Name,Amen!

Keeping Christ in Christmas

Sadly this will be one of my last entries. We are cutting off our internet and t.v. It is the best way to cut down on costs. It is just something we have to do right now. I will miss all of you dearly. You can find me on twitter (HeatherKae27) or email me the_stricklands@yahoo.com . I love writing,but right now I cannot do it as I wish and the internet just sits being unused. I will have internet service on my phone and can email and twitter there. I can comment from my husband's lap top,but I can't write an entry,not sure why. So you may hear from me through comments.

I wanted to share how we keep Christ in Christmas and link up with At the Well.

This week we are going to share a way that we keep CHRIST in Christmas. How does this look in your life? Do you do something with your church? Do you do something as a family? This week will truly be special, because we will get ideas of how to keep the true meaning of Christmas in our communities, homes, and hearts!


We always watch a movie about the birth of Jesus. It is something we love to do. We also read the story of his birth Christmas Eve and Christmas morning. We have wanted to do shoe boxes,but haven't yet. When our kids came in the picture I wanted them to know Christmas is when we celebrate the birth of Christ and it's not about presents. So I found a Jesse Tree. I printed out the ornaments and have been doing that with Daniel. It has scripture and the meaning of the ornament for each day. He really has learned a lot for an almost 3 year old. He loves doing it too. I have been receiving Advent emails from Bible Gateway and it's been very awesome. Next year I plan for us to do it as a family more. I want to find an Advent Calender and do candles. I love reading and gleaning on the coming of the Messiah. We are also going to do a birthday cake for Jesus,which Daniel is so excited about! That is what we have been doing so far. We also go to church and they do Advent candles and scripture every Sunday night. I love it! 


Next year, I would like too do some shoe boxes and an angel tree. I want my boys(and the baby when he/she is older) to see it is more important to give. Yes, we bought them presents,but I haven't been centering Christmas Day around that. I have been telling Daniel on Christmas Day we will sing to Jesus and have him a cake. I keep telling him we celebrated and give because we have been given much. He has the same love for Christmas as I did growing up and still do. It's amazing watching things through my children's eyes. 


So what do you do? Share with us! Have a Merry Christ filled Christmas!!

Thankful Thursday

I can't believe it is less than a week 2 weeks till Christmas! I always feel different this time of the year. It's so humbling to think about Jesus being born as a baby.

I am 11 weeks pregnant and boy it's been a rough time. The sickness lingers throughout the day no matter what I do. Despite the sickness I am so thankful for my baby. A little life is being formed inside my womb. So amazing. My husband says women are amazing because of what they can do. It is amazing how we can grow another human inside of us,birth it,and then nurture it. God is so detailed,yet makes it so simple for us to come to Him. Without Him women could not do what they do. Thank You,Lord for life,Your life!

Join us for Thankful Thursday and our host Iris@Grace Alone.

Word-Filled Wednesday

I love this time of the year. This is a favorite picture and verse of mine.

Word-Filled Wednesday.

Thankful Thursday

This month is already flying by! I love this month and wish I could go at it in slow motion. Since I can't I capture every moment possible with my camera. Iris@Grace Alone is our host this month. Link up with us and leave a comment for Iris!

I am thankful for my Mother. She has always been so good to me. We have had our times,but what Mother/Daughter doesn't. She raised and reared us in the ways of the Lord. She set an example of how to be a Godly wife and home-maker for us. I am blessed. She also helps out with the Grandbabies and they love her so much!! I pray my children can say the same thing about me one day.

Haley(my sister),Mama,and me at Easter earlier this year.

Some Pictures

Just a few pictures!!!

4 years

4 years ago today I married my prince. I can't believe it's been 4 years!! He is a passionate,God-fearing,caring,loving man. I am so blessed to have him in my life. He helps me,challenges me,guides me,and loves me. I am so glad God brought us together!

Thankful Thursday

I missed last week,but I was spending time with my family. It was a great Thanksgiving! Now, it's December,where has the time gone? This is my favorite month and favorite time of the year. I am thankful for Jesus. He came to this wretched earth as a baby born in a manger,lived as toddler,a pre-teen,a teenager,and an adult. He did not have to do this. He could have let us have no hope for eternity,but instead he gave up his riches in glory to come save us from hell. I am so humbled by that. I am so glad I know him and that he knows me. Though we do not know the real date of his birth we have chosen to celebrate it on December 25th. I was questioning whether to even do this since it is not his real birthday,but it is a time when the body of Christ celebrates his birth. While the rest of the world are celebrating with Santa Claus and presents alone,we get to reflect upon the time that Jesus was born. I have always said without his birth,there is no cross. You first have to live in order to die. Then you die in order to live. It's really that simple. Let us not forget why we celebrate this time of the year. It's not because of presents,food,or even family. It is because of Jesus,our Savior of the world!

Iris@Grace Alone is our host for the month of November. Read her post and link up with us!