Christmas Yard Decorations

I thought I'd share the Christmas yard decorations that I made this year. I wanted to do something for the kids, and although I did this as it was frigid cold outside, I only ended up with 2 of them.
Princess is just infatuated with 'Frosty the Snowman' (the classic). She has been watching the movie over and over, so I decided to create a classic 'Frosty the Snowman' for her!

And I wanted to do a Christmas tree as well!!!!

I also did a cutout of Santa Claus, but unfortunately ran out of time as I was making Christmas gifts as well! I told the kids that we would do more this coming summer when it was nice outside......especially since the water proofing stuff I used stunk to high heavens!!!! And I brushed it on in the house!!!!! I never said I was the brightest bulb!!!! :)

The entire time I was cutting these out, painting and finishing them, the only thing I could keep thinking was "You never cease to amaze me Lord!" God is SOOOO good!

Drawings

One of my newest passions that I've discovered this year is drawing. Now, I'm not the best draw'er, but I've been reading and looking at tutorials on the web where I've actually started being able to look at objects and see the lines that make them up.
The first time I was actually able to sit down and draw something was when "J" and the kids and I made a trip back to S.D. for my aunts' funeral. I felt compelled to do a drawing of my aunt and uncle together, which was strange for me because my sister is the artistic person in the family. My cousin, my aunt's only daughter, had asked "A" to make a picture that they could put at the funeral home during the funeral. And for some reason I kept getting this image in my head of a drawing. I thought possibly it was what my sister was going to do, but when she started drawing, I knew it wasn't her. So I asked for a sheet of drawing paper, found some pencils and starting drawing. Unknowingly, in that time frame, I also discovered my brother can draw!!!
I've never really drawn anything that actually resembled that actual 0bject I was intending to draw, but the Lord took my hand and guided it, as only He can. It turned out beautiful, and I was only hoping it would bless my aunt's family. (Husband, daughter and 2 sons)
I delivered the picture the night before "J", the kids and myself were leaving and said our goodbyes.
I haven't really completed any drawings since that one, which was a few months ago, but I've piddled around with different subjects.
However, I got this strong desire to draw a Buck deer for Christmas. As I started drawing it, I thought it was for my SIL's hubby, so I decided to call her. When I got done talking to her, I discovered it wasn't for him. Then I thought of my FIL and no, it wasn't for him. Lo and behold, it was actually for my hubby!!!! When things come together without a struggle, I know the Lord is before me, and this project was certainly coming together!
"J" had Christmas Eve and Christmas day off, and I started this drawing the 23rd......so I knew there was no way I was going to get it finished without him seeing it. So I decided to tell him it was for his dad. I completed it, framed it and gave it to him on Christmas day! It was a very special moment for us because when he opened it, the look on his face was PRICELESS!!!! I will never forget that look as long as I live. He told me later when we were alone that that was the best present he has gotten. Praise God for the smallest blessings~!!!!!

I thought I'd share a picture of it with ya'll!!!!

As I've walked past this picture a couple thousand times, I've figured out lines, shading, and highlighting that I should have done different, as I said before I'm not the best draw'er. However, "J" told me to leave it alone. So, oh well. I guess it's for another time!!!! :)

The Kids and

.......their Camp-out!!!!!

This is what I found when I walked into the living room this morning!!!!!! (SMILE)

My Sister

I wanted to share a little bit about my sister "A".
"A" is 3 years younger than me, but a great person! She is extremely caring and loving, not at all selfish in her ways, would give anybody anything they asked for, even if it was the last thing she owned. She is also EXTREMELY artistic, truth be known, I would LOVE to have something she has painted or drawn hanging in my house! (smile)
But I just found out yesterday that her fiance has told her he doesn't want to marry her. I know she is going through a difficult time, as I went through a relationship that is similar in experience. This guy, "P", well I truly don't care for him very much. Not as a person with my sister anyway. However, I do have a new found respect for him since he has told her this. They do fight and argue a lot, and don't seem to spend very much time together at all. They will go into town (where they both grew up) and stay at his parents house, go out with friends, and "A" will go to my parents house and do her own thing. Now, I'm not insinuating that you HAVE to spend EVERY SINGLE WAKING minute with your special someone, but my hubby would never do that. I believe that because "P" is "A's" first love, that that is something she would like to hang onto, but I also know that when a comment like that is made, it's not necessarily something that was just blurted out with no feeling behind it. It's something that has been dwelling and welling up for awhile, and you have to know that they've 'let go' a long time ago.
Unfortunately, my sister told my mom that she wants to work this out. Honestly, if they COULD work it out, it might actually be a wonderful relationship......but there's one thing my dad told me a long time ago, that has definitely been coming up in my 'Training up to be a P31 Woman', you CANNOT change anyone else. You can only change yourself. And if by chance "That" person wanted to change their self, that would be the only way they would ever change.
I know what she is going through. When my dad gave me that little saying, it was when I was in that relationship that is comparably similar to "A's". And I hated it! I cried and cried when 'we' finally decided the relationship was over and there was no more to work on or try. But I have to tell you, God is SO much bigger than us! He has a plan for our lives and He knows where we are going and where we need to be to proceed!!!! If He hadn't of known that, I would have NEVER moved on, and certainly would have NEVER met my husband when I did!!!!
Sis, you can get through this. I know you have ALWAYS learned from my mistakes, as I have always been one that has to "Do" to learn. But this is one of life's mysteries that you're going to have to figure out on your own. And it will be okay. What doesn't kill you Am, will only make you STRONGER!!!!! I love you! And God loves you! He will help you on this journey! I believe with ALL my heart that He has a greater calling in your life! And He wants to give you your hearts' desires, if you would only allow Him to do so!
"P" was willing to stand up and voice his opinion. He doesn't want to end up like his parents, and that is a noble thing to do. It's time to let go. And let God!
Love you "A"!!!!!!! (hugs)

Nature Scenes

One of my passions that I just LOVE to do is Photography! And where I live, there are TONS of subjects to be photographed! Whether it is trees, rock formations or wildlife, it is just beautiful! So here are a few of my favorites!
I hope you enjoy these as much as I enjoyed taking them! (smile)

New Curtains

........for my Living Room!!!!

A while ago I bought some hunter green fabric, as my living room is done up in a hunting theme, and still have not sat down and made curtains for my two HUGE windows. So last night and this morning I have been looking up patterns on the net, free of course, looking for just the right one. I'm thinking I'm going to do a Tab Top Curtain
Which is what I currently have in there, but a poor excuse for curtains. I was in a hurry to get them done so I wouldn't have any peepers, so they didn't turn out the best.
I'll post a pic when I'm done! (smile) If I ever get there!!!!

Welcome

......to my blog!!!!! (smile)

I started a blog a few months ago, but for some reason I just could not find anything to write about. Or should I say, I had plenty to write about, but didn't have the time to do so.

I decided after so many of the blogs that I read and ENJOY, that I wanted to start writing things down finally. But not to boast or brag, but to glorify the Lord in ALL that I do! To share the testimonies that have become my family and myself, and to share the AWESOME things that He has done for us!

I hope this blog blesses you!

In Christ,
Audie