Thanksgiving 2014

Happy TURKEYS!

This Thanksgiving has meant so much more than any I have ever taken part in. Not only has it become a family affair... it has caused much celebration of the new life entering into our care. (:

We were honored to be picked up by my father-in-law, who I truly consider my father now. He drove 7 hours to pick us up from their home to drive us all the way back... All because we don't have a very safe, reliable car right now. So, he picked us up Wednesday night and we drove to my home three hours away to spend the night with my family. I love seeing little Nicolas and all the girls. In the morning, he was awake and my mom came home bearing gifts. I love my mom.

She is the perfect picture of a mother doing her best. I'm even more inspired by the maternal instincts of my younger sister.

Honestly, I cannot wait to have a little girl to call my own; Nini is getting way too big. Right now she's more into entering adolescence than I thought.

Anyway!

We drove to Eric's house yesterday morning and had Thanksgiving dinner out...because my mother-in-law had work that night. After dinner, we went shopping! Nini bought a bunch of nail polishes (my nails are pretty fab right now...) and we bought a lot of necessary clothing items (maternity!!!). Overall, it was a pretty good trip: just tiring.

And today...we had a nice morning in and a slow breakfast of corned beef, cabbage, rice, and coffee! I love having coffee in the morning. It's a shiny little star. Afterwards, Eric and I had a little fight...but I think we were both just so anxious for what was to come today. We were going to try to find and buy a car. One of our first things we've done as a married couple. It didn't quite turn out the way we expected... and so we've had to rely on my mom-in-law to get us through the whole process. However, we're grateful and so ready to put our all into paying it off. The whole point in getting the car was to provide a safe environment for our little girl. Not just in the apartment but when we're on the road.

We are so grateful for what God and our family have put into us. They truly have faith in us as a young family. We have a lot of people we'd be disappointing if we don't get everything straight. There are too many people supporting us and giving us a leg up in this world for us to take it for granted and act frivolously.

Nini is currently painting my toe nails...and after a bit of rest from the long day, we'll be making Jell-O and peppermint mocha truffles! (=

I love my family.

Thanks to Eric, I've been able to reconnect with my sisters, connect with a father figure, and be (in my opinion) the best person I have ever known. My morals are so much more concrete than they were two years ago. My values are set in stone and I don't falter at negativity. I am a stronger woman, a stronger wife, a strong and confident mother. Thank you for your constant love and undying faith in me. I am truly, unwittingly grateful to have you in my tiny life. (:

In the meantime, when we get back to Boone, I'll be studying for finals...but mostly just waiting on Iz to come into the world. I'm going to start some projects to get the gears rolling...and so I don't get stir-crazy! Of course, I'll still walk for exercise and to help ease labor pains...but I'll still need something to do other than Netflix!

Things to work on pre-Iz:

• writing and illustrating a children's book
• bigger watercolor pieces
• coursework for my online business classes

I am excited for this life with Eric...this life with little Iz!

xxx

Beth

So...

Pregnancy is getting a little more difficult. Haha. She is definitely taking up more space and therefore squishing my organs even more than she already has been. But it's bearable. I know she's only going to get bigger...so, I have to be ready!

In other words, here is some of the art hung up at App Cookie Co.

I'm very excited to have it there. I just hope people are receptive to it. I also hope to hang more up in there! These pieces are pretty small, so it would be awesome to have a few more works in there. (:

I only have two more weeks of this semester left though (not including finals)! So, I'm excited for that. I'll be glad to be done with classes for now though and just focus on bearing Iz. I know some people go into it without much preparation but I think I'd pass out if I didn't try to prepare beforehand. 

I'm studying a little right now. We shopped for Christmas presents yesterday! Because we won't be leaving town after we get back from Thanksgiving in VA Beach... Just to be safe. (; I'm excited to give everyone their presents. I super miss my family. Well, after this, the next time we see them we will have a baby!

I totally said this to the last Blazing Easels class: "Next time I see you guys, I'll have a baby!". Even Ms. Kay wants me to bring little Izzy to visit. (: I know the kids will be excited to see her. Haha. It won't really stick in their minds, the way I've forgotten all instances of pregnant women in my life (including my mom), but I'm excited to share with them this part of my life. ^________^

I'm also excited to be working with toddlers next semester. Ugh. Working for Sandra and Pegge is literally the best job in the world. c: The staff threw me a tiny baby shower and it was the sweetest thing in the world. I couldn't have asked for a better job.

I'm going to finish taking notes.

xxx

Beth C:

Art journey.

Here's my online portfolio: http://perlizbethdeleon.tumblr.com/

Yesterday, Eric and I picked up some frames to hang a few pieces up at the Cookie Company. (:

We framed, decided on prices, and made labels. Today, we go hang them up! I am super duper excited. I've never really put my work physically out in the public sphere like this... I can't wait to see the response.

I'm really going to try and focus on my artwork, as well as, school and Izzy and my PT job at Turchin. 

Hopefully, I can find more places to show my art. ^____^ 

Selling a lot of my art and some cards! (=

Hi friends! I've recently photographed and put up a bunch of pieces for sale on my Facebook page. (=

Please contact me with an email a perlizbethart@gmail.com if you're interested in one of them or a commission!

https://www.facebook.com/puretsu

Our sweet Izzy.

I found this quote in an article:

"A kid's life is like a painting," says Dr. Thompson. "The initial brushstrokes begin to define it, but by the time he's in grade school, there are so many different strokes that you can't even see the early ones anymore." And whatever style that work of art turns out to be, it will be a beautiful surprise.

I love the metaphor. The way you raise your child from when he/she is an infant can really affect who they are in the future, just like the start of a beautiful piece of artwork.

I had a dream about Iz-Iz last night and having to keep her warm with a thermal blanket. She was very small and had her papa's big eyes. (: It may be a little more difficult to sleep now but I am so excited for her arrival. I am so excited to hold her in my arms soon. (:

Today, we are having a lovely snow day in with Dominoes and tea and hot cocoa. So thankful that God has provided us with nourishment day after day.

You can see the snow outside our window on this lovely little hill. (: It's flurrying still. Hee. It makes me happy. The first snow of the winter! c:

xxx

Betcha and Iz-Iz