Good Grife Charile Brown! Its Christmas!!

"And there were in the same country shepherds, abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them! And they were sore afraid ... And the angel said unto them, "Fear not! For, behold, I bring you tidings o great joy, which shall be to all my people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ, the Lord."
"And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger." And suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the Heavenly Host praising God, and saying, "Glory to God in the Highest, and on Earth peace, and good will toward men."
"That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown." - Linus Van Pelt

While I don't consider myself a religious person per-say, While watching this movie the other evening got me thinking about the biggest reason I have been disappointed every Christmas since I was about 13 or so. No matter how I try to justify it to myself it comes down to presents. I didn't get what I wanted.  Oh poor me. Never mind that my rottenness was over looked and my love ones got me ANY thing at all, it wasn't what I wanted. My darling other half, with his inadvertent obsession led me to realize I must take in actions to be sure Zeke understands that christmas isn't all about getting presents. I hope to teach him giving is better then getting and if you give enough the getting is even sweeter. While I offer no advise to this nor do I have a great game plan. I think bringing back some age old traditions that have not been passed on to me is a great place to look. Such as looking at homemade gifts as a personal hand crafted treasure, a persons time is worth far more then their money, remembering to say thank you and writing it out (on a thank you card) so that it lingers in the mind remembering who made or got you what. And as the lesson prevails that a persons time is worth more then their money, a hand written thank you note is worth far more then an email. And taking time to make presents himself. Even at one with the help of myself Zeke is making everyone he loves a special something. 

I think that Charlie Brown, as young man, who is in search of himself has great lessons to teach this family. I have no one but my very own wonderful clueless boyfriend to thank for this. And it fills my heart to walk about my house and be grounded by reminders of the real meaning of the holiday season. A man's childhood obsession turned life lesson to his family.   


So thank you John, for helping remind me when I walk in the door. 

And when I see our big tree, I will forever be reminded of our first christmas together. 

And When I look in the living room, 

Our Charlie Brown tree reminds me it's about My FAMILY 

Not the "stuff"

So Unto my dear readers, I hope you find time in your life to remember to be thankful for your family, and that giving is more fulfilling then getting. I wish you all a wonderful holiday, and a fantastic new year. 

The most wonderful time of the year!

From the moment I went to bed Halloween night I've been humming Christmas songs in my head. But in my attempt to make a few ticket items in time for the big day, my house had been limited to two Christmas trees, and thats it. I did attempt some of that spray on snow but as it turns out little Zeke fingers can wipe it off and I am not sure how safe it is for baby gouts. So for some Christmas porn.... ;)
 

 Our half naked tree hehehehe all decorations out of Zeke reach.

 I love love love this tree topper we got from St.Nicks!

 Zeke's first Christmas and Kyle's (my baby brother) first Christmas

My first Christmas along with a bell of a set of four My mothers had forever. I remember what a big girl I felt like the year she let me hang them up I adored them and thought they where so pretty and special. Now they are mine to admire and love. 

 John's Charlie Brow tree. To remind us of the true meaning of the holiday season.

 Jade Cat looking suspicious.....

Now for a crafting update.

I wanted to make both my  and John's mother something from the heart this year. I am working on a painting that in honestly I started last summer. I have some small amount of determination to get it done, now I just require the time and gout supervision, to get it done. There are not pictures available of said painting but I hope to get it knocked out this Sunday (Johns work schedule permitting) I am however going to share the knit/crochet'd quilt. This is not for sure how it will turn out and I aspire it to just be a throw perfect for getting cozy on the couch. 

 Next up. Will be Zeke's Christmas prestents he's been busy making the special people in his life. We've been busy listening to the Sounds of the Seasons on Demand (I knew comcast was good for something beside helping me procrastinate) Doodling and soon we will be ready to make our drawings into tree ornaments for all those we love.  When he's not eathing the markers that is.... lolololol 

 Now just to tease.... I was hoping to make a TON of these but my sewing machine took a much needed shit (as you will see right in the middle of  the project.)

The one on the left is finished. My very own wool/ fleece tree slippers <3 As I mentioned I hope for a Christmas miracle, and you, yes you may be lucky enough to find a rockin pair of your own Liz's scrap box slippers in the next year lol

Now completely off the hiliday topic but something Ive been working hard at. Is Zeke's baby book. I realized about a month ago that Zeke was going to be 2 in 4 short months and that his baby book covers my pregnancy and his birth! Shit! I swore I was going to find time to work on it unlike my mother did with my own. Now I really better not have another kid. This one was hard enough! I have been knocking pages out and official daddy pages are red and shinny. And for the record any Christmas presents not done by Christmas I blame on this book and Zeke growing up to fast.

Now I leave you all with my thoughts and yours obviously. This year Christmas means FAMILY. Something I haven't had in a long time. Most likely not since I hit puberty. Now I am astonished that I sit here in my own home and I worry not because my life is honestly full. I keep writing and erasing trying to communicate this greatness that I have found. I figure I would just have to cut myself open so ya'll can have a look but as I like my guts I leave it with the fact that its awesome, and I couldn't and wouldn't trade it for all the treasures of the world.

What a good mommy is made of... (confessions of a judgemental mom)

 (My mommy with myself and my baby brother the day he was born)

I'll admit I am insecure in my parenting. I often wonder where this issue came from, if it effects everyone? Or if I am just mental. Either way as a "surprise" parent, I often find myself asking WTF am I doing? I watch other mothers closely and scrutinize their every move. What do they do that makes them a GOOD mom? More prone to my gossipy side what makes them a BAD mom? Above all else where do I fall under my own lables if someone else where to use my own judgment on me?

 (My mommy and me)

I often find myself thinking omgosh! Formula? Forget about it! Solids before they can meet my guidelines? Why would you hurt your baby that way? Who the F give their kids pop?! Why would you let your kids stay up till 1 am?! Why not let your kids have some HFC (high fructose corn syrup) every now and then? Will your kids think you made good decisions for them? If you chose to eat all organic, will they resent you when they get to school and start making their own choices? If you let them do what ever the F they want, will you resent yourself when they have social issues? The list goes on and on.

(My mommy and me)

Its hard not to judge as if to compliment what a great job your doing as a parent. Cause NO one wants to admit that they are most likely fucking their kids lives no matter how great they think they are doing, you could give your kid every advantage and have them strung out on crack and turning tricks off Colfax, you could stay in a shitty relationship because you know no better, have your child grow up having no real assurance they are loved and they could become world leaders. Truth is as long as you try your best, you give the best. This day and age the options are endless when it comes to what kind of parent you will be. There is no right answer.

(My grandmother and me)

There is no way to avoid being judged for the choices you've made, some one will always find something to bitch about. Parenting is no joke, if it is its pretty fucked up. So to all the GOOD mommy's out there. Keep giving hugs and kisses because no matter if you served vegan meatloaf or McDonals for dinner the love behind it is all that counts.

(Me and My baby)

So my confession, I buy my child a hot wheel every time I go to the store. I wasn't sad when he self weaned at 1 year. I've let him have a drink or two of pop. I feed him poptarts when I'm lazy. Its currently 1:13am and he is playing rock band with his father. I gave up cloth diapering full time because I hate doing laundry. He has a nice collection of happy meal toys. But he has a family. He knows we love him. He is a happy boy, and he will with out question tell me I ruined his life in the next 20 years for one thing or another, and for tonight I'm ok with that. 

Alpaca Head!

I was going to meet my girlfriend for lunch at a local park the other day, Id never been there but she'd given me detailed directions and I fallowed them to the T. I walked around and around in circles and all I saw was this adorable alpaca. A few times I even thought I heard someone call my name, but Alpacas cant talk, can they? Finally I know I heard this alpaca call me a hooker and I realized that this Alpaca head was on a human body! Talk about a plastic surgery fail! My poor friend went to get a little hair transplantation done and while under general anesthesia the dr's got a little carried away! Poor dear. She is currently sueing for millions cross your fingers ya'll!

A day in the life of Zeke

Daddy's gone to work. Oh no!!

Arts and crafts time with mommy.

Tattoos by self and Uncle Brian.

Shower with mommy ruined by putting blue octopus down the drain.

Dinner: By John.

12pm Monday afternoon.
John: I'm hungry.
Me: Me too!
John: Enchiladas?
Me: That takes so much work, for dinner?


...
2 hours a bagel sandwich, chicken tenders and a party pizza later.......................

  6 hours, 3 bags of shredded cheese, a pot of home made sauce and 10 corn tortillas later. Both John and I enjoyed some bomb enchiladas while poor Zeke fell asleep early.

For Andie Pants!

Thanks for being my best friend Queen of random ;) I lovers you! <3- Elizabeast!

I have 4 teeth fear me!

At 17 months our little gout now has four teeth. While minding my own business today he did the hunch walk up to me and bit me on the arm!

It was a wake up call of sorts, something that's occurring more and more frequently. My little baby is growing up. No longer a chubby cheek Roley-poly shit machine (still a shit machine actually) but a little man. A little man who loves fruit, being naked, making potato heads, dancing, kitties and Shrek.

 So much personality in one little ball of energy. I love his grumpy face, I love his hunch walk (which I have yet to capture on camera coming soon!)

And talk about a daddy's boy. Omg! In the morning if daddy isn't up he will sit outside the door knocking politely. Singing daddy, daddy, daddy!

And man this kids got some moves. As I mentioned previous there is the hunch dance. But there is the pin wheel dance too. Which consists of him spinning right round like a record baby right round. In circles faster and faster till the floor suddenly is vertical and he is laying there giggling like a fool. 

 And last but not least in any way is the way he loves his mommy. I never knew love could be like this. His face lights up every time he sees me. Even if its just that Ive come out of the bathroom. In the morning he is cuddle bug extraordinaire. He gives me a hug every time he walks by me and sings me songs and pats me on the back when I pick him up. How can my baby grow up? Is there any way to save him? Now the worst thing that happens to him is he got water when he demanded juice. Or a kitty ran away from him when he wanted to pet her. I can't imagine a world where his friends are his life and if that pretty girl knows he exist. Where mom and dad are baffons who couldn't possibly know what was going on in his misunderstood life. And even in moments of loneliness where he wishes he could sit on my lap and have me tell him its going to be ok, he wont. How do I stop that from happening? I don't want to lose my baby. Every tear so trial now, I savor it. His little angry face is so adorable. Oh my little gout, My baby. Will you ever know how much mommy loves you? Will you be well in to adult hood before you understand? I pray not. Zeke Bradley Phil your my life.

   

Consider this the spill.

I always find myself handicapped to make that first mark. No matter a doodle, a novel, a grocery list, or a master piece. I'm never sure where to start. Now I sit here having erased all my writings for the last hour or so. Googling other blogs attempting something worth reading form the outside world. So world here is my spill of paint upon the canvas of a bloggers' life. Yet another chapter in the world of Liz, only perhaps this one will live to tell a tale? Here's to the new and the old and the tales that go untold... for now.