Denise's Discourse: It's all about being together.

Monday, June 16, 2008

It's all about being together.

Today is my parents 35th wedding anniversary. They are a great couple and complement each other in many ways. I have become the person that I am through watching their interactions with each other. Their marriage has also given me the confidence to know that I can have a good marriage, too.

Right now, they are about to get on a ship in Venice, Italy to celebrate. They will go on a cruise to Greece, Spain, France, etc. I'm so glad that they are able to go. (They sacrificed to send me to Europe when I was in high school and here they are years later going for the first time, together.)

Their trip, so far, has turned out to be anything but a magical celebration. The airline lost their baggage and they have been without clothes for almost 4 days now. They are having a hard time communicating because of the phones and language barrier. I'm sure that they will have a wonderful time, but it is probably very frustrating. The great thing about marriage is that you always have someone to share your experiences with, for better or for worse.

Happy Anniversary!

7 comments:

mmmandy! said...: One of my favorite memories of your parents is watching them do the Macarena, after learning it on one of the cruises they went on. Classic. :)
Happy, happy anniversary to a fabulous couple that has certainly taught me much and influenced my life. Here's to 35 more!!; June 16, 2008 at 1:44 PM
Karen said...: Happy anniversary guys!!; June 16, 2008 at 10:34 PM
couplabz said...: Your posts are always so eloquent and worded well. I wish I could be more like that. Anywho, I know I don't know your parents, but I have heard nothing but great things about them from my husband and his family. So Happy Anniversary to your parents.; June 17, 2008 at 12:26 AM
Malin said...: That's so cool. My parents 35th anniversary is in October, but I don't think there will be any extravagant celebrating. I'm envisioning a quiet toast at home and a great meal cooked by my dad :) I wish i could be there, but we have an Atlantic Ocean between us, Oh well, I'll have to be there in spirit. Did you get them anything? I wouldn't know what to get my parents...

Malin; June 17, 2008 at 8:53 PM
Karen said...: Oh, also, I know this isn't about the post, but I noticed Eat, Pray. Love on your bookshef. I read that a little while ago and loved it.; June 18, 2008 at 1:35 AM
Jana said...: What a frustrating start to a trip! I can't wait to hear your mom's recap of the events--she's so emphatic. 35 years is truly an accomplishment...; June 24, 2008 at 12:06 AM
Anonymous said...: Thanks, Denise, on your lovely thoughts. We've arrived back home and have quite a lot of adventures to share on our journey over the past two weeks. Mandy - thanks for the reminder of the Macarena - too funny. For those interested, we finally got our luggage on day 5 of the cruise, while we were in Santori, Greece. The cruise line was great - washed the clothes we had with us twice (for free), and lent us formal wear for the first night. Can't wait to see what the next 35 years brings. Love, Mom; July 1, 2008 at 7:22 AM

FROM THE LITTLE MAN'S MOUTH...

Jackson constantly makes me chuckle at the things he says. Here are some of the things I get to hear each day:

2/2011
After one of the very few times I had a burp and right after my parents left after coming to visit:
J: You have your father's burp.

8/3/2020
D: Your uncle is getting really skinny, he's been on a diet.
J: Why?
D: Because he wants to be more healthy.
J: Maybe you should try it.
D: Why?
J: No reason, no reason.
D: Maybe Daddy should try it.
J: No, Daddy is skinny enough.

7/30/2010
While I am jammin' in the car to my girl Mylie Cyrus:
L: Shub up, Mommy.
D: Luke, in our family we don't say shut up. That's not nice.
J: What he's trying to say is that you need to be quiet. You are not a very good singer and you can't dance.
D: If I can't sing, why did I get into a high school for kids who are singers? And, I CAN dance. I was on a dance team and we went to the National Championship. We came in 19th place out of the whole USA.
J: 19th place? Was your trophy the size of an ant?

7/15/2010
After Luke asked, "Who is Jimmy?"
J: Jimmy is Daddy. But you can call him Cornelius.

5/2010
While my sister was visiting and I was singing in the car:
J: Was mom this annoying when she was growing up?

8/30/09
Just after I found Jackson crossing the street on his own:
D: What would happen if you got hit by a car and died?
J: I would get to see Jesus and then be a kid in heaven.
D: But Daddy and I would be SO sad.
J: You're young, you can have more children.

4/26/09
We were invited to have dinner with a family that we don't know very well in the neighborhood. While eating a dessert of brownies with the sweet (Caucasian) family:
J: My Dad LOVES brownies ... that's because he is brown.

3/7/09
After attending the Father/Son bowling banquet at school:
J: Daddy, my friend said that he didn't know my Daddy was black.
B: What did you say?
J: I said that he isn't black, he's BROWN!

2/28/09
On a rainy day when I wore my hair curly to church while pregnant:
J: You look just like my Aunt (who has curly hair), when she used to be fat.

2/12/09
D: What do you think about moving to a new house down the street?
J: Why?
D: Because we could save money and it is in better shape.
J: Oh, so it is a square, ok.

12/08
After Mommy told him not to do something:
J: You NEVER let me eat junk food.
D: Well, I have to make sure you are healthy and take care of you.
J: Daddy can take care of me.
D: But Daddy has to go to work.
J: We can get a babysitter.
D: But then you would have to stay with someone that you don't even know.
J: I know, we could get a robot to be our mommy!

10/29/08
While walking past some Halloween decorations:
J: Why do they have to put that stuff around. It is terrifying.

10/9/08
After getting in trouble for hurting his brother:
J: You don't love me.
D: That's not true, I love you very much.
J: You don't love me. That's why I have to live this miserable life.

10/7/08
As we are pulling into the school parking lot for "Movie Night".
J: This isn't the movie theater!
D: I know, the movie is at your school.
J: That's awkward.

9/30/08
J: Mom, who do you want to be on The Beauty and the Beast?
I want to be the cup, Chip.
D: I think I'll be Mrs. Potts, the teapot. She is Chip's mother, you know.
J: Are you sure? She has LOTS of cup children.
D: What's wrong with having lots of children?
J: Then they would cry all the time and be stinky. You would go crazy!
D: Yeah, maybe I should be Belle.

9/28/08
Randomly, as we are driving:
J: Mom, can I have this car when you die?

9/21/08
After giving an Article of Faith at church:
J: I had stage fright, but I kept my cool.

9/12/08
Disclaimer: You will only get this IF you know this rap song and wonder how on earth a 5 year old would know it.

After hearing someone talking about Fifty Cent, the rapper, on the radio: (And, yes, I'm sure his name is spelled incorrectly.)
J: Fifty Cent? What is that?
D: Oh, it is a singer guy.
J: Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. Singing: Fifty Cent, back on that gangsta tip....

9/12/08
After just coloring my hair:
D: Jackson, do I look any different?
J: Yes.
D: What part of me looks different?
J: Well, you have a pimple.

8/20/08
When meeting the principal at his new school:
J: Kids have to go in your office when they do bad things.
Principal: You seem like a very nice boy, so I'm sure you won't have to worry about that.
J: We'll see.

8/10/08
During sharing time in church (with 7-8 adults in the room) Jackson raises his hand. The teacher has just told them that watching a bad show could make it harder to feel the Holy Spirit. After he is called on: "My Mommy and Daddy watch bad shows after I go to bed."

8/9/08
While admiring a massive garden at a friends house:
J to the family: "Why do you grow so much food? Are you poor?"

7/29/08
Me: "That boy, Om, in your swimming class looks a lot like Jr."
J: "No, he doesn't."
Me: "Really? I think he does."
J: "Does he speak Spanish?"
Me: "I don't think so."
J: "Does he have black car?"
Me: "No."
J: "Does he like Cars?"
Me: "I'm not sure. I didn't say that he WAS Jr., just that he looks like Jr."
J: "Does he have the same parents?"
Me: "No."
J: "Does he live in MD?"
Me: "No."
J: "See, he doesn't look like Jr."
Me: Maybe you're right.

This morning (7/25/08) Jackson said that he missed Daddy. Daddy called at that moment. This was their conversation.
J: "Daddy, why did you turn off the light last night?"
B: gives explanation of why he turned the light down, not off.
J: Irritated, "Then I say to you, GOOD DAY SIR." The phone is immediately dropped.

This morning's conversation 7/24/08:
Jackson: "I'm going to fart."
Me: "Please don't use that word. In our family we say, toot."
J: "Fart means throw up."
Me: "Actually, it means toot."
J: "Actually, Your mother didn't teach you very well."

After I swerved the smallest little bit while driving the new car, "Um, MAYbe you should get a license."

Randomly, "Are we going to church today?"
My response, "No, it's Tuesday. Why?"
"Hello Mommy, you're wearing make-up."

As we are introducing ourselves to our new neighbors:
"My Mommy is a nice stranger. She believes in Jesus."

Whenever Mommy wore makeup: Whispering to Daddy, "Tell Mommy she is a beautiful princess." Then, after Daddy would say it, Jackson would deny that he had any part of it.

During an argument with Daddy over who was Mommy's boyfriend, "You already had your chance (while pointing to our wedding picture), she is my girlfriend now." 2.5 yrs old