Teresa likes to make up words or replace words with sound alikes. She has done this since she was a tiny little monkey. Let me give you some examples. One of the first and one which she still uses often is
"pink-il-ly" And it's not complete without wiggling your fingers as you say it. It means beyond pretty and very girly. A "
complimation" is another of her words. She uses it to mean organized according to a pattern. One of her words evolved after Katie was born. Teresa began carting a baby of her own around and she loved dressing it in a little
"rompus" which is actually a onesie to you and me. She comes up with some interesting variations on kitchen tools too. When helping out in the kitchen or playing in her kitchen, her favorite kitchen tool is the
"tarantula". I prefer to use my spatula. Sit ups are a part of my daily battle against the bulge. Teresa likes to lay down next to me to do
"hips ups " of her own. She has always called earlobes
.."earrubs". And in our house we don't eat drumsticks they're called
"handle chicken" Just today she was going through the house with a magnet testing it on various appliances and pieces of furniture and when it stuck to something she said it had
"animation." Oh, and the other day the seeds we planted were
"experiment" seeds, even though the package was clearly marked spearmint. She likes to sound grown up and thinks using big words will do the trick. She may not sound especially adult like but it always gives me the giggles to hear her. You know what else, even though her words may not be the correct ones, or even a word at all, she says everything with such confidence and verve she'll have you believing it is.
My team hard at work uncovering what they believe to be a full T-Rex skeleton
The senior paleontologist assisting and advising his younger colleague
A good paleontologist always puts safety first!!
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I have had the privilege and chore of scanning in hundreds and hundreds of pictures documenting my parents lives for the last 50 years. While it is quite tedious to sit in front of the scanner and scan in each photo one at a time it makes me stop and really look at each photograph as I wait. I love the picture from my parent's wedding above. They're not posing for the camera or in the middle of the party. They are off to the side all wrapped up in each other. They are happy, content to just be with each other. As I scanned picture after picture I noticed how often my parents were found off to the side, hands touching and smiling so contentedly. And laughing, in so many they are caught being silly and laughing hysterically over it all. They have been through more than their share of life's joys and sorrows in their 50 years together. They've celebrated the birth of 12 children, mourned the loss of one sweet baby, traveled the world over, endured sickness and accidents, celebrated countless birthdays, graduations, marriages and the births of 20 grandchildren and counting. They never got bogged down in the "bad stuff." They don't dwell on their tragedies...they just accept them and move on. Both my Mom and my Dad are able to find the joy in the smallest of things; the sunset, a smooth rock, a baby's soft touch, the moon and the stars on a clear night, a loyal pet and a satisfying meal. I certainly know they aren't perfect. They yelled, spanked, threw dishes (well my mom did) and made mistakes. But they get through it all being certain of each other and being content in themselves and the love they share. Love, laughter, sincerity, honesty, faith-these are the conerstones of our family and they are made strong through the commitment my parents made to each other on their wedding day and have been renewed day in and day out for the past 50 years. Thanks Mum and Dad, not just for all you gave us, but for all you gave, and continue to give, to each other.
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