This is not a quiz; these are not dates you have to learn in World or US History. They are very important dates because they are the birth dates of the amazing women of my life.
My Mother – Mary Lou, who taught me story telling requires knowledge of the history of at least three generations of the people involved. (Southern insider humor)
My Step Mom – Fannie, who came into my life after my mother died and gave my father an additional dozen or so years of happiness and life. (thank you is simply inadequate)
My Mother-in-law, Mary Cecil, who has adopted me, loved me, helped me and most of all allowed me to marry her daughter. (I pray for your peace every night)
My Wife – Becky, the greatest gift I have ever been given and I look forward each day to see her new found enthusiasm.
My Granddaughter – Pretty Princess in Pink, who shows me every day that boundless Love, Joy and Happiness, exists in this world if we only look through the eyes of a child who is loved.
And finally, the real subject of this posting,
My Daughter- Rachel. Happy Birthday!   While you may be 32 years old, my mind and heart still sees you as 5 minutes old, then 5, 10, 16, and 22 years old. I get to see glimpses of you whenever I see Princess.  I now understand why grandparents so love their grandchildren.  I get to spend time with a reflection of my daughter but this time without any hang-ups of being “THE FATHER”.  I am so very proud of all that you have accomplished and all you take on.   Most of all my heart is filled with joy that you have chosen to spend this far too short a time staying home with your children.  As Dee said many times, you will have plenty of time to keep a straight house and an immaculate lawn AFTER they are grown.   Thank you for seeing the wisdom in his story.   I look forward to watching the day to day story of my daughter’s life.
I Love you, I am very proud of the woman that you are and I am grateful that Nate came along.  If he hadn’t I would probably have had to shoot several guys who didn’t measure up.  Even here in the south that might have gotten me in trouble.
You certainly hold your own as a member of the amazing women in my life and I am much better for it.

©2010 A Southern Fairytale. 2007 - 2009 A Southern Fairytale. Powered by Jalapenos and Diet Dr Pepper All Rights Reserved.

(that’s about right, sounds exactly like something you’d say)

I baked a German Chocolate Cake last night.  I wish that we lived closer so that I could have surprised you with it.

I can’t.

So, I took a picture of it, ate a piece and today I dropped it off at the elementary school and told them to enjoy it in honor of your birthday.  (They’re very happy today was your birthday)

What to say to you on your birthday?

I hope today is wonderful, I hope y’all throw some steaks on the barbie and that they’re perfectly medium rare, I hope the potatoes are crisp and tender.  I hope that the boys come over and that you’re surrounded by love and family and laughter and hugs, those things that you worked so hard to teach us are the most important aspects of life.

Thank you for always standing beside me.

Thank you for holding me just tightly enough that your presence was always known but, not stifling.

Thank you for allowing me to fall and to fail.

Thank you for always picking me up afterward and helping me to find the right path.

Thank you for being an amazing Father and Man, one to whom every other boy and man was measured against.

Thank you for standing with me and loving me and laughing with me on the day you passed me over to the man who did measure up.

I have learned and continue to learn so much from you.

About life and parenting, about saying I’m sorry and not being afraid to show my children that I’m not perfect.

I have grown and learned the most from you, not from your perfections, but your imperfections.  I hope I am able to teach my children in the same way.

Thank you for helping me to realize that life shouldn’t be taken too seriously, or I’ll never make it through in one piece.

You have helped me to see the importance of friendship, independence, laughter, love and knowledge.

You taught me to stand on my own two feet, but also to know that it is just as important to know how to ask for help and lean on others when it is necessary.

You were, and still are, the best father any little girl could ever wish for and now, the most amazing Grandpa.

Happy Birthday, Daddy.

We love you so much.

Rachel, Nathan, Princess and Monkey

P.S.

I had a plan.

The kids were going to sing Happy Birthday to you and I was going to videotape it and put it on here and it was going to be messy and adorable.

I can’t find my video camera, anywhere.  *sigh*

©2010 A Southern Fairytale. 2007 - 2009 A Southern Fairytale. Powered by Jalapenos and Diet Dr Pepper All Rights Reserved.

Birthdays are so special; they’re a day to rejoice and give thanks and a day to remember.

Your mom was so proud of you; I know that she’s watching you right now and that she’s smiling because you are more than any mother could hope for.  I say that both as your wife, and as a mom.

I am so grateful for all that you are.

Why you saw me and decided you had to have me, I’ll never know but I am damn thankful for that.
You saved me from myself.
You constantly tell me that you wish I could see myself through your eyes because I’d be amazed; while I may not be able to see myself through your eyes, I see the love and the passion and the strength of your love in your eyes when you look at me and it still has the power to weaken my knees.

I remember it all.  The moment we met, the swimming pool, the phone calls, the apologies, the drives, the surprise roses, the green cast on my wrist when you proposed during finals.

Everything.

You captured my heart and healed it.  Thank you.

Every one of my accomplishments, is because you stand beside me cheering me on, supporting me and encouraging me.
You have given me a life full of blessings and love and compassion and beauty, and I am blessed.

Your compassion for others humbles me.
Your love and passion for our children brings tears to my eyes and joy to my heart.
The fire in your eyes when you look at me makes me all melty and tingly.
When you say I love you and kiss me, the outside world ceases to exist.

You are my husband, my best friend, my lover, my partner, my strength.

I love you more today than yesterday and tomorrow, I’ll love you even more.

The power of what we have and the strength of my feelings for you weakens me and brings tears to my eyes, yet fills me with peace and strength.

I can be having the worst day ever, and all it takes is your voice, your touch and I’m soothed.

Happy Birthday, Nathan.  I love you so much more than my 19 year old self could ever have imagined possible.

Then, Now and Always

Your loving wife,

Rachel

January 27, 1976

©2010 A Southern Fairytale. 2007 - 2009 A Southern Fairytale. Powered by Jalapenos and Diet Dr Pepper All Rights Reserved.

These are the rainbow, colorful, tie dye cupcakes that I made for Princess’ 6th birthday and took up to her school and to her Daisy Scout Meeting.  These rainbow colorful cupcakes are quite simple to make.  They take a bit more time than regular cupcakes but trust me, as you can see from the picture… they are more than worth it.

These are deceptively simple and insanely delicious and rich and tonguegasmically flavorful.

• 1 box Betty Crocker Butter Yellow Recipe Cake Mix (this is the richest, most flavorful and moist cake mix.. in my experience)

Follow the instructions on the box for making the cake batter (eggs, butter.. please use real butter, it makes a difference)

Divide the batter into 4 or 5 clear glass or white bowls ( I got mine at the Dollar Tree and love them) use food coloring to dye each bowl of batter to your desired shade

Using table spoons place the batter in whichever pattern you prefer.  I placed one color in the base of the cupcake liner and then dropped a spoon-full of batter in the cupcake liner in a clockwise pattern until each cup was 3/4 full.

Bake and cool according to the instructions on the box.

Be careful these cupcakes smell delicious enough to tempt even the strongest will and the bursts of color are enough to bring even the most stoic abstainer to their knees

For the icing.. yet another cheat.  I’ve made many a buttercream and many a cream cheese but, when I’m in a hurry and I want absolute tonguegasmic frosting without a worry…  this is where I turn.

1 buttercream icing

1 cream cheese icing

1/2 stick room temp butter

1 (8 oz) block cream cheese, room temp

1/2 to 1 C powdered sugar

1 to 2 tsp pure vanilla extract

Empty both frosting containers into a mixer, add in butter, cream cheese and 1 tsp vanilla… add powdered sugar both to taste and to stiffness.

Once you’ve achieved your desired texture and taste (plenty of tastings are required to achieve the perfect balance… trust me *wink wink*)  DO NOT put this into a baggie and snip off the end to “pipe” onto the cupcakes.. this just looks like a mass of poo.

Spend the $6 at the grocery store/Hobby Lobby/whatever and buy the bag/tip combo.  Use the medium tip and pipe a swirl just in the center of the cupcake.. this allows the artistry of your beautiful tie dyed rainbow cupcake to show through and your cupcakes aren’t overwhelmed by frosting

©2010 A Southern Fairytale. 2007 - 2009 A Southern Fairytale. Powered by Jalapenos and Diet Dr Pepper All Rights Reserved.

6:18 PM  19 1/2″ and 7lbs 15 oz

November 18, 2004

November 18, 2005

November 18, 2006

November 18, 2007

November 18, 2008

Today, November 18, 2009

Dear Princess,

Happy Birthday!  Happy SIXTH birthday.  This morning as I was making your cinnamon rolls and bacon, a realization struck.  Today, you will have to use TWO hands to show your age.  I don’t know why.. but that struck me to my core and actually made my knees go a bit weak. 

You’re no longer a one hand age.. it now takes two hands for you to proudly show off your age.  For you, it is so exciting, for me… it is exciting and yet it leaves me a bit wistful for those brief moments when I held  your small head in the crook of my arm as you nestled and nuzzled and nursed.  Me, the center of your universe.  And yet, looking at you now, watching you… I wouldn’t go back.

Looking at those pictures up there, it’s almost impossible to believe that it’s been 6 years since you shot your way into this world.  You were here, the world could start turning now. You are a whirlwind and a constant joy.  You turned our lives upside down and it was the best thing that could have happened to us.

You are so smart and so well spoken, I often forget that you’re just now 6.  You amaze me on a daily basis.  You read books to your little brother at bed-time, you rejoice in writing love notes and leaving them around the house for us to find or taking them to school to give to your friends.  Your mind is constantly racing, absorbing, tumbling new things around until they fit into the world you understand, while at the same time,  ever expanding to allow new ideas to subtly change you, grow your world.  I’m in awe of you.

You are such a treasure. From your loving heart, your bubbling laughter, your strange sense of humor, your compassion and your sparkling personality… you are everything I could ever have asked for in a daughter, and more.

I am blessed to be your mother, the one chosen to teach you, guide you, love you and cherish you.

There will be times that I will yell at you, there will be times when we won’t like each other very much, there will be times we both say things we don’t mean, but there will never be a time that you are not loved, a time you are not cherished, a time where I am anything but thankful for you.

I have always known and understood love, your Daddy showed me a different kind of love but you, you my precious angel girl, you have taught me a love like no other.
You are borne of my body, my heart, my soul and my mind and you opened up a place in me that I didn’t know even existed.

You are smart, funny, strong, beautiful, compassionate, silly, confident, loving, temperamental, friendly, energetic, inquisitive, vibrant, frustrating, head strong, lively, independent, fearless and amazing.

I pray that at 16, 26, 36, 66, 96 .. you retain all of these qualities.

I will do my best to stand back and allow you to live, fall, experience, fail and triumph. I will try to never stand in your way, to allow you to stumble and fall because the biggest disservice I can do you would be to never let you fail.   That being said, I promise that I will always and forever be there to pick you back up, kiss away the tears, whisper I love you and nudge you back towards the right path.

You are my firstborn.

My only daughter.

My always and forever, Princess Stinkerbelle.

I love you more than words.

Happy Birthday, my amazing daughter.

I love you.

Momma

©2010 A Southern Fairytale. 2007 - 2009 A Southern Fairytale. Powered by Jalapenos and Diet Dr Pepper All Rights Reserved.

The Day that My Mom was born.

Last year I found all these pictures, scanned them and wrote this post.  I can’t top it.. so, Happy Birthday Rebecca Jane.. here’s to the second time around… (you know, like how you turned 29 four, five, twice)

Happy Birthday Mama:  The woman who gave me life and nearly drop kicked her doctor during my delivery because he was an ass who rotated me without warning, or an epidural.

If you’re a mom, you totally flinched, clenched and said a**hole

My mom is an amazing woman. She is strong, beautiful, funny, passionate, loving, smart and the original Southern Belle.

Happy Birthday Momma.

My mom making it to her first birthday was a miracle. This picture, is a miracle.
My mom was born in mumblefiftymumblesomethingmumble. She was born with brain tumors. She survived the surgery. She survived terrible asthma and lived to thrive and take that picture. That picture up there. A powerful tribute and precious memento, a tribute to her strength and a precious memento for her mother, my Granny.

This picture is adorable to me because it reminds me not only of Princess learning to navigate stairs at your house, but because it represents to me the many obstacles you have overcome in your life with a sweet smile, grace and a sense of humor.
I don’t need to list them here.
You are powerful and strong beyond your own understanding.
I am proud of you.

Thank you for helping me to learn how to overcome my own obstacles with grace, strength and compassion. Thank you for dorm rooms, first apartments, margaritas, being there for my ADPi initiation, thank you for late night cries, for caring enough to interrogate Nathan to make sure he was good enough for your little girl. Thank you for the bachelorette party, the orgasm talks, the shopping trips but most of all, thank you for believing in me.

Mom, you are a beautiful, strong, loving, passionate, graceful, funny, smart, loving and wonderful woman.
You have taught me much in life and I am blessed by you.
I wish we could be there with you today but I know that Dad will make this day wonderful for you.

You are Princess’ favorite person and playmate.
You are my first and most special best friend and playmate.
You are more than I have words to describe.

Thank you for helping me to learn Grace, Humility, Love, Compassion, Strength, Independence, Grammar, Power, Respect and so much more.

You are my mother and my friend and I love you beyond measure.

Happy Birthday Wishes and Big Kisses,
from your little girl

Happy Birthday Momma.

All our love.

Rachel, Nathan, Princess and Monkey

©2010 A Southern Fairytale. 2007 - 2009 A Southern Fairytale. Powered by Jalapenos and Diet Dr Pepper All Rights Reserved.

Sept 20th, 2006 at 12:26 PM 19 1/2″ long   7 lbs (after fluid 6 lbs)

With family looking on and smiling and snapping pictures… we were reunited.

My darling boy, you certainly know how to make an entrance.. whether it’s into the world, the room or headfirst into a bbq pit… you always leave a mark.

The joy you bring to our lives is immeasurable.. I can’t believe that I once questioned whether I would be able to love you as much as your sister… Silly Mommy.  Why didn’t I realize that love has no end and no limits?  Nothing changed, my heart shifted, stretched, expanded, swelled (much like the Grinch’s) and you nestled right in as though you’d always been there, perhaps… you had.  The moment you were born, I was filled with a sense of completion.. NOW all was right.  NOW our family was complete.. You were the part of the puzzle that we were waiting on, without even realizing it.

You scare the living daylights out of me.

You make me laugh until I cry.

You steal the breath from my body with your compassion.

You make me shake my fists at the sky with your stubbornness

Monkey.  I love you.  I am proud of you.

I am honored to be your Mom.

I hope that ‘fwee’ is an amazing year for you.

I love you so much.  Thank you for driving me crazy, bringing me joy, making me laugh and teaching me so much about myself.

Love,

Momma

©2010 A Southern Fairytale. 2007 - 2009 A Southern Fairytale. Powered by Jalapenos and Diet Dr Pepper All Rights Reserved.

Nate Making Me Mimosas on My Birthday. On The Beach

Happy Birthday to Me

The Heart in The Sand was Nate’s Idea. <3 I love my husband.

Princess Found a Sea Horse (It’s in Nate’s hands)

it was alive and yes, we took it back into the water and released it

Faster Daddy, Faster

I had the most wonderful birthday. I spent it with my family and then I came home, turned on my computer and saw this from my Mishi. It warmed my heart, made me smile and brought tears to my eyes. She is a blessing and a gift to me.

I’m thrilled to join the photograph sharing meme hosted by my darling friend, Lotus.  Go check her out at Sarcastic Mom and every Sunday check out all the amazing people who link up their inspiring, funny, beautiful and breathtaking photos in the Weekly Winners Meme.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~*~*~*~~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~*~*

Don’t forget!  Tomorrow is Mouthwatering Monday!  Bring your favorite dish and enjoy the recipe sharing love!

©2010 A Southern Fairytale. 2007 - 2009 A Southern Fairytale. Powered by Jalapenos and Diet Dr Pepper All Rights Reserved.

The last few minutes of 30 here.  Can we chat?

I had big expectations for 30.  It was no big deal to hit a new decade… and yet, I had ideas.  I thought, this would be it!  That something! That BIG THING!  It would happen this year.

Well, it didn’t.

I had heartache, I had loss, I had pain.  I had joy and laughter and new friends.

As 30, I’ve  laughed until I’ve cried.  I’ve cried until I couldn’t breathe and I’ve screamed until there was nothing left.

Let’s just say it.  30 was a year which will never be forgotten.

So 31… here you come, you’re approaching.. I see you.  With your new gray hairs and your wrinkles, your trials and tribulations, your memories, your laughter, your shocks, your joys.

You’re going to kick my ass, you’re going to make me cry, you’re going to bring me to my knees and cause me to scream to the skies with joy.

You’re going to be nothing like I’ve ever seen before.

But now it’s my turn.  I have a few minutes before I, the 30 yr old Rachel am no longer in existence and I’m going to tell you now.. what I expect of you. And you, 31, you’re going to take note.

I expect you to be a better mother, a more patient mother, listen to them, hold them more, kiss them more, touch them more, play with them more…  Laugh with them more.  Remember what it was to be nearly 3 and nearly 6.  There are a multitude of firsts just beyond your grasp.. hold them dear and place them upon your heart because, 31, you’ll never see them again.

Love your husband more.  Find a reason or excuse to kiss him daily, and I’m not talking a Hi Mr Lady or Tanis peck on the lips kiss.  A REAL KISS.   Bring him to his knees more often.  Remind him and yourself why 11 years ago.. you couldn’t keep your hands off each other.

Take more pictures woman! BE in more pictures.  I don’t care how much you hate yourself at this weight or that angle.  This isn’t for you.  Quit being so selfish and insecure.  Your children need to know that you were there.  They need to see your laughter as you sweep their hair out of their face.  The awe in your eyes as you watch them blow out their candles… the tears on their first day of school.  Get over yourself, girl.

Write more.  It’s what you love, it’s your passion.  Do it.

Quit being your own worst enemy.

Dear 31.. walk, laugh, love, enjoy, immerse yourself… do it all.  There are no regrets in life except not trying.

Quit getting in your own way and live.  Lose the weight. or don’t.

Write the cookbook. or don’t.

Jump out of a plane. or don’t.

Just do, just live.

Above all.  Be there. experience.  Remember.  Make sure that your children, your family know that you lived, that you tried, that you were there and most of all, that you loved them.

If you do these things.  Then 31, I will be proud of you.

Love,

what is left of 30

©2010 A Southern Fairytale. 2007 - 2009 A Southern Fairytale. Powered by Jalapenos and Diet Dr Pepper All Rights Reserved.

When I posted the picture of these cupcakes on Twitter last night the response was overwhelming and several people requested the recipe so here y’all are!

Cupcakes Baked in Ice Cream Cones

We found these adorable multi-colored cones at our local HEB so that’s what we used, they’re just so fun and colorful!!

Put your cones in 2 – 9X13 baking dishes ( I had 36 cones and used about 24)

Make cake according to directions

Fill the cones about 3/4 of the way up with batter

Bake one pan at a time at 350 for about 25 minutes or until the top of the cupcake springs back when touched

Decorate them with any color, flavor or type of frosting and sprinkles that you prefer!

Enjoy!!!!

Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes

• 1 box cake mix (or homemade, whatever) I used Golden Butter
• 2 (16 oz cans) frosting (or homemade)  I bought buttercream and whipped in 4 oz cream cheese to cut the sweetness. It makes an amazingly yummy frosting that’s not too sweet for the big people and the little ones still love
• 24 flat bottom ice cream cones
• non-pareils and other decorative things
• pastry bag with appropriate tips (please don’t do the snipped baggie thing, it looks like piles of poo) or batter knife for spreading
• 2 -  9X13 dishes

1. Prepare cake mix as directed.
2. Place cupcakes in 9X13 dishes and fill about 3/4 with batter
3. Bake one dish at a time for 25 minutes or until the cupcakes spring back when pressed
4. Let cool, decorate and devour!!!

inspired by the post I did about this on Blissfully Delish

psssttt:  down here   You’re totally voting for me right?  RIGHT? Please!!!

©2010 A Southern Fairytale. 2007 - 2009 A Southern Fairytale. Powered by Jalapenos and Diet Dr Pepper All Rights Reserved.