Dear Matthew,

Dear Matthew,

Seven years ago today, I was: getting my hair and makeup done, ripping my skirt turning a cartwheel in the church yard, playing Tetris to calm my nerves, and walking down the aisle to say, “I do.” That day, I had no idea where we were going or what we were doing, but I knew I wanted to be with you. That day, I couldn’t have known the ups and downs we would go through, but it wouldn’t have mattered. I couldn’t have known that in five years, you and I would have the most beautiful baby girl in the world. I couldn’t have known that I could be so happy with our wonderfully simple life. Thank you for taking such good care of me. Thank you for loving me for who I am. Thank you for being my husband. I love you. May 31, 2003 was a great day. Happy 7th Wedding Anniversary!

Love,
Delecta

Happy Birthday Marli Claire!

Today, my baby girl turns 2. It's hard to believe that it has been two years since she was born. When I look back at MC's first year in pictures, I get emotional, but when I look back at this year, I lose it! She learned to walk, talk, dance, and so much more. I just cannot get over how fast time is flying by us. Happy Birthday Marli Claire!

Video - Fiesta

Saturday, we celebrated Marli Claire's 2ND birthday with a fiesta. She had a blast! We would like to thank you all for coming to celebrate with us. I put together a slide show of the fiesta highlights.



Some of you asked for several of our fiesta recipes. I thought it would be easier to include them here. [You can click on the recipe to view a larger image.] The corn salsa and southwest sauce are unbelievably good as toppings on your tacos or as a dip with chips.

Random Rambling Tuesday - Thanks!

As I reflect on Mother's Day 2010, I realize just how blessed I am. I am the daughter of the greatest mother on earth, I am the mother of the greatest daughter on earth, I am a sister to two incredible mothers, and I am the daughter of an amazing mother-in-law. Blessed beyond imagination!

Although I could never thank my mom enough for the things she has done for me, I would like to throw some pretty big ones out there! For some reason, I couldn't find a Hallmark card that included all of the following.


Mom:

* Thank you for not beating me when I took your tithe money and walked to Dairy Queen and got a combo when I was 12.

* Thank you for not kicking me out when I came home with a tattoo.

* Thank you for loving me through that really odd "grunge" stage that I went through.

* Thank you for letting me have "personal days" from school when I just needed to stay home.

* And thank you for taking "personal days" from work when I needed you to stay home with me.

* Thank you for telling my crazy boyfriends that you knew a man in Willacoochie, Georgia that would kill them for $100 if they messed with me.

*And thank you for NOT telling Matthew that until we were already married.

* Thank you for making me write that report on lung cancer when you caught me smoking that cigarette butt off the ground in the back yard. It taught me that I NEVER wanted to do that again!

* Thank you for telling me that every pageant I didn't win was rigged.

* Thank you for never missing a single event that I ever participated in.

* Thank you for thinking I am a better singer than the artist of EVERY song I've ever sung.

* Thank you for raising three girls all by yourself.

* Thank you for driving us to the grocery store at 2am just to get stuff to bake us cookies when we had a craving.

*Thank you for never telling anyone that I was the one who sprayed the pepper spray on accident in the Subway bathroom that ultimately shut the place down for 24 hours. I promise I thought it was room deodorizer!

* Thank you praying for us every day.

* Thank you for never letting me quit anything I started even though I really wanted to.

* Thank you for making me laugh!

* Thank you for moving me in to Valdosta State University, then moving me out the next day to keep me out of trouble.

*Thank you for never getting mad when you were almost asleep, and I'd have just ONE more thing to tell you about my day.

* Thank you for taking me to church every time the doors opened.

* and much much more!


Mom, thank you for everything! When we say that you are the greatest mom, we mean it. I don't know of any other woman who could raise three girls alone, while working multiple jobs, going to school, making our clothes, and staying sane. Ok, the sane part was stretching it. You are truly amazing, and I hope to be half the mom you are to my children that you have been to us. You are the most humble, giving, and compassionate person I know. I want to be just like you when I grow up! I love you.