birth. day. one. year. ago.

ok.
Well, in the week that I have been home from Utah, I'm on load number 5 of the laundry (and still counting)---way to ring in Earth Day this week, right? :) Oops.
All the mail has been opened. Bills have been paid.
Clerical errors on two of those bills have been fixed.
All the newspapers, junk mail, ads, etc. have been dumped in the recycle bin.
Bags have all been unpacked. Refrigerator re-stocked.

But, the biggest feat has been pulling out Matilda's 18-24 month clothing and putting away (sob!) all of her 6-12 month clothing. She's a big girl now.
Apparently "BABY" is a term of the past and now she is considered a "TODDLER". WHAAhhat??

again, whaaaaaat??

was it really her birthday yesterday? a FULL blown year of life?
whoa.

If anyone else is freaking out about that, feel free to get in this boat with me.

I'm dying.
I am happy. I am sad. I am sentimental. but most of all, I am lucky. Really really lucky.
she is the best thing that has happened to us. by far. ever.

Two days ago, Aaron, Matilda, and I met up for lunch at Arby's. While there, we met a really sweet older man that was talking to us for a while. He said as he was leaving, "Well, enjoy this, because this is about as good as it gets..." We smiled and waved goodbye (yes, even Tillie waved goodbye, she is so talented).

Since that day, we've been talking a lot about what the man said. Let me explain.

Yes, life is the best right now. Better than we could ever imagine. But, we keep finding that the best keeps getting better. For example, when I decided to marry Aaron, I thought I loved him to capacity. But, 4+ years later, I'm proved wrong. I love him even more than I did back then.

Matilda Mae also has broken the love-o-dom-etor... she broke it at one week old. And, now, our hearts are FULL to capacity. Our cups runneth over. She is the best. And, it keeps getting better.

So, to the kind gentleman at Arby's, we respectfully disagree with you. I believe, hope, and pray life will only get better and better. Our experiences will affirm that statement.
To take from Marta,
"I look at [her] and know what living the good life feels like."

And, to my little sunshine, we love you. Thank you for being the brightest little light in our lives.
xoxoxoxo to the umpteenth degree.
love your mama and daddy-o.


For your listening pleasure, we put on the actual blog a few different songs in her honor (for all you google reader & blog line people).

we did two birthday celebrations. one in utah, one here. both fun for different reasons. i'll post pictures from the parties later. here was her invite to her family.




these pictures were taken yesterday---on the actual DAY of her birthday. we were lucky, because San Antonio decided to take a day off of life too, to celebrate her day (well, and fiesta). Fun fun fun.
















happy happy birthday, sweetest sweet sweet of my life.
love, us.