HAPPY BIRTHDAY RILEY!!

Riley celebrated her FIRST BIRTHDAY last week!!! It was so much fun! So hard to believe that it has been a whole year...where has time gone??

Life has certainly changed, I've slept less this year than any other year of my life, I've been busier, have had less time for myself, had had alot less date-nights and time to hang out with friends, but its been the best and most enjoyable year of my life.

I have learned so much from Riley. I have learned what it means to love so much that it literally hurts you. I have learned what it means when people say that you can mess with me, but dont mess with my children!! Its a different level of emotion when your child is involved...things become more personal quicker. I have learned more patience (still working on that one ;) ). And I have learned how satisfying life can be when its simple....how the little things mean the most. I love watching Riley do something that she's never done before, or watching her dance or clap or seeing the look on her face when she sees something for the first time...those moments are priceless.

I have also fallen in love with Jeremy in a different way, because of Riley. We have always had, i think, a unique relationship. I dont know of anyone in the world that has a better marriage than us--that is not being cocky, its just the way i feel about how strong our relationship is and has been from the begining. We have a solid foundation, are brutally honest with each other, and leave nothing unsaid. He has always been patient with me and has loved me more than I deserve. And when we had riley, we made a commitment that family would always be first. First over career, first over finances, first over material possessions or friends or anything else that might be a distraction. In every decision we make, our family is first. Jeremy leads me with his example...he shows Riley and I every day that we mean more to him than anything else that he has going on in his world. He would stop anything, cancel any appointment, hang up any phone call if we needed him to. He is an amazing daddy, and that makes him an even better husband.

This year has not been EASY, but it has been WONDERFUL in every single way. Riley is the greatest thing that has ever happened to me...to both of us. She is HILARIOUS and outgoing...has never met a stranger, independent, strong physically and also incredibly strong-willed (i'm sure we'll bump heads with each other), her first word was baby, she loves bananas, cheese and big bird, hates broccoli and riding in the car, and likes to walk around with her hat on backwards. I could talk about her all day and would never tire of it. She is PERFECT. She's a little me, and i am MADLY in love.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RILEY!!!!