Bon Anniversaire!

That actually means "happy birthday" in French . . . but I like it . . . because today is our anniversary!

One Whole Year.

Really, it sounds like a drop in the bucket. As my father-in-law texted today, 1 down, 65 to go. Sounds like a plan.

How did we spend this momentous occasion? Quite nicely. We've had a very enjoyable weekend of football, strolling through a local art fair, general relaxing and a couple naps here and there.

Our big celebration will happen in just over a week, when we head to Seattle for nine days!! I'm very excited! Matt gets two weeks of vacation at the end of September and I was able to get the time off as well. We've never been to Seattle so, if you've been, please share your favorite must-dos. We plan to do some camping while we're there with our friends Jess and Glenn so our anniversary present was a tent.

Of course Matt had to set it up in the kitchen.

Of course Moose thought the apocalypse was here.

So, that was supposed to be it for our anniversary. We've asked each other multiple times if the other had snuck in a present. "Did you get me a present? Be honest." "No, did you?" "No." "Ok." "Ok." I mean, the first anniversary is traditionally paper, and we had paper.

Tickets to Seattle: paper.

Small print of Old Field Light from the local art fair: paper.

Two books - C.S. Lewis letters for Matt, biography of Harper Lee for me: paper.

So . . . I was a little surprised and betrayed when I saw a pink bag on the kitchen counter this morning. But . . . turns out I'm pretty happy about my surprise gift.

Matt is just so artistic. He doesn't really get a chance to prove it, but he is. Look at that. So great. Moosey in the corner. So cute. Love it.

He was inspired by an artist at the fair yesterday who made similar paper cutouts. We heard him say he used an xacto knife and dental tools and, well, wouldn't you know but we have some of those lying around! I went to a museum in NYC this spring with my dear pal Carla and came back prattling on about the paper sculptures and two-story tall murals of paper cutouts. And now I have my own personalized piece.

Matt took this picture as inspiration:

And took some liberties by adding sweet Moosey walking with us. I think he also took some liberties around the hip area. :)

We went out to anniversary lunch since we looked nice after church and I knew we'd be sacked on the couch all afternoon watching football. Another special treat awaited us at home.

The top of our beautiful wedding cake is in my grandparents' freezer in South Carolina. Since it is a delectable raspberry and lemon curd filling with buttercream icing, it wasn't going to travel well. But here it is in its glory:

So I decided another option would be to ask the baker if she would mail us a small cake for our anniversary. She never responded to my email and I let it go . . . until I got a package from my mom this weekend! Of course she had thought of the idea long before me and had taken care of everything. The baker was in on the surprise, of course. We loved our little slice of Signe's Heaven Bound bakery . . . anyone in Hilton Head absolutely MUST stop and taste EVERYTHING. Amen.

I smell steak and Matt is coming in from the grill with the instruction to put my computer down. Anything for you, dear.

We are so thankful for one incredible year together and for all of God's provisions. We give Him the glory.