One year ago today, I started this blog. I almost missed my blogging anniversary due to the business of starting my new job, but tonight I remembered. Thinking about all the things that have happened since I started hanging my life out on the World Wide Web like so much dirty laundry amazes me. I'm still not sure why I got fascinated by blogs in 2004, but I did, and in September, I got my own, much like other people might decide to get a Chia pet, as a friend of mine remarked at the time. Originally, I just meant to use it as a way to keep friends and family posted on the life of the Albuquerque-based Wachdorfs. I figured that about 10 people would read it, since we're not all that exciting and that was fine with me. Then, on March 18, everything changed, and the Supporting My Troops Category became the focal points of the blog for a while. That was a difficult time to say the least, but one good thing that did come out of it is that my family got to see live on the Internet how many people love us and wanted to help us in our time of need. I never expected that when I started the site, but I believe things happen when they happen for a reason, and I am glad that my seemingly random decision to get a hobby one year ago gave all of us such a remarkable opportunity to be in one another's lives. I've enjoyed having you all here.
So here's to the Internet, the 210 entries I have written and the 745 comments y'all have left over that time. And in honor of my first year as a blogger, here are my personal favorite entries, a kind of Missing Mississippi Greatest Hits Collection. Feel free to nominate others if you wish:

How do you say "Go Away" in Japanese?
Hail, Albuquerque!

What a wonderful world. (Aaron and Kelly get married.)
Peace on earth. And a flamethrower.
The neighbors really hate us.
Don't mess with My Little Pony.

A Letter from Aaron.

It was a beautiful day.

Some things are meant to be.

Go, Spurs, Go!
Here's a challenge, sports fans, aka The Biggest Blog Controversy of the Year.
Less a little laughter, a tribute to the world's greatest stupid dog.

And, of course, Sweet Nothings, the monkey post.

What a year. Keep coming back, and I'll keep writing. Life seems to provide plenty of material.