Second Anniversary

This past week we celebrated our second anniversary on December 9. Due to Robert having two finals that night and me having to write my last paper final, we ended up celebrating two days later.

My sweet brother, Kyle, who also has impeccable tastes, gave us a very generous gift card to Ruth Chris last year for Christmas (yes, last year - as in 2007). We had full intentions to use it during 2008 - first for Valentines, then for my birthday in March. When it was still unused we vowed to use it to celebrate the end of our spring semester of grad school, then the end of our summer semester, then Rob's birthday in August....

Well, somehow we never got around to eating at one of the best steakhouses in town completely free. Trust me, I know how completely insane that sounds. So, our second anniversary seemed like the perfect time to finally put that little baby to use.

And that's when we realized we had no clue where we had put it. The conversation went something like this (on, say, Wednesday morning of last week).

Rob: Do you know where that gift card is?
Tiff: No, I thought you had it.
Rob: Crap

So, Wednesday evening we completely tore our house apart looking for it - primarily the office. I have to admit Robert did most of the hunting while I was at a birthday party for a friend, but when I came home it was still un-found, and so I joined in on the search. And finally during his second look-through, Rob found it - with a victorious shout and fist pump.

So, we enjoyed an amazing night out and dinner courtesy of my brother and had a wonderful time celebrating two years of marriage. I really cannot believe how quickly the time has flown by. I am so blessed to have the wonderful husband I have in Robert. He is such a servant leader and is always encouraging me to love others better and invest my time in what really matters - people. His patience and capacity to forgive are truly remarkable, which I have experienced first hand on countless occasions. I am so grateful for his love for Christ's church and eagerness to serve the body. I love you, babe! Thank you for your steadfast love and encouragement. I look forward to many more years as your wife.

So, here's a little trip down memory lane...December 9, 2006.

Christmas has finally come to my home

Our home is finally decorated for Christmas! It was a little late this year due to finals and travels out of town, but I'm so glad Christmas has finally arrived at our house - although it did take me four days to finish the tree. Poor guy was half completed for three nights when I just couldn't get up the energy to finish him after work and school.

(I did have some trouble with the lights that added to the delay. Let's just say it's always wise to check and see if the string of lights will actually light up when you plug them in BEFORE you string the entire tree with them. Word to the wise.)

I actually made the bow on top of the tree, which is pretty much a miracle since I have zero bow-making genes in me. Maybe some of my Big Mama is finally coming out. She's a master at bows, floral arrangements, etc. My mom isn't bad either.

I'm calling this our "green" mantle since I recycled some of the low limbs on the tree that just had to go (for the gifts to fit underneath, of course) and decorated with them on the mantle and table top.

My sweet mother-in-law used her new monogram machine and made me these super cute pillows. I love them!

And here's our new Christmas card holder - thanks to everyone for sending us your cute Christmas cards! I'm pretty much like a kid in the candy store every time I get home from work and check the mailbox. I plan to return the favor and mail our cards tomorrow.

Another One Bites the Dust...

...another semester of graduate school that is. This is pretty much how Robert and I feel about the semester's end. We're elated.

Sign

More pics of the sign in Tess's nursery. Thanks, Sara Ellen!


Bec posted a pic of the sign Sara Ellen made on her blog, which I have stolen and posted here. Doesn't it look great?

Baby Vacation

So, kinda a weird title for a blog posting, I know, but basically Robert's old sister, Rebecca, had a baby last week and so we took some days off and headed to South Carolina to meet our new niece (who has already made her debut on this blog) and mostly play with her big brother, Tallon. Hence, our baby vacation.

We had such a great time visiting with family and basically adopting the playing, running, chasing, jeep-driving life of an active 3-year-old. Needly to say, we slept like a rock every right.

Did I also mention we ate like kings? Between my mother-in-law's unbeatable fried chicken, Papa's fried fish, Nana's breakfast, and homemade cinnamon rolls, chocolate pie, christmas cookies... Well, let's just say nothing we've eaten since then has quite been up to par.

Here's Tallen helping MiMi (Rob's mom) make christmas cookies.

Tess is just the cutest, sweetest little thing ever. I has Sara Ellen make her a sign for her nursery and it turned out just perfect. Eveyone was raving about it - from the family to the hospital staff. I can't belive I somehow didn't get a picture of it, but you can see it in the background in the picture of Tess her talented photographer Uncle Collin took on his blog. Sara Ellen is so talented. She really helped me customize the sign just perfectly. If you're shopping for a great sign check out her blog.

Tallong was eager to hold "his baby" and would periodically go over and check on her and give her a kiss, but then he got distrated trying to beat his uncle, dad, and grandfather at Hungry Hungry Hippos!



We were treated to PaPa's famous fried fish, which we all are horrible at nibbling on while it's cooking and certainly before dinner. Luckily, PaPa doesn't mind. We also enjoyed watching the SEC Championship with Papa and Nana and playing dominos with Rob's parents.

Pop (Robert's dad) got Tallen a new playhouse and we all had great fun breaking it in. Tallon was pretty excited watching his David and Goliath video - and making us reinact the slaying of the giant. We also had fun seeing Tallen's new house and his gigantic play room.

Proud Uncle Robert

Baby Tess

So, I stole some pics from Bec's blog of Baby Tess which Reeve's sister Aron took this morning. My new niece is so beautiful, and I can't wait to see her. As you can see, mom and dad are so proud!

Baby Tess is Here

Our new niece, Tessa Nell Cannon, was born this morning at 7:52 a.m! She came in weighing 7 lbs 6 ozs. Mom and baby are doing well. We can't wait to get up there to see everyone and especially baby Tess!