Our first Christmas in our new home was absolutely wonderful. =)

More pictures here:

Christmas 2011

Superhero R&R

Superhero R&R - Twin Falls, Idaho - 2011, originally uploaded by The Shutterbugette.

Tonight, our superheroes decide to take some much needed R&R at the movies.

World's Cutest Superheros

A gallon of gas: $3.13.

Capes and masks at Walmart + tax: $12.66.

Adorable little superheros running around the house: Priceless. 

Drew & Percy

Drew & Percy - Twin Falls, Idaho - 2011, originally uploaded by The Shutterbugette.

The saddest thing in the world is a little boy, running around the house, saying, "Hoo-hoo? Hoo-hoo?" His new favorite toy is the Percy we got him (thanks again to G & G Marshall) last night. He had lost it, temporarily, and was rather distraught about it. This is their little reunion.

In Training

In Training - Twin Falls, Idaho - 2011, originally uploaded by The Shutterbugette.

Rob also got a kid-tough camera for Christmas. He's *almost* as snap-happy as his mama, which, of course, thrills me beyond belief.

First RC

First RC - Twin Falls, Idaho - 2011, originally uploaded by The Shutterbugette.

Someone got his first RC Mustang (Daddy's favorite car) last night. Thank you Grandma and Grandpa Marshall! =)

Best Seat in the House

Best Seat in the House - Twin Falls, Idaho - 2011, originally uploaded by The Shutterbugette.

Watching a movie from the best seat in the house. ♥

First Bible

We started reading the Christmas Story in the Bible when I asked Matt if it was okay for Rob to open one of his gifts. I let him open his A Faith To Grow On Bible and we read the story of Jesus' birth from there. He was so excited to have his very own Bible and started flipping through it on his own for awhile after we were done. What a blessing!

Happiness vs Joy

In this season where happiness is supposed to be running rampant like wide-eyed, sugared-up tikes, many struggle finding happiness in anything at all. For some, Christmastime can be a sad time of year; a time spent reflecting on what we don't have - money, a spouse, success, etc. - things that the world says are requirements for happiness. If you don't have those things at Christmas, well - you're just sad and pathetic.

The world can look at me and see exactly this - I'm a college drop out, I'm unemployed, I'm one of those "fanatical Jesus people", I married way too young, I'm still too young to really be taken seriously, I'm stuck home with two kids who were born too close together, I live just above the poverty line, I drive a granny car, I live in an old house...I could go on and on. It gets to me sometimes. I'll admit that. The world has a way of always making you feel like crap.

Happiness is such a fleeting thing. Loved ones pass away, spouses leave, riches can turn to rags, and dream homes can easily burn to the ground. Thus is happiness. Here one moment, gone the next. We've all been there. We've all experienced that. Or maybe we haven't experienced a loss. Maybe we're all just wanting what the other guy has. I know I'm certainly guilty of that from time to time. It makes us start to ask the "what if's", regretting the lives we've lived, thinking we've missed out on something better. What if I would have told Matt to wait for me when he proposed, so I could finish my schooling and start my career? What if I had all the money in the world and never had to worry? What if I would have waited to have a second child a little longer? Or to not have children at all? Would I be any happier?

I say, with some certainty, no. I can't imagine my life being anything else other than what it is at this exact moment - poopie diapers and all. I used to really regret my life and the choices I had made along the way - what a selfish way to think! That was before I found fulfillment and satisfaction in Christ. All the decisions made happened because God chose them and caused them to happen. Ultimately, He caused me to travel those paths in order to bring me to salvation, but also He brought me here because this is exactly where He wanted me to be. Because of that, I am content. I have that blessed assurance that tells me that no matter where the road leads me, no matter the hardships or disappointments, the up's and down's, the failure of not meeting the world's "happiness quota", His love is steadfast and His salvation is enough - no matter what this life throws at me. That is joy. Pure, unchanging, unending joy. Once you have that, happiness seems nothing more than exactly what it is - a fleeting emotion based on nothing but our flesh wanting more and more of what everyone else has.

Who can live up to an ever-changing standard? No wonder people aren't happy! They can't keep up! Jesus makes it simple - come to Him with repentance and faith and He will give you great joy and hope in salvation. Not easy days or everything you've ever wanted and wished for, but contentment. Because in His eyes, you're exactly who you need to be and where you need to be - a redeemed soul, bought and paid for with His precious blood, Heaven-bound for all eternity.

So, this season when we're rushing around, trying to wrap happiness up in a bow, hoping it stays beyond the holidays, let's celebrate the true reason for the season and for our joy - the birth of Jesus, our Lord and Savior, who was born to die on the cross for all our sins. Compared to that, happiness is meaningless. You don't have money? A spouse? That dream house? Don't need them. All those things pass away. Hope and joy in Christ are all you'll ever need.

You make known to me the path of life;

in your presence there is fullness of joy;

at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

-Psalm 16:11

Eager Learner

Rob was drawing random letters on his Magna Doodle, so I took advantage of his eagerness and printed out a letter tracing page for him. So, here he is, practicing the letter A. For a 3 1/2-year-old, I think he did pretty good. I was impressed, anyway. He is so eager to learn how to read and write!

Jail Hopping

A little later, I found this. They're jail hopping, evidently. Atleast they're at a "kid-friendly" one, now.

Comedian

My husband thinks he's funny.

Found this when getting on Facebook. They were out Christmas shopping for me.

The Christmas Story

So, so cute! I love the costumes and the humor. Very sweet.

Ready for Christmas

Ready for Christmas - Twin Falls, Idaho - 2011, originally uploaded by The Shutterbugette.

Oh, it makes my mama heart happy. =)

Poor little guy's been super sick lately, but I think he's finally feeling better, today. Still a cutie - snotty nose and all. Thank goodness for Photoshop; the snot-down-the-top-lip remover.

Hat made by me using this pattern.

Baking Cookies

 "Me? Eat cookie dough? I would never..."

More after the jump...

Christmas Cards

Since my Christmas cards went out yesterday, I thought I'd share them with you on here.

I have to say that I'm pretty proud of this year's because I designed them myself - from scratch. For those of you who don't follow my other blog, I've been offering custom cards to my clients who are looking for a unique, tailor-made card this year. I, too, wanted the same. I got ahold of some really awesome digital scrapbook papers from Paper Street Designs and started throwing out samples of what I can do. I started making this one as another sample, but ended up falling head-over-heels for it. Thus, it became mine. Take THAT, Costco! ;) Ironic thing - I still had them printed at Costco! Haha!

Wasn't my first choice of photo of the boys, as I wanted to use their individual shots (here and here) I took of them recently, but found two photos didn't really work with this layout. Matt really loves this shot of the boys, too. Drew's face is so sweet and Rob's...well...just fits his personality. That's okay - I have canvases of each of them coming as a Christmas present to moi. =)

Jenga Block Church

Building his "church" out of Jenga blocks. Don't worry; he's getting some of his own legit blocks for Christmas. Maybe him building a church is foreshadowing of him becoming a man of God. Let's pray.

I feel bad for posting so many photos of Rob and not so many of Drew, so here's a cute Drew picture to make up for it:

Today's Word: Improvisation

Do you think the postman will appreciate my lack-of-rubber-band effort? Atleast I tried to be Christmasy about it.

Career Change

Concluding that his days of crime fighting are far too perilous, Super Robby decides to make the jump to a much safer career. With great flourish and pride, he turns his cape around and becomes...Chef Robby. His idea.

Cello Wars

Steven Sharp Nelson is so funny and talented. I get a kick out of listening to/watching him. FYI: He's part of The Piano Guys, who we saw in concert at CSI a few weeks back. EXCELLENT!

Dino Hat Project

The Cubbies at Awana were having their own Noah's Ark Night (yeah, I don't really get it, either), so I asked Rob if he wished to be a different animal this time. He requested a dinosaur. A little easier than the hippo and I didn't have to buy a pattern this time. Put it together in my head - basic HDC beanie with spikes and spots. Easy-peasy and he was thrilled. =)