Long Time, No Post

Alot has happened in the past 4 months.  Mason has grown.  Grown doesn't seem to quite cover it!  He is growing up way too fast!  He will be 5 months old on Sunday.  Everyday he learns something new.  He brings tears to my eyes when we laugh together (not because I am sad, but rather because he is SO funny).  He is definitely a product of his super goofy parents.  Today we were in hysterics for a couple minutes because he loved it when I shook his rattle.  Then it ended abruptly because I think he scared himself laughing that hard; he could just not stop!  We started cloth diapering full time this week and I love it!  I wish I would have cloth diapered from birth.  It saves so much money and he never has leaks or blowouts OR rashes!
Dan has been gone for over a month to pre-deployment training.  Little man and I are eagerly awaiting his arrival home in one week!  We miss him so much!  He calls us as often as he can and Mason just loves listening to his daddy talk on the phone.  I promised to make him some of his favorite home-cooked meals when he gets home, since he is so tired of the nasty food he has to eat in the military.  Not that I don't cook every night, it's just that he doesn't always get to pick what is put out in front of him ;)
Dan and I both are taking courses through Hawaii Pacific University.  While Dan had to put his courses on hold for military duties, I managed a 3.15 GPA.  Not A's, but I will take it! 
I started going to Protestant Women of the Chapel for Bible study.  I would love to go to our church's Bible study, but Mason can't handle the late night.  Our Bible study is in the morning and takes up a good chunk of my Tuesday.  I am learning alot from the study.  God continues to show his love through his many abundant blessings.  You can really see God's love in his conviction and discipline, I have found.  Mason goes a few rooms away from me during the study (I tried bringing him in with me because he is just barely under the age limit allowance, but he was quite the distraction with his charming smile and frequent yelling).  The nursery workers just text me when he needs to eat.  He does great in there.  In fact, I think it is good for him so he doesn't get too attached to mommy.
I also have started sewing.  I am teaching myself, so it is definitely a skill in progress.  I made an apron that I am proud of and a firefighter blanket for Mason (although that one had a very funny story to it, but I won't inform everyone as to save myself the embarrassment of a rookie mistake). 

 Mason at 2 months

 Another at 2 months

 3 months

 Sleeping with daddy at almost 4 months before he left

My apron

Mason the other day at almost 5 months

We are doing well over here and are awaiting our trip to Washington to see family before Dan's deployment.  Please pray for his safety while he is gone in Afghanistan.