mAsOn Is 5 mOnThS!

Wow, where has the time gone! I can hardly believe that Mason just turned 5 months old. He is growing up way to fast. He weighs about 18 pounds and is 29 inches tall. He is growing like a weed! He is the happiest baby in the world (mama's opinion). He laughs, giggles, chats, screaches...all the time. He loves standing, looking around, watching Sadie (our dog), playing with toys, chatting, reading books, playing outside, going for walks...and the list goes on and on. He is so much fun. His favorite books are "Rumble in the Jungle", "Ping Pong Pig", and "Chicka Chicka Boom Boom"...his expressions (while I read these books) are priceless. We give thanks to the Lord for Mason and all that he has blessed us with. Mason is truly the love of our lives and brings so much joy to our hearts.

I had a wonderful first mothers day this May...it was so wonderful to spend it with the two men I love so much. But I miss my mom very much, especially on mother's day! Mason made the grandma's garden stones for mother's day with his footprints in them...they are adoreable!

Mason and I making our first big trip to Minnesota (Andy is staying back to work so that he can save vacation time for Christmas - this Christmas we will be spending a full week (at least) in MN with my family - the first in a looooong time)! My parents are counting the days, hours, minutes and, I think, even seconds down to our arrival. We are really looking forward to our trip (although I am dreading two plane flights to get there - first time flying with little M)! Should be interesting. We will spend 1 week in Minnesota with Mom and Dad...then they are driving M and I back to VA...you are probably thinking seriously...are you crazy! Yes we are driving a 6 month old 24 hours...BUT we will be doing over the coarse of 5 days. We will make a stop in Stevens Point, WI to see some of my old friends, then in Ann Arbor, MI to see Ashley, then somewhere probaby in PA (this is to be determined...no real idea of focused destination)...and then back to VA. I think it is going to be blast and oh how wonderful and priceless for my parents to spend some time with the little M. I think Daddy will be crying the blues...we will be web-camming with him and chating to help him with his M-addiction.

Andy and I are doing well. We are busy as usual with family, jobs, church, friends, etc. Our businesses are keeping us very busy; we are so very thankful for our jobs and our generous employers. I am still working part-time (25-30 hours per week) and enjoying my time with Mason. On my days off we garden, read, make garden stones, play outside, go for walks, nap,...cherish our time together. Andy and I are leading a young adult bible study group every other week and we are thoroughly enjoying that. Over the past few months we have been busy helping out some of our neighbors...we have had a broken leg/ankle, a stroke, a knee replacement, and a broken foot all happen in the last 6 months on our street...not to mention my appendix surgery...whoa...I think we need to open a rehab home for all of us! But it is so wonderful to have the neighbors and community we do...how wonderful they are!

Well, I must finish up some work and get to bed...We pray that you are all doing well and finding joy and happiness in your lives! We love you all!