Randomness

 Moving day

 Christmas in Florida

 Gettysburg

 Oma is visiting

The way he looks at us..

Break time!

 Semester break means I can do things besides studying, such as updating this blog. Here are a few pictures that I happen to have on my computer. If I feel like it I'll get some more pictures of my phone, maybe not  :-). 

Just want to do a quick update so I can remember this phase in our lives later on. Mike has become an urban commuter and takes the metro to work every day. So cool! He even wears a coat and shoes!! He works in a very famous international institution and we are very proud of him. He also continues his work on his dissertation, and is almost ready to collect data. Michael loves city life and never wants to leave. 

I agree, and the same goes for me. I LOVE it here. I can walk, bike, bus, metro, everywhere! There is so much to do, it's unbelievable. We are in the middle of it all now. I just finshed the first semester of my third year in the PhD program. I have started working on my dissertation and will be starting a new practicum at a community counseling center. 

Maxwell also loves it here and has already picked his favorite restaurants, playgrounds, and driving routes. Big deal: He now rides the school bus! He adjusted to his new life in the city like it was no big deal. This kid......

That's all! The Lopez's are doing well!

None of the pictures are of Arlington or DC ;-)

And then one day your dreams have become a reality

Mike and I visited Washington DC when Maxwell was one year old. It was Michaels dream to live here one day and he wanted to see if I would like it as well. We spend three days and four nights in the city and I told him yes. From then on moving to DC became a shared dream. We frequently looked online, browsed appartments, read about neighborhoods, watched all tv shows that centered around DC, and even became members of the Washingtonian.  The monthly magazine especially gave us a glimpse of what life in DC could be like. Over the years Michael tried to find and apply for positions, but it was never the right time. And then one day it was!!!! It has been a whirlwind ever since and I am still trying to grasp that this has actually happened!

 See here my face while Michael is getting the keys, I am so extremely happy!

 Our Louisiana souvenier Petey loves the new view; people walking by all day long!

 It's real!

 Max adjusts immediately to city life, it is as if he's never lived anywhere else. When we ask him if he wants to go back or stay in DC, it is always the latter.

 When strolling around in the metro station like this, a gentleman in front of us approvingly gives Max a thumbs up and compliments him on his sense of style. No input from us, dressed himself.

 Our new neighborhood, patios!

 Oma comes to visit, big change for her as well; learning to ride the metro.

 Michael loves his mother in law ;-)

 We can walk everywhere now!

 And we can show Maxwell history in real life!

Allthough I acknowledge the difficulties associated with starting over and leaving everything that we had build behind, we have ZERO regrets. DREAM CAME TRUE!!!!