Michael is taking 5 classes at school. 4 meet M/W and 1 meets T/R. So it always seems the weekends are crunch time getting ready for Monday. He has had lots of reading, a couple of papers, spreadsheet projects, and other fun stuff. I think overall he's enjoying what he's learning, but the workload is pretty incredible. He's taking Criminal Justice, National Security Policy, Strategic Management, Real Estate Development, and Social Entrepreneurship. He's also keeping himself busy by going to company / agency presentations to determine what he's going to do when we leave! We all would love to know that :)
Anna and I do a lot of the same stuff we did back home. We have play dates with other kids, we go to the library for story time once a week, we go to the gym some (I joined the YMCA) - Anna loves the childcare there! We've taking some outings with other families (and the Women of the Cambridge 2nd Ward of the LDS church!) to a farm nearby, where we got to go on a hayride and feed the animals, and to area parks. Next week my mom is coming for a visit (yippee!) and we are going apple-picking on Thursday. I found a really cool wholesale produce place nearby that helps on our grocery bills. With our grad school budget (and Boston restaurant prices), I am cooking dinner at home every night and eating at home every day for lunch. No more El Pueblito when I don't feel like cooking!!! It's a really good discipline for me, though.
Anna is continuing to talk, talk, talk. These days she is playing with her words some (milk = "milky", fridge = "fridgy", etc.), practicing her jumping jacks, and learning to share her toys with other kids. That part isn't so fun. We also started potty training this week on Monday. As of now, Wed. night, we have had no success. Besides losing my mind this week, I am now thinking perhaps she's not ready. Any comments or advice is welcome!!
I'm also continuing my studies at DTS with Intro to Theology. I am really loving the class - it is really challenging my thinking. It's also challenging because the online class format means we turn in assignments every 2 weeks or so, and then the rest of the class comments on them. No pressure!! Actually, the dialogue that ensues is awesome. There are some really Godly people in my class that I am learning a ton from. I'm also keeping up with the IBC women's Bible study with another girl here. We meet one night a week and follow a week behind the group in Irving. God's been teaching us both a lot through the study. My friend has never done a Bible study before, so it is very refreshing to see the Scripture through her eyes!
We had Amy's cousin Eric and his family - wife Tracie and 1-yr. old daughter Evie - here at the end of September. We did lots of fun stuff like go to the Children's museum, take a duck tour of Boston, picnic in the Boston Public Garden, and eat dinner at the North End. The picture below is of a statue at the public garden - of the ducks from Make Way for Ducklings, which is set in the garden. We checked out the book from the library so we could read it to the girls. They were not impressed. We proved out our guest arrangement - a queen-size air mattress and a pack & play CAN fit in our study! Yay!
We have been going to Grace Chapel in Lexington, and although we aren't really able to get involved with their small groups, we are really liking the church. The pastor is doing a series on evangelism right now that's really challenging and motivating. What better place to put it in practice than here?? We pray God uses us here in whatever way He sees fit.
