it's christmas time in the city!

That is me pretending that we live in the city, instead of the dinky quiet little town we actually live in. 

Today, I took my last final for the fall of 2011, and officially secured the title "Mrs. 62.5% Finished with College". Happy dance. I also officially began being in the Holiday Spirit. It's beginning to look, smell, taste, sound, and feel like Christmas around here. 

Peanut butter cookies, peppermint stick ice cream, an awesome holiday wreath, Christmas music, and................ wait for it. Snow! No, it didn't stick, but it completely made my day. Plus, I got to decorate my boss's Christmas tree. Here's a little proof of how festive it's starting to get up in here.

Welcome to Apartment 8; It's the best time of the year.

it's {almost} the most wonderful time of the year!

It's finals week. I have so much I want to share with you guys. I want to show you around our home {since it keeps smacking me in the face, that you've only seen projects and not the whole deal}, but first I have to get through 6 more finals. Hoping for all high As, but really I'll just be happy when it's over. Next semester I only have 13 credits, which {since I've never had less than 18} makes me feel like a total bum, but I'll get to devote more time to making this apartment a beautiful place for us to live. And really, that's where my heart is.

By the way, did you know it's December? Here's a picture of me in my winter jacket, snuggling with my sweater blanket to prove it.

Yes, I am this bundled up inside. We're saving electricity, and I'm enjoying the extra snuggle time with Matthew when he is home. :)

christmas list

This is my first year making a Wish List. It's pretty fun, I'm not gonna lie. Most of you won't buy me presents. It's all good. This is for my family members, and so you can get a little snap shot of my taste.

What to buy Amanda for Christmas <----- There it is.

Yes, I have noted my addiction to the mustard yellow color that appears often throughout. Noted, but not dealt with. :)

t. hanks

I am awful at blogging. I go places and forget to take pictures.

We just spent a couple of days in Hampton Roads again. Matthew and I drove up on Wednesday and stayed at my Grandparents in Poquoson. We're doing the whole "every other year" thing with our families and it was "Pearson" family Thanksgiving this year. First of all, it was weird because mom and Andrew were down in Florida visiting Pensacola Christian College. Second of all, it was weird because I had no desire at all to brave Hampton Roads traffic for some Black Friday savings.

The only thing I did on Black Friday was meet {my best friend} Julia for the first time since our wedding at Starbucks. Afterwards we walked around the ashes of our home church. As we said our goodbyes, Julia hit our friendship dead on. "It's funny how we don't talk at all for months, but then we can pick up our friendship whenever we see each other, because we're best friends." Thanks for being a fantastic best friend Julie.

This Thanksgiving I am non-inclusively thankful for:

1. Nowaks (including, but not limited to, my handsome husband)
2. Grandparents
3. Pearsons
4. Cousins
5. Board games
6. Shrimp nachos
7. Best friends
8. Soft kittens
9. Vintage markets

Matthew and I stopped in Charlottesville to do a little Christmas shopping and found an adorable thank you card cleverly featuring Matthew's favorite actor.

wrinkly hands

The other night we were sitting watching a movie at the end of a seven hour nannying period, and I noticed how we were sitting. Side by side, with our ankles crossed. Just like an old couple. I can't wait hold his wrinkly old man hand in my wrinkly old lady hand.

home sweet home

I have never dreamed of a victorian manor. I have never even dreamed of a two story house. I have always pictured myself in a one story brick house with three bedrooms and a big backyard. There's an extra room for homeschooling, and a shed or garage for Matthew to have a workshop in. There are hardwood floors throughout and a fireplace for marshmallow toasting. I don't daydream about granite countertops or waterfall showers. Just enough counter space to prepare meals for a family of 12 and two shower heads in the master bath. I don't care how ugly the walls are when we see them for the first time. I don't care if the wallpaper is already falling off of the walls. Less work for me later. That being said, one story, three bedroom, two bath, brick houses with a reasonable backyard still don't come free.

It keeps hitting me. Someday, when the school bills are paid and it is time, we will need thousands of dollars to claim the little house that the Lord has for us. I love Virginia. We love Virginia. We were both raised there and have the best memories in the homeschool community that we experienced. We want our children to have that same world to live in. We want our children to grow up near their Grandparents. We want to serve the Lord at Tidewater. But we can't get there without the money saved. I know that is a no brainer, but sometimes those are the hardest things to wrap your mind around. We will no longer be coming home every time my school has break. Not because we don't want to be there. On the contrary. We will not be coming home because of how much we want to be there, permanently. We will be here, saving money and waiting.

You'll still see us at Thanksgiving and Christmas. You'll always be welcome to visit us.

We're coming, Virginia. In the Lord's perfect timing, we'll be there.

25 scarves

When today started, I was unaware that I needed more scarves. I am now aware. I need long, silky, vintage scarves now. I need them so I can tie them. I need them so I can stop doing the European Loop. Most of you will not be buying me Christmas' presents. I suppose this post does not apply to you. But for everyone it would apply to, you may put "long, silky, vintage scarves" on the list you are making for me.

And then you may watch this video so that you can understand my New Need.

I promise as December approaches I will help you to expand the list you are making for me. No worries. :)