we are here

we made it!!! everyone is getting ajusted to the time change and the weather. The people have been great. We have been doing a good bit of hiking and of course taking lots of classes. the kids are adjusting well, faster than us to tell the truth. I sent out a prayer calender a little while ago if you did not get it and you would like a copy just let me know and i can get one to you. we miss all of you but are happy to finnaly be here where God wants us.

blessings,

matt

Made it to LA

We are in LA right now waiting on our flight to New Zealand. it is like 2:17 am eastern time and we are tired. Matthew is sacked out on the bags, Mae is face on the rug and Evie is jumping up and down on her back. I'm not going to lie there are some wailing on the second flight but all in all it could have been worse. We are ready it get in our seats and relax.
I carried Silas on my back my pack on my front, silas' bag on one arm, Isaac's bag on the other and the camera bag in my hand through LAX. I'm telling you my shoulders are sore. but we are making memories.

GOODBYE!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, the day has arrived.The hour is here. We are sitting in the terminal waiting on our first flight. It was no easy task getting this herd of cats through security but we did it. We are on our way to Papua New Guinea. Thanks to each of you how have played a part in getting us there. I will update you as we move along our trip.

matt

Old Blue

Yesterday, we said goodbye to our constant companion of 8 years. Our 1999 Honda Odessey has been our only vehicle since before i was expecting baby #2. He had over 208,000 miles on him but always got us where we were going.
Old Blue, you brought Bap and Ike home from the birth center, and Si from the hospital. You got me to the ER when i was miscarrying our second child. We made a couple more scary midnight runs to the ER with sick children. When newborn Ikey had meningitis you got us to MUSC safely. When we hit a deer on the way back from the beach you took a lickin' but kept on truckin. When the body shop burned down while you were getting fixed up you came through reeking of burnt plastic and soot but still delivered me and my babies back to Chi town safely.
i'm sorry for the time i stripped your transmission while going 80 down I-85. You never complained my friend . You are a soldier. A prince among thieves. We miss you already...carry on good buddy...xoxo

Allergic reaction,Healing-Scents, and Asheville

{photo by Courtney at http://www.storinguptreasures.com/}

First of all, since my last post, i had a horrible allergic reaction to the Coastal Classic Creations orange/almond perfume...My neck got all red and swollen and i had to take Benadryl- YIKES. It was pretty bad. I didn't have that problem with any of the other samples.

SO...onto my new favorite~ Healing Scents~ http://www.healing-scents.com/  their products are the BOMB. Their website- no so great- but it's worth navigating for the fabulous products.

My darlin' companion and i {and sweet baby E} are headed off to Asheville for our last date [for 4 years(!)] My sister and brother in law are taking on 4 extra kiddos for the night. BIG HUGE THANK YOU Brandon and Mimi!!! 

and,,by the way i am in love with this photo that courtney (photographer extroininaire) took of me downtown last month. i might post a few more later...so you can get a good look at me before you get a load of my new hair *wink*

oxxo

Coastal Classic Creations

I found THE source for non toxic perfume! check out http://www.coastalclassiccreations.com/ They have a HUGE  selection, and you can buy samples to try first. i got the sample 6 pack and liked them all {except for the "Montara Memories"-its a rasberry patchouli supposedly but smelled yucky and perfumey to me} my fave is "Shoreline"- it smells like pikaki [not for you if you don't like sweet florals] its great for summer.

i also tried samples of their concealer, powder, blush, eyeshadow, lipstick, and face oil...it was comparable to Rejuva Minerals {see below} as far as the concealer and powder are concerned...i wasn't a fan of the eyeshadow- it didn't go on smoothly and creased after a few hours. i REALLY like the blush and face oil [i got the Cnoidal Wave Facial Oil]. the face oil was wonderful! it absorbs completely and feels so smooth...
my FAVORITE was the lipstick sample {Ida's Rose} it's such a good color (for me) and lasts forever- you can make it a lipgloss if you mix it with a clear gloss or put it on heavy for a dramatic date night look...

it's worth checking out for sure...one more company i want to write about if our crazy packing schedule will allow...6 days until we leave for PNG! oh my stars***

Take Em Away

"lord take away these chains from me..."

my favorite band + hauntingly beautiful old photographs...did you spot woody and cisco??

rejuva minerals

ok girls. i found a few companies who make only non-toxic beauty products, one of them is Rejuva Minerals... check them out at http://www.rejuvaminerals.com/

for what its worth- here is what i think::

i got a sample kit that included concealer, foundation, finishing powder, blush, & eyeshadow {all in cute little trial sizes}

the concealer~ didn't seem to cover as well as what i'm used to but... the website did say it was buildable coveage and may take several coats...i give it a 5 out of 10

 foundation~ also a little more sheer than what i've been using, but for the 0 on the toxicity scale i don't mind applying twice...also a 5 out of 10

finishing powder~ very silky and light, it is mainly to help with shininess- i've never used this before but really like the feel of it...6 out of 10

blush~ this was good stuff- it was more pigmented than a typical non mineral blush and took only a small amount the color was good too...7 out of 10

eyeshadow~ great color- lasted well went on very smoothly,, i liked it alot...also a 7 out of 10                   

mascara~ didn't thicken or lengthen as well as a drug store brand (but i'm getting over that) it did smudge a bit after a full day but not as bad as my Dr. Haushka's {which i paid 3 times as much for}

i give it a 6 out of 10

overall>> Rejuva minerals is worth a try especially because you can create your own sample kit and choose what colors and products you want to try before blindly buying full sizes....

there are a couple of other brands i want to tell you about too... if time permits...we are crazily packing to move to PNG in 10 short days and i'm distracting myself with this new obssession...

what good, nontoxic, beauty products have you found and LOVE??