Big Changes Ahead!

We bought our first house!!!  AND, it's in Denver, Colorado!  Let me back up a tad and explain how all this went down....

When I married Peter I relocated to Boise, Idaho for the first 9 months of our marriage.  Then we relocated to Portland, Oregon for his job.  I never envisioned myself living in Oregon (and had never even been to Portland when we moved) but I did know when I married Peter that our life would be an adventure and I welcomed it.

Moving to Portland was a huge blessing and grace from God.  We were in a time in our marriage when we needed a fresh start and godly people to walk alongside us.  Both of those came when we moved here.  I can not say enough how instrumental Mars Hill Church Portland was (and Marc Driscoll) in growing our marriage and helping us through a rocky start.  We would not be where we are today if it hadn't been for both of those influences and we feel an enormous amount of gratitude.

Around the end of February (this year) we decided to start looking to purchase a home since our lease was going to be up soon.  I wanted to try to move before the baby arrived but as we looked we realized that was unrealistic  (since our lease was up in March) and so we decided to keep looking but extend our lease for a couple months.

  Obviously God had other plans for us because also around the same time we got word that there was possibly going to be new work opportunities for Peter in another state.  We were asked if we would be interested in moving to either Denver or Phoenix.  We were open to it and waited to hear.  Just a few days into March we got word that the contract had gone through in Denver and we were moving (as long as we wanted it!).

  This news came only weeks before I am due with #2!  Wow, everything big seems to come in pairs at least.  =)  We are ecstatic to announce that we are moving to Denver around the beginning of May!  This is a very bittersweet move for us.  It's sweet because we have lots of family around Denver and have never lived close to them as a family (plus, Colorado is just amazing).  It's also bitter because Portland has become near and dear to us as the place where we "grew up" as a married couple and started a family.  We have many close friends here who have walked beside us through difficult and wonderful times and it is hard to say goodbye.  It feels like the end of a chapter that has been good to us and I am sad to see it go.  On the other hand, we are excited for our new adventure and seeing what God does with us in Denver.

  I feel so excited that Simon (and baby) will be able to grow up knowing some of their cousins, Aunts/Uncles and Grandparents in a more close proximity.

  So, on top of all of this, we purchased our first home!  I haven't even seen it in person because I have not been able to fly to Denver (being big and preggo).  Peter went out there last week and walked through a bunch of houses.  We made an offer on two and got the one we wanted so we are thrilled to be moving into our own house.

  We can't wait for this new adventure to begin as a family of 4!  =)

JOY

Family Maternity Shoot

 One of my favorite parts of pregnancy is the maternity photos!  I have looked forward to getting these this entire pregnancy.  For me, it signifies a time when you feel most beautiful and womanly.  I try to do them before I hit that point where you just feel huge.  ;)   Just like hearing the heartbeat the first time heralds in the pregnancy, to me, maternity photos signifies the end being in sight and so those are my 2 things I really look forward to.
  I think pictures are so important and special because you will never get this time back again so having good pictures is really priceless.  Because of this, I called up Christa Taylor from Christa Taylor Photography.  She truly is amazing and makes me feel beautiful.  We had used her for our shoot with Simon and those are some of my favorite pictures so I knew we would get really great shots this time.
  She did not disappoint - not in the slightest. =)

I am so glad that we got to capture this special time of welcoming in this new little one.  We all love this baby so much already and are excited to become a family of 4 soon!

XOXO

Joy

Pregnancy Fave's

Hey girls,
  Not too many more weeks of pregnancy to go here and I thought I would compile a little list of the things that are getting me through.  I hope you are all having a great week and enjoying this amazing weather!  It always surprises me at how much I am affected when the sun is out and I know that I will be very sad to see the rain return.  =)

Snack

Chocolate protein smoothie:
Almond milk (or water)
1 scoop of Orgain Protein Powder (found at Costco)
Optional add ins:
1 frozen banana
Peanut butter
Frozen strawberries

Protein is so important when you are pregnant so having protein powder on hand is really helpful.



















Velour Victoria Secret Tracksuit

Peter got me this suit to wear home from the birth center when I had Simon and I LOVE it.  It is so comfortable and has so many wonderful memories.  I love that I can use it this time around as I get ready for #2.  I do wear it now all the time when I need something comfy to relax in.  =)





Manna Shimmer Lotion

  I actually found out about this lotion by getting a sample in my Glam Ipsy Bag!  I love mixing it with my foundation for a nice, overall glow.  It looks pink but does not add a pink tinge on your face when you wear it.  The glow it produces is soft, subtle and beautiful.

Palmer's Cocoa Butter Lotion

 This is the lotion that I have used through both pregnancies now and I love it!  It's budget friendly, smells nice and feels great.  So far it seems to work for me.  

XOXO

Joy

Will the real Lash Serum please stand up?

Alright girls,
 We've all seen it, all these different serums claiming to give you amazing, holllywood lashes.  How do you know which one to try and which will actually do what it says?  It can be hard to pull the trigger on any of them when there's only so much room in a budget.
About a year ago, I wrote a post about attaining eyelashes that look false - all without false lashes and without paying for eyelash extensions.  To read about it, here it is.

  Over the course of the last year I have branched out and tried several lash serums that all claim to do the same thing:  longer, thicker, darker lashes.  Here is a list of the ones I tried:

-Citylash
  Review: This did a fairly good job and I noticed that they did seem to thicken some.

-Rejuvalash
   Review: This was a total scam where they automatically charge you the next month for more unless you cancel it and I did not notice any significant changes whatsoever.      

-Rapidlash      
  Review: It was okay and did seem to help somewhat at lengthening.
   

After trying these other serums I once again went back to Revitalash.
I have to say, I was amazed at the difference.  It stands on it's own when it comes to serums.  I got the fastest, most notable results and my eyelashes are definitely darker, longer and thicker since going back to it.  I can not sing it's praises enough. It is worth every penny and I will definitely be sticking with it from here on out.







I hope this helps!  Enjoy those lashes.  =)

XOXO

Joy

Babymoon

Peter and I have been wanting to take Simon on vacation to a beach where it's actually warm, so we finally did!  I was so happy that we managed to squeeze in a trip before the baby comes because I really wanted some time for us as a family of 3 since that will soon be changed.

We picked San Diego because Peter wanted to do a couple (okay, 3) Spartan races at the same time and we had heard that San Diego is amazing.  Let's just say that it did not disappoint - at all!

 When we first arrived, we stayed at an apartment in San Diego  (that we found off airbnb.com).  Peter did his first race on our first full day there so we were pretty ready to settle into vacation mode after that.

At Daddy's first Spartan race

Relaxing after the race was over

Peter and Simon napped in these cabanas 

Beach boy

Coronado Beach

 After a few days in San Diego, we moved to a condo right on the beach in Oceanside where we spent the remainder of our time.  The day that we switched places, we decided to hit up the San Diego Zoo which was so fun!  It is huge and so colorful with all the foliage and plants everywhere.  Simon loved it.

Checking out the polar bears

Peter showing off our "rock game" that we made up

Our usual breakfast spot - the deck right off the master room

Yes, they have playgrounds right on the beach!

So many beautiful sunsets

Simon and a friend doing pull ups at a Spartan race

Daddy's second Spartan race

Lots of rock throwing

30 weeks!

I am so thankful that we were able to go on this trip and enjoy this time before baby comes.  Can't believe we are only weeks away from being a family of 4.  Part of me is so ready and part of me is so nostalgic about my time with Simon.

Did you ladies take babymoons?  I want to hear your stories!  This was our first one and I loved it.

Hope you all are having a fantastic week!

XOXO

Joy

January Beauty Favorites

Hey girls,
  I thought I would share a few things that I have discovered and am enjoying lately.  There are several things that I have loved so much that I had to pass it along.
Enjoy and I hope you all are having a wonderful week!




This heel scrubber has revolutionized my feet.  I HATE when my feet are all gross and need a good scrubbing.  It drives me crazy and makes me pick at them which makes it worse.  Gross, I know!  I don't want to have to pay for a pedicure every couple weeks so I figured I would take a chance on one of these.  Let me just say, it works!  I use it in the shower while my feet are wet.  Then afterwards, I dry them, put on a good ointment (like aquaphor) with some socks and in the morning, my feet are almost new!  They feel amazing and I am hooked.






  This is my new favorite tanning lotion.  It provides awesome color in a short amount of time without streaking or being blotchy.  I especially love to mix it with a regular lotion and use it all over for a soft, smooth, uniform color.  I even use this stuff on my face and it doesn't make me break out.  Definitely mix it if you use it on your face and just concentrate on the outsides of the face.






  I actually got a sample of this stuff in my Glam Ipsy bag and I totally love it!  This mascara lengthens and volumizes at the same time.  I was so impressed with it that I had to tell you all.  It will make your eyes pop!





  Bold, defined eyebrows are all the rage right now and are the perfect touch to defining your eyes.  This brow pencil will help achieve that while looking natural (use a light hand when applying and use the correct strokes).  Plus it comes with a brow brush and a corrector in case you mess up!

XOXO

Joy

Achieving a Flawless Complexion

Okay, girls,
  I have found the secret to an amazingly flawless complexion.

  You know how I did a post a while ago on foundation and how I was becoming a believer in it?  Well, I now have something else that I can not live without because of the HUGE difference it makes in my overall look.  It's the difference in looking nice verses amazing.  Actually, I would say that it's the difference in looking airbrushed without needing an airbrush system.

How to achieve all that you might ask?  With one, simple, step: Smashbox Photo Finish Primer




I picked up this primer when I was waiting in line at Sephora and immediately loved the way it felt on my skin.
Initially I decided to try a primer because my skin has been different lately - I don't know if it's pregnancy or the fact that it's winter (or age!) but my pores seem bigger and easier for my foundation to accentuate rather than conceal.
This primer does not disappoint!  It's lightweight but silky smooth and will make any foundation just glide over your skin without settling into any lines or pores.  Every time I wear it, I LOVE the way my entire complexion looks smooth, soft and completely blended.  You still look like you have makeup on but it makes it less noticeable and more like you just have amazing skin.

Just like it took me a while to become a believer in foundation, I never spent money on primer because I thought it was just an extra way to blow money.  But primer isn't just about extending the life of your makeup (it will make it stay on longer).  It lays the perfect foundation and canvas for the rest of your makeup to sit on.  It will also cause you to need less foundation because it will spread way more easily.

This primer can be used with any kind of foundation although I am partial to using it with liquid foundation because the primer is a liquid and I think they blend the best together.

I promise you will not be disappointed!

XOXO

Joy