2014 Archives - Simply Happenstance

Maui Trip // Life in Photos

May 1, 2014

:: Maui Trip // Life in Photos ::

I can’t believe it’s already been a month since we left for our getaway to Maui, Hawaii! We had about three months leading up to the trip to prepare and anticipate all the fun we would have. Of course, five nights away flew by so quickly! Now it seems as if it were only a mere dream! I’ve had so much fun looking through our photos and thought that I’d share some favorites with you, but first…

This was a trip for just the two of us! That’s right! {My saint of a mom willingly volunteered to watch our four little ones for the time we were gone! She didn’t just meet their everyday needs, you guys… she continued to homeschool them! We are so blessed by her! Thanks, Mom! You’re seriously –THE BEST!}

So, back to this “Vacation Husby” of mine… he was completely carefree and present! You see, he didn’t have to wake up at 4 a.m. to go to work, make his two-hour commute, run to Trader Joe’s for me on his way home after a 72-hr. shift, fold laundry, cook dinner, or help with the bedtime routine! This guy was STRESS-FREE… and was clearly loving it! It was ah-mazing, if I do say so myself!

In all honesty, it really was a break that we both needed! Since our move last July to the mountains, and the start of our homeschooling journey this school year, I hadn’t been away from the kids {not even for a yoga class}. As much as I love and adore them… I was feeling a bit overwhelmed with life and the day-to-day routine. {I’m sure many of you can relate!} [Read more…]

Our Life in Photos

March 26, 2014

:: Our Life in Photos ::

The month of March has been so full, happy, and memorable for my family! My two littlest ones celebrated their birthday’s! Miss Blue requested a mermaid theme, with street tacos {made by her daddy} for dinner, and a colorful circus cake! {Ha!} The only gift she really wanted for her 6th birthday was to go to Disneyland. {We had passes four years ago… but since then, we haven’t been back.} A week following her actual birthday, we made the trek down the mountain to the happiest place on earth!

Before we get to those fun photos… here is a peek at Sophia’s special day! {I wish I could take credit for the birthday decorations… but it was all my creative husby’s vision! He decorated and I made her sparkly crown… because every mermaid needs a fancy crown, right?!}

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Weekend Lovelies {favorite things}

January 18, 2014

:: Weekend Lovelies {favorite things} ::

Happy Saturday! Nicole and I hope that you all have had a wonderful week! Any exciting plans this weekend? Since we have a firefighter schedule to work around, our family took a day {yesterday} to enjoy the beach! It was much needed {the quality family time, and the sunshine}! This weekend I’m hoping to catch up on the relentless pile of laundry, and get a little more organized. I tell myself every weekend that I am going to give my school room some of my undivided attention {so that I can plan some educational projects, and organize my teaching materials}. Unfortunately… it never seems to happen! {I’m wondering when you other homeschool mamas find time to plan and prepare for the weeks ahead. If you have any tips… I’d personally love to hear them!}

On a different note, you may have noticed that our Lovelies has been revamped! We are now including a link-up for all of you fabulously talented bloggers and Etsy Shop owners! We would love {love, love, love}, and appreciate you spreading the word, and linking up your favorite recent blog post to share with our readers! We know since our link-up is new… it will probably be slow to grow, but we are hopeful that in time, your blog or Etsy Shop will gain lots of exposure! [Read more…]

Green Berry Smoothie

January 9, 2014

It’s a New Year can you believe it? I am thinking positive by starting my day positive and healthy with a Green Berry Smoothie. Yes, as you can tell Sara and I love smoothies. Did I mention I worked at Jamba Juice when I was a freshman in college, so yes I am a smoothie dork? I love the way they make me feel in the morning. I need what ever additional energy I can get, because the whole coffee thing doesn’t get things cracking around here.

I know I am not alone in this whole “feeling good” department and it is something we are always striving to find. Every year I do make a few resolutions or vows of some simple life changes. I do have to say that we eat pretty healthy around here when we can, but one of the life changes I would like to incorporate in our life style is adding some gluten free meals into our diet. This Green Berry Smoothie is gluten free recipe and it is packed with protein, fruits, and vegetables. But what I am HOPING {it’s my word this year} is to add it more into our kids diet. With Mason being on the Autism Spectrum, his diagnosis has yet to prove it’s results in a gluten free lifestyle as he is very high functioning, but I think that it can improve his attention span and his energy level in a positive way. As for myself, we haven’t seen much winter here and there is always the beach and pool that us mamas have to attend to with the kids. [Read more…]

Beauty… My Word for 2014

January 7, 2014

:: Beauty… My Word for 2014 ::

With the beginning of 2014, I’ve noticed that several of my favorite blogs have posted their “best of 2013,” a look back in photographs, or a roundup of their top-rated recipes. A few have even chosen a single word to represent the New Year… a simple reminder of their personal goals for 2014. I loved this idea, so I decided to do the same.

Looking back at 2013, I’d have to say that my word was TRUST. It was a big year for my family. Exactly a year ago marked our trip to Mammoth Lakes in California… which changed everything. It got us thinking… and talking… about our lives, our goals for our family, what we valued, and what our hopes were for our sweet four. [Read more…]

Weekend Lovelies {favorite things}

January 4, 2014

:: Weekend Lovelies {favorite things} ::

Wow it’s 2014! Can you believe it? Sara and I had a nice break enjoying our family time during the holidays. With two fire schedules, the holidays aren’t really celebrated exactly as per the calendar date, but around the time we have our husbands home during their days off. A crazy life for sure, but one we get used to day by day. We were able to capture the moments when we could.

January is like September for me. A month to renew, rethink, and re-evaluate what is working in life, and what is not. I love it because I am not one for big change, so it pushes me outside of my comfort zone to really think about life. I have a few big resolutions, or I should say “life changes,” that I have been working on for a couple of years. I don’t plan on moving mountains, but the one thing I do love and plan to hang on to, is to the simple idea of “hope.” It’s a big word that can help in multiple ways in life.

That being said, Sara and I hope you like some new changes we have made to Simply Happenstance! A big one is our weekly edition of Weekend Lovelies. We thoroughly enjoy lovelies because it truly is an eclectic mix of all the wonderful things we’ve come across on the web. There are so many great recipes, DIY projects, and thought provoking articles to share! In an effort to broaden our lovelies and share more great finds… we thought we’d open it up to other bloggers! {If you have a personal blog, from this point forward, on Saturday’s & Sunday’s, you’ll be able to link-up your favorite recent blog post to share with our readers! We hope that you will join us, and spread the word! If you have an Etsy Shop… you can link that up, too!}

So without much further ado, welcome to Weekend Lovelies {favorite things}!

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