love Archives - Simply Happenstance

Gratitude 2015

January 13, 2015

:: Gratitude 2015 ::

Welcome to 2015 friends! I don’t know about you, but I am still adjusting to being back in school, I loved having the kids at home for the holidays.

Last week Sara shared her thoughts on contentment. I love how she is focusing on being content in 2015 that being said, my focus is gratitude. I can’t say it’s my word of the year as it is one of many, but it is one that encompasses most of my 2015 intentions. I am not the best at resolutions, in fact by writing this post, I am hopeful that these intentions that I have wandering around in my head {and some on paper} are being put out into the universe, so I will intend to listen to them, read them in need, and keep them at heart. Gratitude is something that I am looking to continue on focusing in 2015. Sara and I plan on still sharing our favorite recipes, but we want to head back to writing what is important to us, what really started this blog. We hope you continue to visit with us, stay awhile, and maybe share your thoughts along the way. [Read more…]

Contentment… My Word for 2015

January 6, 2015

Contentment // My Word for 2015

It’s been a while… simply too long, in fact, since I’ve shared a post of our life in photos, or shared my heart through words. I thought the freshness of the New Year was the perfect time to do both. {Hello, 2015!}

If you follow our blog regularly, you may remember that last year I shared a focus word for the year. For 2013… my word definitely would have been TRUST. For 2014, I chose BEAUTY… and for 2015, what seems to be foremost in my heart, is seeking CONTENTMENT.

// Contentment: a state of happiness and satisfaction //

Can we add a little peace to that definition? I for sure could use a little more of that in my life…

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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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Happy 6th Birthday, Sophia Blue!

March 9, 2014

:: Happy 6th Birthday, Sophia Blue ::

My sweet, sweet girl… didn’t I just write about you turning 5? The year has quickly sped by…. leaving me wanting to turn back the clock, and experience the last year with you all over again.

You have grown so much this year… not only taller, but in maturity. A year ago, it was hard for me to imagine that you’d soon be starting Kindergarten. Now… First Grade is around summer’s bend. To be perfectly honest, you haven’t been crazy about homeschooling this year… mostly because you want to do your older brothers’ work, or play with your baby brother, Finn. You find coloring, cutting, and workbook pages to be “boring!” I’m constantly buying new curriculum for you… or searching the internet for projects that you’ll enjoy!

You still really love to help around the house, especially if it involves cooking or baking! You recently picked up a camera and shot some photos. I couldn’t believe your natural ability to capture beautiful moments, from your unique perspective. When you aren’t playing with your favorite dolls, you are typically singing, dancing, or tumbling around the house {or on the furniture!}. You pretty much provide us with constant entertainment!

You are the most amazing big sister, Sophia Blue! You love your baby brother more than anything! He follows you around… wearing your high heels, sparkly makeup, and tutu’s! He loves getting wrapped up in your imaginative games and practicing your fancy ballet moves! Lately, you’ve been telling your two oldest brothers that they are the “meanest brothers in the whole world!” {This is definitely a new phase we are going through.} Deep down… you do love them dearly, but those older brothers of yours LOVE to antagonize you {they really like to make you shriek!}. Although Mommy and Daddy do our best to keep the peace… we know that having three brothers will only make you stronger, more well-rounded, and confident in life. Promise! [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…]

Celebrating Age

October 22, 2013

:: Celebrating Age ::

Last week I had the pleasure of celebrating my Grandma’s lovely age of 91. I write this post with a full heart, as my grandmother has been a big figure in my life. She is a little lady full of sass, spirit, and love. My grandma, as I had always called her “little grandma”, Blanca had always lived near by. For most of my childhood she lived around the block from my family, and for a small amount of time my sister Candice and I lived with her and my grandfather (along with my mom) in their house after my parents’ divorce. I cannot put into words how much I love her. She has taught me that life is an adventure. She is of Spanish and French decent. Her parents moved to Mexico from Spain where they raised their large brood of children. They were well to do and of high society at the time, so in turn, my grandma Blanca has always had a fashionable air about her. I have always remembered being in the back seat of her Cadillac and listening to Linda Ronstadt. She loves shopping and shoes. To this day she will ask me to switch shoes with her. My sister and I would love to play house with all of her amazing boxed shoes and small mink coats. She owned costume jewelry and fun wigs when she was in between hair washes. [Read more…]