Awww the SIMPLE things

Chocolate Cake!

How is it that something so simple can be so rewarding and frustrating at the same time?

Watching the transformation that these few simple ingredients combine together to make something so rich and magical all in one bite.

Seeing your husbands frustration as the he tries to make sense of an incomplete recipe.

Making his own changes to try and make things better only to find that his efforts to make something so sweet just might not turn out the way he'd hope for at all.

Giving up in anger as nothing is coming together as it should.

Questioning why he even tried in the first place.

Walking away in disgust not wanting to see what his final master piece has become.

Wondering what went so wrong.

Knowing that everything will be fine.

Smelling the goodness through out the house.

Catching little fingers trying to sneak a taste.

Eyes sparkling with delight even though dad refuses to even try to fix it any more.

Anxiously awaiting permission to sink their teeth into the delicate dessert.

Watching your children's eyes light up as the quickly RUN to their seats in hopes that they might get more than their sibling.

Listening to them squeal and squeak with joy and laughter as they gobble up every last crumb.

Asking for more while they finish licking their plates of heaven.

Thanking the magic maker for trying even though it may not be the beautiful master piece he envisioned.

Rewarding his efforts.

There's always next time!

Can't leave well enough alone?

Ok, so here's the WARNING......... DO NOT continue reading this if you don't want to listen to me vent a little.

I can't come to understand why people can't just be happy with what they have and leave well enough alone. Why do people continually think they are missing out on something? And once they have what they're looking for decide that it's not enough and go on searching for something else. Life CAN be simple.....beautiful......peaceful......enjoyable.....and pretty close to PERFECT if people could just be accepting of how things were.

Why run the risk of ruining something that we've worked so hard on by one simple act, thought or quick impulse just to see what it's like or to fill that void that you might be missing something? Why can't people just take a minute and think about what they might be doing before acting upon it? There's no need to do something that you might regret before really thinking about what you might be giving up.

Now.....I understand that life is a test and that we're all here to learn from our mistakes and have the freedom to choose. And I'm in no way trying to imply that I might be perfect and without fault. I've had my moments of weakness and bad judgement.

I guess it's just hard to sit back and watch someone you love make mistakes over and over again just to get that rush of acceptance. I have a hard time knowing why others need that sort of attention or belonging. Especially when it's been discussed and agreed on by all parties that it's just not the best avenue to take. It can lead one off course and possibly to the destruction of something so vulnerable and pure. Stop thinking of yourself and starting think of those you might hurt or lose along the way. Why build something up just to crush it and have to start over again at the beginning when the road the you've just traveled has not been quick or easy by any means? Why run the risk of throwing it all away? All that hard work, sweat and tears. Why put yourself right back into that dark place you've just climbed of? Why can't people just see the good in what they have and what they've work so hard on accomplishing? Look at the path behind you that has lead you were you are today and be PROUD of the person you've become.

I know I will have to come to accept these questions as one of life's mysteries and rely on our Lord and Savior to help those in need through these troubled times. I will need to be more open and understanding of why people do the things they do and the choices they make. Only our blessed Heavenly Father can make it right and is always ready and waiting to help. All we have to do is turn to him for all the answers. Whether it's what we want to hear or not. He will guide us on our journey to that glorious end that we all seek. Put your trust in the Lord and someday we will all be there for that joyous reunion we are all waiting for.

IN NEED OF A BREAK

Do you ever feel like there's never enough hours in the day? Do you ever wish you could just forget it all and take a break from the world?

Well I think I've found the most relaxing place. If only I knew where it was and how to get there it would be PERFECT! Life has seemed to pick me up in it's whirl wind and set me back down in the middle of the confusion. I'm trying my best to make sense of it all and not fall behind. I guess all I can do is give it my best and dream of a place and time like the one above to get me through.

Back in Business

That's right everyone we have the internet again! YEAH!!!(I think?) I think Cole thought he was going to die without it, but hey look babe you made it a full year and survived:) Too much has happened to try and play catch up all in one post, so we'll just take it one day at a time and see how it goes.

I'm still working part time, not by choice, but because I have too. EWE! Can't wait for the day that I can actually stay home with the little rugrats. Cole changed jobs and is now working for The Department of Homeland Security Prison in Florence. He is one of the lead cooks there and is hoping for the possibility of management to help further his cooking career. The job is ok, but he does miss cooking to order since the prison menu is set by corporate on a 5 week rotating schedule. Don't worry he's not in any danger since he works with all the illegals that are picked up and waiting to be shipped back to their country of origin, whatever that maybe.

The kids are growing like crazy and we try our hardest to keep up with them. It's a struggle sometimes , but we manage somehow. Addison keeps us dancing and is truly our out spoken child. Lincoln just loves being a boy and everything that comes with it. Lynden has turned out to be our precious little one that loves to start all the trouble and run away as fast as she can. And if you ask her daddy she can do nothing wrong.

We were able to finally have some updated family pictures taken with the Perkins family in December. It was then that I realized the last time we had ANY family pictures taken Addison was only 1 month old. Guess its time to add that to my yearly TO DO LIST. (Just wonder when I'll be able to fit that one in. Doesn't hurt to try!) So here's a preview of how they turned out.

Who's To Blame?!

Okay, So I greatly apologize for not posting in a very long while. I promise that I do have a really good excuse though. Here it goes........We no longer have the Internet due to some very strong budgets cuts coming down from the Corporate office. Okay not really, but we HAVE decided that having the Internet it just not a need for us now that Cole is finished with school. We still keep up on emails and blogging, when we can either while I'm at work or at a family members home.

Life has been a little crazy for us lately and I'm glad to announce that I have shortened my time at work so that I can be home more with the kids and we no longer need daycare for them. YEAH!!! I love being able to spend more time at home and not feeling like a bad mom for having to leave every morning for work. The kids seem to like having mom and dad home together during the exchange in shifts. Although Addison still asks if she's going somewhere everyday. Guess we've trained her well, with all the four years she spent in daycare. It's been hard for to adjust to not going to someone else's house everyday.

Cole has officially finished school and is working full time still at Arizona Grand Resort. His actual graduation is not happening until May. I am so proud of him for making it to the end. I will say that's it's been a long hard 15months. Not only with the change in career, but by also adding 2 new additions to the family during that time. It so awesome to see how much he has grown and I love to watch him put his new learned skills to use. He was definitely born to be a chef. Things just come so naturally to him and he seems to light up every time he enters the kitchen.

The kids are growing like weeds and love tormenting each other. I promise I will post more with pictures as soon as I find some free time. We're just trying to keep up as life quickly moves forward.

Mommies Helper

Who says that you have to be awake to help. Even in your sleep you can try and quiet a screaming child. Just ask Addison, she's become quite good at it.

Who needs toys?

Don't ask me why, but for some reason all of our kids so far have enjoyed playing in our cupboards whenever they get the chance. Addison would just climb in and push everything to the side. Lincoln on the other hand has learned that there's more room if you just take everything out before climbing in. This is a daily occurrence at our home and I'm starting to wonder why I put everything back each time. Oh well, they say some of the best toys are those that don't cost anything. Think this year for Christmas Lincoln just might get a old cardboard box.

I just melt when my Little Man smiles!