Little Chicken, Where Are You?

The birthday table.

We love to party. On Saturday we attended Everett''s first baseball game for the Fall season and then celebrated Cozette's birthday.

"Go Eh-wett!" Cozette now cheers.

When Cozette saw her birthday table she said, "Oooooh." I was relieved that she did not pull the table cloth off. Somehow, she knew it was special and did not touch it.

Cozette says, "my bay-bees."
We cant decide if her accent sounds more Italian or Southern!

You would have thought it was Christmas morning when Cozette opened her birthday gifts. Grandma and Grandpa were very generous and gave her birthday money, Quincy's family gave her the cutest books ever. I Love You, Stinky Face is our new favorite book. Nikki gave her a baby doll and stroller, Mommom and Papa gave her a Vera Bradley stuffed with her little finger puppets.

It was too much.

And I can't decide who is enjoying her new play kitchen more? Kayleigh and Everett or Cozette.

Cozette recently could not find her little chicken puppet. She was walking around the house yelling, "Little chicken, where ah you?"

Luckily, we found little chicken on the kitchen counter.

Birthday celebration.

Last night, Cozette walked up to Kayleigh and screamed, "Arrrhhhh," in her face.

Kayleigh's eye's widened with shock.

"I'm scary!" Cozette responded with a crooked smile.

We are grateful for this little one who brings us so much joy!

The Cake Master

Heavenly Candy Bar Cake

Brad dubbed me with a new nickname. In the future, when you see me, please call me "The Cake Master." I would really appreciate it. This is a Southern Living recipe that I made for Cozette's birthday. She enjoyed the candy corn garnish the most.

The is a delicious cake. I attempted to make the heavenly chocolate marshmallow frosting, too. It did not work for me. I accidentally purchased pre-melted unsweetened chocolate. The mixture turned lumpy. When I tried to beat it with my mixer, all of the icing stuck to the beaters like they were magnetized. It looked like there was a huge chocolate icing funnel cloud in the bowl trying to get me. I had to throw it away, and I used my chocolate icing recipe instead.

Click here for the cake recipe and chocolate marshmallow icing recipe.

I hope you noticed that my icing technique is getting better!

Look Who's Talking...Two

Picking wild flowers can be exhausting.
Cozette decided to lay down and take a little break.
Thank you, Kayleigh, for capturing this moment.

The terrible two's... I never thought I'd experience it again--especially as a 40 year old mama. But, here I am chasing a very active toddler around daily. I must admit that I am loving every minute of it.

Cozette is two years old today.

And she is talking up a storm...

Playing dress up with Kayleigh.
This dress happens to be one that Kayleigh wore when she was about 2 years old.

This is funny. The other day Cozette was eating chocolate chips. Of course, they melted in her hands. Cozette started to fuss a little bit as she noticed her hands. She does not like her hands to be sticky or dirty.

"Mommy, hands...hands," she wanted my attention.

"Cozette, are you hands sticky? I asked.

"Poo-poo boo-boo... poo-poo boo-boo." She really said this.

It struck me funny. I picked her up, so we could wash her hands at the sink. I need to add that Cozette likes to wash her hands and is constantly asking for the hand sanitizer.

Playing ballerina outside.

"How old are you Cozette?" I must sound like a stuck record to her.

"Two." She squeals as she holds up three and a half fingers to prove it to me.

"Who is having a birthday soon?" I love to ask her because her answer is adorable.

"I do!" She answers.

"Who is getting ready to have a birthday party?"

"I do!"

Cozette was not wanting to smile. I had to bribe her with a treat.

When Cozette wakes up in the morning, she usually says one of two things.

"Where's Daddy?" or "Eat."

Every night when Brad arrives home from working, Cozette greets him at the door. She asks for him about a hundred thousand times a day. Every night she runs out the front door squealing, "Daddy."

"You home?" She asks him as he scoops her up.

"Yes, I am home."

"Tay." (She is saying OK).

Brad said this is his favorite time of the day!

Learning to count with candy corns is some serous business. If I say "one" she will answer "two." Then I will say "two" and she will respond "four."

Cozette loves going to Mommom's and Papa's house. She also likes to call them on the phone. (She will actually have a conversation, too). Mommom seems to understand everything Cozette says. I like to tease Mommom by telling her that she must have the gift of tongues! Cozette says many words that I do not understand.

Nikki recently was kissing Cozette and said she had a treat for her. Cozette's response was, "Where's Mommom?"

Posing for Kayleigh.

Cozette recently spent the morning with Mommom and Papa. Mom shared the following conversation with me.

Cozette noticed a little giraffe.

"This is cute." Cozette said.

"You're cute." Mommom replied.

"Papa's cute." Cozette said out of no where.

Reading books at the library.

Cozette loves the computer. She usually turns it on for me each day.

"Cozette, it is time to go home." I had to tell her at the library today.

"No home!" She was quick to reply as she shook her head.

"We will stay a few more minutes." I said.

"Tay."

A few minutes passed.

"Let's go home, Cozette."

She looked up at me from her computer and said, "No."

I had to out smart her.

"Cozette, do you want to go to the bank and get a lolly pop?" I plotted.

"Yes. A treat." She was very excited.

She then got up and said, "Bye-bye," to everyone she saw on the way out.

There aren't any strangers in her life.


Happy Birthday to the little love of our life.

Things As They Really Are

While driving home from Emory University today, I remembered a conversation I had with a friend last winter. We were discussing why I started blogging, and I was telling her why I thought she should start blogging, too.

"I want to document our lives. I want my great-grand children to know who I am. My blog is a place where my children can go and read stories about our life together. " I sincerely shared with her.

"Yes. But, is it really accurate? She questioned.

"What do you mean?" I did not understand.

"Well, does a blog really portray your life? What if you are having a bad day or if your family is having a really difficult time? Are you going to share that? She further explained her question.

The answer to her question was simple in my mind.

"No."

Creating a happy illusion is a part of blogging. We want to share experiences that are fun and worthy of reading. My blog is a place where I have written about moments that will become treasured memories for my children.

It is a place where I will share my testimony.

And it is a place where sometimes I will post delicious cake recipes!

One year ago today, I started writing on this blog. We have been very blessed as a family and we have also had trials.

Last November Brad was laid-off from his job. I playfully mentioned it in a post last December. Over the past nine months, Brad has grown his part-time landscaping company into a thriving business. We are thankful he was granted the opportunity to pursue his dream of building his own company. What we believed to be absolutely devastating has turned out to be our greatest blessing.

I live with Glaucoma. The disease has been quiet for the past four years. However, the past few weeks have been difficult, because I have been dealing with some complications associated with this disease. There is an area on my eye that has torn where I previously had surgery. This is very serious because it puts me at at risk for eye infections; which could lead to losing my eye. I went to Emory University today to see if the tear on my eye has sealed.

It has not.

My doctor is having me wear a contact lens underneath my eye lid to put pressure on the area that it is leaking. We are hoping that the pressure from the contact lens will seal the eye, so I will not have to endure another surgery. My next doctor appointment is September 4th.

We are praying for a miracle.

I have been blessed with many over the years.

When I was at Emory last week, I ran into a Glaucoma clinical researcher that I first met in 1991.

After reminiscing for a few minutes, Donna said to me, "We have grown up together haven't we?" I laughed and agreed.

"You know, I have been blessed with many miracles when it comes to my vision." I continued.

Donna agreed with me by adding, "Oh, we discussed many times back in the day that God reached down and saved your vision."

I tried not to cry.

Living with hope is wonderful.

It allows me to see things as they really are--

That I am a very blessed person.

Waves

Melbourne Beach, FL
March 2009

I am swimming in the ocean,
the waves sound like thunder.
The waves are the color of the sky,
crashing onto the shore.
I feel small.
The waves are overpowering me.
It was fun playing in the waves.

~Everett Simpson

Keeping a writer's journal is a requirement for Everett now that he is in the 5th grade. When he shared his notebook with me, I was struck with the impression that he is honestly attempting to express his thoughts. His sentences are written in his neatest handwriting. He even taped pictures of himself on the front of it.

His face was beaming as I read his poems. Everett also explained to me how to write a stanza in poetry.

I almost started to cry.

'This is excellent, Everett! You're a talented writer. May I share this on my blog?"

"No way!" He was adamant.

"Why not?" I was perplexed.

"It's private." He said.

This was his final answer.

So, I bribed him.

He eventually agreed to let me share his beautiful poem about waves.

I think we are very lucky!

The Garden Rock

I have looked out of my kitchen window thousands of times. Many of life's dilemmas have been resolved as I have stood there and pondered. My parents recently traveled to the Holy Land to visit all of the places that are sacred to Christians. When Mom and Dad graciously took our requests for treasures to bring home, I shared with them that I had one special favor.

"Will you please bring home to me a rock from the Garden of Gethsemane?"

"I will do my best." Mom promised.

Mom collects rocks from all around the world. I knew she would bring a rock home to me.

I proudly display it on my kitchen window sill.

The past couple of weeks have been trying. It's therapeutic to look out of the window as I clean my kitchen. There have been several times that I have picked up my rock for comfort.

It makes me feel closer to my Savior.

And it's a constant reminder that He is there to help me solve all of life's dilemmas.

Mississippi State

The word of the day is Mississippi. In honor of Fall baseball officially starting; and because we had company for dinner on Saturday night, I made a Mississippi Mud Cake.

Guess what team Everett is on?

Mississippi State.

Mr. Baseball and The Coach are at practice right now.

Mississippi Mud Cake:

1 cup butter
3/4 cup cocoa
2 cups sugar
1 tbsp. vanilla
4 eggs. slightly beaten
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 cup pecans
I jar marshmallow cream
1/2 cup coconut (optional)

Melt butter and cocoa together on low heat. (I do it in the microwave). Add vanilla, sugar, and eggs. Mix well. Add cocoa, flour, baking powder, nuts, and coconut. Mix well. Spoon mixture into two well-greased cake pans. Bake at 350 degrees for about 19 minutes. Let cakes cool about 10 minutes then remove from cake pans.

Add about a half a jar of marshmallow cream to the middle layer. Let cool. This is very important. The marshmallow cream will ooze like an erupting volcano if it is still warm. I learned this the hard way!

Chocolate Icing:

3 cups confectioners sugar
3/4 cup cup cocoa
1 stick butter (room temperature)
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup to 3/4 cup whipping cream

Use a mixer to beat the first four ingredients. Add whipping cream to your desired consistency.
Spread a layer of icing over the marshmallow cream. Then ice the entire cake.

If you want to be really fancy-- then sprinkle pecans on top of the cake like I did!

This is a very wicked cake.

Warning: Do not bake this cake if you're afraid of calories.



p.s. My darling little Kayleigh spent hours making me this new header for my blog. You are very creative. Thank you so much for taking the time to help me. I love you very much.

Back to School Eve

We decided as a family to make the eve before school started as fun as possible. The agenda was the following:

Kayleigh and Everett were to submit their goals for the school year.

Receive a blessing from their Dad.

Play hide-and-go-seek tag downstairs.

Watch two episodes of Bewitched.

We had a grand time!

Modeling her lunch box!

Kayleigh's goals for the 7th grade:

1. Earn all A's.

2. Make good friends. Be a good example at all times.

3. Try to be more organized.

4. Practice my piano every day.

5. Work harder on my Personal Progress.

Tres chic!

Kayleigh and Everett no longer see each other in the mornings. It is a sad reality of them attending different schools.

Wearing Under Armour on the first day of school is mandatory!

Everett's goals for the 5th grade:

1. Improve on my catching for baseball.

2. Memorize all of the Articles of Faith.

3. Be a good friend to every one.

4. Read more books.

5. Make all A's.


Everett was nonchalant about his last goal. I decided to call him on it.

"How are you going to earn all A's? I wanted to know.

"Well, I am going to study for 10 minutes a day." He boldly declared with a sly smile !

We both burst into laughter.

"I can assure you that you will not make all A's by studying only 10 minutes a day!" I promised him.

"Yeah...Yeah, I know. I was just teasing. I will study longer than that!"

Trying not to smile.

Cozette and I are very lonely with out them!

A Letter to the Birthday Girl

Happy Birthday Sister!

A sister is a little bit of childhood that can never be lost.

~Marion C. Garretty

Dear Quincy,

Did you know that I really like you a lot?

I do.

You are a sensational person.

Please do not assume that I feel this way, because you make the most delicious blueberry lime jam in this entire world.

And it isn't because you ran a half marathon and did a triathlon, too.

Or because you can sew fabulous purses, answer any questions I have about grammar, and that you are becoming a coupon expert!

I like you, because you are good.

And because you are brave.

Being in your presence is feeling a little bit of heaven.

Haven't we had fun?

Do you remember when Nikki and I were dancing to crazy 80's songs when Zoe was born to help make you laugh? Whenever I hear, "You Spin Me Round" by Dead or Alive, I think about that wonderfully hard day.

Thank you for always being there for me, too.

I am so grateful that we are sisters.

I hope this birthday brings you love and happiness.

Don't forget to make a wish.

Love,

Your devoted sister.

p.s. I will always remember that you never did laugh at the "Cooter Fest" signs in South Carolina-- even though you may have wanted to just a little bit!

A Love Story

Our engagement picture.

Nothing is better than reading a great love story. Today, Brad and I celebrate 15 years of marriage. As I think about our life together, I am struck with the impression that we have been blessed with a love story of our own.

I'd like to share it.


Lasting Impressions
January 1988

The Christmas holidays were over. I was an eager freshman anxiously anticipating flying back to college. As the plane descended into Idaho Falls, a blanket of snow greeted me. It was a white wonderland. The Idaho Falls Airport is small in comparison to the Atlanta Airport, but it was still bustling with people. The snow started coming down harder limiting the possibility of finding transportation to take us to campus. We pursued all options to no avail.

I was stranded.

My friend and I discovered a group of students in the same predicament. After making our introductions, we all decided to grab a bite to eat while we waited for the snow storm to blow over.

We had just walked out of the Atlanta Temple hand in hand.

There was a student in our group who caught my attention. He had mentioned to us that he was from South Carolina. I loved meeting people from the South, and I quickly mentioned that I was from Georgia. There was a moment during our lunch together that I found myself staring at him. I could not understand why. There was no explanation for it; however, I now understand that an impression was being made upon my heart. Eventually, I would need to remember this day.

After eating lunch, the snow storm subsided, and our little group hailed a taxi to take us to campus. It's still a mystery to me how we all fit into that cab. It was a relief to finally make it to campus. When the time came for us to go our separate ways, we bid our farewells and expressed hopes of seeing each other around campus that semester.

I never saw him again that year.

Brad had been whispering sweet nothings into my ear;
keeping a straight face was quite difficult.

Opportunity Lost
July 1992

After attending college in Idaho and Utah for three years and serving a mission in Tucson, Arizona; I made the decision to stay in Atlanta. My best friend Jori and I became very involved with the Young Single adult Program with our church. The highlight of each summer was attending the Single Adult Conference-- with the hopes of us meeting Mr. Right! I will never forget while dancing with a friend, I looked across the room and noticed a very handsome man talking to a group of people. He seemed familiar to me. Did I know him? I almost approached him. I didn't dare. I simply couldn't remember how I recognized him.

The conference came to an end without our paths crossing.

I was so nervous when I had to cut the cake at my reception.
I actually attempted to use a fork to feed Brad his piece of cake.
People were yelling at me, "Jeannie, you're not to use a fork!
Use your fingers." Oh, I was so embarrassed!
Brad was a true gentleman and didn't smash any wedding cake on my face.

A Second Chance
July 1993

A year had passed. Jori and I were so excited for Young Single Adult Conference. Always at the back of my mind was the hope that I would meet someone. On the first night of the conference, I was standing around the parking lot visiting with my friends.

Then it happened.

There he was!

In an instant, I remembered him. I recalled clearly the day we were stranded at the Idaho Falls airport. We were freshman together at Ricks College. He was from South Carolina. We even hailed a cab together. It was fresh in my mind.

There were no reservations on my part. I immediately approached him.

"Excuse me, I believe we have met before." I bravely spoke to him.

He turned to look at me and flashed the kindest smile.

"We have?" he asked.

"Yes, I believe we were stranded at the Idaho Falls airport when we were freshman at Ricks college." I explained.

He pondered this before responding.

"I remember that day!" He said with the most handsome smile.

I then introduced myself.

He shook my hand and told me his name was Brad Simmons.

At least, that's what it sounded like he said...

Our love song is "When I fall in Love."

Wouldn't it be lovely if I could share that Brad remembered me from that fateful meeting at the airport years ago? Brad remembered being stranded at the airport.

He just didn't remember me!

It didn't matter. He was perfectly willing to keep our conversation lingering and even invited me to a game of badminton or volleyball. My friends teased me in front of him saying, "She made the whole thing up, just so she could meet you!"

That put a smile on his face.

Later that night, Jori asked me, "How is it possible that you happened to get stranded at the airport with the cutest man at this conference?"

That put a smile on my face.

The next morning, I was hopeful to see him when we went tubing down the Chattahoochee River. I only saw him once, and he didn't have a shirt on. I was struck with the realization that I was very attracted to him, and it made me turn my head and giggle like a little school girl!

I was so excited for the formal dance that evening. We saw each other at the beginning of the dance, spoke for a few minutes, and then he excused himself. I truly believed he would make his way back to me very quickly. He didn't. Would you believe that he waited until the very last dance of the evening before he asked me to dance?

It's true.

When conference was over. Brad approached me to ask for my phone number. I fumbled the piece of paper with my phone number on it as I handed it back to him.

I was giddy.

I had met someone that I liked.

A lot!

This is my favorite wedding picture.

The Long Wait
July-September 1993

When I returned home, my parents heard about Brad for days. I sat by the phone waiting for his phone call. I had a notebook where I scribbled, "Jeannie Simmons, Mrs. Jeannie Simmons, Mrs. Brad Simmons" all through its pages. Days and nights turned into weeks. He never called me.

I was heart broken.

At the beginning of August, I flew to Chicago for a long weekend to attend the wedding of my best friend from college. After she and her husband left for their honeymoon, I had some time with Martha's parents. Her Dad and I had a wonderful conversation about friendship. He knew that my heart was hurting. That night he promised me that I would be married within one year.

Was that possible?

Our family cheering us farewell.

September had arrived. The first Friday of every month was designated for the Young Single Adult dances. Jori and I never dreamed of missing a dance. However, that Friday evening, I was not feeling well. I did not want to go.

And I almost didn't.

At the last minute I decided to go. Brad was waiting for me at the dance. I wanted to ignore him. He approached me immediately. I was cool. I can recall asking him why I had not heard from him. He tried to explain that he was busy with work and had flown to Idaho at the beginning of August to attend his friend's wedding. He stated that he had always planned on seeing me at this dance.

"Oh, really?" I responded with shock, "I almost did not come tonight!"

"Then, I would have called you."

All of a sudden I was very hot.

I was nervous. I decided to share with him that I had been to Chicago for a wedding as well. We had a wonderful conversation. I was warming to him. Brad made his intentions known immediately.

He invited me to go with him to an Atlanta Braves baseball game.

With his parents!


The Courtship
October 1993

Going on a first date with your "future in-laws" can be quite intimidating. However, Bill and Shirley treated me like a member of the family from the moment we met. There are a hundred stories I could share about our courtship.

This one is the best!

Brad and I were devoted to each other after our first date. We lived in different states, so we only saw each other on the weekends. When Brad invited me to come to South Carolina for the first time, I was very nervous. When I arrived, Brad was still getting dressed. I was greeted warmly by Shirley. When Brad came upstairs, I was so happy to see him. He gave me a big hug and invited me into the kitchen.

I noticed a letter on the kitchen table addressed to "The Simpson Family."

"Who is the Simpson Family?" I sincerely asked.

He was incredulous. He had to think I was crazy.

"We are!"

"WHAT? Your last name is Simpson?" I questioned with a gaping jaw.

(You need to remember that I had a notebook at home filled with pages of Jeannie Simmons scribbled all over it)!

I continued," I thought you told me your last name was "Simmons" when we met last July!"

"No, I'm positive that we're the Simpson family." Brad joked.

We both started laughing hysterically.

Now, I had to adjust to the idea of becoming Mrs. Jeannie Simpson.

I had to go by me a new notebook...

El Pronto!

15 years later with our darling children:
Kayleigh, Everett, and Cozette.

Brad and I were married 10 months later.

What is true love?

Being married to Brad has taught me more about its true nature:

It is kind. It is unselfish. It is hopeful. It is hard work. It is yearning. It is unwavering. It is forgiving. It is loyal. It is giving. It is tender. It is intense. It is passionate. It is laughter. It is support. It is tears. It is trusting. It is respectful. It is honorable. It is lasting. It is forever.

It is Brad.

We have been blessed with a great love.

And the best part about this love story is that it will never end!

Happy Anniversary, my love.