Sometimes when life gets busy...

...I forget to sleep.

I should shut down my laptop

and walk away.

Yet, here I am.

Since the last time 

I added a new post

a lot has happened.

I'm not always a fan

of change,

but it can be beneficial.

My family endured 

the passing of my uncle,

Duane Jakins, 

and while we know this is 

part of God's plan,

we are still sad 

that he is gone.

He was blessed not

to suffer for too long,

and we will forever be grateful 

for his life, love, and example.

 In other news,

I got a new job.

 It all happened 

very quickly.

Seriously,

one day I was talking about it,

and the very next day 

it became a reality.

 I still work for the same company,

I just work in a different department.

I have to remember to 

be patient with myself.

I wasn't good at my 

previous job on day one.

It took a while to be comfortable

and it's okay that there will be times

when I will need to ask for help.

That being said,

I am enjoying the experience.

It's been good to learn new things,

interact with new people,

and get to know my coworkers better,

(for the record, 

I think they are great!

But I miss my old friends... a lot!)

and I'm not gonna lie,

my favorite thing is being able 

to wear cute shoes to the office.

 Soccer season has started,

my brother will become a dad this summer,

my sister is expecting her 3rd child,

another brother is moving to a new house,

friends are graduating from college,

and becoming first time home-owners,

my youngest brother is graduating high school,

as are a bunch of beautiful cousins,

cousins are getting married,

and starting families,

and the list of happenings 

could go on and on and on.

Life is busy,

and constantly changing,

but one thing that remains the same

is my need for sleep,

and yet, here I am,

because sometimes when life gets busy...

...I forget to sleep.

 

My new favorite recipe to make is...

...Ham and Egg Cupcakes.

I love cooking, especially when the recipe is simple

and the food turns out so pretty.

The other day I was out of my office for a minute

and when I came back there was a recipe sitting on my desk.

Frankly, it sounded delicious.

I discovered that Stuart had found the recipe

and printed copies for everyone.

Moments later when I went to

make something for lunch,

I discovered that I

had all the ingredients.

I was only missing one thing.

A muffin pan to cook it in.

I instantly resolved to make it the next day,

and made a mental note to bring the pan.

Natascha said she would bring  a few things,

I brought a few items to add to the flavor.

Stuart helped too and we enjoyed quite the feast!

Ingredients:

12 thin slices ham

12 large eggs

your choice of toppings:

cheese, any kind, grated

green onions

tomato
crumbled bacon

salt and pepper to taste

bread for dunking

Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Grease your pan lightly with spray
Place one piece of ham in each muffin tin,
letting it ruffle up the sides.
Crack an egg into each,
sprinkle with a little
cheese, salt and pepper.
Bake for 15-20 minutes,
depending on how runny
you want your egg yolk to be.
Serve while warm and enjoy!

I celebrated my birthday...

...by going to 

Fabulous Las Vegas.

A trip was planned.

It was completely 

coincidental

that it was 

the same weekend

as my 35th birthday.

I went with some 

fantastic ladies:

Bobbi, Jackie, 

Josselyn, and Phung.

The trip included 

all the usual:

talking,

shopping,

eating,

shopping,

laughing,

shopping,

and

more shopping!

I'd tell you more,

but everybody knows

"What happens in Vegas,

stays in Vegas!"

Introducing the new...

...Mr. and Mrs. Jakins.

It's official.

The Jakins family has a new member.

Fabian and Shaela were married

January 28, 2012

in Tooele, Utah.
The ceremony was beautiful,
the couple is adorable,
and the cupcakes were delicious!
And to top it all off,
the weather was amazing!
(I'm not sure that Shaela's family
from Arizona would agree with me,
but for Utah, in January,
it just doesn't get any better!)
It was fun spending the weekend
with the majority of my family.

I loved meeting Shaela's family.

I can tell that they are as excited

to have Fabian in their family

as we are to have Shaela in ours!

Much love, happiness, 

and all my best wishes

to the happy couple!!

Love you guys lots :)

Once in a while...

...I am actually poetic.

I have never considered myself

a "creative" person.

I am not musical,

as random strangers might think

(see my previous post).

I don't draw.

Even stick figures can be tricky...

But don't get me wrong,

I do have my moments.

Color Me Mine 

has been good for me

because it allows me

to show off some of my

finer artistic creations.

As far as writing goes,

I don't have much to say,

unless you count 

my ramblings

on this blog.

Several years ago 

I penned the following

and still to this day,

it brings a smile to my face.

You
We sat,

Sat and talked,

Talked about nothing,

Nothing that really mattered,

But it mattered to me,

Because it meant that we were

Together.

Thanks for allowing me to share

my very limited talents.

I'm just a...

...kid at heart.

Sometimes I am just like

a 4-year-old.

My favorite things
to eat/snack on are:

grilled cheese sandwiches,

or peanut butter and jelly,

string cheese,

raisins,

cheerios,

grapes,

crackers,

chocolate milk,
cookies,

and otter pops.
If I am ever tired or hungry
I want to throw a temper tantrum.
I need a nap once in a while.
I love picture books,
and puzzles.
Sometimes I just want
my mom and dad
to tell me a story.
I want to live in a castle.
Sometimes I am afraid of the dark.
I want everyone to like me.

I wonder if I will ever
grow out of this stage?

Sometimes I talk to strangers...

...but only because they start talking to me.

Right before Christmas, 

I was on my way to a celebration 

with some good friends,

and I had to make a quick stop.

I had the following very strange conversation

with an older gentleman and his friend

at the local Dick's Market

as I was finishing up my purchase.

*****

(I'm pretty sure I was laughing the whole time!)

Older Man: Excuse me, can we talk to you for a second?

Me: I suppose.  

OM: My friend and I were just noticing 

that you have a presence about you. 

(That would be my yellow boots talking.)

I would be willing to bet that you play

at least one, possibly two, musical instruments.

M: No sir, I do not.

OM:  No piano?  Violin?  Do you sing?

M:  I don't sing or play the violin.

I did take piano lessons for a short time,

but that was years ago.

I just never took the time to practice...

(and we didn't have a piano...

but that's besides the point...)

OM: Oh, well, then I bet you were a 

straight-A student in school.

M: Actually, no, I was an awful student.

I never did my homework...

(and sometimes I didn't go to class...)

OM: I bet you made your mother cry.

M: That is definitely possible,

but I hope she's over it by now!

(It was a long time ago!)

OM: Did you participate in any school activities?

M: I was in Debate for a while 

and I was pretty good at that.

(Arguing can be fun! - especially when I win!)

OM:  I would never have guessed that...

Hope you enjoy the rest of your evening.

M: Yes sir, you too!

(I really called him sir...)

*****

The moral of the story:

You just never know when someone

is going to call you out on your accomplishments.

(or extreme lack thereof!)

I'm working...

 

...on making a comeback.

To my blog.

It's been far too long

since I've subjected you to 

my ramblings.

So be on the lookout.

Funny things are on the way.

You've been warned.