I'm trying to understand specific reason's for playing chess moves.

Read Chernev's "Logical Chess, Move by Move."

thanks

You can read the first game in "Logical Chess" for free with this link-
Logical Chess
You should find the annotations very informative in this classic book. Thanks to member, Malbase, who found the above link.

thanks, I need all the help I can get

e4 stakes claim in the center, and offers immediate avenues for the white queen and bishop, making it a solid and sound first white move .

e4 is a good move because it claims space in the center, and opens up two diagonals for the queen and bishop. It makes sense for white to play 1. e4 right away since the e4 square is not yet attacked by black, and not defended by white. If white waits to play e4, black has time to attack the square first.

1.e4 complies with the following opening principles:

a) White should try to control the centre with his pawns and pieces (e4 controls the d5- and f5-squares and occupies e4).
b) White should activate all of his pieces, developing his minor pieces before his major pieces (1.e4 opens the f1-a6 diagonal for the bishop and also makes Nf3 more effective).
c) White should try to castle his king to safety (e4 facilitates Nf3, Bc4/e2/d3 and 0-0).

Every move has pros and cons. The goal is to maximize the pros and minimize the cons.

What are the cons to 1.e4?

In terms of cons, e4 has many responses, while something like d4 or c4 would have less sensible options for Black. More opening theory attached to e4 than d4 or c4.