Set Free

One of our favorite recipes here at the apartment is the Spaghetti Casserole.  I love it because it tastes better as leftovers than plain spaghetti does.  And when it's just the two of us it carries for a couple days. :)  It's really nice to make before I know I'm going to be away, so I know Jon gets a good meal with easy clean up. :) Ingredients: (fills up a 9x13 "casserole pan") 2 lb hamburger 1 large (4 lb 3 oz) container of Prego Traditional Italian sauce (Use whatever is your favorite traditional spaghetti sauce, or make homemade....but I'm not gifted in that area yet.) I use about 3/4 of the container. Zita noodles (or whatever noodles you want) 2 bags of shred cheddar cheese (or whatever cheese you want really)  We love cheese, so I load it big time! :) Directions: (read all before you begin) 1. Boil water/ cook pasta and drain.  (You need enough pasta to cover the pan evenly twice.) 2. Brown hamburger (drain) [My skillet is not big enough t

"He who spare the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him."  Proverbs 13:24 Okay, I know I'm not a parent.  But I'm observant after all these years with children........ Last week I had an interesting experience.  One that maybe parents can relate to, but I desperately cry out to God that He will provide peace.  While visiting my sister, my nephews were so motivated to have me take them to the Learning Post.  When we got to the store the boys rushed to the train table (play area provided for kids so moms can enjoy shopping). :)  Melissa and I crack up because the boys have a train table at home, in yet they get so delighted to play at the Learning Post! L to R: Max (2), Jack (4), and Sam (5) Sam and Jack came with me to the Learning Post. My nephews went straight for the trains, but this time there were two boys already playing with "their trains." I'm sure you can imagine what is already about to happen. Th

I love my husband so much!  It has been hard this past week to see him so overly stressed with finishing up this semester in school.  He has a LOT of group projects, papers to write, and exams to focus on.  His boss also told him he has plenty to do there, and to "make sure you kissed your wife good because you may not be seeing her for awhile."  If you think about it, would you mind lifting him up in prayer? Thank you so much!  If you haven't gotten a chance yet, check out our pictures from Thanksgiving week on facebook.  It was a fun week with friends, family, and extended! :) Jon and I are really thankful..... -God and His unfailing love and faithfulness -God allowing us to be saved and know Him personally -God's provision: in our marriage and lives around us -His Word -Family: their help, love, and support -Friends: their accountability and time -Marriage: commitment and relationship -Provision: God always provides us with our needs -Answers to prayer

*Note: Jon was totally honest with me with this subject.  He is a wonderful husband!  And I thank him for his honesty!  I also want you to know that I had no idea where I was taking this post when I first starting writing it out. :) Last week I was reading books to help me become a better wife.  Now, I'm not saying you have to read books to become a better wife.  I was just reading them to learn more about Jon (men in general), so I can be able to understand where Jon is coming from as a man.  While reading these books, it constantly reminded me of all the different things that make men who they are, so while reading I asked Jon to see where he fit in all the different categories.   Obviously, one of the sections was about how guys are visual people.  I talked about it with Jon to get a better understanding of what it meant for him .  It got me thinking though, how did man get this visual side to them?  Was it given to them from the beginning or after the fall of man?  Was i

While sitting here eating my craving for this week (BBQ chips), I've decided to share with all of you my latest favorite recipe!  My hubby ate it and it filled him up where he didn't have to eat another helping!!!  Yeah for leftovers!! :) I love this dish, because you can really change it up with different side dishes to go along with it.  If you have any other ideas, let me know! Oh, by the way, I know you heard that I had a craving.  Just to keep things clear...I'm not expecting a little Kaisand anytime soon! I got this yummy recipe from a Des Moines magazine that I found at my parent's house. Ingredients: 1/4 c Italian seasoning and dry bread crumbs (mixed together) 1/4 c Grated Parmesan Cheese 4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (I only had three, but I cut them up to about the size of a chicken finger.) 1/4 c Mayo 1/2 c Traditional pasta sauce 1/2 c Shredded Mozzarella Cheese (I didn't measure this out.  I just took small handfuls to layer t

How do you find deep relationships with people you are just starting to meet? The reason I bring this subject up is because while living in Ames, Jon and I are working on becoming plugged in.  It has become pretty difficult really.  It's hard to meet new people in a group setting.  We try to be real with them, but sometimes it takes a LOT of work just to be yourself.  Why does that have to be? Why do some people make it so uncomfortable to be yourself?  Or why can't everyone get loose and enjoy each other's company?   What are some things you can do to "relax the heated room" and not feel the odd one out? Jon and I have come up with some ideas.  Let me know if you can think of any other ideas, or have suggestions of your own. 1. Get together not for a certain reason all the time.  Get together to just socialize, play games, etc.  It helps keep things less stiff. 2. Encourage people to open up.  Open up yourself.  Be vulnerable. 3. If it's a larger grou

Can't believe it's already November.  But I love this time of year....wearing sweat shirts, colorful leaves, yummy food, and family gatherings for the holidays!  It's the beginning of a new month, so it's time to update everyone on how the last month went for us!  It was a busy month filled with everything on the weekends! The first weekend was so nice.  Jon and I went to Johnston to stay at my parent's house for the weekend.  Saturday morning we celebrated Evelyn's 2nd birthday.  That evening Jon and I left for Josh & Leah's wedding.  It was so nice to visit with people we haven't seen for awhile.  It was a beautiful, God-honoring wedding!  On Sunday we went to my childhood church in Altoona for a reunion.  After the reunion, we went to a coffee shop to play games with some of my friends.  I don't get to seem them too often!  That night Jon went back to Ames, while I stayed in Johnston.   Britney turned 19 on Monday, October 4th.  She didn&#

Sorry I didn't inform everyone on how Jon and I are doing!  I know I told you all I was going to keep you updated every month.  Sorry I got us a little behind.  September was a fun month for us, so let me spill the beans and share....Something about September! :) First week: Every first Wednesday of every month, Jon gets together with his brother in laws (John Ulrickson & my brother Ryan).  They take turns picking what they do.  I always love it when Jon returns!  He comes back after being with all the guys happy to see me and tell me about his night! Labor Day weekend: The Sunday before Labor Day my Tometich extended family has a reunion.  It was so nice catching up with everyone.  This time we had three new babies to welcome to the family! :) Most of everyone that could make it, minus a few who were gone for kid's nap times. Labor Day was a fun day with family, friends, and dad's employees at Adventureland!  Second week: After a four-day week we ret

Growing up I absolutely loved the Disney classics.  Who am I kidding?  I still love them!  My heart would melt as I watched humbled Cinderella fall in love with the Prince and when Belle was serving the Beast.  To a little girl  it was hope of the future.  Some man out there would be my Prince Charming and we would live happily ever after.  But the part of the story I was missing was the part about what the women did . The Prince didn't fall in love with Cinderella because she had a pretty dress on or a perfect face.  He fell in love with her character, personality, and loving spirit.  Cinderella was such a cheerful person!  How often have I let days go by and let Jon know what I was thinking and held on to it all day long? I started rereading a book all about being a good helpmeet to your husband.  (Now it feels a little bit more relevant now that I'm actually married.)  I read a section out loud to Jon, and he said "absolutely true!"  The writer told this story o

Here's a list of 25 things you may or may not have have known about Jon and Mary! ONE If Jon could own any car he would want a Porsche, while Mary would rather have a SUV with plenty of space for traveling with around the three children she would like to have. :)  Otherwise she would pick a purple intrepid. TWO Jon loves sleeping with the fan on his face to keep himself cool.  Mary would rather have a ceiling fan on low with a bunch of covers on. THREE Jon's favorite fruit is a ripe peach or a good banana, while Mary loves watermelon, cantaloupe, strawberries, pineapple and peaches. FOUR Mary loves chocolate with her strawberries, while Jon would rather just have them plain. FIVE Jon loves watching the history channel and got Mary addicted to checking CNN updates on their website. SIX Mary can't go to bed without wearing socks no matter what. SEVEN Jon would rather have you shop for him, and Mary loves to shop! EIGHT Jon and M

Living in Ames has been a new adventure.  It has been a journey just getting used to living outside of under the roof where my parents live.  Jon has been wonderful and supporting me all along the way.  His encouragement has really helped me feel confident in everything I do.  He is also patient with me, and comforts me when I feel as if I have failed him in every possible way.  Sometimes I feel like I have completely failed him as a wife and know in my heart I could have done better.  Instead of hurting me, he returns with a loving heart and boosts my esteem. He always seems to have the right words to say. I knew the fall semester was going to be tough.  I knew it would give far more things to stress about than ever before.  I knew it would take our marriage to a new profound place.  This past week we were at our deepest moments.  I continued to fall to my knees and call out to God.  Jon was patiently waiting for me to be able to explain my thoughts.  We had a few comforting discu

When I first met Jon and got to know him I knew it didn't matter if he was an ISU or Hawk fan, but as time went on I just HAD TO ask.  Why?  Because he attended ISU!!  When I asked him he said he didn't keep up on sports too often but if he had to pick he would go for the Hawks.  I was so excited!!  No matter what happened I knew I was starting a relationship with someone who attended ISU but would cheer for the Hawks!  yahoo! =) Now with football season happening RIGHT NOW, it's really nice.  We live in Ames and around a LOT of ISU fans and Jon could careless.  It's awesome!  (Sorry ISU fans if you don't like this post.  GO HAWKS!!)  With all this ISU spirit around me, I'm really going to have to start wearing black and gold.  Or should I?  Do you think I would last long with all these powerful ISU fans?  Thankfully my dad is also a Hawks fan!  Whenever I want to watch a game I can always go back to Johnston and watch it there. It's unfortunate to have

Not only is summer ending but that means August as well.  I need to post about August! The early weeks were filled with Jon not looking forward to school starting and me not looking forward to it either.  I was just not looking forward to less time with him and I knew it was hard on him to think of how much more stress school would cause.  On top of working and going to class he was going to receive lots of school work, hours of studying.  I was just not looking forward to it at all.  But God encouraged me to be His wife who would: encourage, support, and help Jon in any way I can! This month marked the second time my friend Kate drove up to visit me at the apartment!  It was so nice to catch up with her on life.  She shared wonderful insights on her life and how the mission trip to South Dakota went.  (It was my first year in seven years not to go.) The first weekend in August Jon and I went to Johnston because my sister, Elizabeth was due with her second daughter.  I wanted to

This month was filled with the blessing of saying, "We've been married for a month!" We spent many hours unpacking and cleaning...making our apartment more like home.  Looking back it's such a blur, but it was so wonderful to just be married and together.  We spent every weekend returning to Johnston for different family things---sister's birthday, fourth of July, friend birthday, friend's wedding, and family vacation.  The Tometich fam had not gone on a family vacation for a few years.  It was so nice!  We went to Kansas City.  It gave my nearly 9 month pregnant sister (who lives in KC) a chance to not have to travel but enjoy the vacation. On facebook I put a few pictures and videos from that trip.  Unfortunately more pictures are on my mom's camera and those are not downloaded yet.  That trip is filled with many wonderful memories. =)  Especially it being the first one where I had a husband too!!! =)

Each month I'm going to try and post at least one thing about what the Kaisand's are up to! =) June was the month our story really started as being Kaisand's together.  I'm so blessed to have Jon as my husband.  God really answered prayer!  He knew the man I really needed. Jon has some wonderful characteristics! 1. Strong man of morals and good character. Not only does he know how important it is to have a good relationship with Christ and those around him, he also understands how important it is to check up on our relationship. 2. Understanding and uplifting Never have I ever met anyone more uplifting and someone who encourages me as an individual!  I can totally be myself. 3. Opposites attract! I totally know what that means now.  Before I thought it meant nothing and I was completely clueless about it.  Our differences are the things that make our relationship stronger.  We would not be the same with out the other. =) 4. Leisure time and outgoing We both