Tomato Pie ~ from October 2013

Lately I have been working for a local farm and one of the customers I met suggested this recipe.  She said to try to layer mayo and mozzarella, ham, and tomatoes in a pie crust and bake.  Well tonight we are trying this for supper.  Sounds and looks delicious, hopefully I don't mess it up and bake it too long.

2015 its You or Me

Life is about being real, right?
But real life for a lot of people is painful and hard and sometimes boring.
Not everyone has enthusiasm, or pep, or motivation, or drive.  What if some people what to be the "watchers"?  The people who don't want to watch need others to watch them, so that's okay, right?
What if I messed up the great beginning I had?  What then?  Does that mean that I am just done?  Does it mean that I shouldn't be given a chance?  Or be coached?
I have been working hard for the last 3 years with no advancement, no pay raise, no acknowledgement, no reward.   That seriously stinks.  I end up just throwing my hands in the air in frustration.  It makes me think, "What am I doing all this work for?"
Do I have my expectations too high because I expect to try to do my best and have the respect of not only my superiors but also my co-workers and fellow community livers?  Is it a bad thing for me to want to do something great?  When everyone else does what they do for money is it really that bad of a thing to do something or want to be a part of something just for the fun of it?
Here's to 2015 being 100% more fun and 100% less battle.

April 8 2012 ~ Personal Musings

For those of you who don't know, Josh and I are seperated and it looks like we are going to get divorced. It has been a long road.  Lots of meetings with counselors, Pastor, reading books, and talking things out.  Most of the time Jason and Mia are rockstars at handling the life changes we are going through.  There are definitely times where things get stressful and I wonder if its because of what's going on in our life.  Being that Easter is today it just brings to the forefront of my mind about life being made new.  I love remembering how Jesus died so that I might be free from sin and can live in heaven one day.  It is so comforting through all of life's trials that Jesus is always with me, that He's carrying me.  He is giving me the wisdom to know what to do in this completely gray situation that we are in.  And of course the more prayers I/we have the better.  I am looking forward to starting something new.  Life is going to be different but hopefully the new changes will bring some good.  I know it seems like an awful situation to be in, but honestly being seperated these last 4 months has been the best thing for me.  I feel like I am starting to heal some of the wounds that I had from things I have been going through.  I don't think Josh would agree since he is pretty much on his own for taking care of himself; but even that is really good for him.  The thought of being able to just make some friends and build relationships is so exciting for me.  But anyway...... :)  For the next month my goal is to take one picture every day.  I have to do a blog post about it.  This will help me get out the winter jitters and ready to take on summer.  :)  That way I can have more to post than just pictures of Jason and Mia playing in the sand, at the beach, at the park, or well you know the same old stuff.  We are going to branch out a little.  :)

How life is right now

Where to begin? It has been so long since I have written. I have downloaded this blogging app that I am hoping will make blogging a breeze especially combined with Instagram and well all I can say is it will be greatness!  I hope. :) Let's start I the here and now.  Jason, Mia, and, I live on 6th Street in Mankato.  Jason is in the first grade.  Mia is in preschool.  I am working.  Josh moved out in late November almost December.  We have been struggling in our relationship for well if you ask me ever since we met and if you ask him he thinks everything is fine.  Until now.  But he says he moved out because he couldn't take the rejection.  At Josh's advice I have started reading a book called, "I don't want a divorce" by dr. Clarke.  It seemed liked I was on exactly the right path and didn't even know it.  He doesn't like this because I am actually standing up for myself and he just wants me exactly where he's had me for the past 8+ years and when I started doing what I should have done years ago he started throwing a tantrum.  It got to the point where josh was starting to cross some physical boundaries and it was not safe for me to be around him any,ore, especially not living in the same space.  The way he is handling the situation is a lot a lot like when I tried to break up with hi after Italy.  If any of you are are familiar with our relationship you will know that Italy is a sore spot for Josh.  He came back from band tour in love with me and I came back from Italy refreshed and ready to break up with him.  That did not work obviously because we ended up together and married.

Spring is finally here!

I have to blow the dust off these keys.  What a long long time.  But it is spring once again and I am loving the sunshine!  The one day of it at least.  :)  Many things have happened since September.  I am working full-time as a customer service rep, I am also still trying to do a little photography.  In between there is always cooking and cleaning, laundry, and most most important being a mom to Jason and Mia.  They have grown so much.  Josh also is working a couple of jobs.  He is working for Verizon also being a customer service rep.  In the time he isn't at Verizon he still works for Quest Advertising shooting and editing commercials for local businesses.  He is also excited about helping to shoot some video for a few weddings.  Jason is almost done with his first year of kindergarten, he is ready to be done with school.  :)  We have some fun things planned for the summer:  soccer starts June 3rd, we have a family mini-vacation in Iowa, and a family vacation in Virginia.  I have two cousins getting married.  And who knows what we will come up with to keep life fun and interesting.

North Mankato Fun Days

These pictures are in no particular order.  Later I'll probably be posting some of the 4th of July. :)  Oh well. This was such a great family outing.  We recommend it to anyone in the Mankato area.  I don't think we did all the activities.  We always love parades!

 Jason was wondering when the parade was going to start.....

 I noticed this couple across the street reading their papers.  I thought, "how cute!"  They were just enjoying the beautiful day waiting for the parade reading a paper. :)

 Then we found a little petting zoo at Wheeler Park.  Jason and Mia were having so much fun petting the animals until.....

 One kitty grabbed on a little too tight.

 Mia spotted some horses!

to be continued.......

Jason

During the summer months we try as much as we can to go to the park and play outside.  So we tend to get a lot of park pictures.  These were taken at Seven Mile Creek at the request of Jason. :)  He is growing up so fast!