Fun in Turkey Run and Other Things...

Life is so good, wouldn't you agree? Really we can't complain! We have been keeping busy as usual and having some good times along the way!

This last weekend we went with some friends to Turkey Run to do some hiking and a cookout! The weather was perfect for a hike! It was so pretty and nice to be out in nature and with such good company. Can't go wrong there!

On the suspension bridge...super scary when it moves!

So now to the "other things"! This is just a cute picture of Chase - I wanted to throw in, just in case you have forgotten how he looks! Ha ha!

Here is me and a large puzzle. There is a story behind it though...So Chase has been encouraging me for a long time to learn geography (specifically United States geography). He says it is good to know because then you can always relate to someone. It is good- I agree! But truly I haven't been real motivated! So when I saw this puzzle of the United States at Borders for sale -because they are closing =( I just couldn't resist! So here I am learning geography! We put it together and quizzed each other along the way!

Here is a random happy moment! I have been looking for some sort of pottery to go on top my little red desk and I had seen this at TJ Maxx awhile ago and had really liked it- but it cost $12. I didn't want to spend $12 on it so I didn't buy it. Meanwhile I kept looking around. Then the other day when I stopped in I found the same piece clearanced for $5! Yay! I love good deals!

And here I am again in a mess of the back room. (Chase snuck this shot while I wasn't paying attention.) We are trying to clean it out because it is just too crazy back there. Can I just say I am the worst about getting rid of stuff, especially sentimental stuff. So mostly I just relocated and got rid of a few things. It is looking a lot better though!

Anyways hope you all are having a great day and remembering how great life is!!

Recent Happenings!

This last Sunday we were able to head down to Indy to celebrate an early birthday of our niece Molly. It was fun to have a yummy dinner and enjoy the time visiting! Molly will be turning 4! She is growing so fast and so cute =) Can I just say we love having family so close!! (We missed Janelle and Paul & Family who were originally going to be there but ended up in Idaho instead! So fun! We are just a little jealous!!)

Happy Early Birthday Molly!

And can you guess what these are, huh huh? They are my reward for exercising! I have really been trying to be faithful and it is paying off! Besides it was about time I got new shoes, the ones I had previous were ones I bought before Chase and I got married!

But there are other rewards too such as feeling lots more energy and feeling stronger and feeling more toned. There really are so many benefits to exercising!

Just a Bunch of Stuff!

I thought I would share a bunch of stuff with you all about this last week! It had quite a few highlights so I wanted to share a few with you!

On Thursday, Chase and I watched this really neat movie called Like Dandelion Dust. The story really tears at your heart strings but it is so worth it! The premise of the story is about an adoptive couple who is faced with possibly losing their adopted son seven years later to the birth parents. You can find out more HERE.

Saturday, Chase and I had the wonderful opportunity to go to the Chicago temple with some of the FSA Indiana/Kentucky chapter members. It was wonderful to associate with couples in similar positions. FSA stands for Families Supporting Adoption and you don't need to have adopted to support it by the way! You can find out more HERE.

After we got back from the temple on Saturday I made this yummy treat called Fruit Cocktail bars. It was one of Chase's boyhood favorites and it is soo yummy!

So I thought I would share the recipe with you all! Thanks to Julie (my mother in law) for it!

Ingredients:

2 eggs

1 1/2 Cups of sugar

1 can of fruit cocktail (16 oz)

2 1/4 Cups flour

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. vanilla

Mix all together (blend the fruit cocktail first- Chase didn't like the chunks when he was younger). Spread in large cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes.

Glaze (for on top): Boil together for 2 minutes

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup butter

1/4 cup evaporated milk

1/2 tsp. vanilla

After the "cakey" stuff is cooked, pour the glaze over and put under the broiler for 1 minute. Yummy yummy!

So another crafty moment- on Monday I finally finished this project that I had started over Christmas break...Its a little crocheted purse.

Also on Monday I read this neat book called "Orphan Train Rider: One Boy's True Story" It was about a part of our American history that I had never known. Back in the 1850's through the 1930's thousands (like 200,000) children rode "orphan trains." It was all part of a placing out program to find homes for orphaned children. Many were orphaned because the parents could not afford to take care of them. It was really interesting to read about...a good book!

Happy Reading and Cooking!