Wow...How Times Flies!

So, I didn't expect it to be this long before I could get my bum in the chair and write an update. Sorry folks! There have been a lot of goings-on in the Koegle family over the last several weeks.

As far as Tux goes, he's doing GREAT! He was able to get his stitches out last Tuesday and was also able to take his "lampshade" collar off! He was definitely a much happier camper! And he was such a good boy for the vet techs each and every time we went there. When I took Tux in for his stitches out, I also had an appt for Neo and Trinity to see the vet for a well check-up and to get their first set of shots. Thank goodness my mom was able to come with me and corral Cole while I was with all the animals!!! They were looking a little on the skinny side as they had kind of stopped eating when we fed them. We were stumped with this as puppies usually chow down anything you put in front of their little noses. The vet, Dr. Aaron, an AWESOME lady, said that most puppies are born with worms, so that may be the problem. And we also got them some "Missing Link," which is a nutritional supplement to add in their food. When we got home, they still weren't eating as much as they needed, so we got some canned dog food and that was the end of that. So these little buggers are high maintenance. And to that, I say, "Dang it!!!" Oh well! Cole is really getting to love them and calls them "his" puppies. And he is getting better at not freaking out when they are trying to play with him.

More good news on the homefront...when Mike and I got the dogs, we did not tell our landlord right away. We were definitely not comfortable "hiding" this from them, as they have been SO great with us up to this point. So, Mike finally called Jun, our landlord, and told them that we picked up two puppies last week. He was a little concerned, so Mike said, "Why don't you come over to the house, check everything out and we can show you that we are really taking excellent care of the place." In other words, "Renelle, start cleaning like crazy!!!" :) The house floors get DISGUSTING in a matter of about 2 hours once I wash them, so I was up at about 5:45 a.m. the morning he was to arrive to come check things out (and fix our master toilet) cleaning my bum off! The place looked great and I really think he was pleased!! :) I talked to him yesterday, and asked him what they had decided about the dogs. He said that he and his wife, Tess, spoke to the realtor that helped them rent this place out and she said to charge us a $500 additional deposit. Jun and Tess told her that she was crazy and they are only requiring us to put down a $300 deposit and they were nice enough to let us pay it in installments. We were thinking that this was going to happen and he was telling me yesterday that he loves us staying here. I also asked him what they were thinking about us staying longer, as our 1-year lease is up in February. I figured I'd ask now in case they wanted to boot us out with the farm we now have. Jun said that we were welcome to stay as LONG as we would like as they really love having us as tenants. And I asked him about the rate we are paying and if it's going to go up when the lease is over. He answered that very quickly with an emphatic, "NO!" Yay! I really feel that the Lord is blessing us for being honest with them and upfront. So, it looks like we have the place until we eventually find a house to invest our little "stash" into. :)

Lastly, I would like to congratulate Mike's sister, Katy, on her recent marriage!! Katy and Beau decided on November 2nd, that after 1 1/2 years of being engaged and MUCH family drama with them getting hitched, that they needed to just do it and they were married the next morning!!! They were married at the Ventura County Courthouse, which by the way, has beautiful grounds and a really nice building, and there were about 20 people there with them. Mike, Cole and I were the only family members from the Koegle clan there, and Mike was able to give her sister away. And when the ceremony was over, Mike was able to pray over them with everyone surrounding them! Beau's mom and stepdad, Barbara & Mike, treated everyone to a wonderful lunch at Mimi's in Ventura and (my) Mike was able to read some scriptures with them and have their first meal together be communion. It was a pretty emotional day and weeks following, but I know the Lord is doing GREAT things and is ever present in their lives. Our relationship was strained with Katy over the last 2 - 2 1/2 years and much has been restored and we are working on it being better than ever!!! It was pretty amazing seeing my husband really taking a leadership role and being such a godly example for his sister and her new husband!!

My family is having Thanksgiving together this year, which is rarity as we normally celebrate with Mike's parents all together. This year we decided to keep it smaller and more intimate and have my mom and dad, Brice and Emilie, and Katy and Beau over for Thanksgiving dinner...here at my house!!! We figured it would be way too much to ask anyone if we could bring our puppies with us, as they shouldn't be left alone for more than about 3-4 hours right now. So, we are going to be cook, cook, cookin' here on Wednesday and Thursday!!! I'm really excited!!! I'll write another update after Thanksgiving with pictures of our feast!! Happy Turkey Day! :)