The Tales of Dan and Sara

Life has changed far too quickly for my poor blog to catch up. If you've been following along on Instagram, probably none of this will be news for you. However, for the rest of you, whether you like it or not, the events of the past month are throwing up all over this post...in the form of short stories, to mix things up.

The Tale of Tony Tony Chopper
So as you already knew, we moved out of Colorado and off to Snowflake. Chopper spent a week there with me, playing with my in-laws' Rotty, before we headed to the valley to my parents' house. That night, he got out of the backyard. We couldn't find him, though I searched until past midnight. The next morning, we put up posters, and within an hour we got a call. I was so relieved that he was safe with such a caring, honest family. It was a mom, her three little boys, and her parents-in-law.
So he was back home with my parents, and I headed back to Snowflake to meet Daniel. Being in his teething stage, in my absence, he took to chewing up Hilde's (my parents' dog) bed. Foam. Everywhere. Every day. After a week, my dad asked me to find somewhere else for him to live. I was crushed, but I understood that that's a lot of hassle for a dog that isn't even yours. Obviously, taking him up to school with us was impossible. The only thing I could do was give him up. And the only person I could think of was the kind mother who took him in off the streets.
So I called her, knowing she would be the only person I'd feel OK about giving him to. And she said yes. A couple days later, I drove down to spend time with him and say goodbye. I was a mess, but my dear husband calmed me down. I still miss him terribly, but Valerie sends me pictures often.

The One with the Fiesta
New Years Eve was very special. It was to be the party of the century in the Coley house. Daniel and I scoured the land for the finest ingredients to make Queso Carne. We each slaved over the kitchen, preparing for the feast. And what a fine feast it was! Authentic Mexican soda, chips and salsa, home cooked tortillas, Queso Carne, and Tres Leches cake! (I'm extremely proud of my cake)

The Accountant and the Music Major

So, we got into BYUI last minute. And I mean LAST minute. We left Snowflake on the Saturday before school started (less than a week ago), and arrived that Sunday to Idaho Falls. I met with a counselor on the first day of school, and enrolled in one religion class, and five music courses. FIVE! It's quite a rush, looking at your schedule and not dreading anything, but actually being excited to learn! It's pretty crazy. Daniel is an accounting major at the moment, testing it out to see if he likes it. He's actually rather enjoying his Macroeconomics class, so that's a good sign! We've so far been making good on our New Years Resolutions to study diligently. We'll see if our goals for exercise pan out ;)

The Nicest Lady and Her Dog

We just moved into our apartment last night. I know you're wondering, "Where have you guys been living all week??" Idaho Falls, my friends. A land of many wonders. One of them is the nicest lady in the world. She goes by "Carol", but I know she's an angel in disguise.... She is the grandmother of a very good friend of ours, and she so kindly let us stay with her from Sunday until Thursday. She'd make us dinner, feed us chocolate milk and ice-cream from her dairy, and let me play her gorgeous piano. And talking to her was such fun! And I haven't even mentioned Roxy! Roxy is the smartest, spunkiest Yorkie I've ever met. Seriously, being there was such a joy. And a life saver. We owe her one...thousand favors.

That concludes story time for today. I'll post more about our new place and school and stuff when I get the chance. :) Thanks for hang in in there, despite long absences through life changes. It's been a roller coaster so far!

Bits 'n Pieces: Moving

1. A couple weeks ago, Dan and I decided to start a work out routine. It was really fun...for the few days that it lasted. How about we start on New Year's?

2. This weekend was so fun!! I surprised my little sisters by coming down to watch their Nutcracker shows. It was such a blast, seeing how much they've grown and improved! I also got to go shopping with my big sissy, and help out backstage with my mom!

3. While I was away, Chopper was at a kennel, and boy did he have fun! When we brought him home, he was so exhausted from playing all day, he went to bed hours early and slept the whole night! I'm so glad he learned how to play with other dogs, because he's gonna have the time of his life with Mila next week!

4. I only have 4 more days in Colorado. That is so sad!

5. Daniel and I LOVE to go to the movies! Our most recent flick was "Penguins of Madagascar". If you have little ones, go see it! If you have grandchildren, go see it! If you're a kid at heart, go see it! It was adorable!

6. Last week, we decided to make this Christmas season more about service. Since it won't really be possible to officially do "12 Days of Christmas Service" like we'd hoped, we're going to do 12 random acts of kindness this month! As of now, we have 2 down, 10 to go. So far, it's really really fun! I'm so thankful that I have a husband who'd do this with me :)

7. Chopper and I went on a walk today! Like a real one, not just up the street and back. He was really skittish at first, but on our way home, he seemed relaxed and confident. He's such a good dog!

8. This weekend, I had 3 of my favorite foods: Apple pie, Nori maki, and Candy Cane Jo Jo's! YUM!

9. I just realized that, even if we weren't moving, it might just be time to take down the autumn wreath from the door...and the hanging ghost in the living room. #autumnlover

10. So ya. Things have been CRAZY! Sorry for the neglect, y'all. And I apologize in advance that I probably won't write again until...i don't know. Moving stinks! In the meantime, I'll be on instagram ( @xosaracxo )!

Bits n' Pieces: November Changes

1. I found my third white hair today. Right on my side part, like a brazen traitor. I really hope those rumors about white hairs being teeny hydra heads is false...

2. I'm finally done reading the Fablehaven series. SO GOOD! I highly recommend it.

3. In case you were wondering: Yes, "Bits n' Pieces" is just a way for me to write about a bunch of random things in one post. Gets the job done.

4. Chopper now knows his Angry Bird plush by name. When you ask for it, he'll bring it to you, wherever it is in the house! We're working on speed every day, and he's catching on super fast. "Ducky" is next!

5. I'm excited to share an upcoming project either the end of this week or the beginning of next. Stay tuned! This may be life changing!

6. Last night, I got Dan to watch "500 Days of Summer" with me. It made him slightly depressed, but he admitted that it wasn't the chick flick he thought it'd be. WIN! Gosh it had been too long since I watched it...too long....

7. Since Fablehaven is done, I'm onto my next book: "The Help". I love the movie to death, and the book is even better!! But not even detracting from the movie. It makes me want to watch it and speak in a Southern accent all day...hehehe!

8. Chopper is also getting the hang of jumping to grab toys out of the air, rather than waiting until they hit the ground to chase after them. Right when I try taking a video, he gets lazy.

9. There's something magical about hanging up clean laundry to dry. I'm in love with our clothesline out back.

10. Now for the big news...we're moving...again. We've loved being here so much, but after Dan graduates from training, there will be no work for him. So we're going to try our luck in Gallup, New Mexico. We'll be living in Snowflake, AZ, so while we're sad to leave, we're excited to be much closer to our families. And at least this time, we have a month and a half to get packed, rather than 3 weeks... :) These next weeks will be stressful, but the result will be worth it. 

This is a long shot, but is anyone interested in renting a wonderful house in Sterling, CO? I know of one that is wide open!

Bits and Pieces: Ups and Downs and Ups

1. Yesterday's Girl Day was so much fun! Katherin brought over some homemade soup and pumpkin dip, which were incredible! We snacked and bawled our eyes out, while we watched "My Sister's Keeper". I'm so blessed to have such a great friend! It's fun to keep each other company while our husbands are on the road.

2. Raspberry Pop-Tart in hand: my life is complete.

3. Dan and I found the public library last week, so I went back this morning to get my library card and the rest of the Fablehaven series. So stoked!! I also filled out a volunteer application :)

4. I'm really sad that I can't take Tony Chopper to AZ with me next month. If he weren't so lanky...

5. Daniel and I started watching "The Walking Dead" last night. As he was leaving for work this morning, he says, "Don't watch any episodes without me, k?" ...Watch a show full of zombies all by myself, without my husband to protect me in case a few wander up the driveway?? No thank you!

6. I really need to fold up all of our clean laundry...but there are 4 books sitting right next to me, begging to be read....

7. There's an enormous pile of leaves on the side of the road near my house. Every time I drive past, I want to veer over and crunch through it! Would you guys judge me if I did??

8. I'm not sure I'm done with my ghosts, yet. They may just haunt our house for another...forever?

9. Totally in need of some epic, but simple Halloween costume ideas. We can't show up to the ward Truck-or-Treat in something boring! Help!

10. Spoiler Alert: We may be bumped out of Sterling by the end of the year. Keep us in your prayers? Thanks! Love you all!

Fuzzy Toddler

A little Chopper update:

What a dog! He gets into so much trouble, sometimes I just need to strangle him! Then he looks up at me with those big brown eyes and I can't resist scooping him up for a snuggle sesh; he LOVES his snuggle time! He's getting so big, I can't even believe it. Soon he'll be too big to crawl up on my lap...or for me to carry him around the Home Depot when he gets whiny and tired. *cough cough*

It's hard getting a good picture of him, because when we aren't snuggling, he's constantly on the move. He tries so hard to play with two toys at once. He'll bite each back and forth, looking for a way to carry both around! So hilarious! 

He's been learning a few tricks, but it's pretty slow going sometimes. So far: he consistently sits and lays down, most of the time rolls over and shakes, and we're working on "Spin around" and "High Five". I think once he gets the hang of the newest ones, we'll work on begging and maybe "Stay". That one will be extra challenging, because he feels the need to be RIGHT THERE next to me all the time. Hahaha! 

At the moment, he's throwing himself a pity party, because I won't throw his toy hamburger to him. I did 15 minutes ago, but it rolled under the couch, then right back out the other side. He won't go pick it up, even though it's literally right there within his reach. I just don't feel like crawling under a table to get it! He is so stubborn! 

This morning, Daniel asked me if having a puppy is quite what I thought it would be. My answer was NO. Chopper is exhausting and annoying and CRAZY! But he's also so sweet and lovable and, did I mention, incredibly fluffy?? Yup, I still love him, despite his love of testing my limits. Good baby practice, eh? 

Tony Tony Chopper

I officially apologize about my whining the other day...because about 20 minutes after I posted that, I found a pair of Border Collie puppies! I didn't want to mention anything on here until it was set in stone.... I'd say bringing our puppy home is pretty much set in stone!

Meet Tony Tony Chopper! (If you get the reference, points to you!) We drove 2 hours each way for him, and it was soooo worth it! When we met him, we were instantly in love! Even Daniel admitted that he was way cuter than he expected. I'll make a dog lover out of him yet!

Chopper's such a cuddle bug! He loves chewing on his squeaky duck, his big Angry Bird, leaves, and towels. He totes around a microfiber dish towel, but trips over it constantly! He initially was pretty scared about coming in and out of the house (and pretty much anywhere new for that matter), but after going in and out for bathroom breaks, he's gotten the hang of it. Speaking of bathroom breaks, he's doing flawlessly for now! I have puppy pads just in case he has an accident tonight, but I think he'll get the hang of it really soon, because he's only ever done his business outside.

I gave him a bath, which he...tolerated at best. He is very very vocal about what displeases him: long car rides, walking through doorways, being shut in the laundry room while we're away, something while chewing up his toys(?), staring at me(??), and me talking on the phone when he's trying to nap. What a goober!! But seriously. Guys. Look at that face!!