—– On a different note, on Friday the 13th I went by the vet and picked up Maggie’s remains. She was cremated as most of you know. I cannot believe how difficult that simple act was for me to do. The ashes are in a nice little can and there is a swatch of her hair under plastic on top of it. We will keep it here until Spring and then likely find a nice spot in the sunshine in the backyard she loved so much, and bury her there. Still tough to even write about – hope it always will be because I hope I never forget what we lost with her passing.
Well – I have gone on for quite awhile here so probably time to bring it to an end.

***** BY THE WAY —- WHEN DOES MY FIRST STIMULUS PAYMENT GET HERE FROM MR. OBAMA? I could use a booster shot in the wallet – but my guess is they’ll miss my wallet!

Peace & love.

The Dad

Things Have “Changed” Around Here ……..

February 7, 2009 by Steve Elledge 

I have been stewing around for a few days putting off writing the inevitable blog regarding the past week. I guess you can’t put off the inevitable inevitably……….???? The time has come.
* I had been in a meeting in Cheyenne for a couple of hours Monday morning when I got the call. The Mom had taken Maggie in to the vet to have her teeth cleaned ….. and she needed it. Maggie was sedated and they were in the cleaning process when she apparently went in to cardiac arrest. Dr. reported they worked in excess of 10 minutes on every revival procedure they knew — but to no avail. Mags was gone.
* You never know how much you take stuff for granted – even stuff you love – until it isn’t around any more. It is amazing the simple little things I miss about Mags – **things like reaching behind me in the morning and patting her as she lays along my lower back – all cuddled in and warm – wow! ***And I can hardly look at the bannister between the kitchen and the family room now when I come in from work – she would always hustle over to it and “daringly” stick her head and front legs through to greet me and get a pat or two. ****Eating without her woofing at us for a bite isn’t near the fun it used to be! *****Just the lack of having her nearby whenever I am in the house is devastating actually. Lord I miss that four legged black beauty!
* I have, however, figured out a few things. Nothing and nobody walks this earth forever. We all have our time here and then we are gone. Maggie was blessed with a graceful and painless exit. She had a good life (Pugs life expectancy is in the 9 – 11 year age range) – she was 9.5 years old to the day. She didn’t have illness to battle, she wasn’t miserable, she was comfortable and seemed content with what she had. The thing that plays a bit in my mind is ” I only hope we provided her with a portion of the magnificent love, loyalty, and joy she provided to us.” And in the end, she spared us alot of caregiving and decision-making. She was awesome! Awesome ….. I think that pretty well says it! Awesome Mag!
* Sophie is a concern but so far she has amazed me also. Poor crippled-up Sophie who has never lived a night that I can think of under a roof without another dog for companionship. She was plucked out of her litter – I think she stayed a night or two with Wendy but Kasey was there – and then here with Mag. She has got to be confused BUT she really seems to be dealing with it well. She has looked around for Maggie a few times a day – first couple of mornings she seemed frustrated trying to find her under the comforter – she watches the door from her perch atop the hallway stairway – but all in all she seems to accept the loss. She definitely isn’t used to all of the attention she gets since she doesn’t have to share – LOL I think it even irritates her a bit as much as we have been in her face this week …… but I think Sophie is going to recover splendidly. The Mom has been taking her for short rides daily trying to get her more comfortable in the car so she can occasionally accompany us and we don’t have to leave her here alone for awhile if we are headed someplace she “could” go. Anyway —- it’s a new world for Sophie too —- keep her in your prayers.
* Sorry that this got to be a bit of a ramble. First day I have really felt like talking about the week a little bit. What a “Hole” in our lives – what a difference in our home – what a complete lifestyle alteration around here. Maggie – you ARE a huge part of our lives – you always will be – wouldn’t have it any other way. Will never forget you and what you brought to our world Precious …. I love you.

The Dad

My First Christmas!

December 26, 2008 by Braelyn 

Boy did I get a good night sleep last night!  Finally, because I have been so tired having had so much to do for the past week.  I flew to Denver on the 19th with my mommy and daddy, and we rented a car and drove to Fort Collins and picked up my cousin Courtney who rode to Casper, Wyoming with us.  We got to grandma and grandpa’s house where we spent almost a whole week.  It was really fun, but there were so many people around that I didn’t sleep much because I didn’t want to miss out on a thing!

While in Casper, I got to spend time with a lot of my family that I never get to see, so it was so much fun!  I played at Great-Grandma Hotshot’s house with all of her Christmas toys.  They play music and I like to dance to it.  I also like crawling around her house and exploring all the really fun stuff.  I got stuck a few times!  Daddy is going to put some pictures up on his website, maybe on mine, too.  I loved seeing my great-grandma.  She loves me so much and I love her, too!

I also got to see my Great-Grandpa Carlen.  This funny guy just keeps kissing and loving on me.  He gave me so many kisses this past week that I won’t know what to do without them.  He is so lucky… he is going to spend a whole month in California.  I haven’t ever been to California, but my mommy and daddy said we’ll go there sometime and go to Disney Land and see our family out there.  I can’t wait!

I also got to see my Aunt Stephanie, Uncle Mikey and my cousins Stephen and Ashley.  They all love me, too!  It was really fun spending time with them and going over to their house to party like the rockstar I am!  When I grow up I hope I can dance as good as Ashley.  Ashley and Courtney both tell me how hot Zac Efron is.  He is cute, but I don’t like boys yet.  I also am going to learn karate like Stephen so I can keep all the boys away from me!

Of course I also got to spend a lot of time with my Grandma Vickie and Grandpa Steve.  Boy, I sure love them and wish I could see them a lot more.  I have been lucky to see them a lot this first year of my life, especially considering how far away they live from me.  They love me lots and it was sure fun seeing them in person instead of on the computer like we always do.

I can’t forget to mention that my oldest cousin Brandon “Big B” was there for some of the time and so was my cousin Keegan.  They were fun to hang out with, too!  I just wish that Big B, Nathan,  and my Aunt Wendy and Uncle Tony could have been in Casper for Christmas Eve with us.  It’s ok, though, because I got to go see them on Christmas Day in Fort Collins.  It was weird to see them all at the hospital because Big B had surgery on Christmas Eve morning.  His surgery went well!  He looked different with a bandage all over his head, but I got to see him after they took it off and he had cheeks just like me!  Big B loves me lots and kept holding my hand.  He is so special, I love him so much.  Nathan thinks I’m pretty cool, too.  He always likes to hold me when I see him.  I can’t believe how big he is now!  I will get to see him in May when he graduates from high school.  It was really fun seeing all of the Lechers, even if it was at the hospital.

Besides seeing everyone for Christmas, I had a lot of firsts while in Casper.  I went to church for the first time and I was such a good girl.  I really liked it and want mommy and daddy to take me to church more often.  I think God is pretty cool!  I also took two steps on several occasions.  Everyone clapped and told me how big I was — they are so weird!  And, I got lots of presents!  Aunt Stephanie cheated and gave me one of my presents a few days early.  It was a really neat play purse full of fun stuff.  I also got a coat and a bunch of clothes from my grandma and grandpa.  I got a really pretty (even if my daddy doesn’t think so) leopard print outfit from the Lovatos and Ashley.  The Lechers got me some really cute purple overalls and matching shirt.  Great Granpa Emmett gave me one of my great-grandma cookie’s collector beanie babies, and my great-grandma hotshot gave me money that mommy and daddy are putting into my savings account for me.  While all of the presents were neat, I really loved playing with the wrapping paper and bows!  I also loved dancing to all the music that was played.

On Christmas Day we flew back home where I got even more presents.  None topped seeing my Bubba again!  I really missed him but was happy to see him when we picked him up from his Daddy/SD’s house.  When we got home, I got to open more presents from Santa, Mommy, Daddy and Bubba!  I got a big kitchen to play with, a really neat musical stand with a computer just like daddy’s, an awesome Dave Matthews Band shirt and more!  It was a great first Christmas, that’s for sure.

This morning when I woke up after a long, really great sleep in my own bed, I got to see my Hoover (and the other dog) again!  I really missed them, too.

Well, I think I need to go take a nap.  I am exhausted just thinking about all of the wonderful time I got to spend with my family and all of the fun and pretty presents I got.  I can’t wait for Sunday because I get to have another Christmas with my Grandma and Grandpa Bradshaw, my uncle Chris, Aunt Sandy and my cousins Cayse and Wyatt.  I bet more people will be there, too.  And then, in just a couple of weeks I will get MORE presents because it will be my First Birthday!  Oh, the excitement.  I am tired.  Watch for pictures and probably even some Hoover videos coming soon!

Love,

Braelyn Grace

Well I think it’s time for me to take a nap.  I am so exhausted just thinking about all of the

A Weird But Blessed Christmas

December 26, 2008 by Steve Elledge 

Where to start? What a week! See if i can recap it:

* Brandon went down to Fort collins for a Dr. appointment last week (thursday I believe) and brought Keegan (Butchie) back with him.
* I went through a bunch of medical tests to try to figure out why I was in so much pain. Was finally diagnosed and began medication for Shingles.
* Ryan, Rebecca, and Braelyn flew in to Denver on Friday, rented a car, stopped in Fort Collins and picked up Courtney, and arrived here in Casper Friday afternoon.
* Sunday I quit caffeine and one of my medications, per Dr. instruction, in preparation for a stress test to be administered at the Medical Center on Monday morning.
* Vickie accompanied me to hospital Monday, caffeine headache and all, only to learn I was a week early and the test is scheduled for the 29th! Sheesh!
* Packed Brandon’s vehicle up with clothing, desk, & futon and he headed to Fort Collins on Tuesday. That’s gonna leave a big hole in our lives for awhile – he has really been fun to have around.
* Christmas Eve started out rather confusing. We didn’t know for sure what our schedule was going to be but we all hung in there and guess what —- turned out great. Mom came over around 3, Betty & Emmett met us at the church at 4, we all enjoyed a nice Christmas Eve service then came to the house for a great Dinner with Turkey and all the trimmings, we then opened gifts and I believe that a good time was had by all.
* 5:30 Christmas morning Ryan, Rebecca, Braelyn, and Courtney in one car – Vickie, Butchie, and i in another – headed for Fort Collins. Went straight to the hospital at Loveland where Brandon was recovering from over 5 freakin’ hours of surgery on Christmas Eve.
* Met up with Wendy & Tony & Nate at B’s room and visited a couple of hours. They had “attempted” to sleep in B’s room but I am thinking they got very little actual sleep. What a dedicated and loving support group for the B – his parents are amazing, his Lecher grandparents stayed with them through the entire surgery and into the following day, and the rest of his family prayed and supported him from all over the country! I AM DAMN PROUD OF THE ELLEDGES, THE LECHERS, AND RELATED PARTIES! I wouldn’t be anything else (even if i had a choice lol)!
* We got B to his parents around early afternoon on Christmas Day – a great gift for us all and he looks really great “unwrapped”. When the Doc took the bandages off it was incredible to me!
* Vic and i drove back to Casper Christmas night so that our “girls” wouldn’t be here alone all night _ who knows what they might invent to do to retaliate? LOL
* Sooo… it’s the day after Christmas and what do I think?
* I love my family so much – every last one of them. I am blessed beyond belief. I realized that I have a remarkable and diverse group surrounding me that are irreplaceable.
* God is so good. How could anyone think that all that has happened in one week in my life is “chance”? Wow …… I am truly blessed.
* The week was hectic, the week was a little painful, the week was perfect because I was able to connect with so many of this amazing family .

Peace and love and God’s grace to each and every one of you.

It appears the wind has stopped – or at least died down – another miracle! Think I will go out and stack some firewood if it isnt too cold. If it is ….. I’m not too bad at vegging – still have some Gallactica episodes to look at courtesey of the B!

The Dad

Nice Weekend

December 8, 2008 by Steve Elledge 

The Mom and I took off for Fort Collins on Friday afternoon for a Lecher visit. Had a really nice time.
* Friday night we visited and hung out at the house. Tony & Wendy & Courtney & Keegan & Nate all seem to be doing well and busy as usual.
*Saturday we went over to Windsor for Nates wrestling tournament. He did very well —- stuck a couple of guys and took down second place over all at 152 lbs.
* After the tournament we went to a new Mexivan Restaurant called Aquila’s (or something close to that). We all ate too much but it was awesome food.
* Sunday morning we did church at Timberline – what a great facility and the Pastor had a really good message that I needed to hear on Leadership.
* Then we went and did a touch of birthday (Keegan) and Christmas shopping and went to Five Guys Hamburger joint. A good burger!
* We drove home yesterday afternoon – good weather though a touch windy (go figure).
* Today in Casper, WY the snow has been pretty steady – it is winter out there!
* Dogs are fine – B spoiled them as usual.
* All for now – Love & Peace.
The Dad

Mom: It’s that time of the year again

November 28, 2008 by Lovatos 

I loved your thankful list. Quite an assortment.
I too am thankful…for you and Mike and Ashley and Stevie.
I am thankful for Wendy and Tony and Brandon, Nathan, Courtney, Keegan.
I am thankful for Ryan, Rebecca, Spencer and Braelyn.
I am thankful for the love of a wonderful husband.
I am thankful for salvation through what Jesus has done for me in my life. Thank You Father.
Wow so much to be thankful for.

We are truely Blessed

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