Hi to all my family. I finally have mustered up enough strength to add something to the blog tonight. I am glad that you have been writing fun memories about Dad.

January 24, Friday I heard a knock at the door just as I was heading off to work to cover the evening shift and there was a woman with a huge beautiful bouquet of flowers. I was completely surprised because I also looked down on the porch and there was another pot of flowers sitting there. I opened the cards and found that Tom and Sherrie and Vivid and sent flowers in remembrance of Dad! I was so surprised that Vivid remembered and appreciated Tom and Sherrie's thoughtful gesture.
I often marvel at how blessed I am to have so many individuals that show their concern and kindness to me.
I am especially appreciative of my children, spouses and grandchildren. I can't tell you how many times your phone calls and encouraging words have helped me focus on the good in my life.
I still have moments that I expect to hear Dad driving up the driveway or trodding up the stairs after a long day at work. I, on occasion, think I catch a glimpse of him driving past in the Sentra headed home or on an errand. I was in the temple last week helping with youth baptisms and felt as tho he could be there checking in on me. I wanted to see him and hear his voice. I miss his strenth and his protective presence. I used to tell him he was my hero. I know that sounds weird but when I would get myself in a bind or was upset about something or in an unsafe situation , he would often step in and resolve the issue when it was beyond my ability. I would always feel a great sense of relief and rescue and grateful that he so willing interceded. I still struggle to want to go to church by myself. I feel that there is such a huge break in my heart as I try to step forward each moment of the day. It is a puzzle to me as to how I am suppose to proceed with my normal activities when things really are no longer normal.
I appreciate the strength and support that all of my family and friends continue to provide. It helps me to feel that I can move forward and handle the responsibilities of my life.
I love all of you and pray for each one of you. I pray for your successes and that your righteous desires will be met. You are all amazing to me and I am so grateful for the coaxing, direction and support each of you gave in helping Evan prepare for his mission. I could not have done as much.

I have included a picture of the flowers Vivid gave me because I took them over to the cemetery.
I am enjoying the beautiful flowers Tom and Sherrie gave me at home.
love from mom

memories from janelle

the previous posts and comments made me really laugh out loud!
All the car posts got me thinking about the time dad, me, & amy went to spy on jon. jon was going to be attending a party of some sort and we thought we knew the name of the friend who was hosting the party. we found this friend's address in the church directory, got in the sebring and drove over to said friend's house. they lived over behind the temple in a nice neighborhood. when we got to the house, me and amy snuck out trying to peer into the windows to spot jon. we couldnt see him, but we saw some people. we then decided to go down the slight slope into the backyard and see if we could spot him from the back. as me and amy descended to the back, dad began reving the engine and rocking the car forward and back. the driveway was a downward slope and he was trying to reverse up. he couldn't do it. he kept putting the car in reverse, grinding the gears, and stepping on the gas. it was making a LOUD sound. me and amy panicked b/c of all the ruckus being caused by dad....we would surely be discovered. after we realized that dad would not be able to reverse the car up hill in a stick shift, we made a brake for the car. luckily no one came out. it turned out to be the completely wrong house as well. jon's party was elsewhere...but dad's complete lack of stealth was so comical to me and amy. hi

More memories...

I have a memory to share about dad on Father's day. I was thinking about this while I was running the other day.

He use to follow me in the car all the time in the high school.

On Saturday mornings in the summer my team would meet to go for a run. I left the house and dad was still out cold in the bedroom upstairs. I didn't think he was aware of my practice. I got to the designated meeting place with my team which was Desert Hills Middle school usually. We would decide where to run when we got there. We started and sure enough about 20 minutes into the run dad would drive by with the window rolled down and yell," Amy Blodgett!" He was trying to embarass me. My teammates thought it was hilarious. He would then proceed to drive ahead about 100 meters park on the side of the road and wait for us to pass. I would yell, "go home!" He continued with this routine for awhile. Then he left, probably to go get breakfast.
The only explaination I can come up with, for how he found me every time was that he would've had to have driven down different streets in search of us until he found us.

Another time in the summer, it was about 10 at night and I decided to go for a run. Since it was late and dark dad said he was going to follow me in the car. I ran a route around the rancho reata area and dad continued to pass by and watch over me enjoying the cool summer breeze in the sentra. I was almost to the bottom of reata road when a man emerged from one the streets. He stopped me and said, "there is a car that keeps turning around and following you." I told him that it was my dad. Dad noticed that a strange man was talking to me and as I passed by dad again he said, "who was that freak talking to you?" And I told him it was another man wondering who he was. Dad was protective and always watched out for his kids.

Please share any memories you might have. I enjoy reading them.

Love, Amy

Off she goes...

Evelyn isn't walking yet. But she likes to push this stroller. She just started doing this the other day. We thought it was cute. She took off really fast. Hopefully the video will work.

Amy