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Mike's Initial Blog Post

by Dick Blanchard on 01/29/17

This is my first post to my newly created blog on my web site and shared on my Facebook page. I hope you enjoy it, I look forward to making more posts to the blog over time to keep you informed about my prison activities and the status of my case.

First off, I would like to wish everyone a belated Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Thank you to those who emailed me or sent a card. It may seem trivial but those bits of communication and stories of your lives mean the world to me. Secondly, thanks to everyone for their continued support of our family through this nightmare. It has been a difficult time lately with the Court of Appeals denying a rehearing and even refusing to publish their opinion. Mr. Hardy, my appellate lawyer is working on a petition to the Colorado Supreme Court, though with his schedule that will take some time. In the interim I have been working with a couple of people here on strategies for the 35C (post conviction).

Amy and the kids are doing well and as usual staying very busy. I think the kids had a good Christmas visiting with me the weekend prior and getting to see both sides of the family. All three kids amaze me. They are all doing great in school, seem to be doing well socially and emotionally, and all three excel in their respective endeavors. Actually they excel in anything that they do. Amy and I are truly blessed. I am so proud of them. I have to thank Bob and Marilyn, as well as our circle of friends, for without their help the logistics would be impossible.

I continue to work maintenance in recreation and do some training in Crossfit and Olympic lifting. We just finished our volleyball season where my team took first place. I am enrolled in an on-site small business program through Adams State University, which is going well so far. At this point I am maintaining to hold onto a 4.0, which I hope will make our super-achiever kids proud. Most enjoyably I am still part of the 7 Habits on the inside core group. It's rewarding to work with the population here to effect positive change in the community and the mindset of men who had, for one reason or another, abandoned their character and principles. We just held orientation for the next class beginning next week.

In all honesty, it is a daily struggle to stay positive, though I am a very fortunate man to have an amazing women like Amy for a wife and best friend.

Thanks to everyone for their continued support. I hope everyone is having a great 2017 so far.

Mike!

Comments (6)

1. Dick Blanchard said on 1/30/17 - 09:58AM

Thanks for agreeing to start a blog Mike. I know your many supporters are interested what like is like for you and your family, and what is happening with your case. I look forward to reading future posts from you. God bless you!

2. Amy Clark said on 1/30/17 - 11:13AM

I am proud of Mike for starting a blog. He is in an impossible situation and staying "up" is quite a battle. He is so proud of the kids, but he is also painfully aware of how much he is missing every day and it kills him. He is an amazingly dedicated father, he always has been, and I think it is important for him to have this outlet and a way for people to get to know him a bit. I know that he is trying to keep it positive and to focus on the light because that is all that he can do. Thank you for reading his blog and leaving comments for him. It helps him though some pretty dark days.

3. Dick Blanchard said on 1/30/17 - 11:26AM

Amy, I hope people respond to Mike's blog because I know from many years working with the Wrongfully Convicted how important it is to hear from people on the outside and know they are supporting them and standing behind them.

4. Kathy Petersen said on 1/30/17 - 06:58PM

Mike, I enjoyed your blog. So good to hear how you are doing and always amazing to me how you manage to keep your positive outlook during this unbelievable situation. The inmates there have a good leader. We are as proud of you as we are of Amy and your kids.

5. Heidi Edwards said on 1/30/17 - 07:16PM

It's so good to hear from you Mike! Happy New Year and I'm praying for a new year of hope that will get you closer to spending your days and nights with Amy and the kids! Even though you are all far from us, you are in our hearts and prayers. I hear and see snippets of Michaela, your actress, and think about the years she and Belle, my actress, spent together. Sweet drama queens of the playground, huh? Just ran across a pic of all the kids for a birthday party and it made my heart smile (or as I first accidently typed "smike"...fitting huh?). Kieran, Kylie, and Michaela are blessed to have you as their daddy. We are blessed to know and love you! Many hugs and continued prayers friend!

6. Leanne W said on 3/9/17 - 10:57PM

My thoughts are always with your family! Stay strong!

Leave a comment

Main | Belated St. Patrick'... »

1.	Dick Blanchard said on 1/30/17 - 09:58AM
	Thanks for agreeing to start a blog Mike. I know your many supporters are interested what like is like for you and your family, and what is happening with your case. I look forward to reading future posts from you. God bless you!
2.	Amy Clark said on 1/30/17 - 11:13AM
	I am proud of Mike for starting a blog. He is in an impossible situation and staying "up" is quite a battle. He is so proud of the kids, but he is also painfully aware of how much he is missing every day and it kills him. He is an amazingly dedicated father, he always has been, and I think it is important for him to have this outlet and a way for people to get to know him a bit. I know that he is trying to keep it positive and to focus on the light because that is all that he can do. Thank you for reading his blog and leaving comments for him. It helps him though some pretty dark days.
3.	Dick Blanchard said on 1/30/17 - 11:26AM
	Amy, I hope people respond to Mike's blog because I know from many years working with the Wrongfully Convicted how important it is to hear from people on the outside and know they are supporting them and standing behind them.
4.	Kathy Petersen said on 1/30/17 - 06:58PM
	Mike, I enjoyed your blog. So good to hear how you are doing and always amazing to me how you manage to keep your positive outlook during this unbelievable situation. The inmates there have a good leader. We are as proud of you as we are of Amy and your kids.
5.	Heidi Edwards said on 1/30/17 - 07:16PM
	It's so good to hear from you Mike! Happy New Year and I'm praying for a new year of hope that will get you closer to spending your days and nights with Amy and the kids! Even though you are all far from us, you are in our hearts and prayers. I hear and see snippets of Michaela, your actress, and think about the years she and Belle, my actress, spent together. Sweet drama queens of the playground, huh? Just ran across a pic of all the kids for a birthday party and it made my heart smile (or as I first accidently typed "smike"...fitting huh?). Kieran, Kylie, and Michaela are blessed to have you as their daddy. We are blessed to know and love you! Many hugs and continued prayers friend!
6.	Leanne W said on 3/9/17 - 10:57PM
	My thoughts are always with your family! Stay strong!