Blackmans on the Web (log)

The countdown began for Sam’s last week at home with a nice evening with friends at Billy Bob’s. Billy Bob’s is in the Stockyards in Fort Worth and is billed as “The World’s Largest Honky Tonk”. Wouldn’t argue with that. Six of Sam’s friends and several parents went along for some two-steppin’ and knee slappin’. Great time was had by all. Even Alex and Shelby came up from Stephenville and showed us all how to REALLY two-step. Wow, somebody is going to throw their back out doing that, for sure. Click on the photo to see the fun.

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Ann, Sam and I took a long weekend a couple weeks ago and visited Alex at Tarleton (conveniently it was parents weekend) and then on to Lubbock to visit Texas Tech.

It was the first chance we’d gotten to visit Alex at the ranch since he took up residence part time (soon to be full time) in one of the trailers that Kobie Wood has on his property. It was nice to finally have a picture in our head as to where he was living. We had a nice weekend in Stephenville and Lingleville (where the ranch is located) and even went to Cowboy Church with him on Sunday in Dublin, TX.  

Sunday we drove to Lubbock for a Monday visit to Tech. LONG way out there to be sure. We’d heard about all the wind turbines that are out in that part of the state, but had never seen them. Once you get to Sweetwater, TX there were wind turbines for as far as you can see and they seem to go on forever. It was pretty amazing. Texas Tech is a big place. over 1800 acres of campus. A little too big according to Sam. But it was worth the trip.

Sam with Mike Lish CGS Board Chair

As in past years, we enjoyed attending Camp Grady Spruce’s Camp Crockett Reunion in December. This great annual event was made even more special this year when Sam was chosen as the 2008 Youth Volunteer of the Year. It was great to see the time and devotion that Sam has cheerfully committed to various projects recognized.

Alex was honored last May when he was recognized as a 2007-2008 All-State Teens Serving Texas Finalist. His high school principal, Randy Spain, nominated him based on Alex’s commitment and enthusiasm for his Frisco Horse Park volunteer work.

Our boys are very different in many ways but we are gratified and humbled to have such public affirmations of their shared core values. I pray a lot. One of my prayers since before Alex was even born has focused on my desire for my children to be honest and caring. As the boys began school, I added “responsible” to my daily prayers of petition. As they entered their teen years, “gratefulness” seemed to round out my hopes and dreams for my boys.

I know I should probably care more if they make money or other material evidence of success. I really do believe, though, that if they have the strength and will to always be honest, care about others, take personal responsibility for not just themselves but the world as a whole, and finally to regularly take the time to experience the joy of gratitude, they will be more successful in more ways than they can ever imagine.

As young adults, Alex and Sam remind us regularly how independent and self-sufficient they are becoming. They’re still in my prayers; I’m just enjoying the prayers of thanksgiving.

Scott and I are both making an effort to clean up and sort our many, many photos. These are both from May, 2002. My, how time flies!

We are very indebted to Rick and Penny McLeod, CGS ranch managers in the early 2000’s for their very BIG positive influence on both Alex and Sam. Here, left to right, is Sam, Rick and Alex after a big day of cleaning stables, giving hay rides and generally just hanging out with the horses.

As much as I didn’t want to admit it at the time, Meg was right: She sent the boys BLUE SPARKLY hair gel which they got into before I even knew it had arrived in the mail. I was not pleased! Meg’s comment to me was that it’s just hair and gently suggested I could save my bluster for bigger issues. While we have been very blessed to have the many, many positive influences and support systems we have, I’m just glad it’s now Meg’s turn to have tween-age boys!!!

Cali, Alex, Sam and Ann

Sam is hanging out with Alex this weekend at Tarleton. We met Alex in the Fort Worth Stockyards for dinner. He brought his friend Callie along. Callie is from Denton and her dad happens to work at Collin College in Frisco.

It was great to see Alex. Sounds like things are going great at Tarleton. He’s enjoying school, his new friends and his job with Kobie Wood. Kobie is a horseman in the Stephenville area. He’s letting Alex work at his ranch. Another great opportunity for Alex to learn from people in his field of interest.

Keep up the good work, Alex!

Spruce called on Wednesday with a little camp emergency. Seems they had a session scheduled for kids of military families but therewas a staffing mix up. Our guys got a call to see if they’d be interested in coming out and helping. So they’re off today for a week at CGS. Nice way to end the summer. I’m glad they’ll get to go hang out together for awhile before Alex leaves for Tarleton on the 22nd.

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Been a little side tracked. Realized I hadn’t put up other pictures from Alex’s graduation weekend. I’ve added a movie and photo gallery. Click on the picture of Alex on the stage getting his diploma for the movie and the picture of Alex on the scoreboard for the slideshow.

10:45pm Update: Great party! Lots of friends who have been important in Alex’s life were there. We are all grateful to have such wonderful friends! Alex was pleased with the turnout and – of course – pleased with the thoughtful gifts.

1:00pm: We’re having a party for Alex today. You can click on the picture to see updated pictures that refresh every 5 minutes were taken throughout the day. You can also go to http://www.ustream.tv/scottblackman to see a live stream starting around 3:30 central time.