As I begin to type, I am reminded of the pain and fear a mother feels when her child leaves the safety of home and walks into the unknown days of their future. It had only been a few weeks earlier that Clint had announced his decision to leave the University of Houston and join the Marines.
Coach and I could not have been more shocked! For most of his childhood he haddreamed of, someday playing football at U of H, just like his dad.
And that's exactly what he had been preparing to do the past four months. After graduating in January, Clint enrolled at UH and joined his dad who was coaching there. He had just gone through off season and spring training! He loved every minute!
Nevertheless, Clint shared that God had "laid a new dream on top of his" and he knew he must go in this new direction! When I heard this explanation, God reminded me of my daily prayer spoken throughout the years, "Lord help our family, to love you with all of our hearts, souls and minds....and serve you all the days of our lives", I heard Him say, "Prayer, answered."
I wish I could say that my immediate reaction was one of gratitude, however, in all honesty I was 'stung' and hurt. I felt betrayed, having no idea that my prayer would be answered in such a frightening way. I panicked and cried! As fear began to rise, the Lord replayed another memory. This one was much older. A scene from my childhood. ~Growing up in Dallas, our parents would take us, each fall, to the State Fair of Texas. Upon entering the fairgrounds, the family would make it's way over to Big Tex where my mother, year after year, would say,
"The fair is crowded today and we are going to hold hands and all stay together...but if one of you gets lost, stop where you are and find Big Tex!
Walk back to him and we we'll meet here at his feet".~ Suddenly I questioned, ' Lord? Why am I thinking about Big Tex at a time like this'? He spoke again, "If you lose any of your loved ones, you'll be meeting at my feet". In the midst of that frightening moment, He everything changed! He reminded me that I could trust Him. As He placed a robe of peace on my shoulders, a flood of tears washed my fear away.
Three months, 2 brief conversations and many letters later, our family excitedly traveled to San Diego, for Clint's graduation. We arrived at Camp Pendleton's parade deck, before daybreak, anxious to get a glimpse of him. Our girl's spotted him first. We weren't allowed speak yet, but we got as close as we could and just stared.
A few hours later, the recruits would take their final run of USMC Boot Camp. Clint was out in front, leading a large group of young men. He carried a red flag and wore an arm band that said 1005. It was then we we're able to get closer to him and I was able to zoom in close and snap this amazing photo.
It seems important to note that on Clint's first day at Camp 'P', he was given 20 seconds to call home and tell us he had arrived. When I heard his voice I was thrilled, told him I loved him and quickly handed his dad the phone. With only a few seconds left, I heard my Coach challenge his son to, '...go be the best!'
At the end of the next week, we received his first letter. He told us his Drill Sargent had made him Platoon Leader! In closing , he said,"Dad, I have taken your words to heart and I will be the best'! Later on, he earned an Expert Marksman medal. Neither of which surprised us.....
( Clint out front, followed by Jayson Nix, of the Chicago White Sox)
Fast forward, three months later, on the parade deck at Camp Pendleton, our son stands among a 'sea' of 600 young men. All but 7 are wearing the same uniform. Clint is one of the seven, wearing 'dress blues'. We watched in amazement as Clint was selected as Platoon Honorman for Platoon 1005. He a six other young men received a Certificate of Commendation and was presented with a plaque from the Marine Corps Association. When the ceremony over, Clint walked off the parade deck towards his family.
Who stood waiting, with 'heart pounding' pride!
The following week I received a letter from the USMC, the final paragraph read:
The Marine Corps is extremely proud of Clint's accomplishment, and it is the opinion of those who have observed your son closely that he will have continued success in his future Marine Corps endeavors.
B. S. Blankenship
Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Marine Corps
Commanding Officer
The past four years, Clint has been in Washington D.C., two of which he spent here...
standing guard,
at the West Wing door.
serving his time
as a Presidential Guard.
He assisted many dignitaries,
but his favorite, was a fellow Texan and his beautiful wife.
After two years of service, Clint participated in a Exit Ceremony, in which he was able to invite his Dad. They were officially introduced to the President, where upon entering the Oval Office the President thanked Sgt. Clint Spradlin, for his service and visited a few minutes with Coach, about Texas football. One of many shared moments, they'll never forget.
Clint, completed his 5 years of service on July 10th and moved back to Texas, one week ago today! He is currently in the Dallas/Ft. Worth metroplex, making plans for his future and looking for a job.
...and excited about, future fun!
Everyone loves Clint!
...because he's so much fun!
In closing let me say this.............. "Welcome Home, Son"!
Your momma is one happy woman!..and your dad couldn't be prouder! We salute you, Clint...and the man you have become.
We also extend a heart-felt salute the thousands of men and women, and their families that have sacrificed their all to protect and serve our nation. We are humbled ...You inspire us! Thank you! 
God, bless America!... and may you turn our hearts, minds and soul's back to you!
down the hall and into the ..............
Varsity Locker Room. I must mention at this point that locker rooms are not one of my favorite places to be, for they can be quite odoriferous! However, on that day I'm pleased to say, it was not unpleasant. Perhaps it was due to the fact that it has been 'airing out' since the first of June...and there wasn't a dirty sock in sight!.
Glancing around the room, I searched to find the wall's I'd be painting on. Hmmmm, a Gatorade machine. How refreshing! And a........
FLAT SCREEN TV??? Are you kidding me? 
Every wall was occupied with something.
A bit confused, I heard his voice behind me saying, "You can start in here first"!
and I looked to the right. Silence followed. The CC's I would soon be painting were on the floor of the boy's bathroom, in front of the latrines, for heaven's sake!!!
Yikes! I shudder at the thought,
and though the floors were repainted this summer, I had to wonder...
I read something on the wall that made me feel so much better!
And there were more!
Ouch! That hurt! At this point, I began to get tickled. You know, one of those moment's when nobody get's it but you and your cracking yourself up!
I finished the potty floor, stood up tall and headed to the showers. It was there that my friend June called me on my cell phone. I told her what I was doing, which made her laugh and then she said the most terrible thing (something I had not thought of). June said, " I hope you don't get athlete's foot on your hands." I quickly stood up an finished the job in a squat.
With 2 down and 1 to go, 
I knocked the 3rd on out in no time!
Coach surprised me with a diet Dr. Pepper, with diet cherry and vanilla! He really knows how to win me over! But wait! There's more. That man. Love of my life, had one more surprise up his sleeve...
a car wash!
Doesn't that just melt your heart!
No diamonds for me please. Just give me a clean red truck!
When the girls arrive the table is set and the candles are lit. When everyone is seated, we pass around a favorite appetizer, I like to call Raspberry Cheese.
Where teams of 2 or 3, completely outfitted a 'cheerleader' from head to toe, with toilet paper.
A simple snack and a few supplies are all you need! These wooden plaques were at the Dollar Tree for $1.00 each.(There were several shapes. The squares were cute! If you have the right equipment you could cut them out yourself . Lowes sells a sheet of this type of board for $10.00.) At first I had no idea what I would do with these little boards. Then it came to me! Scrapbook paper! I just love all the wonderful patterns and colors and since I don't scrapbook I seldom have an opportunity to use it. You'll need several sheets.
So,with Rubber Cement we covered our plaques in a variety of scrapbook paper. Making sure to glue down the edges. Did you know that rubber cement won't wrinkle your paper like Elmer's?
With a variety of rubber stamps, large and small we stamped out a message...
....Onto our pretty papered plaques!
Turning simple into special!
A little ribbon adds a nice touch.
Waiting their turn!
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