A few weeks ago my fellas and I were having lunch at Chuy’s – as we tend to do every single Saturday of our lives barring illness or some inexplicable urge to eat elsewhere, though why, why would we do that, WHY, WHEN WE KNOW THAT OTHER RESTAURANTS DO NOT OFFER DELUXE TOMATILLO SAUCE, MY WORD – and after we’d placed our order, Alex said, “Mama, can I borrow your phone for a minute? I want to type out a story.”
So I handed him my phone, showed him how to pull up the “notes” feature thing-y, and for the next ten or fifteen minutes he typed away at his story, only pausing occasionally to ask us how to spell a word or to make sure he was saving the document correctly.
He put down the phone when it was time to eat, but after we finished he asked if he could read us his story. And he did. We laughed so hard at what he had written that just thinking about the sweetness of the memory brings tears to my eyes. And at the end of the story – when he smiled so big just from knowing how much his daddy and I had enjoyed what he’d written – I thought, Well, it’s finally happened. His stories really are his own now.
I started this blog when Alex was two. It blows my mind to think about that, to remember how he toddled around with a pacifier in his hand, how he threw fits in his car seat when he didn’t want to go somewhere, how he’d always say, “God made you special and he wuvs you BERRY MUCH” every single night after we said prayers. And for about four years, there was something so fun and so therapeutic about being able to document our days here on my blog. I wouldn’t take anything for having this little record of family memories, and I’m grateful that I’ve written about so many of my favorite “mama moments.” Our stories – his stories – are precious to me; they’re our history, you know?
But now he’s seven. Almost eight. And a lot of his stories? Well, they’re just not mine to tell anymore.
(I just realized that so far this post is making it sound like I’m about to shut down my blog.)
(Unfortunately, that is not the case even a little bit.)
(But apparently I get a little sentimental when I think about the fact that my boy is growing up.)
(I will now attempt to be somewhat more upbeat.)
Anyway, my point in writing this post is just to say that I know I’ve been in a bloggy slump lately. A big huge part of that is that I struggle with what to write about, especially now that the boy is getting older and it makes me feel uncomfortable to share too much of his life here on the interweb. The irony is that I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE having a child this age – I get such a kick out of our conversations and his sense of humor and the way he looks at the world – but I want to be protective of his boundaries. Because even if he doesn’t really understand right now that he needs boundaries, one day he will. And I want him to know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I tried my best to be respectful of that.
So given all of that, there’s been a little bit of a bloggy identity crisis going on with me (for the record, that was the absolute lamest thing I’ve EVER written, but I don’t know how else to say it). I’m not good at the home decor stuff. I don’t post a lot of recipes. I love sports, but people get tired of reading about them. I love the Lord, but I’m a smidge too irreverent (and also wordy) for devotional writing. I like to write about family, but honestly, it has been one sad thing after another in my extended family over the last year or so, and that doesn’t really lend itself to WITTY. I like lighthearted and kicky and punchy and fun. But I almost feel like I’m fresh out of, you know, TOPICS.
(Does anybody have an upbeat-yet-poignant piece of music that they could start to play softly in the background?)
(Because I’ve started to sound like the end of a “Doogie Howser, MD” episode.)
(You know, when he was typing in his journal on his sah-weet blue-screen monitor.)
Last thing. And then I’ll stop oh sweet mercy I promise I’ll stop.
The blogosphere is a very different place than it was back in ye olden days, when we wrote posts with fountain pens and delivered them via the Pony Express. People are super-sophisticated about how they market themselves and brand themselves and etc. and so on and so forth. That stuff just isn’t my thing. And because it’s not my thing, there have been times – like, oh, NOW – when I think that I don’t really fit in with whatever this new model of blogging is. I have Twitter because I enjoy it. I have ads because they enable me to cover the cost of running this little parcel of interweb real estate. I don’t have a Facebook page for my blog because I think the internet is probably sick and tired of me already. I don’t really know what all that SEO stuff is and certainly have no idea why I should care.
But despite all the changes, I still love blogging. I really do.
And even though I’m struggling a little bit with what to write about – and with the confidence to post what I write (there are a lot of unpublished posts in my drafts folder because I decide they’re terrible and then I chicken out) – I’m gonna keep trying to push through.
The bottom line is that my lack of bloggy consistency has been bugging me, so I wanted to say something about it, but for heaven’s sake please don’t let me interrupt even one more second of your weekend with my silly nonsense.
Now go eat some fried chicken or something.
And I’ll see y’all next week.
Sophie,
Okay, well, I’ve commented here and there, and I so wanted to say “hello” at Deeper Still in OKC in 2009, but I chickened out. I poked my sister, and said, “There’s Sophie, y’know, Boo Mama!” She thought I actually knew you the way I was recounting some of your stories! But, Girl, you make me laugh! And long for home in the South. I, too, am a “blogger,” and I say “blogger” because I’ve not written anything but hit or miss for a while, and I think some of the same things about boundaries for our kids. They aren’t always our stories to tell. I would be devastated if you left the bloggy world (I check Boo Mama right after Big Mama, ’cause you know, alphabetical and all), so don’t leave. But I hear your “voice,” and I laugh. You’ve got a great story-telling ability, and even if it’s just a recounting of the SEC woes (sorry, Big 12 Girl here), I love to read. And smile. And drool over Chuy’s (we’re moving to TX, though, so Chuy’s here I come!).
I LOVE your blog. It seems to me you always have something to say. Love your personality that shows through your words, too!
Oh my word- can’t even begin to tell you how much I relate to your post! I’ve been blogging for almost 4 years and as my kids get older (oldest will be 8 in June) I have the same issue as you do. I loved documenting our family when they were younger and I wouldn’t change anything, but now they’re so much more aware of what’s going on and I don’t want to put anything out there that might come back to bug them later.
I love your blog and will keep reading whenever you post. I keep going back and forth between shutting my blog down and just posting when I have something to say. Problem is I don’t feel like I have anything to say.
You and Melanie were two of the first blogs I’d ever started reading and as a stay at home mom with three kids I looked forward to reading y’alls exploits with my coffee first thing in the morning :). Just wanted to let you know that although we’ve never met I feel like I know you and your sweet family! Thanks for sharing with us.
You just keep right on blogging whatever your heart leads you to blog, all the way from MS STATE!!! to Martha to Compassion, cause I love reading it all. In a non-stalker-y, imaginary BFF kinda way.
Love you! Love your blog! Love anything you have to say…you are funny. I really like the AI updates or the Bachelor updates…REALLY love the Martha stories!! But I have a couple of ideas if you are fresh out…what about writing little essays about stories from growing up. Siblings. Things you used to think but got smarter. Funny stories about happenings at church. Your son might enjoy getting to know more about you while reading old blog posts when he gets older…and we will get to enjoy them now!! Just an idea…
Your blog always makes me smile! And for a short while.. I was afraid this little bloggy enterprise you’ve created was coming to an end!! Sooooo grateful about your honesty, humor and ability to be candid. Love the Doogie reference also.. totally forgot about the sassy blue hued computer screen… kinda War Gamesish huh? Thanks for the daily chuckles, tears and awesome linky~thinga~maboppers. Rock on sista.. and we love our Chuys too! Luv you, and reading your posts daily here in the tropical oasis of “”the desert””. Oh wait… I can hear the Howser soundtrack playing now.. I have the urge to wear something acid washed, neon or anything that smells like Jean Nate, or Aqua Net. Just sayin.
Yes, it did sound like you were about to shut down your blog and all I can say is I’m SO happy that you aren’t. Even though I’m not one to comment very often, you are still one of my favorite blogs to read. I check in everyday, but ya know what, things are so busy with everyone these days sometimes I’m actually relieved when one of my favorite bloggers doesn’t post cause then maybe I’ll actually be productive and spend my time doing things that need to be done instead of reading blogs. If you need to write less, so be it, but please don’t shut down the shop!
I for one will never tire of reading your take on SEC sports (Go Gators), trips to Steinmart and recipes that have cream cheese as the main ingredient. Blog on girlfriend!
I’m just wondering how come I don’t see you at Chuy’s, seeing as how I’ve eaten there about 300 times since they came to B’ham. (not to mention three times in the last 4 days. Ahem.) I think I am even burning out the kids on Chuy’s. Except my eldest…he loves those fish tacos! :)
I decided to go ahead and write a post on my own blog in response to this … http://lemonliving.blogspot.com/2011/03/my-response-to-boomama.html
Well, Boomama – let me tell you why I keep coming back to your blog. I am about to describe my morning ritual for you. I get my three girls ready for school and off on the bus. I come home, pour myself a BIG cup of coffee and sit down and visit your blog and then hop over to Big Mama’s. I read your stories, antics and views on life and I feel like I am having coffee talk (insert Mike Meyers) with my best friend. That is it! I appreciate you that you not the big well-oiled blog machine, for which I feel those people are writing for the masses and I try to avoid them at all costs. You love our God, your love your family and you love sports (we might differ a little on that talking point). Heck, you even got me to watch the Bachelor this season.
So my advice, keep on keep on. I will be here every morning, with my coffee in hand, to talk to Boomama!
Boo Mama, your and Big Mama’s blogs are two of the four blogs I have bookmarked and I read them almost every morning. I love your writing style — no matter what you write about! I love your wit and sense of humor and your perspective on any topic you choose! I love anyone who can make me laugh. You have a gift.
So I pray you’ll persevere through the blog identity crisis and just keep sharing your thoughts about any ol’ thing that comes to mind. Because I would seriously miss you if you decided to shut down.
Would you mind terribly if I cut and paste this on my blog and pretend I wrote it as my own state of the blog address?
Love, love, LOVE your blog. Please don’t stop. Your sense of humor really brightens my days. I wish I were funny – I am so NOT, but I do appreciate someone who is. Love your quirky style, your stories and the fact that you don’t take yourself too seriously. I tend to be way too somber too much of the time and you help me to lighten up. Your blog blesses me so I hope you never quit! God bless.
Boomama,
I love your blog. I come here everyday, just to see what you have to say. As far as I am concerned, no theme or organization is needed for your blog. I love your wittyness( is that a word?). You crack me up, and I need that in my life. The last two years have been some of the most trying times in my life. I am now a single mother with 2 small children to care for, and to come here and get some humor is such a pick me up. And when you do have days that you get deep on a subject, I enjoy that also. I would miss you dearly if you no longer posted.
You are so sweet! You are not the only one with Bloggy Writer’s Block. I have the same problem, just in reverse – I don’t have a little one yet, but it’s the reason I started my blog as well. I am also too wordy to write devotions, but sometimes God just puts something on my heart that I just must post. I can’t explain it and I know he does the same for you. Don’t worry about consistency, I know I will still check in on a regular basis. I mean, who could miss the Wal Marts and the Stein Marts. Love ya!
never leave us. never ever. because what you are doing DOES matter. it DOES count in the whole big picture of things. you are sharing life on life, and that is the purest form of evangelism there is, sophie. (we don’t mind if a day or so goes by in between posts. just don’t disappear. you would be missed terribly.)
i wish i could look you in the eye so you would know how much i value you and your perspective. you and melanie are still my favorites. you are dearly loved!
I know I”m late to this (our internet was down for 2 whole days! I got waay behind on my blogs. Which, yes, does mean I have way too many in the old feedreader) but still wanted to pop in. I can so relate! My kids were older when I started blogging, so I’ve always tried to be careful, but there have been a few times I’ve prob crossed the line. It’s hard.
I, personally, am a loser as a blogger. I don’t blog consistently. I don’t have ads. I don’t market myself. I don’t even link my blog to my FB. But I enjoy blogging, and that works for me. I enjoy your blog. My advice, for what it’s worth, is to not stress it. Blog when you like, about what you like. Enjoy it. It’s a fun outlet and a great way to meet people. Need it be more?
Also, thanks to you, I read “Radical” this weekend. Great book!
You were my first blog to love and I will always love you – you are like seinfeld – you can write about nothing at all – and it’s funny and amazing.
And I get the whole boundary thing. I know that time will come for us (although I always imagine by the time Harper is 7 or so blogs may be a thing of the past).
I didn’t get to read this post till now…when you referenced it in today’s (or was it now yesterdays’ post)
anyway.
I want you to know I was just thinking about you this weekend after talking to my sister who now lives very near Destin. She and I have lived in lots of places in this country (military dad) but never the SOUTHLAND (well, I lived outside D.C. in Virginia, but I think we both know The South doesn’t begin till you get to Richmond and they start selling real sweet tea. I digress)
Sister and I were chatting about her inlaws, who have a spectacular garden…and so does her mother in laws parents. And apparently, there are “beans” and “peas” I never knew exsisted and cannot find anywhere here to try. (I promise I’m going somewhere with this…here we go…)
You came to mind because I have loved hearing about all the different things y’all do/have/eat/say (not necessarily in that order) in the South (I say y’all all the time…even though I not from there. Probably b/c I want to be.) I have no idea how blogging will go for you in the future, but I have loved all that you do share. It’s a true encouragement for me.
That’s all. =)
love,
rachel
Please blog all the time– I look forward to every post! If I’m ever feeling down I picture you walking through Rite-aid shaking Mentholatum boxes like maracas and it always makes me smile :)
I’m commenting late, and I don’t normally comment, because – well, what can I really add to the discussion? But, I wanted to let you know how you impacted me with this post.
Last night, after a REALLY wimpy Fat Tuesday (No Outback – local Japanese place. Sushi and a salad just seems too healthy for Fat Tuesday), I went to bed and started thinking about this post. My daughter is six and a fairy princess. My son is four and wants to be Chick Hicks. I’m not ready to say goodbye to that. I started thinking of the stupid, stupid, stupid song “Long Ago” from Cars and I started ugly crying. I came out to the living room and my husband held me and talked me off the ledge. I have loved every single stage of their young lives. I know I’ll love the next. Just… oh the thought of him saying he’s done with Mater and the gang, and then that STUPID James Taylor song…
Anyhoo, this a.m. my son climbed in bed with me and told me about Mater and the Ghost Light. Then he ‘nuggled and told me he loved me. All was once again right with the world.
For the record, you could write about anything, and I will read and enjoy. And, I promise not to comment again for a sufficient period of time.
Holli T.
Sophie, you are the funny. Do not stop, as this Mississippi girl would miss you. Maybe you can get special permission, now and then on special days,from your boy, to blog about him. Otherwise, I will read about your daily life in Walgreen’s in the search for Mentholatum. While you are at it, have you seen any Methiolate? I think that is what my Grandmother used to spray on my scraped-up knee that would launch me off the toilet in pain. I am not sure why any emergency care was done in the bathrooms in my childhood. I also got my few spankings in there, with Daddy waiting for us on the closed toilet and I would dissolve in laughter before my spanking just seeing him there (so you can tell how scared I was and how effective that punishment meant to me). This could explain the constipation issues. See, Sophie? You are also like Dr. Phil, as we can figure out our traumas here. Basically, we don’t care what you write about as you are always funny.
Seriously, I’m glad you stopped to offer that bit ‘o comfort about a third of the way in because it did sound like you were getting ready to break some bad news and I could feel a hyperventilating session coming on. Please don’t feel like you have to do a single “branding” thing you don’t feel like doing and I have no doubt that life will bring plenty of everyday, quirky topics to talk about. I think that’s your theme – a humorous take on the everyday… Love it – don’t change a thing!
I’m going to remind you about the comment you’ve made to me more than once…that your real self – no matter how hard you try to conceal it – will come out in your writing. We both know a little bit about a lot of things…that’s how Mama and Daddy brought us up. You’re diversified, so use it to your advantage. It’s one reason people anticipate your posts; they never know what they’re going to get. And you ARE good with the home decor stuff – lawsy me, do a before and after of my house…and throw in my post-traumatic stress insecurities / indecisiveness for good measure. That’s enough material for a post or 9. :) xo