is anybody still here?

So, I totally spaced on this one.  Started a new blog/photography site and failed to mention that on this here blogger blog.

I really hope you keep on' readin', only don't come back to this place.  'Cause, I won't be here, but I will be here...

www.bethcomer.com

Peace out, homies.

Not Me Monday. Tuesday Edition.

For starters, I most certainly was not involved in a conversation with WIll this past week that went like this...

Me:   Will, I can't play you in a card game while I'm drivin' down the road.  (Heck, I can't even listen to music while I'm typin' this dadgum post.)

Will:  That's okay.  I'll just flip your cards over for you.

Me:  Well, you do know that's a Bible Memory Match game, not a deck of cards, right?  Please say right.

Will:  Right.  But, that's okay.  You'll get one Jesus and I'll get one Jesus.  Then, we'll do alphabetical order after that.

Me:  Uhhhhh....huh?

Will:  Just tell me when to go for you.

Me:  Okay, I go first.  GO!

(he proceeds to flip cards one after the other until I stop him in his tracks.)

Me:  Will, what game are we playin'?

Will:  "Slap Jack."

Me:  But, there's not a Jack.  And there's no Bible character named Jack either.  So, what are we supposed to slap?

Will:  I toldja.  We each get a Jesus.

Me:  So, we're playin', Slap...

Will:  Jesus!  (he looks up at me with eyes the size of Wes' sweet tooth, and a face as red as my daddy's neck.)

Me:  No, thank you.  I wouldn't touch that game with a ten foot pole.

Will:  Okay, then can we play "Crazy 8?"

Me:  You mean crazy Jesus?  No!

I most certainly did not send Scottie upstairs to check on Laney and Wes after a rather lengthy silent period.  I have totally learned my lesson 'bout leavin' the two of them alone for any length of time.  Therefor, Scottie did not carry our youngest bundle of joy down the stairs in a football hold and plant him at my feet in the kitchen lookin' like a hair salon had exploded in his face.

I did not have to pick myself up off the floor in tears from laughin' so hard.  That would have sent the wrong message.  And, I am much too mature for somethin' like that.  This was serious.  

Therefor, it is highly preposterous to even think that as I was fetchin' the wooden spoon, I also grabbed my camera before takin' him back upstairs to use that spoon and/ or wash that permanent dye off.  Not me.  That would be ridiculous.

Okay, that last part kinda does sound like me.  But it totally was not me.

Happy Tuesday to ya'!

Beautiful Mess.

I say it all the time, both my boys are "all boy."  But, in very different ways.  Will has had some sort of sportin' equipment in his hand from moment he figured out that whole pincer grip thingy.  He's competitive in every sense of the word.


Wes, is not.  Oh, he'll throw a ball with you, or race you down the hall now and again, but he'd much rather dig for a worm or ride his 4-wheeler backwards in turbo speed.  If there is a mess to be made, he's on it.  If there is a bug to be caught, he's your man. And, today is his 4th birthday. Happy birthday, Wes.  You're one beautiful mess.  

    

i'm gonna knock you out. momma said, "knock you out."

I was so not prepared for this.  She's never NOT kicked-butt.  She's the smartest, prettiest, awesome- st girl I've ever produced.  I wanna pick up the phone and call someone and let 'em have it.  I wanna drive down to Handel's and buy every last quart of ice cream they have. I wanna wrap her up in my arms and tell her she can play hooky tomorrow.  And, as far as I'm concerned, she doesn't even have to go back to school.  Ever.  They're stupid and mean, and don't know what they're doin'.  I can't even believe they're accredited.

But, I can't.  I can't and I shouldn't.  And, I won't.  Well, except for the ice cream thing.  That's doable.  But, the rest of it.  Not gonna happen.  Truth be told, they're a pretty stinkin' awesome school.  Like "elite" in the state.

And, that wouldn't be real God-honoring if I did let 'em have it.  And, that is exactly opposite of my purpose as her mother.  I want to make everything easy and perfect.  But, that's not my job.  My job is to love her through the downs even more than the ups.  It's to give her assurance that our Lord is just as faithful on bad days as the good.  Not more.  Just as much.  It's my job to teach her, that sometimes, God's answer is a simple, "No.  No, that's not my plan for you."

And, it sucks.  Sometimes, it does.  It sucks.  We have a vision.  A vision that we think is perfect. But, the one flaw is...we can't see past today.  It's not possible.  God knows what tomorrow holds.

This is a passage I hold dear to my heart...




Psalm 139


¹You have searched me, LORD, 
   and you know me. 
² You know when I sit and when I rise; 
   you perceive my thoughts from afar. 
³ You discern my going out and my lying down; 
   you are familiar with all my ways. 
⁴ Before a word is on my tongue 
   you, LORD, know it completely. 
⁵ You hem me in behind and before, 
   and you lay your hand upon me. 
⁶ Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, 
   too lofty for me to attain.


He knows.  It breaks my heart.  But, He knows.  I prayed for His will.  And, as believers, we have to accept, "No."   How can we not?  If our fervent  prayer is for HIS will.  Then, how can we not?  We can't.  


There are things in my life right now, as you might have already guessed, that make this subject pretty relevant right now.   And, it is so like my God to gently remind me of somethin' I really already knew.  


So, I'll get up from the computer.  I'll grab a couple spoons and a box of tissues.  And, we'll do what girls do.  We'll talk about which girls should have NEVER made it.  Woof-woof.  ;)  And, I'll tell her exactly what I've written here.  And, tomorrow, it'll all be better.  And, tomorrow, He will still be God.  Yesterday, today and forever.  And, that's kinda how I like it.  


And, because I can not post without a pic...

I love you, Maddie Belle.  Like, a lot.  

you are an obsession.

There is a slight possibility I  could perhaps maybe be obsessed with photographing bloomin' things.  Slight.  Maybe.  Perhaps.  But, big fat...whatever.  I love it.    

it's that time of year again...

and, can i just say, "here we go!"

happy birthday, awesome-pants.

Everyday, without fail, she puts on pants.    Sometimes they could stand a washin'.  Sometimes they're too low cut.  Sometimes they're maternity.  Sometimes they're the ones she slept in, and sometimes they're circa 1998, and sometimes they're mine.  But, make no mistake about it...they're always awesome.

Happy Birthday, awesome-pants!

fold-out fruit pamplet say what?

Dr. Oz said I should quite payin' high-dollar for the pomegranate juice and just buy the whole fruit.  Okay.



Well, that does sounds pretty good. Lots of anti-stuff and poly-crap.  Oh, and it comes with free radicals.  How can I go wrong with that?   Okay.  Oh, and look, there's even a free pamphlet that shows how to open it.  Well, isn't that nice?



Uhhh, eight steps?  Eight?  Steps?  Really?  Okay.



Uh-oh.   Somebody get me a jug.  This is the high-dollar part.  Hurry.



Now, doesn't this look pretty?



That's right, Wes. I think that's the part we're gonna use. But, maybe you shoulda washed those paws of yours first.

I'm so excited.  We'll freeze us up a big ol' bag of those things. They're kinda hard like corn colonels. But, you're supposed to bite 'em. But, I don't think I will. On accounta I just had this crown put on.



Alright. Yes, sir.  We're done. And it looks like we've got ourselves at least, oh, I don't know...50 or 60 of these boogers.

What's that?  No, I don't think you can make pomegranate ice-cream. Or pomegranate shortcake. I think we're just supposed to chew 'em.  Or put 'em in a martini. ;)

any given sunday

on any given sunday 'round these parts, you could very well find her crankin' out a sunday supper that would make mrs. paula dean proud.  thank the Lord someone in this family knows how to cook.



it's quit possible you could also run across these two cheerin' on our beloved C-A-T-S.



you might notice that the weekend laundry is startin' to pile-up.  and, if it is, don't you hesitate to jump right in and get that done.



and before you leave, you've got to head upstairs and watch this lil' guy sawin' some logs with his Bible in tow.

and 

and then, if you time it just right, you just might get to see a ladybug jump on the bed as to wake him from his slumber.



yep, any given sunday.  well, for the time being anyway.

they're gonna tip the ball! they're gonna tip the ball!

and we are giddy.  no lie.  giddy.  march madness, baby!   it's gonna be awesome!

well, it better be awesome.  that's all i'm sayin'.

now, my lil' redneck and i are off to pick the above pictured baller up from school early.  t-minus 45 minutes and countin'.  go cats! 

i know. one thing.

that i love him.

he's a hairy dude, but i wouldn't change him one bit.  not a bit.

oh, my!  conviction is a strong thing i tell ya'.  so, okay, i would change a few things.  but not a ton.  just a few small things.  okay, one or two big things.  but, that's it.  not a lot.  just some.  things.  just a few.  like five.  or maybe six.  

i love him.  

love.  you.  love you!  i love you, scottie.  a lot.  a ton.  like huge amounts.  ;)

Git-R-Done!

MEMORANDUM  

TO:  Wes Bug

FROM:  Your mommy

DATE:  03 March, 2026

SUBJECT:   Git-R-Done! 

Hi baby, it's mommy.  I know your classes have been kinda kickin' that cute lil' behind of yours lately.  So, I thought you might could put this lil' tid-bit to good use.   You see, when you were little if I ever wanted you to learn somethin' really quick like, all I had to do was throw in a few M&M's as an incentive and, poof!  I mean, how do you think you were potty trained so early?   

Anyway, just a thought.  Hugs and kisses, Wes Mess!!!

Random Ramdomness with little to no Relavence

I have always wanted to link-up with this "Works-for-Me Wednesday" blog.  I don't know why.  Just have.  I think it's kinda funny.  I don't know why.  I just do.  I have actually had these pics for a while.  I don't know why.   I just have.

I'm just kiddin'.  I know why.   But, promise not to laugh.  Promise?  Okay.  'Cause I thought, "If Good Housekeeping ever called and wanted to do an interview with me, what would I have to bring to the table?"  And, that is kinda the premise behind "Works-for-Me Wednesday."

You said you wouldn't laugh.  Why'd you laugh?  Well, guess what?  Now you're banned from [thecomer5] land.  I'm just pullin' your leg.  I don't know why.  I just like pullin' legs.  ;)

Okay.  So, since you laughed, i mean asked, here's how my Good Housekeeping article would go:

GH:  We are here with, Beth, from Indiana.  And we are gonna ask her to give up just one tip that "works-for-her."   Beth, our readers wanna know.  What's a tip that you can give us?


Me:  Well, GH, I am glad you asked.  I have so many...

GH:  Yes, yes, move along.

Me:  Well, GH, we have hardwood floorin' throughout most of the main floor of our home, and I have found that the BEST way to clean these suckers is the ol' fashion' way:  on hands and knees with warm soapy water.  But, the tip is this...

Wear knee pads.  These are some I've had for years from a volleyball team I starred on.  (wipe that smile off your faces, Mitzi and Sara.  Nobody asked you.)  Anywho.  It makes this menial task a lot less painful.  

GH:  Yes, but is it true there's a second part to this tip of yours?

Me:  Uhhh....I don't know what you're talkin' 'bout.  But, would you like to hear 'bout the amazin' things I can make happin' with Pine-Sol?    

GH:  No, we were told that there was another part.  Something about...Cheetos?  

Me:  What?  NO!  Cheetos?  That's absurd.  What could Cheetos possibly have to do with floor washin'?  

Me: Oh, you have proof. Why didn't you just say that in the first place? Of course, I remember now. It was knee-pads and a freshly opened bag of Cheetos placed at the finish line.  Right. I remember now.  But, you can use whatever motivates you.  And, can I just say... they were Baked.

GH:  Yes, I'm sure they were.  But is it also true that you also found a few pretzel M&M's on the kitchen floor this morning and you ate them without hesitation?

Me:  Okay, now you're just bein' mean.

Well, like I said, "Random Randomness; with little to no Relevance."  But, you read to this part, huh?  And, remember, judging (as always) is not nice.

wipe that smerk off your face,

it's not funny. one minute i wanna rip each and every one of your fingernails off with a pair of needle-nose pliers. and the next, i wanna stop time right in its' tracks and never let you leave my sight.

but, i know that none of those options are legal, and/or possible. (well, i could possibly rip off your nails. but who even thinks 'bout doin' such a thing?) and none of those options allow God to form you into the beautiful, brilliant, loving young lady that i know He is in the process of creatin'. i love who you have been, who you are today, and who i know you are on your way to bein'. and, as much as i don't want to look too far forward, and as much as i want to live in this moment. today. i still can't keep my mind from ponderin' ways that i could i can keep you here with me. so, until i figure out what i'm gonna do with you, you're grounded. and, the bad part for you is, i'm A.D.D., so who knows when i'll get around to ponderin' 'bout that again.  that is just so sad.  really.   so.  sad.   where's that smerk now, ms. priss?

okay, now you're just bein' mean.    

this is gonna be awesome.

"Okay guys!  I have gathered you on this here hill for a purpose.  And I'm 'bout ready to let you in on it.  This is gonna be stinkin' awesome!  Now,  as you all must know, this past week we had an enormous amount of sleet fall from the sky that resulted in a 3 inch layer of ice on just about every surface imaginable.  And, as you may also know, now we have a 6 inch layer of powdery snow on-top of that ice.  Which leads me to the followin' stellar idea; how about we try to keep ourselves vertical long enough to use our bodies to slide our way to the bottom?  Who should we send down first?"

"The 3-year-olds?  Sure.  That sounds great.  But, maybe we should put them on a sled.  You know, just to be safe.  Now hold on tight kiddos."

"Alright!  That was fun.  Now, Uncle Forrest, you try your belly."

"Woo-Hoo!  Well, after seein' you guys, I'm fellin' a tad bit daring.  So, I think I shall try snowboardin' with out the boardin'!  Okay.  Here I go.  You guys might wanna watch out.  There is no way of knowin' how fast my top speed will be.  Did I mention this is gonna be awesome?"

"Well, that's not how I saw that playin' out in my head.  Where'd the kids go?  I think i might need you to drive me to seek medical attention. "

Okay, All jokin' aside.  A fun time really was had by all.  Especially me.  (As I'm sure you can imagine.)  And the guys felt considerably better 'bout themselves when this dude cross-country-ed by us.   A considerable, considerable amount better.

Is that head to toe spandex?  Yikes.

ode to 4.

you do don't cha? it's okay. i do-cha,too. every now and then. sometimes. not a bunch of times. but some. not mucho lot-o. but some-o. huh?

happy birthday, laney baney! we love you like wes loves cake. ;)

true story*

so, true story*.

i was searchin' the web and came across this photo...




can you believe it?

apparently the mother of this dear, sweet, little girl had asked her sister (who happens to dabble in photography) if she would go outside, real quick, and snap a few of her daughter in a bathing suit in the snow to use for a birthday invitation. apparently she was havin' an indoor water-park party and thought this was a cute idea. and, apparently, the sister can't say no to her. and, apparently, she actually stood on the hood of her mini-van tryin' to get the poor girl to look up, and apparently her camera didn't have a shutter speed fast enough to capture her with her eyes open. can you blame her? good grief. these ladies should be whipped with a wooden spoon.

too bad they didn't put their actual names on the photo, phew dadgummit!


*not a true story.

i'm not mentionin' any names, but

someone...



has been up to their old tricks again.



tsk, tsk, tsk.

do you wanna know...

what it is that makes me love this photograph?



You don't? Oh, that's too bad. 'Cause if you will remember, I'm gentle ruler of thecomer5 and if I wanna list the reasons I love this photograph, guess what? I will. hee. hee. hee. Aren't I cute?

You still there? I mean, I don't really care. I really don't. I don't. At all. 'Cause it doesn't really bother me. At all.

Anywho. Back to the topic at hand, this photograph...



and the reasons I love it. (I win.)

I love, that I can tell Will needs a haircut by the little bit of sideburn stickin' out his cap, and that the blue Gatorade mustache is visible even from this angle. And that I actually thought about sendin' this to them in hopes that they would use it in an ad.

I love that Scottie has one of my reusable yellow, floral grocery sacks in one hand, and a baseball bat in the other. and that the video camera is also in that hand. I love that I know that once Will passes the swimmin' test at Camp Indy, he won't take that green band off his wrist 'til August. But, honestly, who wants to re-take the swimmin' test?

I love that Will is 'bout to snap his neck in-two and he obviously couldn't care less. I love how, in comparison to his dad, he looks like a Fragille Rock. I love that there is an undeniable look of pure and utter joy on his face. I love that I know exactly what put that big ol' grin there. That he had a really good game. That he knows he made his dad proud. That he also knows, deep down, even if this was the last good game of his whole career, his dad would forever believe that he was the best player to ever play the game.

I love how, if there was ever any doubt that Scottie should throw out all horizontal stripes, this picture puts them all to to rest. ;)

I love how tall Scottie looks, how I want to reach out and grab that hairy,veiny hand of his. And how I know that his is the hand I want, no, I need holdin' mine 'til the day the good Lord holds out His.

So, since you asked, I'll tell ya'... Yep. I love this picture. Thanks for askin'.

Happy Hump-Day!

nuttin'...

i ain't got nuttin' but love for these three.



well, nuttin' but love and a real strong desire for them to wash their own clothes.

enough with the questions already.

why yes, i did make a stew in the crock pot yesterday.



yes. i let wes bug use the peeler.



no, i do not think it was irresponsible. yes, i did let his 3 year-old self "have at it" while i stood back snappin' pics.



what? oh, i know! how could i not take a picture of that cute lil' paw graspin' that carrot.



yes, i can not tell a lie. i did post the above photo only 'cause it reminded me of the hairs on my mamaw's chinny chin chin. but, i promise you, if you know her and go tellin' her that i did this, you'll rue the day! rue it, i tell ya'! (and my fist is wavin' in the air right now. that's right i'm typin' with just my left hand.)



oh, yes, it was delicious. looked like dog poop after it sat in there all day. but, tasted like sweet lovin'.

omgoodness. alright. here it is...the truth. the only reason i entered this post was so that one day when my kids look back they'll think to themselves, "wow. did mom cook like that all the time? i guess she did. i thought i remembered a lot more frozen crap. but, i don't see any entries titled, chicken voila, it's what's for dinner! and she wouldn't try to misrepresent herself as a mother. would she? "

and the answer is, "duh. of course i would." now...enough with the questions already.

happy snowy tuesday to ya'.