The Bucket List.

So, I am about to plagiarize in a big BAD way. Three of my favorite bloggers (and women) Kristen, Denise and Sara posted their summer fun lists.

Not only am I stealing their idea but I am also stealing the quote that Denise used in her post about being proactive.

"if i'm not proactive

i'm reactive

and that can be very unattractive."

(I just copied and pasted that little pearl right off Denise's blog)

(The days of me being worried about the punishment of plagiarism are behind me)

(Thank the LORD)

I admire these mommies so much and think The Bucket List  is something my family desperately needs this summer.  Because here is the truth.  I am struggling.  In a bad way.  The best way to communicate this is in numerical order. 

The heat has fried my paragraph writing skills.

1.  I haven't found "the groove" yet.  Our nights are late, our mornings are late.  The whole time that I am awake, so are the kids.  We haven't settled into a livable routine yet.  This is hard.  I need time alone each day to rejuvenate.  This hasn't been happening and I am feeling defeated upon waking up and it lasts all day.

2.  My house is TRASHED.  I don't function well in a messy space but I don't have the time or energy (see #1) to fix it.  I feel like a hamster on a wheel to nowhere.  I know someone wise will say to ignore the house and focus on the kids because time moves so fast.  blah blah blah.  I know that, but a messy house means a messy unorganized day.  And a messy unorganized day means a very FRAZZLED JANELLE.

3.  The constant fighting is KILLING ME SLOWLY.  My tolerance level for all the fighting is at an all time low.  Everything grates on my nerves right now. 

4.  Along with the fighting is the constant demand on my time.  Someone needs something at all times.  From sun up to sun down (read #1 again).

5.  Littlest one potty training.  (Read #1, and #4)

6.  It's HOT and HUMID and I'm not really an outside kinda girl.  (I added this one late because I have been hot all day.  Hot Janelle = Crabby Janelle.) 

7.  I have one child that thrives on tight structure.  Without it THE WORLD STOPS SPINNING and all *&#$ breaks loose.  High perfectionism and OCD tendencies are not a good combination with a laid back summer.  Transitioning into summer is very hard on this little one.  It affects the whole house, namely me.  With enough time, things eventually fall into place but not without severe gnashing of teeth and loss of privileges a mile long.

(insert pity party here)

Add that all up and you have one frustrated, drained, irritable, tired, emotional mess of a woman.  Not the mommy that my kids deserve.  Not the wife that Skip deserves.  I am not giving them my best. 

I am very unattractive.

After reading Sara's, Denise's and Kristen's blogs I felt very convicted of my attitude and my attention to the here and now.  I won't ever do this perfectly, but I can do better than I have.

We spent the day creating our Bucket List.  I am happy with the ideas my kids presented.  I told them we would try our hardest to do most of these things.  Some of them cost $$ so we will have to see if it fits in the budget.  But now we have a plan.

And I have a proactive attitude.

Here is our cute bucket.

And here is our idea list that they typed, printed and cut into strips. 

White Water

Splash Country

Eat out

Silver Dollar City

Bowling

Mini golf

Camp in

Cars 2

Picnic

Blueberry picking

Hotdogging

Tubing

Neighborhood pool

Rec Plex pool

Grisham’s pool

Lunch with granny

Lunch of choice

Donut date

Craft

Invite a friend

Uncle Mikey's store

Library incentives

Skating

Jump mania

Kids cook dinner

Take Bristow to lake

Play Doh

Horses

Movie Theater

Sprinklers

Redbox

Baseball Game

St. Louis

Lunch with Dad

Nature hike

Take a walk

Paint

Bouncy House

Ride Bikes

Feed ducks

Picnic

Make cookies

Star Gaze

Go Carts

Ma & Pa’s house

Gramma Papa’s house

KAMP!!

B2 School Shopping

Creek

Make Ice Cream

Play at the park

Wiffle Ball game

VBS

Thanks for listening to my heart!  I know that a lot of great mommies out there are feeling the same way.  Mothering is HARD.  Harder than anything I ever imagined.  Let's sharpen and encourage one another to be the mommy that God desires us to be.

Imperfectly yours,

"HEY! Who down there?"

I probably broke a million rules filming this...

Race on over to THE TRACK BLOG to read my testimonial about our date night with the kids. While you are there, use their website to plan you next Branson vacation, including a fabulous trip to any one of The Track locations. Sign up your email address and you can receive Branson/Track insider information all year long. You must come visit our fun town!!

My mission as a mom is complete. I have successfully embarrassed my children with this video.

Score.

I have a feeling, however, that when Langley starts driving I will be the one telling her to put her phone down and she will be the one blowing me off.

Score for her.

In the meantime, we will stick to go-carts!

Disclaimers (for my peace of mind only):
1. I hate hate hate the sound of my voice! Can you say, shrill?
2. Sorry about the crotch shot at the end. Nice.
3.  I bet there are a handful of people that go watch the video again just to see what I'm talking about.  That's just awkward.

I am a frosting snob.

OK.  I will be the first to admit that I am a total snob when it comes to frosting. If I am going to splurge on a sweet piece of cake, I want the frosting to be worth it.  In my opinion, it's less about the cake and more about the frosting. On a good piece of cake with REAL frosting, I always want one of the corner pieces. More frosting to cake ratio.

I just realized that the word "cake" is my favorite word. That, and the word "baby". Both conjure up great visuals for me.

But, I digress.

Back to frosting. I am sure there are other fabulous frosting recipes in the world. I haven't found one that I would replace mine with yet. I could be persuaded though. Just bring your frosting to my house for me to sample. That would be THE BEST THING IN THE WORLD. Frosting delivered to my door for me to sample?

Yes, please. I will be home all day tomorrow!

(I am only slightly kidding)

Where was I?  Oh, yeah.  About to share my recipe for REAL frosting.  I got this from a friend of a friend of a friend.  Then I adapted it slightly, just enough to call it mine.

Here's what you need.  All these things separate are terrible to eat.  But when you whip them together...pure awesomeness.

Creamy White Frosting
from a friend of a friend of a friend

1/2 cup Crisco
1/2 cup butter, softened (aka, 1 stick)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract

Beat on medium for 30 seconds (Or longer.  I always take that time to measure out my powdered sugar)

You will need 4 1/2 cups powdered sugar.  Add half (2 1/4 cup).

Beat well and add 2T milk to smooth it out.

Then add the SECOND HALF powdered sugar. Mix until incorporated.

Add another 2T-ish of milk until your frosting has reached spreading consistency.

Then the magic happens.

Oh, baby.  Come to mommy.

For Wit's 3rd birthday cake, I found inspiration on my friend Lynn's blog.  She made darling cupcake balloons and I knew immediately that I MUST COPY HER!  Wit also wanted Curious George, so I used the famous picture of him holding the balloons as he flew through the air.

I seperated the first batch of frosting into 4 bowls and added Wilton's coloring paste to each one for the balloon colors. 

I adore.

Then, I made a second batch for George's body.

I am not a perfectionist, so I will never be a good baker.  But I was pleased with my attempt.  It was a fun cake for my fun baby boy!

What about you?  Are you a cake or frosting snob?

What is your favorite flavor combination?

Mine is chocolate cake with REAL white frosting.

In case you forgot, I will be home for frosting samples ALL DAY tomorrow!

"I'm three now!"

You cruised past 1...

You zoomed past 2...

and you just kept going--WOW!!

You've raced your way to THREE today!

You're such a big kid now!

*sweet card from my grannie to Wit
*how did Hallmark know that is exactly how I feel?
*Wit, please stop growing so fast, my heart can't take it.
*and tell your brother and sister to do the same
*thankyouverymuch

The four RZ's.

It seems like yesterday that I promised to tell you the story of how our antique store got it's name.  To my surprise, a week has gone by.  Time flies when the kids are home for summer break.  But you are in luck today.  All three darlings have stopped fighting (for the moment) and are playing quietly in separate corners of the house.  So here goes. 

The story behind the name RZ's.

The day had finally arrived.  The day that we gave birth to our first son.

Skip and I woke up at about 4 am on April 18, 2001.  We drove to the hospital and anxiously awaited the next few hours while they prepped me for birth.  I couldn't believe we were about to see our baby boy. 

Our first child.

Finally, the moment arrived.  Our son was born and placed lovingly into my arms.  Tears of joy from Skip and I.  We were parents! 

The nurse gazed upon this new family.  She asked us what name we were giving our new baby boy.

We looked adoringly into our baby's eyes and said, "We shall name him Ralph."


UM, WHAT?!

OK.  OK.  It wasn't quite like that.  But let me explain why we did name our sweet baby boy, Ralph. 

The first Ralph and his sweet bride, Earlene.  Aren't they cute?

Skip's grandpa on his dad's side was named Ralph Zebedee Miller.  By all accounts, he was a gentle, loving man.  His family adored him.  I missed meeting him by just a few months.  Skip and I started dated after he had passed away.  His absence left a huge hole in their family.  All the children and grandchildren revered him.  I am so sad that I never met the man that filled their hearts with so much joy. 

Skip's favorite memory of his grandpa was that he always drove with a lead foot.  When he pulled out of a parking lot, white dust and rock heavily sprayed the area. 

Apparently, this was his signature move!

Anyway, he named his first son Ralph Zebedee Miller, Jr.  That man is Skip's dad.  Probably the smartest and most generous man I have ever met.  He has a tender heart where his family is concerned.  He is a work horse that could have retired many years ago from the family businesses, but is still going strong in his early 80's.  He has a deep passion for his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  If he isn't working, he is at some child's activity or sporting event.  He loves to see all his kids excel.

Ralph 2 surrounded by all his people.

Ralph, Jr. also loves to travel and has a heart for adventure.  He has planned 16 "Mystery Trips" for us over the years.  It is always a blast trying to figure out where he is taking this big crazy family after Christmas. We have been to some amazing places!  When he sees all the family together he always squeezes his wife's hand and says, "All I wanted was a movie."  Lovingly referring to their first date.  He is a special man.

Anyway, he had a son that he named Ralph Zebedee Miller, III.  Or, affectionately known as "Skip".  My husband.  And I am crazy about him. My life wouldn't be complete without my best friend.  He is such a good man, great father and a very hard worker.  He carries this family on his back. 

Every. Single. Day.

Anyway, Skip (Ralph 3) had a son that he named Ralph Zebedee Miller IV.  Or, as we call him, "Zeb".  Our first born son.

Ralph 2, Ralph 3 and the newest Ralphie.

Ralph 2,3 and 4 go walking.

This precious name has been in the family for over 100 years.  I hope and pray that it will continue with Zeb and so on down the line.  It is so special to Skip's family.

This picture is priceless.  I can only imagine what Ralph 4 was telling his papa.

Another thing that is special is the family business.  It started back in 1975 when Skip's parents moved to B-Town from North Carolina.  Back in the day, the family sold fabric and assorted merchandise to the B-Town tourists.  In 1988, they started the $1 Shops.  The first store of its kind.  Now you can buy quality $1 merchandise just about anywhere. 

Throughout the most recent years, the company has faced many hardships and cut backs.  Just like everything else in America it has weathered the economic storms.  The face of the company looks different this year, but the family is still thriving and working hard to bring it all back to the glory days.

Ralph, Jr is still the head of the company and many many family members are the arms, legs, sweat and muscle.  So when it came time to name the newest business (the flea market), Skip and his sisters went with the initials "RZ" to symbolize how important the Ralph legacy has been over the years.

And that, my friends, is the story of the four Ralphs. 

Funny side note.  I was laying in bed with Zeb (Ralph 4) the other night talking about this very thing.  I asked him if he was going to continue the name when he has a son. 

He said, "Yes, but I don't think Ralph will ever be a cool name."

He started brainstorming "cool" nicknames for the future Ralph 5.

He came up with "ALF".

Because naming a baby after a furry alien in an 80's sitcom is totally cool.

Doing some shameless promoting today.

Today, I am taking a break from the silly stories to promote one of Skip's family businesses. I think you are going to love it as much as I do.

Skip and his two sisters are flea market/garage sale/auction fanatics. They jump at the chance to wander through aisles of vintage treasures. Finding that "hidden gem" is pure excitement!  Out of this passion, a business was born.

RZ's Antiques and Flea Market

They have worked laboriously to turn one of our existing B-Town stores into a really cool flea market. I am so proud of the work that they are doing. It's fun to see a passion come to life.

Even in the infancy of this store, it is taking shape and stocked with some really cool things. If you live in B-Town, or plan on visiting anytime soon make RZ's a stop on your agenda. I don't think you will be disappointed.

Here are some of the things that I am seriously in love with.

Um, hello.... "potty training incentive" filled with yummy M&Ms.

Vintage hankies and towels are so pretty!

Hello, gorgeous!

Great for a fall display!

Old vintage radio.  This baby sold in ONE DAY!

Sunshiny yellow happiness!!

For the man in your life. These are absolutely COOL!!

White anything is awesome!  I love this trio of fancy white jars.

Again with the white.  Crisp and clean.  New hardware on this baby would make it perfect!

Sweet yellow.  This would look great in my house.  Just sayin.

I am envisioning a party table.  Salsa and dips would be so amazing in these!

Could this be any cuter???

This just SCREAMS summer to me!  I love the cheery red finish!

I have a deep passion for dishes.  This one makes me happy!

This olive green beauty might end up in my house.  I heart it!

On so many levels, this would be perfect for a  baby nursery.  Vintage and sweet.

Aprons are totally back in style.  Love the kitchy feel of these.

 

And LOOKIE what I just got from the flea market!  This pub table is awesome!!

My favorite feature of this table is the height!  I love these little piggies hanging off the chair!

Even my big kid has dangly feet.  This table ROCKS!

Thanks for taking a peek inside our new business with me!  If you want some booth space, please leave a comment and I will get you the information.

Please come by and hunt for your next treasure!

Tomorrow, or the next time I can sit for longer than 20 minutes, I will blog about the significance of the name RZ's.  It's a great story!!

In the meantime, could you do me a teensy favor and head to RZ's Antiques and Flea Market facebook page and "like" us? 

Why does that statement make me feel like I am in the fourth grade all over again??

*sweaty palms*