Life of a Hockey Widow

MONTREAL HERE WE COME!!

The bags are packed and we'll be heading up to see Sopes!!  Not much of a "Spring Break" with the weather, but it works.  The kids are so excited!  Our youngest, Jayla, turns 7 tomorrow and will spend her birthday in her birth country.  Kind of ironic, since she was singing patriotic American songs in her United States program at school yesterday.  Sopes was getting a bit emotional this morning on the phone reminiscing about the kids.  Yup, it does fly by - having the youngest turn 7 is crazy!  I miss them all being babies, but will get my baby fix when we visit family in Syracuse later next week.  My niece is 1 and I've only seen her a couple times.  Wearing sweats, playing with kids, not leaving the house...HEAVEN!!

Paul will be staying back because of school and work.  No worries, there's a crew of friends coming in to keep him company; and there's always the dog.

Myself, I'm most excited for sleep!!  Last time I flew in my ass was snoring before room service came!  Right now, that's romantic enough for me!  It's hard when Sopes is gone because I have to be in "Mommy Mode" nonstop.  Just knowing he's there puts my mind at ease.  Props to Sopes!!  He knew that I was completely stressed last week and delivered BIG!  A crew from McCormick & Schmicks came to the house with a steak dinner along with sushi and desert.  Not having to prepare a meal was amazing and the thought he put into it meant more than anything.

The kids have only seen one game this year, so that will be an adventure.  Jake likes to watch the game and the girls just ask to go into the family room at the rink.  

Life has been pretty hectic around here, but I will try to get Sopes to do a Friday blog tomorrow.  There might be some crazy kids in the background, but life goes on...

The Unveiling of Our Boutique!!

Many are asking questions on what kind of store I'm opening.  Well, here's the deal.  In April, I will be unveiling a boutique called "Simple Privileges by Kelly Sopel".  After 12+ years, now I'm showing my age, of raising children it is time to do something different.  The kids are in school full-time, Sopes is gone and I need something else (kind of like a hole in my head).  

After decorating numerous homes that we've lived in (11+) and helping others decorate, we all know how ridiculously expensive it can be.  I've decided that throw blankets and pillows along with vintage barware would be fun.  Custom pillows, along with amazing pillow lines like Trina Turk and Cococozy that are well below competitors prices!!  Cashmere throws at amazing price-points!!  We will also have a "Scarf" line of pillows.  Hermes, Louis Vuitton, and  Emilio Pucci to name a few!!  Barware - think Mad Men...

It's been quite the journey, but also a dream for a very long time.  I'm so thankful to have an amazing group of people behind me helping and believing in me.

Our family has always given back, so this was the perfect time to tie it in with our business.  A portion of our sales will go toward delivering the softest blankets to foster children in the Chicago area. 

I will continue to keep you all posted on how it's going, along with details of our opening.  Hopefully, Sopes won't be able to make it (playoffs)!  We would love for all of you to join us...

Mom, I Want to Kiss My Girlfriend...

I've been a little "on-edge" lately.  No, not because of the trade or anything like that.  Our son has his FIRST GIRLFRIEND.  I completely understand that they're going to grow up and this will happen, but NOW?  We have a very open household with a policy of talking and just figuring it out together.  Last night, I'm snuggled in to watch Sopes game and our 12 year old Jake came and sat with me.  Being a mom, you know when they need to say something.  Reluctantly, I asked what was going on.  "I want to kiss my girlfriend," he replied.  WTF, was what ran through my mind.  (Translation:  "Honey, lets talk," is what came out.)

First of all, I felt so grateful that he would come to me with something like that.  Do I wish that Sopes was home to help?  You damn well bet so!  Jake and I, along with Paul's help, went through the pros and cons of the situation.   My biggest concern is him getting his little heart getting broken.  It's easy to remember what it felt like with a first "love".  It's also easy to remember the butterflies, and thinking that it would never go wrong.

When he does decide that it's the right time, I asked if he would tell me - of course Mom needs to write that down!  Yup, I'm a sap!  It's crazy that this is the same kid still snuggles, needs me at every turn, but thinks he has this grown-up side - yeah, not so much.  

Last week, a good friend was just telling me that we only had five years until our little guys were off to college.  Five years to help shape them into the men that they are becoming, doesn't seem like nearly enough time.  We can only arm our kids with information and hope that they get it right. 

BTW - In case you're wondering, I did have permission to write about this from Jake.  NEVER would my interests come before theirs...

 

Happy Anniversary Sopes!

Today is 10 years!  It's been more than a crazy ride!  I must admit, I forget every year.  Sopes tries to remind me, and it still slips my mind.  (I suck at remembering dates.)  The kids made a bunch of cards that will be sent out to Sopes later today for him to see.  They get so excited - it proves that if parents are happy the kids are happy.

I've attached a couple pictures of our vow renewal ceremony that was taken this past summer at our home.  We were married in our family room in Vancouver, after practice one day, so we wanted to do it again in front of our family and friends.  The night before the Stanley Cup arrived was perfect because everyone was in town.  It turned out to fabulous!  Our children were there and our home was the right location to make more memories...

p.s.  He's just so handsome!!