Life of a Hockey Widow

Bittersweet...

Sopey's finally home!!!!!  He arrived last night to screaming kids with signs.  We're all so happy to have him back for a little while.  Who knows what the situation will be for next year - can't think about that right now.

He'll re-live the playoffs for a little while, wondering what else could have been done.  This happens all of the time.  Two weeks of body rest and he'll be back at it!  Up around 4:30am for his workouts so he's back before the kids wake up.  Myself, I couldn't be happier that he's a morning person.  Until I have coffee and lounge around the day doesn't start.

It will take a few weeks to get back into the groove of life "Sopes style."  He's uber organized, and needs a schedule to function.  Me on the other hand; I wing it most of the time.  After being on my own for so long, I do get a bit bitchy for a while after the excitement of having him here wears off.  (Happens every year!)  Right now it's the honeymoon stage - can't beat it!

Well, due to his arrival, I did postpone the store opening until May9th.  Family time is a must!  

 

Sopes to the Rescue!

Horrible migraine last night and Sopes babysat the kids for me last night - via phone.  I was lying in bed, Jake was passed out also (growth spurt), and the girls were entertained by Dad!  He made them put him on speaker phone and carry the cordless around with them.

I did begin chuckling when he was balancing snack time (1 scoop of Mommy's homemade Nutella ice cream and 7 m&m's), while trying to convince Jayla that skateboarding wasn't a good idea at that moment.  They were listening to all of his directions and hanging on to his every word.  I was so grateful that they let me sleep for an hour!  Sopes has always had the patience of a saint with kids.  Super Sopes to save the day!  They all watched the Disney channel together - listening to the giggling was the best.

Everyone in the house was passed out by 8:30 last night.  I was woken up at 2am with one of our daughters telling me that she dreamt about water.  "It's on the nightstand," I replied.  "No Mommy, I was dreaming of a water park."  Yup, peed the bed - MY BED!  What can you do...after stripping the bed, changing her clothes and explaining that it can happen to anyone; we were back on the sleeping train!

I cannot wait to snuggle in tonight and watch the game.  Along with fresh sheets of course!  

Busy, Busy, Busy!!

A quick update.  My days have been filled with pillows, and more pillows!  With the opening coming up this Monday, shit has to get done!  My home office is a disaster - thank god Sopes isn't home - he's a complete neat freak.

We're hoping to have the new website open that day as well - keep you posted - and GO HABS!!!!

 

Terrible Twos My Ass!

Alright, so it's been crazy around here with Jayla.  She's just turned 7, and you'd think she's 2!  The problem is she's so damn cute and the baby of the family, that we all let things slide.

Here's just this weeks list:

*I found her downstairs with my credit card and a pair of scissors.  Of course, my reaction is to ask her "What the hell are you doing?"  Well, she thought that if she cut the card, money would fall out.  I guess that explains the large bowl next to her.

*I run up into my room to get dressed to find Jake's jock and cup right in the middle of my bed.  She was waiting in the closet for my reaction.  Things were fine and dandy for her when she heard Jake getting yelled at for it.

*Doing homework with Jayla is a nightmare!  Jolita and Paul will often help, which gives me a much needed break.  She refuses to read, even goes for reading help at school.  I found her on the stairs quietly reading a CHAPTER BOOK to herself, and making no mistakes!!

*On Saturday, I bought glitter glue for the girls to make masks.  I found her trying to use the glue directly on the dog to make the dog a mask.  The poor dog still has glitter on her that we've yet to get off.  Really scary attack dog now-

When Sopes calls, she never wants to chat with him.  Jayla's not ever really happy when he comes home either.  Things are perfect for her, and she doesn't like Daddy's discipline.  

Obviously, we laugh about all of these things, but not in front of her.  She's her own person who likes to be called "Birdie."  Sopes calls her "Crazy."

 

 

Great Job Sopes!!

GREAT JOB LAST NIGHT TO THE HABS!!!  I was particularly proud of Sopes - right back into his playoff mode!

Communication with him SUCKS right now - the hotel has terrible cell service.  This means that I'm not fielding his 20 calls a day, but inconvenient when I need to get ahold of him.

Today is Paul's 21st birthday!!  We celebrated this morning before work and school to make sure we were able to fit it in.  Jake has a lacrosse tournament this weekend and the boys are leaving tonight.  Obviously, not the typical 21st birthday, but he volunteered to coach.  So far it's working out great.

The girls and I are having a special weekend together.  Manicures, pedicures, kids museums - so many things!  I'm assuming that there won't be too much working this weekend.  Although, Sunday mornings are now reserved for coupon clipping.  This has become Lyla's new obsession!  She's got her own box, and even keeps it under her bed.  Maybe they're getting the idea of saving after all?  She's asked for a Sunday paper subscription for her birthday - if they could all be that easy my life would be perfect!

Hopefully, we'll be opening the store in a week or two at the latest.  It's been a labor of love to say the least.  I'm not exactly the best at balancing my time, but we're all figuring it out together.  We'll be having our "Grand Opening" when Sopes returns.  I wouldn't want to do it without him!

 

Let The Games Begin!

So here we go again!  Another playoff race - thank god!  Sopes came home yesterday for the last time until the season ends.  Hopefully, he won't see the city of Chicago until June.  It's so funny to see such a change in his demeanor just before playoffs, for him it's impossible to shut it off.

We had an amazing day just doing "family stuff".  I got to throw a nap into the mix along with a family meal, so the day couldn't have gotten better.  Sopes brought all of his dirty laundry home for me to wash; he's so kind...  I did enjoy playing the wife again.  Cooking for him was great for me, even if it sucked it was still a home cooked meal!

Right now I'm just trying to hold my head above water.  The kids all have lacrosse, the store is about to open and we're busy on many other projects.  When my head hits the pillow, the thinking begins.  It's only gonna get worse as the playoffs go one.  Maybe I'll have to start loving so Benadryl for a restful nights sleep.  

Suggestions on a restful sleep are welcomed!!

 

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!!