Challenges already

With the start of the new 2013 new year, there were a few changes in our family that went into effect. 

Back after our wedding Tommie and his business partner, Bill had a discussion ... Bill wanted out of the business.  Our first BIG decision as a married couple ... test 1.  Bill just wanted out ... he wasn't happy there any more and he wanted to do something else.  Tommie had to make up his mind of whether or not he will stay and be the sole owner of the place OR go along with Bill, sell it and start something new. 
He and I had many discussions about what we thought would be good ... what do you want to do Tommie and what would be best for our family. 
We finally decided that he would keep the business and make this happen on his own.  We had talked about his taking on another partner, a silent partner, and many other options ... but after talking to the bank they were able to inform him that he could have a "pay off the partner" kind of loan ... so that's where we decided to go.  It's still a work in progress ... but that's the direction we're going in. 
In the mean time effective Jan 1 ... Tommie and Bill discussed and Bill would stop working there Jan 1.  And the business would be ran solely under Tommie's managment.  Which means that he would be there 6 days a week practially 24 hrs.  Thursday is his only "early" day and even then thats like 7/8pm early. 
Anyways ... like I said, this was our first BIG test as husband and wife, as the Koukoulis Ohana ... if we could make it through out first "test".  And I'm happy to annouce that YES we did it!  : )  It has been challenging and with a few bumps in our way ... but Tommie and I have made it work.  Because we talked long and hard about all the options and knew what the "consequences (that sounds so bad but that's not what I mean)" would be ...
He use to be home at least 3 days a week, so we didn't really text/email each other alot ... I had a chance to talk to you when I got home.  But now ... communication is a BIG key in making this work.  We email and text often and we make sure that there is clear understanding about things between us. 
And the days (more like day ... thursday is a small date night at home and sunday we all just relax together) that he is home we truly cherish those hours/moments.
I have also realized things that i know will help our relationship.  I remember when being married before ... he would work all the time.  He would leave early in the morning, come home around 6 ... shower, eat, make a few phone calls for tomorrow and then go to bed.  And i remember at first thinking "I hate this ... i had to work too! (I was a stay at home mom) I would like attention too!"  And I made the relationship "hard" but then i realized ... because you work we have a roof over our head ... food on the table ... and a stable life.  So I have taken that same mentality and have applied it (from the start) of this relationship/marriage ... and i think because of my willingness and my support from the start it has been wonderful and we are all reaping the benefits. 
And another thing I learned, from my mom ... I should be grateful he has a job and is dedicated to his job like he is.  It's not like I don't know where he is or what he's doing or who he's with ... i do know where he is and because of his dedication to his work and our family, AGAIN we all reap the benefits. 
So as we end January and go into February (which in the restaurant world is a busy month because of Vday) let's hope we can keep up this goodness and keep the business going strong and our relationship stronger!

Clean house = Clean spirit!

We recently had the house professionally cleaned .. and let me tell you it is great!!!  I had the house cleaned on Wednesday and it was so wonderful to come home to a clean, smelling house!  Every nook and cranny was cleaned, every speck of dust that I didn't know even existed was cleaned, beds made, floors swept and dusted ... it was just a wonderful feeling to know that the house is cleaned!!  And now I feel like I have such a weight lifted off my shoulders and I can concentrate on every other mess that I have in the house!  :)  Like my things from me moving in ... I can finally organize that!  Or my Christmas explosion downstairs that I need to take care of.  Or my craft corner that is just a complete mess ... i can finally get to it and hopefully get it all done.  And then once it's all clean I can finally breathe and work on my crafts that I have been dying to get to!!!