Parowan Market

For the last several months, Mike has been juggling accounting with a new and everlasting business venture- the local grocery store.  He has been training an incredible employee to take over most of the accounting, and trying to focus more on the store.  It has almost been 2 months since the changing of the guard.  My dad retired, and Mike jumped aboard.  I am thrilled knowing my kids will grow up with the same familiar four walls that I did.  I smile a little as we pull up to the grocery store and the twins start cheering daddy's name; they know the four walls contain a daddy's smile, a daddy's hug and daddy's candy jar.  I have lived with their daddy for more than 10 years now, and his patience, his thoughtfulness, his charm, and his wisdom will be a benefit to the store, the employees, and the customers.  I catch myself thinking, "he is the perfect fit," all the time.

Nelson and Braden going for a spin in Dad's new accounting/store office

It has already overtaken our lives.  Every waking minute (and probably the sleeping ones for Mike) is dedicated to this new venture.  Managing time is of utmost importance.  There were plenty of nights in accounting where Mike never slept, and so we welcome this new kind of busy.  Mike feels like he can steal moments of conversation and learning with our kids while they work beside him, stocking groceries or facing the shelves, and I feel empowered knowing there are things I can do to help him.  I was so powerless as an accountant.  I can't consider myself his best help though.  I still get a knot in my stomach walking in with the two-year-olds.  I'm fairly blind to the work when each eye is focused in different directions trying to keep track of them.  But if Mike can take a break, and let himself be distracted by their charming interactions, there are things I can do, even as well as him.

We are learning what is par for the course.  The parking lot froze and started breaking up in January after a very heavy freeze.  That is especially a bummer, since we will have to wait until spring to get it fixed.  Several freezers have gone down and have been de-iced, with a few other minor mechanical problems.  The servers have gone down, making credit card transactions impossible, and Mike spent a whole day with the tech guy on another occasion working through some program and server problems.  There have been some mean customers and some ordering snafus.  And some late nights and early mornings.  All of January, Mike worked 6 days a week, on an average of 70-80 hours a week trying to manage both businesses.

February has already brought so much improvement and we are happy to be able to see Mike a little more!!  He enjoys the time with customers, and getting to see so many people, especially friends, every day.  It is a big difference from working in our back office by himself for so many years.  He loves handing out candy from the Cha-cha Chili candy jar to the kids and greeting people by name.  The employees have been great and caring for the most part, and we are happy and thankful to have such a great crew.  We have enjoyed finding and trying out new products.  The kids have loved running around after closing hours, playing hide-and-seek or rollerblading on freshly cleaned floors.  Mike loves to plow snow, and I honestly think he'll be disappointed when spring rolls around.  We love our new Sunday tradition of walking around the store to check freezer temperatures.  The store is so dark and quiet and has a fun feel.  We love what the store is for our family.

A challenge, maybe a risk, definitely an adventure.  Can't wait to see how our first year turns out, and can't wait to see what exciting things we can do together as a family with our new business.  I'm just thrilled for all of us, and feeling pretty blessed.