bahama buck's

Our first drive-thru paying customer

 Our VIP night was on St. Patrick's Day. Some neighbors came to get some free SNO.

 Yes, even missionaries came.

 We make our own snowballs and had customers throw snowballs at a target. I can get the best of both worlds: warm weather and snow!

 Sydney helping out giving free samples to people.

 Really, really excited teenagers that wanted their picture taken.

 Showing us the cool spoons that change color when it's cold and our friends from church. Inside we have games customers can play at the table and something called Rockbot, pretty much an app that allows people to play music they pick (kinda like a virtual jukebox). Teenagers love it. They can give thumbs up or down to other songs people in the store have picked. It's pretty fun.

 I love this last picture. Everyday our bike rake is full of people who have ridden their bike to the store and skateboards too.  Our outdoor patio is on the left. We have a ring game people play, outside music, ceiling fans, and misters for the hot summer days ahead.

Now that we've been open for a 10 days, we're getting more and more competent and confident. We look forward in 2 weeks when one of the trainers, Madi moves here to be our GM. That was such a blessing that fell from heaven and landed right on our laps! The first week, our crazy spring break week, Jeff and I both had our moments of breakdowns and anxiety attacks, but now things are looking up and we have HOPE. Hope is such a beautiful feeling. It's different than hoping to win the lottery. Hope is a feeling of peace and comfort that has come after exercising faith and knowing that things will be okay because the Lord is mindful of you. I'm grateful for friends and family that have helped us along the way with this adventure.

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Levi's birthday

Yes, Levi did have a birthday and a party even though it was a hectic time for us. We had his friends over from play group: the neeley boys, rigby boys, marin, moncurs, and spencer. We played pin the nose on the dinosaur and painted a ceramic animal, played, and had lunch, cake, and then opened presents. 

 Levi specifically asked for an "L" cake with m&ms and cupcakes with green frosting so this was my creation:)

 I love his reaction. He was so excited to have his birthday be all about him.

 opening presents. lots of cool toys: nerf gun, lego sets, hulk, angry bird game, jake and the never-ending pirate game, and bubbles.

 He has a tongue-thing going on in these pictures.

Levi's favorite colors are in order: green, orange, and then blue. He's a smart kid, quick learner, easy-going, well-behaved, loves puzzles and playing games, climbing, jumping, playing soccer, wrestling, Woody-wood pecker show, and now he allows me to give him a hug and kiss at night. For a long time it was strictly "high five" ONLY. We love this kid!
Levi weighs 36.5 lbs (54%ile) and is 41.1 inches tall (66%ile). He got 3 shots and I was totally shocked that he didn't even bat an eye. He took it like a champ.

Bahama Buck's is opening!

The day has finally come. It's scary, exciting, scary, and more scary. I'm scared because I didn't know how everything would pan out-like the employees making product, getting product out to customers, managing it, making money (I'm so sick of writing checks and swiping our credit card), but now that's we've had our VIP night and our grand opening day is about to end in 45 minutes, I'm feeling confident, hopeful, and excited, only a little scared now.

 A few weeks ago we had all our employees over for dinner and get to know you games. They all seem very nice and excited. Last week corporate trainers came to set up the store and train the employees. With each passing day, I could see how things were gonna work out and knew everything would be okay. Last night we had our VIP night. We gave employees to family and friends. We opened from 5-9 and served about 550 products for free. The mayor even showed up. The line was out the door and down the street. I know one woman waited 1 hour and 5 min. in line. There were a ton of people and everyone was nice considering the long wait. It was great practice for our "Avalanche Crew."

 I'm excited for the building to be done, I'm excited for the bank to pay off construction people and other people off, I'm excited to focus on just sales, customers, and employees without all that other stuff to worry about. Jeff has slept very little and has been extremely stressed OUT! He's worked so hard to achieve this, and I'm happy for him and for us.

 See I did help out a little bit.

I'll post more pictures of our outside patio and signs. We've had a lot of good and positive feedback. My personal goal is that this can be an establishment that the community can count on for good product and getting together in a fun, family, and friendly environment and a hangout place for teens.

Phoenix Half

On March 1st I ran my 1st half marathon with Becca, Jen, and Annie. We left at 4 am. I had trained for a several months. We ran our long runs together. I felt good going into it. I didn't have any goals, in term of time. I didn't want to stop to walk. I guess that was my goal. I knew I wouldn't though because I had ran 12 miles and didn't. The morning of was 100% chance of rain. It rained before the race while we were waiting and with 20 mph winds. I was freezing, like teething chattering freezing. My socks were wet before I started running. I really just wanted to take a warm bath and crawl back into a warm bed. The race went well once I started and started to warm up. All of us ended up having different paces. The weird thing for me is that I truly enjoyed the race, which probably means I could've pushed harder. When I passed an older person like in their 60's or 70's, I'd encourage them (kinda unlike me to talk to a stranger), so I knew I was feeling really good. I ended the 13.1 miles in 2 hours 6 minutes. If I run another one, I'll probably train a little harder so I can beat the 2 hour mark. My recovery was good too. I was sore the next day but I think it was because I was sprinting the last few hundred yards. I was pretty excited to take my socks and shoes off right after the race, because my socks had been wet for 3 hours. My toes were left white and wrinkly from my wet socks from the rain and puddles.

11 months

11 months and she's clapping, taking a few steps, but I don't declare she's "walking" yet.

 "Patty cake, patty cake......"

 I think she's an adorable girl with the cutest squeal. I love her dearly!

 She loves her big brother and he is such a fantastic big brother too.

 Oh yeah, and just like my other kiddies--she doesn't stay still for long. She's always on the go and is climbing up stairs, chairs, and anything else her body allows.

 Her hair is getting longer. The back of her hair is starting to curl but the front part is straight. I left a week before she turned 11 months to Hawaii. My plan was to start weaning her from nursing but she wouldn't have it and I didn't want to stress about so long story short, she's still breast feeding with formula too. This is the longest I've breast fed.

We all adore her and love watching her hit milestones.

March Madness

This post has nothing to do with basketball but everything to do with MY March Madness. Here's the breakdown of my March:
March 1-Phoenix half marathon
               temple cultural celebration Jeff was involved with
              company here for the weekend

March 2-Gilbert Temple Dedication

March 4-Suns NBA basketball game

March 7-Levi's 4th birthday party 9-12am
              Bahama Buck's employee party 4-7pm

March 10-Levi's birthday

March 11-15th-orientation and training Avalanche Crew
                       -Kid's spring break

March 14-my birthday

March 17-VIP night at Bahama Buck's 5-9

March 18-Grand Opening of Bahama Buck's

March 27-Macie's 1st birthday

March 30-family visiting for a week

Hoping we survive March Madness!

Job Interviews

Over the past few days Jeff and I have interviewed about 150 teenagers to work at Bahama Buck"s. The following is a list for future kids who interview and for my children who when they interview in the future should consider the list I have created to help them when considering for applying and interviewing for a job.
1. Dress up (jeans is not dressing up)
2. Keep good eye contact and smile occasionally
3. Spit out your gum
4. Don't TWERK to the interviewee
5. Be on Time for your interview
6. Don't wear fake eyelashes so long that they get stuck together
7. Visit the establishment first, eat their food (or SNO in our case) to see if you actually enjoy their product, do your research.
8. Practice interviewing with a friend or family member, it will help you be more comfortable and less nervous for the real interview. Go a step further and video tape yourself in mock interview.
9. At the end when they ask if you have questions, have questions prepared, I would say minimum 2 questions.
10. When answering questions, the more examples you have to pull from past experience the better.
11. Talk loud enough so they can hear you.
12. Take 2 applications. 1 is your "sloppy copy" the 2nd is the final one with your nicest handwriting.
13. For an added bonus, after your interview call, text, email, write a note to thank them for the opportunity and any followup answers and/or questions you have.
14. Give meaningful answers, not just one word answers. It'll show some depth and that stands out when interviewing teenagers.
15. Don't repeat yourself over and over. Say your friendly and outgoing with an example or two and move on. Don't answer "I'm friendly and outgoing" to every question.
16. If they don't hire you, I strongly discourage you from expressing your disappointment with an attitude.  That only confirms that they made the right choice. It also says a lot about your character, all of which are negative.
Good luck my kiddos with your future interviews.  Dad and I will help you however we can. Preparation will go a long way. I love you. MOM

10 Months

Another month has flown by. Macie has 2 more teeth. They came in January 3rd and 5th. There her top ones, but not the top ones in the middle, the ones next to the middle ones. So really we dubbed her our vampire baby. I'll have to take a picture.

 She's finally sleeping through the night again this past week. The week of Thanksgiving she had started waking up in the night from various sicknesses, then going to Utah and California, then teething, and more illnesses. Now that we're home and there is some routine and she's healthy again, she is sleeping through the night and I am definitely happy about that.

 She started standing this month without support. She took one step on January 25th. She likes her daily walks in the stroller, eating more people food. She likes avocados and fruit most, I think. She said her first word besides "mama and dada." On January 19th, I was talking to a neighbor and when I was done, I said bye and then Macie is "buh-buh." It was so cool!

She looks so big in her carseat. Her hair is starting to grow. The top looks completely straight, and the back of her hair looks wavy. She's a happy girl who likes to get around, explore, play and loves me. She doesn't like when I drop her off at the gym or when others try to hold her. She's comfortable with only Jeff and I. I hope she gets over this separation anxiety thing soon. She's growing so fast and we're enjoying everyday with her!

The Crunch Bar Lesson

Yesterday Sydney learned a very important life lesson. It was difficult to learn the lesson, but I'm glad she did. One reason why public school is good--real, life lessons. Sometimes you have to experience something to learn the lesson. This was one:
Toward the end of the school day, Sydney had found a Crunch Bar, just lying around, I guess. She knew it wasn't hers, but didn't know who the bar belonged to. I really don't think she thought much about it, but her and another girl opened the bar and ate it. Then a boy comes along and asks where his bar went. That's when I think Sydney realized she did something wrong. The 2nd grade boy was rightfully upset (he earned the bar). It was reported to an adult and the adult said Sydney and the girl would see THE PRINCIPAL the next morning. Needless to say, Sydney came home upset. She was afraid she would get expelled. She was disappointed she had "sinned." She wrote the boy an apology letter and bought him another Crunch Bar to give to him. She was so worried about talking to the principal the next day. It was a good time to talk about repentance, the atonement, forgiveness, making right choices, being accountable, accepting responsibility, etc. After she left for school, Jeff and I were seriously hoping the principal was a nice guy, we don't know him well since we just started at this school. Thankfully, everything went well and they were pleased that Sydney had written a note and made the wrong, right. She came home sad because the office was going to give him another crunch bar too, but didn't since Sydney bought him one....so she thought she wasted her money. But we talked again that she did the right thing and that making the wrong, right (restitution) is part of the repentance process. In the end, I think she'll remember this experience, and if she doesn't, well, I documented it, and experienced learning from our mistakes.

Bahama Buck's

It's probably about time I write about Bahama Buck's in my blog since it IS happening. Clear back when Macie was just a few days old, Jeff and I would walk around the block with Macie in a baby carrier so she could calm down and be close to me and enjoy the outside. During these walks we came up with the wild idea to own a franchise. I came up with the idea of Bahama Buck's. We researched a few and finally decided on Bahama Buck's. About a year later, this March, our idea will be a reality and will be up and running. We purchased the building and franchise. The paperwork was a headache (I'm speaking for Jeff here. He did all the realtors, bank, underwriters, loan people, architects, contractors, and more). It was questionable wether we would actually get the loan, but we did. Construction started a few weeks ago. In case you don't know, because Bahama Buck's is mostly in Texas, it is a shaved ice dessert place, although we also sell smoothies, specialty sodas, sno-basts, lemonades, frostalattes, and snowballs. Our building is off Warner and Cooper in Gilbert. It is a free standing building with a drive-thru. It use to be a KFC. We are grateful for the opportunity and feel we've been led to this point. We're excited, hopeful, nervous all at the same time. We're learning a lot and know we will learn much more over the next year. Right now we're starting with the hiring process. I'm taking a food-handlers manager online course and this week I will learn a lot about quick books since I will be doing all the finances stuff along with other duties too. It should be a fun and interesting journey with lots of stories that come out of it. We hope our kids will be working here when they are teenagers. Here are some pictures of our building and the progress. Now that THIS IS HAPPENING, I'll post more pictures as things progress even more.

Before Pictures 

 Before: inside building, taken from the side door where you walk in.

 Picture below is from side door looking at dining area.

 The picture below is taken inside the counter looking back towards the kitchen.

 In just 2 days the construction crew demolished everything: tiles, vents, counters, tables, etc. Picture below is behind the counter looking towards kitchen.

 Picture below is view from side door looking at what once was the dining area.

 Bahama Buck's sent us these window decals to stick on. Jeff had 4 boys from church to help us stick them on. Getting the word out there and people excited for the anticipation for the new location.

On one of the doors we have a paper to direct people to an electronic application.

 New cement was put in for what is going to be our outside patio.

 Sydney wrote "SHAW 2014" in where we're going to put a pre order board in for the drive thru.

 Now the framing is done. This view is from the front door. We plan on being able to sit 60 people inside and another 25-30 outside on the patio.