Every week I look forward to watching Welcome to Sweetie Pie’s. If you haven’t seen the show yet, you MUST. It is truly a heart-warming show about loveing and humorous family and their struggles and celebrations in their lives. Last week Robbie finally caved and bought her nephew Charles a car hoping that would finally put an end to his being late and constant pleading for rides. Well…half of her wish came true. Unfortunately Charles still couldn’t manage to make it to work on time. However, work doesn’t wait.

Tim scored a gig with the City of St. Louis for an event under the arch. They hand-picked 12 restaurants that best represented the city and asked them to serve food at a convention of people who throw conventions. Yes, that means the people who book conventions in the St. Louis have a chance to get to know Sweetie Pie’s. All he had to do was prepare food for 5,000 people. What a great opportunity to showcase their food. Despite feeling overwhelmed, anything is doable for the Montgomery family! Tim had his work cut out for him. Permits, background checks on him and anyone helping out at the event, and so much more! About 4 days prior to the Arch event, Tim finally told his mom about the catering event for 5,000 people. Realizing it was a great opportunity, she hoped Tim would pull it off.

Around the same time, Robbie’s financial advisor, Mr. Bussey, let her know that someone was interested in the building she has been holding on to – the location of the 3rd restaurant where they are having trouble getting the funding for the construction. The offer was for $4 million. It was definitely enough to get Robbie to pause and think. Here she has been paying on a building that she can’t move on. By selling, she’d recoup her cost of the building AND get the money she needs for the construction. But it is more than just a building to Robbie. “This restaurant means everything to me. Nothing black was happening in that area and for me to own a piece of property, I don’t know…I might be the only black to date a piece of property in that area. So it’s not just a building, it’s a piece of history.” She was still hoping the bank would come through and she wouldn’t have to consider the offer.

Frustrated at Charles, Robbie and his mother decided it was time to write him up and suspend him for a week. So who wrote him up? His own MOM! “Charles is a grown man and Charles has to think like a grown man and take care of his responsibilities and not rely on mom to take care of him or Aunt Robbie…” That is tough love. Tears flowed down his face as signed the suspension and his mother had a heart to heart. Hopefully he will take that moment and grow. It was all in love. Here is a deleted scene where Tim confronts his mom about Charles’ suspension.

After 3 days off the job, Charles paid Sweetie Pie’s a visit only to meet the new guy, Dane, which Tim hired to pick up the slack. He was not happy! To smooth it over a bit, Tim offered Charles a job at the event. But when he found out it was for 5,000 people he replied “I said I was gonna help him out a little bit. That is way above my pay grade”. Of course, he was still going to work it! On his way out, he made sure that Dane knew that he’d be back and Dane would be jobless. I wouldn’t be so sure though. The day before the event, Charles called Tim and asked for Saturday off…so he could go out and have a little fun. This kid (actually grown man) has NO concept of family or being a team member. His own family can’t rely on him when they really need him. Tim told him to take the day as his employee shouted in the background. Tim knew – if he didn’t let him off, he may not show anyway. He couldn’t rely on Charles at all. Such a disappointment. Check out this deleted scene about Dane.

The day of the event Robbie showed up to help her son. She took over the banana pudding, the new macaroni balls were in the works and Tim just needed to get cooking the chicken. It was down to the wire, but they were pulling it off. Finally the days of hard work and sleepless nights came. It was clear they were out of their league. They were behind schedule and way under staffer. Tim and 2 other guys from the Sweetie Pie’s worked tirelessly to make it happen. Then the support came. Other workers from other restaurants and the event people all pulled together to help Sweetie Pie’s get up and running. It was a real community and I felt like crying. That is totally happening to me lately – OWN is always making me cry. They may have been late, but they were clearly the crowd favorite. The macaroni balls were actually the hit and Robbie would have been so proud!

As for TJ, he was doing great. Once he took the bottle for the first time, it was only a matter of time until he’d be able to come home. Unfortunately Jenae’s maternity leave was about to expire. So she headed to the doctor and he helped her out by giving her an open-ended letter…so she’d be able to use some vacation to be with her baby. I am certain that was a HUGE relief for the entire family.

Each epsiode, I fall in love with this family more and more. It was a wonderful surprise when OWN announced they were extending the show by 10 episodes. Be sure to set your TiVo and watch each week….it is a GREAT family show and is well worth the time.

Next week…..is all about second chances and whether Tim is finally ready to hold his son!