Good Food, Good Friends

We found the SUGAR...you can't see me but you can see my hands clapping coming out of Lamar's shirt. 

We did it. Spanish Sassafrass and I threw a Tuscan dinner party for our friend Gary's birthday. The food was amazing. Tamara and her Mom cooked up a storm. I am sad we didn't get any pictures of the food or the tables filled with food. We had roasted peppers and asparagus, roasted potatoes, pork loin with a wine sauce gravy, Spanish Tortilla which is that egg dish at the bottom on the left. It is pretty much my favorite thing it has potatoes in it. yummy. There was good bread and salads, fresh fruit, olives, hummus, dips and those yummy little tomato, basil and mozzarella things, bruchetta and strawberry shortcake for dessert. It was a night filled with good friends and good food. Just like you would have if you were in Europe on a Spring evening. It was delightful. It was a good way for us to serve our friends and celebrate this time in our lives. 

We had one inside table and on outside table. We enjoyed Gary's lovely home and gardens. We don't drink so we had a Blood Orange soda that was delish, San Peligrino, and Martinellis. 

Here is Tamara with the birthday boy, a few of our friends and a few of his. 

We were surrounded by friends and doing what we love to do. Cooking and relaxing with friends. It was a lot of hard work but worth it! I hope everyone had a good time. We couldn't have done it with out the tireless help of  Gary, Josh, and John. Seriously, they worked with us tirelessly through the night and well past 12 PM as we cleaned up. I left that night feeling exhausted but happy. I was happy that I could have such wonderful friendships new and old. 

Love these girls. 

Love the birthday boy, such a kind friend. 

You know, life is never a perfect thing but taking time to smell the roses and live in the present sure is.

Bellissima!  

Ciao! The Sunny D

Chaos

My Schedule. After Work. 

I have been busy, exhausted, over worked, burning the candle at both ends for sure. I have piles of stuff everywhere in my house as we run from one appointment or baseball game or scouts to work, to school to the next thing. I found myself wishing I could be a stay at home Mom. Boy, things sure would be easier if I could stay home and clean, prep dinner, go to the gym, be fresh for my kids when they came home from school. I was really missing those days. I decided to change my attitude and adjust to what life really is. I decided that the most important thing was that my kids and I felt the spirit everyday. I also decided that how we did that did NOT have to match the ideal I have in my head. So. 

This is what it looked like, highlights:

I cooked when I could eggs and toast counts right? What else are you supposed to do at 8:30 at night after baseball games? I decided that at the kids baseball games when they were in the outfield I would take a really fast walk around the ball park. That counts as exercise? Right? We prayed exhaustedly together at night before bedtime and we said morning family prayer on the way to school in the car. Monday was a great day, I ran, grocery shopped (this is all after work), made a healthy dinner, we had family home evening, we dyed eggs for Easter. I made sure that we had family scripture study every day. Even if it was each of us reading just one verse. 

Watermelon at the ball game

Aydan at bat

Thursday I didn't have children. I went to the temple, as I left I felt literally enrobed with power and strength. I also felt the peaceful quiet assurance I needed. All of the worries of my heart were put to rest. I had an appointment, I also had singing practice. 

The busy never stopped. It just didn't. However, I was happy. I was grateful. The week went smoothly and the piles of things to do at home didn't weigh on me so much. 

And one prayer was for sure answered. I have been so worried about the few extra pounds that have crept up on me during this incredibly busy year. I haven't had the time to spend cooking healthy meals or making the green smoothies I did when I was at home. I don't have two hours to go to the gym like I used too. I don't have time to train for races. So I prayed that I would have help getting rid of this weight. 

AND Friday, I woke up with the flu. 

Prayers are answered my friends. ha! 

Changing perspectives and staying grateful. XOXO The Sunny D 

Enough Said

Enough Said. A movie about new beginnings.

Six AM. The train whistle blew. I had gone to three parties the night before and didn't get in until one am. I woke with a start as six is my usual time to wake up. So tired, you know the feeling you try and lay there hoping to fall back asleep but then the garbage trucks come and empty all the dumpsters at the school right next to my house. Blearily, I get up thinking it's Saturday maybe I can take a nap later. Maybe. 

I wander down to the kitchen and pour myself a bowl of cereal. ~Captain Crunch, breakfast of champions. I am so tired, I have no desire to shower or clean or go to the temple like I thought I might do this morning. I look on the counter and sure enough there is that Red Box movie I think I have had for a bout two weeks. The kids have been here for 8 great days in a row. Days that kept me on my toes with BUSY amidst AIMS testing this week.  I decide this morning is the perfect time to watch it. The house is quiet. 

The movie is called, Enough Said.  The title of the movie has multiple meanings and is layered throughout the movie. There are many moments when enough has been said. I was taught a great lesson by watching it. There are many different types of family and friend relationships in this movie. There are two divorcees who date each other but their relationship is influenced by what others say about them, especially the exes. It was so interesting to me and so real I could totally relate. It made me think if my ex had the chance to talk to a man I was newly dating what would he say? Would he be critical; would he over look my flaws? The real question I have to ask myself is, would I do the same in return?

 I was thinking about how I talk to my ex husbands new wife. She loves him very much, she sees all of his good qualities. This is her second marriage too, and I see all of her good qualities. I think she is wonderful. Isn't this the same thing I hope for all of my divorced friends and myself? To find someone who overlooks the bad and only sees the good? I have to say I am so glad that my ex husband has found that. There were so many parallels in relationships with friends, family, children and ex spouses. I loved it. It makes me want to only say the good, uplifting and positive things about the people I know. You never know how your words are going to influence someone else's perception about another person. It reminds me of the song, Let us oft speak kind words of another....kind words are sweet tones of the heart. 

It was a good movie. You should watch it. 

XOXO- The Sunny D

Facebook and the Dating Dilemma

I love Oscar Wilde. He is so witty, you know smart witty. I love his play the Importance of Being Earnest. Maybe because my Grandpa is named Ernest and mostly because it is about BEING Earnest. I just love it.

I went to a party the other night. It was a dinner party for a friends birthday. I was sitting between two male friends of mine and we were having a nice conversation. We were talking about dating. We were talking about my friends and who they are dating and I said, you know I don't go on very many dates. I used to, but then I stopped because I was tired and now I just don't get asked. Then one of the guys says, "But you were on a date last Friday night."

Whaaa? Wait. What? I said, no I was not. I did show up to a different dinner with a male friend of mine. My question is this....WHY does that mean we are on a date? We weren't. Trust me the feelings are mutual. I love this friendboy of mine with all my heart in a sisterly protective, don't mess with my friends because I am that loyal kind of way. But that is about as far as it goes.

Then the other friend said, I thought you were dating so and so because you are in a picture together on Facebook.

What? Maybe I am really this dumb? If you sit next to someone for two minutes, and a picture is taken, posted to FACEBOOK you are now an ITEM? HUH?

Facebook and Texting are ruining my dating life. Seriously.

Then there was a fellow who I had dated in the past, he uses my Facebook page to now scope out my friends and then befriends them. LAME. Seriously so LAME. The guy doesn't even live here and would never meet these women. Ever. He sends these mushy gushy texts to me. I just don't have time for weird stuff like that. That is the one foot in one foot in Montana type of guy right there.

It was all starting to bug me a little bit. Truly.

Plus there is this whole other aspect of  Facebook and dating. You can basically be stalked and someone can know your whole life before they even go out with you if you are friends with them on Facebook. This is a problem because you or they may form an opinion about someone before you even ever meet and it could be TOTALLY wrong! I wonder how many dates have been passed by because of Facebook...OR how many dates have happened because of Facebook?


I saw this sign and it pretty much sums up dating for me:

You know I was annoyed that people assumed I was in a relationship because of a picture. You know? Then I realized how super lucky I was. I was so lucky because most of the people that I am pictured with are the most wonderful people I know. They are kind, caring, and sweet. They are GOOD people and loyal friends. So I was like...who cares? Who cares if people think I am dating so and so. I think it will just make ME think twice when I see a picture of two people together. It doesn't MEAN they are TOGETHER TOGETHER. They are simply in a picture together and maybe they happen to be awesome friends. I have been so grateful for the wonderful examples I have in many of my friends. There are so many great people just trying so hard to do their best, be their best self. It makes me happy to think of it. All the wonderful people I have been able to meet through being single. Many times these people inspire ME to be a better person or improve in a certain area of my life. I am thankful for that. 

So with that said.....next time you see me, Let's take a picture together and post it to Facebook. Deal? 

Cheerio! XOXO The Sunny D

Hey Hoff.....

I'm so confused? I don't know how the Hoff got onto this picture on my iPad......but.......I pretty much love it!

An iPad may have just been the best thing ever to buy. I'm hiding out in my room debating whether to go running or just stay here. My kids are occupied downstairs, hmmm I wonder what they're doing?

  I just started administering my first batch of standardized tests today. Don't get me started on standardized tests. Blech. If you want to suck the life out of any teacher or student.....just practice for the test for months on end. Then spend four days taking the before mentioned test. It's almost as bad as having lice. Does your scalp itch? How about behind your ears? Just the word LICE makes me squirm.

So. I just received a notice via Facebook that says my 20 year high school reunion is coming up. That makes me ask a few questions.
}am I really that old?
}wait I am really THAT old?
}should I start a diet now?
}do I care?
}am I even going to attend the thing?
}is it necessary to have a reunion?
}maybe it will be fun?

It's a year away soooo, maybe I'll just have a mommy makeover this summer and voila ready I will be!

On a serious note I have decided to quit soda again. Yup. I have also decided that I must exercise at least at minimum 5 days a week. So I am on day three of no soda and I do feel better. I'm also trying to eat more greens everyday and an apple. I did not eat an apple today. Oops.

I have also decided life is much more pleasant when you decide to be happy.

I'm working on being a little more social. It's just tricky for instance I had plans for tonight and Thursday with friends but the kids Dad informed me he was going to be out of town this week, so there goes my effort to be social. It seems like it always works like this for me. Any time I have plans set up I end up having my children. I will take this moment to decide to be happy.

Random XOXO The Sunny D

Eternity is A LONG TIME

Love.

When I was in young women's I had this misconception that Return Missionary+Temple Marriage=Perfect Happy Life. This is just not true. I thought that once you had found your missionary and were sealed in the Temple you had MADE IT! OH YEAH! Complete this scene with a little yellow house with shutters, bright pink petunias and a white picket fence. VOILA! Into the eternities we skip hand in hand with our five perfect children. SOMEONE CUE THE PRIDE AND PREJUDICE SOUNDTRACK PLEASE! 

What I now know is that was just the beginning, not the end. I hadn't made it...I had JUST STARTED. What the heck.

At the ripe old age of 20 I was married, the first time. I had a checklist. Oh yes, the checklist. My checklist started with 1) HOT then scribbled out because hot couldn't really be your #1...right? So I put return missionary instead. Followed closely by speaks Spanish, great family, temple marriage, college student, fun, likes quads and Rocky Point. 

I married that guy. Exactly that guy. Except he did NOT speak Spanish. I am here to tell you  there is more to picking the right spouse for you. There are a lot of great things about that guy and I am grateful for the opportunity of learning and growth that I had by being married to him. 

I have learned however that there is more to picking a spouse than being fluent in Spanish. Now, these things are good...BUT Eternity is A LONG TIME!

What I wish my children to know:

His family might be AMAZING...but guess what, you don't marry them.

Looks FADE.

He might speak Spanish....OK....now what?

You'll probably be mad when he spends 10K on a new quad when you need a kitchen table for your house. For real. 

A return missionary is fantastic...DOES he/she have a REAL TRUE testimony? Is he/she still in contact with people he taught? Is there any sort of mission journal? 

You have to be happy, to be happy. Please do not ever think that someone else will complete you OR make you happy. You have to first be a whole person. Number One. Be the person you would like to marry. Period. When you are that person you will attract the type of people you are interested in dating. 

What types of things should you truly look for in a spouse? 

What is the state of the persons heart? Are they kind and tender to their Mothers? Children? Old people?

Can you talk openly and candidly with that person? Are your thoughts important and do you value theirs?

Will you make each other happy?

Are you compatible, do your personalities compliment each other? 

How does he/she feel about Heavenly Father? Do they have a relationship with him? 

Are they loyal, honest, trustworthy, dependable? 

Do you have the same goals and values? 

Are they willing to be a partner and helper? ARE YOU? 

Do you have fun together? 

Do you really KNOW THEM? Have you seen them in every "season?"

Have you prayed about it? 

These are the things that will help you get off to a good START. There are things that matter and things that don't. Truly. My list is longer. I was given the assignment to write down what I was looking for in a spouse. Do you know that looks never even came up? Attraction came up, but to me attraction is a whole other department than looks. I am so grateful to have learned the things I have learned about marriage. I am grateful I was married once. I truly have so many blessings because of it and I have perspective. 

XOXO. The Sunny D

The Things We Do

A few things I have decided lately.

Spring Break was too short.

Teaching is a difficult job.

Nothing can replace good friends.

My hair has grown really long.

My kids keep me going.

Cars are great when they work.

I am tired, therefore I need to look at my life and see what I can do to be balanced.

Kneaders is proving to be a problem. Especially their sugar cookies. Dang.

The Renaissance Fair is really weird.

It is like all of the Dungeons and Dragons crowd comes out to celebrate. And, I have never been so grateful to actually NOT fit in. People watching at its finest.

Here is an interesting picture I just noticed...look just beyond Aydan's annoyed face because we made him watch belly dancing. To the woman with the large.....ahem. The Renaissance Festival was also a wonderful place to have a frank conversation

with my children about modesty. Especially, when the 60 year old woman walked by with a chain mail bikini on. Yes. They actually make those! Who knew? I asked Aydan, "What if Grandma wore that?" He looked at me and said GROSS. MOM that is gross. I said do you NOW see why modesty is important. The next day at church I said, "Do you see all of these women at church?" He said, yes. I said, "Don't they look beautiful? They are all dressed modestly. Do you see the difference from yesterday?" We then discussed why modest IS really the hottest.

The Festival was fun. I think everyone should go at least once. That was my very first time. However, I think Spanish Sassafras summed it up when we were driving out of the parking lot to go home as a man dressed like a pirate walked by, "IF I see ONE MORE Jack Sparrow it will be too soon." In fact, I wasn't sure that pirates HAD a large part in the Renaissance, OR Star Trek People, Clone Troopers and EVEN Captain America but they were all there.

Spanish Sassafras, The Queen, and I with our brood of chiddlers. I am glad we could have a little fun with our dear friends over Spring Break. The things we do for our children. 

XOXO-To not just living life, but enjoying it too! The Sunny D.