I Love Being a Woman

There is a lot of talk about women's rights. It is a hot button topic right now but I want to take a minute to tell you why I love being a woman and why I love being an American.

I could have been born anywhere really. Right?

But luck of all luck I was born to a Canadian woman who immigrated to America legally with her family in the 1970's. My mother later obtained her US citizenship.

I love that every morning when I wake up I get to CHOOSE what I want to do. I get to choose what kind of day I want to have. I have a degree from ASU in which I was able to choose my profession. I could have been anything I wanted to be and really still can. Right? That is not a gift that women all over this globe get to choose.

I have my own home and car.

I can work and make a living just like anyone else. In fact I have two jobs, my full time job and I tutor on the side to help make ends meet. This is my choice, I can use my training to be self sufficient and support my family.

I alone as a single woman am responsible for my life and the choices I make. I don't have anyone to cheer on or blame but myself.

I go to church every Sunday and I have faith in God and my Savior. This is a freedom I hold dear and love.

I can vote and exercise my right to vote at election times. If there is a person elected I know that I can write my representatives and my voice will be heard. What a beautiful blessing, I as a woman have the same voice and the same rights as anyone else.

I can choose who I want to date, it is not chosen for me.

I get to choose how I spend my time.

There are so many more wonderful things about being an American woman!

I want to narrate a few reasons why I love being a woman.

First, I need to say that I love my job. I love it. I have always wanted to be a teacher, and I knew from a young age that this was what I wanted to do. Teaching comes with its own pros and cons. The pros are my children come to work with me (something that has it's own pros and cons), I transport them to and from work/school everyday. I know they are safe! I get to give them a kiss goodbye and sometimes we stop for a hot chocolate before school. I have the same schedule as my children which is an invaluable perk. I can move forward in my career. I am STILL learning and growing and trying to hone my craft. I feel confidence in my abilities and work. I feel happy after I have given my all to teaching and the wonderful children that grace my classroom each day. I have co workers who are my friends and I love to rub elbows with these amazing people each day.  I guess the only con is it is a bit of a struggle to provide for my family financially. Like I said, I have choices and one of those choices is tutoring which helps. I love being a woman with a career.

I love being a mother. This week I had one of those mothers intuition experiences. As I laid my head down on my pillow each night I had this urging to go check on my seventh grader and tuck him in. I did this each night and then Thursday night as I tucked him in he opened up about his struggles in school and with friends and sports. SIGH. We had a long talk and finally he settled down around 10:30. I was able to give him a listening ear, love, and advice. I reached out to my friends for help and his Dad. I was able with help to ease some of his worries. That night as we got home from school I was dead tired but everyone pitched in to help make dinner. Aydan made pot stickers, I chopped carrots, green onions, and browned ground turkey. Ellie chopped a can of water chestnuts for lettuce wraps. After dinner, I took my children to get an ice cream cone and we laughed and sang a silly song we had seen on their aunts facebook. We laughed and talked that evening, We came home, we read scriptures and had family prayer. I was so grateful to be a mother. I love being a mother. To me this was a perfect night with my children.

I love feminine things. I love flowers on my table, so much it makes my heart sing. I love pretty perfume. I love a clean, crisp home. I love good healthy food. I love accessories and make-up. On Saturday I got to choose just how I spent my day. I got up and ran. I tutored for a bit. I bought myself a honey pot which made me so happy. It is bright and yellow with a cute little bee on the front. I brought home some fresh baked bread from Kneaders. I got a manicure so my hands will look pretty under the projector as I teach my classes. I tidied up the house a bit and then I spent the evening with two beautiful friends.

I love being a friend. I love my friends. I love each of them for their differences and imperfect but perfect examples they are to me. I love that I can be friends with anyone I want! For instance, on Saturday I had the privilege of spending time with two women who were not of my faith but ARE great women of faith. Isn't that just the best thing? I learned so much from these women and their ability to help others and their path and passions about life. I loved that we could sit and talk as friends do and laugh and then we all fell asleep on my big couch upstairs. One thing that bugs me are people who put other people in boxes because they aren't exactly the same as them. To me that is just dumb. Life is better with friends. I love, LOVE, my friends.

A WHOLE BUNCH of my very favorite women. 

I am grateful to be a woman, I am grateful to be an American, I am grateful I have a voice and choose to write my thoughts and opinions in a blog and I have the freedom of speech to do so! I am the luckiest. XOXO-The Sunny D

Mr. McLovin' A Tale of Diet Coke and Love

So I will go with the theme New Year, Same Me....I still love a fresh, cold, Diet Coke in a Styrofoam cup from McDonald's. Buh Buh Buh Buh Buh, I'm Lovin' it. 

I blame my Father. The original McDonald's connoisseur with our childhood trips for kids meals in which he would eat all of our fries. Or the Sunday escape from the house to get my Mom and eventually me a Diet Coke and the little kids ice cream cones. And Later on, when we outgrew the kids meals and graduated to the Crispy Chicken sandwich because we ONLY ordered off of the dollar menu. McDonald's has the best breakfast deals in town OR San Diego where we would go on vacation. Two sausage McMuffin's for $2.00. My McDonald's love was born early and still lives in my heart. Plus, knowing you're getting the best deal in town feels good. 

I don't really blame my father for the record. I just really like McDonald's mix of Diet Coke. I also like that I don't have to get out of my car and that it only costs $1....actually $1.08 with tax. It fits in my budget. 

You know that last year I started at a new school and to my happy surprise there were TWO McDonald's restaurants in very close proximity to my new school. It didn't take long for me to become a regular at these fine establishments. In fact, I know most of the workers at the drive through windows. I am always friendly and kind and like to say hello. It isn't uncommon for me to strike up a quick conversation with these awesome workers if the time allows. 

And this now leads me to the highlight of this story. 

I have a McDonald's boyfriend. 

It's true. 

In fact, I know that he is working two jobs and that he also works at IKEA. HOW do I know this? I DON'T KNOW I TOLD YOU I WAS FRIENDLY! He works a lot of split 8 hour shifts also which he has informed me on my run through the drive through. 

He always greets me with a HEEEEEEEEEY GUUUUUUUUURL! AND I am always like HEEEEEEY. 

Because you know, we're like this weird set of friends. 

He reassures me that it is OKAY to come to McDonald's everyday because I am ONLY getting a Diet Coke.  I am usually happy to see him there as he is my friend but equally happy to see the other workers who are my friends also. 

A week before break something odd happened. As he handed me my change he held my hand in a kind but awkward way. In fact, I am fairly sure my face looked like this (pretend I am in my car)

And eight million thoughts ran through my head....like, what the heck, is he holding my hand? NO. No, he isn't..yes he certainly is....this is weird. NO I AM BEING WEIRD, this is my McDonald's FRIEND. With a capital F. I am overreacting that did not just happen. 

Except it did. And it has several more times that I started going to Circle K until I was afraid I was getting lead poisoning from their soda because it tastes like metal. Well, not really but their soda tastes GROSS. 

And then I decided..why NOT, why not let a twenty-something flirt with you and make you confused at the McDonald's window. Geez enjoy it GUUUUUUURL. 

So, after break I began going back to McDonald's and Mr. McLovin' was like...."Where have you been?" I said, "It was Christmas Break!" He was like, "Well, I thought we were friends...WE ARE! I Said! 

Our first fight. 

To Be Continued......

XOXO- The Sunny D, I bet you wish you could be so lucky..Buh, Buh, Buh, Buh, Buh.........

Love Just A Little

One of my favorite pictures taken in Spain. What I imagine to be two friends meeting for an afternoon chat. 

I have a request. If you read this will you do me a favor? In the next week will you spread a little love. Just a little. It can be in your family, an act of service, a smile to someone who looks sad. Anything. Plus, I believe that most of you that read this already do this. You probably try to spread a little love everyday. I feel deep in my bones that this is precisely what we all need right now. The world, our world needs more love. I also believe that the more love you give the more you will receive because that is a universal law. 

I have been thinking a lot about the state of our country, our new president, the Golden Globe speech given by Meryl Streep and the outbursts of anger that have followed. I think what she was trying to say was the world needs more love. Our country needs more love and WE can all give more love, empathy, and understanding to each other. 

I have also been thinking about Martin Luther King Jr. A man, who I believe, really stood for something worth believing in. Equality, more love. There is a song by Patty Griffin that when I hear it, it reaches my soul! I can relate! I love it. I love it because I feel like whatever our life's work is we all feel burdened and tired by it but we still persevere because we know it is the right thing to do and worth the work. Here it is if you want to give it a listen. Up to the Mountain

I can't say that I know what it feels like to be in a Black, Asian, Native American, Hispanic, or born sheathed in any other kind of skin than my own. I can't say that I know what it is like to be any other religion than Christian. What I do know for sure is we all have a heart that beats and a spirit that feels and we all look exactly the same on the inside. I know that when I teach my precious class of second graders who come in every shape, size, color, religion, etc..etc...etc....when I look into those little shiny, sweet, eyes and feel their worth and see who they are and the light they bring everyday with them that I know every single one of them is a treasure. This is something else I have learned and I know for sure when and adult is being difficult or rude I try and really look at them and 'see' them. In fact many times I try and see them as a second grader as the child who is a treasure sometimes I am kinder and have more patience. (and truthfully sometimes I'm not...but I am TRYING)

I guess what I am trying to say is I hope we can try a little harder to see the good in each other and for all of us to BE good to each other. To love a little more, to see the light that shines from everybody's heart and soul from within and shines in our eyes. We might not be able to change our country but we can all change the atmosphere in our immediate circle. We can love a little more and that really could do something good. A lot of good. Just think about it, there is so much good in the world! Look at all of the children our hope for the future! The kind acts, the generosity, the friendly smiles, and neighbors who help each other. Let's focus on that and our power to make our circles a place of happy, shiny, smiling, eyes.

XOXO- My soapbox...My Blog...With much Love and a Tender Heart...The Sunny D

New Year, Same Me

My real face...OK! I used the pretty filter. 

All I wanted today was to take a nap. I love naps. If I have a free day from work you can bet there is the hope of a nap somewhere in the schedule. Today, I laid my head down and drifted deliciously into the land of nod at about 1:30pm. At about 2pm a raucous neighborhood football game started up at the park right outside my window. I wanted to yell, "Don't you guys know people are trying to sleep around here!" But..I realized it was 2 in the afternoon and didn't. Instead I strapped on my running shoes and ran four miles. It was difficult for me but I did it. These are some things that will NEVER change about me. 

I love naps.

I attempt to be a runner. 

I wear very little make-up on breaks, in summer, and on weekends. The face needs to breathe!

I love my kids.

I love to plant flowers, although I forget to water them sometimes.

I strongly believe photo radar tickets are the dumbest thing ever. If your going to catch me speeding catch me speeding with a real police car. 

I believe in living simply and spending money on travel. I have a gypsy heart, that won't change and it is hard to keep it under wraps because when it gets the itch I have to go where the wind takes me. Other wise I feel stifled.

I know God loves me but I have some questions. 

So, here's the real point of this post. I am me and I am trying to be a little better everyday. I have some goals you know, the New Years Resolution is to take care of myself. I started a gratitude journal. I wrote things I was grateful for three days out of seven and since there's some wiggle room in my New Years Resolution I felt good about that because it WAS my best this week. I have a calling I take seriously, I do my visiting teaching, I pray, I read scriptures and have family home evening intermittently..I'll admit. I try to spend some time with some sort of spiritual influence every day whether it is a conference talk or the Ensign.I go to the temple regularly and church every week. I love my friends and family, Plus, on top of that...I already promised God I would try to do and be what he wanted me to be, whatever that means. I am trying to live a balanced life and be a good person and good mom but I feel the emptiness of being single. And here are some other things that will never change....

Mid-Singles activities are starting to give me the creeps. 

I would WAAAAYYYYYYY rather go to a movie and dinner with my friend like I did tonight instead of a mid-singles party. Look, I am almost 40 and dancing until 2AM or wearing spanx all night to fit in the crowd just doesn't appeal to me. I can't handle the FAKENESS of it all. Plus, I am tired from working all the time, and writing in my gratitude journal and trying to train for a half marathon..... I mean come on I can barely get up the energy to put make-up on during the weekends what makes you think I want to wear high heels all night. So, is this the only way to meet someone? Because in the dating department I have done the work. Right? Faith without works is dead.....I have PUT in the work. I've been online, I've been to singles activities, I've been on gobs of dates, So....is what God wants me to be is single for the rest of my life when he so clearly outlined that we should be in a family with a mother and a father? 

Also, as I was on a field trip this week a Mom of one of my students asked me how long I had been divorced upon thinking about it the fact dawned on me that the day before had been my divorcery. Six years, I have been alone for six years. Longer actually if you count the separation. In fact just this week a friend sent me an article about the Lord's timing. I am frustrated with the Lord's timing and I have looked forward with an eye of faith and a brightness of hope...ALL OF IT. And, the article which was a good one the girl in it does all the right things and is stressing out about not getting married and then she meets the guy the next month. OKAY......HELLO.......I HAVE BEEN DOING THIS FOR SIX YEARS. SIX. 

What is the point? 

Maybe there is something seriously wrong with me? Not ruling it out. 

I mean being single is NOT that bad but it isn't the plan.....or is it??

I am tired of asking what the plan is for me and still getting on the hamster wheel every single day. 

I am literally that girl that EVERYONE says I just can't figure out why you aren't married....YEAH, ME EITHER. 

My friend said start telling yourself that 39 is your year....I have been...

I AM AT A LOSS and nearly every single one of my dearest friends is in a great relationship and I am just here like...

Like.....

Maybe I am leaving for a month this summer and having my own Eat, Pray, Love moment. 

Maybe marriage just isn't for me

Maybe being single really is the best thing

I don't know. Those questions never seem to get answered. 

XOXO- The Sunny D.....I really do have a good life and I love it. New Year, Same Me. 

Hope smiles from the threshold of the year to come, Whispering 'it will be happier'-Alfred Tennyson

Where would I be without the amazing women in my life? LONELY. I am grateful for wonderful friends. 

I am sitting here at my kitchen table content munching on Moose Munch popcorn which is totally not part of my New Years resolutions, but then again maybe it is. I have one vague resolution mainly so I don't feel a mountain of guilt when I don't meet it and also like I earned a medal when I do. My goal is to take better care of myself, whatever that means. Right now it means eating Moose Munch carmel popcorn and blogging. Tomorrow it means going for that run, and spending quality time with my kids. 

I'd like to say I have a feeling about what kind of year this is going to be, I feel like it just might be a good one. 

Last night I threw an old fashioned New Years House Party. It was a big step for me because I generally have all these mental limitations as to why I can't have a whole bunch of people over..like where will everyone go? And it will get messy.....However, there was plenty of room, food, friendship and love that went around that has left my little heart glowing.

Mud Pie Brownies for the party

Mixed Drink Soda Bar

Treat Central....

The beginnings of a nacho/taco salad bar

Everyone brought food to share we had a nacho bar for the kids and taco salad for the adults. It was yummy. 

We visited and ate while the kids played games upstairs. Aydan and Ellie helped me set up toys/games/video games and an arts and crafts center. My friends brought some of their games and the kids played Pie Face and Speak Out. We heard giggling all night downstairs and I loved every second if it. 

Ellie with her resolutions

I had a balloon for everyone and a little slip of paper. On one side I had everyone write their wish for the new year and on the back everyone wrote something that they wanted to let go. We went out and all let our balloons go at the same time and then we lit sparklers. 

When all the fireworks had been let off we went back inside to visit until we were all tuckered out at about 10:30. 

After everyone left my kids pitched in and helped me clean up the house. We then played speak out until midnight. It was the perfect ending to the year. 

As I lay in bed, I had an intense peaceful, calming, all encompassing feeling of joy. Pure joy. I was so happy to have my friends and their children over. I think for the very first time since my divorce I wasn't mourning on New Years, I didn't feel like I was missing out, I wasn't disappointed after having attended a singles activity, I wasn't lonely, I was happy. Simply happy and it felt so good. I felt like if you could have seen me I would have had golden light streaming out of my body that is how happy I felt in that moment. I was so grateful to be feeling those feelings in that moment, if that even makes sense. Especially after some of the lows I felt this last year it was exactly as Tennyson says, "Hope smiles from the threshold of the year to come, Whispering 'it will be happier'

And it will. 

XOXO- The Sunny D