Thankful Thursday!

I know that Sonya is taking a sabbatical from blogging, but I feel like I should be thankful today, so I'm going to be. :-p

I am thankful that God moved my heart last night at Ash Wednesday service.

I am thankful that my family is going to be in NYC today. This will possibly be the last time I see them until December.

I am thankful that Evan and Caitlin are excited to be getting married soon.

I am thankful for my ridiculously smart husband and my (just plain) ridiculous cat.

I am thankful for Vashti, Baby Be Blessed, Heavenly Humor and Heart Galleries.

I am thankful for my right brain, a right heart, and a beautiful week!

Are you feeling thankful today? :)

Cupcakes, Cupcakes, Cupcakes (And I'm Feeling Thankful)

It's official!

My sister-in-law and I are making a cupcake cake of around 100 cupcakes for my brother-in-law's wedding. Leaving on a Wednesday night and hoping for the best. :) Trying to figure out that, if we start baking the cupcakes on Thursday, when should we frost them for the wedding?! All the logistics, but I'm excited because I'm a planner.

I was thinking about banana cupcakes with honey-cinnamon frosting because my brother-in-law loves to dress like a banana.



But I might get the kabosh on that one. :) If you were making wedding cupcakes, what cupcakes would you make?

And I haven't done Thankful Thursday in awhile so...



If you'd like to post what you're thankful about, I know that Sonya

1) I am thankful that each day is a new day. Sometimes, I struggle and sometimes I don't. Some days I glory in God and some days I feel that I'm not doing so hot in the Lord's book. But I'm thankful that He lifts me up each day and that He loves me.

2) That I have a very supportive and funny family. My mom called me last night because she was looking at purses and thinking of me. I'm not very girly and don't have a lot of purses (especially for occasions like weddings) but she was thinking of me because of the upcoming wedding.

3) That we have lots of airline miles!! Silly, maybe. But with this wedding, we could have either spent over $400 on airfare OR what we are actually spending...which is $10!!! We've purchased two airline tickets to Ohio for $10. Heck. Yes. It's really helpful because now we can spend that money on flour, butter, eggs, and cupcake liners. :-D

4) I am thankful for my husband. He really took care of me when I was feeling sick. I actually couldn't get out of bed and he helped me through it all with everything. I really appreciated that.

5) For my church. Though we haven't been there in a month due to holidays and illnesses, people at church have been asking how we are and saying that they miss us. It really means a lot to me and shows me how the hands and feet of Christ really work.

So what are you thankful for?!

Thankful Thursday!

Oh, how I love Thursday! It used to be pay-day. Today I have a voice-over and it means that I only have one more day of work before the weekend. :) So let me give thanks!! If you'd like to join in, visit Sonya at Truth 4 the Journey!

1) Voice-Overs. They really do make my day. I get paid to talk. Umm...hell yes! :)

2) My husband has been talking through me about my faith and where I think our lives are headed together. And about farting. And I appreciate all of those conversations and that he's willing to talk to me and is still opening up to me more and more each day.

3) That, even though I've been an idiot and all these things have been happening to us, I have some great friends who have been seeing us through and who think God is preparing us for something bigger. I certainly hope so.

4) That the stripper for the linoleum floor (which right now has giant neon yellow stains all over it) is coming soon and hopefully we can close that chapter of the last few weeks.

5) That there are 36 days until I get to see my family again!!! And it'll be on a beach. So that's even better :) To the Philippines!!!

6) I am thankful that Jesus is patient with me. Because I see these things that remind me of Pulp Fiction miracles and I still am like, 'Could I have, you know, just one more sign, to know that this is right?' It's like I want Jesus to come and beat me over the head with a stick to just GET IT sometimes. But fortunately, he's being patient and I wholly appreciate that.

What are you thankful for?

Thankful Thursday

Hey guys! I'm going to be quick today! It's kind of crazy for the moment... But if you're thankful to God, go here and sign up!!

God, I wanted to thank You today. Sure, I'm feeling sick as a dog (cat?). My eyes feeling like they're bulging and I haven't been able to breathe well for a few days. The cat threw up on the carpet...twice. Which is fine, because we have to throw it out because of the bugs anyway. I found a bed bug crawling near my neck, Lord. MY NECK. And through all of this, I just can't thank You enough. Because all of that really doesn't matter when I see the sun and I feel like You've really given me Your peace today.

So thank You. Thank You for every breath of life that You give us. Whether or not it's strained or tired or frustrated. It's still a gift from You.

What are you Thankful for?

Thankful Thursday! (And A Prayer Request)

I love Thankful Thursday. So very much. If you'd like to join in with this meme, please feel free and click here.

1) I am thankful that my husband is as ridiculous as I am. Sure, maybe we're a bit immature, but I've only been out of college for 2 1/2 years now!

Here are some text messages between us that took place while I was at work and he was at the grocery store:
Steve: Anything other than fruit?
Danae: Your mom. And maybe some cat food? But that's it.
Steve: My mom is sold out.
Danae: Dang it! Well, also, if you could buy some sexy? But just get a receipt in case I want to bring it back.
Steve: Sexy is out too. You can only get it packaged with your dad.
Danae: I don't think I want any then. But thanks for looking!
Steve: Sure

2) I am thankful that my sister got a job! She's going to be a massage therapist in Ohio and I couldn't be prouder of her!

3) I am thankful for our freedoms. Though I'd love to move overseas, America has so many freedoms that we don't even think of. Did you ever read about the Hong Kong actor who had taken video of all the actresses he had sex with? It was a HUGE scandal in Hong Kong and the Hong Kong mafia was offering HK$500,000 for this man's hands.

For my mom, it wasn't a big deal until she saw the police arresting people and they had bags over their heads. She said it was a huge wake-up call that they aren't exactly living in a democracy.

4) I am thankful for my voice-over work. My voice-over work at MTV is pretty much making it so that we can travel to South Africa/Ethiopia this coming May and that I can go Christmas shopping and such.

5) I am thankful for God's love and that there are so many people spreading it. My church shows it's love during a community luncheon that they host every month for those without home or food enough. And you! I can't believe all the things everyone in the blogosphere does! You are incredible!

6) I am thankful for my family. I miss them, but I'm going to see them in December. Hong Kong, be prepared!

7) I am thankful that my husband has loved me these 10 years. We haven't been married for 10 years, but we'll have been together for 10 years on November 3rd. I don't know what my life would be without him, honestly.

Also, could you please say a prayer for my friend Sam, her father, and her family? Her father went into the hospital yesterday with heavy breathing and sweating. He has stints in his heart and three of them are blocked. He has a triple bypass scheduled for tomorrow. Would you please pray that God be with the surgeons and that he have a fast recovery time? Thank you.

Thankful Thursday!

I love Thankful Thursday. A person I know posted on Facebook, 'If you're having trouble getting sleep, count your blessings instead of sheep.' And I like that. So that's what we're going to do today! If you'd like to join in, click here.

What am I thankful for?

1) Vindaloo! I love our new kitty even though she felt like waking us up at 6am this morning. We are (lazy) lucky people and don't have to get up until 7:45-8:00am to go to work. But Vindaloo is keeping us on our toes. And batting at our faces way too early.

2) Youth TOMS! I was thankful for these last week because they were supposed to come out. They came out this week instead!!

3) For my church family. I'm on the stewardship committee at church and we're getting ready for Consecration Sunday in November. They push me to love God in ways that I feel I am not good at. But I'm working on it. And they've also convinced me to run a luncheon. It's a good thing I like to cook and set things up...

4) My health! I just got a check-up. Though my cholesterol is a little high, they said that my good cholesterol is SO high, that it's helpful. Which is good. Heart disease runs in my family. I need to be more diligent about my eating! But, they said, for the most part, I'm good :)

5) That God loves and cares for me. I'm dumb. And I do dumb things. But God loves me even in my blondest moment, my darkest hour, and my most joyous song and what could be better than that?

6) My husband! In a few weeks, we'll have been together for 10 years. Not married, but together. We started dating when I was 14 and he was 15 and I wouldn't ask for it any other way.

What are you thankful for?

Thankful Thursday!

This has been a crazy week and not in a lot of good ways. But I have SO much to be thankful for this week too. If you'd like to join, just go here!

1) For my husband! Sure, he might be starting to look like Ned Flanders, but he's doing a great thing for pediatric cancer. And even though it took him 4 days to build a dresser that is already falling apart, he still did it for me. :) Now he's going to help me save up so that we can ditch that piece of crap.

2) Even though I got the rejection letter from a job interview I just went on (Okay, I did cry a little), I know that God has got better things for me. In due time.

3) YOUTH TOMS COME OUT TODAY!!! I have been saving up for this. I want to buy some for our sponsor children and Project O and such. And I have been WAITING for 4-6 weeks for this!!
Update: I cannot count. I think these come out TOMORROW. So then I will be ALL OVER THIS with my new TOMS. :)

4) That our apartment is slowly coming together. We got our wall divider in and tonight we're going to clean up. And I found that we might need more furniture for our mini apartment! So I'm very excited. I mean, who knows when we'll purchase anything, but that's okay.

5) That God let the sun come out today! It was a windy, cold walk, but the sun was shining and that counts.

6) TOMORROW IS KITTY HUNTING!!!! I really can't wait to go to the Animal Care & Control Center to see if there is a kitty for me. I never EVER in my life thought I would want a cat more.
Update: One more time. This counting thing is throwing me off. Today is Thursday. SATURDAY is kitty hunting

7) Baby Be Blessed. I won a doll from them and I'm having it made for my Ethiopian daughter. I can't believe I'm actually going to MEET her in May! So I'm trying to get things together for her now (I know, I know. My husband says I'm a planner). I can't help it! I'm excited! PLUS, I get to meet Vashti and our Project O kids. How could I NOT be excited?!

What are you thankful for?

I love thankful Thursdays, especially during bad weeks or months because I can pay attention to what God has done for me. If you'd like to join, please visit here.

What am I thankful for...

1) Our new apartment! I feel much safer now that we're there, it's a calmer neighborhood, and I have met the nicest people.

2) Stories. Whenever my mom calls me, it brightens my day. Not just because it's my mom, but she always has another story. My parents and younger brother live in Hong Kong and it's never a dull moment. My dad was in mainland China and it was a holiday, but he had to work. So he took all the people who were in the office (like 5 or 6) out to lunch. He was showing them a picture of my family and there were interpreters there. So all these little ladies are talking in Chinese about my family and the interpreter says, 'They thought your daughter was Mariah Carey.' He's talking about my younger sister. When my dad told my mom, she said, 'Mariah Carey is 40!! How old do they think you are?!' My parents are both 47 and look younger. ;)

3) That God is answering my prayers, even if they aren't in the way that I want them answered. That's okay with me. I figure that He knows best anyway, right? So I'm just trying to go with the flow and not let work bother me. Though it is hard.

4) For my ridiculous friends. My friend Lauren is taking me to Zombiewalk to de-stress this weekend. You dress like a zombie and they drop you off at a shopping mall or something and then you walk around...like a zombie. Lauren is my go-to friend for the most silly events in New York and New Jersey. So I'm excited.

5) THAT I MIGHT BE GETTING A CAT SOON!!!! I was supposed to go to the shelter tonight to take care of cats, but I'm sick and I'm just trying to only work and go home and sleep. But on October 10th, I'm going 'cat shopping' at the New York Animal Control. This is how sad it is...the cats are buy one, get one free. I'M NOT JOKING. This is how many cats they have. In fact, over the summer, if you picked out a cat a year or older to take home, it was free. Including shots, spaying/neutering, the first veterinarian visit, and a goodie bag. Insane. And they still are putting cats down. :( I never thought I'd be an animal person, but maybe I am. ;)

6) That God is changing me. I was talking to my friend and she said, you are NOT the person I met three years ago. But she was so excited for it. And I am too :)

UPDATE!!
7) I am thankful that my friend has signed up for Mustaches vs. Cancer!! If you would like to donate (or, if you are a man with mustache-growing capabilities, join), please visit here!
http://www.mustachesvscancer.org/index.php?task=profile&id=226

What are you thankful for?

Thankful Thursday!!

It's Thankful Thursday!! If you're interested in joining, please go visit Sonya. And I'm sorry that I haven't had more to post then these memes. It's been CRAZY and I'm just exhausted.

1) I am thankful for my husband. Because he's taking the time off to move us tomorrow!! I can't believe we're moving, but I'm so happy to do it!!

2) I am thankful for people like Vashti at Project O and the ladies at Baby Be Blessed. They really lift my day, just by being themselves. I have trouble sometimes with my faith journey and it's nice to see people who seemingly do it so easily. Maybe I just see the good times, but that's okay. ;) I'm thankful for it!

3) I am thankful for my friends like Sam and Lily. They are so sweet and caring and have really looked after me.

4) I am thankful for my job. Even though I strongly dislike my job and that I find most of my anger springs from here, it provides the money that we can use to donate and to help others.

5) I am thankful for this weekend that we have nothing to do and I can just catch up on sleep!! I'm very thankful for that. We typically go to bed around 10:30pm, but we've been going to be between midnight and 1am. Sure, we don't have to get up for work until 8am, but it's still missing time!! ;)

6) I am thankful that, even though I bombed my job interview, I think that I'm learning the patience to lean on God more than my own understanding. Thank goodness. I was stressing myself out!!!

What are you thankful for?

Thankful Thursday!

I haven't done this in forever!! So now I'm going to do it cause I like it and it's always good to be reminded of all the things we really do have to be thankful for. So visit Sonya if you'd like to join!

1) We're moving! It's complicated but, though rent is more expensive, we're actually saving money. And though it's less space, I feel safer and...here's the kickers...it has a washer/dryer IN the apartment, a gym downstairs...AND WE CAN GET A CAT!!!

Though I have no clue what we'll do with said cat if we go on vacation.

2) God is doing a really great thing right now, but I can't say what. Suffice it to say, I couldn't be praising him more for it!!

3) Raspberries!!! Steve is taking me raspberry picking this weekend as a date and a congratulations for all the things that we've finished. Since he FINALLY has his CPA license (there were more issues, but it's complicated), I'm taking HIM out on a date soon too.

4) My husband. He does so much for me and has guarded my heart in such a way that makes me so happy. I'm always so proud of him and he's proud of me. I couldn't ask for more from the man in my life.

5) Church. We haven't been there in a few weeks, but I'm really excited to go this weekend. It always rejuvenates my spirit.

6) My friends and family. I've talked to them more this week then I have in awhile and it makes me realize how much I miss and love everyone.

What are you thankful for?!

Thankful Thursday!

Thank you, Sonya, for Thankful Thursday! Here are the things that I'm thankful for. There's somewhat of a theme to it, I guess. This has a been a week of compromise, but I'm okay with that. :)

1) While my husband has finally put a stop to my shoe buying, he did let me buy 9 pairs of shoes for 'my kids.' So that made me happy. Though I just found the CUTEST camo Tiny TOMS...(Update: He let me buy one pair!!)

2) While I have to put the Teaching English As A Second Language Certificate program on hold (we just can't afford it), I am able to go on many wonderful trips that I know I'll always remember. And that I'm already planning WAY too far in advance. :)

3) I have just about two weeks before I get to see my family!!! I only get to see them twice a year, so I'm really excited. Hong Kong, here I come!!

4) Though I'm DEFINITELY not losing weight, I'm working on loving myself the way I am. I'm not overweight...but I'm still not buying a bathing suit. I'm just proud of myself for purchasing shorts. I haven't worn shorts in 6 years.

5) Though my job isn't ideal, I still have one, so that's good!

6) Though we don't have a lot of money right now, we still have enough to give to people who need it. God has provided so much to us and what are we going to do with most of it anyway? Nothing that important. We can't take it with us. It may as well go to other people. As long as we can pay rent and eat, I think we're doing pretty good.

7) Though there has been some crazy shiz this week, all my friends are okay and no one appears to be hurt. I love you all!!!

Thankful Thursday

AAAHHHH!!! I HAVE SO MUCH TO BE THANKFUL FOR TODAY!!! If you would like to officially be thankful, feel free to visit Sonya.

1) MY HUSBAND PASSED HIS FINAL CPA EXAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(Can you tell that this means big things?!) As soon as he gets his license, it's time to look for a new job!!

2) Even though they kicked us off the first subway train today, I kept my cool and got to spend more time with my husband. Who cares if you have to wait for a few more trains? We'll all eventually get where we're going.

3) Sometimes I feel like...maybe God is whispering to me? I wrote my essay for the TOMS Shoe Drop in Durban, South Africa and I feel like God gave me some help. I mean, I guess we'll see. ;)

4) My friend, Sam. She's really been helping me with my faith and my insecurities and everything. I love talking to her and I think she's a great person.

5) My parents!! My parents have been so supportive of my husband and I, especially during his CPA exams (my dad is an accountant too). I just love them and can't wait to see them.

6) My blogging friends!!! I appreciate you guys and everything you say and do for me. I love that I have a set of people I've never met who really care for me.

7) THE LUNCHEON!!! The luncheon for Project O is coming up and I couldn't be more excited!! All I'm doing next weekend is baking. YES!!! I'm really hoping that we can raise enough money to help with the purchase of the school.

Thankful Thursday

It's Thankful Thursday! I like these things. I need to do them more often.

1) I am thankful for my Toms!! Have you ever heard of Toms Shoes? For every pair you buy, they give a pair of shoes to a child in need. I need some new shoes (my old shoes smelled. My mom tried to make me get rid of them last time I visited and I refused. They couldn't be in the apartment, they smelled so bad).

2) My church family. We were just inducted as members of our church and I've made so many wonderful friends so quickly! It's a great community that holds the same beliefs I do and shows so, SO much love. I don't think I've been in a church with this much love before.

3) That we will have enough money for rent! NYC rent kills. Even in Harlem. So I'm just thankful we got it!

4) I am thankful that I'm going to California next week. I work for MTV and if you have teenage kids, you'll know that this Sunday is the Movie Awards. I will be working them. I start working Sunday evening at 5pm, work until 4am, then I have a hotel room in Times Square, then back to work at 9am and I may be working until midnight. But we'll see. Either way, California will be a welcome respite! I wish it were Hong Kong, but I have to wait for that.

5) It is my parents anniversary today! And, if he were still with us, it would be my Papa's 77th birthday. It made me really miss my family. I can't see them until August, but that's better then December (that would have been a year!)

My Papa LOVED my mom's food. Loved it. And if you knew my mom, you would know that she puts LITERALLY a pound of butter in everything she makes. I told my husband that I knew that my Papa would be eating the most buttery, heart-clogging thing at God's table. Steve said that, no matter what it was, it probably only had half as much butter as my mom uses.

Oh, oh!!! I have a 6.

6) That we got our new sponsor child!! I know this sounds weird, but for our anniversary, Steve sponsored another child. An 11-year-old boy from India and he looks so sweet in his picture!! I can't wait to send letters. :-D

Thankful Thursday

My friend Vashti always does this and I think it's great. Thank you, Sonya for Thankful Thursdays! (But that doesn't count for my list!!)

1) I went to the doctor today and, from what they could see on the ultrasound, I have no fibroids!! Which is very exciting for me. I was getting a bit upset about it.

2) This will be silly, but I got an upgrade on my flight from St. Louis to NYC on Sunday after my friend Laurie's wedding. I was giggling like a small school kid when I got the e-mail.

3) My husband was so sweet and bought me a mini tartlet pan (I want to make tarte aux pommes for our church luncheon coming up) and it's not big enough. :( But he let me buy a bigger one! So now I need to return the mini tartlets, but I'll have the bigger pan for next week!

4) I am thankful for my friend Sam in Ohio. She has been so sweet and so willing to listen to my stupidity and help me with my faith journey.

5) I am thankful for people I have never met. You blog people are some of the most caring people I have never met and I wish I could meet all of you!! I'm not even joking!! A special thank you to Vashti. You really mean a lot to me.

Even with as bad as this week has been (especially work-wise), God has been so good to me. I think it's just nice to write it down so you can remember it. Not every day will shine bright, but every day has its sunny moments.