Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Tuesdays With Danny

I love making new years resolutions even though I know by March they will have faded out; and I will feel like I have failed at accomplishing my big goals for the year. This fact however doesn't stop me from "Failing Forward" and trying anyways.

A couple of years ago I wanted to motivate myself into reading more. So I had this great idea to start a book club with some family and friends. I thought it would be fun to be exposed to new books I would never have picked out and also thought it was a great way to stay accountable to my goal of reading at least 12 books for the year.

As many resolutions go we started off on the right foot. Everyone was just as excited as I was and finished their books on time for our monthly club meeting. Over some yummy grub we analyzed our discussion questions, talked about life and just enjoyed each other's company. It was turning out to be far more than I had even imagined when I got the idea and I was touched. These kind of things in life are what make me go round. Relationships. Analyzing life.

This lasted for a few months and then something happened. What exactly I couldn't tell you. Maybe the busyness of life or a bad book choice by someone, or maybe simply the curse of the New Years Resolutions? All I know is somewhere along the way we lost our footing and our fabulous club came to an end. One of these days I would love to find a new group that is interested in helping me see it through. In the meantime I started my own personal book club resolution for 2010. With the same goal in mind to read at least 12 books for the year but this time I am accountable to me, myself & I.

Here are some of my reads so far...
January: Failing Forward by John C. Maxwell (this is my 4th time reading this book. It never gets old. This book changed my life a decade ago)
February: tuesdays with Morrie By Mitch Albom (Tear jerker. My inspiration for my very own Tuesdays with Danny here on my blog.)
March:Breaking Trail a climbing life by Arlene Blum (Very inspirational! Defeat is not bitter unless you swallow it. ~Joe Clark)
April: Angelina Jolie's: Notes from My Travels by Angelina Jolie (I have been a huge Angelina Jolie fan since HS and I am moved by her passions and what she is doing in other countries. She is a very misunderstood person despite some of her poor choices in life)
May: The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein (thanks Brenda for this one. I loved it. Couldn't put it down)
My next book I am starting for June is The Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck

Oh I cannot forget to mention The Power of a Praying Wife by Stormie Omartian. Michaela one of my bride's told me about this book and I have been so blessed by it. As soon as I finish it, I start it right back over and plan to continue to do this for years to come.

I am always looking for new book ideas so please leave a comment with the next fascinating read around the bend for me. Thanks and happy reading...

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Tuesdays With Danny

I dedicate this weeks Tuesdays with Danny to my little brother Joshy who isn't so little anymore. Congratulations Joshy, your wedding was so real and perfect. Josh married Marayat (Nony) Sunpichai this Sunday, May 16th in a traditional Thai ceremony. Stayed tuned for more details and photos.

His name is Joshua Nathaniel Reedy and he is very special. He is the baby of the family and one of my closest friends. We share this bond that is hard to put into words. All I can say is that I adore him to pieces and cannot imagine life without him.
Through the years we have amazing memories together. But, I am especially fond of our travels to far off places or our scuba diving accomplishments together. These are memories that I hold dear and close to me. As we reach new chapters in our lives I wanted to document my adoration for him and express how much this kid means to me. I LOVE YOU! I am so happy to be a part of your special day and you couldn't have found a more beautiful person inside and out. Nony we love you and welcome you to our family. Tony and I look forward to many more years of adventures and memories. Thank you for being YOU!
Love, Danny

Sunday, May 9, 2010

A Lifetime of Devotion

You have spent your entire life devoted to your children and for that we thank you, mom. Being a mother didn't end when we all turned 18 and it's a beautiful thing to be loved so much by one person. How can we ever thank you?
You truly are a special women who loves the Lord and sacrifices for so many.



We had a fun afternoon celebrating with you and Dad. How blessed are we?!
Happy Mother's Day, to the greatest, most loving, giving mother in the world.

Saturday, May 8, 2010

Beautiful Moments

Today is a special day. Today is my dad's birthday. Today is a beautiful moment for me that I want to remember forever. Let me give you a brief background on why it is so important for me to document and never forget.
In early 2005 my father had a massive heart attack while driving to work on just an ordinary day of the week. When we received the call we didn't know if he was alive or not. That phone called changed my life forever. A miracle happened that day as the Dr's said he was minutes away from dying. God however wasn't done with His plan for my dad's life and for that I am thankful. I am thankful I have more time to live in the NOW with him and enjoy every moment I can with him.
This event shook me to the core as I had never thought about life without my parents before. Boy, was it a scary thought.
I am thankful that something so horrible can be used for a good thing. It is a reminder to me of many of life's lessons and the kind of thinking God wants drawn out of us in ALL situations both good and bad. To see beyond our immediate circumstances and draw near to Him to find the answers. To break through the layers.

Time continues to go at warp speed and though 5 years have passed there isn't a day that goes by that I don't thank God for His continued second chances at experiencing beautiful moments with my loved ones.

My dad has an obsession with plants. Really, seriously! There is no other way to put it. So my mom came up with a great plan to surprise him for his birthday. We loaded up and went for a drive to LA to the The Los Angeles Arboretum & Botanic Gardens. He loved it and we shared in many beautiful moments that warm my heart. Moments no longer taken for granted. Moments of God's magnificent beauty in every direction we turned.

So blessed to have such a wonderful, funny, giving, quirky, loving, amazing father who can fix anything! Yes, my daddy can fix anything.Beauty like I have never seen. Literally this peacock brought tears to my eyes as it's feathers brushed across my body. I get chills still thinking about it.





Happy Birthday to the best dad in the world!!! We love you more than words can describe and thank you for everything you do.
Love, Danny, Tony, Mac & Jonas

Friday, May 7, 2010

Charis Financial, Inc.

We go way back. Back to the days of mortgages, VOE's and underwriting. Back to the good old days of working hard, pushing files, laughing and many inside jokes. Back to our early twenties. Chris Diaz and I met while working at H&R Block Mortgage/Option One back in the day.

I was thrilled when he contacted me to shoot head shots for him and his company that he started, Charis Financial, Inc. I am so proud of him and all of his accomplishments over the years. It is really cool to see friends succeed especially when you know where they started.
Here is a brief summary about what Charis Financial, Inc is all about. If you are in need of these services I highly recommened you give them a call. You will be in good hands.
"Charis Financial, Inc. is a Southern Californian commercial and residential short sale negotiation and real estate consulting firm. The founder of Charis Financial, Inc., Chris Diaz, started the company after years of experience in both the real estate and mortgage banking industry. His insider knowledge of how banks operate and what needs to happen for real estate to move in both booming and struggling real estate market has allowed him to build a highly effective and efficient short sale method only a seasoned veteran in the business can provide. His team of highly skilled processors and negotiators will ensure each clients needs are attended to and a level of service provided that is, and should be, demanded by both homeowners, business owners and real estate agents in this volatile market."

Meet his team Christy, Laura, Stephen, Sherlyn, Heidi and Amy.
It was great to see old co-workers and meet some new faces. I feel so removed from my old life in the mortgage business that it was really nice to catch up with everyone. Though I loved being an underwriter, I do not miss the mortgage business. I am so thankful to finally be doing what I was born to do but I will always miss all the fabulous people that I met over the years.

"Koolaid", it was fun working with you again. I look forward to seeing what your future holds. Keep in touch. "Reedy"

Charis Financial, Inc.

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Tuesdays With Danny

Since I was little I have been obsessed with sayings, quotes, music lyrics, scriptures. I am an over analyzer. Ask anyone close to me. Always have been so I tend to gravitate to things that make me wonder and question life; things that make me remember and appreciate life; and things that make me challenged to be a better person, to have a better life.
Since I have a dozen of journal books filled with such sayings, quotes, lyrics and scriptures that I have compiled since a little girl, I thought it would be nice to start adding some to the blog. Simply for inspiration and a reminder to me through this journey called life. Hope you enjoy.

Today's quote: "Remember: you cannot change what you do not acknowledge."