meet honesty

Meet Honesty!

L-R:  Josh, Honesty, me

Honesty - yes, that's her real name - and I have been best friends for what seems like forever!!  In reality, we met sometime during our middle school years and have pretty much been friends ever since.  While I don't remember the exact day we met, I have a lifetime of memories with this girl...the good, the bad, and the ugly.  We've been through it all together, even when we've been apart.

One of my favorite memories is actually one I've shared about before on this blog.  As kids we came up with dance movements to the Audio Adrenaline song "Big House."  To this day, every time the song plays on the radio I remember the dance moves and all the silly times we had together.  What makes me smile even more is that Honesty taught her daughters the dance moves, so our legacy of silliness will go on and on for generations to come (well, maybe)!

Another one of my favorite memories with Honesty is this one particular summer at Kings Island.  We were determined to ride every roller coaster in the front car & front seat.  So we'd wait in line for what seemed like an eternity and then finally it was our turn.  Well, that summer we had watched Encino Man with Pauly Shore over and over and over again.  We had every single line of the movie memorized (and probably still do)!  Anyway, we were riding the Vortex or the Beast, and as we were slowly climbing up the long hill to the first drop we'd say to each other, "I'm a stony crusty dude, did you know that?  And I've got a mop on top!"  and laugh like crazy!  (Yeah, we're weirdos....)

Anyway, yesterday Honesty celebrated her 31st birthday!  She and I spent a couple hours together, and during our time together I really had a chance to witness something special...something I've known all along about her.  She truly loves with an unconditional love and walks in forgiveness.  Those are rare qualities to find in friendships today.  Yet Honesty possesses them.  I'm thankful that God blessed me with such a wonderful best friend, and today I celebrate her life and friendship.

What memories do you share with your best friend?

meet my family, part 2

Meet the Dilley's!

L-R: Lois, Mike, Sarah, Josh, and me at Sarah's graduation from Kent State

Three years ago I married into the most wonderful family!  Many people complain about their in-laws, but my in-laws are truly the best.  From the day Josh and I started dating, they embraced me as one of their own and made me part of the family. 

Mike & Lois (my in-laws) are both generous to a fault, and always think of others needs before their own. They're hardworking, down-to-earth, loving people.  For nearly 20 years, they have owned a grocery store in New Holland, Ohio.  A couple of months ago the Columbus Dispatch wrote an article about them, as well as made a short video that captures the kind of people my in-laws truly are.  (Click here to watch the video!)  They're one-of-a-kind...and I love that I'm apart of this family!

My sister-in-law, Sarah, is an added blessing.  She's super-smart, creative, and adventurous!  She is also extremely kind and thoughtful.  A year ago in March, Sarah married Josh's best friend, Dave.  So now the family has extended to include him and his two children, Cailynn and Christopher. 

God has truly blessed me with my own family and my extended family! 

meet hayleigh

Me & my 'lil sis' Hayleigh

Last summer around this time I met Hayleigh, a 13 year old tomboy that lived next door to my father-in-law's grocery store.  Whenever I was in the store, she seemed to sense that I was there (or maybe she just saw my car & knew I was there....she's smart like that), so she'd come over and visit.  We developed a bond pretty quickly, and to this day people either think she's my little sister or my daughter (I prefer people to think she's my little sister.  I'm not old enough to have a teenager!).

Hayleigh is a beautiful, intelligent, funny, caring, artistic girl!  She's always doing something or saying something to make me laugh.  We spend a lot of time laughing together.  She's also very creative and artistic.  Hayleigh loves to draw and write.  Although her creativity has a tendency to get her in trouble (she draws what she feels, which is often anger), she has such talent.  With just a little bit of guidance, her artwork would flourish.  Hayleigh also has a heart to help care for poor, neglected children and animals.  One day she and I brainstormed about what she could do to make a difference in the world.  She wants to go to Africa someday and help kids there.  While she still thinks it's an impossibility, I know that with God all things are possible. 

There is no doubt in my mind that God brought Hayleigh into my world.  I love this kid!  I pray that she will one day realize that God loves her and has great plans for her life.  She's gone through so much in her short life, yet has so much to give.  Without a doubt, she has blessed me and truly enriched my life!

Has God brought a "little sister/brother" into your life??

family means everything

Meet my family!

Top L-R: Josh (my husband), Matt (holding Noah), and Brandon
Bottom L-R: me, Chrissy (holding Hayden), Ashley (holding Hannah), Daisy, Amber (holding Isaiah), Tonya, and Stephanie

My family is big, crazy, and wonderful!  We're a mixed group, kinda like the Brady bunch.  My mom has three kids - me, Brandon, and Matt.  My step-dad has three kids - Chrissy, Ashley, and Stephanie.  My older brother, Brandon, and his girlfriend, Tonya, have Daisy.  My younger brother, Matt, and his wife, Amber, have two wonderful, wild little boys, Isaiah & Noah.  My oldest stepsister, Chrissy, has one little boy, Hayden, while Ashely, the middle stepsister, has Hannah.  WOW!  What a wild bunch!

Family means everything to me.  My siblings & I are actually friends and enjoy hanging out with each other.  Well, I enjoy hanging out with them...not so sure if they actually enjoy hanging out with me.  :)  But I love them.  And I know that I can call them at any time if I need anything, and they know they can do the same with me. 

My family hasn't always had an easy time of life.  But throughout the journey, we stay close to each other, embracing each other through the hard times.  We help each other out.  Even when it's probably better if we didn't.  That's what family does.  Family is there for it all. 

Now that you've met my family, introduce me to yours!

joshua m. dilley

Last week, Matthew Paul Turner (aka @jesusneedsnewpr), started a new blog post series called "Friday's Person You Should Know."  The idea was to create a positive series to celebrate the people in our lives. I thought this sounded like a great idea, so it's my new thing for Friday's!

Please meet my husband, Joshua M. Dilley:

Josh and I met my senior year of high school in photography class and became fast friends.  There are many things that attracted me to him back then - he's cute, intelligent, and funny - that still attract me now.  But there is much MUCH more to Josh than that.  He's loyal to a fault.  Even when friends take advantage of him, he sticks by them.  He's generous and giving to those in need.  He loves, honors, and respects his parents, and would do anything for family.  He loves Jesus and prays continuously!  He has supported me in all my endeavors even when they've taken me away from him for long periods of time.  He stays with me through all the good and especially the bad, lifting me up, and sometimes putting me in my place when needed.  And he loves me - unconditionally and without question. 

I thank God for creating Josh and bringing him into my life!!! 

Who do you thank God for bringing into your life?