So this is where I am supposed to introduce myself to you?
Okay.
I am a disciple of Jesus and a lover of His word. I don’t read it nearly as often as I should or as I would like, but I am learning about God’s grace, redemption, and unending love on a daily basis. God gives me amazing examples of His qualities through many of the kids that I teach gymnastics to at the YMCA in Carlsbad, CA. Babies, toddlers, little kids, and big kids. They all teach me lessons about trust, love, forgiveness, and joy. I love it.
Speaking of love…I have been married to Brian Kiley since September 8, 2007, and I absolutely love being married to him. We are the two goofiest people in the world - oh to be a fly on the wall during our silly and witty times. We need to start compiling a quote wall. It could win a grammy someday.
Speaking of winning things…I was a UCLA national championship gymnast until 2005, and now I am hoping to pursue a career in something related to using movement to aid the development of kids with special needs, especially as it relates to autism. Occupational Therapy is currently the direction I am headed. But God knows where I will end up. My mission statement in life is to glorify God by helping children reach the physical, emotional, and spiritual potential that He has given them. Nearly everything I am paid to do and that I volunteer to do revolves around that. And I am looking forward to the journey of faith that God calls me to as I move toward that destination. My life seems to be a series of events that call me to walk by faith in such a way that does not make sense to the world.
Speaking of faith…One of my favorite stories in the Bible is the one about Abraham and Isaac up on the mountain. You know? The one where God tells Abraham to sacrifice his only son, the son that he didn’t have until he was 100 years old, because his wife Sarah was barren? The one where Abraham obeys God out of faith, even when it doesn’t make any sense since God told him he would be the “father of many nations”? The one where God shows that He is faithful, and He will fulfill His promises when we obey? Yep, that one. I love that story. You can read about in Genesis 17-22.
God is faithful.
So, there you go. it’s nice to meet you. Stop by again some time. I bet we’d have a lot to chat about.
Here is a montage of some of my favorite memories. Enjoy.
Annie Groves, me, and Jackie Mowery eating Funfetti cake with Rainbow Chip frosting just like we used to in our apartment at UCLA, except this time it’s at my wedding, and now we’re all married!
Me and my dad, dancing at my wedding. It makes me want to cry every time.
Some of my very favorite people in the whole world! These girls from my small group all made the 8 hour drive up to Sacramento for the wedding, and they have all been there throughout the transformation of me and Brian’s relationship. I feel so blessed. (L-R) Emily, Laura, Meghan, Fallon, me, Jenna, Alyssa S., and Alyssa D.
Me and Brian on our honeymoon to Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park. This picture was actually taken at a rooftop restaurant in front of the Grand Tetons in a town called Moose, WY. And no, I am not making that up.
Our first Christmas as The Kileys. My mom even made Brian a stocking as a means of welcoming him into the family.
This picture amazes me because we each assumed the other was smiling like a normal person would when asked to pose for a picture, so we both tried to be “sneaky” and slip a silly face into the picture without the other person knowing. Needless to say, it became an instant Kiley classic.
This is me and my best friend from high school, Trisha, at my sister’s wedding in May 2007.
One thing I love about my husband is that he never ceases to make me laugh. Even when we’re trying to pose for the engagement photos that Alyssa took for us in La Jolla.
I’ll end this with an oldie. This was taken at Sea World on August 14, 2003 - the day of my 20th birthday, the day before Brian’s 21st birthday, and 3 days before we started dating. Four years, three weeks, and three days after this picture was taken, we were married.
