Biography

Publication Info:

Available: Feb 1, 2008
344 pages
ISBN: 9781434348777 (9781434348784 paperback)

My birthplace is Boise, Idaho. In my youth, my parents moved us from Boise when I was twelve to live in Colorado Springs, Colorado for two years due to an expansion to my father’s business in assisted living for the elderly. In 1984, we moved to Mesa, Arizona where I attended and graduated from Mountain View High School. I spent my freshman year of college in eastern Idaho at BYU-Idaho where I met my husband in 1990. I've resided in Arizona for the past twenty years and plan to always call it home.

In my life before children, I worked as a legal secretary for a personal injury law firm and fell in love with the practice of law. I even started my own business filing medical and construction liens according to Arizona Revised Statutes. I wanted to pursue a law degree until I had my first child and decided that a degree in education was more practical. While finishing my courses at ASU, I worked for my father in Assisted Living as the office administrator managing bookkeeping duties on five adult care homes.

In 1995, I graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor’s of Arts in Education, certified to teach in grades K-8. I have been a substitute teacher for Mesa Public Schools since 1996 working closely with my children. During this time, I have held numerous leadership positions in the community, school and church. While my children were birth to six, I volunteered my time to a national non-profit organization known as MOMS Club – moms offering moms support- in which I was an executive board member for two years and then elected to Co-President of the Mesa Chapter. In my neighborhood community, I had planned and organized block parties as block watch captain and social chairperson strongly believing in cohesive neighborhoods. For two years, I served as the communication chairperson. Also, during those same two years, I was a Cub Scout den leader to the wolf den participating in in-service training and service projects with the pack. I've served as Co-secretary and Co-treasurer on the Zaharis Elementary PTO and served in leadership callings in my church as a Stake Relief Society Counselor and Ward Relief Society President.

In December 2005, I earned a Master's degree in Educational Leadership from NAU. I'd like to eventually teach at the college level. In 2006, I joined the political arena as a candidate for Mesa School Board in the general election. Even though I received 18,000 votes I was 6,000 shy in obtaining a seat on the board. In May of 2007, I graduated from Mesa Leadership and Development, a ten month program sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce to educate potential leaders about the community through experience and exposure to various organizations.

My husband, Juan and I had three children: Hillary, Zachary, and Gregary. Juan had a successful career with the Kathy Ireland brand of window coverings with Hunter Douglas Window Fashions for ten years until he was diagnosed with cocci meningitis putting life on hold so I could manage his healthcare including five months of hospital care, numerous surgeries and harsh IV treatments from 2002 to 2004. Juan endured 16 brain surgeries in the following years. The illness eventually took his life in June 2010.

Currently, I am the owner of AZ Window Ware, a business specializing in the window treatments for the interior and exterior of residential homes. I'm a member of ANWA - American Night Writer's Association, which inspires me to be a better writer. There are many blessing that I recognize and am grateful for the gift of faith, the love of God, and the knowledge of Christ in my life. In 2007, I finished writing a memoir, Enduring Miracles, about my husband’s battle with valley fever and how it has changed our lives. I invite others to read it for inspiration and find the hope they need in enduring trials.