About me

I grew up in a small southwestern Oregon city, surrounded by nature and a green that only a lot of rain can produce.  I loved being surrounded by the beauty of it all and had a fairly good childhood - enjoying the freedom to roam the creek behind our house and make mud pies and fires.  Although I loved the beauty around me, I was restless at times - knowing there were people "out there" - and I longed for a chance to be surrounded by people.  That chance came in 1999 when I was able to go to the Netherlands for 18 months!

I'll never forget the moment I stepped off a train in Amsterdam and felt all the people surrounding me as they hurried on or off the train.  It was exhilarating to feel the energy of so many people!  At that moment I knew I belonged in a city.  I love people and the Netherlands gave me the opportunity to meet people from all over the world!  What an experience!  I dreaded coming home and going back to the dull of small city life.  However, I went back to college (in Idaho) and decided to join the African club on campus (this way I could stay connected with one of the cultures I met and loved in the Netherlands).  That decision changed my life!

I met my husband there and I now say that I joined the African club for life!  Being a part of another culture has changed my life drastically!  Although life has it's challenges, I love knowing and being a part of another culture.

From school, we moved to Utah, were we started our family.  Right now we have 3 beautiful little girls (ages 7, 4, and 3) and I love being a stay at home Mom!  Being a parent is challenging, but filled with joy and fulfillment!