I was introduced to my husband, Tony, at a harvest festival in September of 1996. It was the first time we’d met, and yet I knew immediately he was the man I was going to marry. As a rather quiet and a somewhat private person, this was a daunting realization for me. However, just three months after our initial meeting, we were engaged. By April of the following year, a mere seven months following our introduction, we were married! After being together more than a quarter of a century, I'm still fortunate enough to be married to the love of my life.  

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Once I'd completed my education and my husband had traveled the globe for work, we were ready to begin our own family journey. We were eager to welcome children into our home and to surround them with an abundance of love and learning. In April of 2001, we became first-time parents when we welcomed our son, Gabriel, into the world. In November of the following year, Gabriel became a big brother as the three of us welcomed our son, Jonah. Finally, in May of 2004 our little family was complete as the four of us welcomed our daughter, Sophia. With three children, three years and under, our home was brimming with an abundance of love and learning. However, there were also plenty of days that can only be described as chaos and confusion. Despite the ups and the downs, Tony and I have loved every moment we've had with our children. They are our world.  ​

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Time goes by much too quickly. It's hard to believe that our children are now adults, each pursuing their own extraordinary path in life. Our home is still filled with an abundance of love and learning. However, now the love and learning come from our children as much as it comes from us. It has been an incredible experience watching them grow and mature. They have wisdom beyond their years and incredible courage. We love our children dearly and they will forever fill our hearts with joy. 

 

In addition to being a wife and a mother, I am an educator, holding an advanced degree in TEFL. For more than 15 years, I’ve taught English and life skills to immigrants from more than 50 countries, helping them adapt to their new country and culture. I've loved working with my students and admire the courage it takes to leave the ‘known’ in search of a better life in the ‘unknown’. 

 

While juggling the responsibilities of family, home and career, I began writing a series of children’s books and became a published author. ​​From something as small as a freckle to something as life-altering as a physical handicap, this book series was inspired by the personal challenges my children faced as they were growing up. Writing The Sneaky Series wasn't simply a way for me to provide a voice for my children. It was also a way to shed light on these specifics issues, some of which were overcome. Others are permanent. Regardless of the outcome, our children have learned to navigate these obstacles. Their perseverance continues to be an inspiration.

 

While we've experienced patches of rough terrain throughout our family journey, the peaks and valleys have worked to further solidify our family bonds. So we'll stay the course, because we know the best views are yet to come. 

 

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