About Us

I'm the one wearing the big glasses!

Growing up I found myself struggling to read.  I tested with a low IQ, and the teachers suggested that my mom place me in a special home for the mentally retarded.  She was pretty appalled, and basically told them to teach me.  Thankfully my father received orders to move and my mom got me placed in a good school district with a wonderful resource teacher.  It took until fifth grade (and three more moves) before the light-bulb went  on in my head.  It happened the summer we drove from Portsmouth, New Hampshire to visit my Grandparents in Washington D.C.  My Grandparents gave my mother a box of Nancy Drew and Hardy Boy Mystery books.  I was bored on the ride home (surprising since I am the oldest of six children) and I decided to dive into the box of books.  I wish I remember the title of that particular book, it changed my life forever.  I finished the book on that thirteen hour drive and soon started the next one.  That following Christmas my mom bought me a box of Trixie Belden books.  I thought I had the whole collection, but nope.  All of these books were destroyed in a fire back in 1998 and I still feel their loss.  They were old friends, I guess I need to start finding them again so that I can read them to my kiddos!!

My Senior Year

After I began to read I just flew!  My mom had to ground me from reading when I got in trouble.  When my parents divorced and I struggled during the awkward teenage years I immersed myself in my books.  My senior Year in High School I got called into the councilors office.  She told me about a conversation she had with my mother.  I wasn't a stellar student, I loved to read but I still struggled with abstract thinking and comprehension.  My councilor suggested I go to the Technical School and become a hair stylist or nurses aide.  This time it was my turn to be appalled.  I left the office in tears telling my councilor that I wanted to go to college, and become a teacher.  She shook her head and had that "I don't think so" look.  I left her room with a renewed sense of myself.  I was going to get a college education, and I was going to become a teacher.  I went home and told my mom the same thing.  Years later my mom and I talked about this experience.  She hugged me and told me she was sorry, and she told me she was proud that I had shown her wrong.  So am I.  I now want to be the force behind children who struggle to prove to the rest of the world that they can fly!  I am starting with my own children.

I took a year and a half from college to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Yup, I'm a Mormon).   I had the wonderful opportunity of serving in Fortaleza, Ceara and Mossoro, Rio Grande do Norte - Brazil.  I learned to speak and read Portuguese and learned to love the people.  I hope to return someday!!!

I graduated from Brigham Young University in 1999 with a Degree in education and Social Studies.  I taught fifth grade in Virgina Eastern Shore for a year.  I moved there to get to know my Grandpa Doug and learn more about his life's story.  For a very long time he was the secretary to the AFL CIO Americans Union Movement.  He told me about partying with Ethel Kennedy, and how he met and married my Grandmother.  It was a wonderful experience, and I'm grateful for that experience.  Especially since I am such a huge History Buff.

In 2003 I met my wonderful husband online.  On a layover from England I stopped in St. Louis and got to see him in person for the first time.  I remember when he hugged me I felt like I had come home.  I still feel that way each day when he gives me a hug and kiss before he leaves for work.  When we married I became an instant mom to my wonderful bonus son Devin.  He loves being a big brother, and always glowers at me when I tell him it is time to read.  I'm working on that one with him.  Three years later (and 5 weeks too early) Chase joined our family.  He is our miracle baby.  He was in such a hurry to get here, but now he takes his time in EVERYTHING he does.  Everyone he meets tells us that he is special.  He is, his smile, his laugh, just his way of being brightens up everyones day.  When he was two our Emma joined us.  She is now a precocious two year old who loves to learn. 

I fell in love with my Hubby and Devin when I looked at this picture online.  It was then that I first sent off a message to Scott, and years later I still look at this picture and fall in love all over again!

Devin was just a little tyke when I became his second mommy.  He was nine months old the first time I held him. 

Chase was life flighted to St.Louis after he was born.  My mom took this picture for me while I was still two hours away from them.  I fell in love with both my men instantly.  Funny how when Scott holds our kids I can't help but love him more.

See what I mean???  Here is Daddy holding his little princess.

When Emma was four months old I went back to school and started my Masters Degree.  I wanted to help children like myself who struggle to learn to read.  I graduated April of 2011 and have found great use in helping all three of my children increase their love of books.