About Me

I have a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Northern Illinois University. I've spent most of my adult life homeschooling my boys and caring for the needs of my family. I spent a few years working as a substitute teacher at our local high school, and then worked part time as a manager for the Property Owner's Association in my neighborhood. Now, I am a full time caregiver for my son with special needs.  In 2005, I wrote my first book  Since We're Friends: An Autism Picture Book. I self-published the book and then in 2012 it was published by Sky Pony Press (a division of Skyhorse Publishing). My second book, The Bully Blockers: Standing Up for Classmates with Autism was written and self-published in 2007. Both books are available for purchase on Amazon.com.  I love to sew, read, and learn about my new hobby of growing flowers.  However, much of my day involves navigating life with my adult son with special needs.

 I met my husband Mike in 1988 at Northern Illinois University. We've been married for 31 years.  We were both born and raised in suburban Chicago but moved to Arkansas for work in 2005. This special needs parenting gig is not for the faint of heart and I am blessed to have walked this road together with him. We have two adopted sons.
Cooper is 23 years old and is our son with special needs.  He has been diagnosed with autism and intellectual disability. Equal parts joy and challenge, there's never a dull moment when Cooper is around.  Cooper is passionate about sports, especially basketball. He loves Christian rap music and, of course, video games.
Jaxon is 21years old and he is the exact opposite of Cooper in nearly every way possible.  He finished his last year of high school as an honor student.  Jaxon loves music.  He's been playing the acoustic guitar since he was 5 years old.  He loves to listen to all types of music. His current favorites are classical and jazz. Jaxon is also my avid train enthusiast.  His childhood love of trains has continued all these years. He enjoys visiting train museums to see historic and model railroad displays all over the country and researching steam engines.