I am one of those “Lucky People.” I’ve never won the lottery, or stumbled onto a large sum of money. I don’t have a lucky charm. I do, however, have an incredible husband and four wonderful children, and that fact by itself leaves me feeling lucky, even blessed.

I am the third of seven children (five girls and two boys, plus one foster sister). I was raised on a dairy farm in Star Valley, Wyoming. We raised livestock, harvested alfalfa and barley, and cultivated two massive gardens. We housed a family of ten in an old four-bedroom farmhouse with one bathroom. When I was seventeen, we moved to Laramie, Wyoming. I graduated from Laramie High School and received a full-ride music/academic scholarship to University of Wyoming. I met my husband while attending UW. We were married in the Salt Lake LDS Temple in 1988.

During our sixteen years of marriage we have lived in Laramie, Wyoming; Detroit, Michigan; Longmont, Colorado; and the beautiful Salt Lake Valley in Utah. We have lived in our current home in Riverton, Utah for fourteen years.

I was a full-time homemaker for 15 years. Now my youngest is in the fourth grade, so I am back to work full time. I am a mentor/administrative assistant at American Preparatory Academy. APA is a K-9 charter school that my two youngest children, Heather and Ethan, attend. My oldest child, Corey, graduated from high school in June, and he is now working as a web designer/technician. My oldest daughter, Andrea, is a junior in high school. My husband, Bryan, is a software engineer, and we are hoping to make our bakery business our sole source of income some day.

I am currently a student a Western Governors University. Although I always thought I would be a music teacher or a rock star, I have discovered that I have a great passion for teaching math. In January of 2010, I will be a certified math teacher (grades 5-9). I will then become a full-time junior high math teacher at APA. I am enjoying the task of finishing my education, and I'm very excited about teaching math.

I enjoy camping, hiking, fishing, canoeing, and just nature, in general. I swim and bike for fitness. I enjoy doing home repairs and yard work, and I sometimes tinker with appliances, electronics and engines. I love riding horses and motorcycles. I don’t have a lot of free time, but when I do, I like to read, and watch classic movies or sports.

I am actively involved in my church meetings and functions. I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and I firmly believe in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I believe in the basic goodness of people. The media appalls us with accounts of the shallow and evil people in the world, and often glorifies them. I know that in spite of them, there are many kind, quiet, and humble, yet powerful individuals. I believe it is these people who will change the world. I have seen even the most callous and cynical souls grow and change, due to the Christ-like example of others. My soul is nourished through serving others. We should all make room in our life for service, while allowing others the occasional privilege of serving us.

Keep your head up and believe in yourself. Look for the good in others. Stand up for all that is good and true. Be ready for the important things and don’t sweat the small stuff.