I love nothing more than writing and illustrating children's books. As a child I was painfully shy, so I escaped into the wonderful world of books. Writing and illustrating came to me late in life. I didn't start writing until I was thirty and didn't start watercoloring until I was thirty-five. I always believed that the fortunate ones were born with a gift of artistic ability - you either had it or you didn't. It wasn't until author, Susan Branch made the statement, "Some people can draw - why shouldn't one of them be you?" I thought, why not? And that's how it got started - she changed my life. Thank you Susan! I love getting lost into a story I'm writing and I love watching a painting grow from a blank white piece of paper into a scene I want to jump into. There are some days when both can be challenging, but it always works out. Of course it's much easier to correct a mistake in writing than it is in watercoloring.

I started writing my first book, "Soot's Big Surprise" about twenty years ago. My sister, DeLaine made a few suggestions and then we worked on the story together. We had so much fun bouncing ideas off of one another. But the story had be to shelved, because in 1990 DeLaine was diagnosed with breast cancer. She had two boys, Grant and Scott, who were four and three years old at the time. My sister fought for her life so that she could raise her boys, the boys that God had given her, but I guess He needed her more. On September 3, 1998 she lost her battle and now sings with the angels. My sister loved life and everyone around her got caught up in her enthusiasm. I miss her laughter and just spending time with her. Her boys are now young men and she would  be so proud of them. After her death I was determined to finish and publish "Soot's Big Surprise" - so here's to you, Daner. I love you with all my heart.

I meet my husband, Doug two months before DeLaine's passing. He is my best friend. I am so blessed to be married to such a kind, patient and giving man. It is because of him that my life as a writer/ illustrator is possible. He also gave me a delightful gift, our adoptive daughter, Crystal. (The gift that keeps on giving). She is nineteen now and is as beautiful inside as she is outside.  I love both of them very much!