B.A Philosophy, magna cum laude
A.M.I. Montessori Certification

Teaching
Five years classroom experience, ages 2–6, including all ethnic groups and social classes.
Two years school directress.
Ten years homeschooling eight children plus experience with public and private schools.
Extensive parent education

Business
Co-partner with husband in creating Mr. Trees, a tree care company with 25 employees.

Marketing
Twelve years full responsibility for promotion of Mr. Trees, receiving awards and national recognition as Inc. 500 company.

Parenting
Mother of twelve children ages 36, 30, 23, 21, 19, 18, 16, 14, 13, 11, 10 and 5 including four with Down syndrome—three adopted.
Grandmother of ten.

Mommy, Teach Me!
Broadman & Holman, Summer 2007

Mommy, Teach Me to Read!
Broadman & Holman, Summer 2007

The Mommy Survival Guide
Beacon Hill Press, 12/06

Reaching the Left with the Right: Talking About Social Issues with People Who Don’t Think Like You
Beacon Hill Press, July 2006

Dirty Dancing at the Prom and Other Challenges Christian Teens Face
Beacon Hill Press, August 2005

The Mommy Manual: Planting Roots to Give Your Child Wings
Revell, 2005

Lord, Please Meet Me In the Laundry Room: Heavenly Help for Earthly Moms
Beacon Hill Press, 2004

Ready Set Read! A Start-to-Finish Reading Program Any Parent Can Use
B&H, 1998

Small Beginnings: First Steps to Prepare Your Toddler For Lifelong Learning
B&H, 1997

700+ articles in over 50 magazines and newspapers

Former Contributor, World magazine

Former Editor, California Citizen, a Focus on the Family monthly 2002-2003

Biweekly newspaper column, “Close To Home” 1996–2006

1997 CLASS graduate

Evangelical Press Association 2000 and 2001

Mount Hermon and Redwood Writers’ Conferences

Women’s retreats

MOPS and homeschool (CHEA) workshops

Guest on Focus on the Family and numerous radio shows

Mount Hermon Writer of the Year, 1996

Amy Writing Award, 1997, 1998, and 1999

Rock Solid Pro-Life Award

EPA Higher Goals Award 2005 (Best Evangelical Article)

EPA Higher Goals Award 2006 (Best Freelance Article)

Washington Times, Christian Science Monitor, The American Enterprise, Guideposts, Christian Parenting Today, Christian Reader, Focus on the Family, Moody, Plain Truth, Journey, Celebrate Life, Guideposts For Kids, Clubhouse, and dozens of other periodicals.

No More Chore Wars
Ready to Read
Chapel of the Wash and Dry
When Home Is Where the Hurt Is
New Age, Old Lie
The Truth About Boys and Girls
Twenty-five Easter Traditions
Golden Secrets (interviews with couples married 50+ years)
When Hollywood Meets the Bible

Complete title topic index available on request.

I am a Christian writer and speaker, blessed with a unique perspective derived from a rich background of experience. My calling is to unburden, enlighten and encourage believers, as well as to communicate effectively with those who have yet to believe.

A life with many nooks and crannies, a comfortable transparency, and commitment to serve my readers-these are the qualities that most define my writing.

I became a believer in 1987. Until then my life was devoted to the counterculture—as an anti-war activist, radical feminist, welfare mother, and finally New Age seeker. Through my all-over-the-map background, God has gifted me with a credible and comfortable voice to reach non-believers.

Today, as a megamom, I’m not surprised to hear my current lifestyle labeled counterculture. God continues to use my experience —now through on-the-job-training with a multitude of children—to give me an authentic voice to guide and encourage other parents.

I have pursued excellence in my education as a writer—attending yearly conferences at Mount Hermon (now as a teacher!) and others around the country. I enjoy excellent relationships with my editors and relish assignments, which have taken me on countless adventures — ranging from a glamorous Hollywood screening to a gritty Gamblers Anonymous meeting.

As a writer wannabe, I often wondered what there would be to write about after my first book. Today my cup overflows!

Blessings,