I was born in California but at the age of 3, my Mother moved us to the desert state of Arizona.  While I could never live in its fiery temperatures again, I still consider Phoenix to be my original 'hometown'. As an only child being raised by a single parent, I understand how difficult it can be to make ends meet on a tight budget. My Mother was fortunate enough to have the help of her Aunt, my 'Tia', to help raise me, assist with housing costs and maintain a clean home no matter where we lived. I learned at a young age how vital Family can be through the tough times.

 

After graduating from High School, I attended Phoenix Community College and during that time I met my future Husband in 1981 at a church Young Adult Hayride…yup, a Hayride. Three weeks later we were engaged on Easter Sunday and in August of that same year we were married in Mesa, Az. This year will mark our 44th Wedding Anniversary.

Sometimes when you know, you just know and never look back.

 

During our 1st year of marriage, we lived in Provo, Ut., and had our first child.

 Amid that time, on Labor Day weekend of 1982 , we took a day trip up Provo Canyon to a little mountain community by the name of “Midway” (ever heard of it?? :) ) where they were celebrating something called “Swiss Days”.

It was a beautiful rainy day and for a Desert Rat like me who was raised around Saguaros and mesquite; I was completely smitten by the beautiful tapestry of fall colors on display in the  shadows of the Wasatch back Mountains. Little did I know that just a little over 3 years later, our journey would bring us back to that beautiful Valley.