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My husband Bill and I have four sons and two grandchildren. We have been married 44 years. I finished my nursing B.S.N. degree before we started our family. I worked at OU Med. Center a few years after graduation, in pediatric and obstetrical units, and taught one year at OU School of Nursing, before our first son was born.

My husband, first son and I lived two years in Bamako, Mali (West Africa), where my husband was working with the American Embassy. Our second son arrived a few weeks after our return. We lived in Norman until 1986, where I focused on raising our sons and volunteer work with Christian groups, Boy Scouts, ours sons schools and La Leche League International (a group for the education about breastfeeding).

Our sons kept us quite busy, playing many sports and all completed their Eagle Scout Award from Boy Scouts. Quite an honor and testament to my husband's long hours volunteering with their Boy Scout group.

My volunteer work of many years with La Leche League International went on to state and a regional level, including Mexico, Central and South America, and the Carribean. I even service on the board of LLLI.

I returned to work as a pediatric nurse the year before we moved to Weatherford, TX. (near Ft. Worth), in 1986. I have since worked for Cook Children's Health Care System. In 1993, I completed my Masters of Science in Nursing, and the Pediatric Nurse Practioner pgm. Since, 1993 my position with Cook's has been as a PNP. I work in a Pediatric Practice in north Ft. Worth caring for infants and children, most of whom speak Spanish. I have enjoyed learning Spanish in recent years.

While our boys are grown, we have yet to have an "empty nest". By the time our last son finshed high school and local jr. college work, another son moved home with his daughter. We have helped him with his daughter, now 14 and busy with soccer, church youth group activities and enjoying 9th grade.

I continue to work full time and dream of retirement, "one of these days".