I was born and raised in Haysville, Kansas.  After high school, I joined the Army and was stationed in Fort Hood, TX and Fort Riley, KS.  During my time in the service I deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.  After leaving the military I pursued higher education and earned my Bachelors of Arts in Human Services from Columbia College of Missouri and then my Masters of Arts in Education at the University of Southern California.  I am married to Matthew and we have a blended family of five children.  I enjoy family time most of all, but also love puzzles, decorating cakes, working out at the gym and hiking.