Glimpse | Personal Perspectives
Jennifer Defee OKLAHOMA CITY
Jennifer Defee came to the U.S. in her 20s, looking for adventure… according to her daughter, Gemma. While she was here, she fell in love with Phil Defee and decided to stay. Once her three daughters were old enough to go to school, Jennifer enrolled in college at the age of 40. “With my dad’s help, she worked several part-time jobs, kept house, studied at night and still managed to have dinner on the table every evening so that the five of us could eat together, talking about dreams and the future,” Gemma writes. Jennifer became the first in the family to graduate with a college degree. She chose to use it at a grade school full of diversity and problems, in an effort to make the world a better place, according to Gemma. Today, after 14 years of teaching, many of her “children” have come back to visit her and let her know that they are the first in their families to go to or graduate from college, as well. Spouse Phil Children Gemma Defee Cooper, Laura Munnerlyn, Lily Defee Grandchildren Keira Cooper, Josie, Heath and Ozzie Munnerlyn Motherhood motto Try to find humor in a situation. If that’s impossible, it will be better in the morning. Parenting advice for new moms Take deep breaths and nap when you can. More than anything, being a mom has taught me To put others first and to love children The most important thing I’ve taught my kids To keep an open mind and to be tolerant The strangest thing I’ve taught my kids The rules of “garage sale-ing” One day, they’ll know Mom was right that You’ll never know how much I love you until you have children of your own. The person who inspired me to be a great mom My mother-in-law and my mother Being a “Hot Mama” means Being appreciative of how much my daughters love me. My secret weapon Food – I cook for the entire family on Sundays. “Feed them and they will come.” The greatest blessing I’ve received from being a mom is My children and their children.
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slice | may 2011