Do you have a favorite author? Who? Why? Tell about favorite books as a child...youth...adult.

My all time favorite author is Orson Scott Card. I own most of his books and love reading them. He is a fantastic writer. His imagination is amazing. My favorite book by him is Enchantment. It's a retelling of Sleeping Beauty. So good! I've read it lots of times and I'm sure I will read it many more.

While Orson Scott Card is my favorite author my favorite book of all time is The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley. I already posted about that HERE.

I remember that my very favorite book as a child was Harry and the Terrible Whatsit. I had to buy a copy when I had kids because no one could find my old one. That's the only specific book I can remember from being young, but I'm sure there were lots. I've always loved reading.

As a youth I loved mystery novels. I read a lot of R.L. Stine books.

Now I love everything. My favorite type of books are Science Fiction and Fantasy. But I love most everything! I also have a bit of an obsession with Vampire books. I've read a lot of them! Some of them are good some are not. I'm open to reading pretty much anything other than horror. I find that the older I get the more of a wuss I am.

I'd love to hear your favorite book so I can add it to my list of things to read!

Were you ever in drama, speech, or any other club?

In junior high I was editor of our school newspaper. I loved doing it!! I had so much fun that year. I still have all of the school papers and every once in a while I will pull them out to read the articles I wrote. I was also in drama club and a peer coach. I was busy a lot and was also able to get out of class a lot! My friend, Michelle and I always told our teachers we had to go do an interview or something so we could get out of a boring class.

In high school I was in concert choir. Basically, I stood next to people who could really sing and pretended to do the same. My voice isn't horrible, but it certainly isn't good. It was a wonderful experience, though. I will definitely encourage my kids to join clubs when they get into school.

Do you wish you had more sisters or brothers and why?

No! I love both of my sisters and brother. I honestly couldn't ask for a better family. My sister Becky is my best friend in the entire world. Some days I think she knows me better than I know myself. Kristen is my go to girl for baking. She is fantastic! And no matter what has happened in my life she has always been there for me. Aaron is wonderful also. I idolized him growing up. In my eyes he could do no wrong. That has changed as I've gotten older, but he is still a great example to me.

Every hard time I've had in my life my siblings were there for me. The vast majority of my wonderful memories include one or all of them. I think we have the perfect number of siblings.

What lessons did you take as a child? Did any carry over into adulthood?

I vaguely remember taking dance lessons when I was in kindergarten. They didn't stick. I HATED them! Needless to say my mom decided it wasn't worth the money to fight me to go.
I also took viola lessons in 3rd or 4th grade. I remember that we rented my viola and it didn't make any noise at first. I'm sure it was because it was new. But I was so shy that I didn't say anything. I just pretended to play for a while. LOL. I ended up not really liking that either. Apparently I am a quitter! :)

What is the most wonderful thing that ever happend to you? The worst?

This is an easy question!! The most wonderful thing to happen to me is my kids. What could be better than that? They fill my days with consternation and joy. And I wouldn't have it any other way. They are always amazing me. I can be a horrible mom one minute and be yelling about something and two seconds later I get an "I love you" from Holden. The unconditional love from and for my boys has changed me forever.

The worst thing is also an easy answer. I've posted about it before. Losing my son, Quentin was harder than anything I have ever gone through. It has also changed me forever. And although it took a while, I know it has changed me for the better.

Where did you live as a child? Describe it.

I grew up in good old Magna, Utah. I lived in the same house from 5 or 6 until I was 22 and married. We had the best neighborhood ever! There were a decent amount of kids my age that lived right by us so I always had someone to hang out with.
I remember the whole neighborhood getting together for the 4th of July and doing fireworks together. I couldn't have asked for a better place to grow up. I still talk to a few of the guys my brother was friends with. They ended up becoming brothers to me also. And every once in a while we all get together for a barbecue or something. Washington Road gang forever!! (Yes, I know I'm a dork)

Did you have a close relationship with any of your grandparents?

I loved my Grandma Archibald! She was such a good Grandma and exactly how I picture all grandma's to be. She was always cooking for us and I remember getting a lot of hugs. I don't have lots of memories of her since I was fairly young when she lost her battle with cancer, but I still get a good feeling just thinking about her. I have no doubt she is in Heaven taking care of my little Quentin and any other future children I will have.
I never got to meet my Grandma and Grandpa Terry. They both died before I was born. I wish I would have had the chance to get to know them.
So overall, a very lame post since I don't have many memories. But a post nonetheless. I will try to post again soon.