Childhood - something that's almost surreal.  As children we rush to become adults and now we look back longing to be as free and naive as the children we were.  Of course, our childhood had problems as no person or family's perfect.  What are the best childhood memories that you have?  What takes you far back and puts you back in a place of comfort and happiness?

I am the oldest of 8 children, four girls and four boys.  I was homeschooled for a good portion of my youth.  My mother would take hours a week reading to us.  She would make us get in a quiet place, away from each other, close our eyes and listen.  From Little House on the Prairie, The Bible, various history books and poetry, my mother made reading come alive.  I loved being in the warmth of my home listening to my mom.  I didn't always act like I loved it then, but it is one of the fondest memories that I have today.  My mother gave me my passion for reading and writing and she always encouraged my imagination to soar!

Another is the wonderful times I had with my sisters.  I love them so much.  We were inseperable.  We would watch movies and EVERY movie had  Jenna, Molly and Rachel character - be it a Disney feature or Steel Magnolias.  We had jokes for everything and everything was funny.  Slumber parties were almost by the night... my dad would come into a room bursting full of giggles to hush us down as it became the wee hours of the morning.  We thought of eachother in everything we did.  We were the epitome of sisters.  To this day, that is, by far, the best memory I have.

What are your most cherished childhood memories?  What do you find yourself daydreaming about when you least expect it?  Please share!  These are beautiful things!

See my sisters and I five years ago from left to right: Molly, myself and Rachel.  The three jewels of my soul.