Reading holds a special place in our family, not just as a hobby but as a fundamental aspect of our lives. We believe in the profound impact that reading has on personal growth, empathy, and cognitive development for family members of all ages. For our children, reading serves as a gateway to imagination and creativity, transporting them to worlds beyond their own experiences. It fosters a love for learning and curiosity about the world around them, laying the foundation for lifelong intellectual pursuits. Also, reading together as a family strengthens our bond and provides opportunities for meaningful discussions about values, emotions, and life lessons found within the pages of books.
I like to have the foster kids turn off their screens an hour before bedtime and read. I have seen many kids come into our home saying they hated reading, but loving to read by the time they left. Right now I am working on some of the classics with my eleven year old foster daughter. First she reads the book and then we sit down and watch the movie together. We started with Jane Austin. The last time we watched one of the movies together she made us each a charcuterie plate and she got dressed up in a fancy dress and high heals and started talking really proper. She’s come a long way from hating to read and wearing her tie-dye everyday, begging me to let her have tic tok.
Beyond the benefits for children, reading plays an equally important role in the lives of adults within our family. It serves as a form of relaxation, allowing us to unwind and escape the stresses of daily life. Whether it's diving into a gripping novel, exploring non-fiction to expand our knowledge, reading offers a sanctuary for self-care and personal enrichment. In a world filled with distractions, we cherish the quiet moments spent with a good book, knowing that the habit of reading enriches our lives in countless ways. I love to read from my kindle, especially since it is easy to throw in my purse. Once a friend asked me what I was reading. I said, "Well, actually I am reading 66 books right now". It's so much more convenient than carrying all those books around. (insert laugh). For me, it is difficult to read when my mind is busy on family affairs, but when I have good seasons of leisure (laugh again) I like to have all different kinds of books close at hand.
Mark and I both love to write as well. Mark has co-authored a book and written several books as a ghost-writer for other people. He has also written scripts for television. I have written some books, but have not published any as of yet. We have our own little publishing company on Amazon that we have used for ourselves and friends. The books on there have come and gone but maybe there will be more in the future.
I really enjoyed working for a friend of mine, a successful NY Times Best Selling Author, Steena Holmes. I did some admin. for her when we lived in Calgary, Alberta. I have learned a lot from her about the industry. I am proud to call her my friend.
One of the books my husband, Mark has co-authored.
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