TAGGED BY BROOKE! 7 Things you may not know about me.

Okay Brooke, THANKS A LOT!!! I don't really know much about this but I will try. It is really going to be hard to come up with 7 things about myself that people don't already know. So, here it goes.

1. I met my husband when I was a senior in high school. I waited (and dated) while he served his mission in Brazil, Rio De Janiero. While he was gone, I went up to college at Ricks (now BYU Idaho). After attending college for a year, I moved back home and got a job as a receptionist and then a secretary at Won-Door Corporation. After Troy came home from his mission, we were married 5 months later in the Salt Lake Temple. I was a young bride (19) This August, we will be married for 24 years! Wow!

2. I have 3 children. My oldest son is 21, daughter 19, son 14. They keep life interesting, frustrating, and laughable. I love being a mom in spite of all the ups and downs and crazy in between.

3. When I was 25 years old, my kids were 3 and 1, I found out I had a tumor inside my spinal cord. It needed to be removed immediately before it ruptured my spinal cord. So, I was told there was a 10 percent chance of being paralyzed from the surgery so I thought it would be no big deal. But if I didn't have the surgery I would be a paraplegic the rest of my life. So, I opted for the surgery. Well, the tumor ended up being larger than they predicted and I was left paralyzed from the waist down. I was in the hospital for 2 months learning to walk again and getting out of a wheel chair. It was a miracle that I am walking again. However, I am walking with a brace and a cane. But to me these are blessings. At least I am able to walk. I may be a little slow wherever I go, but I get there. I do need to use a wheelchair occasionally but I won't complain. I know how much worse it could be. I am truly blessed to be able to do what I do.

4. I love to read. In my spare time I will be reading my favorite romance/mystery/suspense novels. They are mostly from LDS authors. This really drives my brother nuts because he works for Deseret Book and thinks those are just silly novels. But it is a release from reality for me and I find it relaxing. I read when I should be cleaning the house or doing laundry. Oops!

5. I am from a large family. I have 5 sisters and 2 brothers. I am the 7th of the 8 kids. My older siblings would say that I was spoiled as a child, but I say NOT!!! And they know why! I won't get it into because I might need therapy. Lets just say, I have issues that I am having a little trouble getting rid of. (Hopkins Elem. School) just to name 1. Anyway....moving on to number 6. I do love my bros and sisters though. Don't get me wrong....

6. Okay, this is a little embarrassing but here it goes. When I was 5 years old and living in South Carolina, my friends and I decided to make a sliding board out of a
2 x 4 board. It might have been a little bigger like a 2 x 8. Anyway, I remember sliding down that board and getting the biggest splinter in my behind. I ran screaming into my Nannie's apartment because she was closest and I think I scared her to death. Anyway, my parents had to drive me to the hospital to have it surgically removed. The most embarrassing part about this was I had to lean over the front seat with my pants down all the way to hospital because I couldn't sit. I don't know why my parents just didn't have me lay face down on the back seat. The hospital was probably 20 minutes away too. Good thing I was only 5 years old. I still have the scar from the ordeal but I won't be showing and telling! :)

7. When I was 11 years old living in South Carolina, I wrote a letter to President Kimball telling him that my family was driving out to Utah and I asked him if it would be possible for me and my family to come and visit him while we were there. I got a letter a few weeks later from his secretary telling us that he would love to see us. Just to call when we got to town and we would make the appointment. Well, I made him chocolate chip cookies and my whole family went to the Church Office Building to meet President Kimball. It was so awesome. We were waiting for him in the little waiting area outside his office. When he came out of his office the first thing he said was, "Where's Wendy?" It was so awesome. We were able to take pictures with him and I have a picture of me giving him the cannister of cookies. That is a memory that I will cherish forever. Pres. Kimball was the prophet of my youth and I was devastated when he died. Just as we were all saddened when Pres. Hinckley died.

Okay, now I am going to tag Lynn Ann, Annette, Natalie, Mallory, and Belinda! Good luck!