Hooked on Foniks...Shoulda' Tried It!

I was reading at a young age because my mother was devoted to ensuring that my older brother and I received plenty of love, care, and attention. We made a weekly trip to the library, where I would hide myself in a corner and read the books I had chosen because I could not wait to get home. My favorite children's book series was The Bernstein Bears. I owned (and still do own) nearly every book in the series. When I was up for a treat from my dad, it was either The Berstein Bears, or Barbie; they won my favor equally.
I remember the first chapter book that I ever read was Little House on the Prairie. I was so excited because it was over 300 pages long; I felt accomplished because I tackled such a big book on my first try. Now, I see that the print is huge and that it was all a trick, but more important memories are attached to that moment of victory. I was lying in my mom and dad's bed, next to my mom, our regular reading spot, when it happened. My mom used to read to us, and when my brother and I got old enough, we read to her. It was almost a daily ritual.
My mom isn't a school teacher, so she didn't focus on teaching us Phonics. I think I remember having a Phonics work book at some point during elementary school, but I do not distinctly remember it being an essential element to my learning how to read. Actually, I do not remember anything about learning how to read other than practicing all the time with my mom.
Somewhere along the way, I missed something though, because I am a terrible speller. My father is much worse, so maybe it's genetic! I was interested to learn in my Language Arts course, that Phonics has much to do with how children spell. It's frustrating to be a bad speller. For example, I dominate at the game Scrabble, but I am always having to ask my opponents how to spell things; I would be much better if I could spell. Also, as a teacher and an English major, I am expected to be a good speller. I feel that I am victim to much more ridicule than others because of my shortcomings in the spelling arena.

All I can say, is thank God for Microsoft Word's spell check. I would be a goner without it.