Live Love Mom

By: Melinda Wenberg

Here I will provide some information about independent authors and the potential benefits of supporting them.

Independent authors, also known as self-published authors, are writers who publish their work independently without the support of a traditional publishing house. Here are some reasons why supporting independent authors could be beneficial:

Diverse and unique content: Independent authors often produce content that is unique and diverse, as they have the freedom to write about what they want without the restrictions of traditional publishers.

Lower prices: Independent authors often sell their books at lower prices than traditionally published authors. This makes it easier for readers to access their work and support their creativity.

Support for the creative community: By supporting independent authors, readers can help to sustain the creative community and promote new and emerging voices in literature.

Personal connections: Independent authors often have a more direct relationship with their readers, and may be more open to engaging with them through social media or other channels.

Creative control: Independent authors have complete creative control over their work, which can result in a more authentic and personal reading experience.

It's important to note that not all independent authors may produce high-quality work, and it's up to individual readers to decide whether they want to support a particular author. However, supporting independent authors can be a way to discover new and unique voices in literature and help sustain the creative community.

by: Stephanie Noircent

It's still pretty chilly outside, and moms everywhere are giving birth to newborns who need to stay warm. Whether you're looking for a volunteer project or wanting to gift something handmade to a mother, this is the perfect pattern for you. 

Materials:

• 1 pair 5mm circular needles
• Red Heart Comfort Sport yarn in a solid color
• Tapestry needle
• Scissors

by: Stephanie Noircent

Most people have heard of renewing your vows, but what is it exactly?

A vow renewal ceremony is sort of like a mini wedding. You either repeat the vows you have already made on your wedding day, or you can make new ones. It's a private and meaningful event. It can be celebrated with a few close friends and family, or completely privately between the two of you. It can also be more lavish than your first wedding for a number of different reasons. It's a way to celebrate love between an already married couple and affirm their commitment and relationship.

It's definitely a cute idea to propose to your spouse. There are no rings needed this time around, so you can propose with a cute message. You can write a poem, leave a card somewhere special, write it on a birthday cake, on a lunch bag, and more. You can do it however you want, and keep it as simple as you would like.

You can wear whatever you would like. Your dress can absolutely be white if that's what you want. You can wear a suit, a bikini if it's on the beach, a t-shirt that says "bride" on it, whatever you want! You can absolutely have a bouquet as well. You can use yours from your previous wedding if it's a silk bouquet, you can make up a brooch bouquet, or even pick some wildflowers for the occasion.

You can still have a bachelor and bachelorette party. It's a great excuse to hang out with your best friends and close family members again. A bridal shower however isn't needed, as this isn't usually a super expensive event. If it is the huge dream wedding you wanted however, then go for it. You also don't need to have a bridal party if you already had one at your previous wedding.

The ceremony can be wherever you want. You can have it in your backyard, at your local religious institution, a rented out venue, or on a vacation abroad. Plenty of five star hotels offer wedding or vow renewal packages. It'll be even more special if you pick someplace that has meaning for you, like a childhood park or the place you had your first date. A ceremony isn't mandatory; in fact, you can just recite your vows in private and then have a party afterwards. More and more people are choosing to save their vows for a time when the couple is alone, and recite the standard vows at a wedding or vow renewal ceremony.

In the ceremony, vows are exchanged just like a wedding. You can use the vows you used at your wedding, or you can use new ones. The couple shares in the magic of the moment and often reflect how their marriage has gone and all the happy times, and of course appreciate the love that they share together. Rings can also be exchanged, whether they are new rings or the rings they exchanged during their original wedding. Often a couple walks down the aisle together, or arrive at the same time down the altar from opposite sides of the room. You can always have your child walk you down the aisle too. Since a vow renewal ceremony is not a legal marriage ceremony, anyone can officiate. You can self-officiate the vow renewal, have a family member or friend do it, or even your oldest child. If you feel more comfortable, you can also hire a minister or religious officiate of your choosing.

A reception like a ceremony is not mandatory, but it is pretty fun to have. You can gather and celebrate with the people that mean the most to you. You can all go to a restaurant, or a bar for a cocktail party, a club for a dance party, or mingle at home. You can order delivery from a caterer or a fast food restaurant, or even hire a private chef for the evening or a food truck. The options are endless! You can also order a cake from a local bakery or have one custom-made, or just buy one from a grocery store. You can even bake your own! If this is a "second wedding" to you, proceed as you would in a normal wedding. Otherwise, a father-daughter dance isn't necessary. Have all the married couples join you in dancing for the first time since you've renewed your vows, then everyone can join in. You can absolutely have music and dancing at your reception.

You can invite anyone you want. Since expenses multiply the more people you invite, the frugal option is definitely to invite as little people as possible. But if it's to make up for a small wedding, you can invite everyone. Be sure not to leave out any close friends or family. You also don't have to invite anyone; some couples choose to have a vow renewal just the two of them, or just them and their children. Unless this is a "second wedding" for you, there is no need for a gift registry. 

Got more ideas to share? Comment below!

by: Stephanie Noircent

It's that time of year! The holidays are upon us, and knitters might be hard-pressed to craft that perfect gift for their loved ones. It's too late to start sweaters, you can maybe get one scarf done, and blankets also take a long time to craft. What's something you can craft multiple items in a day and give out as a gift? A dishcloth, of course!

This pattern doubles as a washcloth, so you can use it any way you please. You can also make a bunch for yourself! With this textured pattern, you're sure to wash away all the dirt and grime to your heart's content. 

For this pattern, I used Bernat Handicrafter cotton yarn in neptune ombre. I used two US size 7 straight needles. You can use either one of these two patterns, depending on the size you want.

Pattern #1

1. Cast on four stitches. 
2. Knit 2, yarn over, knit to end of row. 
3. Repeat this until 50 stitches on the needle. 
4. To decrease, knit 1, knit 2 together, yarn over, knit 2 together, knit to end of row. 
5. Keep repeating until you reach 4 stitches, then bind off.
6. Cut off the ends.

Pattern #2

1. Cast on 4 stitches.
2. Then k2, yo, k1.
3. Do this every row until 42 stitches on needle 
4. Then start decreasing as follows: k1, k2tog, yo. 
5. Do this every row until back to 4 stitches, then cast off.
6. Weave in the ends.

by: Stephanie Noircent

Are you looking for a new free crochet pattern? Are you searching for an easy gift to make your loved ones for the holidays or a special occasion? Look no further!

With this Striped Crochet Dishcloth Pattern by Yarnspirations, you're sure to enjoy crafting this beautiful dishcloth. It doubles as a washcloth and has many uses. You can easily scrub dirt off your dishes as a dishcloth, and slough off dead skin cells and exfoliate your skin as a washcloth.

PATTERN:

Measurement: Approx 8 inches (20.5 cm) square.

Materials:

• A: 1 ball solid shade Bernat Handicrafter Cotton yarn
• B: 1 ball ombre Bernat Handicrafter Cotton yarn
• Size U.S. H/8 (5mm) crochet hook or size needed to obtain gauge.

by: Stephanie Noircent

Are you looking to challenge yourself by knitting more intermediate patterns? Are you looking for a cool new design for your next project? Are you a knitter and addicted to new patterns? Then this post is for you!

With this Ripple Stitch Knit Dishcloth Pattern by Yarnspirations, you're sure to enjoy making this gorgeous piece. Great to use yourself or to give away as a gift, this pattern will keep you busy with your favorite hobby.

PATTERN:

Measurements/dimensions: Approximately 8 inches x 10 inches (20.5 x 25.5 cm).

Materials:

• 1 ball Bernat Handicrafter Cotton yarn (solid: 1.75 oz/50 g; 84 yds/vgs/77 m) Ombre 1.5 oz/42.5g; 71 yds/vgs/65 m)
• 2 8 (5 mm) U.S. size knitting needles or size needed to obtain gauge.

by: Stephanie Noircent

Are you more of a crocheter than a knitter? Are you looking for a fast, easy and simple gift to make for your loved ones? Or are you looking for an easy project to fill your time? Look no further!

With this daisy wheel crochet dishcloth pattern by yarnspirations, you're sure to get a great-looking dishcloth that's both useful and gorgeous. You can use these to scrub your dishes, or even as a handy washcloth.

PATTERN:

Measurement/dimension: Approximately 9 inches (23 cm) diameter

Gauge/tension: 13 dc and 7 rows = 4 inches (10 cm)

Materials:

• U.S. H/8 (5mm) crochet needle or size needed to obtain gauge.
• A: 1 ball of Bernat Handicrafter Cotton yarn, any color
• B: 1 ball of Bernat Handicrafter Cotton yarn, any color

By: Rev. Dr. Stephanie Noircent

There are billions of shoes available for purchase in stores. It's easy to get overwhelmed when you're confronted with rows upon rows of footwear. Where do you start? When you have a budget to stick to or you just don't want to clutter your closet, you need to know what you need and stick to it. Here are footwear essentials you will need throughout the year.

Cute boots. Are you going out to a fun party, or just want to look fashionable during the fall? Boots are perfect for this occasion! Whether you prefer ankle boots, thigh-highs or just below the knees, leather or suede boots are a must-have. You can choose the heel you're most comfortable with and try on different styles. You're sure to find one you love, and then you'll have them to wear with a flirty dress, a long sweater, or leggings and a cute top! I would suggest a deep brown or black for the color, since these colors go with everything!

Comfy sneakers. For the sake of your feet, you need at least one pair of comfortable shoes. Whether you're an avid jogger or you have plenty of kids to keep up with, running shoes are probably your best bet. Grab some tennis shoes if you prefer, and get them in a color where they will match almost anything. Often people get grey, black or white in color. If you do get them in white, be sure to keep them clean so they still look new.

Dress shoes. For work is most often when you need dress shoes, but also to wear to a loved one's wedding. Sensible shoes are a must and really show off an elegant yet professional style perfect for a corporate job interview, being a boss babe at work, or having nice footwear at that office party. Preferrably in black or silver, make sure these shoes can match any formal outfit to finish off your look.

Winter boots. Especially if you live where it snows, winter boots are a no-brainer. Depending on how deep the snow gets, you need to get boots made with according height. If you go in deeper snow, get boots that go up to your mid-calf or higher. Make sure they can withstand low temperatures so they keep your feet nice and toasty. A comfort fit is best; you don't want blisters while you're trudging around in the freezing cold. Black would be a good color to go with so it matches everything. It's even better if you have a black winter coat to go with it! If not, you can always get boots that match your coat.

Sandals. During the warmer months where even socks make your feet sweat, sandals are the way to go. If you're on a super tight budget, crocs and flip-flops are sold at the dollar store. If you can go a little higher, Payless Shoe Source has many selections at a great price. If you think ahead, you may even get a discount if you shop for them during the colder months. Get a color that matches the sundresses, shorts or tops you wear during the summer and late spring. 

With all of these choices, you are sure to keep your feet healthy and happy. You won't be scratching your head wondering what shoes to wear, and you'll be covered for at least the rest of the year. Enjoy!

By: Rev. Dr. Stephanie Noircent

Renewing vows can be a choice for couples for many different reasons. Being married is a consious choice to stay with the person you love, every single day. Some want to celebrate that choice after a certain amount of time to show that their marriage is still going strong. Lots of couples decide to renew their vows and here are some reasons why:

The first reason is that, after a couple has children, they want their children to be included in the marriage. Especially in small families, some children never get to attend a wedding until their very own. Not only is this a good teaching oppurtunity for them, but they also get to participate in anything the couple wants: the vows, a sand ceremony, candle lighting ceremony, photos, and more. 

The second reason is financial stability. A lot of times, especially when the couple married young, they were unable to afford the wedding of their dreams. Sometimes they even had family that didn't agree to the union so they had to elope. Some had to get married in a rush, for example if a relative was dying and the couple wanted them to be a part of the big day. Some even have their wedding at the grave of a loved one to include them. Whichever the reason why they didn't get their dream wedding, financial stability affords the couple permission to have everything just the way they want it.

The third reason is that you want to re-live the big day. For most marriages, the sparks dull and there are no more butterflies after so many years. Being in the moment again, feeling giddy about to express your love to your spouse can light up that fire. You will remember why you got married in the first place, and probably get pretty emotional. You even get to ride that wedding bliss high after your ceremony.

The fourth reason is for a second honeymoon. They come after weddings, do they not? So it ties in well to have a vow renewal ceremony before you are whisked away on a romantic vacation. You also get to feel special again, the apple of your spouse's eye and have some amazing wedding night sex all over again.

The fifth reason is that you've hit a milestone. Whether you've been married 5, 10, 20, 25 or 50 years, it's a good reason to renew your vows. Gather your loved ones and have a small ceremony together to celebrate how long you've been together and how much you still love each other. You can have it on your anniversary and it's a perfect way to have an anniversary party at the same time. You can even make it a surprise for your guests.

The sixth reason is that it’s way more fun. There are no expectations and you can make it as untraditional as you want to. You can renew your vows while sky-diving, just the two of you over dinner at a restaurant, a few close friends and family in your backyard. You have complete freedom. This is something the couple usually craves when a parent, relative or friend held the purse strings of their wedding. When someone else is paying or they make you have someone else's dream wedding instead, couples tend to want to take the reins on their special day. This way, they get to take control and have a blast doing it.

The seventh reason is it’s stress-free. There is no stress when things don't go exactly as planned. Wine spilled on your dress? You can laugh it off. Your husband shoving cake in your face? No problem, you didn't just spend hundreds of dollars on makeup. Arrived late? It's more laid-back so the guests will just chuckle about it. It's much more relaxing and you don't have a mile-long to-do list or nearly as much planning to do for over a year in advance.

The eighth reason is that it has more meaning. Your original vows sound much more amazing hearing them the second time around. You can really see how well you stuck to them and how true they are. You can also make your own and add some oddly specific ones, like: thank you for being there when my parent died, do you remember that time our kids ruined your wedding suit 10 years later, etc. 

The nineth reason is simply the love of weddings. Women love weddings, and it will definitely make her day to be able to re-live her wedding day and the excitement of being a bride. Men love weddings too, the husband will also love looking his best in his crisp, fancy suit and watch his beaming wife walk towards him full of love.

The tenth reason is for when the kids have left the nest. Now that the two people are empty-nesters, they can make new vows for each other. Oftentimes, when people get married they have children afterwards. Having children is even mentionned in the vows sometimes, how they can't wait to start a family and hear the pitter-patter of tiny feet. But once those kids have grown up and left to start their own adventures, it's time to remember what life has in store ahead of you. It will just be the two of you living together for the rest of your lives. You can promise to use this time to spend more time together, connect deeply like before you had kids, and go on post-retirement adventures. 

The eleventh reason is to highlight forgiveness. Sometimes, marriages can have some truly trying times. Whether it's infidelity, lying, or general betrayal sometimes the couple chooses to forgive each other and stay together. In these instances, they often want to show their commitment to each other and have a fresh start with renewing vows. You can present a united front and show everyone that nothing will break you apart.

The twelfth reason is that it's a reason to party. Why let all of those wedding items go to waste? Bust out that wedding gown, the wedding suit, the silk floral arrangements you kept, your wedding shoes, and everything you have leftover from your wedding. It's great to up-cycle what you used, but also the perfect excuse to have a party with friends and family.

The thirteenth reason is to show strength and committment after a major event. Whether it was a serious illness, a natural disaster, the loss of a job, a relocation abroad or a child's illness, it can definitely shift the focus of the marriage. A vow renewal ceremony can be a way to reward yourselves for getting through it, and getting through it together. It can also shift your focus back onto your marriage and love life now that the hurdle has passed.

The fourteenth reason is to make sure people who didn't make it to your wedding can attend this one. Whether your close relatives or friends were at the hospital or couldn't afford the tickets to your destination wedding, it's a good reason to have a vow renewal ceremony. They will surely appreciate it and you will have lots of gorgeous photos together and have a wonderful time making memories that will last a lifetime. 

A fifteenth reason is for renewing your vows is to have a formal ceremony. This ties in with the first reason, but after having a casual ceremony with people wearing jeans and a t-shirt, the couple may later either regret that, or still want a formal wedding. The opposite can be true too: maybe instead of a formal wedding they had they would like to have a barefoot beach wedding. 

Either way there are plenty of reasons to renew your vows. If that's what you both want to do, go for it.

Today is a rainy day where I live. My children were bored and I wasn't sure what I could do to entertain them. Then, I was struck with an amazing idea! With Easter coming up, I though it would be great to make chocolates with them!

Here is what you need:

• 1 large bag of chocolate chips
• 1 silicone or plastic mold per family member
• 1 microwave-safe bowl
• 1 spoon to stir and pour
• Popsicle sticks (optional)

By: Rev Dr. Stéphanie Noircent

Not a morning person? Don’t want to spend an extra thousand just to have a sit-down dinner reception? A lunch wedding is right for you!

Main Menu. Lunch menu will always cost less than a dinner menu. You can have so many different options for your wedding reception when it comes to food. Here are a few ideas:

Cocktail hour wedding

Barbecue wedding

Picnic wedding

Cookout wedding

Hors d’oeuvres wedding

Cake and punch wedding

Potluck wedding

Guest list. Limit your guest list to your very closest friends and family. This will significantly lower the amount of money you will have to spend for seating, food and drinks, even the size of your wedding cake! Who wants to invite a 4th cousin twice removed that you’ve never met, anyways?

Cake. You can have the cutest little 1 to 2 tier cake for your wedding. You can have it decorated with fondant, flowers, fresh fruit, or whatever else you want! This allows you to have the wedding cake of your dreams without skimping on the details.

Decor. When in doubt, go to the dollar store. They even have a party section that includes weddings! You’d be amazed at what you can find for such a cheap price for your wedding. Did someone you know have a wedding recently, and have no idea what to do with her leftover decor? Offer to rid her of it and recycle at your own wedding.

Flowers. This is also a great idea for the dollar store for silk flowers. Need to have real blooms? If you are a year or more before your wedding, plant your favorite blooms in your own garden. You can pluck your beautiful home-grown blossoms on the day of your wedding and arrange your very own beautiful bouquet! Got just a few months left? Go to a floral shop and never mention the word wedding to avoid inflation.

Recycle. Use the maid of honor’s bouquets as centerpieces for the reception. Use the aisle runners as chair back decorations at the reception. Use the chairs at the reception for chairs around the tables at the reception. Save time, resources and money with a little recycling. Have a bird cage lying around from a bird you used to have? Use it as a decoration. Have some empty wine bottles you keep forgetting to recycle? Spray-paint them and put a flower in there, and voila; beautiful centerpiece!

Got any more wedding ideas to share for a gorgeous afternoon wedding? Comment below!

By: Rev Dr. Stéphanie Noircent

You saw a few weeks ago a post about my morning routine. I've been asked about my evening and night routine as well. Here it is!

Do laundry. Laundry never ends in this house, with my husband changing three times a day and the kids at least twice a day with their day outfits and pyjamas. Just to stay afloat I have to do one or two loads a day. If I skip a day, then I have to do at least three loads. I'll also do some light cleaning as needed during weekdays and do deeper cleans on weekends. Simple things such as wiping counters, sweeping, and dusting.

Pick kids up from school. I leave about 40 to 30 minutes in advance to make sure I get a parking spot by my childrens' school. I either knit or scroll on my phone while I wait while listening to the radio. When the bell rings, I'll go to the fence and wait for my children to come out of school. I help them in the car, buckle them in, and head home.

Help with homework. I check the kids' agendas which indicates any homework they have. I sign permission slips, read notices for me, and get out the kid's materials for homework. I'm also able to check their lunchboxes to make sure they ate well, and dispose of any trash and put away leftovers.

Make dinner. My husband loves to cook so most of the time he is the one that makes dinner. However, I will also cook when I can. The easiest for me is to have a crock-pot going during the day. I would also grill some chicken and boil some veggies, make a pasta dish, whatever my family needs.

Check email. I see if I got emailed for appointments, or statistics for my blog, or anything else that might be pertinent or important. My grandparents still communicate by email as well so I want to make sure I am able to reply messages as soon as I get them.

Say goodnight to friends and family online. I do some online gaming, so I let those people know when I am leaving to go to bed. I let my friends and family know as well and I tell them goodnight. 

Spend time with kids. The kids often ask me to play with them with either barbies or stuffed animals. They also like running around, dancing together, anything we can do together as a family. We take the time to connect.

Close blinds and curtains. Especially in winter, it gets dark very fast. I close blinds and curtains to maintain our privacy. If it's December, I'll switch on the Christmas lights and the Christmas tree lights as well. 

Lock doors & windows. This is not only for our safety, but for our comfort as well. A strong gust of wind has blown out door open before, and we don't want bugs getting in and our dog running out into the street.

Give kids a bath. It can be a shower too, depending on what they prefer. Sometimes they can spend an hour in the bathtub playing with their toys, the kids can be real mermaids. They love the water so much!

Put kids in Pyjamas. After they're all clean and dried off, it's time for pyjamas. They like to pick their favorites and then we put them on. 

Take a shower. It's my turn to get clean! I'll take a shower and wash my face in there at the same time. I'll make sure to condition my hair after washing it so it looks good and feels silky smooth once it dries.

Skin care. Since my face is washed, it's bare and anything can get in there. I usually will then remove blackheads and pop pimples and whiteheads from my face if there are any. Then I'll use an oil cleanser to remove any leftover makeup. I'll use a serum and some eye cream before putting on my night cream. If needed, I'll pluck some stray eyebrow hairs. I'll dry off and put on my pyjamas after this.

Brush teeth. This is a family affair, we all get into the bathroom and brush our teeth.The kids have a stool so they can see themselves into the mirror. We brush, floss, and use mouthwash. I make sure my kids brush properly so their teeth are nice and clean.

Have kids use the bathroom. In case they forget, I remind them they need to use the bathroom before they go to bed. Even when adults don't pee before bed, they can wake up soaked in their own urine. So once this is done, I know it prevents accidents and many loads of laundry.

Cuddle in bed with kiddos. The kids have been co-sleeping for a while now, and I honestly don't mind it. We'll get in my big queen-sized bed and cuddle together and give each other kisses and hugs. Most of the time they just want to play and jump around so my husband does what we call the baby-wrangling. Once they're in bed, I tell my kids how proud I am of them and how they are amazing people. I find it's very important for their sense of self-esteem and self-worth. 

Tell the kids a story or sing them a song. Depending on what they prefer, they will ask me either to sing a song for them or they'll give me a topic for me to tell a story about. I could write thousands of children's books with how often I have made up stories out of thin air for these kids. 

Wait til kids are asleep, put them in their beds. Once the kids are asleep, I let my husband know and he picks them up and moves them to their beds. They often stay asleep so this isn't an issue at all. He closes their doors so the dog doesn't wake them up in case she barks during the night. 

Alone time with husband before he falls asleep. Often we use this time to watch an episode of our favorite television show we can't watch with the kids around, or we'll sit around and talk and cuddle. If we're too exhausted, we'll just cuddle and kiss before bed.

Set my alarm. This is on a school night so I can wake up on time to do it all again and be awake on time to get myself and the kids ready for school and off to school on time.

Check blog. I check on my blog and sometimes write posts before I go to bed, or work on graphics. 

Watch TV episode or movie while cuddling with dog. My dog is very social and loves to be around people. She will jump up next to me and cuddle with me under the blanket I have set on my lap. Often I will do something with my hands while I watch TV, such as knitting or making cards for family.

Bedtime. I tell my dog to go to bed, take my multivitamin, and head to bed. I closed all my internet tabs by now and often put my devices on chargers so they're ready for use during the day. I post on my instagram or schedule a post and then I'm ready to drift off into dreamland.

What does your nightly routine look like? Comment below!

By: Rev. Dr. Stéphanie Noircent

It’s always been cheaper to have a wedding in the morning. Lots of weddings are booked for the afternoon and evenings, so morning spots are wide open. You don’t have to have a sit-down dinner, you can serve wonderful fresh baked goods, sweets and ripe fruit. Not sure how to get started? Here are some tips and ideas on how to throw a frugal morning wedding reception.

Meals. You can serve breakfast or brunch. You can make pancakes in bulk, french toast galore, pile on the sweets with doughnuts and danishes, waffles with all of your favorite fruits, potato skins, sausage, bacon, eggs, omelettes, and more! Let your imagination run wild.

Cake. You can get creative with your wedding cake. You can have a pancake cake, waffle cake, french toast cake, muffin cake, donut cake, and whatever else you can think of!

Drinks. So many drink ideas! Serve mimosas, sparkling juice, even smoothies! You can even have tea, coffee, lemonade, fruit juices, milk, and whatever else your heart fancies.

Decor. With the bright light of the outdoors, you won’t need any artificial lighting. It’s common to decorate with pastel colors like you would if you were going to a tea party. Add lots of flowers and you can’t go wrong. To save money on blooms, buy in-season, or silk at the dollar store.

Do you have any advice to offer? Comment below!

By: Rev Dr. Stéphanie Noircent

Get ready with me! Here is my morning routine that I try to stick to as much as possible, whenever possible. Of course, sometimes there are appointments thrown in there or it's the summer so the kids have no school. Here is what my morning routine looks like most of the time.

Get dressed. I often just grab what's available and matches with the season. Pants and a long shirt for the winter, shorts and a tank top or T-shirt for spring, a dress for summer. Sometimes I put some thought into it and grab something pretty, especially on a special occasion or if I just want to look good.

Wake kids. Often times my oldest child is already awake, so I will have to wake up my youngest. I try to gently wake her by opening the door and going about my business, but sometimes I also go into her room. I rub her back gently and talk to her softly, and sometimes I crawl into bed with her and give her cuddles and kisses. She is always happy to see me and very affectionate and I love it. My oldest often crawls into bed with me very early in the morning, so I get to cuddle and kiss her and keep her warm before it's time to wake up. Once they are up, I make sure they remember to go to the bathroom and I give them their daily multivitamins.

Skin care. I start by washing my face to get rid of the dirt, grime and oil from my face. I do this by double-cleansing, using a water-based face wash and then an oil-based to make sure all makeup is removed, even waterproof. I put on some serum, and then I put on my day cream for the day. I also use sunscreen, but usually later on in the day. 

Makeup. I have a fairly rapid makeup routine since I am in a rush to get the kids out the door. I use a fiber lash mascara to lengthen my lashes, and sometimes a thickening mascara to make my lashes appear thicker. I then put some eyeliner on the outer upper corners of my eyes to give the illusion of a thicker lashline. I then put some chapstick on and some lip gloss, and I'm done. 

Hair. I brush through it thoroughly and then put it into a simple do. Most of the time I pull it back in either a low or a high ponytail. Sometimes I'll use a half-up half-down style, pulling the top half and tying it back to keep it off of my face. 

Breakfast & Feed kids. My husband often takes care of breakfast, but I do also prepare cereal, french toast, eggs, or a fruit salad for my kids. It depends on what they feel like eating, and also what's available in the fridge at that time. I know my youngest loves strawberries and raspberries, and my oldest loves grapes and apples. My husband and I set the food on plates for them and we all eat breakfast together.

Brush Teeth. Once breakfast has been eaten, it's time to brush our teeth! My husband, my kids and I brush our teeth thoroughly, then floss, then use mouthwash. Sometimes the kids put up a fight and say they don't want to brush their teeth, but this is usually because they have decided they want to drink milk or juice. They would know that it would taste weird after brushing thier teeth.

Dress kids. The kids often pick their own clothes, but most of the time at least one of them is evasive and doesn't want to get dressed. I bring them the clothes if they haven't picked it out already and help them put it on if they haven't done it already. It helps on cold winter mornings if my husband runs the clothes through the drier for a few minutes.

Prepare kid's lunch. My husband has been kind enough to make my kids sandwiches at the same time he makes his. So what I do is that I take my oldest's lunch box and fill it with a portion of fruit, a portion of vegetables, some cheese and a drink. It's often either milk, juice, or drinkable yogurt. I put in a cold pack, zip up the lunchbox, and put it in her backpack. I do the same for my youngest.

Kiss husband. I don't ever want my husband to feel left out and I want to give him a healthy dose of love before he heads out for work. I always kiss him before he heads out. We make a point to kiss every morning. If it's a weekend and he happens to be working and the kids are asleep, he will sneak back into the bedroom to kiss me before he leaves. So cute!

Put outerwear on kids. Whether it's a hat and sunglasses for summer or the full snow gear kit, it's the time when I start bringing the outerwear to my kids and help them put it on if needed. I help them find their favorites if we have time if that's what they request. 

Drive them to school. I get the kids in my van, secure them, and I get in myself, put my seatbelt on, and drive them to school. They often like music to be played so I turn on the radio. If it's snowing out, the kids love to help me clear the van's windshield and windows and mirrors from snow. 

Check emails. When I get home I check my emails to see if there are any messages from my kid's school. Sometimes I do this before headed to school in case there is a snow day, depending on what the weather is like outside. I have started checking my email many times a day since it,s the main way my husband communicates with me during his lunch break.

Work on blog. Either now or later is when I start working on my blog. I write and schedule posts, make graphics, check traffic and moderate comments. 

Eat lunch. I make myself some lunch, often something small and simple. My dog loves following me around everywhere and I'll give her some meat scraps. I also check her water dish and food bowl and change her pee pads as needed.

Run errands. If there are groceries to be done, perscriptions to pick up, or call-backs to be made, then this is when I do it. Sometimes it's also early in the morning, it really depends. But I try to do it before I go pick up the kids from school.

There you have it! That's my morning routine. What's yours?

By: Rev Dr. Stéphanie Noircent

Are you unsure on where you can cut the costs of a wedding? Are you confused as to how you can have an affordable wedding? Are you looking for advice on how to keep your low-budget happy? Real wives offer real advice about how they kept their wedding cost low.

silverchick_8 says:

We are making our own invitations.. We need over 100 so we went to Wal-Mart (they have really cute ones, mine has daisies on them!) and we are printing them out ourselves. That will save you SOOO much money.. I want just a real simple bouquet with daisies so I’m getting them from a grocery store instead of a florist… Also, get creative w/ your centerpieces and favors.. All of that adds up!!

We aren’t doing this, but I know of people that ask their guest to bring a covered dish instead of a gift! So that would cover your food cost. Good luck!

Leah says:

If you want a small intimate wedding you can definitely do it without paying a ton of money. Here are some ideas:

Consider having a backyard bbq after the wedding instead of renting a huge hall.

Ask family members or friends to help you out on things like decorations and photos – that can save a lot of money.

Visit Hobby Lobby or a similar store in your area. They have tons of wedding and bridal stuff at a fraction of the cost.

Get original. You know you don’t need a chocolate fountain. Maybe you know someone who makes fabulous chocolate cupcakes. This would give a more intimate and personal touch than the $700 fountain.

iloveweddings says:

Hi and congratulations on your upcoming wedding! I love small, intimate weddings. They are my absolute favorite. Yes, I have LOTS of ideas for you….

 You are already on the way to a “budget” wedding…(I prefer the word “budget” not “cheap”!) by knowing you don’t want anything elaborate.

 ~ You won’t have bridesmaids or groomsmen….so you will save lots right there (stress, and money!)

 Church:

~ I would “decorate” the church with some flowers on the altar. Go to a dollar store, Walmart or a second hand store like Goodwill and buy 2 large vases . Go to Walmart or Costco and get 2 dozen roses – $10/dozen. Arrange the roses in the vases and place them on each side of the altar. Or…depending on where you live and when your wedding is, maybe get a couple of flowering plants. That would look nice also. I definitely would “decorate” the church a little with some flowers on the altar.

 ~ Involve your family and friends in your wedding if you want….have them do a reading or read a poem.

 ~ Ask each of the guests to say a few words about the couple, or ask them to write a few things down ahead of time, and assemble them into a document for one person to read aloud.

 ~ Make your wedding program more substantial, more of a booklet and keepsake. Include messages to each of the guests and explanations of why you chose your flowers, readings, colors, music, etc. You can name every person who will attend the wedding individually in the program, commenting about them something that is special to you. For example:

“To Uncle Joe and Aunt Thelma, we thank you so much for the enthusiasm you brought to this day. We hope to capture the passion for life that you have shared in your 35 years together.”

 ~ Music for ceremony: I would definitely want music, no matter how small it is! What about a guitar player? Violin soloist?

 ~ Get a small bouquet for your and a boutonniere for your groom.

 What I would suggest would be to have your church ceremony and then you have a couple of options for the reception:

1. Have something in the church fellowship hall if one is available.

2. Have a dinner at someone’s home or backyard.

3. Reserve a private room at a nice restaurant.

 ~ I like the idea of the private room at a restaurant the best!

~ Talk with the restaurant manager to see what you can set up.

~ Have nice table linens (most nice restaurants have these anyway).

~ Perhaps choose 4 or 5 items from the menu…and then make up your own menus (without prices), print them off on nice paper (Walmart or Dollar Store) and place them at everyone’s spot.

~ I don’t know how many people you are having or how many tables you will be having, but I would definitely do a nice flower arrangement on each table. It doesn’t have to be elaborate….a few roses (or another flower that you like…tulips? gerbera daisies?) in a small vase. Place it on a mirror tile and put a few votives next to it. This looks very elegant and doesn’t cost much. If you are having roses, you can always sprinkle a few extra rose petals around.

 ~ I would definitely try to have some music ….an ipod? Check with the restaurant…but it would be nice to have some soft music playing.

 ~ I am not one usually for “favors”, but just to make your tables look even more elegant, you can always buy the little frame/place card holder. These are available at Dollar Tree and Walmart. It would be nice to set up place cards for your guests. And then this also serves as a “favor.” Just an idea.

Don’t forget the cake! Go to a bakery in a grocery store…much cheaper than a regular bakery. Or, maybe the restaurant can supply one.

Remember a “budget” wedding is not a “cheap” wedding. There is a difference! You can have a beautiful, elegant wedding on a budget.

 Good luck and I hope you have a beautiful day and a happy marriage!

LOVE BEING A MOMMY says:

Well, without bridesmaids you cut down a lot and without a lot of people you cut down even more. I have to honestly say that the biggest expense is food for all the people…even 10-15/ person is costly if you have 150 people. That’ll also save you on flowers (if you have one or two or no bridesmaids). you have to also consider if you’ll have a dj or band, where your reception will be and things like that. A park venue is pretty inexpensive. Actually the most expensive thing is your reception. If you’re having it in a church try to have in close to a holiday…the church may already be decorated. So yea…that’s just some. I have an awesome book that I got for $1 on amazon.com. Its old but it has big money savers!

Mac says:

Make your own invites

Find a cute cheap dress – David’s Bridal has those $99 gown sales

No alcohol or bring your own

Just have a little light dinner for the reception

Our church didn’t charge us a dime, b/c we were attending there on Sunday’s and for counseling – then we rented out the Community Center for $50 for the reception. It was a nice, small wedding, maybe 75 people or so.

Have a family member or friend take pictures

emmiegsmom says:

Their are many ways to keep a wedding inexpensive but usually the most expensive thing is the reception or the “food”. Have you decided what you want to do as far as that goes? You said you dont really want any bridesmaids but that doesnt really cost any money. You have to decide about flowers, the cake, photography, videography, the transportation or limo, the site of the reception, the food, the dj or band. I got married in a catholic church and we had to make a “donation”of $500 to the church and $250 to the organist. A gown you can get pretty inexpensively. I know that David’s Bridal are always having $99 gown sales going on. But then you have to consider your veil and your shoes? What about your hair and your makeup? You can definately do that yourself or a friend can do it to save money. You have to break down all the aspects of the wedding and decide exactly what is important to you and what isnt. The things that are important to have, then just work them out in a way that will be affordable for you. For example: you could have the reception in your familys backyard and keep the guests at a minimum, you could ask a relative or a friend to take pictures instead of hiring a photographer, the same as with a videographer. I also made out own invitations for the wedding. I got the plain invitations and worded them as Iiked, printed them out and decorated them and addressed them myself. That definately saved me about $300 doing it myself. I also made my own favors, almond joy bundles and candles wrapped in lace with ribbons in the bridesmaids dress colors. You can definately do it if you put your mind to it. Good luck!

#2 in the oven says:

dresses- David’s bridal has lots inexpensive. even better Target sells some online. seriously.

Invite the people you want there really. Do invitations yourself. You can get a kit at Michael’s or AC Moore and use a coupon from Sunday paper for like 40% off. You just print them using your computer. I did and it looks great. I bought a stamp and wax that I sealed the envelopes with, and made them look a little unique.

Why not go to a really nice restaurant instead of reception. Find a local non wedding baker. most likely they can do a simple two or three tier cake. know anyone that always seem to have good pictures? ask them to take the wedding pictures. be inventive and positive. I had a wedding with 150 guests for under $3K. It is possible. We catered it ourselves with food from Sams club. Hired a friend to be the buffet attendant. simple flowers or do the flowers yourself.

Lily says:

Im not married yet, but im planning a wedding and yes they are so expensive. But you have already eliminated so much of your costs by not having a bridal party and having a small intimate ceremony. The one thing im not really worried about is my dress. I didnt get one yet, but my friend just got hers for $99 at Davids Bridal. Its plain and simple, but she loves it. I have found dresses I liked for between 200-400 which i dont think is bad for a wedding dress. I am getting married in my fiancee church and the only thing we have to pay is 100 for the preacher and 100 for the organist. Good Luck!

laseter says:

as quickly as we’ve been given married we had not something! heavily! We had our wedding ceremony exterior in a beneficial little corner surrounded by using timber and flours out in the midst of the woods. It become an previous living house that had fallen down years earlier and the flowers have been nevertheless there. It become purely close kin and decide acquaintances. Afterwards we had a huge cookout at our abode and invited each and all the acquaintances and kin that we knew to cookout burgers and canines on the grill. so some distance as a photographer is going, it form of feels there is one in each and every kin. i’m beneficial you ought to locate one close that could supply you a coupon or possibly even barter with you for his or her centers. you’re arranged to get the cake this way as nicely. The preacher would or won’t cost based. there are a number of value reducing measures you could take with somewhat simple experience and a thrifty strategies-set. Congratulations and robust success!

Angie says:

Four months ago, I was the same as you. I wanted cheap and simple. The more you look at stuff though the more you realize, no matter what you are going to spend some good cash. Depending on how many guests. We are having the most simple wedding possible and we are up to 4000 with 150 guests. I heard that now is the time to shop for dresses, since it’s their off season they are at the lowest prices. As for everything else, try online stores for things as well as in your town, sometimes they have good bargins.

Good luck.

Vanessa says:

Why don’t you buy a second hand dress, or order one from target…

The fees will be minimal to get the preacher at your church to marry you in the sanctuary… maybe a couple hundred dollars.

Follow-up the ceremony with a simple cake and punch reception. If you do not want to pay for a designer cake, you can serve cupcakes, or get a local bakery at your grocery store (Sams club or costco are good too) to bake a cake for you. At the reception you can have punch, coffee, cake, and possibly some nuts, mints, and a veggie tray/cold cuts, fruit, etc. These are all things that a local grocery store could cater for you.

Best wishes!

DJtraper29 says:

For the dress you should go to bridal shops in your area and look for an off the rack dress. You can get them really cheap. I was going to get married in December and I bought a beautiful dress off the rack for $200.00 it has a long train and lots of detail, the only problem is that I am no longer getting married in December I am getting married in June and having an outdoor wedding so a dress with a long train is out of the picture. I am actually looking to sell the dress that I bought if you are interested email me and we can work something out. My other suggestion is to look at bridesmaid dresses and see if one will work for you, a lot of them come in white or ivory. I found a Jordan Fashion dress that I will be wearing for my wedding, it is a bridesmaid dress but there is no reason it cant be a wedding dress for me.

nova_queen_28 says:

The most expensive part is going to be the food. Right off the bat, fewer guests to feed means less expense.

Do a brunch of afternoon reception with snacks only and you’re saving even more money.

Avoid alcohol and you’ll save more.

Jo-Jo says:

A good tip I can offer from my own wedding is try to find a place where you can have both ceremony and reception at the same location. [I had mine in the same room] This way you won’t have to pay for two separate locations and you can get right down to eating after the ceremony.

*~*Jon-Jon’s Mommy!!*~* says:

i’m the opposite of that but what i am finding is that my budget keeps getting bigger by the day with unexpected expenses. one way to cut cost would be to get married after the typical wedding season- which lasts from june til october. i’m getting married in november so i’ve been able to negoiate some deals that way. also you can have someone you trust and who’s food you love cater the event. you can not have any bridesmaids or flower girls.

Missy Me says:

MANY WAYS TO SAVE!!!

www.orientaltrading.com – favors, bridal party gifts & needs, as well as wedding & reception needs

Reception – Afternoon reception is cheaper than a dinner gathering; cash bar (with a wine or champaign toast ) is cheaper than open bar; family member to dj; find a good family member to be your photographer.

Utopia says:

Vegas!

Tater says:

Well there’s always David’s Bridal

Do you have any wedding advice to give to future brides and grooms about cost-cutting wedding tips? Comment below!

By: Rev Dr. Stéphanie Noircent

I've had a hysterical pregnancy before. When I was 14 years old I was raped. I was told repeatedly by hospital staff after the rape kit, and my parents that I could be pregnant even though I insisted I wasn't­. Their constant repitition made me believe it, even though the pregnancy test came back negative and my period came.

My body began changing. My belly became bigger, I didn't have my period for a while, my breasts grew, and I even started producing breastmilk. I picked out a name and I dreamt about a baby boy. It wasn't until I had an x-ray done and I asked the person if they could see a baby, that I realized I was never pregnant. She said my uterus was very small so there was no way I could be pregnant, or had been pregnant recently. What else was weird?

About 10 months after my rape, I woke up from a deep sleep to painful cramps and contractions. I knew I wasn't pregnant and couldn't be pregnant, but my body still went through false labor. Luckily it lasted only an hour or so, and not the several hours or days that labor usually lasts. It was pretty scary to wake up in that much pain and not being sure what was going on. Hysterical pregnancies can often be caused due to trauma, and mine was probably my body's traumatic response to the rape. It did feel like a loss, because I did believe I was pregnant because of how drastically my body changed just like pregnancy.

For many years it was hard for me to admit that my pregnancy was hysterical, because I felt shame. I felt as if I was stupid to believe I was pregnant even though I had a negative pregnancy test and my period came. I didn't want people to think I was stupid or crazy. I'm at a place in my life now where I feel comfortable enough to talk about it, because it does happen and it isn't often talked about.

By: Rev Dr. Stéphanie Noircent

Why waste time worrying about how you will afford a full-priced makeup artist? These looks can be done by any makeup professional, even students!

Steps to achieve the look of your dreams:

-Look up the makeup style that you want on a search engine images. Browse Pinterest and makeup pages until you find the one that is perfect for you!

-Print out your look.

-Look up makeup artist schools and beauty schools. Select one closest to you.

-Make an appointment with a teacher and ask if any of the students would be interested in their first gig. This would allow them to have clients on their portfolio and when they graduate, they will already have some experience!

-Find a student that is willing, and negotiate a price with them. It should be substantially lower than a full-priced graduate!

-Show the student the photos.

-Relax and count down til your wedding is here!

Here are examples of beautiful yet simple looks for your gorgeous wedding:

Natural look features makeup done to compliment and mimic your skin tone. You would use a lipstick shade similar to yours with a clear gloss, some eyeshadow slightly darker than your complexion, some contouring and highlighting and some blush.

Cat eyes includes winged eyeliner and strip lashes to really give you eyes that pop. 

Eyeshadow in different colors can make the colors of your bouquet pop, and bring out the natural color of your eyes. 

Smokey eye is a more seductive look that makes your eyes appear bigger and it's a more dramatic look.

If you are good at doing your own makeup, you can always search for makeup tutorials. There are thousands on Youtube alone. Type in what you’re looking for, whether it’s with blue eyeshadow or fake lashes, and you are sure to find your perfect look!

Do you have any ideas for frugal makeup for brides? Share below!

 By: Rev Dr Stéphanie Noircent

I share a lot about myself on this blog. I feel comfortable being myself and coming out of my shell through writing. There are still a lot of things to know about me. Here are 10 facts about me that you probably don't know unless you're in my immediate family.

Never broke a bone. The closest I came was a chipped tooth and bruised ribs. I'm not sure if it's because my parents encouraged both my brother and I to drink at least one glass of milk a day, but he and I both have never broken a bone in our bodies. It's pretty incredible since I fell off a horse, fell off my bike at a high speed and jumped off from a high tree, as well as flew straight into the air after jumping off a swing while swinging the highest possible. I easily could have broken a bone if my bones were less strong, but miraculously I never broke a bone.

Weight struggle. I struggled with my weight starting when I was about 12 years old. I was told by my pediatrician that I was about 25 lbs overweight and needed to lose some weight. It wasn't until he said this and I went back to school, that I started noticing that the girls in my school were skinnier than I was. I was 165 lbs and my doctor wanted me to be at 145 lbs max. The first time I was able to lose weight, I did some simple changes. I stopped taking seconds during meals, and I didn't finish my plate if I wasn't hungry anymore. I would serve myself smaller portions, and I started walking the dog twice a day and I went on a 20-minute run with him. While watching TV after finishing my homework, I worked out. I did lunges, sit-ups, push-ups, and squats. I became so good at it that I beat the boys in both track in gym class and push-ups and sit-ups. I did reach 140 lbs but only for a day. I fluctuated between 141 lbs and 150 lbs throughout the rest of my adolescence, but once my doctor saw me he knew I was at a healthy weight and he didn't bother me with losing weight again. I stayed around the 150-155 lbs range until my first pregnancy. 

I prefer horror movies. This started in my teens. My parents liked watching scary movies, and my brother would jump-scare my mother and I by hiding in places and jumping out and yelling. After years of this, I eventually became immune to jump-scares, I just looked at him like ''really, again?'' so he stopped because it was less fun for him, but he kept going with my mom. Watching scary movies I watched my mom jump, or even a boyfriend or friends jump while I stayed calm the whole time. I watched a bunch of scary movies to see if any could scare me, and I have yet to find one. I like them because they don't give me jump-scares and I am one of those people who can watch it without having nightmares or being afraid. If anything, it's the gorey movies I don't like because I am empathetic and it just makes me cringe.

My favorite holiday is Halloween. When I was a teen I got into wearing black clothes, eyeliner, the typical goth attire. My parents vehemently disapproves when I would do makeup on my face that wandered from my eyes. My mother even forbid me to wear eyeliner under my eyes because she didn't like the way it looked. I noticed people who dressed like me and liked the same music also enjoyed halloween, but I started enjoying it more because it was the one day my mom let me go crazy with my makeup. I could paint my entire face if I wanted to. So, I began to see it as the only day of the year I was allowed to fully express myself. To this day, I still dress in costume every Halloween, and I probably will even when my kids reach adulthood. You can be whoever you want and you get to play dress up! What isn't fun about that!?

I'm a dog person. I grew up around cats and dogs my entire life, but ultimately I am a dog person. The main reason is because I hate cleaning cat litter, it stinks and becomes expensive to have to change out the entire litterbox weekly. At least with dogs, they do their business outside and I never have to clean up their pee (at least with big dogs). I prefer big dogs too, because I found out that smaller dogs often need pee pads and that is something I wasn't expecting. I would rather go outside with a plastic bag and pick up dog poop twice a day than to change the litter daily for poops and pees every day. Plus it's all outside, so it doesn't stink up the house. If someone else were to change the litter every day and replace it, I would probably perfer cats. I do like that they aren't always all over you and it makes the time they want to be with you that much more precious. I like their independence.

My dream was to be a doctor. I wanted to be an artist at first, but my father shot that idea down saying that artists don't make enough money to make a living. It was a real soul-crusher, but I knew in my heart that I wanted to do something that would help people. I thought maybe art therapy, but I did some research and I found that the medical field had a high demand. I wanted to be many things in the medical field, but the main thing I wanted to be was a doctor. If I dared to dream further, I wanted to be an OB-GYN. I wanted to deliver babies amd care for pregnant people. However, the hours and hours of work with little pay didn't mesh with my desire to start a family in my 20s. So, I never became a medical doctor, and I never will be. I thought about possibly being a physical therapist or an ultrasound technician, and I even went to nursing school for a bit. I did complete a doula course, so the pregnancy and birth aspect was still there and fulfilled. In a sense I did become a doctor, a reverend doctor. In small ways I accomplished my dream; I am a reverend doctor, I am a doula, and I have nursing experience.

I used to hate documentaries. They were the most boring types of movies ever, when I was younger. I was, and still am, very much into action movies. It's all I would watch for a long time, I liked the thrilling aspect of fast-paced movies and television series. Recently however, I actually choose to watch most documentaries that show up on Netflix. The ones that pop up in my feed are almost always something I would be interested in watching. Whether it's crime, historical or political, I seem to enjoy learning about these things. I have always had a love of learning, and just being able to sit back and cuddle on the couch while learning something new is the perfect way to do it.

I avoided comedy. I had tried watching comedies or comedians for a while growing up, but I was never really into it. It was hard to make me laugh out loud, I would maybe giggle inwardly a few times but that was it. This became an issue in later relationships because as it turns out, two of my most serious relationships, the man ended up loving comedy. Each of them would ask me to watch a comedian with them and I was bored out of my mind. I didn't find anything funny and I would refuse to watch more. The first time I started liking comedy is when I watched Adam Sandler movies. My brother also introduced me to Family Guy, and at first I found that humor stupid and offensive. After watching it over and over again, I started to see some of the humor in the tv show. I watched a few American Pie movies and as I reached adulthood and understood the sexual jokes, I started to understand movies more. My high school friend introduced me to FlufeeTalks and I found him hilarious. These were the only times comedy were part of my life in most of my 20s. It wasn't until a few years ago that it became part of my life daily, if not weekly. I got into Laura Clery with her viral flirting videos, and I ran into some prank videos by Charles And Alyssa and the ridiculous videos by Ginger Billy. I am subscribed to them all and I enjoy watching their videos. I watch comedy movies too, and I also enjoy Kevin Hart. Who knew?

I considered being a volcanologist. In seventh grade, science class was one of my favorites. We learned all kinds of things like earthquakes, cells, and volcanoes. I became so mesmerized with volcanoes and I told my mom that I wanted to be a volcanologist. I would look in my textbooks and see people in protective gear taking samples near an erupting volcano and I said, I want to work there. I learned all about the magma and the rock formations, sulfur, all of it. To this day, earth science still facinates me. Why didn't I become a volcanologist? They aren't exactly colleges teaching this around where I lived and live now, and it turns out extreme heat flares up my eczema.

I used to hate pizza. Oh, how I used to dread seeing pizza boxes coming my way! I hated tomatoes with a passion and tasting that tomato sauce and sometimes tomato slices in there was too much to bear. I hated olives, the onions they used, the peppers, pretty much everything on a pizza. It was hard to get invited to parties after I avoided several pizza parties because of the pizza part. There was nothing about it that I liked when I was a kid. When I would tell people, they were always so shocked. They couldn't believe that out of all the things in the world to dislike, I disliked pizza. To this day I never met another person who dislikes pizza. Thankfully I grew to love it, but to this day my favorite type of pizza is cheese.

There you have it, 10 things you didn't know about me! What about you? What would people be surprised to know about you? Comment below!