I'm so excited to announce our April TwilightMOM of the Month - jenniesmith!!!!

She frequents our movie threads regularly and since we all have the movie filming on our brains lately, I thought many of you would like to get to know her better because you have probably seen her around.

I had such a fun time reading her answers to my questions and even found some things we have in common! I know you all will love getting to know her better!

Without further ado, I present to you, our own jenniesmith!!!



(What a cutie, huh?)


ET: Where did you grow up?

jenniesmith: I grew up in Anderson, SC. My dad was a minister at a local church for 16 years (which is a rather long stint for a minister) so we stayed in the area. I was actually born in South Boston, VA and lived there for about a year, then moved to the Raleigh-Duram area of NC for about another year and a half. I don't remember much about there (except toilet papering the inside of my parents apartment… funny story for another time) so I will just say I grew up in Anderson!!


ET: What were you like as a small child/elementary school age?

jenniesmith: I have ALWAYS been a social butterfly. I love meeting new people and rarely go anywhere without making new friends. I was a tomboy while growing up because I had a brother and I was the only girl in the neighborhood. We burned barbies for the sake of GI JOE war, made mud pies, climbed trees, and went fishing… typical southern things!! I have always loved to read and would often be found in the trees reading. If I was ever missing… they knew where to find me. My brother was always the introvert around people but in what he lacked in socialization… I certainly made up!


ET: What were you like in jr.high/high school?

jenniesmith: Again… social butterfly!! I was a nerd too- I valued education and knew that I wanted to be a teacher so I took everything seriously. Math and Science were my worst subjects so I had to try super hard in those classes. I was in band in middle school and high school (trumpet is my primary instrument but I have taught myself how to play everything else) and was VERY involved with marching and concert band in high school. I was drum major my senior year and won "Best Drum Major" at the very first contest we marched at that year. I actually have that trophy in my classroom! I loved hanging out and my parents house always seemed to be the place to go- WHENEVER… it went like this….

Football game…. Waffle house….. jennie's house


ET: Did you ever date anyone that reminded you of Edward?

jenniesmith: I think that we can all find a little bit of Edward in everyone we have dated. No where are we going to find the total package by any means, but each guy has a few of those amazing qualities. In high school I was dating a guy and was head over heals for him and he did have some of those qualities (sincerity for me, patience with me, etc.) but looking back I can't think of one guy who was Edward up one side and down the other. My husband also has some of those qualities and I love him for that… but again… Edward is my perfect man! A lot to live up to for these poor guys now!!


ET: Did you ever date anyone that reminds you of Jacob?

jenniesmith: Uhhh… yeah!!! Let me preface this by saying that Jacob is not one of my favorite characters. I find him immature, annoying, and manipulative (sorry Jacob lovers). I dated a guy in high school who was completely Jacob. Maybe that is why I don't like Jacob so much! Haha! Possessive without it being obvious, immature- oh so child like!!, and manipulative. Argh… he makes me mad thinking about him (ex and Jacob)… haha!!


ET: Any college attended and if so, what were those days like for you?

jenniesmith: I went to Anderson College (now Anderson University) for my undergrad and majored in Secondary English Education. I am graduating in May with my Master's in Education from Anderson University as well. College was quite possibly the best time of my life. It was a time when I truly found out who I was. I made some of my best friendships there and learned many lessons while in college (we don't really need to go there do we?!) But… I wouldn't trade any of it for any amount of money!!



ET: Are you married and if so, how did you meet your husband?

jenniesmith: I am married. My husband and I met in a parking lot! Chris had a car that he showed and was a member of a local car club with some of my friends. I jokingly said one night to one of my friends that I needed a boyfriend and he said, "I know just the guy!" I met my husband the next night at the local hang out (the parking lot) and the rest is history.




ET: Do you have kids, and if so, what are their names and ages?

jenniesmith: Oh yeah! I have a 2 year old little girl named Kylie Dean Smith. She is named after the legendary basketball coach from UNC Dean Smith. My husband wanted to name the baby (if it was a boy) Dean but I said "NO WAY" but agreed that if he could come up with a girl name that went with Dean we would name her Dean (we didn't find out what the baby was). The next day he came home and said "what about Kylie Dean" and all I could think of was "dang it!!"





ET: Any pets?

jenniesmith: Dog- Lita (Rottweiler) Cat- Smokie (gray and fat) and fish- Chester (Beta)



ET: Describe your life now using 3 adjectives.

jenniesmith: Outstanding, yummy (hehe…love that word!!), and joyous



ET: What are your current hobbies, interests, occupations, etc?

jenniesmith: I LOVE TO SCRAPBOOK!!! I am working on a Twilight scrapbook now and it has been so much fun. I love looking through the forums and getting ideas for what to include! It should be pretty great when I get done with it! I also love teaching. I teach 8th grade ELA and English 1. That takes up a lot of my time (obviously) between planning and grading. I love how people think that a teachers job is over when the bell rings… those people must smoke crack because I only wish it did!! No other job is as demanding and draining in my opinion… but I wouldn't have it any other way!


ET: What are your goals for the future?

jenniesmith: I would love to go on a vacation (for a week) somewhere by myself. I always wanted to travel and never did because I got married right out of college. I plan on visiting a new BFF in Oregon at the beginning of the year and doing it alone. I just want to say that I have done it. That may sound nuts… but it is something I want to do!

Also… be the best mom I can be. I would love to write a book one day but for now I am going to focus on the mom thing and take all my experiences I have had between that and teaching and continue to compile them… I should have one hilarious book one day!



Random, funky questions:

Any fun keychains on your key ring?

I have a bottle of hand sanitizer on my key ring! Haha… I am a mom and a teacher… that is as exciting and funky as you get!


List some of the songs currently on your ipod.

Unsent- Alanis Morissette
Crashed- Daughtry
At Last- Etta James
Apolocypse Now- Muse
How to Save a Life- The Fray
Popular- Wicked Soundtrack
Sway- The Puppini Sisters
Party Like a Rockstar- Shop Boys (my 2 year olds fav. S\song… yes she can sing it to you!!)
Low- Flo'rida feat. T-Pain
Hate Me- Blue October
My Immortal- Evanescence
*I just chose from a bunch!!



Any current books you are reading?

Revamping NM for the 3rd time
The Other Boleyn Girl
City of Bones



Name one piece in your make-up bag you can't live without.

Mascara



Name one thing you believe to be unique about you.

My flexibility. I am truly the most flexible person anyone can ever meet and I am not just saying that. I am continuously told that is what my friends love the most about me… flexible and go with the flow. Something may be stressful to me, but you would never know!



What's one thing you thought you'd always do or be but never have?

Travel alone!



What is the inside of your house like? Decorated? Organized? Spotless? Messy? Cluttered? Can't see the floor? Can't find the children or pets?

Right now (and I hate it because it is mainly all stuff that was give to us when we got married) my house has a country feel… again, I hate it! We are building a house now and it has a more modern/contemporary feel to it (clean lines, bold colors, etc.). It is fairly organized (minus the book shelf which looks like a monster lives there and pushes stuff around) because my hubbie likes organization… so I let him go for it! Now… when I am home and on the computer on TM the house is a wreck, so before daddy comes home we have to rush to clean up!! Hehe… don't tell him though!



What is the one thing you love best about TwilightMOMS?

JUST ONE?! I love that I have formed so many friendships on the forum that go beyond the forum. There are a few ladies that I talk to on a regular- DAILY- basis and we don't talk about things Twilight. We talk about kids, hubbies, jobs, and life. I love that I have formed friendships that I know go far beyond this book



Any closing remarks you would like to make?

This is awesome! I can't believe that we have grown so much! I joined after the first of the year and it is shocking how many members we have. I just want to thank all the ladies (and few gentlemen- hey Seany!!) who add a lot of brightness to my day everyday! I have laughed, cried, spit coke everwhere, and gone through many heat waves on this forum. Thank you TMI's and Volturi mom's for all of your hard work! You guys are amazing! Keep up the good work!

It was nice to get to know a little more about you Jennie. I hope you enjoy your trip!
Congrats on the masters too. That is quite the big deal.
I love to know an English teacher is a fan!

Wow that was fun getting to know you better. Teaching is the best profession. I used to teach until I had my daughter and it is a lot of hard work.
Have fun vacationing in Oregon.

Are we allowed to ask our own questions? Or is that not ok?
I would LOVE to get to know more about Jennie!

I am up for it!!! (if that is okay)

I really liked learning a little more about you Jennie! You have such a beautiful family!!

That was really fun to read! It's great to get to know you better Jennie!

I don't know whose idea this was, but it was brilliant!

Yes a fellow trumpet player and band member! So glad to hear about your "Best Drum Major". I am so glad to know a little more about you!

Quick question if your up to answering:
Seeing as in your a teacher, my SIL (19) is considering finishing up her degree in education, not sure in what area though, any advice you can give me to pass along to her?

yea jennie!

hummm... advice... it is a demanding job. It can look easy to some because they think "oh all you do it put up with kids all day" but you really have to have a heart for it. So she needs to make sure that this is what she wants to do for the rest of her life. It is the most rewarding job I think anyone could have because you see instantly the impact you have but also you see it later in life too. I would say if she is border-line have her hook up with some local teachers and do classroom visits. Tell her to sit in a few different classes for A WHOLE DAY. That will give her an idea of what it encompasses. I will probably think of more advice later... hehe... that is how it works, right?

ditto....I am a teacher and I totally agree. You have to be committed! (LOL sometimes I feel like I should be committed!) It is NOT a 9-5 job. It can be highly demanding and stressful AND very very rewarding and exciting! No two days are the same. No two years are the same. and No summer break is long enough! LOL! Is it june yet?

you MUST go sit in a few classes AND go volunteer in some classes. Shadow a principal. They get to see the high flying kids! : )

jenniesmith! Nice interview!! Good to get to know you some more!

That was so much fun getting to know you better!!! (My hubby is the same way...he hates clutter!)

Thanks for sharing!

Thank you! I will pass this along to her. She is still undecided as of right now, but must make her mind up by the fall semester.

Thank you! I will have to pass this along to her.

Totally fine!

This is your thread, my dear.