Knoxville Moms

:: Assistant Graphic Designer ::

Jenny, Senior Contributor

Hi, I’m Jenny and I am not from East Tennessee.  But I do love calling it home!

I actually grew up in a small town in Kansas where I had quite a view from the center of the country. I spent much of my childhood traveling (or dreaming of traveling) so it was no surprise that I ended up in Southeast Asia after college. For the better part of six years overseas, I lived an incredible life: I met my husband, learned two languages, ran three half marathons, and became the person I was created to be. But I never dreamed that my greatest adventure would come in 2011 when I gave birth to our first child, Penelope.

Now, in our new life back in Tennesse, my husband is a corporate accountant while I am work-at-home Mommy to Penelope and Eldon. We live on the edge of Blount County where we love serving and being a part of our church and little community. In my free time I love drinking coffee (alone or with friends), serving on the PTO, and sneaking away to the mountains with my kids- partly to relive my memories of former adventures, but mostly to create beautiful new ones!

:: Project Manager ::

Beth, Senior Contributor

Who needs to climb mountains, jump out of airplanes or go deep sea diving when you’re living with a preschooler and a baby?  Not me! All the adrenaline pumping adventure I need is at home sweet home.

Hello, I’m Beth.  I’m a former TV news producer turned stay-at-home mom to my loving daughter Madeline and sweet son Bennett. I’m wife to my funny (and patient) husband Andy.  And I can’t leave out our fur kid Reagan.  She’s a very friendly—and did I mention very tolerant?—black lab.  We call the LC (aka Lenoir City) home.  As a family, we enjoy grilling, gardening and exploring East Tennessee and beyond.  While I may stay at home, Madeline, Bennett and I strike out in our minivan nearly every day to one of our fun activities with new and old friends.

I’m a coffee addict, book lover, fashion-phile, occasional cook and bargain hunter. My guilty pleasures include Pinterest and bad reality TV.  I believe a sense of humor is an essential survival skill!  I hope my musings on being a mama—whether it’s practical information or matters of the heart and spirit—resonate with you.  Please join me on this exciting journey and follow my posts here on the Knoxville Moms Blog. I also serve as the “Momambassador” for the Lenoir City/Loudon KMB Neighborhood Group.  I look forward to getting to know you!

Lauren, Senior Contributor

Hey y’all!  I’m Lauren and it’s so nice to meet you!  I’m married to my college sweetheart and am a mama to four precious children.  Three of my children are here with me and one is in Heaven.  Our second child passed away shortly after birth.  My husband, Tommy, and I have adopted two girls out of foster care, and we are constantly learning how to be the best parents to all of our kids with their special needs.  About a year after our son passed away, I launched Project Gabriel in honor of our son to reach women who had also lost a baby.  In my free time, I love cheering on the Tennessee Vols, expressing my love of Tennessee falls, being outside, blogging, and wearing boots. I blog at Adventures of Jack and Me.  Also check out my organization Project Gabriel.

Kara, Senior Contributor

Mary Beth, Senior Contributor

Hey, I’m Mary Beth! My family moved to Knoxville when I was 6 weeks old, and I just never had the heart to leave. My parents raised me to love God, honor family, and cheer on the Vols! I met my husband, a PK (pastor’s kid) from Illinois, during my senior year of high school and never looked back. My plans for my life did not include getting married at 20 nor starting a family at 22, but if there is anything I have discovered in the last few decades, it’s that my plans pretty much never work out. I am learning to trust God as I go.

After graduating from Maryville College, I went through a semester of grad school at UT and several different jobs trying to find myself in the professional world. Shortly before having my 3rd child, I finally took the plunge to become a full-time stay-at-home mom. Ten years later, being a SAHM is officially the longest job I’ve ever held down, and I think I deserve a raise! We welcomed our 4th child in 2015, and let me tell you, it has been a whole new experience.

I am a boring cook, a wildly mediocre crafter, and a sometimes-when-I-feel-like-it gym rat; mostly I consider it a win to keep everyone alive and fed every day. I love to tell stories, I try to be funny, and I always keep it real. You can read more from me at Unthank You Very Much. I hope to help you get a little laugh and maybe not feel so alone in this mothering ordeal. I’m looking forward to connecting with you!

Stephanie, Senior Contributor

Crystal, Senior Contributor

Hi there! I am Crystal and I am an East Tennessean/Knoxville native…sort of. I actually was born in Detroit, Michigan but moved to Knoxville at age 14 and have been here ever since. I am a graduate of the University of Tennessee and love everything about our great region, especially the southern hospitality. I recently transitioned from a SAHM of 6 years to a full time WIC nutritionist. I love helping women make healthy choices for their families and supporting breast feeding moms.

I am wife to Matt, mom to Billie in college, conjoined twins Joshua and Caleb (12 years in heaven), and Harper Grace (age 8).

As a family we love to snow ski, tent camp, hike, and play on the lake. Some of my favorite things are ice cream, reality TV, cool fall days, boots, and scarves! I spend my free time cooking, reading, writing, sewing, and supporting others through difficult pregnancies, infant loss, and premature births. I love to share my nutrition knowledge with others, as well as spread awareness about colon cancer and conjoined twins. You can find me sharing my heart on my blog at Miracle Twin Boys. I am so honored to be a part of this Knoxville Moms team, and can’t wait to get to know all of you!

Andrea, Senior Contributor

Hey Ya’ll,

Okay, that is still going to take a little while to get used to…

I’m Andrea, a very new-to-Knoxville transplant. Born and raised outside of Chicago, IL with a stint in Boston for college and study abroad experience in Spain, you can definitely say moving to the South is a great new adventure for us!

My husband and I share a passion for travel and the great outdoors. We discovered the Smoky Mountains about 5 years ago and completely fell in love. When a job opportunity arose in the Eastern Tennessee region, we jumped at the chance. This area feels like a “vacation” to us, with all of the incredible outdoor opportunities it has to offer. We are so excited to get out and explore it with our 4-year-old son and 15-month old boy/girl twins. We truly love it so far and continually marvel at how niceeveryone is down here!

With our fresh start here in TN, I decided to pursue my passion for writing by starting my blog, Stroller Savvy where I talk about all things motherhood. Being a mother is more incredible than I ever dreamed, and even though our days are utter chaos riddled with exhaustion, I wouldn’t have it any other way.  I am truly honored to join the ranks of the KMB team- an incredible resource that has made the transition to Knoxville far easier.

Can’t wait to meet ya’ll! (How many times do I have to say it until a habit forms? And please don’t “bless my heart”- I’ve learned what that means!)

Katherine, Senior Contributor

Hi friends!  I’m Katherine, a mom of 3 year old twins and a fur baby named Peter (the sweetest beagle in the world).  My husband Jay and I have been married for almost 12 years and we had no idea what we were in for when we became parents.  Any time I tell people that we have twins I hear a few things right off the bat: 1. You must have your hands full! 2. Do twins run in your family?   It’s true that we always have our hands full but, more importantly, we always have our hearts full too.  No amount of books or advice could’ve prepared me for what life is like with twins but it’s the best thing that has ever happened to me.  The moments these two share and the bond they are forever creating is why I get up every morning and hug them so tightly.  And no, twins did not run in either of our families – we used fertility drugs.  And it was a painful long road to meeting the kids we had always dreamed about but boy was it worth it!

My husband and I met in college and were married months after graduating.  We went to Berry College – a small liberal arts school in GA.  After graduation we lived in Atlanta for a few years, I got my Master of Arts in Professional Writing, and then I was ready to return home.  I grew up in Clinton, TN and while the small town charm made me ache to leave as a high schooler, it also beckoned me home as someone who had learned that being close to my family was way more important then almost anything else in this world.  I just missed them too much! But Clinton seemed a little too small for my Atlanta raised husband so Knoxville was the perfect compromise.  We are so happy to call this place home.  And don’t worry, he’s a Vol fan too!

When I’m not chasing my 3 year olds who are undoubtedly chasing my dog, I am working as a photographer.  To say it is my dream job is an understatement.  I love to capture the emotion of weddings and families and create images that burst with love.  And I’ve been doing it for almost 10 years now, which almost feels impossible.  But yes, juggling some little ones and a small business has a lot of challenges too.

I love me some real hot yoga, broadway musicals, road trips with my girlfriends, anything chocolate, snuggles by a campfire, and days warm enough for bare feet.  I’m really looking forward to sharing some of my journeys with you!

Ashley G., Senior Contributor

Single mama to Maddox, Walker, and Finn; working from home running a small furniture restoration business and teaching voice lessons at a local non- profit. Downton Abbey was my gateway drug, fueling a British period drama addiction I’ve not yet recovered from. Will frequently stop in the middle of the road to rescue furniture and turtles. I love Biltmore Estate, fuzzy socks, summer, and I sleep with too many pillows. At any given time I have had the same load of laundry in the washer for 3 days. Caffeine is my love language, Charleston SC is my happy place, and it’s never too early for wine. If I tag you in memes, my love for you is deep and real. Livin’ large in a tiny stucco bungalow in North Knoxville with all these boys, Charlotte the Yorkie, Ladybird the Beagle mix, and Spongebob the immortal 4 year old goldfish.

Jenny P., Senior Contributor

Hello! My name is Jenny and it’s wonderful to meet you. I grew up in East Tennessee and graduated with a BFA from the University of Tennessee. Go Vols! I met my husband, Nathan, during our time as collegiate runners. We love calling Knoxville our home and raising our two boys, Caleb and Noah here. In addition, we both own local businesses in our community. You can follow my adventures in life and shopkeeping at @shopbpm and @xoxo_jennyleigh on Instagram.

My passion for art and creativity runs deep. I made my love for good design into a full time business in 2013 when I opened my lifestyle shop, The Back Porch Mercantile, located in Bearden. I am blessed to have assisted many people in our community with creating beautiful spaces that they love. My other favorite job is being Mama to my sweet and active boys. They keep me busy with their love for the outdoors and crafts!

Some of my favorite things are traveling, gardening, running, design, art, local places of interest, pets and the lake.   I can’t wait to start blogging again with The Knoxville Mom’s Blog and picking back up with my past blog on www.thebpmercantile.com.

Autumn , Senior Contributor

Hey everyone!  I’m Autumn Longmire. My family and I live in Campbell County-about an hour north of Knoxville. We live on a big farm in a cozy home with our dog, Polly. My husband, Luke, is an auctioneer and filmmaker. Lately, he’s been writing and directing short films (one of which was a winner in a Knoxville film fest!). He is the backbone of our family and the biggest supporter in my journey through motherhood as a working mom.

I am a teacher with a bachelor’s degree in K-6 education and a master’s degree in instructional leadership. I currently teach kindergarten and yes- I have the patience of Job. I love building relationships with families and working as a team to build confidence in children. I have 3 children of my own- Amelia, Lincoln, and Arthur. I love to write about them. They are as different as night and day, and I love them with every fiber of my being.

We attend the West End Church of Christ where I assist in teaching Sunday school. We love to plan events and activities in the church to build confidence in young learners. I would have to say Joy from ‘Inside Out’ describes my personality. I get my happiness and joy from the Lord, who keeps and sustains me [Psalm 54:4].

Christine, Senior Contributor

Hey, y’all! I’m an adventurous wanderer who put down roots here in East Tennessee back in 2014. My little family moved here from the wilds of suburban Alaska in 2014. We love exploring Knoxville and the surrounding areas, especially the Smoky Mountains.

I’m a freelance writer and teacher who loves looking at the mountains when my nose isn’t in a book. I’m a mom to two bookish kids, a wildly clingy dog, two cats, and a fish I’d be in trouble for not mentioning. Since becoming a mom, I’ve been able to add Lincoln Log architect, LEGO contractor, and mediator to my resume. I’ve always been a bit of a jack of all trades, as I’ve been a tutor, teacher, circus instructor, bookseller, amateur baker and, of course, writer. I remind myself of this as I tell my kid not to sit on my other kid’s head while stopping the dog from chasing the cat and the other cat from jumping on top of the fish tank.

I have a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing and am currently pursing my Master of Fine Arts while keeping all these creatures who live in my house alive. I survive on coffee, writing fiction, reading, Disney, and snuggles. You can read more of my work at www.pawprintsinthesink.com.