What's your name? Brandi Stepp  

How did you come up with your username:Branflakes is my childhood nickname. My family still tends to call me that to this day, especially my older brother. lol. Its long for my short nickname Bran. Which is what most call me.

Can you describe yourself personality wise?  I can be rather shy and socially awkward. I'm trying to get over the shyness and I do once I become more comfortable. I like to think I have a good sense of humor. I'm a big geek.

Where are you from originally and how did you end up in Knoxville? I was born in Alabama, but I spent most of childhood traveling the country. My parents had a home and land in the middle of nowhere Arkansas. My parents decided they liked Knoxville better and we moved here when I was 15. I moved to Nashville when I was about 19, when I met the hubby. We moved back to Knoxville after Devin was born and have been here since.  

Tell us a little bit about your family: The hubs, Jordan, and I have been together for 9 years. I have a daughter, Devin who will be 8 years old at the end of April.She is homeschooled. I have a 2 year old Golden Retriever that I think of as my hairy son.

How did you find KM?I searched Knoxville Moms in hopes of finding a mommy group and I found KM.

What is your favorite forum in KM and why? The Mommy Forum because it is most active and since it is where most discussions take place its where everyone really gets to know each other, tell their stories and laugh.

What do you like best about KM? I like that KM gives moms an oppurtunity to get out of the house, make friends and have some adult conversation as well has giving the kids something fun to do.

Can you share your favorite memory of your children? I have so many, but I think the funny memories are my favorite. When Devin was, I think, 3, my brother had gotten her a whoopie cushion. It was the first thing she opened, and he showed her what to do with it and she thought it was the best. She laughed so hard, her face turned red and tears were rolling down her eyes. She was so happy with it she wouldn't open the rest of her presents, she was too busy playing with her whoopie cushion. It was a simple inexpensive gift that is her most favorite possession to this day.

Are you a part of a committee or leadership on KM and if yes, what do you like about it? I am an Area Group Moderator for the North Knox County area group. By talking to other moms from this forum I'm learning more about my area and places I have not yet been too. I have a habit of only going to the same familiar places that I'm comfortable with. I'm really looking forward to planning future events at those locations and that gives me more of an oppurtunity to get out and explore.

What did you do before you became a mom? I worked in retail for a couple of years. When the hubs and I got to together I became a homemaker and a mom.

What do you like to do when you have a few hours to yourself? I like to prop my feet up and catch up on my favorite tv shows or play a video game.

Do you have any hobbies? Gaming. I love playing video games.

What is your favorite food? Steak. Filet Mignon, ribeye, t-bone. Either one of those. I would eat steak everyday, if I had it my way.

Name one item you could never live without. I would have to say my xbox. I play at least a few minutes of game everyday even if thats all the time I can get in. I also use it to watch netflix and hulu to catch up on tv shows.

If you could tell everyone on KM one random thing about you what would it be? I'm very clumsy. I trip on my own two feet daily. I've had to learn to be able to laugh at myself because of that.

 

What's your name? Ann Tolbert 

How did you come up with your username: Well, mama, because I am one! Chef, because I used to be a Pampered Chef consultant, and I like to cook! 1528 started a long time ago while Jeff and I were dating, 15th is for my birthday (july 15th) and 28 for Jeff's birthday (Oct. 28).

Can you describe yourself personality wise?  Kinda shy until I get the opportunity to know people, then I'm kind of chatty!.

Where are you from originally and how did you end up in Knoxville? I was born and raised in So. Indiana. I came to Knoxville for college, graduated from Johnson Bible College and got married a month and a half later and we've been here ever since! 

Tell us a little bit about your family: Jeff and I have been married almost 14 years. He works at Johnson, where we both graduated from, and I write curriculum for a special needs ministry based out of my home town. We have 3 kids...Caleb is 11, 12 in April...he is our sports fanatic! Abbie is 8 1/2 and our dancing queen Levi is 10 months on the 5th and full of energy!!! We/I homeschool the big kids and run them all over the place for all of their activities...it's a busy life, but I love it!!!

How did you find KM? A very dear friend of mine moved to VA about 5 years ago, and she got connected to her community via Fredricksburg Mommies. She encouraged me to check out KM, so I did, and the rest is history!

What is your favorite forum in KM and why? I think it's different forums on different days really! It honestly depends on what's going on in my life on that particular day! Maybe I'm struggling with one of the kids, or homeschool is not going well, or I just need some humor to lighten my day...if my day is pretty good, I'll hang around the Mommy Forum to see how everyone else is doing and catch up on the weeks QOTD! Ya know, I might be a little ADD!!!

What do you like best about KM? It might sound a little cliche, but the friendships! I've made some very dear friends from my years here that I may not have had the opportunity to meet otherwise!

Can you share your favorite memory of your children? Oh man!!! Just one??? Actually, I guess one of my favorites was seeing all 3 of my kids together for the first time! It was truly a beautiful moment!

Are you a part of a committee or leadership on KM and if yes, what do you like about it? I am the Social Media Promotions Manager! I like it because I get to volunteer to help out this wonderful place despite my busy schedule!

What did you do before you became a mom? Well....I slept a whole lot more! LOL!!! I was still working for the special needs ministry, but on a full time basis.

What do you like to do when you have a few hours to yourself? Read, go on a date with my husband, marathon grocery shop.

Do you have any hobbies? Read, craft (mainly sew or crochet)

What is your favorite food? haha!!! The better question is what DON'T I like...which is brussel sprouts, green peppers, blue cheese and liver! Otherwise, I will eat pretty much anything! But if I really need to pick a favorite...dark chocolate!

Name one item you could never live without.I can't believe I am going to say this, because I was NEVER going to be THAT girl!!! My cell phone! It's got everything! My phone numbers, my Bible app...it is my lifeline to other adults! It's true! I have become dependent!

If you could tell everyone on KM one random thing about you what would it be? I am a compulsive over packer! I've discovered this more now that we have a baby again! There is this voice in my head that always tells me...YOU MIGHT NEED THIS!!!! So I pack it! And we only ever use about half of what I pack, BUT...my compulsions have saved us on more than one occasion too!