Featured Blogger Friday

I am so excited to have Featured Blogger Friday back!  As a blogger who’s been in the business for 5 years, I love “giving back” by putting other bloggers in the spotlight.  It also gives me a chance to get to know other bloggers out there in the ever-growing blogosphere!  Today, I’m excited to feature Valerie from Mama Knows It All! 

– Link to blog http://valmg.com
– Link to Facebook http://facebook.com/valmg
– Link to Twitter http://twitter.com/valmg
– Link to Pinterest http://pinterest.com/valmg
– Link to Google+ https://plus.google.com/u/0/109217155267570947184/posts
– Link to Instagram http://instagram.com/valmg

What is the name of your blog How did you come up with your blog name?

The name of my blog is “Mom Knows It All”. It was originally named “I Know EVERYTHING – just ask my hubby” because many times when my husband and I had a conversation he would look at me and says “well of course, you know everything”. Eventually it just became “Mom Knows It All”.

What do you talk about on your blog?

I blog about everything except food, since I have a food blog for that. Along with reviews, I write about Down syndrome, special needs, weight loss and Lap band surgery, our cat and rock music.

How long have you been blogging? 

I started blogging in March 2005. If you could call what I did then blogging. I look back now and laugh because sometimes it was only one phrase or sentence, and almost never any pictures.

What got you started with blogging?

I started blogging because I wanted a way to keep my brother who was in the service and stationed in California up to date.

What do you love about blogging?

Everything. Blogging provides a great way to communicate and share, way to meet and make relationships with new people and learn about many new things. Also, blogging and love for social media is what made me realize that I love this and it’s what I want to do not only for fun but as part of a career.

What is your favorite blog post you’ve written in the past year?

Past year, and just one. Hmmm. Probably one of these two.
http://www.valmg.com/index.php/2013/all-i-want-is-something-beautiful-do-you-want-something-beautiful-too/
http://www.valmg.com/index.php/2013/our-kids-are-more-alike-than-you-think-worlddsday-world-down-syndrome-day-ndss/

Tell us about you. Do you have siblings?  Are you in a relationship or married? Do you have children?

I turned 47 last week. I am very close with my parents and would be lost without them. I have three younger brothers. I’ve been married for 27 years. I have two sons. My oldest is 17. My youngest is 14 and has Down syndrome. I am the founder and president of a nonprofit. I am president of the PTO for my youngest’ school. I’m currently pursuing a BA in Communications. I love rock music.

Where do you live?  (i.e. city and state – you can limit it to the state if you want to)

I live in Brick, NJ – basically “ground zero” of our area for Hurricane Sandy, minutes from all the scenes the world saw on tv such as the roller coaster and the bay meeting the ocean

What is the best place you’ve ever traveled to?

I’d like to travel more, it’s so much fun. Unfortunately, I haven’t been to too many places as an adult so at the moment I’d have to say it was a family trip (extended family) to Disney back in 2006.

What is your favorite movie?

That’s a hard question. Can I list three? Meet The Parents, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, and Alice In Wonderland. I love Disney movies, especially the animated ones.

What is your favorite food?

I love cheesecake.

What is your favorite holiday?

Christmas is my favorite holiday. I love to give people presents.

What is your favorite candy?

Jolly Ranchers (especially the blue raspberry and the watermelon). Also Everlasting Gobstoppers. You’ll almost find one or both of those in my purse at all times.

If you were on a deserted island, what 2 things would you have?

If I were stranded on a deserted island and I could only have two things with me and they weren’t my children, I would want to have an iPod with unlimited battery life full of music form the band Oleander and an iPad with unlimited battery life and tons of books and a few games.

What is your favorite candy bar?

I love KitKat bars.