Wednesday Wow: Getting Married In N.C.

Getting married in North Carolina? It can be something aggravating. I know first hand. My sisters are still calling me Bridezilla’. As a non-denominational wedding officiant, I wanted to remain relative`, so I asked a few friends what has the hardest part of getting married and each of them responded pretty much the same, “finding a non-denominational wedding officiant”. Turns out, not everyone wants to get married in a church. I didn’t. The other top issues centered around selecting an affordable and compatible officiant. I can help with that.

What should be included:
  • Many officiants include a get-to-know-you meeting with the couple, followed by two or three planning sessions. Most officiants provide several options for ceremony wording and structure, as well as a choice of readings. On the wedding day, the officiant arrives early, has the witnesses sign the marriage license, and performs the ceremony. Afterward, the officiant mails the marriage license to the county so it can be officially recorded, and mails a copy to the couple.

Why does it cost so much for 20 – 30 minutes of work?
It is completely understandable for couples and their guests to assume officiants earn an unusually high amount of money for simply prompting the couple through their vows and pronouncing them husband and wife, but that is only part of the story the most visible part.

Competent officiants invest time before the wedding gathering the pieces together and ensuring the desired flow of the ceremony is there. Time may be spent helping the couple customize vows, decide between a unity candle or a sand ceremony, and/or writing the opening words, a blessing. Ceremony composition is far more time-consuming than the joyful occasion itself.

Officiants are often present well before the service to calm nerves or confer with a wedding consultant, the photographer, and other wedding vendors. We are usually asked to stay for a portrait after….sometimes waiting for a long receiving line to conclude or family portraits to be taken first.
Officiants in North Carolina are also responsible for ensuring accurate completion of the marriage license and submitting it to the appropriate county clerk recorders office and there are travel and/or postage expenses associated with this responsibility.Wedding officiating is a business with accompanying expenses. Officiants must advertise, maintain home offices, have internet access, make long-distance phone calls and travel to the ceremony among other costs.
Your officiant is a professional every bit as much as your caterer and your photographer.

I would love to share Jabela: Non-denominational marriage officiant and life celebrant with you. I have been marrying couples since 2007! See more about her here—> CLICK HERE! Here’s the Facebook page: CLICK HERE!

Here’s more information:

On-Line Marriage Application Form
On-Line Marriage Application Form Only valid for 10 Days.

Us wed

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Win Harlem Globe Trotter Tickets!

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We are a Harlem Globe Trotting Family! We haven’t missed a show since 2011. Come out (again) this year!

 Their one-of-a-kind show is unrivaled in the world of family entertainment with incredible ball handling, hilarious comedy, and loads of fan interaction, including a post-game autograph signing.  

This month, they will be returning to Halton Arena at UNC Charlotte on Saturday, March 25 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.  Tickets are on sale at HarlemGlobetrotters.com and TicketReturn.com

Feel free to take a look at previous posts of the Trotters in town. Here’s 2011, 2013 and  2016

The shows are always well populated and the entertainment is great for the entire family!

 

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Want some history and good news? 

I am a stickler for learning the history and operations of “nouns” that I patronize. I did a little research on the company and was pleasantly surprised.

The Harlem Globetrotters are an exhibition basketball team that combines athleticism, theater, and comedy. Over the years they have played more than 26,000 exhibition games in 122 countries and territories. They are owned by Herschend Family Entertainment; develops and operates entertainment, tourism and hospitality properties that currently span 26 locations in ten states and is widely recognized as the premier privately held theme park operator in the U.S. The 50-year-old company is committed to creating wholesome, immersive family entertainment experiences.

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Yes, it’s a family company and their history has no dark blemishes. Yes, they can have some of my money!  Too many times we have no clue what we are supporting. Our dollars have real power. The power to keep a good thing going and the power to end it.  This is something wonderful to attend, support and enjoy!

WIN A FAMILY FOUR PACK!

EASY GIVEAWAY!!        Share something motivating that involves the Harlem Globe Trotters. Here or on our Facebook page. The winner will be a follower of this blog or ‘liker’ of our Facebook page. Increase your chances of winning by liking our other pages as well, Instagram, Twitter!

 .We will pick one random winner on January 25th and post the winner on our Facebook page. Good luck! (Tickets will be for the Spectrum Center)

Buy Your Harlem Globe Trotter Tickets Here: 

header-buy-tickets (yes, click that ball button)

 

Come out and put a smile on everyone’s face! ( Don’t bother asking me what these two are looking at. LOL!)

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“Yabba Dabba Doo” Family Valentine’s Day Party

Hello friends, I hope all is well. I know you’re about to be really busy the next couple of hours getting ready for and then getting over Valentine’s Day. Well not to hold you up, I wanted to remind you about the fourth Valentine’s celebration with your tiniest heart, the kids!

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The 4th Family  Valentine’s Day Party is THIS Saturday from 2-6pm at Pure Pizza on Central Avenue.

It’s going to be on and popping! So if you appreciate diversity, safe, affordable, healthy, and signature fun kid-friendly celebrations, this is for you!

 

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In 2014 it was Disney, in 2015- Doc McStuffins,  The Minions in 2016, and now it’s the Flinstones! Each year, we get better and attract better sponsors. The only thing that never changes is the format. We select a fun theme. One that will take the parents on a mental vacation. We then combine a vegan dessert bar, live entertainment, a DJ, a $20 shopping lane (consisting of mom & pops small business owners), and really fun games and decor! It works like magic! This year is no different! You just gotta come out and join us this year!

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This year, our sponsors are Signature Events Bags, Your Carolina CPA,  and Cassie’s Sweetz. Our fun times will be captured by Raphael from Flawless Capture Photography, the beat popping left and right by Ms. DJ-Boogie and our entertainment will be shared by Joyce Rosenblum, Health Coach & Natural Foods Chef of Natural Foods Academy

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Coming? Following? Sharing? Please use hashtag –> #QCFamilyVDayParty

Buy your family tickets on Eventbrite! Here’s the link!

 

Win a family four pack THIS WEDNESDAY at QCSupermom FACEBOOK

Be sure to like us if you haven’t already. You can also check out our Pinterest board for ideas of making your own costume! CLICK HERE!

Want to color? Here are some theme coloring pages.  CLICK HERE! 

Shucks, just click all the links I just shared. It will take you to some wonderful information!

Happy Valentine’s Day! See you there!

Jabela

 

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Wednesday Wow: I Do’ Too! Solemization

It’s Summer and officially wedding season! If you’re in North or South Carolina, I’m ya girl!

Okay, so what began as a way to bring more money into the home, has grown to something so much more. Yes, I’m creating marriages, but I’m also creating more  ways to be a part of my children life. That really excites me!

It cost me less than $200 and I can use this new asset in all 50 states for the rest of my life. To all my mama friends, readers- you gotta do it!

I’m still getting used to being called Minister Kelle, because I am a southerner, and grew up thinking of ministers sorta differently. But then I thought about it and said to myself, “Girl, you’re more real than a lot of them out there. -Girl You Good!”

So with my ordination, I can do many things.besides solemnize a wedding  I could also:

  1. Perform A Baptism/ Welcome To The World Ceremony

  2.  Preside Over A Funeral

  3. Be A Chaplain

    We can touch the lives of others in a prison or hospital. Sick and dying patients in hospitals around the country have been comforted by our church’s members, and prison officials actively encourage those who are eager to bring religion to others to come to their institutions and rehabilitate their inmates.

  4. Start A Church ( I know right? Wow!)

  5.  Ordain others

    The perfect couple for me would be laid back, spiritual but not too religious, fun loving , don’t have a church home and most times open minded.

For me, it’s important to know the couple and meet them way before they get to the altar.I want to know if couple has any religious or cultural rituals that they want to include. Do they want to break a glass? Jump a broom? Do they want to include any Buddhist poetry? Will there be any readings or songs in the ceremony? Of course I offer counseling, but it’s not required. But I will pray with the couple before the wedding and commit to pray for them all the way to the wedding day.

 And I was thinking, for now, I’ll offer my services to the moms of Queen City Stay At Home Moms at a discount as a member perk. Everyone else $220 for a basic service and rehearsal rate. I really don’t think   I would marry anyone out of the Carolina’s.
Which works out fine based on the research I’ve done already. It is said, that in

North Carolina:   Marriage Officiants:/ordained minister of any faith who is authorized to perform marriages by his church may do so.

In North Carolina, I must return the license in SC….. the couple can once completed,return the license to its office of issuance (usually by mail) within 30 days of the wedding. The license is then recorded by the state and the marriage becomes a legal binding contract.

Marriage in South Carolina is governed by Chapter 1 of Title 20 of South Carolina’s Code of Laws.

SECTION 20-1-20. Persons who may perform marriage ceremony.

Only ministers of the Gospel, Jewish rabbis, officers authorized to administer oaths in this State, and the chief or spiritual leader of a Native American Indian entity recognized by the South Carolina Commission for Minority Affairs pursuant to Section 1-31-40 are authorized to administer a marriage ceremony in this State

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HERE! Cute wedding Script- < HERE> Beautiful Wedding script.   More Wedding Info —-here

Need wedding ceremony scripts? Click here.  Here’s some fair trade companies…..
What to Ask Your Wedding Officiant Here & Here !  My last reading on the industry-here

 

Friday Four: Lessons From a Student Athlete’s Mom

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I think everyone has a story, but If I may, let me tell you why I am sitting here smiling from ear to ear.  It’s a classic story. Teen girl from a small town get pregnant and quits school to raise her child and never leaves the small town.BUT this isn’t my story!

I had a son at 16 years old. I finished college. Got married. Now I work from home . Today, that child graduates from college  with a college degree in May!

Be Happy For Where You Are.

  Be the Best At What You Are.

But Never Stay Where You Are- KLP

I will never claim to know everything. But these are four tips I want to share with you to help get through those college years with your student athlete!

  1. Provide Birth Control– Since my son was not a virgin upon entering college, stopping at the big box store to purchase supplies including a large box of condoms was on list of “Must Do!” I didn’t want to play stupid. My son is a 6’8  basketball player. Grown women ,non African american women, and everything in between was hitting on him before he left for school and I knew that attending college and left to his own desires……. it would not end. So as always, it’s better safe than sorry parents.
  2. Stay Connected like AT&T– Now there’s FaceTime, Texting, Instagram, SnapChat,  and even cheap gas (yes, I said it) While there is nothing like a care package or phone call, don’t limit yourself to those two things. Be your child’s biggest fan! You should always be his/her biggest support system. College is stressful and can be over whelming.Continue to guide your child.                           Those pressley Boys 7-6-2015 12-21-33 PM
  3. Be supportive like banker– Give them money but be very discriminate. If you were giving them allowance when they were home, continue sending them money. Unless they are at a D1 school*, where money is slipped to them (athletes) here and there, your child is gonna need money for his/ her basic needs. Yet, be smart about it. There’s nothing more regretful than paying for your child to party their way out of school. Now some kids will get little jobs while taking classes. That’s a great thing.You may still have to help with upkeep of the car and other misc things.
  4. Accept help with a crystal ball.- giWhen my son first started playing basketball, everyone wanted to “help.” Then when he felt like being a goof ball and messing up, they fled. Nothing hurts more than that, for him or myself. From that experience, I’ve learned to evaluate everyone on a individual basis. I know that everyone that smiles in our face isn’t always the best one to trust with your child. It’s true,Not everyone wants something. Finding sincerely good people can be hard at times. But when you do find someone to look out for your son – you keep them. And you make sure they know that they are appreciated. I sleep so good at night knowing that almost every game my son has ever went to, there were warm hugs and familiar smiles waiting for him in that city. Even on campus, he has a circle of people that love him for who he his. That’s a blessing!                                                             https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiGoh1BUJk4

This post was sponsored by Charlotte’s Youth Broadcasting Camp

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It’s the only full service broadcasting summer workshop for teens.

Get more details here! (If you like it, go on and register. Discounts are available now!)

Wednesday Wow: TobyMac is Back in the QC!

Every once in a while, I’ll get a job that makes scratch my head. I love adventures and discovering new things. For example, TobyMac. I have never heard of him in my life.But I’m going to his concert this week.

 I did google him and learned that he is a Christian hip hop recording artist, music producer, hip-hop and pop artist, songwriter and author. It was said that he is one of the first and best-known Christian rappers. (cool right?) TobyMac1-e1354142016269

Another awesome thing I learned about him is that he’s humble. After taking home the award for the Best Contemporary Christian Music Album for ‘This is Not a Test.’

He said, “So honored, so grateful, so humbled and soooo thankful for all who labored with me on this project. To God b the glory,” he wrote. “I try to write from real life experiences. It might be about things God’s Word is teaching me,” he told CBN News. “I always say I write about trying to stay in hot pursuit of holiness in this crazy world.”One of the main lines of the song is ‘There ain’t no practice runs in life.’ This is it…today. Don’t just intend, get on it,” he added.

I like him already! https://youtu.be/Dy1vjNWnDlM

To get into the swing of things and not feel completely odd, I youtubed some of his music. I found one that I really LOVED. It’s ‘Speak Life!’

I then asked a few of my Facebook pals which were their favorite. Below is what they said.:

 Liz A Beth ‘Do You Know’ is my fave from him.

Donna  ‘Me without you’

‘Feelin so fly’
‘Back seat’

‘Speak Life’
 ME: He’ll be in town on Friday. I gotta come up w/a contest tonight, to post tomorrow. I’ll be sure to let ya’ll know about it.
 Brittnye  Speak Life. My favorite
Donna  ‘Lose my Soul’
Okay so now I have something to work with! I maybe able to sing along at the show If I listen to them enough tonight.
So now I need your help.It’s clear that he has a reputation for putting a good song in your heart. But I wanna know, how would you describe him? If someone who has never heard about the life and music of TobyMac,what would you say? Which song would you suggest they listen too? Was he in a group before going solo? Do he have any famous friends, children, or spouse? Like QCSupermom, here, here, and pleaseeee here. THEN post it below and I’ll enter you in the contest. Winner will be announced on Thursday night. HURRY!!!!!
Show Blurb: Known for his dynamic live show, six-time GRAMMY® winner TOBYMAC and K-LOVE/AIR1 are presenting the talent-packed, multi-artist HITS DEEP TOUR. Leading the nationwide run alongside his DiverseCity Band, the multi-platinum selling artist will be joined by Britt Nicole, Colton Dixon, Building 429, Capital Kings, Finding Favour and Hollyn, promising a night of non-stop hit songs. The tour’s theme and multi-artist package will undoubtedly make for some special moments on stage. “This tour is going to be exactly what most people want to see when they go to a concert – a show where you know every song,” said TobyMac. “Big hits that hit deep! Not just hits because they are sonically a good listen, but because they’ve spoken deeply to our souls. These artists are all headliners in their own right, but we’ve come together to serve up the hits that have become a part of people’s lives.”

Wednesday Wow: Family Valentine’s Day Party GiveAway

Want to win tickets to the 3rd annual Family Valentines Day Party this Saturday in the QC? I hope so because this contest is too easy!  The perks of being a small time blogger is paying off for you.

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We are having a “Sweet Minion” Family Valentine’s Day Party! As a mom, finding affordable opportunities for my family to enjoy together is a priority. It’s rare that we go out ALL together, but when we do, it has to make sense, and it has to be safe!  This is it! We’re having:

  • A live DJ (Julie Brim)
  • A Real Magician (Houdini’s World)
  • A Vegan based Dessert bar (Cassie’s Sweetz)
  • A $5.Gift Shop  (various vendors selling brand new items for $5. or less!)
  •  Fun  games, photo opportunities 
  • A SAFE family event with Free parking! 

dj minionHere’s how to get some of these 32 tickets. If you belong to any of the following categories- read up!

Note: Theminion bakerse offers excludes goodie bags and reserved tables. We want to make sure we are serving the ones that need this the most. And because our entertainment is so amazing, we want to have a good crowd for them to absorb the loving energy!

So be sure to tag your favorite business, organization, club, and group. This is gonna be huge!

If you have a non profit, like our page and we will give you a family four pack.

If you own a daycare, like our page and we will give you a family four pack.

If you own a support group for families, like our page and we will give you a family four pack.

If you are a organizer for a mom group, like our page and we will give you a family four pack.

Give the passes to whomever you choose! This offer is for the 1st 4 industries to enter. That’s 16 people. Now for the public sector. We need more traffic. We’re new’ish.

 Don’t expect to be offered a chair when you are visiting a place where the chief sits on the floor. (Ghana)

So I have 4 family packs to give you!  And yes, for up to $80 per family in value, there’s a few things I’ll need from you. (trust me, it’s easier than you think)

  1. Like and follow–> my blog, FB, Twitter, Instagram and then comment on this post BELOW or here on the event page. The more you like, the better your chances! Fair right?
  2. That’s IT. Winners will be announced on Facebook,called & or emailed! Hurry the party is THIS SATURDAY!

See you Saturday at the hottest mom powered family event of the year!

Friday Four: Finding Chastity

Ok, yes, I know it may be strange for a teen mom like myself to bring up chastity, but YES…. I am. I mean, think about it. Who better? I think I scared my husband so much that when he found out we were having daughters, the first thing came out of his mouth was”I want to get my girls to wear chastity belts!” True story.    It was the first time I have ever heard about chastity belts, but as time past, it was shout out time after time at very interesting times ranging from self preservation to political statements.

 

Believe it or not, there was an Italian woman forced to ask firefighters to liberate her from a chastity belt because she lost the key to the contraption. The woman, who has not been named due to privacy reasons, reportedly wore the belt of her own volition to stop herself from having sexual relations. Chastity belts were long thought to have been inflicted on medieval wives in order to prevent them from having affairs, but historians now believe that they are the stuff of myth; most references to chastity belts in medieval literature are satirical. Our anonymous Italian friend, it seems, did not get the memo. If only she had guarded the key to her iron panties with the same sort of fervor that she dedicated to protecting her loins. NY TIMES

“I tried to push her away, but she wouldn’t stop until she was finished. When she was, she said, “You better not say shit to no one or else you gonna get a terrible whupping.” R. Kelly via The Black Voices

4 Ways to ENCOURAGE chastity to teens:

  1. Protect what your child is exposed.  Give the talk, but walk the walk. Our children can more easily recognize the distinction between right and wrong when we are consistent models of right behavior in all matters. So know that there are some magazines, t.v. shows. and conversations you may need to keep out their reach.

“I tried to push her away, but she wouldn’t stop until she was finished. When she was, she said, “You better not say shit to no one or else you gonna get a terrible whupping.” R. Kelly via The Black Voices

2. Be mindful of who your child is exposed to. Having the right influence around your children is detrimental. My husband and I never let our children out of our sight until they were old enough to articulate what went on around them and understood that their body was private. Our ideal influence are positive, loving (but not too loving*) respectful and non over sexually seductive -dressed person, media, t.v. programs and music..

When my niece was young, like 12,  she made it very clear that not only did she know her daughter had a boyfriend she also said that she did care.  She though because her daughter minion family partydidn’t go anywhere with the boy, that meant there was no concern for that relationship. Well guess what happened less than 3 years later? Yes, she got pregnant. While I didn’t rub it in her face or reminded  her that girls don’t go from pumps to flops. Sex was bound to happen. I thanked God that I never questioned my rules toward my daughters on having boyfriends at a young age.

3. If you haven’t already, build trust. That leads to many opportunities for discussion  and  influence on the subject. We parents have so much more power than we give our-self credit for.

4.Last but not least. Get your child involved in worthwhile activities, like music, sports, drama, and hobbies that develop talents.

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I never share pictures of gifts, but I had to share this one. Kaylah’s Sweet 16 gift arrived. Kudos to my Dad, the first man to place a ring on his granddaughter’s hand, he has definitely set the bar. Love him infinity. He said “who’s her Grandpa”!!

More great tips on teen chastity

eHere – yes, just click that 🙂

Alright ladies, keep it locked down.

Jabela!

QC Supermom’s 2015 in review

I think we’ve done pretty well. Thank you for coming along! Check out my reach. With YOUR help I made it to China and other amazing places!

Here’s an excerpt:

The concert hall at the Sydney Opera House holds 2,700 people. This blog was viewed about 8,200 times in 2015. If it were a concert at Sydney Opera House, it would take about 3 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.

Click here to see the complete report.

Friday Four: Is Your Birthday December 25th?

A lot of people are gonna hate me for this one. Some businesses will too, but it must be said. Christmas is not your child’s birthday, why do you struggle over one day? It completely defeats the spirit of the season.xmas

I had great Christmas as a child. My parents got us something every year. Not huge things, like a car or the latest sneakers but nice gifts. I remember my ET doll, the handheld Nintendo games, the Pretty Cut and Grow doll and  as I got older,  cash. Now ask me about my birthdays and I’ll tell you how special I always felt that one week in October! I’m so grateful they kept it in perspective for us.

With kids, it can be tricky and sometimes pointless to explain your budget, goals and situation. But you gotta do it. I’ve seen first hand how the good intentions of parents and other loved ones can quickly go bad. …… Yeeees, I’ll explain why.

1. Parents are teaching their children to be materialistic. If you are gonna shop, buy something they really need. Something that will make them a better person spiritually, educationally, nutritionally, physically, financially or even environmentally.

Give, Me Give Me Give Me. I know a parent that has one child. The child does no work in school or at home but trust and believe, that child has over $1200 in Christmas gifts coming to him. I asked why would you spend that much on him and he’s not doing the basic chores of being a child and the dad said because he’s my only son. After that comment, I reached for my glass of tea, like Kermit.’

2. Parents borrowing money to buy expensive gifts.  Would you believe that some parents take out loans for Christmas shopping? Showing love should never be so crippling. Debt is a form of slavery you know. slave

3 Are you really gonna give someone else credit for putting that huge smile on your child’s face? (I can’t do it. I work waaaaay to hard for that to happen)

4. You’re lying to your child.  There is no Santa! It’s ok,  to teach your children that charity begins at home.

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Langston Paterson- from South L.A.

I already know that the in laws, aunts and uncles are gonna  buy them something.  When it happens, we will  graciously accept it. Then say, “I’m surprised by your present. We had agreed not to do this, so I don’t have one for you in return.” Thank you.”  Make sure not to buy the person a gift in return (until their birthday or if out and see something really affordable that hey need or like). Your word is your word; be true to it.

To me, Christmas is about spending quality time with my family, listening to the kids play and argue, cooking with my children and getting some extra sleep while the older kids and/ my husband take the smaller kids out.  All of the years that I spent buying Christmas gifts were not lost, it just took me time to evolve into appreciating time with my family as the most important gift that I could possibly receive and give them. (After loosing a daughter you realize that time is the most precious gift! )

It’s also about serving others in need. As a matter of fact, myself and a few awesome humans are going scarf bombing this weekend in a local park.  Wanna join us? CLICK HERE!111aaa

Happy Holidays everyone!

Jabela, QC Supermom