The Cast from the Web Series, "Unplanned Motherhood"

I want to introduce to you the cast of Unplanned Motherhood. I started this web series with an idea to write a book. My friends kept telling me to write a book based on my family because my five children are hilarious. I must admit they are pretty darn funny. So instead of writing a book, I decided to create a web series based on my life. Each episode is derived from an actual event. Each child in the web series is in some way a version of my own child.

So I want to introduce to you, my children. Well, my "fake" children. And the talented actress that plays my best friend. They are unique and funny and the actors that play them are extremely talented. So welcome them with a hello or stop by one of their social site and wish them luck! They truly deserve it. And don't forget to tune in on March 28th on Youtube!!! You catch a sneak peek now at the bottom of the post. :-)

Stefani Colvin aka Brooke
Stefani Colvin plays Brooke, a twelve year old with a teenage attitude. She wants the protection of her mom, yet wants to assert her own independence. She's trying to find her way as a big sister and a pre-teen, and in doing so, struggles with finding her identity. She wants her privacy, but doesn't understand the concept of giving the same to her mother. Brooke is a funny character because she is the antitheses of what she doesn't want to be.

Stefani Colvin is a smart, creative fourteen year old that loves to sing and act. She is a member of the junior national honor society and a self defined fashionista. She is a child model for Alabama Fashion Alliance and has experience in print and runway. She has been in three music videos and local theater. She loves horse back riding, shopping, photography, outdoor activities and hanging out with her friends.



Aidan Heuer plays Spoon
A ten year old boy with special needs. He is sweet kind hearted soul that only wants to what is fair. What keeps Spoon grounded is the constant need to carry around a spoon that he repeatedly taps on the palm of his hand. He's carried the spoon since he was a toddler, hence the name Spoon. You will love Spoon because what he cares about most is his family and his spoon, and you don't want to mess with either of them. And he has some really great dance moves too.

Aidan Heuer is 11 and likes to remind his mom that he is "almost 12, which is almost a teenager." He will be in the 7th grade next year. Aidan is making his first on screen debut as "Spoon". He has been dancing for numerous local audiences for the last 4 years, as well as modeling for Alabama Fashion Alliance. He enjoys performing on any stage. In his free time he likes playing football (his team went 8-0 and played in the National Championship in Orlando, FL) basketball. He is also a huge Xbox fan. Aidan is a natural comedian and has been entertaining his family and friends since he was a toddler.

Grayson aka Deacon
Deacon is a fast-talking eight year old who thinks he can get the one up on his mom at all times. He also believes he's a lady magnet and seizes every opportunity to drop a pick up line on a cute girl. He is very protective of his siblings. He and Spoon often get into trouble together, with Deacon being the mastermind. Grayson is a funny mischievous character with a charming personality.

Grayson Thorne Kilpatrick became interested in acting after meeting a fellow actor Grayson Russell from Diary of a Wimpy Kid. Grayson was extra on Space Warriors that was filmed Space and Rocket Center. Since then Grayson had been taking Acting Classes at Hollywood Huntsville under Bill and Ayoka Billions. Grayson loves playing Mindcraft, playing football, riding his bike and taking Karate classes under Master Jay at Alexander Martial art. Grayson loves watching Disney XD and Nickelodon, in the fall he love watching SEC College football and a huge fan of Alabama Crimson Tide.


Ari plays Ari
Ari is a percocious five year old who loves playing the role of big sister to her baby sister Sonny. Ari has a bubbly personality and adorable smile. She takes pride in helping her baby sister and her mom. She has a unique style as most five years old do. She insists on dressing herself and often doesn't match her clothes. This five year old is destined to be a fashionista someday. You'll love her bubbly spirit and her stylish choices.

Ari Heuer is 6 years old and will be a second grader next year. This is Ari's first on screen debut and she is very excited to be part of the cast. Ari enjoys dancing, singing playing with her American Girl Dolls and Build a Bear stuffed animals. She also enjoys modeling with Alabama Fashion Alliance. She loves watching movies and spending time with her family and friends. Ari is certainly a spunky out going little sweetheart.


Morgan aka Sonny
Sonny is the baby of the family. She is four years old and has a peculiar way of deciding if she likes someone. She often trails behind Ari and tries to be a big girl. Wherever Ari goes, Sonny is not far behind. The two sisters are inseparable and together can create an adorable mess for their mom to clean up.

Morgan Hamilton is 4 years old. She enjoys dance, singing, school, helping mommy cook, and playing dress up. She has danced since the age of 2. She's funny, loves to talk with a bubbly personality. Also, she loves eating chicken. Lol!! This is Morgan's first time acting and she says, "she loves it!"









Ashley as Sarah
Sarah is Layla's best friend and sister-in-law. She is Layla's rational side when Layla gets a crazy idea. Sarah is a genetic scientist that teaches online classes in order to stay home with her kids. She is married to Marcel, Layla's brother, which often resorts in Layla giving Sarah advice on how to deal with Marcel. The two best friends come up with the craziest theories and often play them out to see who is right. Sarah is smart and intelligent but usually over analyzes most every situation. When Layla wants best friend advice, Sarah often gives medical explanations instead. And when Layla gives Sarah advice, it often backfires on Sarah, resulting in Sarah having to step out of her comfort zone. Sarah's character is the best friend we all have, the one that gets us out of trouble or gets in trouble with you.

Ashley Coughlin grew up in theater and enjoys writing. She studied acting with Ed Crick (Knight Rider) and Regina Moore. She published three books: one softcover under Ashley Hargrove called Beneath the Water's Calm and two Kindle editions under Ashley Coughlin: In the Hands of a Vampire and Just a Bit of a Christmas Miracle. She recently completed an reenactment project for the 700 Club, a couple of short films and continue to improve her craft of acting and writing.

Video Unplanned Motherhood Web Series "Sneak Peek"

Hi all,

Here's a sneak peak at my new web series, Unplanned Motherhood. It features myself as a wife and mother of five named Layla. As well as Stefani Colvin as my twelve year old daughter Brooke, Grayson Kilpatrick as my nine year old son Deacon, Aidan Heuer as ten year old Spoon, Ari Heuer as five year old daughter Ari and Morgan Hamilton as my four year old daughter, Sonny. It was truly an amazing blessing to work with these talented young actors. They did an awesome job. We plan to start working on Season 2 this summer. But we must get Season 1 out there for everyone to see. Please support us by watching the sneak peak below, by liking us on Youtube and by leaving a comment on  our Youtube channel.

The debut of Unplanned Motherhood is March 28th. It takes more than one person to create a web series worth watching. This web series is like my baby. And I need you my supporters, my village, to help me raise my baby.

Please support us. And hope you enjoy! Share this post, share the video, share the Facebook fan page. Stop by and tell us what you thought or just leave an encouraging word for these talented young stars.

Morgan Hamilton, Stefani Colvin, Grayson Kilpatrick, Aidan Heuer and Ari Heuer

Wordless Wednesday with Linky

I've been recuperating from one of many surgeries I've had this year and I apologize for not responding to comments. I'm going to go through all of them this week....promise.

This week my thirteen year old daughter was inducted into the Theta Theta Sigma Rhoer Club of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc, along with eight other beautiful and intelligent young girls. I'm the advisor of this youth program for the local chapter and I was truly delighted to see them all become a part of this community service program.

I was sent a video about two young ladies belonging to Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc at the undergraduate college level. They created the video for a project for one of their college classes. It was very moving to me because so many of our young people are facing challenges and one issue that rarely gets discuss is suicide. It also touched me because they are a part of the organization that I belong to. So for this not so Wordless Wednesday, watch the video and tell me what you think. If you or someone you know needs to talk to someone please call 1-800-273-TALK for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

Remember...Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. You are loved!

Happy Wordless Wednesday and 

Don't forget to add your photo the linky list below!

Book Blast with Rachael Anderson

Rachael Anderson is the author of The Reluctant Bachelorette, Luck of the Draw, Divinely Designed and Minor Adjustments. She is currently on a blog tour hosted by I Am a Reader, Not a Writer. On October 9, 2012 she will do a guest post on my blog about her journey into the literary world and how she became published. So stay tuned and make sure you come back to read her post. In the meanwhile, you can enter the giveaway for a $50 Amazon gift card. That's a big help for your upcoming holiday shopping. All you have to do is fill out the rafflecopter form below. 

There will also be an additional giveaway up the day she does her guest post on October 9th, so come back to enter that giveaway as well for a $15 Amazon gift card and other goodies. I also posted her book trailer for her book, Minor Adjustments. Tell me what you think about it. Y'all know I'm a huge fan of book trailers and I look forward to your opinions and comments. 

Unknowingly cast as the bachelorette for her town’s charity event, Taycee Emerson wants out. Especially when she discovers her old teenage crush, Luke Carney, is one of the bachelors and it's up to the viewers--not her--to decide which bachelors stay or go. Coerced into participating, Taycee does what any self-preserving girl would do. She launches a subtle attack on Luke’s good name with the hope of getting him voted off the show. Unfortunately, Luke's an eye-for-an-eye kind of guy, and when he discovers what she's up to, it means revenge. But when their pranks go south, will they screw up any chance they have at a future together, or will they be able to forgive and forget and prove that love really does conquer all?

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Best Gift Ideas for Book Lovers

The holiday is quickly approaching. It seems like every year it goes by faster and faster. I'm not a big get out there and shop til you drop type person. Or camping out early morning for shopping deals the day after Thanksgiving for Black Friday. I usually make a majority of the gifts I give by hand. This year I'll be making homemade body butter and hair cream. I made it last year and I receive requests for more after some recipients had run out. So my twelve year old daughter and I will be making it again. It's a great way for her to learn some of these techniques to pass on to her children someday. However, as a book lover and writer, I find I often get pens for Christmas from other family members. Don't get me wrong, I like pens when they aren't your normal Bic pens that come twenty in a pack (*hint, hint*). I've concluded that people sometimes just don't know what to get book lovers for Christmas aside from the usual books. So here are some of my suggestions for unique gifts for book lovers.

Handmade Books

There is a great selection of books out there that have been written by hand and decorated with a lovely handmade book cover. You can find lots of them on Etsy or if you want an heirloom handwritten book that is sure to impress, and money is no object, check out "The Tales of Beedle the Bard" by J.K. Rowling. This copy was handwritten and illustrated by the author herself. Six of these were made and given to her friends and editors. An auction copy was purchased by Amazon for $3.98 million dollars. That's one book that would need its own library complete with glass safe. Check out other expensive books if you have the money to spare.

Book Bling or Book Jewelry
I'm such a fan of book jewelry. My daughter and I use our mother/daughter time to make book thongs as I call them for our books or as gifts. It is a little time consuming, it takes us about three hours to make four or five book thongs, but they are so gorgeous and well worth it afterwards. And the quality time we spend together is priceless. But if you don't want to hand make your own book thongs, you can buy them at Book Jewelry or Etsy. If you want to make your own, view this how-to-video on Youtube. It's the one I used to teach my daughter. It's simple and easy.

Fun Cozy Book Furniture
This is a great gift for kids who love to read. Especially if you have a reading room or play area they can use to cuddle up with a book. I think they are adorable. Designed to look like books, they are soft and durable pieces of furniture for your kids to cozy up on and read. Go to Big Cozy Books for more info.


Literary Cruise or Reading Retreat:
Now this is a pricey gift, but I think it would be well worth it. Atleast for me. I like the idea of the Murder at Sea cruise, there are mystery authors and award winning writers on board, you can mingle at cocktail receptions, talk to them at panel discussions, have dinner or get the latest book signed without the long lines and rush. Or you could go on a reading retreat, take a few books, relax and unwind at your leisure without a cellphone, laptop or kid in sight. Ahhhhh....what a beautiful vision. To find out more about reading retreats read this great article at Salon.com. Or go to Murder at Sea for more information about booking a cruise.

A photo of a gift box I made
for a giveawayon my blog

Book Gift Baskets and Gift Boxes
I love these and I make them myself and often give them away on my blog. It's simple to do, just collect items that you think the book lover would enjoy reading, add some relaxing items to the basket and voila you have a book gift basket. You can also use a theme for your baskets. For instance if the recipient likes Paris, you could find a book box or basket that has a Paris theme and add books written about Paris or in Paris such as The DaVinci Code or France: The Hungry Traveler or add a dvd like Amelie and perhaps pastries like croissants and a bottle of French wine. For info on ordering book baskets and book boxes, contact me using the contact me tab at the top of the page or if you need suggestions email me and I'll try my best to help you make your own. :-)

What gift ideas do you have for book lovers? I'd love to hear your suggestions. :-)

Tribute to My Grandma, You Are My Friend

Posting on my blog has been a little sporadic the last several days, I've had a lot going on. And I know today is suppose to be a post of my last interview with Nikki Giovanni, however, I want to dedicate today's post to my grandmother that passed away a couple of days ago. She was a delightful hoot, but I think that's what everyone loved about her. She was at one time my primary caretaker as a child. So it's really hard to say goodbye. But she was more than a caretaker, she was a wonderful grandmother and she was my friend.

So in honor of my grandma, I am dedicating this video as my tribute to her. Heaven just got another angel and I now have another guardian angel looking over me. Have a joyful, joyful dance with Jesus grandma, shake a leg and tail feather for me.

Love always,
Your granddaughter and forever friend,
Lena

Rev 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

Stephenie Meyer on Oprah. Inspirational... Motivational.

You may not be a Twilight fan, but as a writer I am in awe of Stephenie Meyer's phenomenal success. She never wrote one single piece of work before she wrote "Twilight." So this is for all the writers that get discourage during their journey, don't give up. Success is not just for other people. We can never dream as big as God can.

Enjoy the video of the interview and I hope it keeps you motivated.

"God gives us dreams a size too big so that we can grow in them. "

J.K. Rowling Interview: Motivation, Determination

When I need a little inspiration or motivation on my literary journey, I listen to other writers and authors describe their journey to becoming successful. And when I think of success in the writing industry, J.K. Rowling always comes to mind. So here is a video of J.K. Rowling being interviewed by Meredith Veira on Dateline.

Hope it inspires you to keep reaching for your dreams.