Sunday, April 11, 2010

5 Minutes for Mom: Ultimate Blog Party 2010

Ultimate Blog Party 2010

5 Minutes for Mom is hosting their annual Ultimate Blog Party 2010. If you don't know about 5 Minutes for Mom it's an awesome site with so many great resources for Moms and for all Women to enjoy. Their 5 Minutes for Books and 5 Minutes for Giveaways always interest me!

Ultimate Blog Party 2010 features loads of great prizes so be sure to hop on over after your done reading this post.  Some of the ones I'm hoping to win are:
 
Toshiba Satellite Laptop - Grand Prize from 5 Minutes for Mom Ultimate Blog Party
US11 – A $100 gift eCertificate to Restaurant.com, immediately redeemable online at over 13,000 restaurants nationwide from Amy LeForge of Earnest Parenting

USC 25 -$25 Barnes & Noble Gift Card-online or in store from Baba’s Farm Life
US31 – A $20 Amazon gift certificate from Jennifer Sikora  at For Such a Time as This
USC 47 – 4-week eCourse: “Change Your Thinking. Change Your Life.” 4 full weeks of audio and written lessons from Life Coaching for Christian Women delivered to you daily to help you grow closer to God. Valued at $29.95 from Life Coaching for Christian Women
USC 63 –  “Bath and Body Works” Gift Card worth $20 from Tree Lindsay at Mommies Faves
USC 3 – A $50.00 Target Gift Card from Peggy Gorman

As a party favor I'm offering a prize! It's an ULTIMATE BOOKLOVERS GIFTBOX which will include a couple of Christian novels and items for booklovers and writers including writers tools/office supplies ($35 value)!  Sorry no pic, but I promise you'll be thrilled!

To be eligible you MUST comment and do at least one of the following. For extra entries you may do as many others actions from the list as you like, but you must let me know what they are in your comments.

Follow Writing to Distraction (w/feedblitz or my follow badge)
Add Writing to Distraction  Badge (see my sidebar for code)
Link to Writing to Distraction in your blog roll or side bar
Follow me on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Retweet this post
Link to this post on your Facebook page
Visit 5 Minutes for Mom
 

About this blog and my writing:

When my boys (Justin & Brandon) were little I started writing stories for them and we acted them out. I shared some of those stories with many other children. Many of them "illustrated" some of the stories and characters. It was so much fun!  I've also encouraged my sons and one of my step-daughters to write.  When the boys were little and had their own stories to tell I wrote down the words.  As they got older they wrote down their own stories and one of my step-daughters even turned them into plays.  I've kept and treasured many of them that they did just for fun or in school (homeschool  & public).  Sometimes at  family gatherings we read aloud some of these stories that they wrote  and illustrated when they were little - now that they are young adults this is a lot of  laughs.

Writing for me has been a great outlet as a mom. It was a way to record some of those family memories (I wrote poems about the boys at each age, and family poems).  I wrote to encourage other moms (I used to put out a "Moment for Mom" newsletter).  And I wrote to nurture myself (journaling, poetry, articles, and stories for grownups). Now that the kids have grown I finally have time to consider writing as a career and am working on a historical fiction novel. I blog all about it here on at Writing to Distraction! I'm so glad you've stopped by!


Don't forget to comment to be eligible for the prize! 
Are you a writing mom?  I'd love to hear about it. :)

56 comments:

  1. Hi...I like to tell stories to my kids but forget to write theM
    down!! Maybe your prize pack will help. I just followed you on Twitter (@caseycg).

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  2. I visited 5 minutes for Mom!

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  3. I already follow you on twitter (@knittingrunner) and I visited 5 minutes for mom.

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  4. Stopping by from for Blog Party. I would love to win a some new books. Have a great party.

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  5. I just requested your friendship on facebook. I didn't know I was a writer until a few years ago. I thought everyone enjoyed writing! Since realizing that I might have a gift for it I've taken a class and submitted some works (nothing's been printed yet), and started my blog. I encourage my kids to imagine and write it down, or I write down their stories if they won't. Next year we'll be homeschooling so I'll have more to say about that ;-) I look forward to reading more from your blog...thanks!

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  6. Hi Carla -

    Love the pics and your story!

    I visited 5 minutes for Mom, and I'm already a Follower at your blog. Please enter me in the contest.

    susanjreinhardt (at) gmail (dot) com

    Blessings,
    Susan :)

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  7. Hey, stopping by from the UBP :)

    I think writing down the stories and plays was a great idea. It's something special you'll always have and something they can share with their children. I know I'll try to keep things like that to pass down when I have a family. It's a great way to keep a family connected. :)

    I wish you luck with your novel and hope you had a great weekend!

    I am following you through google friend connect as well as twitter (aly3360)

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  8. Carla, Precious picture of your boys! Sounds like a fun party:)

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  9. Hi Carla, This is a fun idea. Visited the 5 Minutes for Mom site, what a great place! Will have to pass this along to my sisters and friends.

    I follow your site and link to your blog on my blog (karenelange.blogspot.com). Thanks for doing this.
    Blessings,
    Karen
    klange61(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  10. Hi Carla! I think this is a great idea. I visited and became a fan of 5 Minutes for Mom on facebook. I also have your Writing to Distraction badg and link on my blog and have also added you as a friend on facebook. Thanks for bringing this to us. I look forward to meeting new friends through 5 Minutes for Mom. :)

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  11. What a fabulous prize! I love it! Thanks for stopping in at Baba's Farm Life too! Isn't the UBP10 such fun.

    Following Blog, Facbook, Twitter. Visited 5Min for Mom. Now am posting to twitter and my facebook page.

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  12. It's so nice to see so many new faces, and some familiar ones, too!!
    The UBP is a super networking opportunity with loads of great prizes so I hope you all are enjoying hopping around the blogosphere.

    Thank you all who have commented and followed, etc. for participation in my giveaway! I wish I could give it away to each and every one of you!

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  13. follow on twitter (amomstake)
    janel_marie at yahoo dot com

    Stopping by from UBP to say hi! Come visit me to! http://amomstake.blogspot.com/

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  14. It's so fun to read the things you created when you were younger.

    (I visited 5 mins for mom)

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  15. Hi there! Stopping over to party with you for a bit from UBP! Thanks so much for visiting my blog today!

    I'm following you with both of my blogs now! Take care and enjoy the rest of the party!

    Tree (aka Mother of Pearl)
    Mother of Pearl It Is
    Mommies Faves Top Sites and Blogs

    P.S. I would love to invite you to join our new community network for

    moms...Mommies Faves Mom Bloggers

    Network.
    Hope to see you there soon!

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  16. Hi Carla,

    Storytelling (the fictional kind) has never been a skill of mine. Perhaps I should work on that with the boys and we'd all improve!

    Thanks for stopping by my UPB post. Hope you enjoy the week!

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  17. I am your follower on twitter and also your blog now. Great idea and so generous! I do keep journals for both of my kids, most of the stories are either their best moments ever or bathroom stories... :O)

    www.dianeestrella.com

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  18. Visiting from UBP10. I love writing and my kids and I read every night!
    Visited 5 minutes for mom

    http://all-about-the-savings.blogspot.com/2010/04/2010-ultimate-blog-party.html

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  19. I follow you now!

    http://all-about-the-savings.blogspot.com/2010/04/2010-ultimate-blog-party.html

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  20. I follow on twitter all_about_savin

    http://all-about-the-savings.blogspot.com/2010/04/2010-ultimate-blog-party.html

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  21. tweeted http://twitter.com/all_about_savin/status/12172791762

    http://all-about-the-savings.blogspot.com/2010/04/2010-ultimate-blog-party.html

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  22. So glad to party with you all! It's nice to hear from those of you who write with your children and keep journals. It's never to late to start! And even if they aren't your own kids writing something makes a nice gift for those other special kids in your life.

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  23. Thanks for all the follows and retweets!!!!

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  24. Subscribed to your blog "Writing to Disctraction."

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  25. I am now following you on Twitter as @heartcures and have no idea why I was not already doing so :-)
    Glad for this contest if only to be able to connect another way.

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  26. I'm going over to 5 Minutes for Mom right now. I've never visited them before and look forward to it.

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  27. At the risk of sounding redundant...I have added you to my blogroll, Carla.
    It has been in need of updating so this contest has done wonders for me even if I don't win anything.
    I've also RT about it.
    My blog can be found at melindalancaster (dot)com.

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  28. Hi Carla,

    Thanks for "friending" me on fb. I'm a writer and mom of two adult young woman and a ten year old ball of fire (girl too :-) Enjoyed reading about your interests and look forward to seeing your book published for the advancement of the kingdom!

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  29. Thank you for stopping by my blog. I appreciate it. Stop by anytime, I love visitors.

    Blessings!

    www.longwaitforisabella.blogspot.com

    BTW, I love reading, when I get the chance that is.

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  30. I now follow you on Twitter. @lavonnelong is my username.

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  31. I RT your latest tweet about this giveaway as well.

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  32. I did visit 5minutes4mom and I love that website. I too am participating in the UBP10!

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  33. Hi Carla,

    Just dropping by from Living in Love with Jesus to say 'hi.' I love the picture of your family and the help with writing. It's great to meet you.

    Kim

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  34. Hi Carla!
    I'm so glad you came by my site and commented, so that I found out about you! As a "wannabepublished" writer, I love your blog. I would love to win your giveaway, also. I am commenting to enter.
    Blessings,
    Wendy @ Faith's Firm Foundation
    www.faithfultojesus.blogspot.com

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  35. Carla,
    Secondly, I am now following you.
    Blessings,
    Wendy
    www.faithfultojesus.blogspot.com

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  36. Carla,
    Thirdly, I put your button on my sidebar:) It is adorable.
    Blessings,
    Wendy
    www.faithfultojesus.blogspot.com

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  37. Carla,
    Fourthly, I have added your blog to my blogroll.
    Blessings,
    Wendy
    www.faithfultojesus.blogspot.com

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  38. Hi Carla!
    So nice to meet you!
    Am stopping by via UBP 2010.
    Am sooooo psyched (I know...quite the antiquated term!)to happen upon another lover of the written word and writing the written word!!! And a christian, to boot????
    Your ideas with writing with the boys is GREAT!!!!
    My 6 year old has just learned to read. Private Christian School paying off! Am going to start doing this with him! And gradually incorporate my 4 year old daughter.
    I have a half-finished memoir I started in an Autobiography (intense-writing) class about my experience being abducted by my Father and spirited away to live in the wilds of Alaska for 4 years. When I graduated, sent out copies to publishing companies. (I bypassed an agent: am actually glad I didn't get it published, for i might have gotten screwed!) The only semi-affirmative came from Harper Collins (I know...AWESOME!) They wanted to see the entire manuscript. Unfortunately, I hadn't written it all yet. (And for that matter still haven't!) My son was born13 months after I started teaching (my degree was BA in Elementary Ed. minor in English). Quit teaching and have only occasionally looked-back. ;) Have just stopped popping out kids! So am looking at picking my writing back up. :) Have some raw writing I've done here and there over the past year I might turn into a devotional. Am trying to follow God's lead on this. :)
    Anyhow, sorry to go on and on...but like I said, am stoked about finding a fellow writer!!!
    If you get a chance, stop by my blog for a gander:
    http://wemmicks-in-training.blogspot.com/

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  39. Hello! I'm stopping by from the UBP! I, too, am a writer--though my niche is science fiction. Come check me out at sciencefictionmommy.blogspot.com if you're interested. It's always great to connect with other writers! Hope you're having a great party week!

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  40. Well, I was GOING to follow, but that part of the page is showing up blank right now. I'll have to come back later. I'm switching to a new laptop, so things might not be working properly on this one right now...

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  41. Carla, your boys were adorable as little guys! And I'm sure they are now too! Blessings to you today. Hope you are feeling well and writing well but most of all being filled with the love of Jesus.

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  42. Hi Carla, great idea and I wouldn't mind winning some of the stuff. I already have your badge on my sidebar and we are friends on FB.

    Blessings,
    Vickie

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  43. Hi there, dropping by to say hi from the UBP. I'm a new follower. Thanks for popping by my blog too and have a great weekend!

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  44. i am a follower of your blog! I used to always write short stories and tell stories, as i have gotten older, I have gotten more afraid of people not liking them! martha(at)lclink(dot)com

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  45. Visiting by way of the UBP. I followed you in my reader before even reading through your post. =) I'm always looking for help with my writing.

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  46. I friend requested you on Facebook - Anne Sanders Bender.

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  47. And on Twitter, too. @AnneOnline & @AnneBender

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  48. Thanks for stopping by my blog. I love your blog. I'm following you now. Have a great weekend! Hope to see you back at my blog.

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  49. Oh my word. I'm so embarassed! If I had known it was a PARTY I wouldn't have shown up in my jammies...

    Soooooo, I'll just hide in this closet over here until everyone leaves. Can someone smuggle me some food and sign me up for a groovy giveaway?

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  50. Just dropped in from the UBP. This is such a fabulous way to find wonderful new blogs. Great to meet you (always happy to meet new friends)! Hope you, too, are enjoying the party!

    I visited 5 Minutes for Mom. Cool site!

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  51. I'm a writing homeschooling mom. I struggle to balance it all but writing a little each day is my outlet right now. I hope to be able to fit in more writing in the future.

    julesreffner(at)gmail(dot)com

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  52. You guys are all amazing! I appreciate you stopping by and introducing yourselves! It's nice to see some familiar faces, too!!

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