Wordless Wednesday

Build up to a tantrum...

For more Wordless Wednesday visit www.5minutesformom.com

Calling all UTAH Friends!

If you are a blogger in the Utah area.... YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS THIS!

Cherish Bound is teaming up with some of our best friends, one of the country's premiere storytelling organizations - Timpanogos Storytelling Festival and the queen of "make a wish - make it happen"... Kelly Anderson from Start Up Princess to bring all of our blogging buddies a night filled with the magic of storytelling....and it's FREE!

the fairytale event

Cherish Bound is teaming up with one of the country's premiere storytelling organizations—Timpanogos Storytelling Festival—to bring social media moms and blogging buddies a night filled with the magic of storytelling. The event takes place June 25 from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. in the enchanting storytelling wing of the Orem City Library.

the happy ending

During the evening, you'll be entertained by some of the areas brightest storytellers, Bruce Jensen and Wendy Gourley. They'll spin a tale all while the fabulous folks from the Blue Lemon fill our tummies with yummy treats. Each guest will receive a goody bag with these fun things $200 retail value:

• Cherish Bound book.
• Story Starter.
• Chat cards.
• Syd Lieberman Storytelling CD.
• Blue Lemon gift certificate.
• Weekend family pass to the Timpanogos Storytelling Festival (Labor Day weekend).

the requirements
In addition to providing you with an enchanting evening of storytelling fun, Cherish Bound is hoping to publicize both its product and the Timpanogos Storytelling Festival. To participate in this event, please make sure you are able and willing to meet the following criteria:

• Redeem your coupon for a free Cherish Bound book and publish it by July 24.
• Write a post about your Cherish Bound experience by July 31. This post should include your experiences in publishing the book as well as information about the Timpanogos Storytelling Festival (details will be provided).
• Publicize the Timpanogos Storytelling Festival on Twitter, Facebook, and via e-mail between August 1 and Labor Day (details will be provided).
• Attend the Timpanogos Storytelling Festival (September 3-5 in Orem, UT).
• Write a post about your Timpanogos Storytelling Festival experience by September 14, including promotional information about the Mid Winter Conference (details will be provided).
• Publicize a discount coupon on your blog, on Twitter, on Facebook, and/or via e-mail.
• Hold a Cherish Bound giveaway on your site (optional).

the fine print
We only have a limited number of spots available, so please RSVP no later than Thursday, June 18 by clicking HERE TO REGISTER! Spots will be filled on a first come, first serve basis.

This event is by invite only. If you have other friends in social media or who blog that you think would like to take part and can meet these requirements, please feel free contact Jyl at 801.971.9335 or at jyl.pattee@comcast.net.

-I won't personally be at this event, but I will be at the Timpanogos Story Festival during Labor Day weekend!! I'd love to meet you all!

My Mind is Here....

Well...My mind is here...I'm sure the world will continue to turn with my absence...be back in a few minutes....

Here's to Summer, Family, Kids, Traditions....and Florida Beaches! I ♥ my life!

45 Pieces of Advice...Really Good Advice

My dear mama sent me this advice in an email....I normally don't open any emails like that, but this one caught my attention because I tend to take all my mama's advice and at least try it out...I could relate to every single one and needed to hear most of them. I love them all, but I highlighted my favorites.... What are yours??

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.

16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood... But the second one is up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone everything.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time, time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood.

38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's we'd grab ours back.

41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

42. The best is yet to come.

43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

44. Yield.

45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.

Family Yearbook Challenge 2009 - Week 18

Summer is here and it's time to capture some summertime memories and stories!!

If you're new to the Family Yearbook Challenge click
HERE & then HERE

Don't forget to leave a comment and check in...I'm keeping track of all the comments posted in the Family YB Challenge for a big giveaway at the end of the year....so go back and check in each of the FYBC posts if you haven't done so.

So you've had 3 weeks of catch-up! But if you're like me...the past 3 weeks have been insane and I did NOT catch up. So I'm going to be working extra hard to get caught back up with you all.

Homework June 8-14:

1. Memorial Day - What activities, traditions or events to you participate in on Memorial Day? Tell about important people in your family that have served our country. If you don't know a lot about them, ask someone who does.

2. Describe a typical Summer Day....

Creative Vacation Imprints

Summ-er! Summ-er! Summ-er!! Woo-hoo! It's officially here!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE Summer! I love the beach, the pool, I really do love having my house full of life and chaos....I do! I love it all! No schedules, no responsibilities, just FUN!

We make lots of memories during our summer months; however, we're not big vacationers. With 7 people it cost just WAYYYY too much money and the little ones don't travel very easily yet. So we stay close to home and venture out within a few hours from home. But whether you camp in your back yard, fly off to the Bahamas, or visit grandma, we're all making great memories that we don't want to forget.

*not my picture...not sure where it came from

Make sure you capture some creative photos of your summer adventures by leaving your family's mark behind. Something fun to do is to find a spot wherever you're at on vacation or maybe even your backyard and C R E A T I V E L Y write the place/date/event...using nature! Make a creative imprint. Take a picture of just your imprint or with the entire family.

One that we have all probably done is the beach one...writing your family's name or the date and place in the sand with a stick. But how about using shells or flowers...maybe you're in the mountains and you can use sticks, pine cones and rocks. Snow?? Use a shovel or sticks or even your equipment. Be creative, but just don't forget to capture this creative vacation imprint!

Attack of the Feral Pigs!

Okay....so seriously, we have a problem! This past week we've woken up to pillaged earth in our yard. I mean, serious trench warfare going on....at first we had NO idea what the heck was going on, but have just found out that we are getting attacked by pigs during the night!

Don't let the little guy fool you.... Look what THEY did...

Can you believe that!?? So our neighbors are getting some roughing up too...they're native Floridians and say...it's a Pack. Probably a pack of Feral Pigs... Feral Pigs?? I just learned about Feral Cats (LOL...that's an entirely different story) It's an entire pack of Feral Pigs...We can't even be cool enough for Wild Hogs or Boar...no, we get the freaking feral pigs.

I know....they look harmless, but they're destroying our entire yard!! This just grosses me out...but it brings out my redneck...it's time to go hunting kids and get us some bacon!!! It's illegal to relocate them alive. A trapper cost $100's of dollars...maybe we'll call this kid.

Wordless Wednesday...My Kid's Camera

You never know what you'll find on your kid's cameras...

For more Wordless Wednesday visit www.5minutesformom.com

9-12 Personal Project Journal

Remember the way we were on September 12^th? We weren't Democrats or Republicans, we were just Americans, banded together. Flags were waving and people were coming together in the spirit of all things American. Reclaim that spirit while you chronicle your own personal 9-12 journey. Chronicle your journey through each of the 12 values from the 912 Project. This 28 page journal will feature your own notes, photos and artwork on each page. Each value page features a quote from one of our founding fathers. This journal is a Hardbound 5x5 bound book.

Do you agree with at least 7 of these 9 Principles?
Then you're a nine-twelver.

1. America is Good.
2. I believe in God and He is the center of my life.
3. I must always try to be a more honest person than I was yesterday.
4. The family is sacred. My spouse and I are the ultimate authority, not the government.
5. If you break the law, you pay the penalty. Justice is blind and no one is above it.
6. I have a right to life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness, but there is no guarantee of equal results
7. I work hard for what I have and I will share it with who I want to. Government cannot force me to be charitable.
8. It is not un-American for me to disagree with authority or to share my personal opinion.
9. The government works for me. I do not answer to them, they answer to me.
   

12 Values

Honesty
Sincerity
Reverence
Moderation
Hope
Hard Work
Thrift
Courage
Humility
Personal Responsibility
Charity
Gratitude

To purchase Your 9-12 Personal Project Journal Click HERE!!!!

Family Vacations 1950's vs. 2009

Vacation in Michigan
Originally uploaded by sunset flame

I was quietly reading a magazine by the pool this weekend.... (yes, I did squeeze 12 minutes of quiet time) when I read this interesting and slightly disturbing fact. Honestly, I about fell over!

The average price per day a family of four spent in 1950 while on vacation

$13

The average price per day a family of four will spend on vacation today

$269

Honestly....I think I may have enjoy the vacations back in the 50's WAYYYY more than the over-priced, over-done vacations of today.

And...this really got me too...

Average annual vacation days given:

Italy 42

France 37

Germany 35

Brazil 34

United Kingdom 28

Canada 26

Korea 25

Untied States 13


FYBC will resume next week!!