A lot of you already know that my little family and I moved to Connecticut from Utah. My husband and I both grew up in Utah. He went on an LDS mission to Mississippi for two years but other then that neither of us have lived anywhere else. We were a little nervous, but we were ready to do our own thing, start our own traditions and rely on one another 100%. We had been told by several people that his schooling would be really time consuming, and we really wouldn’t see much of each other. Boy was that ever the truth! So much for starting our own traditions!! I wont say it’s been easy, because it hasn’t. It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done and I’m not even the student!
Even though it would have been great to stay in Utah and be with family I’m so grateful we moved to CT because we have met some amazing people! Both students and people in our neighborhood, but today I’m going to focus on the blogging community! I have never met so many amazing bloggers {in real life} and they have all helped me so much. Bloggers who I don’t even have a right to talk to, haha, let alone receive advice from!
I started my blog in November 2011 and I pretty much just posted recipes. Then we moved here in May 2012 and by July I basically stopped blogging. I was so overwhelmed I didn’t feel like I could add one more thing to my plate. Blogging wasn’t fun, it really just felt like work and I wasn’t passionate about it. …yet!
Two of the amazing bloggers I have met are Wendy and Greg, from Sweeties Reviews (and Sweeties Sweeps, Connecticut Bloggers, and about 7 other websites that they own!). Wendy calls me her little protege because I really do take in every word of advice that she so graciously shares with me. I started implementing everything she taught me after the Christmas break and my numbers have tripled. My US Alexa rating in December ’12 was like 9 million {not what I needed a.k.a. bad} and now 4 months later it’s right around 100 thousand. That’s a big jump. I’d be silly not to thank them every day for all of their help! Although something tells me that would irritate them since their inbox is constantly inundated with emails. I can’t say enough good things about this wonderful couple.
Because of their product review parties I have gotten to know several other bloggers who I also continue to learn from.
Bonnie from Home Place is a rockstar when it comes to writing her posts. After an event she posts her reviews right away…she puts us all to shame, haha. She is so reliable, and so kind. I may only see her at blogging events but I really do consider her a good friend!
Julie from A Year With Mom and Dad. I have only met this pretty lady twice but I can just tell she’s such a good person! She has two beautiful little boys and a very handsome husband. They make a great family. If you’re into cloth diapers she’s your go to blogger my friends! She’s given me a lot of tips when it comes to product reviews. Great advice! I already implemented many of them here.
Brett from This Mama Loves… I haven’t actually met Brett but because of the CT Bloggers community we have on FB I have gotten to know her a little bit. I have even been able to email her some questions and she responded so quickly! To little old me! She has helped me a lot with how to get reviews.
All of these ladies are legitimate bloggers and I’m honored to know them. I still can’t even believe that they would take the time to help me! I don’t believe us moving to Connecticut was a coincidence. If we had chosen any other school I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to meet and learn from such great mentors. It may sound silly to novice bloggers, or those of you who just haven’t caught the blogging bug but it really has given me so much! Growing up I was a really good soccer player, and the little sister of an outstanding soccer player. That was my identity and I loved it. Then I was a college student at BYU, then I got married…then 4 years later I had a baby. I really struggled for a couple of years finding something that I was passionate about {besides my family of course}. I couldn’t find my identity. My husband encouraged me to start a blog because I really love to bake, and I just kept pushing it aside I don’t have anything to share…I’m not good at anything…All the “other” bloggers are so much bigger then me. Lots of excuses right? I’ve but a lot of work into this blog and every minute has been worth it because it really has become just what I wanted it to become. I’m grateful that I did start blogging again in January. It has kept me busy, and taken my mind off of the fact that my husband is gone 15 hours a day.
So send a little blog love out to other bloggers…get to know them! Become involved in a FB group, because it really is amazing!
Authors from across the world sent books for the Sweeties Book Review Party! Authors from the US, UK, Canada and even Dubai. Everything from novels, memoirs, self help, children’s and even Sci Fi books. I gravitated toward the children’s and self help books that talked about health, finance and business.
All The Colors of Busytown
Ballpark Mysteries Collection
Adventures at Walnut Grove (Mom’s Choice Awards Recipient)
Where Do The Animals Go When It Rains?
Live Younger in 8 Simple Steps
The Affluent Investor: Financial Advice to Grow and Protect Your Wealth
Celebritize Yourself
Last but not least, this cookbook:
For a full list of books that were provided for the Sweeties Book Review Party, go here!
#BookReviews
Visit Sweeties Picks for more information on great books, music and apps!
I’m feeling the love through your post. Someday it will be your turn to mentor someone and help them along the way. I’m glad you found out little group. It feels more like a family than anything and that sure helps when you are miles away from your real family.
Hilary, you are THE BEST!
Thank you so much for the shout out, and I agree with you…the CT Blogging Community is AMAZING! So supportive of one another and soooo helpful with information sharing. I, too, consider all the writers and bloggers that I’ve met, my new friends, and feel as lucky as you do that we’ve all connected.
You picked some great books! Celebritize Yourself sounds like a helpful book for growing any business…(even the business of blogging!!!).
And, why didn’t I see Live Younger??? Now, that, I NEED!!!!