Thank You x 11000

I remember the first time Google Friend connect showed a staggering 100 Followers on my blogspot blog. I watched that counter daily, willing the numbers to climb. Each new reader gave me a little high and encouraged me to keep writing. One reader in particular starting following my cloth diaper trial series and her interest encouraged me to expand beyond my family blog and create The Inquisitive Mom.

This month, I’m hosting a celebration of 11,000 Facebook likes and I still feel the same excitement I did 7 years ago. And I want to say thank you x 11000 to anyone who has joined me over the years. The Inquisitive Mom has experienced identity crisis and slumps and I’m endlessly grateful for readers who’ve stuck it out with me. While I hope that my blog has positively influenced others over the years, the person who has benefited the most is certainly me. Blogging helps me to sort out my life in words, to share a piece of myself, to celebrate, to mourn, and to laugh with a community of readers.

When I tell people I have a blog, there’s a strong tendency to disregard a “Mommy blogger” as a hobbyist, time waster, or niche writer. The Inquisitive Mom is so much more than a hobby for me. Blogging is community, friendship, conversation, learning, and trying new things. Blogging connects me to parents and businesses throughout the world. My blog represents seven years of opportunities and challenges. Over the past seven years, this blog has meant

Making life-long friends.
Becoming a better writer.
Finding my authentic voice.
Navigating social media.
Job opportunities.
Professional relationships.
Learning to hear “no” with grace.
Writer’s block.
Words pouring out of me.
Honing my review skills.
Learning not to compare myself with others.
Numerous themes and 4 logos.
Discovering myself.
So much more.

Looking back, it’s pretty incredible to see that companies like Applecheeks and Thirsties gave me a chance when I was just a baby blog and both are supporting my 11,000 Facebook Likes Giveaway this week. In 2012, I celebrated the milestone of 500 followers with a Maxwell Designs giveaway, never imagining the friendship I would build with Maggie in the years to come. In 2013, I celebrated 1,000 Facebook Fans and I’m actually getting a bit choked up thinking about celebrating 11,000 Facebook Likes just two years later.

While 11,000 fans is definitely helpful for contacting sponsors, this month I am truly celebrating the amazing community that is a part of my blog. It’s made up of moms, dad, grandmas, cloth diaper enthusiasts, parents, friends, and sweepers. Fellow bloggers and small businesses are also an integral part of The Inquisitive Mom community.

Thank you to my readers for choosing my blog. I love reading your comments and getting to know you. I look forward to interacting with you on social media daily. Thank you fellow bloggers for your encouragement and friendship. I’ve learned so much from you and your association enriches my blogging experience. Thank you to my sponsors for trusting me with reviews, giveaways, and events. I know what it means to make an investment in a blogger and your support is a huge reason I’m celebrating 11,000 likes today.

And, finally, a special thank you to my children, who will have unwittingly starred in many a blog post and to my husband for his tireless enthusiasm for cloth diaper reviews, social media talk, and blog posts ideas simply because they matter to me.