Happy Blogaversary! Why I Blog & Giveaways!

Hey yall!

This week is so exciting for me in Blog-land! 
It's been a year since I "relaunched" the blog! Well, its officially a year on August 21st. 

I started the blog in 2011, then again in 2013 and again in 2014. Never have I been more motivated and passionate about it this past year. 

I've had people message, text, and email me about how I've inspired them to get back into fitness, start cooking more healthy meals, or just how much they've enjoyed reading my blog posts. 

This time when I started the blog it was different. I knew there was an audience out there because I saw the numbers. I didn't know who and why these few people were looking at my blog but there had to be a reason. As a mom and wife into healthy living, cooking, fitness, etc, I knew I had stuff to write about, that people might be interested in. 

Recently someone said "whats the name of your blog?" 

"Al2getherFIT" I replied.

"Oh ok, so you write about fitness?"

"No, not really..."

"What do you mean?..."

The name of  my blog, Al2getherFIT, means everything in balance. Whether it be fitness, health, marriage, or parenthood. I'm writing about everything in my life, and how I'm making all those things come together and "fit" in my life.  I guess it's in that "all of the above" category. Mom blogger, fitness blogger, food blogger, you name it; if it's in my life, I'm gonna tell you about it. And it all makes it in there with balance. 


Why I Blog:

Blogging gives me the opportunity to share my story and tell it in a way that I want to. Whether it's a story someone wants to read, or just for my keepsake. 

For new friends:
I am totally a "No New Friends" person. I'm kind of anti-social to a degree as I like smaller groups and more intimate settings. But, I've come to learn you can't be like that if you want to expand your blog in the community. This blog has taken me out of my comfort zone. I have met so many new friends through this blog it's unreal to me! I have never been to a blogging event that I didn't have a good time at, and most of the time I go solo wondering if I'll know anyone there. 

New adventures and experiences: I've found myself saying "OH! I should do that for the blog!" so many times. It's fun to take an experience and do it just to tell the story. It's not that I do things JUST for the blog, but I do them to broaden my horizons and they give me something to write for you! 

For myself:
Right after I had Sophia, Angelo started his own business, and asked me to help him manage it. I do all the day-to-day book keeping for our two businesses, making sure all the legal stuff (licenses, insurance, etc), and accounting stuff (deposits, paying bills, etc) is taken care of. While I love that we have two thriving businesses, it's not exactly something I can say fulfills me. 
Also, I absolutely love/cherish/thank God for everyday that I'm a mother, but I can't say that laying on the ground playing with blocks all day fulfills me either. Eventually the girls start school, and I'm left at home working on Quickbooks all day. 
That's where the blog came in. The blog motivates and inspires me to better myself and it's something I have that is "mine" (hugs blog with all my might!) There are times, multiple times a year, that I feel like I have absolutely nothing to say. Why would anyone want to read about how my day went or what I eat? Nobody cares...right? 
Then I get a Facebook message from an old friend thanking me for inspiring them to get back into fitness after having kids. 
THAT'S WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT! 

For you:
This blog is really for you, my readers, and I can't thank you guys enough for being a part of my tiny sand-grain sized place in the interwebs. 

Blog-aversary Giveaways

To conclude this post, I am so happy to announce 3 separate giveaways going on this week for my "blogaversary". 

Instagram Giveaway: 

Instagram Giveaway Prize includes: 

"Heck Yeah" Spiral Notebook from Paper Source
"But First Coffee" Custom Candle from Don Me Now
SweatPink Shoe Laces

For a chance to win: Comment on the Giveaway Instagram post on my Instagram page & tell me what makes you say "HECK YEAH!" Click here to go to post!

Facebook Giveaway:

Facebook Giveaway Prize includes: 

"I Am Very Busy" 2015-2016 (17 month) Agenda from Paper Source
"Fishs Eddy Mug - Pig" Coffee mug from West Elm
SweatPink Shoe Laces

For a chance to win: Comment on the giveaway Facebook post & tell me something exciting you have planned this year! Click here to go to post!

Blog Giveaway: 

Blog Giveaway Prize includes: 

"Best Lunch Box Ever" Book featuring ideas and recipes for school lunches!
Stainless Steel Sandwich Cutters: Flower and Train
SweatPink Shoe Laces

For a chance to win: Comment on THIS POST & tell me what inspires you to live a healthy life!


**All Giveaways conclude on Friday at 12:00 p.m. EST (noon) and winners will be notified. No duplicate winners, 3 separate individuals will be winners.
**Make sure you LIKE me on Facebook and FOLLOW me on Instagram to be qualified to WIN these giveaways. 

ALL 1 Year Blogaversary Giveaways are CLOSED and winners have been contacted! Thank you to everyone who participated and everyone who made this blog year so wonderful!! Thank you for your support!

XOXO