Tuesday, July 13, 2010

What a year it has been...

...and now? Now it's time to party.

I find it hard to believe that there was a time when I didn't have a blog. Just like I wonder about what I did with my life before I had children, I can't really think of what filled my spare time before I started Thanks, Mail Carrier.

Alas though, it has been a year. I've written 337 posts and you all have left almost 100,000 comments (and I've read just about every one). When I hit publish on that very first post, I never would have thought that a year later things would be even close to where they are today. I've written about everything from unique products that we have loved reviewing to personal tales of loss to amazing places I have been... and couldn't have done any of it without this blog.

As much as I have appreciated every single opportunity that blogging has brought my way (and I do. I REALLY DO), being able to connect with all of you has also mattered to me more than words can express. The wonderful people that I've had a chance to meet from all over the world have made this past year so much better than I could have imagined.

Whether a single comment that you liked a review or a detailed one about how a product or site would affect your life, you've made me feel a part of something so much bigger than just me. Each comment makes me even more proud of what I have worked so very hard to put together and the amount of time that goes into it. So, if this is your first visit to Thanks, Mail Carrier or you've been around since the beginning, thank you.

Thank you for visiting, reading, commenting and making this all possible. Your support and friendship, whether directly or indirectly, mean the world to me. And what better way for me to really express that while also celebrating a year of great reviews and giveaways?

More reviews and giveaways, of course! Starting Monday, July 19th, I have two weeks (maybe even a little more) full of great giveaways lined up from some of my favorite companies out there. You won't want to miss the generosity from these sites, there are prizes and gift certificates for the entire family to enjoy!





Did you catch a glimpse of the fun companies involved with my snazzy first-one-I-ever-created button? It might not be perfect, but after a full year I thought it might be about time I attempted to create something blog-related without running to Nicole at the last minute for help (instead my mom assisted me on figuring out the animation for this one, but that's what moms are for, right?).

So, don't wait! Grab that fun button (between now and when the Bash starts on Monday) and leave a comment on this post that you did and you'll gain an extra 3 entries into each of the Blog Anniversary Bash giveaways. Then, it's time for the party to begin!

Here's to embarking on a second year that's even better than the first - I hope you'll continue to join us for all that is to come!

39 comments:

Jennifer said...

left side: http://whateverandbeyond.blogspot.com/

casey aubut said...

I grabbed the button!
www.aubutfamily.com

Mandee said...

Happy Bloggy Anniversary!!! We started blogging just days apart, I had no idea! I am grabbing your button now, and way to go on the button! I'm still trying to figure the html part all out. :)

I look forward to reading and conversing with you in the coming years! :)

KristinMarieCA said...

Hey there, I'm a new follower from FMBT :) Just wanted to say congrats on your first year! I'm just starting out my blog, and would love for you to stop by. Have a great week!

Kristin
http://born2bemom.blogspot.com/

Cher said...

The button is aweseome - even cooler that your mom helped you! Happy Anniversery! I can't imagine what I did before either!

Tiffany said...

Your button's on my blog!!! :)
mtdudleyfamily. blogspot. com

Unknown said...

Congrats on your blog success and 1year anniversary!

Molly said...

DUDE! no joke, I was thinking of your blog yesterday, and how I needed to drop by and say HI!

Happy Blogoversary!

dannyscotland said...

Got it on my blog at daydreamingofclothdiapers.blogspot.com

Congrats on your blog anniversary!

Liz Mays said...

Congrats on hitting the one year mark! I'm grabbing your button!

KristinMarieCA said...

Hi Xenia - thank you so much for coming by my blog, and for your kind words. I really appreciate it. :) It has been wonderful to write, and to know that complete strangers care enough to comment and hope for the best for my family and I. Thanks again, and I'll certainly be back to check out your blog on a regular basis!

Kristin
http://born2bemom.blogspot.com/

Susan Fobes said...

I can't believe you have only been around for a year! Congratulations on your success Xenia. I grabbed your button!

Ashley said...

I love my mailman too! I'm following you from the Tues Tag-Along. Gonna grab your button and maybe win some sweet giveaways!

Wooly World

L Howard said...

Hello,
I love your blog! I call the mail man the daily Santa lol. Congrats on your 1 year anniversary. I posted your button on my blog at
http://thecouponqueenbee.blogspot.com/

Unknown said...

have your button on my blog events blogroll
http://mylittlestgravesies.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! Your blog is amazing and I will be here forever! I definitely grabbed the button, cannot wait:)

Chacoy said...

Congrats!
I got it!
http://ma21cuteboy.blogspot.com/
it's with the Thanks, Mail Carrier button;}

Harley Dee said...

Happy Blogiversary! I have your button up on my blog :)

http://koalafuzz.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

Happy Welcome Wednesday! I am now following!
http://mibargainmom.blogspot.com/

Clueless_Mama said...

Xenia, Congrats on your one year anniversary. You should be so proud of all you have accomplished! You have a truly amazing blog and talent. I look forward to our continued friendship.

Kathleen W. said...

Congratulations! I can't believe how far you've come in just a year. You're such a pro.

I hope you have many more blogiversaries!

"Iowa Mom" said...

I am so happy for you!
We grabbed your button and put it on the check out the event roll on the blog:
http://momtobedby8.blogspot.com/

mommy2luke2008 said...

Congrats on the one year!!! I grabbed your button, it's under "enter some great giveaways" Can't wait!!
http://lilbitofus.blogspot.com/

Rachel C said...

Congratulations :)

Unknown said...

new follower from tuesday and if you're hopping firday come see me for my 4th HOP
www.home-mom.com

LeeAnn said...

Happy Blogiversary! I didn't realize you had only been blogging for a year! Wow! (And there is just another example of why you are my blogging hero!)

Of course I have your button on my blog. (It is on the "Win Stuff" page under Blog Events.)

How fun!

Melissa said...

I grabbed it! Congratulations!
You can find the button on the Free Samples/Fun Stuff page of my blog!

http:/pinkcrabcreations.blogspot.com

Terra Heck said...

Congrats on your blogoversary. I've added the button to the right hand side of my blog.
http://heckofabunch.blogspot.com
partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com

Kimbuckjr said...

CONGRATULATIONS....I have your button here...

http://www.cafemom.com/group/95135/forums/read/11824971/KIMBUCKJRS_BLOGROLL_4

kimbuckjr@yahoo.com

Jenna said...

Exciting! I grabbed your button too. :)

Jenna

Stuff Parents Need said...

Happy 1st blogoversary! I can't believe you have only been around for a year. You are, in my eyes, one of the "big dogs" of mommy review/giveaway blogs! :-)

WeeMasonMan's Mom said...

Congrats on your first anniversary!

I grabbed the button!

www.omgababy.com

TerriAnn @ Cookies and Clogs said...

Yay! Congratulations and happy anniversary! You've come a long way in one year - what a great example. I put your button on my right sidebar. I'm looking forward to what you have in store!

Aleksandra Nearing said...

Congrats on a year of blogging! Has the mailman gotten any nicer?

Tabathia B said...

grabbed button
itsmomtime.blogspot.com
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

J.E. said...

Thanks for the heads up on twitter {just saw your tweet about grabbing the button!}
I've got it, and put it on my sidebar! Yay! {jefam.blogspot.com}
And congrats on a FABulous year!

♦jellerman at rocketmail dot com♦

Tracey said...

I grabbed your button!
http://amothersearth.blogspot.com/
Congrats!!!

Mandii said...

I've got it, it's in my sidebar

crochetingmyheartout.blogspot.com

MIG said...

Happy Anniversary, Xenia! You have done such an awesome job. Your blog is so professional. I can't believe how much you have accomplished in just a year. You should be proud. I love visiting your blog. I'm excited to see what's to come over the next year! :)