Bloggy Boot Camp is a blogging conference put on by the wonderful women behind the SITS (The Secret to Success is Support) website. If you’re a blogger, you probably already heard about SITS and their conferences.  And if you’re not a blogger, you might be confused/bewildered/intrigued/amused as to why blogging conferences even exist. I felt that way, too, until I actually attended one.

What I hoped to get out of the conference was to find inspiration to keep doing what I’m doing. To learn more about the business of blogging and what I’m doing right and, more importantly, what I’m doing wrong. To meet up with bloggers I’ve met before, to connect with other bloggers that I’ve had an online connection with for a while, and to meet many more that I’ve never met, either online or off. Not only did the SITS conference help meet all those expectations, but they exceeded them. I laughed. I cried. I felt more inspired than I ever have to keep up my blog and make it a whole lot better. If you’re a blogger, I urge you to seek out a future conference. The women behind SITS (the lovely Tiffany, Francesca, & Kat) travel all over to put on these events, so there’s a good chance one will be near you soon. Also, although SITS is intended for women bloggers and for us to give each other the support that we all need, men are welcome, too. I definitely saw a few dude bloggers in the room, so don’t be shy if you’re a guy who wants to check it out!

Why, yes, that's me on the right. I look so focused, don't I? Not my best angle...but at least my make-up looks good. (image via SITS)

I plan on making a few changes to AYMB in the near future, including a new design and new features. I have a few ideas that will reflect my professional and personal strengths, including an advice column about relationships, parenting, and everything in between. As a reader of AYMB, let me know what you think and if you have any ideas or suggestions.  The primary purpose of this blog is to share information, ideas, and thoughts on a wide range of issues. Sure, this blog is a platform for my interests and thoughts, but it’s not just for me. It’s also for you.  Your opinions and feedback are always appreciated, so please don’t hesitate to contact me or leave a comment! You can always reach me at aimee@aintyomamasblog.com or via twitter @aintyomamasblog.

…it’s my SITS Day!!!*

If you’ve never been to Ain’t Yo Mama’s Blog before, welcome! I hope you’ll come back again soon. And, if you’re a returning reader, I hope you know how much I adore you already.

My two favorite guys - the Dude and the Monkey

A little about me and my blog for those stopping by for the first time:

My name is Aimee. I live in SoCal with my husband of 5 years, the Dude, and our little Monkey who turns 3 this month. I am a registered pre-licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (MFTi) but have been a stay-at-home mom since the Monkey was born. The Dude is the one who suggested I become a blogger and he is, without a doubt, my biggest supporter. He is also a silent partner here at AYMB. You see, the Dude not only created this website but he also deals with all the techy stuff (the stuff I am either incapable of doing or unwilling to learn). Although the Dude prefers to work backstage, he sometimes comes out of hiding to write about various interesting stuff, like how to make an awesome frittata.  I find more reasons to love him everyday and I’m also glad I didn’t let a small issue like height differences get in the way of true love. Yes, that pun was intended.

Being the post-modern feminist that I’ve always been, I never thought I would be a stay-at-home mom. However, I quickly learned that being SAHM was one of the best and most rewarding decisions I’ve ever made. I also realized that being a feminist and a housewife are not incompatible.  In one of my favorite posts, I talk about identifying myself as a Feminist Housewife.

I initially started my blog to provide an outlet for topics that I believe are important, such as parenting and relationship issues as well as other topics that relate to my career in counseling, my passion for good food (I am a HUGE Barefoot Contessa devotee), various worthy causes I support, and critically important social and human rights issues such as gay rights. I like discussing topics that are relevant and important to many people and not just about myself and my family (hence the name of this blog). When I started blogging, I considered it to be such a self-indulgent activity but I quickly learned that it’s much more valuable than that.  My blog is an extension of my authentic self and it became a great way to connect with other like-minded people. It was also a great way to hear from people with different perspectives and points of view, which I’m always open to hearing. I started to really appreciate the wonderful connections I was making with other people and I loved getting back just as much as I was trying to put out there. I’m proud to be a blogger, as we all should be. We all have something to say and it’s good to have our own space to speak with our minds and our hearts.

When I really appreciated blogging the most was when I started going through some tough times.  This past year has proved to be one of the most difficult years of my life. I started out 2010 with the loss of my beloved grandmother followed by the passing of my wonderful grandfather only 8 months later. They were married 68 years and I credit them with teaching me the true value of love, loyalty and, in essence, the very meaning of  ’til death do us part.

On my wedding day with my grandparents, five years ago. Their marriage lasted 68 years!

In the past year I have also said goodbye to my brother and sister who are both serving our country, in very different capacities, in Afghanistan. I’m anxious for them to return home and enjoy an ordinary life again. Blogging about the loss of my grandparents and my anxiety with my brother and sister opened up a floodgate of support and encouragement, all of which meant the world to me.

Don’t fret, though, things aren’t always so serious around here! I enjoy bringing up the funny stuff, too, like our attempts to date other couples (wait, that sounds kinda weird) or picking up on other moms in the park (no, it’s not what you might think!).  And then there is the really weird/funny stuff, like my family’s obsession with seltzer water, what it’s like being raised Catholic and Jewish, otherwise known as a Cashew — (double the guilt!), or how I have half-siblings that are young enough to be my children. It makes for an interesting relationship dynamic, which I describe as the Mother/Sister Role.

Oh, and I also do the occasional review/giveaway for products I truly believe in and value. Keep a look out for some very exciting giveaways coming up this month!

Anyways, that’s me and my blog in a nutshell. I hope you stick around for a while and check it out — I’d love to hear from you. And, if you’re a blogger, I’ll do my best to visit your blog real soon!

P.S: I’ll be at the SITS Bloggy Boot Camp in San Diego next year – hope to meet many of you there!

*If you’re confused – SITS is an acronym for The Secret is in the Sauce, a collective of over 7,000 women bloggers that support one another via comments and feedback. I have been a member of this wonderful community practically since the day my blog was born. The support and encouragement I receive means so much to me and I consider my readers and SITStas to be the fuel for this blog. Being a featured blogger for the SITS website means that your blog is introduced to many other bloggers and vice versa. It’s a big day for a blogger and I’m obviously ecstatic that my day has finally arrived!

You see, I found out last night that one of my blog posts (THIS ONE) is being featured today over at The Secret is in the Sauce! Woohoo!

If you’re a blogger, you probably already know all about SITS. If you’re not a blogger, SITS is a wonderfully supportive community of women bloggers. It’s my favorite blogging network and I feel so fortunate to be a part of this group of fabulous women. Make sure to head over there and check it out!

I better get back to the party and start mingling with my SITStas. If you’re leaving me a comment today, I WILL get back to you as soon as I can.

Now, I think it’s time to make a batch of margaritas.

*cheers*