When I hesitantly hit “publish” on that first Five Heart Home blog post over three years ago, I never imagined that it would lead me here. Initially, my husband was the only one who knew about my blog. Then a few family members and friends found out about it. At some point thereafter, I was shocked and elated to discover that I had over one hundred visitors in the same day! And now? Well, I’m humbled and honored by the previously unfathomable number of visitors and regular followers who stop by to read, comment and make my recipes every month. As for publishing a real-life, actual cookbook, I’m still pinching myself! None of this would have been possible, however, without so many others.
To my husband, Jason—thank you for your unwavering love and support, through this cookbook project and always. You’re my best friend and I can invariably count on you to be my number one fan. You encourage me when I feel discouraged, you believe in me when I don’t believe in myself and you take care of me and everyone else. I love you, I appreciate you and I’m beyond blessed to be navigating this crazy life with you.
To my three beautiful, sweet, smart, precious children, Grant, Reid and Annie—thank you for filling my heart with more love and joy than I ever thought possible. I’m so proud of each one of you, and it is an honor and a privilege to be your mama. Thank you for being my willing (and blatantly honest) taste testers, and thank you for being patient with me as I do my best to juggle everything. Not to steal a line from a cheesy ‘90s ballad, but everything I do, I do it for you.
Thank you to my parents for being such shining examples that hard work and determination (with a touch of sheer stubbornness) pay off. Thank you to my brother for always making me laugh with your dry and witty sense of humor. Thank you to my in-laws for loving me as one of your own from the very beginning. Thank you to the rest of my family and friends for your love, support and encouragement throughout my life. I’m so lucky to call you “my people.” And to those who acted as my special slow cooker recipe testers? Y’all played an integral role in the creation of this cookbook, and to say that I appreciate you would be a huge understatement.
Thank you to my amazing, faithful blog readers and followers. This cookbook is because of you and for you. I’m so grateful that you not only make my recipes, but that you let me know when you enjoy them … and then you come back for more! Thank you to Page Street Publishing for reaching out to me and collaborating together on a cookbook with such a solid, useful concept. It has been a pleasure working with your team, and I’m very thankful for and humbled by this opportunity.
Last but certainly not least, I am ever thankful to God for each and every one of the wonderful people and amazing blessings in my life.