Link Up: A Thankful Heart '16 Round 3

Sunday, November 20, 2016
Can you guys even believe we're already in the third week of this link up??
About this time, I start to get sad that it's ending.
I just love the positive feelings I get from these posts and the overall sense of gratitude that fills my life when I go about my week purposefully searching for all I have to be thankful for.
I hope you will come link up today or tomorrow!
I love reading everyone's posts!

I posted what this link up is all about the first week and why I'm really pushing it this year, but I still thought I'd give a brief description this week for those of you just popping in ;) If you'd like to read the lengthy version, head on over to my first post!

Three years ago I decided to do a series of posts during the month of November about all the simple joys in life that I am genuinely so very thankful for. 
Each week, on Sunday, I would post a few things that made my heart feel that much more full.
It could be something as small as the meal I ate the night before or as big as my faith and family.
Either way, it reminded me of the many blessings I have been given and somehow my days felt brighter and my heart felt happier.
There are far, far too many things that I take for granted and it's about time they get some recognition.
Although I fully realize that I should be giving each of these things recognition no matter what time of year it is, November just seemed fitting :)
So once a week from now on, you will be hearing bits and pieces about the things that are giving me "A Thankful Heart"

1) A roof over my head



Ohhh man what a year this has been. We started out this summer, fixing up the condo we were living in that was owned by Hunter's dad. I had finally convinced him to let me paint the cabinets white ;) Hunter and I spent days and days on that project and when it was finally done, we were so happy with the outcome! We decided to step into the roles of Chip and Joanna Gaines for the summer and fix up a few other things as well! We updated the patio with a DIY bench and loved spending summer nights eating outside. We completely redid our bedroom and absolutely loved how it turned out. The next thing on my list was the bathroom. We were so excited for Hunter's dad to come up and visit to see all the work we put in. When we were all figuring out what to do with all the things he owned, it was decided that the condo would become an income property. Therefore, we packed up and moved within a few weeks. It was hectic and I cried as I walked through all those rooms with memories of our little life there. I was having a hard time processing a different home even though I know it'll only be a short time. So here we are, in a basement apartment, and we're doing just fine. My decorations aren't on the walls, hardly any of the furniture is our own, and putting up Christmas decor was a whole lot different this time around... but we're pretty happy here. We have a roof over our heads and beds to sleep in. We have a kitchen to cook in and running water in the bathrooms. We are doing just fine and we will continue to be just fine. This home is different, but I've learned it isn't the appearance as much as the spirit within the walls.

2) This here Blog


When I started this blog of mine, I had absolutely no idea it would turn into what it has become. I started it to share "the joys in my life" which I will continue to do but I feel so blessed to be able to have actually turned it into a huge part of my life. I think the most frequent question I get is how to start a blog. My answer is this: Just go for it! I had no clue what I was doing when I took the leap, but here I am today with so much more information on how to make it a brand. I love that this is my space of the internet to share thoughts and photos. I love that it represents me and my family. I love that I have the chance to uplift and inspire. I love that I have made connections with brands and been able to work with them to promote. I also really love that I have been able to form relationships with some dear friends because of this blog. I look forward to hanging out with "blog friends" because we just get each other and love to have fun... and take a whole lot of photos ;) Entering the blogging community has been such a blessing in my life for so many reasons but this biggest one is probably that it has given me a creative outlet throughout motherhood. I had a hard time adjusting because I'm quite a busy body. Blogging has given me the best of both worlds. 

3) Food


I wasn't sure if I wanted to include this one or not because it seems so generic, but it is so much more to me. For starters, I'm thankful that we always have plentiful amounts of food to fill our bellies. I'm thankful we can provide nutritious dinners for my daughter to keep her growing big and strong. However, I'm also thankful that creating food is so much fun for me. I absolutely love creating and sharing recipes with all of you and I sure hope you like it too! I've been cooking since elementary school and I've always been so passionate about it. I dreamed of having my own cooking show one day and dreamed of different creations all the time. I'm so thankful that food has allowed me yet another creative outlet. I'm also thankful that food is a way to bond with others. I love going out to a nice dinner with my husband and spending time with friends at a fun restaurant. 




Link Up Rules:

1) Please subscribe to, follow, or just check out your host/co-hosts. (first 3 links)
 2) Visit and comment on at least 5 other blogs. This link up is meant to create a blog community so don't be shy!
 3) In your post, please either share The"Thankful Heart" image above or link back to this post on your blog post.
4) Make your post more appealing and creative by adding whatever pictures you please and as many reasons to be thankful as you'd like! (remember that the post you link up should be about what you are thankful for!)
(#5 is optional but, very much recommended!)
 5) Share your post on instagram using #thankfulheartseries (with your choice of picture) and go check out other posts! Be a friend and comment on or like other posts :)



1 comment

  1. This is great Aleigh. I truly appreciate everything you listed as these are things that we can often take for granted but really shouldn't. I have so much gratitude for all of the things you listed. I'll be sharing my post soon!

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