{Thankful Thursday // Week Four}

 Happy Thanksgiving, friends! 

I can hardly believe we’ve made it to the final Thankful Thursday of November. This little weekly gratitude series has been such a sweet reminder to slow down and notice God’s goodness...not just in the big, exciting moments, but in the small, steady ones too. As we head into this Thanksgiving weekend, my heart feels especially full.

Here’s what I’m thankful for this week...

1. Time Off Work This Week

There’s something sacred about slowing down, especially after a season of nonstop busyness. I’m so thankful for the chance to pause, breathe, and just be. To sleep in a little, sip my morning drink slowly, and not have every minute of the day planned out. It’s been such a gift to step away from the hustle and soak up time with my people.

2. Traveling to Tennessee for Thanksgiving

This one makes my heart burst with gratitude. Getting to travel to Tennessee and spend the holiday surrounded by family is such a beautiful blessing. There’s something so special about gathering around the table with people you haven’t seen in years...laughing, reminiscing, and just being together. I’m especially grateful for the chance to visit with my PawPaw, Mimi, and so many aunts, uncles, and cousins. Family truly is one of God’s greatest gifts, and I’m soaking in every moment of it this week.

3. The Little Things We Often Take for Granted

This week, I’ve been extra aware of all the quiet blessings we sometimes overlook...the air we breathe, the sky stretched above us, the ground beneath our feet. Our jobs that provide, the homes that keep us warm, the food on our tables, the cars that get us where we need to go. It’s easy to get caught up in wanting “more,” but when I stop and take inventory, I realize we already everything we need. Gratitude shifts everything.

4. The Gift of Rest and Reset

As this year starts winding down, I’m thankful for the gentle reminder to rest...body, mind, and soul. Rest isn’t lazy; it’s holy. It’s how we refocus, recharge, and prepare for what’s ahead. Whether it’s a quiet walk outside, a slow morning with my Bible, or a nap after Thanksgiving lunch (let’s be honest!), I’m learning to embrace rest as part of worship.

5. The Faithfulness of God Through Every Season

When I look back over this past year, I see God’s fingerprints everywhere...in the answered prayers, in the unexpected blessings, and even in the hard days that stretched my faith. Through every change, He’s been constant. And that alone is reason enough to give thanks.

Bonus

I’m so deeply grateful for this space and the incredible community that has grown here over the years. What started as a simple little blog to document our family’s adventures has become something so much more...a place of connection, encouragement, and shared stories.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being here… for reading what I write, for following along with our life, and for taking the time to leave the kindest, most thoughtful comments. Your words truly mean more than you know. Each message, each visit, and each bit of encouragement has reminded me why I started Hall Around Texas in the first place...to celebrate faith, family, and the beauty of everyday life.

You bless my heart beyond measure, and I thank God for every single one of you who takes the time to stop by this little corner of the internet. Here’s to more stories, more laughter, and more shared moments together. 🤍

This week especially, I’m reminded that gratitude isn’t about having a perfect life, it’s about having a grateful heart. When we slow down long enough to see all the ways God provides, peace naturally follows.

I hope this Thanksgiving finds you surrounded by good food, warm laughter, and the people who feel most like home. And if this season looks a little different for you this year, I pray you still feel God’s presence wrapping around you like the softest blanket.

Happy Thanksgiving, friends...may your hearts (and your plates!) be full.