I’ve been seeing so many adorable Bible DIYs floating around TikTok lately, and they’ve completely inspired me to add a little extra sweetness to mine. I’ve always loved making my own bookmarks for my Bible, but recently I’ve been wanting to do something a bit more. I think part of it is because our Bibles are so much more than just books… they’re living and active, the very Word of God. And for me, making them personal and beautiful is another way of honoring the time I spend in them.
Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite times of the year... a season filled with family, food, and all the cozy feelings that make my heart so full. But if I’m being honest, it can also be a season that gets loud, busy, and a little overwhelming if I’m not careful. Between traveling, cooking, cleaning, and trying to make everything “just right,” it’s easy for the peace and gratitude I want to feel to get buried under the to-do list.
There’s something about Thanksgiving that just feels sacred... a whole day set aside for gratitude, family, and slowing down long enough to remember how blessed we really are. It’s one of my favorite days of the year...the smells from the kitchen, the laughter of family, the coziness that fills the house.
But it’s also easy for Thanksgiving to slip into routine... the same menu, the same rush, the same checklist of things to do. So this year, I’m being intentional about creating moments that make it feel a little more meaningful... a little more memorable... and a whole lot more centered on thankfulness and Jesus.
There’s just something about fall that makes me slow down a little. The crisp mornings, golden sunsets, and cozy evenings on the porch invite me to pause, reflect, and spend more time in the presence of the Lord. For me, one of the sweetest ways to do that is through worship music.
Fall feels like a season of gratitude, reflection, and drawing near to Jesus...and the right worship playlist can set the tone for those quiet moments. Whether I’m driving Mason to hockey, sipping coffee on the porch, or journaling in the Word, worship music helps shift my heart from busy to still.
Today I wanted to share my Fall Worship Playlist...a mix of my favorite artists and songs that have been encouraging me in this season.
Fall always has a way of slowing me down... reminding me that just like the leaves, it’s okay to let some things go. It’s the season where God whispers in the wind, “Be still.” The world around me seems to hurry ahead...rushing into the holidays, making lists, decorating, planning...but my heart feels Him pulling me back to simplicity... to rest... to Him.
This time of year feels like a gentle invitation from the Lord to stop rushing, to stop striving, and to simply be thankful. Not just thankful for the big, obvious blessings...but for the small, quiet ones too. The ones that slip by unnoticed when life feels hurried. The ones tucked inside ordinary days... the laughter around the dinner table, the sunsets that stop me in my tracks, the feeling of peace that comes from knowing God is near.
Written on 9/15/2025
Last Tuesday after hockey practice, we stopped by Taco Bueno for supper. Nothing fancy, just an easy weeknight meal together as a family. When we walked in, the young man behind the counter looked at Nate and said he liked his car. He had seen us pull into the parking lot. Nate smiled and told him it was actually Mason’s. He pointed toward Mase, and the kid’s face lit up as he replied, “That’s so awesome. That’s why I’m working here...to save money for my first car.”
There’s something about fall that just makes me pause. Maybe it’s the cooler mornings, the leaves drifting down, or the way pumpkins and mums brighten every porch in town. From my own front porch, I see the signs of harvest all around me, and it always nudges my heart toward gratitude. Scripture often connects the idea of harvest with God’s provision, His timing, and the fruit that comes from a faithful life. Today, I thought we could take a moment to reflect on a few verses together.
There’s something about sitting on the front porch this time of year that feels sacred. The air is just beginning to shift... mornings are cooler, evenings come a little quicker, and the trees whisper that change is near. Fall in Texas may not always show up on the calendar’s exact date, but you can feel it in your bones when it finally does. And in those first hints of autumn, I’m reminded that God is present in every changing season of life.
Happy Wednesday, friends! You know what this day means around here... it’s Hodgepodge link-up day! I always love these posts because they feel like catching up with old friends over coffee... or maybe a caramel macchiato ;). This week we’re chatting about how far the apple falls from the tree, what we’re nuts and not-so-nuts about, what abundance truly means, our favorite caramel treats, memories that come with falling leaves, and of course... a random thought to wrap it all up. So let’s dive in!
Written on 9/6
It’s Saturday morning at 8:30 a.m., and we are headed to our very first hockey game of the new season. The air feels different...crisp with anticipation, heavy with the sound of gear being packed, and light with the chatter of excitement. And as I sat there reflecting, it struck me just how quickly the trajectory of life can change.
Written on 8/20/2025
I recently came across a quote that stopped me in my tracks... “A peaceful home is a sanctuary for the soul.” I couldn’t agree more. Over the past several months, I’ve been intentionally working to make our home exactly that… a sanctuary. A place where peace fills the rooms, where laughter echoes through the walls, and where we genuinely love to just be.
Happy Friday, friends! I’m so delighted to share another round of this new little series here on the blog that I’m calling Weekly R.E.P.O.R.T. — a weekly roundup of different topics that shifts with the times and seasons. This week’s theme is extra special because we’re entering my very favorite time of year... fall! 🍂
This week I’m sharing what/how I’m Resting, Embracing, Praying, Overflowing, Rooting, and Thanking. Think of it as a little peek into my heart and home... almost like sitting together on the front porch with a cozy blanket, sipping a warm drink, and catching up on all the things God is stirring in this season. So let’s jump in...
Written on 7/23/2025
Today I was headed into town and, sure enough, got stuck behind a line of tractors moving at the speed of absolutely nothing. My first reaction? Frustration. I glanced at the clock, sighed a little too loudly, and thought about how much I needed to get done. But then God whispered, “Remember when this used to bring you joy?”
Written on 8/19
One of the things I’ve been reminded of lately is just how powerful our daily choices can be. The little things we do...the ones we might not even think twice about...can ripple out further than we’ll ever know.
What a heavy week. It feels wrong to post anything lighthearted or trivial today. My heart has been so burdened, and honestly, I have been weeping for this world. Everywhere I look, there are reminders that this world is so broken… and that we need Jesus more than anything.
Written on June 29th, 2025
Tonight, I almost talked myself out of going for a walk. You know how it goes...long day, tired body, every excuse stacked up. But something nudged me, so I laced up my white Adidas (walking on clouds, truly...Adidas are elite for walking and you cannot change my mind) and stepped outside.
This evening, I found myself drawn to the front porch...the air heavy with the promise of rain, the clouds just starting to roll in. I brought out my devotional and coffee, not expecting a holy moment, but that’s exactly what I got.
I sat in the stillness, the kind that only comes right before a storm, when everything seems to pause. I could hear the low rumble of thunder in the distance...strong, mighty, commanding attention. At the same time, the soft flutter of wings caught my ear. A hummingbird zipped past, delicate and determined, making its way to our flower bush just a few feet from me.
Written on 8/11
This morning, Nate and I arrived a little early for the early service at church. Because of that, we were among the first to step into the sanctuary… or so we thought. We picked our spot and then I noticed something beautiful...the middle section was already filled. Row after row of eager high school students sat together, greeting each other, laughing, chatting with our youth leader. You could feel the energy in the room before the music even started...
If you’ve been around here long, you know I love a good thrift store. There’s just something about hunting through the shelves, never knowing what little treasure the Lord might have waiting for you. One of my absolute favorite spots to browse is Pennies From Heaven…a local thrift shop run by a church, and y’all... I always I find the best stuff there every single time.
I especially love that because it’s church-run, they always have an incredible selection of faith-based books, devotionals, Bibles, wall art, and more. And let me tell you...I recently hit the jackpot. On my latest visit, I walked out with a stack of books that had me grinning from ear to ear!
Hi, I’m Crystal — daughter of the One True King, wife to my high school sweetheart Nathan, and Mama to our 15-year-old son, Mason. I’m a proud hockey mom, homeschooling adventurer, wannabe homesteader, and Texas girl through and through.Around here, I share our life...the messy, the meaningful, and everything in between. From chasing dreams and thrift store deals to traveling this beautiful state (and beyond), to finding Jesus in everyday moments... this is our story. Welcome to Hall Around Texas!! I’m so glad you’re here!