Some weekends feel like a deep breath...the kind that fills your lungs, slows your pace, and brings a smile to your soul. This was one of those weekends. It was a beautiful blend of errands, productivity, rest, family time, and unexpected God moments...the kind you just know you'll carry with you for a while. We had a full few days, and I truly wasn't ready to give it up come Monday morning.
The other day, my sister tagged me in one of those funny Facebook memes. It said something like, “I wonder if my siblings show people a picture of me and say, ‘This is my mean sister.’” I laughed out loud, because y’all… if you know my sister, you know she’s a literal angel on earth. She doesn’t have a mean bone in her body. It was all in good fun, and of course, just a sisterly joke.
But it got me thinking.
Happy Friday! I'm so excited to kick off a new little series here on the blog that I’m calling R.E.P.O.R.T. — a weekly roundup of different topics. This will change with the times and seasons. This week I am sharing what I’m Reading, Embracing, Praying, Organizing, Recommending, and Tackling. Think of it as a peek into my heart and home, kind of like sitting on the front porch with a glass of sweet tea and catching up. Let’s jump in…
I’m joining in on the Monthly Musings link-up today, and this month’s theme is all about how we summer! Summer is one of those seasons that feels like a deep exhale after a long stretch. There’s a bit more margin, a bit more sun, and, if we’re lucky, a bit more time together. From travel and books to food and family, here’s a look at how we spent Summer 2025...
It’s Wednesday… which means it’s time to link up for the Wednesday Hodgepodge! I love taking a pause midweek to reflect and share some light-hearted (and sometimes deep!) answers to the random questions of the week. Let’s dive right in...
Linking up with Joyce...
I know that according to the school calendar, summer may be winding down... but if you’ve spent any amount of time in Texas, then you know...summer is far from over around here! In fact, we’ve still got weeks (and maybe even months!) of sunshine, heat, and blue skies ahead of us.
If you're local to the Dallas/Fort Worth area (or just visiting!), there’s no shortage of things to do that scream Texas charm and family fun. I’ve rounded up a bucket list of my favorite summer must-dos, from waterparks and drive-ins to cowboy culture and Instagram-worthy murals. Grab your sweet tea, and your comfiest sandals, and let’s make the most of this Texas summer!
This weekend felt like a sweet mix of slow and steady...the kind where you get some much-needed rest, but also manage to cross a few things off the list. My favorite kind. Even with the extra downtime, it still flew by in a blink. Why do weekends always do that? I don’t have many pictures to share from the past few days, but here’s a little look into what our weekend held...
Written on 7/7/2025
We recently spent a week in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and I’m still in awe of the beauty we witnessed. Every time I looked at the mountains…whether it was driving down a winding road, sitting in a parking lot, or driving through the Air Force Academy…I found myself whispering, “Wow, God.”
He created that. Towering rock faces, snow-dusted summits, skies that stretched forever. It was impossible not to stop and marvel at His handiwork.
If you know me personally, you know that the last season of my life has been… a lot. I was walking through some of the hardest, scariest, most overwhelming days of my life. At the height of it all, I was preparing for brain surgery, and every day felt like a battle between fear and faith.
In that season, one of the things that brought me the most comfort, aside from my time in prayer, was worship music. I’d put on worship, close my eyes, and just let the words wash over me. These songs reminded me that I wasn’t alone... that God was near, even in the moments when everything felt heavy and uncertain.
More Saltwater, Sunsets & Sweet Moments
There’s just something about waking up at the beach. It’s like your soul starts the day already at peace. This trip to the coast was nothing short of wonderful...the kind that fills your heart and makes you so thankful for slow days, salty air, and family time. We didn’t do a whole lot outside of the house, and honestly? That was the best part. Just being together, relaxing by the water, and soaking up the sunshine felt like exactly what we all needed. Here’s a little peek into Days 3 & 4 of our trip…
Freeport, TX – Saltwater, Sunsets, and Sweet Family Time
After what felt like the slowest countdown in history, we finally made it to the coast! On Wednesday, July 16th, we pulled into our beach house driveway around 6:45pm. Nate’s parents had already arrived and were settled in, so we got straight to unloading all the things...bags, coolers, fishing gear... you know the drill.
It’s time for another round of Wednesday Hodgepodge...a fun series hosted by Joyce, of random questions that offer a peek into everyday life. I always enjoy reflecting on these thoughtful prompts and reading what others have to say, too. This week’s questions cover everything from beach bags to roller coasters to the slowest (and fastest!) passing of time. Let’s dive in...
There are some places in Texas that you visit, and then there are those you experience. The Coming King Sculpture Prayer Garden in Kerrville is most definitely the latter. Nestled in the heart of the Hill Country, this stunning and sacred space offers far more than just beautiful views, it touches your heart and soul.
We visited the garden on a trip to the Texas Hill Country, and to say it was moving would be an understatement. From the moment we stepped onto the grounds, we felt the peace and presence of The Lord.
Just last week, I shared our plans for a beach getaway to Freeport, Texas, and all the things we were hoping to do while we were there. Now that we’re back home (and still sweeping sand out of the car), I thought it was the perfect time to circle back and give a little update on what we actually checked off that beach bucket list... and share a few fun stats from our time away.
Yesterday in my Thrifted Thursday post, I shared about a beautiful navy and white photo frame I scored for just $2.50...brand new, never used, and totally my style. The second I spotted it, I knew exactly what I wanted to do with it. And today, I’m so excited to share that little DIY project with y’all!
I mentioned earlier this week in my Weekend Wrap-up post that I did a little thrifting last Friday...and let me just say, it did not disappoint! Y’all know I love a good deal, and this trip was definitely one for the books. I ended up snagging six items for only $11...I mean, come on! And two of the items were brand new with tags (one valued at $29.99 and the other with an original tag of $24.99). That’s the kind of thrift haul that makes my heart do a little happy dance.
Let’s dive into what I found...
It’s time for another round of Wednesday Hodgepodge...one of my favorite ways to share a little peek into what’s on my heart and what’s happening around here. Let’s jump right in!
Linking up with Joyce.
The countdown is ON! We’re packing up for a few salty, sunny, soul-refreshing days along the Texas coast...and I couldn’t be more excited. We’ll be spending our time in Freeport, but we’re just a hop, skip, and a jump away from Galveston and Surfside Beach, too. That means triple the adventure, triple the exploring, and (hopefully) triple the peace.
Whew! What a full, fun, and heart-filled weekend we just had. It was one of those that makes your heart feel extra grateful for family, friendships, small wins, and sweet reunions. Let’s jump in...
There’s a moment from our Colorado road trip that will stay with me forever.
We were heading home, and I knew it was the last stretch where the mountains would still be in view. I was staring at them…trying to memorize every ridge, every shadow, every color painted across the peaks…when “Goodness of God” came on the radio.
I instantly got weepy. Like, deep-down, soul-stirring kind of weepy.
Because in that moment, all I could think about was how good our God truly is.
We’re back from Colorado, and while I’m still dreaming about those mountains and cooler temps, I figured it was time for a little update on our 2025 Colorado Bucket List. If you saw my original post, you know I had a list of 23 things I hoped we’d squeeze in on our trip.
Well, we didn’t hit them all...but we did manage to check off 15 (including one surprise stop that wasn’t even on the list!), and I’m so thankful for the sweet memories we made. The rest? Well, I’m just calling that our “next time” list.
Have you ever had a moment where you’re just going through the motions, caught up in your own little world, lost in your phone, and then…bam…something pulls your eyes up and your heart right back to Jesus?
That was this entire road trip for me.
Next week we’re packing our bags and heading south to soak up some sunshine and salty air in Freeport, Texas! We’ll be staying Wednesday through Sunday in the sweetest beach house...right on the marina with a private pool, plenty of space to relax, and the kind of outdoor setup that screams vacation mode.
Fun fact: this will be our 2nd time to rent this house. We loved it so much the first time that we decided to rent it again for a few nights of beach bliss. It looks like it has switched owners and has a few updates since we've been there. We're excited to see what has changed. I’m already dreaming about morning Jesus time with a marina view and evening walks on the sand.
Here lately I’ve found myself falling back in love with so many of the things that once brought me immense joy...blogging, picking up my camera again, and most recently, something I used to wear almost daily… my charm bracelet.
This charm bracelet is so much more than a piece of jewelry...it’s like a wearable scrapbook of my life, one that has been 28+ years in the making.
I’ve gone back and forth on whether to share this post… not because I didn’t want to, but because it’s hard to put this journey into words. The past few months have been filled with uncertainty, doctor visits, misdiagnoses, medications, answered prayers, and more divine nudges than I can count. I’ve kept detailed notes along the way...partly to advocate for myself, partly to process it all...and today I felt led to put it all into one place.
If you’re walking through something similar, I hope this encourages you to trust your gut, lean into your faith, and look for the little reminders that you’re not alone. This is a long one, but it’s a big piece of my heart... and a testimony to how God shows up in the details.
If you’re local to Waxahachie or just passing through and craving a good, solid burger...this one’s for you! For this week’s Waxahachie Wednesday, I’m spotlighting a recent visit to The Burger Spot, and y’all… it did not disappoint.
Another 4th of July weekend is in the books... and this one just might be one of my favorites yet. We spent the holiday at the lakehouse, surrounded by family, sunshine, fireworks, and all the red, white, and blue. It was the slow, memory-making kind of weekend my heart loves most. I already shared a bit about our festive photo plans in this post, but now it’s time to give you the full rundown of how the week actually played out.
Spoiler alert: it was GOOD.
The Grand Canyon of Texas...
On our way back from our Colorado road trip, we made a stop that had been on my Texas bucket list for a long time...Palo Duro Canyon. And let me just say… wow. Texas never ceases to amaze me. A little wink from God, reminding us of the beauty He painted into every corner of this state.
If you caught this post, then you know I made a festive little photo checklist to go along with our 4th of July celebration at the lake. I love having a themed list to guide the moments I want to capture... but as with most things, sometimes the reality looks a little different than the plan...and that’s okay!
I have a whole (long) weekend wrap-up post coming soon, but in the meantime, I thought it would be fun to revisit that photo list and go over what I was and wasn’t able to check off.
Happy 4th of July, friends!
We’re ringing in this Independence Day a little differently this year...and I couldn’t be more excited about it. Instead of our usual camping trip and city fireworks, we packed our bags and headed to the lake for a long weekend of red, white, and blue fun!
I mentioned in our Weekend Wrap-Up post here that we stopped by one of my favorite little local thrift stores...Pennies from Heaven...while out running errands on Saturday. It’s one of those sweet, tucked-away places that always has a little treasure waiting to be discovered.
Linking up with Jenn at Joyful Jenn for this month’s Currently post...and I truly can’t believe we’re already flipping the calendar to July. How is the year halfway over already?! It feels like we were just ringing in 2025, and now we’re pulling out the red, white, and blue for summer’s most patriotic celebration.
This month, we’re sharing what we’re currently loving, savoring, celebrating, remembering, and trying. Let’s jump in!
Linking up with Joyce for another round of Wednesday Hodgepodge! These questions are all centered around July 4th - one of my favorite holidays. Let’s dive in...
We are officially gearing up for some 4th of July fun at the lakehouse this weekend, and I couldn’t be more excited! Give me the water, sunshine, good food, and fireworks with my people and I’m one happy girl.
Anytime we take a family trip, there’s one thing I always try to include...a scavenger hunt for the boys. Our nephews (ages 5 and 7) have come to expect it, and it’s honestly one of the highlights of every trip. They love the thrill of the hunt, and I love watching their excitement with each new clue. So of course, I had to put one together for our lakehouse getaway.
Whew, what a weekend! I can’t believe how quickly it flew by, but I’m so thankful for every full moment. Speaking of things flying by...where in the world did June go? Anyhow, here’s a little peek into what we were up to over the last few days…
We hadn’t even made it out of Texas yet...
Somewhere between Wichita Falls and Amarillo, as the sun began to set, we were gifted the most breathtaking view. The sky lit up in soft pastels and vibrant oranges, a ribbon of clouds glowing like they were hand-painted by God Himself. I reached for my phone (as I always do), and my heart whispered, “Thank You, Lord.”
Isn’t it just like God to show up in the simple moments?
Since Mason didn’t have to be at the rink until 9:00 am, we got to sleep in a bit...a small but welcomed gift after a week of early mornings and go-go-go. But in true Hall fashion, we were still a little early.
We arrived in time to catch the last 30 minutes of the game before Mason’s, and something about watching that game just broke me wide open. I wept like a baby. Twice.
Our sixth day in Colorado felt like the grand finale of our trip...the kind of day that made us pause and say, “wow… we really got to do this.” With Mason getting out of camp a little early, we packed the afternoon and evening with bucket list adventures, beautiful views, and a whole lot of gratitude. It was a day we had looked forward to for years, and it absolutely lived up to the hype.
Our middle days in Colorado were full of the kind of moments that make you slow down and say, “this is so cool.” From climbing rocks and castle views to creamy shakes and downtown strolls, Days 4 and 5 gave us a perfect blend of adventure, rest, and a whole lot of gratitude.
Tuesday started bright and early...we dropped Mason off at camp, then stayed to watch his first ice session before heading out for breakfast together. After a delicious start to the day, Nate and I made our way back to the Academy to be nearby for Mason’s updated schedule (camp life = flexibility!).
I’m so excited to be linking up with Holly from Pink Lady and Patty for their Monthly Musings series. This month’s theme is all about summer vacations...and you know I’m all about that life! Whether we’re loading up the car for a road trip, soaking in the salt air at the beach, or planning a porch-sitting kind of weekend at the lake, summer is truly my favorite.
Let’s dive into this month’s questions!
Our much-anticipated Colorado trip is in the books, and I’m so excited to finally sit down and share all the details...starting with the first three days, which were already so full of fun, laughter, and the kind of moments that fill your heart right up.
While our Colorado adventure was full of scenic drives, roadside stops, and bucket list moments… the main reason for our trip was something a little extra special: Mason was accepted to attend the Air Force Academy Hockey Camp in Colorado Springs!
As a hockey family, this was a big deal. Not only was it a great opportunity for Mason to grow in skill and experience, but… hello — hockey camp at the Air Force Academy?! So cool. We knew it was going to be an unforgettable week.
On our way home from the mountains of Colorado, we made another adventure stop…
Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas. It was right at sunset, and y’all… what a perfect way to wrap up a road trip. The sky was glowing with those dreamy Texas colors that only God can paint, and the row of half-buried Cadillacs lit up like a dusty art gallery on the plains.
Our road trip from Waxahachie, TX to Colorado Springs, CO was nothing short of incredible. From stunning mountain views to thrift store treasures and some “oh wow” bucket list moments, we packed so much into our adventure...and had a blast counting it all along the way. Here's our Colorado trip... broken down by the numbers.
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!