It’s been a long few days of last-minute moving details and tying up loose ends, but the truck is all packed up and we’re headed to Nashville! We’re hoping to make it to Kentucky tonight and then spend tomorrow and Friday moving into our new home in Tennessee.
Thank you so much for all your prayers for us. The past few weeks were hard with all of the goodbyes, but we have been so blessed by your support and prayers for us. You truly have no idea what your comments and emails have meant. Thank you for how you love our family!
The Start of New Things
This move marks the new start of many things for our family. We’ve long dreamed of being able to work together more as a family unit — instead of me having my own business and Jesse having his own business.
With this move, we’re excited to be able to pursue that dream together. We don’t know how it’s all going to pan out or exactly what it’s going to look like long-term, but we are thrilled to be on this adventure together, trusting God one step at a time.
Going Back to My Roots as a Blogger
I’m especially excited, because one of the big changes for me with this move is that I’ll be going back to my roots as a blogger. The past few years, things have grown and expanded here, and I’ve felt unsettled as to how to balance blogging, running a business, and keeping my family and health a priority.
To be honest, while the growth of this blog has been exciting, it’s also been hard for me. It’s been far beyond what I could have ever dreamed and navigating it all while seeking to have my heart and priorities in the right place has been a challenge.
I’ve done a lot of experimenting, praying, and soul-searching over the past year. My husband and I have had a lot of discussions. And I’ve asked for counsel and input from trusted friends.
While I hope to impact as many people as possible with this platform God has given me, more than anything, I just want to live a vibrant life and to blog from the overflow of that life. I’ve missed sharing more personal, every day life type posts here. I’ve missed sharing my grocery shopping trips. I’ve missed giving you more of a peek into our lives.
If I’ve learned anything in the last few years, it’s that I’m most fulfilled when I stop trying to please everyone and just be who God has made me to be. This blog can’t be all things to all people — that’s why there are millions of other blogs out there!
What You Can Expect For the Future
So while I still plan to keep posting the best deals, freebies, and coupons, you can expect to see a lot more real-life posts around here. Such as:
- Posts about my grocery shopping and menu-planning.
- Posts about recipes I’m trying and freezer cooking I’m doing.
- Posts about money-saving triumphs and failures.
- Posts about DIY projects I’m attempting.
- Posts about our homeschooling adventures.
- Posts giving you more of a peek into our everyday lives.
- Posts about struggles I’m facing and lessons I’m learning.
- And the usual smattering of Q&A posts, books I’m reading posts, goal-setting posts, business advice posts, and whatever else comes to mind. {You know me, I can be pretty eclectic! :)}
Thank you for the constant encouragement and inspiration you all are to me. I appreciate each and every one of you so much and I’m excited to be back to more of where I started when I first began blogging. Thank you so much for joining me on this journey!
The packed truck: we were able to get everything we needed to take to fit (whew — all that de-cluttering paid off!!)
I really think hearing from you the best. i need to get back into coupon shopping and saving money. The guest money saving posts are not as interesting to me. I can go to another blog and get that–you are the author of this blog so excited to hear from you.
I am interested in what you and Jesse are embarking on together. Working together, I guess. Why TN?! I wish you all the best. Best wishes.
I look forward to reading your grocery trips and meal planning! I remember I first stumbled your blog while searching for alarm for freezer/refrigerator, LOL. I just loved your writing right away and thought you are a very talented writer!
I have to say, I’m excited about the changes! I love your content posts and that’s what I come here for, not really the deals (I always click the “skip the deals” button).
Congrats on your new adventure! Looking forward to more glimpses into your life!
Crystal, so excited that you are closer to me now! Hoping I can run into you at a blogging conference or some kind of speaking event. 🙂 (I am in Atlanta, GA area.)
Have followed your blog for a long time (5-6 years?). I would love to know (as comfortable as you are able to feel sharing) more about your move, why, is Jesse still practicing law, and your financial goals… your financial goals and achievements were so inspiring to me! I am your same age and although we aren’t in debt and saved to buy a car, we don’t have a paid for house. But your journey has inspired me to try harder to dream BIG with our finances.
Did you sell your other home that you had paid for with cash? and were you able to purchase your new home with cash?
Many blessings as you unpack and settle in! Just finished reading how your neighbors were such a blessing to you! Inspires me to do more for those that move in around me 🙂
I am sooooo glad to hear that you are going back to blogging and posting your recipes and freezer cooking and DIY projects. I loved that about your blog and when I didn’t see things getting posted it stopped me from reading and going to your blog. I have recommended your blog to many of my friends who want to get into homemade cooking and freezer cooking. I’m glad you’re bringing it back.
Very, very excited for the new changes!! Good for you for listening to God first! My husband and I are in a similar situation. “Work as if working for the Lord, not for men…” I always try to remember that verse! God bless!
Love that you’re going back to your roots. I admit, for the last year or so I have come to your site less and less because I always feel like I’m scrolling, scrolling through free-ebook and other offers to get to the personal posts. Glad to have you back, so to speak!
I totally agree!! I have followed you since my 1st was an infant and shes 8 now! Excited to see you going back to your roots! Especially looking forward to homeschooling posts!!!
You have surely been blessed with such a wonderful family and friends. I love reading your blog now and I always enjoyed reading about your family and all your cooking. You have given me so much inspiration since I signed up on your site. Do let us know how you and Jesse and the children are doing.
I agree! Your personal experiences and stories are what interest me the most! I have learned so much from you. Follow your heart!
,
Yay! I am excited about the changes, I love your personal stories the best anyways! I am in North Alabama so you are close to me now :). Hope you guys like Nashville!
I love your blog now. I can’t wait for all of the new changes. Do what is best for your family. I love blogs where it is all about what is really going on in peoples life’s. Can’t wait for all the new post!!
So exciting, Crystal! I’ll look forward to “having you back”, so to speak. I think it’s great how your blog has grown in recent years, but I’ve also had this nagging thought “but I liked it better before” (as in, about 5+ years ago when I started following.). 😉 Not that it matters what I thought…just letting you know I’m looking forward to the changes!
I’d love to hear more of what this move entails for you all, but I’m sure you will reveal that as you are ready. Blessings to your family!
I’ve read you from the very beginning, Crystal! with Biblical Womanhood! I loved those older posts about your life, your kids, and your frugal adventures! I’m excited to see more of those coming back 🙂
We just moved, too (although, just one town away….)… it’s a great time to start fresh!
can’t wait to see what you have in storm…
Yay! I just want to second what everyone else said in saying how much I enjoy your personal posts! Many blessings on your transition to TN!
I live just outside of Nashville. Hope you love the area as much as we do!!
Welcome to Tennessee! Never did I ever think I would call anywhere but Alabama “home.” Boy! Was I ever wrong. We love it here and hope you and your family will as well.
Congratulations on your new opportunities together. God bless you all through this transition.
I’m so happy to hear about the changes you’re making on the blog! My favorite posts are always the personal ones. I’m excited about your homeschooling posts as well, as I’m homeschooling 2 out of our 4 kids and the other 2 will be joining the ranks in a year or two. Anyway, thanks for all you do!
I moved to Nashville 3 years ago…its great! I think you will really love it here. Good luck with the move!
Still wondering what drew you to Nashville from our great state of Kansas. What will Jesse be doing now. I”m sure you can blog from anywhere.
That sounds great, Crystal! I really enjoy reading your real-life posts. They inspire me to try new things and to care about my home more. And you are great about writing about things that help me work smarter, not harder. Thanks for being real with us, your readers. 🙂
Good luck on the move! I know it can be hard on the little ones. We’ve lived in five states in 10 years. One of my moves even occurred with a 4-day old infant! Yikes!
I have to say I have always wondered why you didn’t blog more about your homeschooling, and am greatly looking forward to seeing more of that.
Thank you for all you do!
And I can’t wait to learn more about what exactly drove you to Nashville. I kept thinking you or Jesse might be going to work for everyone’s favorite financial guru…?
I 100% support you, it’s gonna be good no matter what. Do what you feel is best for you/family. You will feel less rushed, more content, less hectic. You got this.
SO excited you’ll be living in my town! I’ve been a reader since BW days. I have a daughter the same age as Kathrynne and have always showed her the posts of your children, esp. as we also use MFW. I hope that moving in, unpacking, finding your way around and finding a new church home go smoothly for you. Nashville is an awesome place to homeschool!
I’m so happy you’re going to go back to more personal posts. I have missed them so much! Enjoy your new adventure!
Crystal,
You have moved to my hometown! I’m actually a native. Please feel free to contact me if you need anything, want to have coffee, or a play date. Seriously, I mean it! I’m glad you’re here!
Angela : )
I always enjoyed the personal post more. To be honest I havent visited the blog as much as I had been partly due to the content and partly due to my increased busy life. I love the grocery and cooking posts. Also is nice you live in TN, just like me.
Best wishes for a safe trip! Looking forward to the changes, too. How exciting to be moving to Nashville!
Blessings on the move!
I hope you have a safe trip, and some fun adventures along the way with your kids.
Looking forward to your personal posts when you get the time. i hope your whole family is very blessed by being able to work more closely together.
I am thrilled to hear you are changing the blog back to the way it was! Thank you so much for all you do. Best of luck on your move and may you continue to enjoy God’s blessings!
I am so happy to read this announcement. I have been a reader since your first blog and LOVED it. I am glad that you are going back to your roots of blogging. To me those meant the most, they challenged me also. I have been homeschooling for 9 years, but still love to read about other HS’ers. You have challenged me to be the best wife, mother and homemaker that God has made me to be and I appreciate that. Those are the posts that keep me coming back the most! I use your kitchen tips and recipes/links the most on the blog. Thanks for all you do. I truly appreciate all your work.
I am so excited to see your new posts! I get so much encouragement from your personal posts. Hope your move goes well!
Crystal, congratulations and good luck with all your new adventures! I’m excited about the future of your blog and happy you’ll be doing more of what you enjoy. God bless you and your family!
So happy for you guys! I’ve been doing very little blogging here, mostly because I’ve jumped into a more lucrative activity that I really enjoy. I’ll have to tell you more about it sometime soon 😉
I remember when you closed Biblical Womanhood and your parenting blog that you didn’t have open for very long. I was sad about it but understood. And I think about how much you’ve changed and grown over the years, and how God has given personal blogging back to you, now that you’re ready for it. What an honor to be trusted by God with such a large following. May God bless your family on your journey – I can’t wait to hear more about it!
I’m so happy to hear that you are going back to basics…I really loved reading about your shopping trips, DIY projects and similar posts, and I’ve missed them this year!
Hope you are settling in well…your new kitchen is just beautiful! 🙂
praying that your move is going smoothly! I would love to see more homeschooling posts-I am going to start with my daughter in the fall, and love to see what others are doing!
Hey Crystal, I don’t comment often, but I wanted to let you know that I was one of your blog readers back when you just had a simple mommy blog, before you became “Money Saving Mom.” My background is in author marketing, and I’ve had SO much fun watching your journey and watching you do it right (and landing on the NYT Bestseller list as a result). I’m tickled to death for your success, but at the same time, the ordinary real-life posts have always been the heart of your blog. Not many people “get” that to be a successful blogger, your strategy actually has to rest on good quality content instead of turning the content into a money-making machine.
Anyway, sorry to ramble, but as someone who’s watched from almost the beginning, I think this is a great move and am SO looking forward to following along!! God bless!
So excited you are moving to my neck of the woods. I live in East TN. I pray God blesses your move.
Sounds like you are doing exactly what you should be doing! I’m excited to see where this journey takes you (blog-wise). As for the move, we moved to a Nashville suburb (Hendersonville) 8 years ago and have never regretted it! Hope you enjoy it here as much as we have!!
I actually grew up in H’ville and have family and friends still there!
Sweet! I bet we have some mutual friends!! Where are you now?
We live in Brentwood, but my parents and a TON of friends from high school still live there, plus we “talk” almost every day on Facebook. We usually are there every couple of weeks or so. Believe it or not, my family has been there since the area was settled (post Revolutionary War) and I’ve watched it change over the years.
Looking forward to the changes!
Sooo excited your blog is returning to its roots, that was my favorite part and I have really missed it. Best wishes on your new journey!
Best wishes on your new endeavor! I think Nashville would be such a beautiful place to live. Excited to follow your blogged details on this exciting journey for your family.
Crystal, I’ll always see you as a good friend, even though we have never met.
Now, having said that, I take a computer break, come back and find out you are moving!!!!!!!!! So exciting. Prayers for a safe trip, wonderful memories to carry you through the stress and that God’s will be with youalways. God bless
Best wishes for your new lives in Nashville. My kids just went on a quick spring break trip to Nashville and loved it there. Be happy!
I’m SO very happy to hear about the changes to your blog. I have been one of your faithful blog followers from almost the beginning! I can’t wait to get back to some of my favorite things I fell in love with about your blog.
If no one has told you in your move to Nashville—you MUST take your family and eat at The Pancake Pantry. It’s right by Vanderbilt. Don’t let the line down the sidewalk change your mind—obviously it’s awesome if it’s worth standing in line for! The Sugar and Spice and the Sweet Potato pancakes are my favorite. I live 5 hours away and I would walk to Nashville just to eat there!
Thank you so much for the recommendation of The Pancake Pantry! Now I’m dying to try it!
When do the lines start forming? I’m going to add this to our “list” since 4 out of 5 of us love pancakes. (Wish I would have known about it when my oldest was at Vandy, but then again, I wasn’t thinking about food at all.)
There aren’t always lines. I “think” it opens at 6am and goes until 2? (Don’t quote me on that.) If you go at a bit of an off-peak time you may not have to wait at all. There are other things on the menu to satisfy the person in your family that doesn’t like pancakes, but I haven’t bothered to really pay attention to that since I LOVE pancakes.
There is also a location in Gatlinburg, TN.
Thanks!
Crystal- I am so excited for the transition you will be making on your blog. I like how you will be going back to your roots. I really missed seeing that on here and I almost stopped subscribing! I am glad the Lord is calling you back the other direction. Thank you!
🙂 Great! 🙂
Congrats on your move! I’m excited to read more of your personal posts, I always enjoyed your post on Biblical Womanhood, and I’m looking forward to seeing you go back to your “roots.” 🙂
Honestly, I used to read your blog all the time but lately I haven’t been to interested in it. I am excited to hear that you are going back to what it used to be. When I read what you will be posting more it made me excited. Those are all the things I loved about your blog before. And good luck with the move. I wish you and your family all the best.
I could have written this as well. I used to love the blog, but have started just checking it for deals (that I rarely end up using). I am excited for freezer cooking, meal planning, etc! Great decision.
Congrats, safe travels, and good luck on the move. Nashville is such a great city. I’m excited you are going to share more day to day life posts and can’t wait to see what kind of ‘trouble’ you get into in your new home!
I’m so excited to read this. I was worried that with your move meant less personal posts. I LOVE all the peeks into your life, your freezer cooking, and all of your fun stuff. THANKS and keep up the great work. 🙂
I am so excited also for purely selfish reasons 🙂 as others have said. I have so missed your more personal posts. I love your meal planning, freezer sessions, shopping trips, etc. Very excited to share this new adventure with you and your family!! CONGRATS
I am so excited to hear that you’ll be going posting more. I love reading your personal posts, including those about new recipes, even though I am not very adventurous in my cooking… 😉
Like others have mentioned, these are the reasons that keep me coming back. I appreciate your other posts, but because I’m on a tight budget and have ADHD when it comes to couponing, I don’t focus on those much.
May God bless you on your new adventure!
I really wish you and your family the very, very best with your move! I moved with my family cross-country (from Pacific coast to Atlantic coast) a bit over 10 years ago, and it was such a good thing for us. Lots of transitions and adjustments, but lots of fun, too. As for your blogging, I’ve always found your more personal entries to be my favorites, so I look forward to seeing more of those. Best wishes!
I’m so thrilled that you’re going to be writing more! While I’ve grown to count on MSM for regular tips and information, your personal blog posts are the ones I enjoy the most and why I keep coming back.
I’m so glad you’re going to be true to yourself! We will all benefit 🙂
Good luck on the trip!
Crystal, my family is praying for your family and for an easy transition! You have been a blessing to me in more ways then you know for the past 3 1/2 years or so. Meeting you at Momsbootcamp 2 years ago was a highlight! I look forward to all God has in store for your family. I will enjoy the “changes” to the blog but honestly they don’t seem like changes. I’ve always enjoyed your realness and authenticity! Blessings!
Thank you so very much for your prayers — and for your kind encouragement!
So excited for your new adventure and thrilled to hear you are going back to more personal posts! Yay!!!
Safe travels to you and your family! =)
While I’m sure any big change is nervewracking when it’s being watched by thousands of people, I am THRILLED to hear about the upcoming blog changes. I’ve been reading your blog for years (and even took the supermarket e-course so long ago!) and have really missed that personal touch that originally drew me to your writing.
Congrats on the success, and good luck in Nashville!
I am really looking forward to the more personal posts! Also, praying your move goes smoothly and without any problems for you and your family.
God Bless!
Thank you Crystal! Good luck with your new adventures! I have been a member since your blog was brand new and you only posted about your family life. I remember you changed the focus of your blog from personal to more of a “life coach” site because you felt pressured about all the parenting advice that was asked of you. I pray you do not feel the same pressure.
I admit that I have always been curious about your homeschool days and I miss your meal plans!
May I suggest that you devote one day a week to homeschool? I homeschool my two children and would find your posts, as always, to be an encouragement. Be safe and good luck!
First, congrats and may God Bless your move!! Second, you can’t even believe how happy this makes me!! For completely selfish reasons, I’ve been so nervous that your move would take you further away from the basic blog posts that I’ve been following since the beginning. It’s the everyday “here’s a picture of what I baked today” that have inspired me SO MUCH over the years and what keep me coming back for more. Thank you for all that you do!! And please keep doing what you are doing!
I’ve been praying for your family for a safe and smooth move and a joyful transition!
I’m afraid this will sound like a backhanded compliment – haha – but I am SO excited to read about the changes you’re making to the blog. For years, I read your blog every single day. The last year or so I’ve just not been as invested because I’ve not been as interested in the posts. The reasons that you want to make changes are the same reasons I’ve not been as engaged. I started reading because, well, I liked YOU! I enjoyed reading about your money adventures, your shopping trips, recipes, and life stories.
Everyone is different but I’ve found that the blogs I really love are the ones that I feel like I know the person and have a vested interest in their story. Excited we’ll be getting more of those!!!
Thanks for your kind encouragement — and for reading here every day!
You’re going to do GREAT and will love the south! I should have said that I feel like I relate to the person not know them…that sounded creepy. 🙂
Welcome to TN. I have lived here almost all my life. We live just outside of Nashville. I know you are going to love it because it is the greatest state there is with the friendliest people. Tennessee and all who live here are wonderful.
Wishing you luck with your new move. It will be an exciting time for you all. I’m kind of glad you are getting back to basics. I recently realized I wasn’t reading your blog as much as in the past. It seemed like it was getting too “commercial” for me and I missed the posts that were more family/household/cooking oriented. I’m looking forward to seeing more of that once your family is settled into your new home.
You even fit the kids! :O) Best of luck with your move and I’m so looking forward to going back to your roots on this blog. I’ve been reading it since my son was born almost 5 years ago and so enjoyed being inspired by your personal experiences to me want to be a better mom, wife and all around person. Thank you for all your inspiration over the years, looking forward to seeing whats in store for MSM. :o)
Crystal,
I’m a reader from WAY before Money Saving Mom. I was a reader of your Biblical Womanhood blog (I think that was the name). I so miss it. You were a catalyst for me exploring my role as a wife and started me on the journey to becoming a true Christian. Of course as a working mom, some of the things you said ruffled my feathers, but as I’ve matured I can see both sides of the issues. I just wanted you to know that you had a HUGE impact on my life and that I really miss hearing your opinion.
Amanda
While I look back and sadly regret many of the things I said and the way I said them on that blog, I am grateful that God could use it in your life for good. And thank you for your sweet encouragement! This comment truly blessed me today!
I really liked that blog, too. 🙂
Crystal, I just started reading your blog a couple of months ago…but felt sooo deawn to everything you and your family stand for. We share very similar beliefs, values and general view of finances. my husband and I have read a lot of your older posts together, and I can honestly say they have been a blessing.
May God bless you and your family in your new journey!!! Waiting anxiously to hear (or read 🙂 ) about this new phase in your live. Congrats, and God bless!!!
Paducah, Kentucky is a great place to spend the night, great choice of hotels just off I- 24.
Excited about the changes to come on your blog. Have been reading since Biblical Womanhood days (which by the way I loved and was bummed when you ended that blog). Congratulations on your move.
Looking forward to the new blog that is what I always enjoyed the most about your blog is the personal touch of it! 🙂 Good luck unpacking! :0)
We will be praying for you as you move and get settled! Safe travels and best wishes in the place the Lord has transplanted you to!
I, too, am excited that you’re going to back to a more personal style of blogging. I’ve been reading your blog(s) since Kathrynne was a baby and I’ve missed your stories and more personal encouragement the last couple of years.
Thanks for the updates and for letting us pray for your family,
Lea
Really exciting opportunity for you and your family, and I am looking forward to the ‘new’ blog!
Congratulations, good luck, and do what makes you happy!
So, so exciting! My grandmother lives in Nashville, and we’re 2 hours south in Huntsville, AL. This is a great part of the south and I hope you feel right at home as soon as possible 🙂 It’s strawberry time around here right now for the next several weeks–if you need a fun family outing, look up a pick-your-own farm!
Also, I’m excited about reading more of your real-life posts. I love the deals too (but often my best deal is just not buying anything, so I do usually skim those posts). But I always benefit from other people’s honest, biblical perspective on real life events that they have been learning from.
Oh–just an idea for a grocery shopping post. I would love to hear some grocery strategies that work for you as you scope out a new town with new stores, new ad types, new “best deals,” and even just learning the layouts of whatever become your new favorite stores.
Best wishes on moving, unpacking, and staying sane through it all!
I am so excited about your website going back to it’s roots. Yay. i have followed your blog for a really long time.. Good luck on the move and with all your new adventures.
I can’t believe how much your kids have grown! Been a reader since before y’all bought your first home. I’m so glad to hear you’ll be doing more personal posts. I miss those. We don’t use coupons near as much as we used to, since we’re eating whole foods exclusively and shopping at Aldi. But I would love to read how hs is going, since our kids are of similar ages.
Good for you! Best of luck with your transition. We moved from Northeast Indiana to Southwest Middle Tennessee July of 2011. We love it here! I loved your comment about pleasing others, it’s hard to try not to be a people pleaser and God has great plans for you! God bless!
Hope you are able to unpack and start settling in today and this weekend. Praying for your children as they adjust.
So exciting! Praying the move goes smoothly for your whole family. I’m curious, what made you guys decide to move to Nashville over other places?
A long list of reasons… but mostly because some doors opened up here that it was clear we were supposed to walk through. It also was an added benefit that we already have a community of dear friends here and also we just love the area. 🙂
Congrats, so excited for you, sad for me! 🙂 🙁 I know you’re just a click away and that we didn’t get together that often, but you will be missed. It will be hard knowing that you’re no longer on the opposite side of town! Safe travels!
I am so very grateful that we connected and got to meet in person multiple times. You’ve been a blessing to me!
I’m so excited for you Crystal. Looking forward to you sharing more from your heart and your money saving deals. You’ve been such an inspiration to me.
I’ll continue to pray for your transition as a family.
((((Hugs))))
Best wishes as you move and settle into your home. The changes to the blog sound wonderful. Your personal stories and ideas are very inspirational to many of us. Can’t wait to read everything!
The faith family at RBC of Nashville (http://thegospelcoalition.org/network/church-directory/state/tennessee/reformed_baptist_church_of_nashville) is what my family misses most after moving from the Nashville area!
I am SO HAPPY that you are taking your blog in this direction. That is why I started reading so many years ago.
Your personal stories are what inspired me to get our family out of debt. We paid off over $100,000 worth of debt and are now paying off our home. Keep on inspiring me!!
I’m excited for you to “get back to your roots.” I don’t really care for deals. I don’t have the money to spend on them. lol. I love the everyday stuff and the grocery trips. I’m excited to see more of those again. 🙂
Have fun settling in and safe travels!
Best wishes with the move! I don’t comment often but felt compelled this morning to let you know I’m looking forward to you returning to the “old” blog. Like another person who commented, when I first found your blog, I would check every day for deals and ideas on how to save money. More recently I have checked in much less. So happy you will be sharing more, like you used to. Looking forward to it! Have a safe journey!
AMEN to all of that. Thank you Crystal, for sharing and continuing to share your blessings, your challenges, and your lessons… I hope you enjoy your new place. Nashville is wonderful- the people were amazing when we visited. I’ve never known such spontaneous generosity and kindness as we felt when we went there. You’ll fit right in 😉
Safe travels! Thank you for sharing your experience. You are a wonderful teacher.
Good luck on the move! You live closer to me now (in SC)! I’ve always loved your blog but haven’t frequented here much because you did go a different direction. Not complaining at all because we are all different and you did what was best for you at the time. With that being said, I can’t wait for your blogging to come back! You have been so inspirational to me. Good luck moving out more towards the East coast!
Yay, we live in nashville! You will love it here!! Good luck with the move & can’t wait to read your new blogs!
Crystal,
Good luck to you and your family on your move. I hope you have a safe journey. I am so happy to hear your plans for getting back to your roots as a blogger. I must admit that when I first found your blog, I would read it everyday, but over the past year or so I found myself reading it fewer and fewer times each week. I missed the personal posts that you used to write and I can’t wait to read more of them. Thank you for all that you’ve taught me the last few years!
Having lived across country, and out of the country for that matter, I can attest to how arduous the trip can be! I wish you all the safest, happiest of trips! As for moving, the only thing I would recommend to anyone moving is to get a POD! They were a lifesaver for my family; pack and go! As for your getting back to basics blogging, I love it! Maybe a weekly time for people to live chat or a twitter party, or something would be awesome as well! Thank you for all you do!
Good move! that is the kind of blog I like to follow anyways! I want the person behind the blog to be real and to “love” what they are doing. Great job for making this move. So be happy doing what you love! I can’t wait to read about it all:)
Been reading your blogs for a while. Looking forward to the changes. Thanks for all you do. Best wishes on your move to TN!
I am excited about the changes- I’ve missed a lot of your “older” posts! Congratulations and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for your family…the best is yet to come!
I’ve been reading your blog since Biblical Womanhood. And while I’m not a committed reader to MSM, I do miss your *real life* posts. They were always so encouraging.
I am praying for your safety as you travel and that you will all stay well. I am excited about the changes coming to your blog! Hugs!
I’m fairly new to this site. I really enjoy all the tips and comments.
Thank you for all the information.
Yay! That’s so exciting! I can’t wait to see the blog changes come into effect! I actually pretty much stopped reading your blog when it became more business-sounding rather than personal, but I kept following your FB page just to see any great deals that you might post. I look forward to resuming reading your blog every day as these changes occur!
Wishing you all the very best with your move and new life. Exciting times ahead for you. Looking forward to hearing about your new adventures.
The personal posts are what I love most about your blog (along with the money saving tips of course)! It makes me feel like I am not alone in my struggles with this crazy life! I hope your move goes according to plan and you settle in quickly. Will have you in my thoughts and prayers…
Congrats on the move & many blessings for your family. I like the deals & coupons but I always enjoyed the more “real life” posts especially your menus & freezer cooking 🙂
Welcome to TN. Moved here from NY in 1995 to save money. We have no state income tax and no school taxes. Still miss our families but have expanded our immediate family-6 grandchildren. TN has much to offer hope you get to explore the Smokies. Hopefully, your children will get to take advantage of our free 2 year college opportunity when they are old enough. Again, welcome to The Volunteer State-hope you like football and the color orange.
I’m curious. How are your schools funded?
County and city taxes. : )
LOVE THIS, Crystal!! You are right…none of us can be all things to all people. Being who God has made you to be and keeping it real…this is something I will show up to read.
What an adventure!
I love that you will be doing more personal posts. Yes, the deals are good to see as well, but my favorite posts on your site are the ones that show us the behind-the-scenes day-to-day happenings. You have a beautiful family and a beautiful spirit. Thank you for sharing them with us.
I love this post. When my husband and I started blogging together (and some other money-making ventures), we wanted to replace some of our supplemental income with something we could do together. Those extra supplemental income opportunities we had been taking were constantly taking us away from each other and/or the kids. Of course, our blog isn’t really making money yet (and might never really replace the supplemental income we dropped), but it is a wonderful chance for us to work together and spend time with each other. We aren’t in a position for him to give up his day job, but it has already been such a blessing to our marriage to have intentionally added in things we do together. I pray that this move and working together is a huge blessing in your marriage and your family as well!
Congratulations on the move! It’s always great when you finish packing the truck and IT ALL FITS!
I am so excited to hear this news. I’ve missed reading your grocery posts and your posts about everyday life. Yay, you!
Sounds like a great move for your family and a good move for the direction of the blog. I look forward to seeing it!
Thank you for being authentic! Your impact as a “real” person is awesome. Blessings to you in your move and the many changes for you and your family!
Crystal, what exciting news! Can’t wait to hear how it all comes together for you and your family!! I have also been following you since your Biblical Womanhood days when Katharine was just little :-). I remember how saddened I was when those days came to an end, but totally understood :-). Can’t wait to hear more about your days, recipes, homeschooling, routines, and new ideas!!! Yea!! Prayers are with you and your family during this next chapter!!
I can really relate to your statement “I’m most fulfilled when I stop trying to please everyone and just be who God has made me to be.” This is so true and I constantly work on this daily myself. Moving is so hard but exciting. God will bless!! Thanks for all your hard work. I enjoy this site.
I will add you and your family to my prayers, for a safe journey. I’m so excited you and Jesse are going to work together, and look forward to the changes you’re going to make.
Have a safe journey to Tennesse. ♥ ♥ ♥
I felt a twinge of sadness when reading this, thinking of how incredibly difficult it surely is to leave your family & friends behind. I’m another reader who’s been following your journey since Biblical Womanhood and, looking back, it’s nothing short of amazing how far you’ve come. I’m so excited to hear about your new adventures and also look forward to the changes you outlined. I always prayed you wouldn’t lose your way, what with all the continuing success, speaking engagements, and a book on the NY Times Best Seller’s List. You and your family are in our prayers here, Crystal! Cheering you onward & upward!
Yes, it’s been a bittersweet time for us… sad to say goodbye to so many wonderful people here in Kansas, and yet also excited about what lies before us! Thank you for your kind encouragement and your prayers! I truly appreciate them!
This faithful reader and fan of you and your blog is thrilled for you going back to your roots. Truth be told, I have prayed for your blog to go back to what I was used to when learning about couponing, saving, etc while being a brand new stay at home mom 4.5years ago. I didn’t want to be selfish with my prayers, but I wanted a comfort from someone I trusted as I work my way through life as a wife and mommy all while being frugal. You are a true mentor in many way! God Bless you and your family as you travel this new journey ahead. We will be cheering you on from the sidelines!
Thank you so much for your sweet encouragement! This comment truly blessed me — and I’m grateful God answered your prayers!
I’ve been following you closely since…2006(?)…so I am looking forward seeing you go back to your “roots”. I’ve enjoyed getting a peek into your journey and you will never really know the impact you have had on my own. Your blog (and the comments!) has encouraged me, inspired me, taught me, stretched me, made me think…and–especially in the early years–held my hand through some scary lean times, and given me a sense of community through some lonely times… You have played a big part in my life (and family) and I feel like you are a dear friend even though we’ve never met (though we have emailed a couple of times 😉 ). Many blessings on your family! We are cheering you on!
Wow! 2006?!? Thank you so much for your sweet encouragement and for being such a faithful reader for so long! {Hugs!}
I am so excited for you and your new adventure! I can’t wait to read the upcoming posts you’ll write. I thought that maybe you weren’t couponing or freezer cooking as much since your personal posts decreased in amount, but now I look forward to hearing more about what you are doing. It’s nice to read about others with the same goals as I have. It encourages and shows me more ways to complete those goals. I’ve just started learning and blogging about Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University and LOVE it so far! He is so funny and intelligent. Thanks for sharing about it in past posts. This month I start the envelope system and look forward to seeing how far it can take me.
Woot! So happy to hear that you’re loving FPU! I hope your envelope system experiment is a success!
So glad you’re going back to showcasing your DIY projects and recipes — and your awesome little family! Your authenticity first drew me to the blog in 2009 and I’ve been a MSMer (is that even a thing? It should be! 😉 ) ever since!
Good luck with the move and prayers for the hours, days, weeks, and months ahead as you get settled and plant new roots!
Thank you so much — and thank you for sticking around since 2009! I’m so amazed at how many readers here have been around for so long!
Best luck in your move and your future endeavors. We made a move from Kansas to Northern California last July. As hard as the move itself was, and as strange of a transition, I chose to take that move as an opportunity to also change things within myself. Little habits, big habits, etc. We weren’t able to fit everything with us for the move, the good and the bad, but it was learning to leave the emotional and mental baggage behind that has been the most freeing. I’m not always successful, but it’s getting there. Again, best of luck to you and your family with your changes.
I LOVE this! Thank you for taking the time to share this beautiful comment — it really inspired me!
LOVE this!!!!!
Wow! What a big change! I’m looking forward to the upcoming posts 🙂 Blessing on your move to Nashville!
So I live in Nashville and at the time of 10:53pm as I am getting ready for bed I open your page and see this post. Very heartwarming to see you bring it back to simplicity. Also I am now wide awake and excited that you are coming to Music City :-). Blessed and safe journey!
Aw, you’re so sweet!
Have a safe trip. I can’t wait to read more posts that come from your heart and your life.
Thank you so much!
Also a long time reader here. I am looking forward to the more personal type posts 🙂 Your old blogs were some of the first ones I started reading as a younger mother. I hope your transition to a new place and new journey goes smoothly. And welcome to TN! I have lived in Middle TN my whole life.
Thank you so much for the warm welcome and kind words!
welcome to the South! i have been reading your blog for 7 years…started when we lived in Wichita, and we moved to Nashville 5 years ago. it is an amazing place for music, culture, raising kids, and a wealth of vibrant churches. you will be blessed! so glad to hear you are returning to your roots. can’t wait to see what the Lord does next…email me with questions anytime
Thank you so much for the warm welcome!
So exciting! You’re moving closer to me! 🙂 well, huntsville, al that is? God bless you and your family on your new journey!
Yay! That’s *definitely* closer to you!
I love the new direction you’ll be taking with the blog. Of course it isn’t really new but those are my favorite posts! Looking forward to them!
Thank you for your kind encouragement!
Welcome to the Nashville area! It’ll be nice to see more real life posts from you. 🙂 good luck with the move and changes. If you need any suggestions for anything in the Franklin/Cool Springs area, shoot me an email!
Thank you so much!
Yay! The truck got packed and with room to spare! Safe travels and hope that unpacking goes well. As others have mentioned, I am very excited to see some of the ‘old’ blog coming back. I always looked forward to reading your blog but must admit over the last couple of months, have not been as motivated (have even considered checking out, but I guess email, FB and MSM were just such a habit – those are the 3 things I do every day on the computer). So excited to see more of the personal side and the Q&A coming back!!!!!!
Thanks so much for your sweet encouragement! And yes, I was SO happy we had some room to spare in the truck… I was worried we wouldn’t be able to fit it all in so had been de-cluttering a LOT recently in hopes that everything would all fit!
Good luck on your move.My daughter and son in law are transferring to Nashville also.He just got a job with a computer network company!
How exciting!
I am so excited to hear about the changes for the blog. When I started reading it was a lot more of you and your family and the life you lead and I have missed that. Good Luck with the move!
Thanks so much!
Thrilled you’re going back to a more personal style of blogging! That is what drew me into your blog several years ago. I just skim thru the blog these days… Good luck and god bless (:
Thanks so much for your excitement!
I am so excited about this! Although the deal posts are often helpful…my favorites are the ones with recipes 🙂 and I would love to hear more posts about homeschool etc. this sounds great! Also I will be praying for your move..congratulations!!
Thanks so much for your prayers — we appreciate them!
Sooooo excited for you Crystal!! I LOVE what you are doing and most of all how you follow God’s prompting and leading in your life. Praying for you my friend! Praying that God blesses you and Jesse in this new adventure!
Thank you so very much for your prayers — and for being such a blessing and an encouragement! Blessed to know you, friend!
Congrats on your new move! I look forward to hearing about your adventures and how the Lord is working on your lives! Blogging is a difficult thing for my life sometimes… hats off to you for keeping at it so diligently! Blessings!
Thank you so much for your sweet encouragement!
May the Lord give your family a safe trip! Looking forward to you in TN ;-)- I’m an hour east of Nashville and it’s just lovely here! Welcome to TN!!!! May the Lord bless your move and resettling!
Thank you so much for the warm welcome!
Well, yay! Those kinds of posts were always my favorite! We just moved over 700 miles this past weekend and I’m in the unpacking stage, missing friends and wondering how I’ll ever find my way around. Praying that you have a safe trip, smooth move-in, and are blessed with many good new friends!!
{Hugs!} to you!
Another reader here from way back when 🙂 …. good luck on your move and I’m thrilled to get the privilege of peeking into your life. I have learned so much from your personal posts and I’m glad to hear there will be more like them!
Thank you so much for your sweet encouragement — and for reading here for so long!
I am a long time reader, too. I have missed all the types of posts you will be going back to, so I am excited for your changes! Good luck on your move!
I am so happy you are going back to your roots! The basic everyday post about your life are the ones I like best!!!
Thanks so much for your kind encouragement!
I am glad for you for choosing to slow down and enjoy the blog more and blog about what you really want to… I always appreciate the homeschool posts and peeks into your life! I was babysitting for a friend last week and I saw she had a clever little craft or something on her shelf and when I asked her son (10 years old) where she got that idea he said “She probably got it off moneysaving mom or something…” It made me laugh!
That’s too funny! Thanks for sharing that story and making me smile tonight! 🙂
Good Luck Crystal! I agree. Be true to yourself. That’s why I started reading in the first place.
Thank you for your encouragement!
The real life posts are my favorite so I’m really happy there are going to more of them. Good luck on the move and all the changes. Sending positive energy your way.
Thank you so much!
You know what? This post just emanates peace. And when that happens right as you’re heading out to a brand new city, house, and business adventure, it’s pretty apparent where that peace is coming from!
This comment just made me smile! Thank you for your sweet encouragement! I’m so very grateful for the peace in my heart right now — even in the midst of a big transition.
Congrats to you for pursuing your calling. Nashville is a wonderful city and a great place to raise kids! And I want to hear about your freezer cooking, grocery shopping, and home schooling adventures! Go girl!
Thanks so much for being my cheerleader!
YAY! I am so excited for this. I have missed the “old” blog. I quit following for quite some time because the blog didn’t fit me. It seemed you outgrew me : the sahm, homeschooler, the couponer, etc.
Congratulations on your new journey. Can you share what the family business will be? Did you move to Nashville to be a part of Dave Ramsey’s “family”? That was my first thought . 🙂
We LOVE Dave Ramsey, but the opportunities that have opened up for us are something different. We’re excited to see how it unfolds.
I am so happy to read this update because my favorite posts are when you write about “everyday” things like grocery shopping & trying recipes! I am not much of a freebie/coupon/deals-from-every-store person… I get a lot more from the personal type of posts. I have been reading you since Biblical Womanhood, and we had our first babies at almost the same time so I have always followed along with you!
GOOD LUCK with your move and getting settled, hope it all goes smoothly!
Wow! You’ve been following for a long-time! Thanks for sticking around for such a long time!
This makes me very happy! I miss all the things you are bringing back. I’ve been reading you for years now. You were very encouraging and helpful to me as a new home maker and mom. I love passing your blog onto others- I know it will bless them as well! Safe travels!
Thank you so much for your encouragement — and for being a long-time reader!
I’m so glad that you plan to go back to the way you used to blog. I have been a long time reader and even though I love what you post now I really miss the old days
I miss the old days, too! 🙂
Hope you have a safe journey and get settled into your new home smoothly. I have enjoyed your blog since the Biblical Womanhood days and am looking forward to seeing what will come next. I know it will be uplifting and interesting. Best wishes in your new home and new endeavors.
Thank you so very much for your kind comment!
Best of luck to you and your family! Thank you for all of the great tips on shopping and keeping families together in spirit.
Thank you so much for your kind encouragement!
I’m so glad to see you going back to your “roots”. I still pop in but often skim more than read now. I love MSM, as always, but the older style was what really drew me in. Can’t wait to see more of it. Prayers for safe, uneventful travels and ease in getting settled.
Thanks so much for your prayers!
Congrats on getting the truck packed and I look forward to the changes on the blog. They sound great to me! 🙂
Thank you for your kind encouragement!
Best of luck to you and your family! I look forward to more of your personal blog posts!
Thanks so much!
If you can tolerate cold weather, you will probably love Nashville. I have lived here for the past 3 years after living my entire life in FL. Nashville and the surrounding areas have so much to offer. I live about an hour to the west, but am in Nash at least 2-3 times a week. Unfortunately for me, I cant tolerate the winters- so my husband is trying to find a job in FL so we can move back. But I am sure you will love it. Good luck with the move, and make sure to take your kids to all the great outdoor places in the area, its truly a naturally beautiful part of the country.
It’s such beautiful country, isn’t it?! After having lived in Kansas, it will be a fun change to look out and see something other that flat land! 🙂
Have a safe trip first! and I know that the Lord will go ahead there and he’ll be all your steps in new land. Bless you and your family! also blog.
Thank you so very much!
I’ve also been around since the Biblical Womanhood days. So excited for your new adventure!!
I’m doing the same thing. Just told my daughter that I am going back to blogging about things I would naturally talk about and stop trying to be this deep theological person that some women want me to be. I’m just a girl like all the other girls!!!! I DO have deep thoughts, and I might blog about them, but I also might do a fashion post here and there. Gasp!! I’m ready to be ME.
Can’t wait to see this unfold for you Crystal. You have many happy days ahead. Much love!!!
Meeting you in person after knowing you online for so long was SUCH a treat! Looking forward to watching where your journey takes you, too! Thank you for the blessing you are to my life!
I am so HAPPY to see that you are going back to your roots! I have missed SO MUCH your “old style more personal posts”. I have often wanted to comment so but did not want to appear to be complaining! All the things you have mentioned above, yes, I have been missing! Thank you so much! Wow! This is just what I have been hoping for. It is what hooked me on MSM in the first place! Safe travels! You have been such a blessing to me, even though we do not know one another! Blessings!
Thank you for being excited with me! Your comment put a smile on my face!
Have a safe trip! While I love your blog now I miss the other stuff and look forward to more of it again! I’ve been reading since you were Biblical Womanhood with only one little girl and love seeing how God has worked through you into others lives and in yours and your family’s. So many books, new homes, business opportunities, giving opportunities, growing family, and so much more. Through it all you have always been real, showing the world your shortcomings so we can see it’s not just us who don’t have it all together all the time. May you continue to be blessed beyond all you can imagine in this new and exciting chapter of your lives!
Thank you so much for your sweet encouragement — and for sticking around here for such a long time! Wow!
God put your blog on that screen years ago. You and a few other Godly women bloggers have helped me to know what true biblical womanhood is because that wasn’t something that I grew up around. Since that time, 8 years ago, I have come more into what God has planned and get ever closer to His fullness and you truly have been a part of that. I know that your family will never have anything less than His best. You are an inspiration to me. Thank your parents for me. They started you down and incredible path that I pray I am starting my three down. And thanks to you and your wonderful husband for continuing down that same path even when it’s been more than a little inconvenient or difficult. 🙂
I wish you and your family all the best in your new home and as you pursue your goals. I am also so happy to hear that you are going back to blogging the way you used to. I liked it so much better. May God bless you all.
Thanks so much!
I am excited to hear you’ll be tackling these topics! I am a long-time reader of your blog(s), and these kinds of posts are what drew me to your blog in the first place. I hope your move goes smoothly, that you get settled in quickly, and that all of your dreams about this next phase of your life come true!
Thank you so very much for your sweet encouragement — and for being a long-time reader!
I agree, it was the more personal side of the blog that held my interest. I do enjoy all the posts and understand about time commitments but it seemed like there were more repeat posts than new. So looking forward to the next step in your journey! As a Christian, homeschooling mom, stockpiling sale seeker and (attempting) healthier chef for my family I’m seeking the same in the blogs I read. Looking forward to the first post from Nashville.
Thanks so much for your kind encouragement!
Soo happy for you Crystal! I am so excited to read about the many changes. Listening to your heart and to what God wants is going to bring so many blessings to you, your family, and for all of us as we read your new posts!
Hugs!
Thank you so much for your sweet encouragement, friend!