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Maggie Whitley

joy in motherhood, homemaking, faith & simple living

The joy is what remains.

April 7, 2021 · 6 Comments
Filed Under: Faith, mamahood

I’m writing to you in the evening which generally is not when I write, but tonight IT IS when I’m writing. Normally at this time of day I have very little comprehendible thoughts. Let’s see what I’m able to put together… The day is coming to an end for our four young children. They’re being… [Read More]

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6 Comments
Filed Under: Faith, mamahood

Thirteen thoughts in March…

March 24, 2021 · 10 Comments
Filed Under: for fun, inspiration

Feeling very, very grateful for some of the personal changes I’ve made since November of last year, which I’ve mentioned briefly. Here’s what’s been transformative for my mental health: vitamins, caffeine awareness, an increase of sleep, and “doing” something when I feel my anxiety flare. Last month I added to the mix, “step back from… [Read More]

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10 Comments
Filed Under: for fun, inspiration

An update on my reading list!

March 16, 2021 · 8 Comments
Filed Under: books

Back in January I shared a list of books already on my bookshelf that I hope to read this year. I’m happy to share I’ve read three of them, which brings my reading total for the year to seven books! Of course there are many books I don’t own that I want to read (I… [Read More]

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8 Comments
Filed Under: books

Winter walks in Michigan

March 10, 2021 · 5 Comments
Filed Under: Detroit, family

Before winter “officially” ends for the season I wanted to share these photos from a family walk we took one morning. Zack had been out of town for a whole week and we missed him dearly, so our next full day back together as a family we loaded our basket of winter gear and went… [Read More]

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5 Comments
Filed Under: Detroit, family

A homeschool resource as you prepare to celebrate spring

February 22, 2021 · Leave a Comment
Filed Under: homeschool, seasons

Hi, friends! Well, we jumped back into homeschool this morning, at precisely 9:37am, after taking a week off for “mid-winter break”. Before we gathered at the table to learn we feasted on bacon, eggs and buttermilk pancakes. I definitely know how to lure them in ;) But in all seriousness, sometimes “having something to look… [Read More]

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Filed Under: homeschool, seasons

Four things for Friday!

February 19, 2021 · 4 Comments
Filed Under: lifestyle

Yippee, it’s Friday! What are your plans this weekend? Here are four fun things to share with you… 1. COMMUNITY // Three blogs I’ve enjoyed reading as of late: Household Theology, The Gospel Coalition, and Give Them Beauty. Enrichment abounds! 2. BOOKS // I recently finished The Dutch House (loved it sooo much!) and am… [Read More]

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4 Comments
Filed Under: lifestyle

A time lapse of our homeschool lesson

February 11, 2021 · 4 Comments
Filed Under: homeschool

butterfly (similar) & dinosaur prints / vertical poster kit / see my houseplant tour Have you ever wondered what our home is like during our school lessons? ;) This is the quiet version. Here’s a 29 second time lapse of teaching my second grader and first grader. My third child (Marigold) makes an appearance, and… [Read More]

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Filed Under: homeschool

How do you play during the winter?

February 9, 2021 · 8 Comments
Filed Under: Bauer blogs, seasons

We recently spent a few nights in Petoskey, MI visiting family. A huge snowstorm blew in just as we were arriving. This left us with feet and feet of fresh snow to play in for the next few days. With all the sparkly winter wonder around outside, we stayed warm inside by cooking meals &… [Read More]

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8 Comments
Filed Under: Bauer blogs, seasons

Hello, February! Here are five things to share with you.

February 1, 2021 · 5 Comments
Filed Under: books, simple living

What did you do over the weekend? We spent a lot of time at home (hey, what’s new?). One morning we woke to a fresh layer of snow, it was quite the delight. The kids looooove when it snows, and any time the wind blew snow off the roof they all shrieked, “it’s a snow… [Read More]

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5 Comments
Filed Under: books, simple living

“Will you embroider my sister’s home?”

January 27, 2021 · 11 Comments
Filed Under: creativity, embroidery

Once upon a time there was a young woman named Jordan who was in need of a special gift. Jordan asked me, “Will you embroider my sister and brother-in-law’s home? This would make the perfect Christmas gift as they recently bought it and are so excited to live there.” Jordan sent me a few photos,… [Read More]

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11 Comments
Filed Under: creativity, embroidery

On writing regular letters.

January 19, 2021 · 7 Comments
Filed Under: inspiration

Last year, near the end of August, I realized there were about 20 weeks left in the year. It was the perfect opportunity to make a fun activity out of sending one letter a week through December to spread a little joy. I know, I know… letter writing has really fallen to the wayside. It’s… [Read More]

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Filed Under: inspiration

The books I hope to read this year.

January 12, 2021 · 14 Comments
Filed Under: books

We are 11 days into the new year, and so far I’ve done an excellent job of sharing :) Let me explain below… Just last week we boxed up the last of our Christmas decor, including our tree and allllll the ornaments. My husband and I received some really nice books as gifts so I… [Read More]

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14 Comments
Filed Under: books

Merry Christmas! Plus, adding a little warmth to my home.

December 21, 2020 · 8 Comments
Filed Under: family, holidays

It’s a little crazy that Christmas is Friday, can you believe it? Even though this year has been unlike anything else we’ve ever experienced, there is still the relief of Hope, which is the one thing that keeps me going most days… in all honesty. I’m sitting at a little table in my kitchen to… [Read More]

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8 Comments
Filed Under: family, holidays

Life around here!

December 15, 2020 · 9 Comments
Filed Under: family, simple living

What has kept you and your home busy as of late? For us, it’s this… The sound of Julia Robert’s calming voice is playing in the background of our playroom. Yesterday we finished another read aloud, Charlotte’s Web, so today my children are watching the movie. Knowing in-detail the lessons they are learning, along with… [Read More]

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9 Comments
Filed Under: family, simple living

10 “field trips” ideas for your homeschoolers (Detroit & beyond)

September 2, 2020 · 5 Comments
Filed Under: adventures, Detroit, homeschool

We are gearing up for another year of homeschool, and I am just so giddy to settle in to a new rhythm with my kiddos. This year I moved our learning area to our basement where we’ll have more room to create and play, and I’m wrapping up loose ends with wooden puzzles & other… [Read More]

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5 Comments
Filed Under: adventures, Detroit, homeschool

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ABOUT MAGGIE WHITLEY DESIGNS:
Maggie Whitley weaves her writings around joy in motherhood, homemaking, faith, and simple living. She homeschools her children, enjoys a quiet room while reading, and roars with laughter over the challenges & delights of motherhood. Maggie and her husband, along with their four young children, live in metro-Detroit. She has been writing online since 2008.
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maggiewhitley

JOY in motherhood & homemaking 🧺🌿💓✨

maggiewhitley
“We are preparing to wind down for the school ye “We are preparing to wind down for the school year with just a few more weeks of intentional table lessons. We will then transition to a lighter learning schedule during the summer months. Today I am grateful for the books and resources I’ve read that have helped keep me in my own lane. (Visit my blog to see a personal favorite.)

Even now, three years in, I appreciate the reminder to stay on the path that was designed with intentional thought just for me.”

✨ see #maggiewhitleydotcom for the full post ✨
I took off my “comparison / contemplation” gla I took off my “comparison / contemplation” glasses last month and it’s been soooooo good. See also: sooooo hard (because life is never and/or). I’ve been writing more, reading more, spending more time outside. Talking to friends faces and smelling their detergent. My heart feels lighter. I’m sharing a few updates on my blog if you’d like to read? 🌾🤓blog reading & writing is a much better pace for me. You too? Link in profile.
Reflecting on this today 💓🕊 When I reflect o Reflecting on this today 💓🕊 When I reflect on the moments I’ve felt my mind spinning, my emotions swirly, it’s almost always when I’m not feasting on the word of God. Not that reading scripture is the cure for anxiety —no! Rather, it’s hard to worry when we’re worshipping.
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#womenintheword #wearethehomemakers #scripture #dailyintheword #titus2woman #healthylifestyle #mentalhealth #anxiety #anxietyawareness
Current backyard status: stunning in wonder ❄️ Current backyard status: stunning in wonder ❄️✨
A quiet night: the furnace is running, the tea is A quiet night: the furnace is running, the tea is hot, and the whisper of a page turning. ♨️☕️📖 // We are breaking from school this week, my plan is to read a lot, walk a lot, and rest a lot. How about you?

#mothersofinstagram #tea #winterreading #hygge
I fought every internal comment I could think of a I fought every internal comment I could think of and took my kiddos for a looooong walk today before dinner. ❄️✨ There’s just so much work required to raise children! I’m feeling like a tired lady. But sunshine & fresh air are good companions to keep around. 

We came home and I made “the best dinner ever”. Max specifically announced, “it’s so great you’re launching new meals to the world”. LOL— kids! 🤣👏🏻💓
How about a little Wednesday night introduction? 😘Social media sure has changed over the years and we don’t always SEE who we’re following or remember WHY we’re following certain accounts. 

So, hello! As you can gather, my name is Maggie ;) 

I started writing online (almost 13 years ago) to share the handmade products I was sewing. My shop was called Gussy Sews. ✂️👛I love the community that has grown from sewing & sharing online.

Let’s FFW to today: Zack and I live in Michigan and have four young children (2 boys & 2 girls). I slowly left the handmade industry and walked right into homemaking, homeschooling, and encouraging women through writing. 💕📝

Motherhood has been very hard on me. (And not just because of how close in age our four children are.) It’s been hard for me because I fought for years to accept that *it’s supposed to be hard*. 

I mean, how do you effectively teach another person to know and love the Lord? Bc that’s how I think of motherhood: a calling to nurture others by studying the One who nurtures me. So I gotta make the first move: study the Bible and seek Him first. As my friend Autumn reminded me, vulnerability births transformation. 

(I’ve had to be really vulnerable!)

So, yes motherhood has fully transformed me. But even more so, Christ has fully transformed me. My list of “all that He’s done for me” is off to a beautifully long start.

Something else I want you to know about me: I stalled for years before acknowledging I have anxiety and depression. It’s hard to talk about this because of course this isn’t forever “my hardship”, but rather because acknowledging this means to heal I have to work through some really difficult things. ✨

But my friend Jesus walks alongside me. He’s already done a mighty work in my heart, including helping me process my anger in healthier ways. I’ve also adopted a heart for sisterhood, mothering, and Titus 2 mentorship.

Sometimes our greatest losses are our greatest gains? That’s what I’m clinging to!

How about you? Tell me something about yourself so I can get to know you on a deeper heart level. 🖤🖤
How do you play in the winter? // We had a really How do you play in the winter? // We had a really great time visiting family in northern Michigan. On my blog I share a few ways we played outside, plus I describe a memorable childhood game ❄️☃️. Did you play it as a kiddo?
We had gotten a bit lazy with our rhythms: screens We had gotten a bit lazy with our rhythms: screens in the morning (HGTV), playtime before lessons, and not enough quiet time after lunch. This made for a really, ummm, unenjoyable learning experience. 

But today! Today we reset the rhythm, and we have had a much happier home & time learning together. 👏🏻
Visit my stories for a quick message from ME — t Visit my stories for a quick message from ME — think outside the box in terms of how you view the definition of “motherhood” 💓😘 (also: look at my little friend, she’s sooooo snuggly)
It’s another cold, winter day. ❄️Today I hop It’s another cold, winter day. ❄️Today I hope to bundle up for another family nature walk, knowing the fresh air sweeps out any & all frustration, inviting inspiration inside. ✨That’s something we all need more of.
seriously LOL: I’ve found the secret to calming seriously LOL: I’ve found the secret to calming the Laundry Beast (as a family of 6). Who wants the inside scoop? ✔️🧺👏🏻
Another batch of “fun mail” is headed out tomo Another batch of “fun mail” is headed out tomorrow :) small celebrations like this are very life giving! PS. thinking of starting a zoom book club — I need more sisterhood in my life. 👏🏻📖
The house is quiet. The heat is on. The pages are The house is quiet. The heat is on. The pages are turning. The tea is calm. 🖤☕️🧺📖
Breakfast with Buzz! If only you could see his ful Breakfast with Buzz! If only you could see his full costume and laser blaster and of course the Buzz action figure he flys around 🌟💚💙💨someone has discovered a superhero crush! #joyinmotherhood #slowmornings #surprisedbymotherhood // Landon @ 2.5yo
Today on my blog I have a list of books I hope to Today on my blog I have a list of books I hope to read this year. Plus my reading goal for the year. And a few practicals ways I fit in reading as a mama of four young children & homeschooling them. Basically, all the good stuff ☺️💓📖 #maggiewhitleydotcom #readersofinstagram #read #readmorebooks
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