• mamahood
    • homeschool
    • Maxwell
    • Natalie
    • Marigold
    • Landon
    • baby things
  • faith
    • 23 identities we bear – PDF
  • inspiration
    • our home
    • books
    • lifestyle
    • marriage
    • homeschool
    • simple living
    • we’re debt free!
    • book recommendations
  • creativity
    • sewing
    • embroidery
    • tutorial/DIY
    • hair + beauty
    • craft project
    • knitting/crocheting
  • devotionals
    • (in)courage Devotional Bible
    • 31 Days of Prayer for the Dreamer & Doer
    • Tanzania + Compassion
  • new? start here

Maggie Whitley Designs

joy in motherhood, homemaking, faith & simple living

You are here: Home / family / {Loved our visit with my mom!}

{Loved our visit with my mom!}

April 9, 2011 · 13 Comments
Filed Under: family, for fun

My mom left early this morning and I’ve been re-playing all the fun moments from her week-long visit all day. It was so, so, so great to have her here. We had such BEAUTIFUL weather and spent a lot of time outside with Bauer, playing with him in the yard and sippin’ a Coke while having a good chat ;] Zack grilled for us one night {pork, bell peppers, red potatoes}, we ate out twice, I made homemade meatballs & sauce with pasta for another meal. It was really, really great to spend so much time with her. Our 4 visits a year are never enough.

Since her birthday was last Sunday, while she was here she picked out some fabric and I made her a knitting bag. I can’t wait to share photos of it later this week. It is soooooo cute and I love the color palette she selected. This was the first time she’s seen me sew! I learned while we were living in Detroit, MI and then was still practicing when we moved to Minneapolis. She had an old Gussy pouch in her purse so I made her an updated one and we joked that she could put the original in a vault. Hah! She watched me make her knitting bag from start to finish — it was a pretty special moment for both of us :]

What else did we do? Shopped lots, talked lots, laughed lots, snuggled Bauer lots, sipped Starbucks coffee, put on our make-up together at the kitchen table. I sewed, she knitted.

Despite that I’m sad over the distance between us, I’m celebrating that we were able to have some amazing time together. Love you Mama Gus!

—

Tonight over dinner Zack and I had an impromptu Gussy Sews meeting. I’m excited for this next week of work. My new assistant starts Monday and my energy level is super high!

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • Email
  • Print
  • LinkedIn


13 Comments
Filed Under: family, for fun

Join over 4,400 women who receive Maggie Whitley Designs inspiration & encouragement:

 

Loading

« {the new Vacay tote ~ the Daniella}
{7 pretty things on Sunday} »

Comments

  1. Mela Kamin says

    April 9, 2011 at 11:01 pm

    what an incredible blessing to get a week with your Mama … & what a magical experience of her watching you do what you do – makes me miss my Mom … her bday is coming up in Aug – maybe she should come here for some mother/daughter fun … would be cool to get together someday with our Moms

    Reply
    • Gussy says

      April 10, 2011 at 11:32 am

      ;D you know i’d be up for that!

      Reply
  2. Abby says

    April 9, 2011 at 11:32 pm

    Aww, my mom was in town last week too, it’s so sad when they leave! Glad you had fun though!

    Reply
  3. Whtiney - Frames & Names says

    April 10, 2011 at 12:01 am

    Yay for time with your mom! I’m so spoiled that I get to see my mom so often. Even though it’s hard to see her only 4 times a year, at least it means that you take full advantage of it!

    On another note…I love love love yours and Zack’s view on your business. I think it’s awesome that you have impromptu Gussy meetings. It’s so nice to have a support system and to bounce ideas off of. Afterall he knows your strengths and weaknesses better than anyone so it’s a great to be able to have his input!

    Reply
  4. Rosi says

    April 10, 2011 at 12:44 am

    Can I be your new assistant? Pretty please… ;)

    Reply
  5. Tara says

    April 10, 2011 at 5:52 am

    Your post are so inspiring! Makes me want to try even harder with my own business. Your assistant is one lucky person!

    Reply
  6. Southern Gal says

    April 10, 2011 at 5:53 am

    I know your mama enjoyed the time even more than you did!

    Reply
    • Gussy says

      April 10, 2011 at 11:32 am

      :)

      Reply
  7. Stacey says

    April 10, 2011 at 8:20 am

    That must be sooo hard to only see each other 4 times per year! When we were first married, I saw my family about once per month, and that was hard enough! So glad you had a good time :)

    Reply
  8. Kris says

    April 10, 2011 at 10:05 am

    Lovely visit! I feel so blessed to have my 3 grown children all right here in town with me. My girls are about your age. Older really. They will be 30 and 28. Just last night, my oldest and I shared a bottle of wine, and some great conversation and relaxation in the spa together.
    I would so love to hear more about your folks lakeside cottage. Do you have a post on that? I grew up going to a lake near Yosemite. We still go every summer, and it is my most favorite place in the world. I love lakes!!!

    Reply
  9. Joy says

    April 10, 2011 at 11:58 am

    So happy you had such a lovely week with Mama! I’m excited to see what you have in store for us in the coming days. Thanks for your happy heart and encouraging posts – I’m so inspired by you!! xoxo Joy

    Reply
  10. Mama Gus says

    April 10, 2011 at 4:33 pm

    “WE” never cease to amaze me. I had a similar thought about “4 visits per year”. It is NOT enough. But I quickly told myself to not dwell on the have nots and enjoy the haves. Miss you so much. And yes, Zack, we could easily talk on the phone tonight for 2 + hours…..LOL

    Love you!

    Reply
  11. Sara says

    April 11, 2011 at 8:08 pm

    Ugh, I know how you feel about not enough time… My sister and brother-in-law are currently living in Dominica (an island in the Carribean) while he attends medical school. I love them more than words can say and without Skype, I would have surely died by now out of missing them so much. When Christmas break ended and they headed back to the island after a quick visit, my BIL’s mom posted on facebook, “don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened”. Those words always bring such warmth to my heart. Just wanted to share them with you. ;)

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

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.
READ MORE >>
  • Bloglovin
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS

recent posts:

  • On writing regular letters. January 19, 2021
  • The books I hope to read this year. January 12, 2021
  • Merry Christmas! Plus, adding a little warmth to my home. December 21, 2020
  • Life around here! December 15, 2020
  • 10 “field trips” ideas for your homeschoolers (Detroit & beyond) September 2, 2020
  • 7 books we are reading aloud this year August 19, 2020
  • A fall-themed homeschool resource! August 12, 2020
  • Studying the Bible July 30, 2020

EMAIL NEWSLETTER

Join over 4,000 women who receive Maggie Whitley Designs inspiration & encouragement:

 

Loading

need some encouragement?

I wrote a 7-page refresher of the identities you bear when you are rooted in Christ. Click the image below to download, save + print.

TOPICS I WRITE ABOUT

maggiewhitley

JOY in motherhood & homemaking 🧺🌿💓✨

maggiewhitley
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
It was the perfect opportunity to rearrange the fu It was the perfect opportunity to rearrange the furniture as we took the tree down Tuesday midday. Def one of my fav things to do.🎄👋🏻 We made it through our first week back to school since mid-December! It was rough to begin but ended with high fives. ⭐️✏️This morning I zoomed with a mama friend and I’m impressed with the many topics we covered. Sisterhood is sooooo necessary! ☕️👩🏽‍🤝‍👩🏼

Just a few cheery memories from my week! How about you?
Book reading! One of my best “Maggie” activiti Book reading! One of my best “Maggie” activities. I finished my last book moments before 2020 ended, which brought my started list to a close. Small joys add up to big joys ;)

What are you reading this year? Currently?

How many books are you planning to read? What’s your goal?

I’ll share what’s on my list for 2021 soon as I received some nice titles at Christmas. 📖✨🤍
We’re driving home in the dark of the winter nig We’re driving home in the dark of the winter night after a beautiful, hard & intentional couple of days working on a project ✨I’m committed to work on this this year; 2021 is already great. 🤩🤐😘
Ohhhhh, this year. Ohhhh, specifically these last Ohhhhh, this year. Ohhhh, specifically these last 3 months. I’ve had more anxiety than ever, and it’s seriously putting me on my knees in prayer —almost daily. My mind and chest aren’t unfamiliar of the attacks, but the grip it’s had on me since September has been so strong. The attacks are painful. But... Worship music has been one of my main healers. 🎶I know God is close to the broken-hearted (Psalm 34:18), and singing this truth really soothes me. Social media has been a big trigger for anxiety for me. I don’t want to “miss out on my life”, which is why I’ve hugely stepped back in posting and scrolling. 

One song in particular comes to mind:

“We step into Freedom. 
We step into all you have for us.” -Bethel Music & Jenn Johnson

There IS freedom from the anxiety attacks. For me: music, scripture, eating healthy, vitamins, rest, crying, prayer, honesty — these things help tremendously. Also getting up and MOVING when my anxiety sits on me like a boulder, that helps too. 🖤

Another soothing truth is from the end of Psalm 34:19 — “many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the lord delivers him of them all.”

Seriously. Thank you lord. Thank you for music and for rest and for the words in your book. I need them. I need You. I need Your freedom. I trust you’ll deliver me.
Nearing the end of my “20 letters in 20 weeks” Nearing the end of my “20 letters in 20 weeks” challenge. Many stayed in Michigan, but mail was also sent to Colorado, Texas, California, Indiana, and Arizona. I loved this personal exercise! I have just one question: who will be my pen-pal for 2021? ✏️💌
We piled in the car this morning for a nature walk We piled in the car this morning for a nature walk. When I finally walked out and sat down, they shouted, “THE QUEEN! EVERYBODY CHEER FOR THE QUEEN!” (yes, they really call me that...☺️💓☺️)

I brought our basket of mittens and gloves and hats. The older two brought RC cars. Bauer the dog came along; we had a wonderful time on our walk.

The afternoon was harder, but overall the day was sandwiched between two really sweet time slots.

Bedtime tonight was wonderful. We read two chapters from our read aloud and Max lost another baby tooth.

This job I have, it really wears me down AND fills me up. It’s a constant take away AND fill up. Even when the moments feel so fitful, I know the story is rich. 

🕯🌙 Hello, sweet slumber. You’re carrying my babies away to a peaceful land. Goodnight, my children. Goodnight.

#motherhood #motherhoodunplugged #motherhoodissanctifying #naturewalk #michigan
There’s a woman on Instagram I check on every co There’s a woman on Instagram I check on every couple of weeks because she is so sparkly & cheerful. She shares little pep talks, she wears fuchsia lipstick. She says, “like so, like that” when she’s explaining something. She’s a hoot. I love the joy that bursts from her eyes when she talks. In her own unique ways, her perspectives pull back the fog I often find myself in. I’m a weary mama, and her energy and gentleness feels nurturing, though I haven’t met her... I would love to meet her. 👩🏽‍🤝‍👩🏼I’m inspired by the snippets of life she shares online. Thank you, Tabitha for sharing your light. 🕯💓💄🌿@iamtabithabrown
What has kept you and your home busy as of late? F 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 reading books together, definitely adds to the joy of motherhood; the joy of teaching my children and being with them for so many hours each day. We experience so much together. Even when things feel chaotic at home, when I can’t call something by the correct name they still long to be near me and work alongside me. Tired has been a dear companion to me for the last seven years, but my children are gentle with their responses.

💞💬More on my blog! #maggiewhitleydotcom
It’s the season of perpetual hope. 🎄✨📖Of It’s the season of perpetual hope. 🎄✨📖Of books that shape our minds, of anticipation, of creative projects that mar our kiddos clothing (but morph our memories into beauty). Oh right! There are cookies cooling on the counter — gotta go! ✌🏻
Keeping my hands busy (making wooden bead garland Keeping my hands busy (making wooden bead garland for our tree; link posted to Stories) and my mind inspired (watching HGTV). I really enjoy the quiet of the evening after a full, rich day. God is so kind to give this to me today. What have you received today? 🎄💫📿
This guy is my steady; my Zack. This is a latergra This guy is my steady; my Zack. This is a latergram from October, from one of our many fall adventures with the kids. We had so many fun day trips, I don’t even remember where this was taken 👏🏻⭐️. I’m gonna guess Cranbrook Gardens.
This morning I sat on the front porch and read my This morning I sat on the front porch and read my book & drank coffee. The birds were with me, nearly a hundred of them. Fluttering from rooftop to treetop to hiding inside the bushes. So beautiful and calm. Mother culture... the path to joy in motherhood & homemaking.
Well kiddos, we had a great summer together! 🥳👏🏻🛴⛱🍦🤸🏼‍♀️🎨🎹🏊🏻‍♂️🧺🎠📚📺🍿🌿🌷☀️🚲

Thanks for coming along with me to the pool, nature trails, the park, hosting friends in our backyard, reading adventures, popcorn & movie night, art, planting flowers, planting a garden, bike rides, neighborhood walks, lake swimming, and supplying the ice cream truck w/ roughly $84 this summer. 

I loved our time together! 🥰🧒🏼👩🏻👧🏼🧒🏻

And the great news is this: we have autumn to enjoy together, too! 👏🏻🌾🍃🍂 so thankful.
Even if you don’t have students learning at home Even if you don’t have students learning at home, these ten “field trip” ideas will give your day a boost. 

When your mind feels foggy, step outside. When your home feels too small or too big, step outside. When the bickering is loud or your internal criticism is high, step outside. 

Give yourself (and your family) the joy of an adventure away from the home. 

🌾Visit my blog for the full post, link in profile or #maggiewhitleydotcom
It’s come to my realization there’s plenty of It’s come to my realization there’s plenty of time these days to craft a letter when I wash dishes, take my kids on a walk, or take care of our garden. All that silence, it makes my internal monologue even louder 🤣. 

Many times we are out & about in the neighborhood and I think, “oh the flowers surrounding your porch are lovely!” Or, “wow” (to the elderly man) “you have such a great smile, thanks for sharing it with us!” Wouldn’t it be great to jot that down in a card and send it through the mail as well?

We are always in need of community & kind words! 🌷💬

I remember many years ago, when nearly pregnant with another baby and our personal finances were THE PITS, my best friend came over with $500 cash. Just to bless us. She also included a personal note. Of course, I’ve always known how special personal notes are, but this card really meant so much.

And so I’ve decided as the year-end nears: wouldn’t it be nice to send a letter a week for the final 20 weeks we have left in 2020. Me thinks so 🙂. 

Community & kind words: I’m coming for you!

PS. wanna join me in sending 20 cards by Dec. 31?
Load More... Follow on Instagram

POPULAR POSTS:

  • How we paid off over $65K in debt in 3 years
  • Gift wrap made from Real Simple magazine
  • Living with joy & refreshment
  • Having a TV detox & minimizing our toys
  • How we paid off $42K in debt in 2 years
  • How to style your wavy (or curly) hair
  • How to sew a zippered pouch
  • How to accurately price your handmade items
  • How we are getting out of debt
  • How to make a freedom change
  • What to focus on when you "stay at home"
  • Twenty "20-minute crafts" you must try
  • Having something to look forward to

devotionals written by Maggie:

the (in)courage Devotional Bible:
Proverbs 14:1 and Lamentations 5
31 Days of Prayer for the Dreamer and Doer:
on Simplicity

Categories

Archives

Copyright © 2021 · Divine Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.