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Maggie Whitley

joy in motherhood, homemaking, faith & simple living

You are here: Home / inspiration / Faith / {Hello, 2013.}

{Hello, 2013.}

January 2, 2013 · 25 Comments
Filed Under: Faith, for fun

photo details: a fresh coat of polish | sparkly outfits [love this friend] | smoochin’ at midnight | morning coffee | goodbye ornaments

Another year is here and already I’m very excited — and it’s only day 2! Some very exciting things are just around the corner for our family + this blog, the biggest {tiniest?} being our first baby is due March 2nd. I can’t wait to meet him or her :) With this New Year I can’t help but daydream about what the LORD has planned for me. Do you ever wonder about that? Just the other day one of the pastors at the church we’ve been attending spoke about how difficult New Years resolutions can be to commit to. Instead, our focus should be to simply have more peace in our lives. And, I love that idea! Instead of trying to change something particular about our self, strive to be more like Him — every day. That’s it!

The year 2012 has passed — it’s time to say hello to 2013. In celebration of the New Year I thought it would be so fun to take a couple of minutes to say thank you to the top 5 blogs that sent traffic to Gussy Sews, to share the top 5 blog posts published here, and of course: my word for 2013.

 

TOP 5 REFERRERS TO GUSSY SEWS {2012}:

1. Drama Queen Seams

2. The Small Things Blog

3. The Pleated Poppy

4. The Nester

5. Eat Live Run

 …thank you!

TOP 5 BLOG POSTS ON GUSSY SEWS {2012}:

1. Tutorial: how to sew a zippered pouch

2. Psalm one hundred thirty nine verse thirteen

3. Morning coffee: Sharing what’s on my heart, baby talk

4. The Whitley’s are moving… to California!

5. Saturday craft: finger knitting // garland & necklace

 

MY WORD FOR 2013:

CHANGE. // It shows up in the form of newness, in the quiet, in the beautiful + in the everyday craziness of life. Change is so refreshing, whether it be a restart to what you know you need to get back to or a total overhaul of what you know need to do. Change has already made it’s way into our home and we’ve barely begun day 2 of this beautiful year. Christ does a beautiful job at changing us, at taking away our hurts/mistakes + making us new again. I want to be more open to change {yeow!}, to know when to say “no” to change, to accept the change life sends our way. And, to remember to change my nail polish more often ;)

 

What word would you like to “see more often” in your life this year? What are you going to let go of? What are you going to celebrate more often? And for goodness sakes, how are you doing??? Wishing you the happiest Wednesday ever! xoxo

 

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25 Comments
Filed Under: Faith, for fun

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Comments

  1. Melissa Nesdahl says

    January 2, 2013 at 8:08 am

    I want to see more valuing of people simply for being human and meet them where they are at too encourage them. I wrote about this on my log yesterday with a story of his my 5 & 7yo & our World Vision child made this simple way of living come to life. http://www.melissanesdahl.blogspot.com/2013/01/when-little-hands-crossed-borders.html?m=1

    Reply
  2. Cassandra Beverly says

    January 2, 2013 at 10:29 am

    I read this quote on Sierra DeMulder’s {a fantastic poet in Minneapolis} tumblr account yesterday…

    “Change, when it comes, cracks everything open.”
    — Dorothy Allison

    Cheers to 2013! I’m sure it will be a year full of blessed changes for you!

    Reply
    • Gussy Sews says

      January 2, 2013 at 3:15 pm

      @Cassandra Beverly, Oh what a beautiful quote… I just love that. Thank you so much for sharing! xo

      Reply
  3. Mariah says

    January 2, 2013 at 11:09 am

    My word for this year is “Hush”. I want to quiet myself, my life, my soul. I want to enjoy and live the life I have been given. And I’m good. Feeling super pregnant, and like I have a giant baby in my belly, but good :) How are you?

    Reply
    • Gussy Sews says

      January 2, 2013 at 3:14 pm

      @Mariah, I feel super pregnant, too. Hush. I love the way that word sounds… xoxo

      Reply
  4. Beth Ingersoll says

    January 2, 2013 at 2:41 pm

    My word for the year is Faith. 2012 was HARD, and now I have to have faith that the events from then will all work for the good in the near future. I’ve even ordered an adorable little chain ring that says “faith” on it to remind me all the time.

    You will be all about the changing this year–and I don’t even mean the DIAPERS!! :-)

    Reply
    • Gussy Sews says

      January 2, 2013 at 3:14 pm

      @Beth Ingersoll, hehe ;D

      Reply
  5. Alice says

    January 2, 2013 at 3:55 pm

    Change is a great word! I think it could easily be my word as well, because 2013 will be very different from 2012. Last year was so difficult on a personal level, so painful, that I need this year to be different. And I need to put myself first for a while so my word is: dedicated – I will dedicate more time to myself, to be a happier person, to be content.

    Coming back to change – I wish you all the best in your very new 2013 :)

    Reply
    • Gussy Sews says

      January 5, 2013 at 5:21 pm

      @Alice, One thing that comforts is me knowing at the end of the rocky road is a beautiful, peaceful road :) Hang in there. xoxo

      Reply
  6. happy_helica says

    January 2, 2013 at 9:16 pm

    I’m sitting here reading this and thinking, I need a word! What word sums up the tumult of my heart lately and the new rhythms daily inspired in it? I’m going with LOVE. To love myself, others, and Christ MORE. If I’m loving then I have less chance to be unloving in word and deed, right? So I’m going to love the heck out of 2013, lol :) Thank you for inspiring honesty, creating such a great community, and showing the beauty in vulnerability!

    Reply
  7. Eva says

    January 3, 2013 at 8:42 pm

    Balance is my word for the year :-)

    Reply
  8. Meredith says

    January 3, 2013 at 8:54 pm

    that’s so great seeing this on here. I was listening to the radio last week and heard this and just posted it as a great alternative to the New Years Resolution. http://www.moodyradiochicago.fm/rdo_programDetail.aspx?id=100696
    I love this thought of growing into a word. Allowing God to continue to do a work in us throughout the year and not being defeated by one bad day or because my resolution was a bomb in the first week, what’s the point of going on. So, I’m excited to embrace this one word this year. I believe the Lord was speaking this word to me as I prayed one night. I actually used it in my prayer and I can’t explain the feeling but the Lord said, That’s It! So, my word is “STRIVE”. These last couple years I’ve been in a funk. I had a baby a couple years ago and feel she took all my good brain cells, my organization, and my with having two older boys we had a routine and it threw me outta wack having a baby back in the house (not to say I don’t love it, especially enjoying a beautiful girl after two handsome boys). So, I’ve been convicted lately that I’ve just gotten lax. I’ve let important things go and get comfy in the chaos. So, I’ve been hit by this word strive. Strive to be the best that God wants, strive in my roles as a mom, wife, homeschool teacher, crafter, friend, daughter, etc. So many things that mean the most in life take effort and to strive to be intentional and effective in my everyday. So, I’m loving this concept as well as the neat ideas they had in that broadcast to display your word year after year and throughout the year. Good luck to you and all the change you’ll experience this year! :)

    Reply
    • Meredith says

      January 3, 2013 at 8:56 pm

      @Meredith,
      and sheesh, sorry for the book!

      Reply
    • Gussy Sews says

      January 5, 2013 at 5:23 pm

      @Meredith, yes! Strive. Intentional. Effective. All great words and perhaps even a bit interrelated? :)

      Reply
  9. anna {girlwithblog} says

    January 3, 2013 at 8:58 pm

    Hello Gus! =) I chose a word for 2013 too (well, it found me). I’ll be focusing on the word ‘soft’. Here’s my post about it: http://www.girlwithblog.com/2013/01/on-my-oneword365.html

    I think your word is just right, Maggie! That baby’s a-coming, woohoo!

    Reply
  10. Diana Foree says

    January 3, 2013 at 9:10 pm

    My word for 2013 is Expect! Expect God to guide, to inspire and to allow me to grow beyond my expectations. The past year has had ups and downs, forwards and backwards, but most of all it was a wonderful year of spiritual growth and blessings.

    Reply
    • Gussy Sews says

      January 5, 2013 at 5:27 pm

      @Diana Foree, yes — expect! not “wonder”. what a word of confidence. love that…

      Reply
  11. sharon says

    January 3, 2013 at 9:46 pm

    My word this year is calm.

    Reply
  12. Annie says

    January 4, 2013 at 7:18 am

    I can’t believe he/she will be here in 3 months! That time is going to FLY by!!! So exciting! I know you are going to be a great momma!

    My word was Better. And Joyful. Better wife. Better momma. Better friend. But not matter what…I want to be joyful. I want a smile to be seen on my face and in my heart at all times! To everyone, espeically to Lance and Easton!

    Love you girl!

    Reply
    • Gussy Sews says

      January 5, 2013 at 5:28 pm

      @Annie, not 3 months, TWO months!!!!! ahhhhh!!! :) like 7-8 weeks!!! :)

      “smiling’s my favorite” ;D

      Reply
  13. Emily says

    January 4, 2013 at 9:15 am

    Hmm.. My word would be Intentional.

    To be intentional with Jesus, my family, and my time.

    Reply
  14. tahnie says

    January 4, 2013 at 11:56 am

    love your choice of word for 2013! so appropriate with the new babe, but also might take you to unexpected places as well! ;)

    i chose “connect” for my one little word for 2013.
    http://www.ahappygirl.com/2013/01/one-little-word-2013.html

    happy friday!
    xoxo.

    Reply
  15. Mandi Roach says

    January 4, 2013 at 12:39 pm

    I, too, want to be more open to change. There’s so much hope that God will change me and mold me to be the best version of my greatest potential. Best wishes to us both! And I’m so glad I’ve discovered your blog. Visit me at All My Happy Endings (http://allmyhappyendings.blogspot.com) XOXO, Mandi

    Reply
  16. Alvaro says

    March 20, 2014 at 7:23 am

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    Reply

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  1. {Sitting on the cusp…} says:
    April 16, 2013 at 7:07 pm

    […] A fresh, new day. I’m going to challenge myself to be more brave, to translate into actions my word of the year, to really live out what this blog is about. Those dreams I have? I need to be chasing […]

    Reply

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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
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
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. 📖✨🤍
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