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Maggie Whitley

joy in motherhood, homemaking, faith & simple living

You are here: Home / family / {A very special woman.}

{A very special woman.}

April 3, 2013 · 17 Comments
Filed Under: family, for fun

mom-gussy-sews

mom-gussy-sews

Today is my mom’s birthday, and oh my goodness — she is so amazing. She stayed with us for three weeks in March which meant we were able to spend the final week of my pregnancy together, something I know we both cherished, along with the first two weeks of Maxwell’s life. She’s back in Michigan now, and every night I fall asleep wishing that was different. But, rumor has it she’ll be back out here in just a handful of weeks :)

One thing that I couldn’t have ever, ever prepared my mama heart for is how Maxwell’s birth would change my relationship with my mom. We have always had a close relationship. After all, when together we are a pair of Gussy’s :) But since Maxwell was born I see her in a totally new light, it’s absolutely inspiring. Who knew the birth of child could birth so much more to a family?

There are many memories that float through my mind as I think about her stay with us — how she was present in the labor room with me {over 30 hours, my goodness!}; every morning she was here she told me I was beautiful; she constantly asked how I was feeling/doing, which made me feel so incredibly special; each night once Zack was home from work she shooed us to our bedroom so we could have family time with Max, what a gift this was; watching an entire season of Up All Night on Hulu; all of the meals she cooked + clothes she laundered for us — we are so thankful for all of her help.

My mom loves softly, encourages often, listens well, laughs hard and is a fabulous memory keeper/storyteller. And today, as we celebrate her birthday all day long, I pray she feels our love all the way from California.

♥ HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOM/GRANDMA! We love you…

PS. It seems that the deadbolt is engaged!

 

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17 Comments
Filed Under: family, for fun

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Comments

  1. Annabel Vita says

    April 3, 2013 at 3:07 am

    What a great mom and WOW you two look so alike!

    Reply
    • Gussy Sews says

      April 3, 2013 at 11:09 am

      @Annabel Vita, >> big happy grin! >>

      Reply
  2. The Chatty Mommy says

    April 3, 2013 at 3:23 am

    Happy Birthday to your mom! So glad she could be there with you for so long.
    When I had my first child, I was so overwhelmed with all my mom had done for my brother and I. I don’t feel like it fully hit me or I fully understood until I was a mom too.

    Reply
  3. Katy says

    April 3, 2013 at 4:01 am

    Such a sweet post. It’s true. Relationship does change when u have a baby. U open up their well of wisdom and moms have so much.

    Reply
    • Gussy Sews says

      April 3, 2013 at 11:10 am

      @Katy, Yes, they really really really do. It’s incredible :)

      Reply
  4. Brooke says

    April 3, 2013 at 6:03 am

    Birthday Blessings to your Mom!

    Reply
  5. annie says

    April 3, 2013 at 7:01 am

    Nothing like a momma! That is the truth! I hope our boys feel the same way about us one day! Happy Birthday to your sweet mom! I know that time with her was so super special!!!!

    Reply
  6. Megan Lane says

    April 3, 2013 at 9:44 am

    awww what a sweet post!! happy bday to your momma.

    Reply
  7. JoanK says

    April 3, 2013 at 9:49 am

    Hi Maggie that is such an awesome and true story about growing closer to your mom…it’s like the light bulb goes on and you understand all the things she used to say and tell you and you were just “like whatever” they have soo much knowledge and patience.

    When my boys were little she would stay with me during the day and when it would get later in the day she would move and I’d be like where are you going??!! Don’t leave me!!

    Just having them around is such a comfort when you are a new mom.

    Maxwell is just the cutest little boy ever!! Continued blessings!

    Reply
    • Gussy Sews says

      April 3, 2013 at 11:11 am

      @JoanK, Moms provide a blanket of peace… I’m so excited she’s coming back in just a handful of weeks. A whole week with her, what a gift!

      Reply
  8. Dana (Happy Little Lovelies) says

    April 3, 2013 at 9:51 am

    OH, this makes me want to go hug my mom right now. Having kids really DOES change that relationship…I agree! I feel like I need her more now than ever. :) I’m always praying that my kids will feel as loved by me as I feel by her. Happy birthday to your sweet mama!

    Reply
  9. Andrea Worley says

    April 3, 2013 at 12:49 pm

    oh man, you’re going to cherish those visits even more now. my mom lives in the midwest & we live in AZ it’s always so awesome when she visits.

    Reply
  10. Mama Gus says

    April 3, 2013 at 1:36 pm

    Thank you all for the birthday wishes. I feel your love sweet daughter, all the way from California! Hugs to you and Zack and smooches to Max. Miss you all and can’t wait to see you in a handful of weeks.

    P.S. Love the deadbolt comment!

    Reply
    • Ashlee Spear says

      April 3, 2013 at 9:37 pm

      What’s this about the deadbolt??

      Reply
      • Gussy Sews says

        April 3, 2013 at 9:47 pm

        @Ashlee Spear, It’s a line from an episode from Up All Night, one that had us laughing for days!!! :)

        Reply
  11. Mama Gus says

    April 4, 2013 at 6:16 am

    It’s a reference to an episode of UP ALL NIGHT. You probably had “to be there” to find the humor in this.

    Reply
  12. Southern Gal says

    April 4, 2013 at 6:21 am

    You look a lot like your mom! Happy birthday to her.

    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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JOY in motherhood & homemaking 🧺🌿💓✨

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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!

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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.
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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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