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Maggie Whitley

joy in motherhood, homemaking, faith & simple living

You are here: Home / family / {Sunkissed at Santa Monica beach.}

{Sunkissed at Santa Monica beach.}

May 28, 2013 · 12 Comments
Filed Under: family, for fun, Los Angeles, seasons

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Over the weekend I thought for sure Zack would be working, but! he totally surprised me on Friday night and said he was indeed all mine for the next three days… yeow! I know I made a little sassy face in celebration of my excitement, if only Zack could have seen it over the phone ;) Zack works so, so hard for our family. Spending time relaxing with our little family is at the top of our list each weekend, so to have three full days together was a real treat. Throughout Memorial Day weekend we spent time with friends, went to the Santa Monica beach twice, indulged in ice-cream, went on a scenic drive, took Bauer to the dog park, enjoyed coffee + donuts from a local shop, slept in [as best as we can with an 11-week-old] and of course had a couple Google+ Hangouts with our families back in Michigan. It was a lovely weekend. The weather was perfectly warm and ummm, I am a little bit red to prove it :)

On Saturday I picked out a new bathing suit [this top and this bottom]. We also bought a beach umbrella, two new water bottles, and a bucket hat for Maxwell. And it is adorable on him!!! :) It’s been awhile since Max was at the ocean [remember this video?]. He slept most of the time — really, who doesn’t want to fall asleep to the sound of waves crashing and sunshine-infused air??? — but I know he loved our visits.

We never get tired of walking near the Santa Monica pier. It’s such a fun sight to see, and we see it often! The people, the smells, the sounds — it’s always an adventure.

A few things I’m thankful for this morning…

– aloe in the form of a “spray in any direction you want” aerosol can

– candles left in the middle of the table, leftover from dinner last night

– bathing suits + beach towels to wash

– a refreshed spirit

– this book on my coffee table

 

How was your weekend? Were you able to celebrate freedom with those you hold close to your heart? What are you thankful for this morning?

 

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12 Comments
Filed Under: family, for fun, Los Angeles, seasons

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Comments

  1. Kasey McCoy says

    May 28, 2013 at 4:04 am

    I have never been to Santa Monica but it looks like fun! Also, want to say how great you look for having a baby not to long ago :)

    Reply
    • Gussy Sews says

      May 28, 2013 at 11:44 am

      @Kasey McCoy, it is so so fun!!! and thank you :))

      Reply
  2. Chelsea says

    May 28, 2013 at 6:42 am

    Glad y’all got to spend some time just relaxing! That is always the best:)

    Reply
  3. Elizabeth says

    May 28, 2013 at 9:12 am

    Glad you have a fun weekend!! Just curious, what kind of stroller do you have? Thanks :)

    Reply
    • Gussy Sews says

      May 28, 2013 at 11:43 am

      @Elizabeth, it’s a Baby Trend Expedition XLP, includes the carseat too! We loooove it :)

      Reply
      • Elizabeth says

        May 28, 2013 at 1:15 pm

        @Gussy Sews,
        Awesome, thanks!! I am looking at getting a better one for when we are camping. The cheaper one we have just doesn’t cut it :)

        Reply
  4. Joy says

    May 28, 2013 at 10:47 am

    Can we talk about the fact that you’re wearing a bikini after having a baby only 11 weeks ago?! Yeow, mama!! I appreciate how sweet you are about your hubby, too. It’s inspiring how much you love him! Thanks for being a good example of a loving wifey :) xoxo

    Reply
    • Gussy Sews says

      May 28, 2013 at 11:47 am

      @Joy, haha, sure we can! ;D thank you for the sweet comment… I feel so blessed to be Zack’s wife. xx

      Reply
  5. Ashley says

    May 29, 2013 at 9:40 am

    Seriously! Great job getting out there in a 2 piece! I’ve got A 2.5 y/o and am still rocking a 1 piece! You look great!

    Reply
  6. Alice says

    May 30, 2013 at 9:17 am

    Love your beautiful family!

    Reply
  7. Elizabeth says

    May 31, 2013 at 3:50 pm

    Another baby gear question for you…….which diaper bag do you have? It’s gorgeous! I’m expecting my third baby this summer and need a new one. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Gussy Sews says

      May 31, 2013 at 5:29 pm

      @Elizabeth, This bag is a Petunia Pickle Bottom, I love the size of it but it’s not always big enough ;) so crazy! xx

      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 🧺🌿💓✨

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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