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Maggie Whitley

joy in motherhood, homemaking, faith & simple living

You are here: Home / inspiration / {Life these days…}

{Life these days…}

June 12, 2013 · 11 Comments
Filed Under: inspiration, Los Angeles, our home

I feel like I say this all the time, but yeow! life has felt extra busy these days. We’re constantly changing up our home, as Maxwell grows or as we see new potential for our home to be serving us in new ways. Max’s baby cradle has been swapped for a big boy crib and the second rocking chair we owned has been sold to a new expectant mommy [thank you Craigslist]. I realized I didn’t need a chair in our bedroom like I did when Max was just a newborn. Now that he’s 3 months old it was time to switch things up :)

We also rearranged our living room — we found this mustard chair from a thrift store in downtown LA and oh my gooooooodness, I’m in LOVE. I want to sit in it all day, it’s so comfortable. We moved my work desk to another wall in the living room, we pulled the white nightstand from our bedroom + added this dark brown rocker and voila — we now have a little sitting area and I’m loving it. It has been perfect with my mom visiting these last few days and will be once again when my friend Tracey comes next weekend.

living-room-gussy-sews

Now that my memory has been lost I’m noticing my days revolve more + more around a calendar/schedule. And no, it’s not because I can’t remember things anymore ;) Shoot I already wrote that.

kitchen-gussy-sews

We have such gorgeous flowers around our neighborhood…

hydrangea-gussy-sews

…they are so lovely. They white flowers are Jasmine I believe?

jasmine-gussy-sews

So fun, colorful, inspiring — the perfect sitting area for cultivating relationships or sitting down at night in utter exhaustion and letting out a deep, long sigh of contentment. Life is so beautiful. It really, really is. Even through the hard moments I have to find the beauty. Always.

living-room-gussy-sews

Art on the wall above our couch, over top our book page wall [click to see the DIY]. Seeing this wall come together makes me happy. There’s a mix of thrifted finds, a giraffe print from Zack this past Mother’s Day, an elephant piece my grandfather carved, a quilling piece my grandmother made [the tree below in the shadow box] and a piece of subway art I gave Zack for his birthday in February.

living-room-art-gussy-sews

Kisses to my sweet son. He’s going to love playing with his new toys from The Land of Nod, I just know it :)

maxwell-car-land-of-nod-gussy-sews

fern-gussy-sews

Ankles crossed, heart melted…

maxwell-gussy-sews

New large pouches in the shop with a few more coming soon [wink!]…

zip-pouches-gussy-sews-ruffles

And meeting with sweet Dee + her daughter Lily last week. Goodness, it’s good to have Michigan friends here in California :)

friends-red-letter-words-gussy-sews

See? Life has been extra busy. It’s challenging and good and tiring and inspiring, all wrapped into a beautiful gift.

Enjoy your Wednesday, you know I’m going to be enjoying mine. xoxo

 

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11 Comments
Filed Under: inspiration, Los Angeles, our home

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Comments

  1. Southern Gal says

    June 12, 2013 at 3:58 am

    That’s a sweet seating area. The pinkish purplish blossoms look like hydrangeas which are a favorite of ours. Maxwell is getting so big! Cutest thing ever!

    Reply
  2. Shelly W. says

    June 12, 2013 at 6:04 am

    So awesome to get a glimpse into your life, sweet girl! That baby boy is absolutely precious. I know you’re tired (and, sorry to tell you, you’re going to be even more tired in days to come!), but I’m so glad you have perspective. Hang in there, mama! You can do this!

    Reply
  3. kate says

    June 12, 2013 at 7:12 am

    i love how you have decorated your space, its so YOU and so cozy. your lil one is also extremely cute!

    Reply
  4. Leah says

    June 12, 2013 at 9:51 am

    Your home is so bright, cheery and yet simple! And that little guy?! He just keeps growing so fast!

    Reply
  5. Jessica says

    June 12, 2013 at 9:53 am

    Your apartment looks so bright and welcoming :)

    I’ve been meaning to ask…will you start shipping to Canada soon? I really like the idea of using one of your large pouches in lieu of a diaper bag. Sometimes my diaper bag is just too much.

    Reply
    • Gussy Sews says

      June 12, 2013 at 1:09 pm

      @Jessica, hey Jessica! this is something we’re hoping to offer again soon!! xx

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        June 15, 2013 at 9:32 am

        @Gussy Sews, Yay!!!

        Reply
  6. Cassie @ Live.Laugh.L0ve. says

    June 12, 2013 at 7:34 pm

    I love the little changes y’all have made to the apartment! You have such cute taste! It looks like life has been treating you well friend! xoxo

    Reply
  7. sarah says

    June 12, 2013 at 10:42 pm

    Life is beautiful indeed… I completely agree. And those little crossed ankles… talk about beautiful! I love it when my little ones do this. :) Gracious, he is adorable isn’t he?

    Reply
  8. Kate @ Songs Kate Sang says

    June 14, 2013 at 9:54 pm

    Oh my goodness – he is so cute!

    Reply
  9. Angela Eaton says

    June 17, 2013 at 2:48 pm

    Yep, that’s star jasmine. Isn’t it heavenly?!

    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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