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Maggie Whitley

joy in motherhood, homemaking, faith & simple living

You are here: Home / family / {When your weekend reminds you of an adventure…}

{When your weekend reminds you of an adventure…}

July 1, 2013 · 4 Comments
Filed Under: family, Los Angeles, seasons

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Side note: as I wrote this post I have crazy, freshly-highlighted curls blowing around from the fan near our front door. It’s still pretty warm in our apartment. Zack walked past me and mentioned quickly, “you look like one of ‘those’ bloggers as you sit in your mustard chair with your glasses on and laptop — like Sarah Jessica Parker or something.” What he doesn’t know is how much of a compliment that is to me. For years I secretly watched SATC and dreamed about writing a blog, just how SJP wrote a column. Not on the same topic as her — of course!, but the idea of typing away late at night on a particular topic, creating community on said topic, thrilled me. So, thanks babe for making me feel like I’ve accomplished something. And mom, sorry to break the news about watching an HBO show, it was always at Allyssa’s house ;)

Yesterday we spent the afternoon at Santa Monica Beach and the entire time we were packing to get there I was thinking about how similar heading to the beach is with running a handmade shop from home… with a 3.5-month-old: it’s plain hard! Once we decided we were going, Zack + I rushed around the apartment packing the beach bag with extra diapers, wipes, blankets, burp cloths, clothes for everyone, water bottles, the list goes on. “And don’t forget to grab the stroller from the outside closet,” I mentioned to Zack. We like to over-prepare so we feel prepared for anything, it’s how we stay so calm as new parents ;) We changed Max one final time and headed out the door.

Because Zack works in Santa Monica we can park fairly close to the beach at a nearby garage, the same one he parks at when he drives to work. But, there’s still about 7 blocks of walking to do. Once we can see the Pier we both exhale a little, almost there! Thankfully there’s a boardwalk that takes you pretty darn close to the ocean, so we head that way and enjoy some final smooth sailing. Swim suit covers come off, Max stretches on our family heirloom quilt, water is guzzled. We’re finally at the beach :)

Running a handmade shop from home is no different: there’s so much to prepare for [constantly], little perks to enjoy along the way as encouragement, a bit of a climb near the end of a specific project, but then finally — the launch is announced, the post is published, the order has been placed. And, an exhale can be heard.

We have been super busy lately with preparing for Round 2 of The Gussy Club, we’re almost sold out — just 14 spots left. We’re getting ready to launch item 2 from Round 1 [click here to buy item 1 from Round 1, Geometric medium zip]. We are sewing lots + lots of tote bags, shipping a wholesale order to Kentucky, and browsing fabric online for upcoming events. When your job is your hobby, one that makes your eyes brighten and your soul sparkle, work never ends.

I’m so grateful the late nights I’ve had, watching the clock strike 2am, have been a positive challenge for me. Moving to Los Angeles from Minneapolis just 10 months ago was a lot more difficult than we anticipated. We’ve had to work super hard this last month and it feels so good to be seeing positive results. I am so blessed to have such an awesome team to help me make Gussy Sews happen. I’m sure I could make it to the beach on my own with Max, but I don’t think I could keep Gussy Sews alive without a few assistants. I’m slowly figuring work + mommyhood out and it feels great to be challenged in this way.

PS. I’m working on a post about being an Indie Biz mommy, I’d love if you left any questions you have below in the comments. Or email me, gussy at gussysews dot com.

So tell me, how was your weekend? Was there something about your weekend that reminded of you of an adventure you’re currently chasing? xo

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4 Comments
Filed Under: family, Los Angeles, seasons

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Comments

  1. Erin @ Isaboo Designs says

    July 1, 2013 at 5:59 am

    Going to the beach with a baby IS an adventure! Love all the great photos :) I’ve always had kids running my biz and I tell ya, it’s like you have to readjust every 6 months or so as your children change. Some for the worse and some for the better. Like when my kids decided to quit taking naps…oh. my. word. It reminds me that I need Jesus to help me be a good mommy. Can’t wait to see what you have to share about being a mommy in this biz, it’s tough, but wonderful all at the same time :) xo

    Reply
  2. Shawna Miller says

    July 1, 2013 at 8:39 am

    Being able to go to the beach all the time sounds like a treat! I have a 6 month old and I’m trying to get my ety shop off the ground, find time to clean, workout, blog….the list goes on, and everyday is a challenge. How do you manage your time to get everything done?

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

    July 1, 2013 at 12:36 pm

    It looks like y’all had an amazing time and I LOVE the way you have your hair in these pictures! Getting away, especially when you work at home is SO necessary! I hope your week is wonderful! xoxo

    Reply
  4. Joy says

    July 2, 2013 at 7:58 pm

    Ha! So funny you had to ‘sneak watch’ SITC. I wasn’t allowed to watch it either. My parents were pretty (ok, really) strict about what we watched/listened to but when I was 12/13 I would go to my friend Amanda’s house and we’d dance around her room singing along to NSync. I loved ‘sneak listening’ to them.
    As for your adventure, I’m so glad you guys can get out of the house and enjoy the beautiful place you live! And your hair – oh em gee. Perfect! ;)
    xo

    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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