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Maggie Whitley

joy in motherhood, homemaking, faith & simple living

You are here: Home / adventures / Being with family + exploring new adventures

Being with family + exploring new adventures

August 21, 2013 · 7 Comments
Filed Under: adventures, family

We flew into Los Angeles Monday evening, and with our landing we brought with us a million happy memories. Zack, Maxwell and I landed in California with cheek-kissed faces, happy hearts, full souls and very tired bodies. We walked the airport to baggage claim, grabbed our duffel filled with our clothes, and took a shuttle to the garage where our car was parked. Once we were home, we washed away the dirt and let the moments of the past two weeks lull us to sleep. It didn’t take long.

maggie-matt-gussy-sews

^ My amazing older brother, Matthew…

We’ve had a lovely fill of family this month, and it’s been amazing. First, my brother Matt surprised me by flying out to our home see us for a week. I had no clue he was coming, and his first night here we stayed up until 3am chatting. It was SO GOOD to catch up. I love reminiscing about his visit and knowing he’s sat on our couch, snuggled my son {his nephew!}, and listened to me snort from our laughter.

At the end of his visit we all caught red eyes to Michigan, where we’ve been for the past 9 days.

family-gussy-sews

^ Early morning snuggles with my two nephews and son. Pinch me, I’m holding our son! :D

This time we’ve spent with family? It’s been glorious.

michigan-gussy-sews

^ bright sky and puffy clouds, the view out Zack’s parents front door…

And, would you believe that there are new adventures ahead?

Now that we’re back in Los Angeles we are in search of a new apartment to call home. We are moving in about a month {maybe less??}, and shortly after that my mom will be here for another one of her grammy visits. We are so excited, for both the move and her upcoming visit.

As I write this our apartment is dusted with remains from our visit to Michigan. Thank goodness the laundry that fills our luggage is clean, but ohhhhh my! is there a lot of stuff to put away ;) And I’m in no rush.

cottage-gussy-sews

^ Every summer, my mom and her two best girlfriends gather at our family cottage in Michigan for a week. This year all three of their daughters had babies, two girls and a boy. I have to admit… this was my favorite year of all the gatherings we’ve had ;)

Instead of spending the day doing something that can be done later, I spent yesterdays precious hours laughing with Maxwell, playing with the pup, walking our neighborhood and catching up with our neighbor friends {hi Greg + Sahana!}, tackling a bit of work {my inbox is a hot mess}, planning for the upcoming holiday — including our Holiday seasonal gift guide.

Yesterday was a busy day. And instead of doing a bunch of unimportant things, like it’s so easy to do when you’re your own boss, I spent the day doing only what was important.

Besides, I wasn’t ready to box up the memories made from being with our families. I want them to remain fresh in my mind, for as long as I can.

reflection-maggie-gussy-sews

^ I’m kinda digging straightening my hair…

AND, as though things aren’t busy enough around here, we are working on our next big adventure: we’re moving, still within Los Angeles, but to a different neighborhood.

Our family has some big goals in mind and this move will help us achieve them so much quicker. I’m a little nervous about moving, it’s so much work and I already have a lot on my plate. But if I’ve learned anything over the last few years it’s that God always gives us big, exciting adventures at just the right time — even if they seem totally unachievable at the moment.

I mean, just last year we traveled to Africa, found out we were pregnant, moved from Minneapolis to Los Angeles and then totally restructured the business. Oh, and we also had a baby ;)

maxwell-bauer-gussy-sews

^ Reunited once again ♥ I love Bauer’s black nose and Maxwell’s thighs!!!

I like taking risks. I like trying new things. I like to dream big. I like to set multiple goals and achieve them.

I love encouraging others and exploring new adventures…

zack-maggie-gussy-sews

 The whole point of being alive is to evolve into the complete person you were intended to be. — Oprah Winfrey

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7 Comments
Filed Under: adventures, family

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Comments

  1. Sarah says

    August 21, 2013 at 6:01 am

    I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!!!

    Reply
    • Emma P. says

      August 21, 2013 at 6:11 am

      @Sarah,

      Amen Sister! So true.

      Reply
  2. Shannon says

    August 21, 2013 at 9:45 am

    Good luck! It has been awesome watching your business and family grow the last few years. Many prayers and blessings to you!

    Reply
    • Gussy says

      August 21, 2013 at 7:10 pm

      @Shannon, thank you Shannon!!!!

      Reply
  3. arelle hughes says

    August 21, 2013 at 11:51 am

    L.O.V.E. your outfit in the first picture—it’s got that non-matching, matching vibe going on. good luck apartment hunting!

    Reply
    • Gussy says

      August 21, 2013 at 7:11 pm

      @arelle hughes, yeow, thanks girlie!!!

      Reply
  4. prudence says

    August 21, 2013 at 2:34 pm

    I love reading about your adventures! I say go for it… we have a few coming up too, but I’m jumping right in!

    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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