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Maggie Whitley

joy in motherhood, homemaking, faith & simple living

You are here: Home / adventures / Summertime in Los Angeles…

Summertime in Los Angeles…

September 9, 2013 · 10 Comments
Filed Under: adventures, family, Los Angeles

lights-gussy-sews

How is it September already? One thing I’m learning about Los Angeles is it gets suuuper warm the end of August/early September, so during the afternoon hours we’ve been trying to sneak away from the apartment to cool down. Last year at this time I was just about 14 weeks pregnant, and now I have an almost 6-month old — it’s magical to compare where we are now to where we were last year :)

So, we’ve traveled a bit this summer. Maxwell and I went on our first airplane right together to Colorado the end of July and he was so, so good! Oh my goodness, all of my mommy dreams came true ;) I asked for airplane travel advice from all of you and boy, did you guys deliver! I loved it :) My favorite tips were having a fun toy in the seat pocket, along with a burp cloth. I also made sure a blanket, my nursing cover, and fresh diapers were at the very top of my diaper bag. Ummm, and guess what? I totally changed a diaper on my lap since the airplane bathroom didn’t have a changing table. snort. Our trip to Colorado was so great and I’m so thankful my mom met us there. Oh, and Jessica? You are a lovely bride!

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A couple of weeks later my older brother Matt surprised me by flying to Los Angeles for the week. Of course EVERYONE knew Matt was coming… except me :) Ironically that day I blogged about having a hard day. Little did I know that at midnight I’d open our front door, because Zack’s “hands were full”, and there would be my brother with a HUGE grin on his face!

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S U R P R I S E!

Zack totally had me fooled by saying he had to go back into work because there was a problem with a show delivery. About an hour later he returns with my big bro — it was seriously the best surprise :D

This was Matt’s first time visiting us since we moved here a year ago, plus his first time meeting Maxwell… it meant so much that he planned this trip. We had a busy week doing, ya know, all sorts of fun things — walking the Santa Monica Promenade, having pizza for lunch, visiting Venice Beach, eating hot dogs and ice-cream on the boardwalk, and going to a baseball game downtown LA. Matt really bonded with Maxwell, which is quite possibly my favorite “thing”.

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And while I’m being honest, we drank a lot of coffee as there were many late nights spent catching up. Matt wanted to go to a record surplus store so we also did that, and Zack + Matt went to a real barber shop for a cut.

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My brother has two boys and my nephews are so dear to me. Collin was born 8 years ago, he and I spent a lot of time together when he was a newborn. I see so much of Collin in my Maxwell, I love it :) My youngest nephew, Jack, was born the spring we were married, 5 years ago. Those boys have so much love in their hearts, plus spunk and creativity and passion for learning. Seeing my brother with my son is a true treat… Matt’s a great Uncle, which is no surprise :)

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The day Matt flew back to Michigan, our family also flew to Michigan for our annual summer visit. We all took red eyes and flew back to the Midwest while the rest of the country was sleeping. We were in our home state for 9 days while we visited with our families + friends. How’s this for a busy trip home: 4 airplanes, 3 cities, 6 parties, 2 new family photos, and 9 days of pure, spirited fun. More photos from our trip to Michigan, coming soon!

When we came home from Michigan our apartment was just as we left it: messy and full of memories from our visit with my brother. And I may have had tears in my eyes as I picked up and swept away the sand that was sprinkled on the floor. The week Matt was here was intense — it was filled with so much hugging and laughter and coffee and memory making.

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Moments like that are forever etched onto our hearts.

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+ + +

Maxwell will be 6 months old on Thursday — awwwww! His two bunny teeth on the bottom are seriously so cute, but sharp! Seriously, why do they need to be so sharp? Max’s hair is getting curlier and blonder and thicker, and I love looking at his little boy hairline, it’s precious. And those blue eyes — they’re like giant blueberries. He’s loving our afternoon stroller walks with Bauer and no longer sits in his carseat, which is just crazy! And have I mentioned he randomly says, “ma ma ma”? If he hasn’t already melted my heart…

Last week I promised myself some brand new changes would take place within my day-to-day so I’m very excited to start implementing them. I have never heard God speak to me… but I did last week, and it was amazing to have more clarity.

Anyhooo, Summer has been very good to us, and I’m sure these final weeks of the season will be just as great :)

Wishing the same for your family, too! xo

 

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10 Comments
Filed Under: adventures, family, Los Angeles

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Comments

  1. The Chatty Mommy says

    September 9, 2013 at 5:19 am

    Love the pics! And as a mom of a 4 month old- it hit me- I think Gussy Sews! nursing covers are in order! They would be all the rage!

    Reply
  2. Diana Foree says

    September 9, 2013 at 10:17 am

    There are so many special things I miss about L.A. I keep those close to my heart. I’m happy that you and your family have settled in and enjoying your new life. Blessings

    Reply
    • Gussy Sews says

      September 10, 2013 at 6:00 pm

      What are some of your favorites? <3

      Reply
  3. Kate @ Songs Kate Sang says

    September 9, 2013 at 2:46 pm

    Love you to pieces!

    Reply
  4. Wendy Valderrama says

    September 9, 2013 at 5:08 pm

    Oh my goodness, I thought I was on the wrong blog! I saw Jess & Matt’s wedding picture and got so confused!! We were part of the same church with them in FoCo for 10 years before moving to Denver–what a SMALL world!! And what a lovely Bride indeed. Just had to say hi from Colorado and make note of that fun piece of overlap in our lives :)

    Reply
    • Gussy Sews says

      September 10, 2013 at 5:59 pm

      Aww, well welcome Wendy! xoxo

      Reply
  5. Jessica says

    September 11, 2013 at 6:41 pm

    What a fabulous post! I’m so happy for you and that you had an awesome summer :) Motherhood is just grand, isn’t it? I wish I could spend less time working shifts and spend more time with my daughter, but the time away only makes the time with her more special.
    I saw the pic of Maxwell sitting in his stroller and commented :P Is he sitting on his own yet too?

    Reply
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  7. Oakley Jupiter says

    May 12, 2014 at 10:15 am

    Drive to Bari for a stroll along the seafront and through the historic centre of Bari Vecchia, where a visit to the Basilica di San Nicola provides a final, unexpected twist. For it is here that the mortal remains of Saint Nicholas, stolen from Turkey in the 11th century by Barese merchantmen, reside. It’s no Florence, but it’s got Father Christmas.The hot cultural ticket this spring is the Titian show at the Scuderie del Quirinale (March 1 – June 16; Via XXIV Maggio 16; 0039 06 696 270; ), which assembles an impressive roster of works by the Venetian master.

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  1. My reflection in the mirror. says:
    July 10, 2014 at 5:01 am

    […] my brother’s surprise visit last summer — he’s making a good habit of surprising me, which I […]

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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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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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