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Maggie Whitley

joy in motherhood, homemaking, faith & simple living

You are here: Home / inspiration / for fun / Before you sign off for a long weekend…

Before you sign off for a long weekend…

August 28, 2014 · 11 Comments
Filed Under: for fun

palm trees maggie whitley

Can you believe Labor Day is almost here? Sheesh, I’ll be holding our newborn babe in about nine weeks! Before we head out for another weekend in the mountains with friends, I wanted to share a few things with you…

* Have you heard of Hope*ologie? It’s an inspiring site with fresh content every month, including exclusive articles, podcasts, printables & video (the videos are my favorite), and I tell you the truth: it’s been super refreshing to log-in each month. It’s a member-based site, but I promise the $12.99/month rate is worth it. I’m a member and yes, the two sisters are my real-life friends, but I promise (again) it’s something you should be investing in each month :)

* Tuesday was a R O U G H day for me. Naptime was cut short for Max, I didn’t have a chance to rest myself, and dinner time wasn’t as easy as it normally is. I knew deep down I was exhausted (31 weeks pregnant and I’ve been doing too much) and that’s why things were falling apart. So we turned out the lights at 10:30pm and I tell you, getting 9 hours of sleep that night was glorious. I often forget how important rest is, not just during the daytime, but at nighttime too. We aren’t built to “do it all”, I must continue to live out this motto.

* My friend Hayley and her husband Mike recently launched an ethically-made clothing company for kiddos called Wildly Co. and they’re so close to finishing up their Kickstarter campaign. If you like supporting small businesses and feel inclined to help in any way, here’s a direct link to their fundraiser. (We’re cheering for you, H+M!)

* I’m on the lookout for a large-ish living room rug. Any favorites or recommendations?

* Even though I know I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be, with family and work life, sometimes it’s hard. The past six years running a couple handmade businesses were wonderful, but to be honest I’m definitely missing having a large studio to work in creatively. Will you pray for me? I’m kinda feeling blue and I don’t want to miss out on the now because I’m too busy A.) feeling sorry for myself (wah, wah), or B.) wishing things were a little different. I know these years at home are precious and short. Often He has bigger, better, funner plans and I want to make sure my eyes are focused on Him.

* If you haven’t yet, click over to enter to win one of our August giveaway bundles: back-to-school or cozy fall essentials.

Enjoy your long weekend, and I’ll see you in September! :)

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11 Comments
Filed Under: for fun

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Mountains, camping & a car battery. »

Comments

  1. Caitlin S. says

    August 28, 2014 at 6:02 am

    I know what you mean about not trying to do it all. I think it’s a mama thing. There’s some days I just know it’s more important to spend time with my little girl than trying to get all the cleaning in the house done. Some of it can wait. Other days I struggle with wanting to get things done.

    I’ve been reading your blog long before I started my own, and I am always just so encouraged by your posts. I have always wanted to start a handmade business, and at some point I will, but I know right now I am doing what I am supposed to be doing. Your posts are a great reminder of that.

    I will be praying for you, and that you will be able to completely enjoy these last few weeks as a mama to one, and that everything will go smoothly for the rest of your pregnancy/delivery. Enjoy the long weekend :)

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      August 28, 2014 at 7:28 am

      Oh my goodness, I so appreciate your comment :)

      I think one way I am able to keep myself in line is to consider how chaotic I feel inside when I try to do too much. It’s good to be creative and try new things, but I also have to remind myself of my motive behind being creative. Just because it’s what I’m used to doesn’t mean it’s how I should be spending my free time. Sometimes old habits can be bad habits ;)

      I’d want to encourage you to keep a journal of your business ideas. How fun would it be to look back on your notes once the timing is right for you to pursue a handmade biz? xoxo

      Reply
  2. Kristen says

    August 28, 2014 at 6:21 am

    Hi!

    Sometimes is almost scary how your posts echo my own thoughts and feelings!

    You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers. Have an amazing weekend!

    Best,

    Kristen

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      August 28, 2014 at 7:29 am

      This is awesome! Thank you for being honest in your comment… let’s pray for each other! :)

      Reply
  3. Tiffany Day says

    August 28, 2014 at 9:44 am

    Understand trying/wanting to “do it all” and then realizing you can’t!! Thank goodness for grace!!!

    And I also understand being blue for what you are letting go of for now, sometimes a change that is done willingly and what we know is right, isn’t always as easy as it sounds. I think giving yourself time to ease into the transition is good – its important to work through our feelings and not burry them!

    Have a wonderful weekend!!
    xo

    Reply
  4. Tiffany Day says

    August 28, 2014 at 9:45 am

    P.S. Also, praying for you – praying for peace and Him to comfort you.

    Reply
  5. Kari says

    August 28, 2014 at 1:05 pm

    We just got this rug for our playroom (I’d been wanting it for quite awhile before we bought it!) and love it!
    http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40260519/

    Reply
  6. Wiebke says

    August 28, 2014 at 1:41 pm

    Dear Maggie,
    Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts! I have also felt this way for a while now and on and off again. When I had my son, I was still finishing up my college degree in Psychology. So for the past 5 years of his (and my life) I was so busy with my thesis and my finals. I always had a goal. I really enjoyed especially writing my thesis but also longed to have more time for my son and family. I know have two children and am a stay-home mom and have to remind myself on an off again to just enjoy these precious moments I have with my family. But I also have moments when I wish I was ahead of where I am now. I wish I could start teaching Yoga now, may be writing a blog sharing all I am learning about Yoga, Health, Psychology etc. But at the end we know there will be time for all these wishes and goals. These moments with our children won’t come back. They are growing so fast.
    However, I will pray for us to move forward but to stay present at the same time.
    Much love and enjoy your long weekend!
    Wiebke

    Reply
  7. Ashley says

    August 29, 2014 at 4:19 am

    Maggie you are so inspiring…I love reading your blog and I follow you on IG not to mention I’ve bought several Gussy sews products! You definitely can’t do it all and especially not at once..I just had my third baby and boy is it tough. I’m never on time, and there have been countless times when dealing with my 2 year old and 3 month old, I just want to curl up and cry! We recently had to move cross country and it has been the hardest decision and life altering change we have ever made. But when God calls us we need to listen! I pray for you often and I’m so happy for your new addition! God is surely blessing you. .just take it one day at a time! :)

    Reply
  8. Jo says

    September 1, 2014 at 5:15 am

    Hi Maggie (that’s my mum’s name too).
    I have only recently found your blog, but I find it very inspiring and also kind of calm and peacful (if that makes sense?.. much like Your Wishcake).
    I have a very poor sleeping 2 year old and I now very much appreciate the benefits of a full nights sleep, and the feeling of trying to do too much. Getting stuff done and being ‘present’ whilst with my family is a constant challenge.
    I’m praying that you find fulfillment in your life right now, and trust that in time God will reveal his plan for you and your family.
    xx

    Reply
  9. Sarah says

    September 2, 2014 at 11:25 pm

    Maggie… I’m definitely praying for you! And I can totally empathize with how you feel. As delightful as it is being a mama to young ones, it’s always hard to slow down so much – especially for someone who is creative and has a lot of ideas. When they are so young, they need you so intensely and it’s frustrating to be unable to follow through on the ideas that feed your soul. My kids are now 8, 6, and about to turn 3… and I still have those moments. I try to remember how that actually feels -and journal about it – so that years from now, when they’re moving out and I’m a crying disaster, I will be able to look back and remember that it was hard to be all-in and that I did my best. You’re also in the ‘about to go through a major change’ phase – with a new babe on the way and knowing that things will be different but just having to wait for it; there isn’t much you can do to prepare except wait. So you’re kind of suspended in waiting mode… and that is probably contributing to how you’re feeling as well. It’s a great but also a tough place to be and I get that too. Does that make sense? Anyway, I get it, and I’ll pray for you.

    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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