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Maggie Whitley

joy in motherhood, homemaking, faith & simple living

You are here: Home / inspiration / 10 things I love / 10 things I love // vol. 8

10 things I love // vol. 8

January 27, 2016 · 17 Comments
Filed Under: 10 things I love

journals maggie whitley

A heartwarming list of “things I love and don’t want to forget” this January:

1. if you ask Natalie, “what’s your name?” she puts her hands to her chest and while grinning says, “Nani”. And we can not (seriously, can not) get enough

2. red checkered tablecloths. The festive pop of color with the yard-covered snow in the background is so beautiful and fun

3. seeing Zack’s face on FaceTime! Friends, I miss him so much! Yesterday was three full weeks since I kissed his face — he flew back to Los Angeles to finish up work. But today we are at the “three sleeps until we see daddy!” countdown, yeow!

4. every day at 10am my dad calls Maxwell on the telephone. I love hearing him shout, “HI GRANDPAWWW”, and then proceed to walk around the house with the phone ;)

5. all the daydreams about our new house in Madison Heights. I picked out a new headboard for our bedroom (!!!), and I’m thinking about fun new ways to decorate Max & Natalie’s bedroom. Also, this living room is pretty much spot on

6. freshly washed flannel sheets. Yes please, and thank you.

7. this journal. I don’t sit down with it every day, but I do aim for every other day. So grateful for Gretchen and her wisdom for the Word. (This 31-day study is also excellent!)

8. meeting a friend for lunch on Sunday, one I’ve known since early childhood. Andriana, you are a gem!

9. finding a new sweater to live in ;) #letsbehonest

10. the kids seem to have “favorites” these days: for Maxwell, it’s shoveling snow with his grandpa’s; for Natalie, it’s wearing her pink plastic bracelet. And admist this being a tiring season, it’s a real treat watching these kids grow up and become their own little people. I feel like I’m in a movie sometimes, with the last few years as their mama replaying in my mind like a favorite film. It brings me a lot of comfort to have these memories with and of them…

journals maggie whitley

Plus a few bonus loves:

11. very very very much looking forward to finding a new church family!

12. this blog post by Edie of life{in}grace: The Power of How You Were Made (seriously, a must-read for all women)

13. having a new weekly planner for 2016 — the outside color is amazing!

14. in case you missed it last week: 8 tips to help you thrive as a mama!

15. a fresh snowfall… there’s just nothing else like it :)

 

So that’s my list. How about you? What is heartwarming to you? What are you reading? What piece of clothing is your favorite? What is something about your tiring season that is making you happy?

PS. our Detroit-metro meet-up will be happening late-February — if you’re in the area, please do email me! I’d love to have you join us and meet you :)

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17 Comments
Filed Under: 10 things I love

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Comments

  1. Katie says

    January 27, 2016 at 9:20 am

    Every night we sing “Jesus Loves Me” before bed & then say a prayer… last night, as we started our song, Z-man starts singing “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus” in a sing-song voice! I basically melted. And then when we were almost done singing he started saying “Pay? Pay?” (Pray) And trying to keep his eyes closed. #iamapuddle :-D

    Of course, when we were actually praying, Miss T was grabbing at his hair so they were both giggling and not really paying attention…

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      February 3, 2016 at 9:19 am

      That is amazing he’s picking up on your evening routine, I love that :) it’s so affirming as a mama!

      Reply
  2. Rachel McCloud says

    January 27, 2016 at 9:40 am

    My daughter deciding it’s cool to sleep through the night.
    Getting to shower before she wakes up.
    My husband getting home an hour earlier from work everyday (so sorry it’s been 3 weeks for you :(
    And My daughter discovering that climbing on me as soon as I lay down is fun :)

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      February 3, 2016 at 9:19 am

      Those are all amazing! Yes! :) thanks so much for joining the conversation by commenting.

      Reply
  3. nikki says

    January 27, 2016 at 10:18 am

    madison heights? sounds like we will be neighbors! i am back in Clawson :)

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      February 3, 2016 at 9:20 am

      yeow! ♥

      Reply
  4. Amanda says

    January 27, 2016 at 10:26 am

    Madison Heights…. all the memories. I lived there as a newlywed. Gospel Life Church (on 12 Mile) would be a good church to check out. Best wishes!

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      February 3, 2016 at 9:20 am

      Thank you for the recommendation!

      Reply
  5. Carolyn says

    January 27, 2016 at 1:33 pm

    Thank you so much for the link to the Give Me Jesus Journal! I am looking for daily devotionals to use after my baby is born (due in February) …. something structured for that newborn stage when I won’t have a brain!

    I had mentioned in an earlier post that we are moving to Detroit in April and hopefully we can meet up sometime. (I know your baby is due in April, so likely not right away!) The reason my husband and I are moving to Detroit in April is to lead the Youth & Family Ministry for the Detroit Church of Christ. You can check it out. They meet in Livonia.

    FINALLY, THINGS I LOVE:
    1. Book: Forty Days of Prayer, by Kit Cummings.
    2. The YNAB budgeting app. Just started using this Jan 1. LOVE IT!
    3. DETROIT…so many cool things there!

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      February 3, 2016 at 9:22 am

      I love hosting meet ups, hopefully we can connect once you’re settled and you can join us! Send me an email and I’ll add your email address to my contact list ♥

      PS. both of Gretchen’s studies that I linked to are seriously amazing, make sure you check them out! She is such a sweet woman and I learn so much from her.

      Reply
  6. Karen says

    January 27, 2016 at 2:03 pm

    I don’t have littles anymore, but I love that my 14 year old tells me everything and is not afraid to tell me things and especially that he still gives me a hug and kiss before he goes to bed…..my 11 year old daughter and how she just always has a smile on her face even when I am upset and she seems to tell me everything too especially since she will be starting middle school next year. My seven year old just watching the things he loves to do and what he is learning even though my heart is breaking since he will probably never be in a regular classroom and do the things that his siblings get to.

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      February 3, 2016 at 9:23 am

      Still, this is a precious time for you as a mama. So glad you commented and joined the conversation :)

      Reply
  7. Tonya Lawson says

    January 27, 2016 at 5:07 pm

    I’m so glad to see that you write in a planner too! Digital planners just don’t work for me, and the men I work with make fun of me. Lol!

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      February 3, 2016 at 9:24 am

      I use a digital calendar for appointments, to keep Zack and I connected, but for many other things I write in a paper calendar. I love how easy it is to makes notes in, and I’ve even found myself writing down ideas for blog posts or projects… since it’s so handy and I always have it around! :)

      Reply
  8. Kelli says

    January 28, 2016 at 10:30 pm

    I have a two year old and a one year old, and the two year old has been an absolute sweet heart lately. He is in a great stage of life! He’s jabbering up a storm and learning how to make his little brother is best friend. I love watching this in the mix of days that can easily become difficult at home as a mom.

    I recently read Crystal Paine’s Money Making Mom, and I thought it was excellent. Even for someone like me who isn’t in a crazy hard financial place, I thought it was an excellent book! I would recommend it for any mom. It’s inspiring, engaging, and encouraging!

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      February 3, 2016 at 9:26 am

      You nailed it when you write, “in the mix of days that can easily become difficult at home as a mom”. I read something recently about a new way to consider situations when our kids are being disobedient… that it’s not them trying to be naughty, instead it’s an opportunity for us to teach them right from wrong. That little bit of advice has helped me so much during this long transition back to Michigan from California. xoxo

      Reply

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  1. 5 Things I'm Loving This Week - Life As A Loewen says:
    February 11, 2016 at 7:01 am

    […] adore Maggie Whitley and her sweet blog, and always love checking in on her “things I’m loving” posts, which always inspire me to do more of these. Isn’t it fun when we can learn something new, […]

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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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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.

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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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