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Maggie Whitley

joy in motherhood, homemaking, faith & simple living

You are here: Home / family / Life around here.

Life around here.

January 11, 2016 · 9 Comments
Filed Under: family, for fun, lifestyle

maxwell natalie maggie whitley

bauer maggie whitley

winter michigan maggie whitley

winter michigan maggie whitley

maxwell baby maggie whitley

Around here, we are…

…staying inside as it’s been cold, cold, cold lately! The winter wind is brutal, although I love listening to it from inside. It crushes me to have to tell Maxwell it’s too cold to play outside. All our sweet boy wants to do these days is sled and shovel.

…packing up for a visit to Petoskey! We are so grateful for our families and how they’ve let us invade their homes ;) Because, ahem, we’ve definitely taken over. Toys and diapers and bundling up and tiny socks and sippy cups and Christmas cookies and nap schedules and up & down the staircase. I’m out of breath often with Max & Nat, but it’s a fun time for sure. Also, it’s crazy being at home with my children. And tucking Max into the daybed I slept in as a little girl? Whoa. I’m so glad we’re in Michigan.

…taking lots of naps. If you pair our cold weather with a fresh layer of snow, add in two peppy toddlers, flannel sheets, and a 6 months pregnant mama, you’ll find me joining the kids for their afternoon nap. Bummer ;)

…offering a 15% off sale on our Building a Business ebook. Through tonight (1/11) at midnight PST, use code NEWGOALS15 at checkout for immediate savings. Elise and I are super grateful for all your support, so thank you!

…drinking a lot of tea. Fruit infused tea is my favorite, and drinking it in the evenings, knowing how much Zack and I enjoy a cup together, makes me feel like he’s not so far away. Our first week apart has gone surprisingly fast. I think I mentioned this earlier, but we both have so much to finish on our to-do lists, we’re hardly watching the click tick. The hardest is probably the evenings, I always look forward to spending a couple quiet hours with him once the kids are in bed :) All things to look forward to come February!

…rotating through a few books at nighttime. Currently reading this, this, and this. I may not have a lot of time to read, but I can always find 15-20 minutes, and I love how quickly it helps me unwind. Like my friends have shared, reading gives them something to talk about with their husbands (besides the kids), gives them new ideas within their individual lives, and betters their writing.

How about you? What’s happening with you and your family, where you live, and within your creative projects?

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9 Comments
Filed Under: family, for fun, lifestyle

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Comments

  1. Kara says

    January 11, 2016 at 8:46 am

    A lot of the same!! Staying inside because of Midwest cold, chasing a toddler at 6 months pregnant, napping when he naps, trying to do a full-house clean/purge before an upcoming baby and cross-country move. Oh and potty training In the evenings I do crossword puzzles and plan my sister’s bridal shower.

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      January 11, 2016 at 12:18 pm

      CROSSWORD PUZZLES? Oh my gosh, yesssssss. I think that sounds like a great evening activity :) Thanks Kara!

      Reply
  2. Zack Whitley says

    January 11, 2016 at 10:48 am

    Sweet lil mama. I’m just reading this and it’s Warming my soul. I know the kids and I are so lucky to have you. You are the most fun and loving mom and wife.

    Thank you for the great post. :)

    Reply
  3. Katie says

    January 11, 2016 at 5:46 pm

    I just grabbed a copy of the book! I’ve wanted to get it since you released it, but the coupon code convinced me! ;-)

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      January 11, 2016 at 8:03 pm

      Thank you!!! Oh good good good! You’ll have to share a review with us once your finished :)

      Reply
  4. Theresa says

    January 12, 2016 at 4:49 am

    I’m a substitute teacher and have been very busy working a long term sub job. I’m trying to finish reading “Kitchen Confidential.” On the creative side, this past weekend I taught my 13 & 14 year old daughters how to sew! They made fleece PJ pants. They were so proud of themselves! They did a great job and now can’t wait to sew more!!

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      January 12, 2016 at 2:49 pm

      Oh my gosh, you had a sewing party with your daughters? That sounds so so fun! Any weekend spent crafting is a great weekend! :)

      Reply
  5. Allison says

    January 12, 2016 at 4:08 pm

    Aww it looks like things are starting off well there. I’m glad your time apart from Zack is going quickly and you are finding a little time to relax.

    Allison http://allisons-eye.com/

    Reply
  6. Sarah Dibert-Hanson says

    January 12, 2016 at 4:57 pm

    Hey Maggie! Welcome back to Michigan! We’re living in Rochester, in the Detroit metro area, let me know if you need any recommendations! Good luck with the full move and house hunting! Your babies are absolutely adorable!

    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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