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Maggie Whitley

joy in motherhood, homemaking, faith & simple living

You are here: Home / adventures / Detroit / Relishing on simple joys.

Relishing on simple joys.

May 5, 2016 · 14 Comments
Filed Under: Detroit, family, mamahood

marigold maggie whitley

(long, slow blinks) Well, hello there! Hellooooooo from my land of yawns and diapering and snack making and couch cuddling and time out giving and insane chocolate craving and, what’s that I was wanting to write? I’m also thick in the memory loss phase of mamahood, oh my goodness! In case you missed it, here’s Marigold’s birth announcement. I can’t tell you the number of times I blanked out when trying to remember what I was doing. Feels safe to say we’re a little bit tired around here. And a funny thought, yesterday at an appointment, doctor Zack shared with the doctor the realization that, “the kids are usually wide awake and happy, while we’re absolutely exhausted”. Simple joys :)

Monday was my first day solo parenting these three cuties. And when I write “these three cuties” you’ll have to imagine a photo of them together on the couch. I haven’t braved taking a photo of them without Zack standing nearby. But I can already imagine the scene: Maxwell would likely try to get off the couch with Goldie, and Natalie would likely give Goldie a rub that’s a little too hard. The older two sure love their baby sister, there’s no doubt.

zack maggie whitley

My mom was here for about three weeks, and seriously, thanks to her visiting and being so great at Grandma-ing, Zack and I were able to sneak away a few times, just the two of us. We ran a few errands, got coffee, had lunch together — nothing fancy, but still important (and lovely) to be with him alone. Simple joys.

natalie maxwell maggie whitley

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About a month ago I moved the yellow love seat into the big kids shared room so we’d have a fun place to read books and I could nurse. (Goldie will have her own nursery, but for now she’s in a cradle in our bedroom.) When Natalie was born and we were in Los Angeles, I moved an oversized chair into the kids shared room so we could all be together safely. Natalie could nurse and sleep, and I could keep an eye on her while Max and I played together on the floor. I knew I would have my hands full with two kids ;) if only I knew what it would be like to have three kids! No, I’m joking. It has been a lovely transition, one I’m so thankful for. But nonetheless, I grabbed my previous knowledge of having a comfortable place to sit and prepared for Goldie’s arrival now that we’re back in Detroit.

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walk maxwell bike maggie whitley

What has the biggest help been? Getting outside! Our neighborhood is perfect for walking and bicycle riding, and our backyard is a tiny land of adventures. We have a row of small trees and bushes in the back, which Max has declared “his forest!” — I just love his imagination. It’s been raining a lot, so our grass is incredibly green (and in need of a mow), but any time the sun pops out we run outside for 10 or 15 minutes to play. Simple joys.

natalie maxwell maggie whitley

Ten or 15 minutes, that seems to be the measure of time right now. I can do anything with three kids for 10 or 15 minutes. We are all on this learning curve, trying to catch our breaths, catch a nap, catch any tears before they fall. And for myself, I’m trying to do something just for me, every day, for 10 or 15 minutes. Too easily can I feel overwhelmed because I can’t quite see past “right now”.

The smallest accomplishments feel like the biggest victories. Things like taking a shower before Zack leaves for work (hello, self-care), playing in our back yard, and spending quality time with each child are at the very top of my list.

rodan and fields maggie whitley

Speaking of self-care, if you’re in need of a little yourself, send me an email: maggie AT maggiewhitley DOT com. Last year I began taking better care of my skin, a habit I needed to adapt! Did you know I had been using baby lotion as my face moisturizer? Terrible! Anyway :) I’d love to share with you how easy it is to achieve your skincare goals, Rodan + Fields has skincare solutions for dryness, sensitive skin, acne, sun damage, redness, brown spots — even tired, puffy eyes in need of a little illumination. Simple joys ;)

What are you up to today? Maxwell has his first dentist appointment, and I really hope we’re back home in time for the trash truck. Today is our garbage pick-up, and the men always honk the horn when they pull in front of our house, it is so sweet! The kids love the attention, and I love hearing them squeal with delight over such simple joys.

Happy Thursday! :)

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14 Comments
Filed Under: Detroit, family, mamahood

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Comments

  1. Southern Gal says

    May 5, 2016 at 11:31 am

    I somehow missed the birth announcement, but welcome to baby Goldie! Your family is just precious.

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      May 5, 2016 at 1:07 pm

      hey, THANK YOU! :)

      Reply
  2. Jacqueline says

    May 5, 2016 at 11:50 am

    Love seeing an update! And random…can you share where you found the adorable striped Sperrys? So cute!

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      May 5, 2016 at 1:13 pm

      YES! my striped shoes are from DSW, and they’re actually Keds :) they’re super comfortable! xx

      Reply
  3. Tonya Lawson says

    May 5, 2016 at 6:12 pm

    Congratulations!

    Your family will certainly be in my prayers. When I was four months pregnant with our first, the doctor told us that he had cysts on his kidneys and might not “make it” to full term. I was an absolute wreck! We had so many people praying for our dear son! At the age of four, they diagnosed him to be free of any kidney problems at all and stopped checking them. After 26 years of age, he has not had a single problem with his kidneys! Thank You Lord!

    May God heal Goldie as He healed my son, and may God bring you and Zack closer as you watch Him work in your lives.

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      May 7, 2016 at 8:47 am

      Marigold also has echogenic kidneys, and we’ve been told a variety of potential possibilities. So far our hearts have been calmed by reality, but we still rest on God’s promise to have the best planned for us. I love your sons story! What happiness! Thank you for sharing this little bit of encouragement <3

      Reply
  4. Cindy says

    May 5, 2016 at 11:08 pm

    I looooove Tonyas story, sounds like the story we would love for Goldie too, I love your heart and your beautiful babies! God bless you all!

    Reply
  5. Nicky says

    May 6, 2016 at 5:13 am

    Congratulations!!! 3 Beautiful children, you certainly have your hands full. I have five years between my two sons so I take my hat to you with having three little ones. Nice to hear you are taking 10-15 mins a day for yourself, your goal is to increase it haha. Enjoy your beautiful children as they grow up way too fast. Sending some cwtches (means hugs in Welsh) from Caerphilly, South Wales UKxxx

    Reply
  6. Jordan McCallister says

    May 6, 2016 at 12:00 pm

    LOVE this! Walking moment by moment is my GO TO when life gets hard or different or a lot or….all of the above. Beautiful <3

    Unrelated: I like the gallery wall addition above your couch! The old + new + wood make great pairings!

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      May 7, 2016 at 8:48 am

      Thank you so much!!!! And you’re spot on with the “moment by moment” thing. Amen! :)

      Reply
  7. Jen says

    May 6, 2016 at 4:48 pm

    Simple joys, I love that!! I’m so happy that you are able to sink into the here and now and enjoy it! Three kids is quite the transition, it took me a long time to figure it out and mine aren’t even that close in age, but I know you will do it with grace, love, and happiness!

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      May 7, 2016 at 8:48 am

      Thank you Jen! I sure do love your encouraging comments! You have a gift.

      Reply
  8. Katie says

    May 9, 2016 at 8:31 am

    Oh my gosh, I totally missed the birth announcement!!! Goldie, you are GORGEOUS. Good job, Mama, on having Baby #3!!! You are wonder woman! :-) #allthehearteyes :-D

    I love seeing tidbits of your life… thanks for sharing and encouraging other Mamas out there!

    Reply

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    December 23, 2016 at 4:31 pm

    Simple Joys Sweet Memories

    […] aking 10-15 mins a day for yourself, your goal is to increase it haha. Enjoy you […]

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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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