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Maggie Whitley

joy in motherhood, homemaking, faith & simple living

You are here: Home / inspiration / for fun / Let’s talk about saving money, Facebook, soup, toys, and creating a nest…

Let’s talk about saving money, Facebook, soup, toys, and creating a nest…

September 26, 2016 · 3 Comments
Filed Under: for fun, our home

goldie smiles maggie whitley

Hey friends! The weather has took a turn towards cooler air, and I absolutely love it! When we were living in Los Angeles we rarely saw shades of red and yellow on the top half of trees, and so this is partly why I’m realllllly loving that fall is upon us. Our 2-mile round trip walks to the park are a lot more enjoyable, too ;)

A fun list of things I’m currently thinking about…

* I’m not on Facebook too much during the day, but I have made it a habit of “saving” posts in my feed I want to revisit later, especially if there is a video or long post attached. I find I enjoy the content so much more when I can read it during quiet hours.

* Still on the search for a “smokey eye”! I think I may try something fool proof, ha ha. Have you used any liquid/creamy eye shadows? Thinking I’ll mix a couple with a chubby eyeliner stick. The results will probably show up on my Instagram feed, unless I look absolutely terrifying (snort).

* Saturday night, Zack and I spent a little over an hour re-working our budget, AND I AM SO VERY EXCITED! We have tightened up our spending once again, and the amount we’re now able to save each month is so encouraging. A few days ago I wrote a little about how we’re paying off our debt, and it starts with using actual cash (very little debit card use, and NO credit card use), and only purchasing the essentials (no “wants” right now (those are bought once we’re debt-free)). We have been making great progress since the beginning of the year, but not as much as we’d like, considering we have tens of thousands of debt left to pay. So on Saturday night, we found an additional $300/month to throw at our debt, and I’m really encouraged — this additional money will speed up our progress by an entire year, yes!!! Also, this totally reminds me of Dave Ramsey when he says, “sell so much stuff the kids think they’re next”. Yep, that’s our mindset, cut off as much excess as possible so we can be debt-free as quickly as possible!

* Sunday morning, I baked a dozen pumpkin muffins! So delicious, and an easy way to warm up the house. Thanks Ashley for posting the recipe (edited to add, bake your muffins at 350*). With the leftover pumpkin, I’m sure I’ll make myself a few pumpkin spice latte’s at naptime — another recipe from Ashley.

* I mentioned this briefly on Friday :: we are entering another intense season with the kids. Natalie is ready to potty train (she’ll turn 2 the end of October), and Marigold has cut two teeth. I also think Natalie is getting her molars? Oh man, so we’ve reversed back to the sleepless night phase of parenting. And never has my bed felt so comfortable! When we moved back to Michigan, we bought a down comforter and duvet set for our bedroom. And flannel sheets ;) And I tell ya, when I get into bed at night, all cozy in our nest, I feel my stress relax off of my bones. It takes me very little time to fall asleep. I found the down comforter at Marshalls (SUCH a great store!), and it was one of the best “we’re moving back to Michigan where there are four seasons (!!!)” purchases. What I’m getting at is this: a tribe of little kids + a very comfortable, cozy nest = the best type of rest possible! Even if I’m not actually able to sleep, resting my body for at least 8 hours is exactly what I need during this season of life.

* I’m on a soup craze! So far I’ve made pasta e fagioli, broccoli cheddar, chicken pot pie, and lentil soup. Pair this with dinner rolls, fresh from the oven, and we are a happy crew come dinner time! :) Soup is perfect for our family, it often gives us plenty of leftovers, which I freeze for another meal. I make it a priority to make hearty soup recipes so I can strain most of the broth out, that way Max and Natalie can easily feed themselves. Edie is a soup whisperer, and I usually search her blog first :)

* TOYS! THINGS! ALL THE EXTRA STUFF! I suddenly want to clean it all up, pack up all the forgotten toys, replenish our art supplies, focus on building and creative play. How much time do I really spend cleaning up? I can’t even think about it ;) I loved the book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, and recently a friend shared this book title with me, The House That Cleans Itself. And now that Marigold is able to turn onto her tummy (she’s as fast as lightening), it is making me really consider what toys are on the floor that she can reach.

YOUR TURN! There’s so much to talk about — what are you cooking? What’s on your mind? What helps you fall asleep fast at night, and how much sleep do you typically get/need? What are you looking forward to this week? xx

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3 Comments
Filed Under: for fun, our home

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Comments

  1. Laura says

    September 26, 2016 at 11:17 am

    I need to try some of those soup recipes! Yum! Perfect for the chillier temps!

    Reply
  2. Kayla says

    September 26, 2016 at 1:50 pm

    Have you read 7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess by Jen Hatmaker? It’s another great read about tidying up and getting rid of stuff. I’m reading it right now and it’s excellent!

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      September 26, 2016 at 2:57 pm

      I haven’t, totally forgot about that one — thanks for the reminder!

      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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