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Maggie Whitley

joy in motherhood, homemaking, faith & simple living

You are here: Home / inspiration / Thirteen thoughts in May…

Thirteen thoughts in May…

May 29, 2018 · 10 Comments
Filed Under: for fun, inspiration

Feeling so so happy for Maxwell and his new running shoes. Our sweet boy loves to climb and run and ride his bike all over the neighborhood, and the night we picked out a new pair of running shoes he could NOT stop telling me how much he loves them. This is real joy ~ having someone else’s happiness pour over to my heart.

Bookmarking this salad recipe which features cranberries, blueberries, sunflower seeds, cucumbers, and mandarin oranges. I made it twice in one week and the second time I also added chicken, strawberries and feta cheese. Definitely try it this week ;)

Thinking about the heartburn I’ve got going on right now… ha! Makes me wonder if the baby has a lot of hair or if my body is just super duper cramped (or both)?

Noticing how much more patient I am when I stop to remember they are truly children and they need to be taught, guided, loved, and forgiven when they mess up. (Just like me, actually.)

Smelling the freshly picked lily of the valley flowers given to me by our sweet neighbor Phyllis. She handed me the bouquet over our shared fence. We are so lucky to have her living next door.

Loving the sound of a quiet house. I mean, it’s really nice not to hear anyone talking ;)

Wondering when our fourth baby is going to arrive. I am filled with suspense! We’re counting down to three weeks now until my due date, eeek! :) Do you think I’ll have the baby early, on time, or a few days late? For reference, Maxwell was about 10 days late and the girls were essentially right on time.

Enjoying our newly built backyard swing set!!! Zack built it along with his dad and a family friend, and wow does it look nice. We hung two regular swings and one toddler bucket seat, all purchased from Amazon. It’s like we have a tiny park in our backyard, which I absolutely looooooove!

Wishing a new book would appear on my nightstand… Do you have any recommendations? 

Reading this book for a second time, The Mission of Motherhood. Also wanting to add this book to my next-up list. Have you read it (or seen the movie)?

Cooking very little these days, to be honest. We’ve been having more picnic themed dinners ~ healthy, but still very easy to put together. My body is so sore come late afternoon and I don’t enjoy standing in the kitchen as I make dinner. I am really looking forward to getting back in the kitchen once our baby is here, it’s another way I’m able to express my creativity, try something new, and take care of my family all at the same time.

Making lots of vegetable based side dishes! As a family we don’t eat many carbs, however I feel like we have been lately so I’m craving healthy options even more so. By the way I found a mango salsa recipe which is delicious on grilled chicken, and it’s soooo easy to make! Simply dice up 2 mangos, 1/4 cup red onion, 1 red bell pepper, and the juice of 1 lime. Mix together, then chill before serving. Keeps for 3 days in the fridge.

Praying for patience as I finish up these final weeks of pregnancy. Three to go! ;) This one has been the most difficult as I’m extremely uncomfortable (way more than I ever remember with the other three pregnancies). However, I am so grateful for the spring weather, having a wonderful backyard for us to play/rest in, but mostly for my husband. Zack has been exceptional… oh my goodness. He is so generous with our family.

What has your family been up to this month? What are you reading, making, or doing to gift yourself some rest? What are you looking forward to this summer? How can I pray for you? See you in the comments! xx

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10 Comments
Filed Under: for fun, inspiration

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Comments

  1. April says

    May 29, 2018 at 7:50 am

    Maggie, you and your family look absolutely radiant. Such beauty all around!

    It’s hard to believe you only have 3 weeks left. Your slow and intentional living and enjoyment of motherhood is so refreshing to me. I am guessing this baby will come right about on time. :)

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      May 29, 2018 at 1:19 pm

      Thank you April! It’s great to hear from you :)

      Reply
  2. Annette says

    May 29, 2018 at 10:08 pm

    The movie “Wonder” was amazing! We went to see the movie as a family 14,16 year old – and were all laugh/crying. <3. I have heard there are a few differences from the book, but that it is just as good. :)

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      May 30, 2018 at 2:15 am

      Yes!!! I really need to get this from our library…!

      Reply
  3. Barbara Storey says

    May 30, 2018 at 8:49 am

    Dear Maggie… I so enjoyed hearing from you this morning! I savored every picture, blowing each one up to get the innocent and priceless expressions of your babies! You yourself Maggie, look good! I know about the body discomfort though and pray for you every morning. Thank you for sharing your wonderful family life…and…..give your lovely man a hug from Grambarb!

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      May 31, 2018 at 1:32 pm

      Thank you! And I sure will, even if I have to get up on my tippy toes ;) he’s a tall, very handsome man. How can I be praying for you?

      Reply
      • Barbara Storey says

        May 31, 2018 at 2:03 pm

        Oh my… my life is so good right now with family all well and having my son living here! I guess Maggie, that I would say…. just ask God to reveal to me what He would have me do for Him! I love hearing from you because you inspire me and as you share your family I am blessed! Love you much! Grambarb

        Reply
  4. Hubbs says

    May 31, 2018 at 1:07 pm

    You make me smile, pretty woman. Love you.

    Reply
    • Hubbs says

      May 31, 2018 at 1:08 pm

      I think #4’s coming earrrrrly. Like, today.

      Reply
      • Maggie Whitley says

        May 31, 2018 at 1:31 pm

        Don’t tease…!

        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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