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Maggie Whitley

joy in motherhood, homemaking, faith & simple living

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

Thirteen thoughts in February…

February 8, 2019 · 3 Comments
Filed Under: for fun, inspiration

Feeling really empowered lately by all the creating I’ve been doing. Setting aside this time to create, even subconsciously as I work with my calendar to preserve it is causing me to take notice. I feel different. I am still tired, often waking up 1-2x/night with one child or another, but it’s allowing me to be “all in” when I’m with my children in a whole new way. Zack has always encouraged me to set aside time for myself, even though I have had dry seasons where I just didn’t want to. I appreciate his constant support.

Bookmarking instant pot meal ideas! I was super intimidated by mine for a couple of weeks, then I decided to just watch a YouTube video to learn how to use it. YouTube is my go-to teacher ;) I’m no longer afraid, in fact I’ve made many meals with my instant pot including cozy autumn rice soup, split pea & ham soup, jalapeno popper chicken chili, swedish meatballs, salsa chicken tacos, and coconut chicken curry.

Thinking about devotionals and inspiration and hope and cheering each other on…

Noticing how quiet my home is right now! This week has been busy with transitioning nap schedules. (I mean, I could use a nap myself!)

Smelling hazelnut coffee in my mug.

Loving my slippers. These are my favorite, I have them in cinnamon.

Wondering about the future. God is really working with me to help me feel less anxious and more creative. This is very exciting for me.

Enjoying how our home looks since we simplified our decor. I added continuity through natural elements like wood and more plants. Why yes, I AM always adding more plants :) thanks for noticing.

Wishing for a morning where I am served coffee in bed, read my devotional in bed, and then stay in bed for a couple more hours, HA!

Reading this book (again). I also finished this book on anxiety and really loved it. This book is next in my queue.

Cooking see above ;)

Making a lot of notes on devotionals and inspiration and hope and cheering each other on. Are you reading between the lines yet??!

Praying for a gentle spirit. Do you have a devotional Bible? I have two written devotionals inside the new (in)courage Bible, you can purchase yours here or by visiting a local book store! Want to know more about this Bible, click here for more photos and info :)

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3 Comments
Filed Under: for fun, inspiration

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Comments

  1. Rachel Nevergall says

    February 10, 2019 at 7:42 am

    If what I’m reading between the lines is a devotional book written by my favorite encouraging soul sister, then I would like to ask where I can preorder please and thank you! ✨7 months into being a Mama of three and my heart feels all of these delights and yearnings and magical moments of creativity found. I could use a bit more sleep though. Just a bit.

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      February 10, 2019 at 10:56 am

      Why YES that is what you’re reading :) I’ll keep you posted as it comes to completion. Say, are there are topics you’d like more faithful encouragement?

      Reply

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  1. Thirteen thoughts in November. - Maggie Whitley Designs says:
    November 29, 2019 at 7:01 am

    […] read past “thirteen thoughts” posts: February 2019, May 2018, April […]

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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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