We have lived so many beautiful days since my last post, one year ago. There’s a lot to catch up on, and what a gift it is to be able to write this with such gratitude. Is there even an easy way to summarize the last 13 months? If there are just two sentences I could write, to attempt to do such a thing, it would be this:
The Lord is so good to me. God has sent the Holy Spirit to cover every fear I’ve had over the future.
As you likely remember, our fifth child, Josiah Solomon, was born with spina bifida. This means his spinal cord was exposed while he grew in my womb for 24 weeks, resulting in nerve damage. At 24 weeks gestation, I volunteered to have in-utero surgery in Ann Arbor, MI to close up his exposed spinal cord. A large medical team assisted my doctor as they opened my womb and partially delivered Josiah. Afterward, I was on bed rest for 3.5 months while my 12″ incision healed. Josiah was born at 37 weeks, and WHAT A CELEBRATION that day was :)
Josiah’s life continues to tighten the bond of my family. We are a solid team, centered on Christ and finding much to celebrate and laugh about. Now that a year has passed and I’ve healed from my three surgeries (in just 10 months), I’m eager to write here more frequently. Biblical mentorship continues to be a passion of mine.
And so, here are 14 special photos of the last few weeks of life…
The evening before my 39th birthday.
Block building at a new library. Look at Josiah playing independently! This is a huge milestone for him. And how gorgeous is this carpet?
It’s official: I’m 39 years happy!
Last month, we celebrated Josiah’s 1st birthday. What a blessed year it’s been. If you’re wondering, he did not like his birthday cake.
The most magical Marigold I know. On this day, we painted rocks at the library (the one with the gorgeous carpet). I also borrowed some books, including a memoir called, The Farmer’s Wife, and a fictional one called, The House We Grew Up In.
Sixteen years married to this wise, strong, kind man :)
Morning reading in the Word of God. The more I’m in community with other studying Sisters, the more I learn and the deeper my prayer time is. I absolutely look forward to spending time with God each day.
Two of my boys! Josiah, age 1, and Landon, age 6.
For a recent dinner, we had charcuterie-style salad. I paired homemade cornbread muffins with honey butter and added salami slices with sharp cheddar cheese. YUM!
This is us :) I love this quote, “The most important work you will ever do is within the walls of your home.”
More morning reading in the Word. My Monday night Bible study is working through the book, Everyday Theology.
Weekly beach time with my girls! Together with our combined 16 children, we float, roar with laughter, and sip iced coffee. The kids play, dump buckets of water before going down the slide, and bury their legs in warm sand. We leave with golden skin and new memories. PS, these two friends are the hands & feet of Christ to me!
Nail polish… seriously, one of my favorite “things” to own. Pinks, reds, and purples are my favorites, however white, black, and the most perfect green (Geometry by Olive & June) are fun, too. Use this link for 20% off any Olive & June System.
* * *
Proverbs 15:30 says,
The light of the eyes rejoices the heart, and good news refreshes the bones.
Until next time…
xx, Maggie
I was so excited to see your email! I have come back here several times to see if I had missed a post. It just makes me happy reading your update! All of your children are adorable and I’m thankful for how God has seen y’all through this past year.
Thank you so much, Dawn! It’s an honor to be a mama to these five children. I love them so much. I’m hopeful for the future, I have many writing projects on my heart and it’s very life-giving for me to work on them. xx
What a joyful post! It makes my heart happy and encouraged to see you all thriving and growing in the LORD. And I think that you hit the baby cuteness jackpot with Josiah All those rolls!
haha — aren’t they fantastic! I take all the credit for those ;) and thanks for your comment, Lacey! xx
Thank you for posting!!
Continued prayers of blessing over your family!
Thank you, Vickie!!! It’s wonderful to hear from you. xoxo
It’s so great to see that you and your family are doing well. Keep posting. I’m happy to see that each day is more beautiful than the last.
Thank you, Nick! And you summed it up perfectly. Each day is more beautiful than the last.
It made me so happy when I found out you are a Christian! I’ve been following you since my oldest daughter was born, 2010 back when you were “Gussy Sews”! I love all of your posts!
100% a Christian! I’ve always had a love for Jesus, I can’t remember a time when I didn’t want to follow Him. Thank you for your sweet comment. Tell me a little about yourself? xx
Love all of this friend!! So much to rejoice with you about!! God is SO GOOOOOD!!!! And I’m always so encouraged by your morning Bible time ☀️
Oh Linds, you’re so special to me. Thank you for your sweet comment. You are an encouraging sister in Christ :) :)
Hello!!!
I wondered when we’d hear from you… then I poked myself in my 75-year-old ribs and reminded myself, “Girl, she’s got 5 young children at home, one of whom is a baby yet.” I only had 3, and, though I’m actually a teacher by profession, I didn’t homeschool like you. Amazing!
And look at that smiling Josiah! He reminds me of my second, my daughter Becky. She was happy all the time, and she was also an adorable little roly-poly! At 43, she is still the sweetest-natured, now single mother of three, teaches mid-high math, and runs marathons! Her girls adore her and are so proud to call her their mama.
I am positively amazed by you young women who seem to be able to balance so much. Super Mamas. “…and [your] children shall rise up and call you blessed.” I do, too!
Thank you for all your kind words! You were very generous with them. I am able to do a lot, but I don’t do it all :) I have become comfortable with my limitations. Homeschooling has been a tremendous help with our ever-changing schedule. I’m happy to have written a little update and I’m eager to see what creating looks like now that my youngest is one years old. That first year can be a little bumpy… ;)
Good to hear from you, Maggie! So glad to hear how God has carried you through this first year as a mom of five!
Thank you, Tasha! How are you doing? :)
Delightful updates, dear Maggie. And then, ‘listening in’ to your conversations with those who read your gentle honesty
feels like a wide open garden of living thanksgiving.
Oh mylanta, you are a beautiful writer of encouragement. Your words are a balm to my tired body. When can I see you again? :)
Your photos are so professional! What a lovely blog!