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Maggie Whitley

joy in motherhood, homemaking, faith & simple living

Thirteen thoughts in November.

November 29, 2019 · 8 Comments
Filed Under: inspiration

Feeling so proud of all the writing I’ve accomplished this month. Here are my recent blog posts, in case you missed them: the colors of motherhood, learn how to watercolor with your children (includes a 25% off discount code), and a Gussy Sews holiday pop-up shop update. Bookmarking this beautiful movie! We watched it over the… [Read More]

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Filed Under: inspiration

it’s a Gussy Sews holiday pop-up shop!

November 25, 2019 · Leave a Comment
Filed Under: Gussy, holidays

They’re here! Inside my Gussy Sews shop are eight brand new pouches. They are perfectly ruffled, perfect in color, and perfect in size. This time around I’m offering two different sizes to help you stay organized as you go about your day. And, if you’re someone who changes bags often (like me), having a pouch… [Read More]

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Filed Under: Gussy, holidays

MAKE IT: learn to watercolor with your children!

November 23, 2019 · 2 Comments
Filed Under: craft project, creativity, holidays

Perhaps you’re like me and you really enjoy creating with your children, especially when it can be displayed year after year? In years past we’ve made decorations for our Christmas tree, but this year we are taking it up a notch. We are learning to watercolor! I am so very excited.  Emily Lex of Jones… [Read More]

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2 Comments
Filed Under: craft project, creativity, holidays

The colors of motherhood.

November 5, 2019 · 9 Comments
Filed Under: mamahood

Last week after naps, I gathered my tribe of small people to zip coats and buckle seat belts. While out running errands we shopped for nail polish and birthday party things (my sweet Natalie has turned FIVE). I’ve never bought five bottles of nail polish before, but I suppose that’s what happens when you have two… [Read More]

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9 Comments
Filed Under: mamahood

What is your rhythm for self-care?

October 29, 2019 · 4 Comments
Filed Under: lifestyle, mamahood

There’s a floral tray on my bedside table that holds my frequently reached-for items: a bobby pin to pin my hair back, peppermint chapstick, my eye glasses, a pen, my beloved perfume oil. They are simple tools, pretty tools, but I didn’t intentionally put together this collection of favorites. Rather, the rhythms of my life did…. [Read More]

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4 Comments
Filed Under: lifestyle, mamahood

Year 2: the beginning of our homeschool journey…

October 15, 2019 · 4 Comments
Filed Under: family, homeschool, inspiration

We’ve begun our second year of homeschooling, and it’s quite surprised me how well and how fast it’s skipping by. I absolutely love teaching my children, however this wasn’t something I considered for our family when I became a mom in 2013. As time as passed, as I’ve come to know my children and grow… [Read More]

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4 Comments
Filed Under: family, homeschool, inspiration

What are you reading this summer?

May 22, 2019 · 6 Comments
Filed Under: books, seasons

Just yesterday the kids and I planted flowers in a variety of places around our home. We are outside a lot during the spring, summer and fall months, and I’m especially looking forward to the beauty flowers add to our daily life. In fact, I don’t mind the weeds growing in the cracks near the… [Read More]

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6 Comments
Filed Under: books, seasons

How we paid off over $65,000 of debt in 3 years (debt freedom part two)

May 13, 2019 · 19 Comments
Filed Under: debt, family

(click here to read PART ONE of our debt-free journey.) (Date night: Zack and I are celebrating our debt freedom) Are you ready for this amazing, achievable announcement? Zack and I made our final debt payment on March 27th, 2019 ~ we are finally debt free!  We worked so hard for three years and paid… [Read More]

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19 Comments
Filed Under: debt, family

On seeing the small details…

May 2, 2019 · 2 Comments
Filed Under: books, mamahood

Last week I sat outside with my older two children and read a book, which was very much not the plan I had envisioned for quiet time. Moments before I had been reading inside on the couch but soon I was invited outside to see their newly built fort. They had the beach umbrella set… [Read More]

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Filed Under: books, mamahood

Learn to sew your own clothes! (NEW online course)

May 1, 2019 · Leave a Comment
Filed Under: creativity, sewing, tutorial/DIY

Fellow creatives: the ever inspiring Elise Cripe has created an online sewing course focused around garment sewing. Can you even believe it? I’m personally thrilled for her newest creative endeavor. I mean, yes! Go Elise, go! For just $28 Elise will guide you through 13 written lessons, 6 step-by-step video tutorials of common techniques, and a… [Read More]

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Filed Under: creativity, sewing, tutorial/DIY

Look at those NEW Gussy ruffles!

March 22, 2019 · 1 Comment
Filed Under: Gussy

Hello, hello! It’s really the greatest gift for me as a creative to make time for my interests. This is something I’ve had to work towards doing well, though, because as a creative I often get “lost” in the present. My husband Zack gently nudges me at just the right time, which is why I’m here… [Read More]

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Filed Under: Gussy

Exercising, getting out of the house, and how to stay calm with young children…

March 8, 2019 · 9 Comments
Filed Under: Faith, mamahood

Before I answer your questions I want to know: have you heard the birds singing outside your window yet? I have, which means spring is near! As a Michigan dweller, this is very exciting. The birds that flutter outside our windows are precious to me. Their songs are a comfort after a long stretch of… [Read More]

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9 Comments
Filed Under: Faith, mamahood

Making time for myself as a mother of many, plus homeschooling…

February 26, 2019 · 4 Comments
Filed Under: family, homeschool, mamahood

One of my favorite things as a blogger is answering reader questions because it helps me feel like we’re sitting together as we enjoy good conversation. I have a long list of reader questions saved and will be sharing my answers with you through various blog posts. I’m really looking forward to sharing this series…. [Read More]

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4 Comments
Filed Under: family, homeschool, mamahood

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… [Read More]

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3 Comments
Filed Under: for fun, inspiration

Here’s a GREAT resource for your handmade business!

February 4, 2019 · Leave a Comment
Filed Under: blog & handmade advice, building a business ebook

Hey friends! An exciting announcement — a few years ago Elise Blaha Cripe and I co-authored an ebook called Building a Business. Inside this resourceful 37,000 word (!!!) book we share years and years of personal experience on our handmade businesses. This book is incredible. We broke down the content across six sections and have… [Read More]

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Filed Under: blog & handmade advice, building a business ebook

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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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