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Maggie Whitley

joy in motherhood, homemaking, faith & simple living

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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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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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

Do you need to grow deeper roots?

February 1, 2019 · Leave a Comment
Filed Under: Faith

This post is written to you today while I sit at the library. I really love being here when I write because it’s a quiet space. My winter scarf is next to me on the desk, and at my feet are two plants double wrapped in brown paper. Oh yes, you read that correctly. I brought… [Read More]

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Filed Under: Faith

they’re back: Limited Edition Gussy Sews pouches are now in the shop!

January 21, 2019 · 1 Comment
Filed Under: Gussy, inspiration

SURPRISE! The Gussy shop is re-stocked with limited edition medium zip pouches! Would you look at the gorgeous fabric, ruffled fronts, and wooden buttons! ;) For many years I ran a handmade business called Gussy Sews. It began soon after teaching myself how to sew in the winter of 2008, when my husband and I… [Read More]

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1 Comment
Filed Under: Gussy, inspiration

Sitting with a very dear friend…

January 1, 2019 · 1 Comment
Filed Under: inspiration

Greetings to you, brand new 2019 year! I’ll just jump right in here. I’m not one to set lofty January 1st resolutions or find a wild new path to follow, however I am someone who enjoys sitting with my emotions and writing them down. Since I can remember I have thrived over the reality of… [Read More]

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Filed Under: inspiration

Need a baby shower gift idea?

December 28, 2018 · 1 Comment
Filed Under: creativity, sewing

A lot of time is spent in my children’s bedrooms, particularly the nursery which Marigold and Landon share. Since we’re talking about him, when did he turn 6 months old? Wasn’t he just born? Landon is such a happy baby. I love my children’s bedrooms because they’re filled with their found treasures, favorite craft projects,… [Read More]

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Filed Under: creativity, sewing

Two of my devotionals: inside the NEW (in)courage Bible!

December 19, 2018 · 4 Comments
Filed Under: books, devotionals, Faith

I’m really, really happy to share with you my latest devotional writing opportunity… Two of my devotionals for women have been published inside the NEW (in)courage Bible! And friends, the inside design is lovely. The color palette is encouraging, the gathered content is full of beautiful details, and because it’s the written Word of God the language… [Read More]

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4 Comments
Filed Under: books, devotionals, Faith

Three books I want you to read in 2019.

November 26, 2018 · 2 Comments
Filed Under: books, favorites

Reading is one of my favorite past times since becoming a mother, partly because it means the house has slowed to a quiet but mostly because it’s a chance for me to sit down and learn, laugh, lament. Do you know some of the most important things I’ve learned are from books? Topics like how to… [Read More]

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Filed Under: books, favorites

Embroidering Madeline’s house!

November 19, 2018 · 5 Comments
Filed Under: embroidery, inspiration

As you can imagine, we are in a season of life where we read a lot of books on a couch, on a bed, in the hallway on the floor. I love to read, as does my husband, so this activity brings all of us a lot of joy. Its actually what encouraged us to… [Read More]

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Filed Under: embroidery, inspiration

20 recipes perfect for fall!

October 9, 2018 · Leave a Comment
Filed Under: recipe, seasons

The fall season has been here for a couple of weeks now, although in Michigan we’ve had some beautifully warm days. We are loving it! The kids and I have been able to play outside together a lot more, and yesterday I surprised the kids by walking to the park. We have spent a lot… [Read More]

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Filed Under: recipe, seasons

Welcome to the world baby Landon!

July 10, 2018 · 9 Comments
Filed Under: baby #4, family, Landon

Our family grew by one little person in June, and our hearts grew by one thousand! On Thursday, June 14th at 3:51 am we welcomed Landon Craig David (named after both grandfathers) into our family. He was my second biggest baby, weighing 8 lbs 13 oz and measuring 21 inches. All four of my children… [Read More]

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Filed Under: baby #4, family, Landon

Surviving (thriving!) as a one-car family…

June 4, 2018 · 7 Comments
Filed Under: inspiration, mamahood, simple living

We’ve definitely spent a lot of time at home this year. If you remember, Zack was in a scary car accident in January which left us AMAZED at the protection of God. Even though his car went under a semi truck while traveling on the freeway, Zack walked away with just a small cut on… [Read More]

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7 Comments
Filed Under: inspiration, mamahood, simple living

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 ~… [Read More]

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Filed Under: for fun, inspiration

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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
“We are preparing to wind down for the school ye “We are preparing to wind down for the school year with just a few more weeks of intentional table lessons. We will then transition to a lighter learning schedule during the summer months. Today I am grateful for the books and resources I’ve read that have helped keep me in my own lane. (Visit my blog to see a personal favorite.)

Even now, three years in, I appreciate the reminder to stay on the path that was designed with intentional thought just for me.”

✨ see #maggiewhitleydotcom for the full post ✨
I took off my “comparison / contemplation” gla I took off my “comparison / contemplation” glasses last month and it’s been soooooo good. See also: sooooo hard (because life is never and/or). I’ve been writing more, reading more, spending more time outside. Talking to friends faces and smelling their detergent. My heart feels lighter. I’m sharing a few updates on my blog if you’d like to read? 🌾🤓blog reading & writing is a much better pace for me. You too? Link in profile.
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
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