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You are here: Home / Archives for Kathryn Whitaker

About Kathryn Whitaker

Kathryn is the mom of six and wife to a pretty amazing Catholic man. She blogs about what she knows: big families, carpool, prematurity, her beloved Aggies, her faith, DIY/organization projects, finding God in the details and the occasional glass of wine at 10am. In her free time she operates a freelance graphic design business.

Why You Won’t See Me Marching at a Pro-Life Rally

Published January 22, 2014 • Written by Kathryn Whitaker Filed Under: Blog, Social Justice

Every year on January 22, the anniversary of the landmark case Roe v. Wade, hundreds of thousands of people march in our nation’s capital and around the country in support of a culture of life. The March for Life, as it’s known. But, you won’t see me marching. And here’s why. I believe that everyone… [Read More]

Written by Kathryn Whitaker • Published January 22, 2014

It’s Christmas Eve: Bust out the Cake & Candles!

Published December 24, 2013 • Written by Kathryn Whitaker Filed Under: Blog, Family

Christmas Eve only means one thing: a baby is about to be born! The excitement is crackling in the air. Can’t you feel it? A birthday to celebrate. A new life to love! Many of my most favorite family traditions center around Christmas Eve. Yes, we attend Mass, have a delicious Christmas Eve dinner, open… [Read More]

Written by Kathryn Whitaker • Published December 24, 2013

What Kind of Life Are You Creating?

Published November 26, 2013 • Written by Kathryn Whitaker Filed Under: Blog

If people were to judge my life in random five-minute increments, I wonder what they would walk away thinking. Don’t kid yourself, we’ve all done it. To the mom in the grocery with the screaming baby. Well, that’s what happens when you bring a baby to the store during naptime. To the guy who honks… [Read More]

Written by Kathryn Whitaker • Published November 26, 2013

Finding Peace As a Mom of 5

Published October 22, 2013 • Written by Kathryn Whitaker Filed Under: Blog

I’m not sure Hail Mary’s are supposed to be yelled. Perhaps it’s a new way of praying them? For the last several months (years), I’ve struggled with finding peace in multiple areas of my life, at the same time. Maybe that’s my problem. I try to find too much peace, too many places and it’s… [Read More]

Written by Kathryn Whitaker • Published October 22, 2013

The 10-Minute Phone Call That Changed My Day

Published September 25, 2013 • Written by Kathryn Whitaker Filed Under: Blog

“You know, of the 10,080 minutes you have in a week, I sure am glad you spent 1/1,000 talking to me,” quipped my 87-year-old grandfather. The fact that I called him was a complete fluke. He’s been on my mind for weeks. I’ve wanted to call for longer than that, but I was busy. You… [Read More]

Written by Kathryn Whitaker • Published September 25, 2013

Encountering God, Encountering Beauty: The Dominican Sisters are Here to Stay!

Published September 24, 2013 • Written by Kathryn Whitaker Filed Under: Blog

“You encounter God when you encounter beauty.” While a Dominican Sister of Mary may have stolen those words from my brain, they are oh-so-true, aren’t they? From the first moment I met these Dominicans, three words came to mind: beauty, joy and faithfulness. Those same words could certainly describe the beautiful weekend at the Sister’s… [Read More]

Written by Kathryn Whitaker • Published September 24, 2013

So You Think Your Kid Needs a Cell Phone

Published August 27, 2013 • Written by Kathryn Whitaker Filed Under: Blog

Oh, how I wish there was an entry in the Catechism for questions such as these. We have five children, the oldest is twelve and in seventh grade. And, if my gray hairs are any indication, he has asked us for a cell phone no less than one billion times. The answer is still no…. [Read More]

Written by Kathryn Whitaker • Published August 27, 2013

The Catholic Student Backpack: 5 Things You Should Have

Published August 13, 2013 • Written by Kathryn Whitaker Filed Under: Blog

Say it isn’t so. Even though the pool is still cold and the heat index over 100, the start of school is in the air. I know this because of all those back-to-school commercials that started in July. Thanks, Target. Last August, I shared five things every Catholic family should do before school begins. We… [Read More]

Written by Kathryn Whitaker • Published August 13, 2013

Homeless People Aren’t Zoo Animals

Published July 18, 2013 • Written by Kathryn Whitaker Filed Under: Social Justice

The chaos in the backseat of my van was undeniable. There were screams, yells and giggles. It wasn’t a rockstar, a marching band or even Johnny Football that caught their attention. No, it was the homeless African-American single mom, holding a cardboard sign, baking in the hot 95-degree Texas heat. Her sign simply said, “please… [Read More]

Written by Kathryn Whitaker • Published July 18, 2013

Mommy, I Look Fat: A Lesson in Self-Worth

Published July 2, 2013 • Written by Kathryn Whitaker Filed Under: Blog

“Mommy, I look fat.” Oh those are words every mom dreams her child will say, no? Sometimes, when the mirror is placed directly before us, we plainly see the example we set for our children. Whether it’s the shorter shorts, the plethora of bikinis or changing fashion trends, summertime tends to bring body image and… [Read More]

Written by Kathryn Whitaker • Published July 2, 2013

Your Birthday: A Day To Celebrate or To Dread?

Published June 18, 2013 • Written by Kathryn Whitaker Filed Under: Blog

Birthdays can be such a beautiful thing. Until they aren’t. We celebrate the milestones, like the first birthday, with much fanfare. Cake, friends, gifts and joy permeate the air. The first year is complete! Then there’s double digits, entrance to the teenage years, sweet sixteen and glorious 21. And then it stops. We start to… [Read More]

Written by Kathryn Whitaker • Published June 18, 2013

Summer Is For Living: Enjoying (not just surviving) the Season with Your Kids

Published June 4, 2013 • Written by Kathryn Whitaker Filed Under: Blog

Whether your children go to school, stay at home or do a combination of the two, there is no doubt that summer brings a new schedule to the house. I mean, you can smell the chlorine, taste the ice cream and feel the heat, am I right? At our house, there’s a schedule, albeit much… [Read More]

Written by Kathryn Whitaker • Published June 4, 2013

5 Things I Wish I Would’ve Known About Motherhood

Published May 7, 2013 • Written by Kathryn Whitaker Filed Under: Blog

Before I had children, I was an expert on parenting. Weren’t we all? But in twelve years of motherhood I’ve finally learned the one universal truth: we’re all just faking it. Pinterest World is not reality. Yes, we have “pin worthy” moments, but that is not our life. Did you hear me yelling at my… [Read More]

Written by Kathryn Whitaker • Published May 7, 2013

Don’t Let Your Children’s First Communion Be Their Last

Published April 23, 2013 • Written by Kathryn Whitaker Filed Under: Blog, Faith, Family

Sometimes words just hit your heart, right where it matters. This past weekend was officially “First Communion Weekend” at our house. It’s a date we’ve had circled on the calendar for months. There were lots of preparations—the clothes, the party afterward, the invitations, the family travel schedules and, of course, the Sacramental preparation. During the… [Read More]

Written by Kathryn Whitaker • Published April 23, 2013

The *Best* Mother’s Day Gift

Published April 9, 2013 • Written by Kathryn Whitaker Filed Under: Blog

The older I get, the higher priority I place on spending quality time with my parents and the more I realize the profound role I have in shaping my own children.Perhaps it’s because I now have a middle schooler in the house and I see time slipping away. I’m beginning to understand what it means… [Read More]

Written by Kathryn Whitaker • Published April 9, 2013

Catholic Summer Camp Guide: 2013

Published March 26, 2013 • Written by Kathryn Whitaker Filed Under: Blog, Faith, Family, World and News, Youth

There is one word that’s keeping me going until June:  summer. I can see sweet tea, swimming pools and no alarm clocks on the horizon. If you’re a mom, you probably have summer camp on that list, as well. Perhaps you’ve been wondering just where you can find great Catholic summer camps for your children…. [Read More]

Written by Kathryn Whitaker • Published March 26, 2013

The 10 Commandments of Social Media use for Teens

Published February 26, 2013 • Written by Kathryn Whitaker Filed Under: Blog, Resources

Every kid does it. No matter how straight the A’s, smart the brain, talented the athlete or pious the altar server—at some point in life, your child is going to lie to you. A few weeks ago our 11-year-old did just that. He opened an Instagram account even though we expressly told him not to… [Read More]

Written by Kathryn Whitaker • Published February 26, 2013

40 Days of Awesome: Giving Up More Than Beer, Cokes & Candy

Published February 12, 2013 • Written by Kathryn Whitaker Filed Under: Blog

Be reckless this Lent. Oh, I mean it. I’m talking about the kind of reckless that’s make you seek, without abandon, God’s will. If St. Paul can do it, so can you. For far too many Lents, I’ve done the traditional “give up beer, Cokes and candy.” But, you know what? I think that makes… [Read More]

Written by Kathryn Whitaker • Published February 12, 2013

What Fajitas Taught me About Faith and Catholic Education

Published January 29, 2013 • Written by Kathryn Whitaker Filed Under: Blog

Before we cancelled cable, the Food Network was one of my favorite channels. Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, Giada at Home, Throwdown with Bobby Flay. I can still see the butter dripping off Paula Deen’s spoon. There was one episode, however, that piqued my interest in both Catholic schools and cooking. Fr. Leo Patalinghug was challenged… [Read More]

Written by Kathryn Whitaker • Published January 29, 2013

A Top 20 Bucket List, Catholic Style

Published January 15, 2013 • Written by Kathryn Whitaker Filed Under: Blog

There are literally thousands of things I have on my list of things to do. Some people call them a Bucket List, others write them down and still others just keep a mental wish list. It wasn’t until I wrote the post about attending a Dedication Mass, that I wondered what other people had on… [Read More]

Written by Kathryn Whitaker • Published January 15, 2013

Why Attending a Dedication Mass Should Be On Your Bucket List

Published January 2, 2013 • Written by Kathryn Whitaker Filed Under: Blog

The 2007 movie, The Bucket List, was about two terminally ill men on a road trip with a wish list of things to do before they kicked the proverbial “bucket”.  The movie inspired millions of people, whether they were ill or healthy, to start their own “bucket list.” May I be so bold as to… [Read More]

Written by Kathryn Whitaker • Published January 2, 2013

Parenting the Popular Kid

Published December 18, 2012 • Written by Kathryn Whitaker Filed Under: Blog

Whether we admit it to ourselves or not, we all want to be popular. Well, popular in the sense that all of us want to be loved, recognized, accepted and appreciated. Our oldest son began middle school this year and it has been a {ahem} transition. Yes, there are glimpses of a little boy left… [Read More]

Written by Kathryn Whitaker • Published December 18, 2012

Life is Not an Emergency: Preparing for Advent

Published December 4, 2012 • Written by Kathryn Whitaker Filed Under: Blog

Several months ago, a friend gave me the book, “One Thousand Gifts” by Ann Voskamp. Admittedly, it’s not the kind of book you can just breeze through in one sitting. It’s a hardcover meant to be enjoyed, over the course of many a couch sitting, preferably with a hot cup of tea. Precisely the kind… [Read More]

Written by Kathryn Whitaker • Published December 4, 2012

Prada for God? 5 Things Every Woman Should Wear at Mass

Published November 20, 2012 • Written by Kathryn Whitaker Filed Under: Blog

You’ve glanced at the Sunday readings. You shuttled all your children and a husband to the minivan. You even remembered to brush your teeth. You made it to Mass before the first reading, so does it *really* matter what you wore? Yes, yes it does. Below, I share why it matters, how it can make… [Read More]

Written by Kathryn Whitaker • Published November 20, 2012

What Does it Mean to “Vote Catholic”?

Published November 6, 2012 • Written by Kathryn Whitaker Filed Under: Blog

Well, I know what it doesn’t mean. Jesus loved both the elephant and the donkey. He created them both! For months (or has it been years?) we’ve been hearing from the two main political candidates running for office as to why they are the “right” choice for America. Today, millions of Americans will go to… [Read More]

Written by Kathryn Whitaker • Published November 6, 2012

40 Days for Life: Praying on The Sidewalk, Part 1

Published October 9, 2012 • Written by Kathryn Whitaker Filed Under: Blog

Two weeks ago I shared with you my reasons for joining the 40 Days for Life campaign here in Austin. I’d like to reiterate what a difficult, yet prayerful, decision it was to participate. Here I am, two weeks and two hours of praying on the sidewalk later, to reflect on my time at the… [Read More]

Written by Kathryn Whitaker • Published October 9, 2012

Feel the Love: 40 Days for Life

Published September 25, 2012 • Written by Kathryn Whitaker Filed Under: Blog

This past weekend, I made a big decision. It didn’t come easily. You see, standing on a sidewalk praying for the unborn is a bit out of my comfort zone, yet that’s exactly what I volunteered to do for the next six weeks. 40 Days for Life is a project that originated in College Station… [Read More]

Written by Kathryn Whitaker • Published September 25, 2012

Blogging for God: What’s Holding You Back?

Published September 4, 2012 • Written by Kathryn Whitaker Filed Under: Blog

“Catholic bloggers can change the world,” proclaimed Jennifer Fulwiler, National Catholic Register contributor and blogger at the ever-popular Conversion Diary. She said those words at the recent Catholic New Media Conference, held in Dallas last week. I have to admit, when she first said those words, I tweeted them, but I wasn’t 100% sold. At… [Read More]

Written by Kathryn Whitaker • Published September 4, 2012

Stop Apologizing for Your Catholic Faith

Published August 28, 2012 • Written by Kathryn Whitaker Filed Under: Faith

I mean it. Stop it. Stop saying, “Well, you know, it’s because we’re Catholic.” I hear and see it all the time. We decide not to wear that religious necklace or that saint bracelet. We tell our kids to keep their Catholic Bibles home from summer camp. We find ourselves conveniently “busy” when a neighbor… [Read More]

Written by Kathryn Whitaker • Published August 28, 2012

First Week of School? 5 Things Every Catholic Family Should Do

Published August 14, 2012 • Written by Kathryn Whitaker Filed Under: Family

For many of us, the school bell is ringing this week. Oh summer, we already miss you. Then again, the Texas heat will make it summertime well into October, I’m sure. To kick off the school year right, here are a few things every Catholic family can do. It doesn’t matter whether your children are… [Read More]

Written by Kathryn Whitaker • Published August 14, 2012

Family Vacations: Are We There Yet?

Published July 31, 2012 • Written by Kathryn Whitaker Filed Under: Family

“Mom, how much longer ’til we get there?” If you’re a parent, no doubt you’ve been asked that question countless times on a roadtrip. I always feel like replying with a Mr. Incredible-ism: “We’ll get there when we get there!” On our recent family vacation that included 1,800 miles and five states, we heard that… [Read More]

Written by Kathryn Whitaker • Published July 31, 2012

Parents: Quit Dumbing Down Sex for Your Kids

Published July 17, 2012 • Written by Kathryn Whitaker Filed Under: Family, Marriage and Love

“Oh, we haven’t had ‘the talk’, but I’m dreading the day he asks,” a friend recently lamented. I was at a loss for what to say. You see, I think we dumb down the wrong things for our kids and focus, instead, on the silly things.We’re quick to buy that ticket to “Magic Mike” or… [Read More]

Written by Kathryn Whitaker • Published July 17, 2012

Yo, God, Are You There?

Published July 3, 2012 • Written by Kathryn Whitaker Filed Under: Blog

“Mrs. Whitaker, what do you want us to do?” Those are nine words I never thought I’d hear and I certainly never thought I’d have to answer them.  Nearly three years ago I gave birth to our son prematurely. After nine days in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) he coded, had to be resuscitated, intubated and… [Read More]

Written by Kathryn Whitaker • Published July 3, 2012

VBS is for Catholics, Too

Published June 19, 2012 • Written by Kathryn Whitaker Filed Under: Faith, Family

As a Protestant “it” was a must-do summer event.  Every church I knew saw “it” as their greatest evangelizing week.  Of course, I’m talking about one of the greatest weeks of summer, Vacation Bible School, otherwise known as VBS. Growing up as an evangelical and mainstream Christian, some of my fondest “Jesus memories” stem from… [Read More]

Written by Kathryn Whitaker • Published June 19, 2012

To Bikini or Not?

Published June 5, 2012 • Written by Kathryn Whitaker Filed Under: Faith, Family

“Moooommmm.  WHY do we have to wear a coverup with our swimsuit?” my oldest daughter whined.  “Because, sweetheart, it’s what girls do,” I replied.  But is it really what girls do?  Do girls and women really know how to be modest?  Do they know how to feel beautiful without adding sexy into the mix?  I’ll be… [Read More]

Written by Kathryn Whitaker • Published June 5, 2012

When Mass Hits Home

Published May 22, 2012 • Written by Kathryn Whitaker Filed Under: Blog

  Sometimes Mass just hits home.  Completely out of the blue, you’re showered with the Holy Spirit.  That happened this weekend and it was awesome. During this weekend’s Mass, newly ordained Deacon Barry Cuba gave the homily.  He always approaches the pulpit with humility, humor and insight so I was excited to hear what he had to say. … [Read More]

Written by Kathryn Whitaker • Published May 22, 2012

A Priest and A Sister Dish on Religious Life

Published May 8, 2012 • Written by Kathryn Whitaker Filed Under: Blog, Faith

A little over a month ago, I asked you to send in your best questions to local Dominican Sister, Sr. Elizabeth Ann, O.P., of the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist.  There were some great questions (and she gave some great answers, below).  But, I thought it would be equally fun to ask… [Read More]

Written by Kathryn Whitaker • Published May 8, 2012

First Communion Took my Breath Away

Published April 24, 2012 • Written by Kathryn Whitaker Filed Under: Blog

This past weekend, my second child celebrated his First Communion.  I’ve been thinking about this day for years and planning for *almost* that long (hey, party planning is my vice).  To think I almost missed the big event during Mass makes me chuckle.  But, more on that in just a moment. As I opened my… [Read More]

Written by Kathryn Whitaker • Published April 24, 2012

Was Your Easter Mass Heaven or Hell?

Published April 10, 2012 • Written by Kathryn Whitaker Filed Under: Blog

Easter Mass is supposed to conjure up images of Christ’s Resurrection, Easter lilies, Alleluia’s and white vestments.  For some, though, it’s a test of patience and faith. While it’s not the Superbowl of Masses, like the Easter Vigil, it’s typically a little longer than the normal one hour Mass and attendance is usually a lot higher. … [Read More]

Written by Kathryn Whitaker • Published April 10, 2012

Pray Like a Mom, Not a Nun

Published March 27, 2012 • Written by Kathryn Whitaker Filed Under: Blog

Those wise words still echo in my head.  They were spoken to me by the priest during confession several years ago.  It was Lent and I’d finally decided to get my act together and celebrate the Sacrament.  In preparation, though, I had been beating myself up about my lack of a prayer life.  Everyone kept… [Read More]

Written by Kathryn Whitaker • Published March 27, 2012

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