2015: A Year in Review
2015. What a year.
There were way too many broken things, hearts included, but an incredible amount of joy through time with family and celebrating milestones and sacraments. That sounds like most years. None of them are void of pain or of joy, we just have to pray through the suffering and lean into the beauty.
Every December, I take time to reflect on our life through the blog. This month marks eight great years of blogging. I’m no Big Mama, Pioneer Woman or Ann Voskamp, but that was never my intent. I kinda like being Kathryn.
TOP POSTS
The One Thing Every Parent Needs to Stop Doing
Sometimes the hard things need to be written
{Before & After} The Guest Bath
Who knew toilet paper and paint could be so exciting?
The One Thing I Wish People Would Stop Telling Me
Nothing sells like sex, evidently
Gamers Gonna Game Birthday Party
I do so love a good party
A Family Guide to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Y’all knew HP would crack the top ten some way!
How to Plan a Multi-Generational Vacation to Disney World
This 10-part series may have been one of my favorite favorite series to write, ever
What We Wore to Disney
I know. I just can’t quit it
To My Friend Who is Grieving
This fall, our hearts were broken wide open with grief. This one comes straight from my soul, to you.
The Day the Preemie Went to Kindergarten
While you have the tissues out, the photo on this post pretty much tells the story
Advent: You’re Doing it Wrong
Aren’t we all?
I loved how this top ten rounded out – motherhood, faith, DIY, parties and kids. That’s pretty much what you’ll find at Team Whitaker. There were several 2013 and 2014 posts that cracked the “official” top ten and here they are for your reading pleasure: A Brilliant Harry Potter Birthday, 7 Things I Wish People Knew About Prematurity, A Mom’s Letter to Her Teenage Son, HDYDI: Pack For Summer Camp and HDYDI: Make Lent 40 Days of Awesome.
TOP REFERRERS
My thanks to those of you who visited via Facebook, Pinterest, Blog Lovin’/Feedly, Mama Needs Coffee over at Catholic News Agency and the Jennifer Fulwiler Show on Sirius XM Radio. I’m deeply grateful to each of you who share what I write with your personal friends and family. The emails and kind messages I receive throughout the year keep making blogging fun.
It was a joy to be featured at Catholic News Agency and Patheos, too.
TOP SEARCH TERMS
These crack me up. Aside from the obvious team whitaker and harry potter birthday ideas, people landed here searching kids having sex (what?!), texas forever route (now we’re on the right track), how to set a first communion table (awww), i’m stressed quotes (join the club, sister) and my personal favorite, rockin’ mom birthday quotes.
ST. PINTEREST LOVE
This virtual pinboard has become one of my favorite social media channels. There is so much beauty and creativity there. It was fun to see these pins get some love, although I must admit this is my favorite board!
Pin it! https://www.pinterest.com/pin/266838346647887190/
Pin it! https://www.pinterest.com/pin/266838346648489515/
Pin it! https://www.pinterest.com/pin/266838346647440286/
2016: WHAT’S TO COME
I’ll still be sharing bits and bobs of how do you do it (HDYDI), week in my life and reflections on faith, motherhood, parties and organizing/DIY. It’s possible Sassy Kathryn will make a few more appearances.
You’ll benefit from a few fun giveaways from companies and people I love. I always consider it an honor to connect you with products I adore.
From a personal viewpoint, I’m going to do my darndest to get my knee back 100% after that nasty fall this summer. It’s been so much harder than I thought it would be. There’s a few pounds I’d like to shed and some lifestyle changes to make. You might see me writing in a few other places, tackling a big new project (more on that to come), debuting a new blog design, taking on a speaking gig here and there and maybe crashing Jen’s show. But, most importantly, I’m looking forward to living 2016 with a more merciful heart.
I would be remiss without sharing just how much I’ve come to sincerely appreciate your beautiful comments, your kind emails and your encouraging words. We’ve built a lovely community here and I love each and every part of it. Thanks for always supporting me. You da best.
Happy New Year. Let’s go say howdy to 2016!
Thank you Kathryn for letting us strangers from around the world share in you and your family’s life. You are an inspiration to us all.
Wishing you and all your family a wonderful 2016.
Claire
Yours was the first blog I found from CatholicMom when I began looking for more support as I sought to grow my faith and develop my vocation as a mom. Thank you!
Happy New Year to you! Yours is one of my all-time favorite blogs. I only read a few on a regular basis. I love the honesty, heart, and spirit that come through in your posts. And as I welcome child #3 in just a few weeks, I am sure I will search your site archives for doses of clarity in those foggy newborn times. I look forward to seeing all you have to provide in 2016, too!
I LOVE your blogs, Kathryn! Yours is the only Blog I read, and I enjoy it so much! Nice to read about someone else who is real, and shares both ups and downs!
Happy New Year, Dear ISU Friend!
Love ya!