It's Catholic Schools Week! I'm gushing this week about why we love it so and dishing on five questions every parent should be asking the principal, a letter to prospective Catholic school parents, the very best gala class project ideas and there's even an interview with my own kids in the works. Fun week! Let's hop to it. My husband and I are huge proponents of Catholic education. Five of our children attend Catholic schools and we have loved our ...

You know what a birthday means. Party time and love letters. Party later today, but first, the love. Dear John Paul, There is so much to love about you. Where do I even start? Let's go with laughter. You, my son, are one big prankster. You have this mischievous grin, with a slight wink, and I know that when you flash it we are all in trouble. Or in stitches. It's so hard to tell. Two of your favorite phrases ...

I know. We're nearly 30 days out from Christmas Day. Math isn't my strong suit. I shared a bit of the Whitaker family Christmas, but thought I'd show you the rest. You know, because I'm timely like that. Rather than give you the montage of what we did, I'm sharing my ten favorite moments of Christmas Eve and Day. Are We Done Yet? John Paul looks about as excited to be at Christmas Eve Mass as I am about getting my teeth ...

I've never been a resolution kinda gal. So when several folks started identifying a "word of the year" a few years back, I felt like I struck gold. A word I could do. Last year, mine was focus. This year? It's all about the JOY, baby. Source Please don't read that to mean that our life is just one big fantastic party all the time. Hardly. But we are choosing to see the joy in our crosses, our challenges, our ...

Welcome to 2015. Man, that break was nice, and I pray yours was, too. I've got plenty to say about the tail end of our holiday, my word of the year and who I chose for my spiritual board of directors, but first? BABIES! Or, rather, *A* cute baby. She's eight months young and someone hit the fast forward button. She's still the most adored kid in the house, competing only with everyone else. But, her eyelashes win by juuuust ...

Jumping on the "everyone else is doing this" bandwagon and yapping about the year here at Casa Whitaker. I celebrated lucky SEVEN years of blogging on December 26. How is that even possible? I wish I could convey just how much I love this space, and all of you, for sharing it with me. It's always fun to look back, to see what folks enjoyed reading, what I enjoyed writing and what to look forward to in 2015. Let's dive ...