It’s time for the next installment of Behind the Blog! Today I’m excited to introduce you to Kirby Hoberg, a homeschooling Catholic mom blogger from the States.
TKM: Tell us a bit about Kirby Hoberg.
Kirby: I’m a Texan girl living in the SF Bay Area. I’m home with John (4) and Therese (2) during the day, and spend my evenings dancing Ballet, singing in the choir, rehearsing for a new play, leading young adult events at the parish, or just cuddling with my awesome husband, Matt.
I love coffee, Anthropology, country music, and British television, plus I have the drinking taste of an old man.
I’m a 2nd generation homeschooler, semi-crunchy mom, who can’t seem to run out of depths to delve in Catholicism.
TKM: When and why did you start blogging?
Kirby: My first post was in July of 2015. I starting writing my own blog because I had noticed that no one ever asked me any questions that did not relate to my kids. Ever. I figured that if no one thought I had anything to say than I had better start talking!
TKM: How did you come up with your blog name?
Kirby: My husband actually came up with it! I wanted something to simultaneously reference the little domestic church and the big Catholic Church. I think he did a good job. 😉
Under Thy Roof references the words of the Roman Centurion in Matthew 8, which are also the last words we speak in preparation to receive the Eucharist at Mass: “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.” I like to think of my home, and my person hood, as being God’s first and foremost. Hence it’s all His roof. I just work and live here.
TKM: Do you have a blog schedule or do you post when you feel like it?
Kirby: I aim for 2-3 posts a week, but I don’t sweat it if it’s a busy time. I have some favorite link ups (My Sunday Best with A Blog for My Mom, 7 Quick Takes with This Ain’t the Lyceum, and JEI [Just Enough Info] with The Zelie Group blog collective) so I try to have something for them.
Most of my bigger posts are written because something made me mad. I’ve often mulled the topic over, know exactly what about it I want to say, and then I type the whole thing out in (mostly) one go.
Those posts are not one a schedule (hopefully my getting annoyed about something is not that regular), but I tend to post them on Mondays when I have one waiting around in my drafts folder.
TKM: What is your favorite part of blogging? your least favorite part?
Kirby: I love how it’s forced me to document more of our lives. I can now look back and remember when I started Ballet again, when I started auditioning for theater shows, and when I (finally) got cast in a show.
I probably would forget to take as many pictures of my kids, wouldn’t remember all our little day trips or homeschooling adventures. It’s been an exercise in remembering how blessed we have been.
My least favorite part is all the tech issues! I never appreciated how much work it is to edit photos, make blog post images, embed links (that work!), and promote posts on social media. I love the writing part, but my goodness does tech concerns take up a lot of blogging time!
TKM: What advice would you offer other bloggers?
When I read someone’s blog, I want to feel like we’re having a heart to heart in your living room and I want to come away with something of substance. Don’t be afraid to say something controversial if you can say it from the heart (and nicely!)
That’s not to say I don’t love posts that are just cute kid pictures, but sprinkle in some deeper thoughts with other posts. I think allowing people to hear what you really think is part of what it means to live authentically online.
In the same vain, don’t be controversial just to be controversial. It’s kind of antithetical to the whole building community goal to sow division for fun.
TKM: What is your favorite social media platform and why?
Facebook for interacting, but Instagram for running daily posts.
Once Facebook added threaded comments, I think they won Best for Interaction. Instagram is something I only got once I had a blog, so I feel less like I’m spamming my childhood friends when I post pictures on Instagram vs. Facebook. It’s also so much easier to find new people to follow via Instagram!
I’m really not up on much other social media. I’ve never done Snapchat, I detest Twitter, and I Pinterest just enough to plan crafts and meals. Keeping up with Facebook and Instagram are good enough for me at the moment.
2 Comments
LOL! Some of my best posts are because of an emotional event!!!! I have always loved ballet! As a kid I used to dance around the room , my door was a very good partner..super steady!
“Most of my bigger posts are written because something made me mad.” —> So funny! Thinking back on your posts, some of my favorites were probably inspired by some sort of irritation, so apparently it works for you! 🙂