As we all know, 2020 has been quite the year. We have all been affected in one way or another. Like many others, I was laid off in June due to Covid-19. It was very bittersweet. My job was my family’s security but my daughter, Stella was 8 months old at that time and my husband, a professional online gamer, is building his business. We weren’t sure what would happen and it was a little scary. At the same time, I was grateful for the opportunity to get to spend more time with Stella and become a stay-at-home mom. She is only a year old and growing so quickly!

Prior to having a child, I never saw myself wanting to be a stay-at-home-mom but once I had Stella that all changed. I really enjoy spending my days teaching her new things, being a part of every milestone, and watching her grow into the smart, silly, happy little girl that she is. I truly enjoy spending everyday with Stella but when I was laid off, I found that I needed something that was just for myself.

For those of you who don’t know, my mom released her first children’s book, “From Blossoms to Beehives“, this year which she wrote and illustrated herself. After her book release, I approached her about a personal development children’s book idea I had. I wanted to see if she would be interested in collaborating with me on it as the illustrator. She thought it was a great idea so we started work together.

As we were working together on the personal development children’s book, I wrote a holiday book. We decided to focus on the holiday book first so we could have it released for the holidays. The holiday book, “Just Believe“, was released just over a week ago now and the response to the book has been amazing!

What started out as this little idea I had for a book is now growing into such a blessing in my life. When I approached my mom about starting this journey as an author, I had no idea how much I actually needed this. It has given me another sense of purpose outside of my roles at home.

Don’t get me wrong, being a wife and mother are my biggest blessing but being a new author has given me another sense of purpose that I lost when I was laid off. I’m able to be creative in a way I never would have thought of had it not been for my mom starting her journey as a children’s book author.

My hope through all of my work has always been to add positivity into the lives of those who join me weather that be through this blog, social media, or now through my children’s books. I always want to share positive inspiration and now to be able to inspire children through my books is such a blessing!

With all of that said, I wanted to say thank you! I’m so grateful for the amount of support I’ve received from all of you. Between the comments, reviews, purchases, and overall support, I am so appreciative and blessed!

Thank you to my sister, Heidi, who edited “Just Believe” and helped it come together; and a special thank you to my mom, my illustrator, my guide throughout this whole new author process, and my inspiration. Without you following your dream of writing and illustrating your own children’s books, I never would’ve started this journey, so thank you! I look forward to seeing where this leads.

Thank you all so much! I hope you and your family have a happy Thanksgiving!

-Katie