Music, or raising a child, if love is not in it — at the very heart of it — it might be skillful, marketable, or popular but I doubt it is truly good.
Nothing is what it’s supposed to be if love is not at the core.
January is touted as a time of new beginnings, and even though I feel more like starting fresh in August when my kids start school, I get into the new year spirit a little in January. I get a new planner. I make some goals. I try new things, like ordering meals with Hello Fresh. I also reflect on the year past, like what my favorite books of 2025 were.
Our church always starts the year with a church-wide fast, helping us all to recenter our lives around God. This year, we did a digital fast, and it has been both eye-opening and refreshing. Our family is participating by doing no TV, no video games, and screens only for work/tool related stuff. I am amazed with how it has gone.
My kids have been less grumpy and my son, who loves listening to books but rarely reads to himself has read whole books on his own. The day he sat and read on the couch quietly for 45 minutes, I wanted to do a happy-dance. My daughter is always reading, but I saw her spending time reading her Bible, which made my heart so glad.
In my own life, it has been good to be a little more disconnected. I chose to listen to Mere Christianity instead of my podcasts or TV shows. I did my walks without podcasts or music, just listening to the world around me. I still felt moments of anxiety or upset, but I felt less negative emotions than when I was constantly bombarding myself with people telling me what I should do or what I should be thinking about. It’s been freeing to keep the noise of others to a lower volume in my life.
How do you start the year? If you have any insights or inspirations that help you advance in your journey, send me a note and let me know.
Author/Illustrator Updates:
I’ve started an illustration mentorship with the new year, and I will keep you posted about my progress. I am still working on my new picture book, getting more pages finished.
I also have some book events coming up, including a speaking event in February for authors and illustrators about how to book and set-up a storytime event that kids will love.
February 10, 2026
SCBWI OK/AR Featured Speaker: Storytime Event Secrets
Want an event near you?
I am currently booking storytime events and author visits. These events are fun, interactive, and engaging with songs, fingerplays, and reading for preschool-aged kids. I can also do author/illustrator chats for elementary aged kids.
If you know any stores or schools who might be interested in an event such as this, I would love to connect with them.
Book Reviews:
Picture Book: Classic Fairy Tales
A thoughtful picture book about a boy and his cat—who firmly believes cat belongs to cat. A playful, wise story about boundaries, friendship, and learning to listen.
Middle Grade: The War of the Maps
A reflective review of The War of the Maps by Jonathan Auxier, the final Peter Nimble book—rich in ideas about magic and reason, but with a disappointing conclusion (to me).
Adult: Theo of Golden
A slow, beautiful novel about generosity, listening, human connection, and quiet acts of kindness. Also… the best book I’ve read in a long time.
