I was more the pink sheep of the family and among my friends -- the only one with aspirations of creativity, always writing, painting, drawing, and doodling. 

I was awkward and never fit in...I suffered from anxiety and panic attacks in silence, pretending to be okay, pretending to be what other people wanted me to be, trying to keep them happy, and not rock the boat.

More than anything I wish I had known back then that it was all perfectly okay to just be myself, not try so hard to be something I wasn't, and to talk about my struggles instead of hiding them.

Only after becoming an aunt to amazing nephews and nieces, becoming a mom to two incredible children, and learning from all of them, did I get into journaling, creative journaling specifically, and it really started to make a difference, helped me to realize that my quirks, my anxiety, my creativity, and choosing to take the sunny side view of the world were all simply a part of what made me, ME. Better than that, I liked the person I was.  It didn’t matter what anyone else thought of me; it only mattered that I made myself proud and I tried my best daily, and choose to be a kind and sunshiney type person as much as possible.

I love bright and fun artwork, making people smile, sharing positivity, and inspiring others to find their own uniqueness and creativity, because being themselves is the best place to be.

My hope with Aunt Stacy Books is to inspire children and youth to express themselves their way, now--not years from now like I did--because mental and emotional health are so important, and simply being yourself is a BIG part of both.  I hope to encourage them to be their amazing, extraordinary selves, to follow their dreams, and find joy in every single day.

As an author and reinvented artist, I believe all dreams are possible and life holds no end of inspiration for finding happiness and humor in the most unexpected places. So, shine bright, Sunshine, because every day is a blessing and an opportunity.