​
​Let’s be honest here.
I’m a mom with two jobs, four children, six pets, and enough stress to sink a ship.
As much as I love to read, I often just don’t find time to do so, unless you count reading all the notes sent home from
school, bills, or countless hours spent on Google just to help my kids with their homework projects as reading.
Juggling practice schedules, keeping up a house, and just general work and daily life seem to take center stage
while my daydreams of snuggling up with a good book and a hot cup of tea seem to fade into distant memories. 

But, let’s just say I did happen to find some time to read and relax, a self-help book would likely be at the bottom
of my typical go-to genres.   I tend to find self-help books a little lack-luster, and frankly I get bored about
two chapters in, IF I even make it that far. I often find them a little over the top in the rah-rah department
while falling a little short in the substance department.

So, because I was quick to judge this book by the cover, I am a little late to the game with this book review,
but better late than never! 

You guys, not only did I finish this book – I did it with a quickness!
I’m talking in like 3 days, staying up past my bedtime to read “just one more chapter”! It’s that good!
If you’re a sleep-deprived, stressed, and tired mama who is burning both ends of the candle like me –
I highly encourage you to carve out a few minutes at a time to just start this book and then tell me you
don’t find the time to finish it. But even more so – if you are a woman, of any age, any background, there
is something in this book for you that will resonate with your heart. I’m willing to bet you will feel the
hook-line-and-sinker effects just like I did, chapter after chapter.  I downloaded it to my phone so I literally
had no excuses. Sitting at football practice? In the doctor’s office waiting room? Lying in bed after the munchkins
​go to bed? Get this book and read it during those moments! You won’t regret it. 

But, in case you just can’t seem to find the time to read this book on your own,
I’m here to give you the short, sweet and condensed version of some of my favorite points.
Here’s what I’ve learned from my soul-sister-from-another-mister, Rachel. 

1. There is no shame in talking about the hard stuff!
Rachel wasn’t afraid to touch on a variety of topics ranging from motherhood, childhood trauma, grief,
marriage, sex life, adoption, self-worth, dating choices, comparison, failure, and everything else in between.
Just because it isn’t commonly talked about doesn’t mean these topics aren’t a constant struggle for many
women, if not all women.  Girl, you struggle with those things, too? ME TOO!
Maybe the next time you get together for coffee with a girlfriend you can chat about book, and in turn start to
peel back the layers of superficiality and get to a deeper level of friendship. 

2. I deeply value authenticity in all aspects of my life, which is why Rachel’s exposure of her own
vulnerabilities was so relatable for me. While each of us is unique, with individual struggles and heartaches
– the depths to which this book was able to reach my own struggles was incredible. Instead of a self-help
book on parenting from someone who has a complete grasp on the whole parenting gig, Rachel exposes those
feelings a huge majority of us face, because she has faced them too. You know, those feelings when you just
wonder how much therapy your kids are going to need later in life because you feel like a complete and utter
failure as a mom.  Chapter 9 is waiting for you if you are feeling like your striking out in the parenting role, too. 

3. Change is possible! Whether it's your business goals, your marriage, mom-ing, a vanilla sex life or your
struggle with self-esteem – within each of us is the ability to change, we just have to recognize it!
It’s one thing to know you need to change, but how to create change is the real problem. Rachel shares some deeply
personal stories and helpful suggestions in each chapter on how to take control, uncover the lies we tell ourselves,
and grow to live the best version of our life possible. 

I’m also a quote junkie, so I screen-shotted some of my favorites while reading the book.
Here are some that stuck with me.

 “Every year you close a new chapter in your story.
Please, please, please don’t write the same one seventy-five times and call it a life.”

 “So I am not going to talk about finding your peace. I’m going to talk about embracing your chaos.”

“… you can’t blame the past for the things that went wrong if you aren’t also willing to
be thankful for the things that went right.”

“I have so many goals and dreams for myself, and not one of them is small.
They’re big and wild and full of hope.
They require faith and courage and a whole lot of audacity.
I cannot get there, I will not get there, unless I start embracing every side of my character –
including the sides of me that make other people uncomfortable.” 

“I cannot continue to live as half of myself simply because it’s hard for others to handle all of me.”

 “You can live through something that rocks your world off its axis.
You can survive losing a piece of your heart without losing the core of who you are.
More than merely surviving the loss, you can thrive.
You can do it because it’s what you deserve.
More importantly, you can survive the loss because living is the greatest honor you can give to the person
you lost… even if the person who’s gone was your younger, more innocent self.” 

Any of those quotes strike a chord with you?

There’s more where these came from – get the book and find the ones that resonate with you! 
And, if you have a minute, share with me your favorite parts of the book! 
I’d love to hear what you thought of it!  


Choose happiness. Share the joy. And go read this book! 

Always,

​Lacie

​
“Oh Wow, she sure is busy!”

There was that word again… busy.

“Oh yeah, she is VERY busy!” I said with a half-smile as I attempted to turn the corner with the obnoxious, immobile,
race-car shopping cart that we just HAD to use. Picture this - my rambunctious toddler hanging out the side, half buckled,
arms waving as she screams for “Mow Ogurt” all while a whimpering newborn strapped to my milk-soaked chest begins to hunger
squawk. I start to feel sweaty and overwhelmed because I still have 10 things on my list, but we are losing our cool and I am not
brave enough to nurse this baby in public. So, I must abandon the cart and head for the car.  As I’m attempting to pull said busy child
out of the car cart, I am stopped by a fellow grocery shopper who felt the need to say something.  Mama-hood was rough, and I
was in the thick of it, just trying to keep everyone alive and once again- I was blindsided by another “busy” comment.

For those of you that don’t know, “busy” has become a somewhat socially accepted way of telling someone that their kid
is an a-hole. Fast forward a few years and I can’t even recall how many times I have been told how “busy” my children are or
how many side eyes and head shakes I have received. I KNOW they are loud. I KNOW they are running and dancing around the
store. I KNOW that I gave them candy in exchange for a moment of peace. If anyone is truly busy here, I’d say that it is me. I am
very BUSY, and I am TRYING my hardest! So, unless you have something nice and uplifting to say, don’t say anything at all. If you
see a parent out and about that is struggling try to offer a helping hand, a word of encouragement, or even a simple smile.

Your small act of kindness could have a big impact on someone who is one glass of spilt milk away from a mental
breakdown.  I see parents daily who look like they are at the end of their rope. There have been so many times that I
have wanted to say something but didn’t. 

Recently, I saw someone on social media share a picture of a Post-It that someone had left on her car. It said something
along the lines of, “Hey you! You are doing amazing! Keep it up!” and I thought to myself, what a simple and amazing idea to
encourage each other and spread some kindness. Which in turn, brought me to the idea of starting a #sticktokindness project.
My goal is to be the friendly face, kind word, or high-five that these parents (or anyone for that matter) need on the rough days.

If you’d like to join in on the fun, you can grab a Post-It pad, jot some encouraging notes and keep them in your wallet/purse
for the next time you bump in to someone who needs a pick-me-up. Share them on social media and tag #sticktokindness.
I wonder how far we could spread the love?

To all of you out there who are questioning your sanity day in and day out- YOU ARE AMAZING. Through all the exhausting
trips to the store, miserable car rides, and never-ending bedtimes, I have come to find that my very “busy” children are also
incredibly witty, intelligent, and funny. They are the kind of people that can and will move mountains and I am sure yours will too!
Well, I know they will because they have freaking awesome parents like you!

The days are long but the years are short – Hang in there and stick to kindness!

<3 Skye T.