There is a long answer and a short answer to this question. The short answer is Facebook was becoming a chore and I was feeling annoyed every time I clicked on that blue "F" logo on my phone. My feed felt like an endless stream of COVID-19 mixed in with product promotions and an occasional baby announcement from people I truly don't have a connection with outside of social media. The longer answer includes the fact that I used to be an extreme people pleaser (I am a 2 on the enneagram). I found myself seeking approval from 1200+ of my "closest friends and family" on a regular basis. It was exhausting! For the past 5 years, I have worked really hard on getting my mental health in a better place and have put a great deal of effort into growing spiritually. I know in my heart of hearts that the only approval I need comes from the good Lord above. Facebook was creating a wall for me spiritually and I simply needed to move away from that space. 

In the meantime, I am realizing that I have linked Facebook to several of my outside accounts, including Spotify. Since I have music playing approximately 19 hours a day, this became a challenge. So until I can manage to update all of these accounts to link to my email instead, I guess my Facebook profile will be in existence; I just won't be checking it. ;)

I love supporting small businesses and I will continue to do so on my own terms instead of what Facebook shoves in front of my face. I am interested in what is happening in our world and I will continue to conduct research outside of mainstream + social media. I love seeing pictures of babies and cannot wait for friends and family to reach out to me directly to share their exciting news!

Sending love and prayers to my fellow recovering people pleasers. Do your best to remember that Facebook is not a necessary part of your world and allow yourself the freedom to step away if you need to. 

xo - Kate

If you loved the recommendations found in 13 Children's Books With Good Vibes Part I, this list is right up your alley! 

There is nothing glamorous about chasing a huge dream. It is a combination of hard work, letting go, asking for help, and praying. A lot. My inner circle knows that when they come into my home, there will be dishes in the sink, at least 2 blanket forts in the living room, dog hair on the floor and Lauren Daigle blasting in the background. I probably haven’t brushed my hair (or teeth for that matter), I am most certainly wearing a graphic and there’s always coffee.

If you were to pick up my phone, you’d be alarmed by the 94 unopened emails and you’d smile at the butt naked picture of my baby girl on the home screen.

You see, my friends, I absolutely do not do it all. I mess up picture day at school- even though they send home
45 reminders. I love him fiercely, but I don’t remember what team my husband was coaching against last night. And I only remember if they won or lost by recalling his patience level with our kids at bedtime.

My secret weapon to not lose my mind on a daily basis is thanking God in all circumstances. I talk to Him all day long. I try to stay on the path He’s made for me and ask for forgiveness when I lose my way. This keeps me centered among the chaos. I also believe in the power of a great planner and do my best to make a list of todos each day. I’m on year 2 of utilizing Emily Ley’s Simplified Planner. It’s baller.

Yesterday, I wanted to make a short video explaining my book creation process. My kids refused to be silent while I did the voiceover. (I was literally hiding in my closet trying to find quiet...they found me.) So I made the executive decision that I needed to let go of my “perfect” vision for this marketing piece and embrace the hot mess. I asked my kids to collaborate with me on this video and they stepped up! I had to edit out the crying in the background but their little voices just warm my heart. Check it out below. ❤️

The month of September has been insane. Like many of you, there is the hustle and bustle of getting kids back into the school routine and the shock of having such a schedule takes its toll on everyone. My husband is a high school football coach and this is by far his busiest time of year. Oh... and I published a children's book. No Bigs.

In the past 2 weeks, I've learned that major online retailers like Amazon and Target have picked up my book - crazy, right?!? It has also been ordered by several hospital gift shops - in fact, you can find it at any CentraCare gift shop in Minnesota. It is also being cataloged into libraries across the U.S.  (If it is currently not available at your local library, just put in a request and they can find one for you). I have ventured to small businesses in my community and gave them the opportunity to sell my book as well. No one has said no yet! I literally stumble into these shops with my daughters - who are 4 and almost 2 - and hand the owner a copy of Your Angel Army.  I tell them I wrote and illustrated a children's book, ask them to read it and tell them to come find us in the store when they are done. Meanwhile, the girls have nearly broken at least 7 items off the shelves and are tugging on my sleeve asking me for juice. Not even joking. 

This process may seem unprofessional to some of you, and as a businesswoman I can see where you're coming from. But here's the truth. I wrote this manuscript on the kitchen counter with my kids. I illustrated the paintings with one on my hip, one dumping Legos all over the floor, and one peeing in her pants. That is my life. It is busy and crazy and messy. But it is also the life God has planned for me. So when He put it on my heart to get this out into the world, I listened. He has shown me how every job, every hardship, every relationship, every loss and every victory has lead me to the creation of this book. It is my heart. And I am incredibly honored to share it with you. 

You can learn more about Your Angel Army: A Book of Hope at www.yourangelarmy.com. If you are a small business owner and are interested in selling my book in-store, you can easily obtain wholesale pricing and ordering by clicking here.

Thank you and God Bless! 
​Kate

 Your Angel Army is out in the world!
You can currently purchase the Ebook and PRE-ORDER your hardcover version (available October 1st, 2019) on www.yourangelarmy.com! 

Stay tuned for upcoming events - including details on my book launch party at Milk & Honey Ciders on Sunday, October 13th! 

Thank you for all of the love and support! xoxo - Kate
​

A lifetime of mistakes, insecurities and anxieties lead me to an uneasy feeling about organized religion. In December of 2016, I decided that I really wanted to get right to the source and started studying the bible on my own. It transformed my life in so many ways and has ultimately healed my heart. Understanding scripture within its historical context is one of the best decisions I have ever made. Here are 5 ways that I continue to grow in my faith and stay connected to God all day long.  

I'm just a small town girl, living in the suburbs of Minneapolis. I'm married to farm boy-turned gym teacher, raising 3 little kids, a dog, a cat and whatever other random animals my children fall in love with. In January of 2016 we purchased a Spanish-style home on 4 acres just outside of town. It has required A LOT of TLC but it is exactly where God wanted us to be. One of the most calming things I can do is take a walk through our woods. I bring my coffee, my pup and my phone for music. This is my happy place and my favorite way to reconnect with God. I've created a playlist via Spotify just for these morning adventures so that I don't get distracted by what I want to listen to and waste this precious time scrolling on my phone. Some mornings I just want to tune into my favorite radio station and listen to whatever God throws my way. You can listen to 98.5 KTIS anywhere in the world when you download the app. Isn't technology magical?!?
I understand that most people don't live out in the woods, but I can almost guarantee that you can find somewhere awesome to walk wherever you are planted. So put on your kicks and get out there! If you really want to make things easy, you can even poach my Spotify playlist: Cool Your Jets. 
​BONUS POINTS if you bring your fur baby with. 

Yep, you read that right. If you're looking for a way to strengthen your faith, practice good dental hygiene.  Okay...that's really only part of the deal. My life is mostly complete chaos and I need all the help I can get. So one habit I have formed is reading a daily devotional from Sarah Young's Jesus Calling while I brush my teeth each day. I leave it right on my bathroom counter and read it whenever I get a free moment to actually brush my teeth each day. (If you have small children, you can probably relate  that some days this doesn't happen until like 11am.) Technically you are supposed to brush those pearly whites for 2 minutes, twice a day. However, I have committed to brushing them for as long as it takes for me to read and process the daily devotional found in this book each morning and then for 2 minutes at night. I hope the American Dental Association approves of this system...

My family and I are pretty darn good at remembering to pray before each meal, even when we are dining out. It can feel a bit awkward to bow your heads and pray at Subway, but I've grown to be totally fine with the strange looks we get sometimes.  My dear friend, Pastor Lee, taught me that if everything you're doing in life feels comfortable and easy, you aren't doing it right. Being a Christian should feel a bit like like paddling your boat upstream and going against the social norms of this world. If you're going with the flow and are afraid of standing a part from the crowd, check-in with yourself.  Try to lead by example, let your light shine and show the world you aren't ashamed of your faith. 

Some of our favorite meal time prayers:

• Short and Sweet Style: "Thank you, Jesus, for our food. Amen"
• Grandma Vernis Style: "Come, Lord Jesus. Be our guest. Let these gifts to us be blessed. We give thanks to the Lord for He is good and His mercy endures forever. Amen"
• Grandma Margie Style: "Give us gracious hearts, O Father, as we gather here today. We thank you for this food, our home, our friends and loved ones - both far and near. Keep us ever mindful of the Christian Spirit. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen." 
• Growin' Up Catholic Style: "Bless us, O Lord, and these, thy gifts, which we are about to receive from Thy bounty. Through Christ, our Lord. Amen"

Bedtime routines can be a hot mess. I'm tired, my hubby is tired, the kids are tired (and they don't want to admit it). But we try our best to read 2 books and say prayers as a family before tucking them in at the end of the day. It usually includes a long list of thanking God for all of our loved ones by name and asking Him to watch closely over those who are struggling with health concerns. We recently started implementing a prayer written in my children's book, Your Angel Army (coming Fall 2019). I am so excited to share this little piece of my heart with you. I pray you'll hang it up in your home as a gentle reminder to trust in God's plan for you - you've got a whole army of angels on your side!

CUSTOM PAINTING GIVEAWAY!
God is blessing my journey and it is the best feeling in the world. The amount of support I have received is overwhelming, beautiful and inspiring on so many levels. I am celebrating by giving away a custom original painting of your family! The winner will be announced on August 18th, 2019.
How to enter? 
1. Subscribe to the Fisch Tales blog. 
2. Comment on my latest blog post 5 Ways to Pray All Day!

​I tend to surround myself with only the very best people. The kind of people who lift me up, encourage me and laugh with me when my life is complete chaos. When I was hired by Toni Bradley to create a series of watercolor paintings for her daughter's nursery, I was beyond honored. Toni is one of the most loveable people on the planet and I was thrilled to be chosen for this project. She requested that the paintings highlight "...finding the core of who you are, being unique and loving that (about yourself)". Toni claims these are traits that she does not possess and wants her little girl to grow up having them. You guys, Toni is GORGEOUS. One of the most beautiful women I have ever known. It breaks my heart that she struggles to see that in herself. So when I sat down to work on this piece for little Miss Kenna's nursery, I wanted to send a message to both her AND her mama.

"You are beautiful. You might not see it, but I do."

As I am deep in the middle of writing and illustrating my first children's book, I spend an insane amount of time reading and researching. It is the perfect excuse to throw in a load of laundry, snuggle with my three crazy children and feel incredibly productive.
​Have you ever found yourself at the library with your kids, looking for a worthwhile read but end up coming home with Ninja Turtles and (yet another) Disney Princess book?  Yep, me too. But not to worry, my friends! I have created a list of 13 exceptional children's books full of good vibes and beautiful illustrations. These titles encourage kindness, explain emotions, demonstrate love and boost self esteem. You're going to adore them, I promise.