250 words

Today marks the first day of May and the beginning of the blog every day in may challenge over at story of my life blog. I'm nervous and excited to be participating. :)

The topic for today is: The story of my life in 250 words or less.

Let's do it.


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at 2 years old with my momma

In the face of being diagnosed with a rare genetic condition at 16 months of age, I chose joy...even then. My parents devoted their lives to making sure my story would be one with miles of laughter. I had an incredibly happy childhood that consisted of music and dancing, medications every 6 hours, vomiting and hospitalizations. Doctors predicted I would not live to see my 10th birthday, due to cystinosis. When I was 11, my momma gave me life for a second time by donating her kidney to me. Heath wise, my junior high and high school years were some of the most challenging of my days. I powered through and achieved a life long dream of graduating from college in 2008. Earning my Bachelor's Degree in Human Development with a Child Life Emphasis was a huge victory in my story. 

In 2006, my life changed forever when I lost my only sibling very unexpectedly when she was 15. I then met the love of my life, all in the span of 6 months. I learned from that roller coaster of a year that you cannot truly appreciate happiness if you have not felt unimaginable loss.

When I was 26 I went through an extremely high risk pregnancy with our miracle girl. There are only about nine other women in the world who have cystinosis and have lived through a pregnancy. Sookie Sierra, came into the world on February 1st, 2010 and ever since, has been showing me how much fun it is to break the rules.

"I think life chose me, after all." 

(Dar Williams; After All)

our miracle family

"our happy is too loud"

Whew! I did it with one word to spare.

I would love to hear your condensed life stories in the comments, or link to your blog post if you are joining in on this fun challenge!

Happy May and embrace today for the gift that it is.

xoxo.