I was actually thinking about starting a blog a year ago. My plan was to write about tips for camping with kids, fun toddler activities, and our other family adventures.

Instead of starting a family adventure blog last fall, both our kids were diagnosed with a genetic condition called Neurofibromatosis Type 1. As rare complications of this genetic disease, Eliza (then age 3) was diagnosed with bilateral optic gliomas (tumors on the nerves of her eyes) requiring chemotherapy and Oliver (then age 9 months) was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of leukemia called JMML requiring chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant.

This past year has been the hardest of our lives but we have also had the most incredible outpouring of support from our family, church, community, and even complete strangers.

My hope is to share our family’s story as the kids continue to heal and maybe offer some encouragement to someone diagnosed with NF1, pediatric cancer, or maybe just someone who wants to take their kids backpacking!