Chef Shayna

“The storm emerged without any warning, without any sign. She never saw it coming — a whirlwind of darkness, uprooting her present and cascading shadows over her future. A true collision of disruption and despair, she finds herself consumed by chaos — her faith unraveling as it disappears into the cries of the sky. And in the midst of heartache, she decides that she can either dwell in her disasters or she can learn to weather them — she can let the storm break her or she can let it build her. It’s in this moment of clarity that she begins to fight her way out of darkness. It’s in this moment of grace that she stops running from her storm and starts following her rainbow. And despite the aches of her journey, she is led to a place only she can find — a place of courage, a place of beauty, a place of becoming. This is what it means to overcome. This is what it means to survive. And although the storm brought her destruction, it also brought her strength. She learned that she is more powerful than anything that arrives to break her — the darkness will never stop her from finding her own light.“ -quote from a gift we received.

Sept 8, 2020 marks the divide between life Pre-Cancer and Post Cancer.
Five years have passed, since we were told “it’s cancer,” and while we often think time will erase this part of our story, the truth is, we will always be marked by this diagnosis… and while we choose to find the good and channel strength from it, it still presents us with challenges.
September is both month and the month our journey into this world started… I’ve found myself dreading it every year.

I burst into tears driving Caroline back to school from a dentist appointment today- overwhelmed with emotion- grateful for where she is now- dancing, cheering, playing, schooling, all the things - but still carrying some trauma from the years of fear, stress and sadness.
I know her story has impacted people I don’t even know and for that reason, I continue to share.

We all have our own storms, they are all hard in their own way… but we have to remember, “the bigger the storm, the greater the rainbow.”
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Little Miss continues to be Cancer Free!
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Scan day is always so exhausting- it brings back the flood of emotions, fear, and memories of weekly check in’s at “the hotel,” but getting the “all clear” report is 🙌🏻 the best news!
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A stop at the hospital wouldn’t be complete without a pic in front of the giant ♥️- to us, so symbolic of the staff with huge hearts at that has helped us through this journey.
VCH has great art decking the halls to keep little ones (and moms) entertained. Little Miss always stops to take a picture in front of my favorite painting. It was a symbol of hope during our stays- reminding me of my 2 girls- 1 blonde, 1 brunette, with brighter days ahead. I’m thankful we are once again playing at the beach together. Swipe to check out the growth in the last 4 years.

✨Lucky 13 ✨
Happy birthday to the one that made me a mom. I’m a day late to post because I’m still processing having a teenager in the house (I’m not old enough for that).
We started Lady A’s birthday celebration with a bang- hello braces- and continued with all the best things- lake night, beach day, shopping trip, besties, and a homemade ice cream cake made by little sis.
If you’ve known me for a while, you know I love the little kid years, and I’ve always been a bit nervous for the “teen years” but now, as we’re in the thick of it- I have to say it’s so fun. It brings it’s new set of challenges and days of self discovery - but like anything in life, it’s pushing me do be better and continue to set examples for my girls….chasing dreams and making the magic happen.
Happy birthday Lady A