It’s Food Allergy Awareness Week.  32 million Americans are currently living with potentially life-threatening food allergies.  That’s 1 in 13 children.  Despite what social media wants you to believe, everyone is or has experienced some sort of adversity in their life.  When our daughter was diagnosed with food allergies at a year old, I was heartbroken and taken completely off guard.  The diagnoses absolutely changed our lives.  Food allergies are serious and require constant vigilance such as reading every label and preparing all food safely at home.  But this little girl’s smile constantly reminds me that we are living life to the fullest.  We are happy and she is amazing! I believe her loving spirit, compassion and empathy are somewhat as a result of this diagnosis.  This has been my passion and one of my greatest purposes as a mother.  The second picture I’m sharing was on a very special day for our family when Layla graduated peanut oral immunotherapy (OIT) in Cincinnati.  She’s been in maintenance for over a year now.  Doctors and experts are dedicated to researching and finding a cure for food allergies.  While there isn’t currently a cure, there is hope.  I hope and pray everyday for that cure or for her and others to outgrow their allergies.  Life is certainly a journey.  Our journeys never tend to be how we envision them.  Somehow they end up better and teach us more than we could ever imagine.  You can find me spreading the love and here or on Instagram at peace_love_joyful