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k a i t l y n 🦋

@kmvanderwal

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🌻 Wild at heart
† Grounded in faith
🤍 Blessed to be a mama
🌿 Always chasing the next adventure
📸 @kaitlynvanderwalphotography

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15 years ago, I broke my left pinky wakeboarding. I was told to leave it alone because surgery could make it worse. Fast-forward to this year, the pain became unbearable and started affecting my career, especially wearing a glove because it just kept getting bigger.

After seeing a surgeon in Fresno. I learned it wasn’t related to my old injury it’s a bone tumor. An MRI raised concern for chondrosarcoma, and I was sent to UCSF San Francisco to see the specialist because I was told I would have to amputate my finger if it was cancer.

Thankfully, the specialist at UCSF doesn’t believe it’s cancer and believes the tumor is benign. Tomorrow, I’m having surgery to remove the tumor, do a bone graft, and shave it down.

The recovery will be long. Three months without using my hand and there’s a chance I could need another surgery depending on how my ligament responds after.

These past seven months have been incredibly stressful, but through it all, I’ve held onto my faith in God 🙏

Please keep me in your prayers for a successful surgery, a smooth recovery, and that this tumor is completely benign.

And to my village who has prayed for me, supported me, and will be there for me and my boys through this recovery: I am beyond grateful for every one of you. I truly don’t know what I’d do without you. 💓

One step, one day, and one prayer at a time. God’s got me. 🙏🏼🤍

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 by @kmvanderwal

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7 days ago

This year has been one of the hardest years of my life but through all of it, I couldn’t be more thankful to have another year ahead of me - another year to grow, heal, learn, love deeper, and create a life I’m proud of.

More than anything, I’m grateful to spend this chapter surrounded by the people who genuinely love and support me. Life may not always go the way we planned, but I’m learning there’s still so much beauty in the unexpected.

Here’s to new beginnings, growth, and cherishing the people who mean the most. I’m loving and living life finally and it feels so good. Thank you to all my friends and family who loved on me and spoiled me yesterday. It was honestly the best birthday yet! Thank you to everyone else who reached out and wished me a happy birthday I feel so loved. . I’m so excited to see what God has in store for me and the boys for this next chapter. Here’s to 36 ✨🥂🦋

📸 photo credit: my 10 yr old son 🤍 by @kmvanderwal

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9 days ago

Sunsets are proof that endings can still be beautiful
🌙🤍✨

#SunsetVibes
#SunsetLovers
#BackroadAdventures
#GoldenHour
#CountryRoads by @kmvanderwal

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a month ago

Lake days + Ella Langley on repeat every weekend 🎶☀️🌊

#LakeLife #LakeDays #SummerVibes #WeekendVibes #friends by @kmvanderwal

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2 months ago

When your photographer is your friend’s teenage daughter and she absolutely understood the assignment 📸✨💕

Whisky Myers 🎶

#Concert #Music #LiveMusic #ConcertVibes #CountryConcert taken in Table Mountain Casino by @kmvanderwal

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2 months ago

Good friends + great outdoors = the perfect
weekend 🏕️✨

#camping #besties #offroad #broncoadventures #lakeviews by @kmvanderwal

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2 months ago

Which one are you? 🤣🏕️

#camping #fordbronco #adventure #hotmessexpress #bestfriend by @kmvanderwal

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3 months ago

Growing, healing, becoming… and trusting every step is leading somewhere good.
God’s not done with my story yet ✨

‘Be strong and courageous… for the Lord your God goes with you.’ — Deuteronomy 31:6 by @kmvanderwal

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6 months ago

I’m so incredibly proud of you Nicole. Watching you fight, overcome cancer, and come out stronger has been nothing short of inspiring. Now seeing you turn your story into something that helps others—it’s just amazing. Your strength, heart, and courage mean more than words can say. So grateful to call you my friend. 💛

Nicole’s Visionaries of the Year campaign is more than a fundraiser - it’s a mission rooted in resilience, courage, and turning one person’s fight into hope for thousands. Her story reminds us of what’s at stake... and why this moment matters.
Nicole’s journey with Hodgkins lymphoma began at the age of 13. She was in remission for 3 years and relapsed at 16. After all her treatments She has been in remission for 17 years now. Thank you Jesus!
This has ignited a passion in her to help other’s facing blood cancer today. By donating to her cause it will help other families facing blood cancer have better treatments available to them, more support and hope. If you would like to donate you can go to her page and find her link. Thank you! by @kmvanderwal

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6 months ago

Today was a good one ✨🦋 by @kmvanderwal

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a year ago

My childhood bestie is finally a mama 💕

It was a beautiful day and fun to see my vision come to life! Can’t wait to meet you little man. Auntie loves you so much already 🩷 by @kmvanderwal

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2 years ago

by @kmvanderwal

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2 years ago