Sherri and her husband Christian have faced adversity and been able to move forward when most would be discouraged. Their story begins with a false negative pregnancy test in May of 2011 and a cross country move from Marquette, Michigan to Lake Havasu, Arizona that would forever change their lives.

Sherri and Christian began the trip to be closer to their grandmother, and when the long trip to Lake Havasu was almost completed they ran into trouble in Bullhead City when they were robbed. Stranded with no money and no identification, Sherri recalls the event, “It’s hard to say but, we were stuck in Bullhead City for a night with nothing but or luggage…”  Sherri and her husband were saved by the kindness of strangers after spending the night in Lake Havasu a local shop owner offered to drive the young couple to their destination.

When the couple arrived in Lake Havasu in August, Sherri was greeted with a kick from a child that they both had no clue had made the trip with them. This was such a surprise as Sherri had false negative pregnancy test that past May. With the new development the couple had made plans to move back to Missouri to be closer to their family. But, like before, their trip would have a twist that would redirect their path.

With a flight booked at Sky Harbor Airport the couple traveled to Phoenix to return to their home. In an unfortunate turn of events they missed their flight and were unable to return home that day, Sherri remembers, “We were new to the area and we were lost for just a little too long…” When they returned to Lake Havasu to regroup and schedule another flight Sherri was greeted with another kick from their unborn child only this time the kick meant their child was on her way 3 ½ months early!

Sherri and her husband went to Lake Havasu Medical to find that there was no way to delay the birth and they needed to be air evacuated to Phoenix Banner Good Samaritan to undergo an emergency C-section. At 5:28pm September 15, 2011 the couple welcomed 1 pound 9 ounce, Sequoia to the world. With such a premature birth a long hospital stay was in their future. Their social worker recommended that they stay with Ronald McDonald House Charities of Phoenix.

The long days at the hospital were a huge toll on the couple and having a home away from home was a huge help. “I don’t know what I would have done without the house” Sherri recalled. “The dinners were a way for us to see the great volunteers and community that RMHC has...” After a 3 month stay at the House in Phoenix, Sherri will now meet Christian, who left to make preparations in Missouri for their 7 pound beautiful baby girl Sequoia.