Here we are at the end of May, just like we planned it. I love that. We only have a small medical update to share, which was a visit to a local endocrinologist. St. Jude encouraged us to find one just to begin to develop a relationship in case we ever need more frequent monitoring or something more than monitoring.

Lauren took him to the appointment and the local doctor generally concurred with all of the analyses and interpretations we got in Memphis. He did ask to see the hand x-ray in order to read it himself (this is the one that confirms bone age). We had left St. Jude with a CD from the imaging department, so L said she would drop it by.

A quick aside, we both realized we have no way to get a file off of a CD anymore. The newer laptops don’t have a drive for that. I feel old. Anyway, he called a couple days after receiving said CD. He must have located some antiquated computing equipment complete with a CD ROM drive. Impressive. Lauren answered, expecting to hear his findings. Instead, he informed her that there was no hand on the CD. “No hand?” she asked, confused. “Teeth,” he replied. “Teeth?” she wondered, more perplexed. “Just teeth.”

Well, so much for the efficiencies of digital imaging. We had apparently only picked up a copy of the dental x-rays that were also taken at his annual visit. Dr. Bolen is coming to our rescue, though, removing us and all compact discs from the process, and will have the correct images sent to him.

Hopefully this was month one out of eleven without any CBC, chimerism, or other blood cancer related results to share.

It’s been a full, fun spring so far. Here’s a few pictures to help tell the story 👇

Our oldest gymnast competed in the State meet and did great. So proud of all the work she puts in and glad that we decided to let her go to Nationals this summer. Our littlest had her gymnastics “show” and was all smiles…but it’s still too soon to know if she wants that to be her “thing.” The only thing better than Lauren’s axe throwing is her celebration. And then bottom right, Gigi and Slim took us all out to watch the Tigers play a baseball game against Charlotte at the Knights’ stadium. Jennings likes to sport his full Tiger head gear no matter the temperature or season.

A few more random ones…Taking a kid about Jennings’s age to a professional golf tournament is the way to go. He got to be a marshal for Speith, Fowler, and Morikawa (pictured). Then Cam Young autographed a golf ball and tossed it to him while waiting on the tee box at one hole. This was totally uninitiated - we just looked over and he was tossing us a ball. And then he got a 👍from Lucas Glover after I told him (made him) yell “Go Tigers!” after he putted. Next, the kids celebrated Lauren for Mother’s Day with only the finest homemade cards filled with what turned out to be empty promises about what they would help her do around the house. She at least enjoyed the idea of them 😂. We also got Jennings a Gabb watch, which allows us to text and call him. The excitement for him, though, is that it means a little taste of freedom. He can now go on his own down the street to a neighborhood friend’s house to play or cruise around on their bikes. Hard to believe he’s at that point and responsible enough to take his little brother with him. We are comforted by the fact that kids get away with nothing these days with the neighborhood facebook pages and the like. The last one, bottom, left is of our twin shrimps. We have taken the plunge into swim team with all four. So far, they love it, and it has brought a new level of intensity for the schedule as other spring activities are still wrapping up.

Maybe the highlight of the month, though, is shown in these. This is just last weekend at the St. Jude Celebrity Chef & Wine Event:

This is our 3rd year attending this event. Lauren spoke at it and shared our story two years ago, but this year they wanted all the kids to participate. It was a fun time to get them all dressed up and take them to a fancy event. Their “job,” as shown in the 1st and 3rd pictures was to pass out light up bracelets during the “give to live” portion of the evening. Several other local patient families brought their kids as well and they enthusiastically passed out bracelets at the event that collectively raised over $1.2M for St. Jude. Quick pro tip: 9 year olds should not be allowed to hold paddles during a live auction. You’re welcome.

The event (and something we were involved in the week prior) got me thinking about our stories. Our stories, everyone’s, are such a part of who we are. They don’t define us, per se, but they are one of the ways that God shapes us and molds us. He is, after all, the author of them, sovereign over them all.

Sharing them can be complicated. Some are naturals at it. I would put the dad who shared at the St. Jude event Saturday night in this camp. Others are hesitant. It can feel, and actually be, traumatic to retell, and thus relive, past pain and suffering. It can make us feel like we are too much, like others can’t handle or don’t want to handle our stories. Yet others are willing and want to share, but struggle to do it, or struggle to feel like they are doing it effectively.

Whatever camp we fall in, I think we should make a point to share them. I am telling myself that more than anyone. I fall into the latter camp most often and felt it especially in the interview we did the week before the event. Our story has played out over years. I love to share and want to share, but it is such a struggle to condense it into a reasonable sized chunk that can be shared, especially with those who may be hearing it for the first time. I feel like I can’t convey it all and, therefore, that I am doing it an injustice. Lauren reminded me, though, that to others, they don’t know it all. So they don’t know what’s been left out, what’s been glossed over, or what’s been rushed through for the sake of communicating it. They will hear what they hear, and God can use that hearing to work in people.

Our job is to share, and we leave the changing / impacting to Him. And that’s the last thing I’ll share (fans of way too obvious puns please laugh here) on this - God is the author. I don’t always do a great job of highlighting that when I tell our story. I’m thankful that I’ve recognized that and I’m committed to doing better.

I’m grateful for the opportunities we’ve had to tell our story and pray that we continue to recognize them. I pray the same for you and that you will embrace the chances to share your stories.

This was Jesus to the man in Luke 8 after he had cast out the demons: “but Jesus sent him away, saying, ‘Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.’ And he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him.” Luke 8:38b-39

#allinforjennings