Chalk

another one up. October swung and missed with its shot at ending the no-cancer-related-medical-appointments streak. Six down and five to go to get to April 2026. I’ve started wondering what getting to five years will feel like…could be anticlimactic, might bring a wave of joyous emotion.

We’ve definitely talked about marking it in a special way, yet we have not always agreed on the timing. Yes, we are aware that our struggle does not make much sense. If you are celebrating an anniversary or important milestone, shouldn’t it be on the day or at least right around it? Don’t answer that. We will do something right around the time…but even then, do we do it in March when he received his actual 2nd transplant, or do we do it in April after we go to the official 5-year visit? I would appreciate it if you would answer that one.

As for the “real,” or should I say big, celebration, it has never been one that would fit timing-wise around the milestone itself. We had all but decided on a fall 2026 date for it when Lauren came home from a girl’s trip earlier this month with an idea. She had, prior to the trip, strategically planted a seed with me about considering a Christmas trip this year. We’ve tossed that around as a fun idea for years but have never been really serious about it. But, given the fact that we won’t be in our home for this Christmas, this would be the ideal year if there ever was one.

So, she got home from her girl’s trip and by the time we went to bed, I had somehow agreed to moving what we had contemplated for the big celebration to occur immediately following Christmas. That’s all I can share for now as the kids don’t know about it. I may have already shared too much, and if so, I’m cooked, as the kids say. We’re also using it to solve the Santa gift dilemma this year - two birds. Is that cruel or genius? Back to not answering, please.

In all seriousness, it makes a lot of sense and I’m thankful that she had the idea. We still get to celebrate Christmas Eve and Day with our families, and we can schedule this for a time that works well for our family. And we avoid buying a bunch of things that will be old news or thrown away by the time summer hits. The act of spending money on things that are destined for that fate and simultaneously clutter the house makes us both twitch. It’s also a step of faith and a reminder to trust. We aren’t to be superstitious, or even a little stitious; we aren’t “jinxing” the five years by doing something in December.

You’ll have to tune back into the January update to get the deets.

In the meantime, here’s a few from our October. 👇

Left to right, top to bottom: We celebrated a big birthday for my mom (the candles don’t give it away and neither will I). All the grandkids were there, despite Henry not making the picture…he must have been still polishing off his 2nd plate of dinner. Next is the coastal version of like father, like son. The low country boil looks, and was, amazing but my favorite part of this picture is the boys’ faces…their thoughts about what is in front of them are captured perfectly😂. Jennings has gotten to pitch twice this fall and is really getting comfortable and pretty decent at it. I love how he’s adopted the glove over the face stare when he comes set. About twelve hours of fishing and that’s what I had to show for it - one small flounder. It was totally worth it. Next is our camping crew (minus one family) that all decided to try to pull off a fall beach trip. We miraculously made it happen, all to the credit of the wives who love hanging out but not necessarily outside 24-7 while camping in the woods. We hadn’t done the beach in October in a long time, maybe ever…I think it is now cemented as an annual tradition. That’s the girls on said trip playing Titanic (?) in the heated pool. Last is Lauren on her aforementioned girls’ trip…I like to think it’s giving “I just had the best idea” in addition to her just being on a shopping high.

On the house front, we are now two months in and it is really progressing. Even the photos below feel outdated more than they are based on how fast work is getting put in place. As of last weekend, just in time for rainy, cold fall weather to finally hit, the roof was on and the windows were installed. We are officially dried in, interior framing is 98% complete, and rough-ins have started. It’s been so rewarding to finally be able to walk through what we have been working towards on paper for sooo long.

From the outside, you can see the addition taking shape. Next, our first picture inside ❤️ We got to show the whole family around when they were in town for the birthday. We also went over as a family one evening, actually on L’s birthday, to write verses on the framing. Everyone got to participate and we wore out some Sharpies. This one was by Jennings and is the verse that I’ve worn on my wrist everyday for almost eight years now. It was originally posted on his hospital room door days after he was initially diagnosed. His 4’s are a little tough to read, but it’s Exodus 14:14. It’s written on the blocking beside the new door to his soon-to-be new room.

I’ve been reflecting on the compassion of God, especially over this last month, as we’ve (correction, Lauren has) been planning the celebration / gift. And as we’ve watched our addition come to fruition. And as we’ve watched Jennings grow into a ball player. God took us through a deep, dark valley. He was with us, and by His grace, we have emerged from it. We are able, and called, to live out 2 Corinthians 1:3-4. I listened to a sermon this past week by a pastor who is a cancer survivor. He was talking about how he can enter a room with someone just diagnosed or in the thick of treatment, and he can see their demeanor change. It’s not what he says or anything he does, it’s just that he is a living example of God’s comfort in their specific affliction. Jennings has that same ability to comfort just by being. I have seen it in action with families in similar situations. I pray that he has many, many years to use it, and that he will embrace using it, for God’s glory.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” 2 Corinthians 1: 3-4

#allinforjennings