
Independence...…
So many days just fly by now that the boys are older and they, for the most part, don’t need us as they did when they were toddlers. Teenage years, though precious, are certainly not filled with the clingy, sticky hands that our days were once filled with.
But it is all good. Right? Can’t stop them from growing despite our urging. Rutger is now 16 and driving. He is taking college classes at Tri-C this summer, volunteers 3 days a week and is searching for a job – all things that take him daily away from our protective arms. But its all good.
Owen is off to High School in August and though we all desperately want him ‘not’ to need us every day – physically of course he does – but certainly emotionally he is so done with being a kid and ready for independence. Gosh, how I so wish we could fully give that to him. But we try as much as we can! Its all good!
Wade – though 11 and being the youngest, seems more like 16 as well. His nose is constantly in a book, when of course, he’s not being Owen’s hands and feet this summer. He is growing like a weed and ready for sixth grade at St. Al next year. We really never thought the day would come when we only had one kid at St. Al. Oh goodness, stop with the growing.
So many days just fly by now that the boys are older and they, for the most part, don’t need us as they did when they were toddlers. Teenage years, though precious, are certainly not filled with the clingy, sticky hands that our days were once filled with.
But it is all good. Right? Can’t stop them from growing despite our urging. Rutger is now 16 and driving. He is taking college classes at Tri-C this summer, volunteers 3 days a week and is searching for a job – all things that take him daily away from our protective arms. But its all good.
Owen is off to High School in August and though we all desperately want him ‘not’ to need us every day – physically of course he does – but certainly emotionally he is so done with being a kid and ready for independence. Gosh, how I so wish we could fully give that to him. But we try as much as we can! Its all good!
Wade – though 11 and being the youngest, seems more like 16 as well. His nose is constantly in a book, when of course, he’s not being Owen’s hands and feet this summer. He is growing like a weed and ready for sixth grade at St. Al next year. We really never thought the day would come when we only had one kid at St. Al. Oh goodness, stop with the growing.

Larry – well yes he is still awesome. And Yes he still serves by Owen’s side with every breath. I can’t believe how this dog is so attached to Owen’s side.
Today we celebrate our Independence, 228 years of it! Seems like a far cry from our boys, Right? Seeking and grabbing their independence from us in just a few short years. It’s all good. Nothing will stop time and nothing can replace the great memories of our boys growing up.
Today we celebrate our Independence, 228 years of it! Seems like a far cry from our boys, Right? Seeking and grabbing their independence from us in just a few short years. It’s all good. Nothing will stop time and nothing can replace the great memories of our boys growing up.

We are so grateful to be free and to live in this amazing country. All that have sacrificed for our very freedoms to type this and share publicly. To start a non-profit and raise funds for research for Duchenne, to work hard, raise a family and provide so many things that most of us take for granted (food, shelter, healthcare).
We want to say Thank you to all that made and make our freedoms possible. What a blessing it is to be Chilin with the boys in the land of the free!
God Bless you this July 4th and every day (and yep we get to say God Bless - Yee Haw America)
We want to say Thank you to all that made and make our freedoms possible. What a blessing it is to be Chilin with the boys in the land of the free!
God Bless you this July 4th and every day (and yep we get to say God Bless - Yee Haw America)
We hope you can join us in 10 days to celebrate our Picnic in the Park on 7.14.18 from 4pm to 10pm. As always we have an amazing line up - Live Music, Great Food, Kids Games, Adult stuff and amazing raffles. Please be sure to stop us to give hugs and hellos as we are so very grateful for each of you that continue to lift us up while together we #derailduchenne!
With Love - Tony Jen and the Boys xoxox
With Love - Tony Jen and the Boys xoxox