Beat the Heat, Help the Kids

Delaney Schmutte, saint (sanctified* for lemonAID)

Delaney is a friend of Lucy and Annabelle from gymnastics.

Every year she has a lemonAID stand to raise money for sick children.

This year she is dedicating her efforts to Jacob, and that makes us smile.

I know it's hot and I know you're thirsty, so you are without excuse!

Plus, who doesn't want to navigate their vehicle past the corner of Venus and Mars!

*from Latin, sanctus, set apart for a purpose (if you take two slices of bread out to make a sandwich, they are sanctified; when you finally realize God has set you apart for His purpose, you are a saint)

Domestic Aid

Very cool that Jacob's school did this in support of him and children like him.

Yes, that is Lucy in the back row.

The Drug Closet

The Drug Closet

as described on Caring Bridge

Good thing Jacob is only on 50 different medicines...

Jacob: Three Wishes

Let me see. If I had three wishes, I would wish for...

Companionship

Creativity

Compassion

Oh, and also hoppiness, healing, hair, and a helicopter...

Jacob and Grace

Grace and Jacob are kindred spirits

Also, as an aside, kindly note the cool pillowcase he made a few posts back.

Jacob, Pulling Our Leg

Some of you may remember the story of Jacob and Esau from the Bible. They were twins and Esau came out first but Jacob was born holding his brother's heel, as if trying to pull Esau back so Jacob could be born first. The name Jacob means trickster and the story is the origin of the phrase "you're pulling my leg." Our Jacob lives up to his name and loves to play tricks. We knew Jacob was returning to his previous form when we FaceTimed Susan the other night and asked about Jacob. He was sleeping, she informed us, then she showed him to us. Grace said, "he's not really asleep; he's faking it." Just the Jacob jumped up from the bed and screamed BOO! which made us all jump out of our skin, even Grace. It was hilarious. I missed out on the actual BOO! but I did manage to capture the response.

Jacob, the Masked Artist

Jacob: Soon is Now!

Jacob: When will I start to feel better?

Doctor: You will feel better soon.

Jacob: When is soon?

Soon is now.

Jacob's white blood cell count continues to rise (that's good).

Jacob's mouth continues to heal (that's wonderful).

Jacob gets to leave his room on Independence Day (that's poetry).

Jacob may get discharged next week (that's grace).

Enjoy the smiles.

Jacob is awake and returning to his old form.

He smiles.

He keeps his head warm with fun hats.

He has switched to taking most of his medicine by mouth.

He can make Samuel giggle.

He can make funny faces and bring joy to his online friends (that's you).

This is my boy.

Thank you for your prayers.

Today they are being answered with clarity.

There is still a hard road ahead so keep praying for his continued healing.

Joy.

Thompson Healing Garden

The Thompson Healing Garden at the Amplatz Children's Hospital in Minneapolis, MN

Paid for by Thompsons, including Lynette (like a cross between Lynn and Paulette)

Do You Like My Hat?

You people wish you had a hat as cool as mine!

When I was a kid, I loved "Go, Dog. Go!" by P. D. Eastman, especially the part where one dog asks another, "Do you like my hat?" and the other finally responds, "I do like that party hat!" Jacob surely looks festive in this stylish number and, given his current hairdo and the fact that winter is coming in a few months, collecting hats all of a sudden seem reasonable and fun!

Behind the Mask

The beach crew called Minnesota via FaceTime but we couldn't tell who we were talking to because they all were wearing masks. "Show yourselves!" we demanded. And when the dressing change was complete, they were happy to oblige. Luckily it was just Susan and Jacob. Phew! And, to make things even better, we got a little smile out of Jacob and a slightly bigger one from Susan. We miss you both.

When is "soon"?

Sweet Jacob is told each day by the hospital staff that he will be feeling better soon. Jacob is a strong boy with an unbreakable spirit, but his question is real: "This soon that you keep talking about, just when is that gonna be?" All his cards say GET WELL SOON and that is exactly what he is planning to do. Pray that soon comes swiftly because the in between time or wandering time or kairos time (or whatever you want to call it) is growing weary for my little buddy (and his mommy).

Jacob Smiles

Jacob is still feeling poorly, and probably will for weeks. But he has a great attitude and a smile that can't be extinguished for very long. He is stuck in his room for 6 weeks but his room is very cool.

His room has his bed, his toys, his TV, his stuffed animals, his blanket, and most importantly, his mom.

Jacob's Blessing

Photos of the liturgy Chaplain Nan used for Jacob's "Blessing Service"