Jake remembered at the Beach.

Today, May 31st, is a day that will be remembered in our family forever and ever.

It is the day that Staci called me from the hospital to tell me that "they found a mass" in Jake's belly. It is a day that forever changed the course of our lives.

Being down here at the condo, I thought I would put together a little tribute to my sweet nephew. I am sure that the many of you who have followed my blog since the caringbridge day will not find this surprising. I have little memories of Jake tucked here and there in all areas of my life. My house, my offices, and here at the condo.

This is what I found to share today.
I can so plainly remember Jake coming to the condo two times the summer of 2005 when he was no longer on chemo (his body required a break!). One time, it was with his brothers, and me, his mom and JinJin. The second trip, you may remember was with his bestie, Emma Lou.
This balcony often reminds me of Jake! He and Emma climbed up into the same barstool and took the sweetest pictures together. They were really good buddies!

And you may also remember when we through caution to the wind and used Press'n Seal Saran Wrap to cover Jake's central line ("buddies") and let him jump right in the pool.

This is one of Jake's sippy cups (Buzz Lightyear) and the heads from his little golf clubs. His swimmers too. Bless his little heart!

I NEVER swim in this pool without thinking about Jake and remembering his flying off the side of the pool (far left, in fact), right into our arms. He was never afraid. He had never had swimming lessons and had very, very limited experience with swimming at all. However, he trusted us, and just like my personal motto, he decided to "CHOOSE JOY" and live in his moment!

This was Jake's too. I am a little sad when I see SpongeBob anytime. I used to buy Jake anything and everything that had SpongeBob on it. I miss buying him bandaids, and packs of gum, and stickers of all sorts.

That couch is where Jake and Emma played doctor, with Emma and Jake flushing the lines of their babies. Emma also worked on Jake. She was the nurse, and Jake was the willing patient. They had an especially sweet bond. SHe talks about him even today!

Not long after Jake died, I spent time with Emma helping her make a scrapbook of Jake with extra pictures I had of him. Would you believe, almost four years later, she still comments to me about that scrapbook fairly often. Never underestimate the value of spending time with kids, and especially creating memories they can emotionally hold on to and, as in the case of a scrapbook, physically hold on to, too.

Know what I remember about this exact spot?! Two things...

First, Emma would put on Jake's shoes for him. He liked wearing her Crocs.

and Second, this is where I have pictures of Jake swinging his golf clubs. The same ones pictured above.

And there are photos of Jake all over the place.

The Beach Club has requested that I remove some of my personal artifacts, as they feel it will be more comfortable for the guest renters. And I care..... why?!

I personally think it is endearing to see who owns the condos and what means a lot to them through their pictures and things. Am I crazy to think that?!

For instance, this is in the second bathroom, where, when we are here, the sitters live. And someday, my girlies will sleep. This is what is on the bedside table.

And this is the artwork that hangs here. I can vividly remember Jake and I sitting down and using the paint colors that were in this room at the time. I had the big boys living with me at the time, and I took three canvases and asked each one of them to create for me a picture of something that was important to them. This is Jake's original artwork!

And these are the work of Hunter (left... LSU football game), and Hayden (his motorcycle).

This may be what "the man" is talking about and trying to get me to remove.

Well, I ain't! These photos represent the story of my summers here. And, I know, I know... I need to add pics of my angel baby, Gabbi girl. I promise... I will! And update Ellie's pics too.... although I love that chunky little bald headed baby girl!

SOrry about the quality of this photo, but I LOVE the JOY on his face!

Here is a pic of the good buddies and one of their babies! Does anyone remember Jake's baby's name?

Coach! After mine and Todd's yellow lab.

Here is another memory. I seriously remember very clearly Staci being at the water's edge with her three boys.

Ahhhh.... just a breath of fresh air to remember these happy times.

I don't really have words. Right this moment... only a few tears.

So, this is a day to remember Jake! I wish May 31st, 2004, had not occured. But had it not, neither would any of these other sweet occurences. Happy times. Sweet memories. That's what life is all about!

CHOOSE JOY!

Mo

MMPT annual Girls' Beach trip!

Get in. Sit down. Buckle UP. Hold on. We are going on a road trip!
Ashley tends to always find herself in the driver's seat for a good portion of the trip. We just LOVE our Ashley. Ashley has been a speech pathologist in my clinic for about 5 or so years. Sweetest girl you could ever want to know.

And this is Kristi, Beth, and Lindsey. They were the backseat passengers in my ride on the way down. I am liking Kristi's tee shirt. How bout you?!

The thing about 16 girls travelling together is that we can stretch a 7 hour trip EASILY into an 8 hour one! Teetee breaks are very commonplace! This is Angela, Renee, and Melissa. The two on the right are in the main office in the West Monroe clinic. Renee is usually the one who patients talk to very first. She does intake and verifies insurance. Melissa is our receptionist in the window in peds clinic and also handles a LOT of our accounts in general. Angela is a Physical Therapist Assistant and works only adult patients, preferring ortho to neuro.

Just a thought a little introduction may be in order.

Ok, let's see... who's new in this picture? Far right, you can see Jenn who is our clinic director and PT in the Shreveport clinic. Auddi, front and sprawling, is the speech pathologist in same said clinic.

Here we have Ramsay (COTA), from the Ruston clinic, and Jessi, her partner in crime. Maybe you've heard of Jessi?!

Why, oh why, do girls feel the need to take a picture at every single stop? See Jamette in the green on the left, rabbit earring me. (We are having a meeting when we get back! Ha). She is our PT tech in the Monroe clinic, and will very soon be a certified Massage Therapist. She is super kind to work on me when I can just take no more. I am LOVING having her skills handy!

On the way down, Lindsey and I decided to go retro and hang out the windows to get a little trucker action.

And coming through for us, the truckers would pull that horn every time!!

Our tradition is to roll into town and divide up the groceries among all the members of each room. This was my crew. Dang, Lindsey, that cantaloupe heavy?!

Dang, Lindsey, that beer can heavy?!

This is Renee. I think this is about the 7th year in a row she has made the trip. And believe me when I tell you Renee keeps it exciting! I just cannot wait to see what she packs to wear out at night. Think 6" heels, jumpsuits, and so much bling, we have to look away if she is standing in direct light! We love her always amusing style!

The first day, the gulf was really calm. That is the MMPT crew out there frolicking!

And we were so excited that Miss Donna decided, last minute, to make the trip with us. She handles a good bit of our insurance billing and follow through, and rivals Ashley for the top prize of Sweetness Award!

It is always fun to discover unrealized talents in the members of the staff. Lindsey is a budding make up artist, and I think has more make-up than I have ever seen one human have. All MAC, too!

Lindsey, Renee, and Melissa, ready for the first night on the town.

This is about half the group. We had 16 in all on this trip.

Jessi and Ramsay again. Backseat. Ready for some shkrimp!

And you gotta remember this place... only my favorite spot to "Hangout"!

Why, hello there, Jamette!

Have I mentioned the good looking clause I have in my hiring credentials? I mean, really... I have a pretty dang good looking group of employees!

I'd say this is the more "tame" table. ( I was at the other one!)

WHEN I wasnt' on the dance floor!

Cha Cha slide, baby!

Only for the brave!

And then it happened.... Ashley got drenched with her glass of water!

Seriously, DRENCHED!

But being our sweet little Ashley, she just went to the blow dryer deal in the bathroom, and took care of the situation. She came back with a smile!

This magician guy comes around every year. He is truly amazing!

And I end with a few things that I found funny at the gift shop at the Hangout.

My personal favorite:

ANd this is a shout out to my husband, who likes to stay on my case about doing ANYTHING in the car besides, "10 and 2" on the steering wheel.
Ha. Classic.

And finally.... look away if you are easily offended. It has the "a" word.

But, man oh man, how PERFECT for my hiney going into a bathing suit this week!

Just a question that needed to be asked!!

And hey, WENDY, you are the big winner! Send me your addy information and I will get you out a goody! send to mgroves11@comcast.net

You can thank, Jenn, in the above pictures for choosing your number when asked to pick a number between 1-52!

MO

Gentlemen.... start your engines....

Want to know the big news of Sunday morning?!
Here it is ! JJ Yeley, Jake's most favorite Nascar racer in the whole wide world is back in action and is honoring and remembering Jake in the most special way!

Don's dad helped out to get this all rolling. He and Don have been Nascar fans, and well, Jake kinda followed suit! He would watch the race up at St. Jude and cheer for the green car!

That green car was driven by JJ Yeley! (See that "Believe" on the back bumper?!)

We will never forget when JJ Yeley came to visit St. Jude. He had heard of our sweet boy and came straight into the ICU to visit him. Jake was on the ventilator, so he wasn't good company, but JJ never even seemed to mind.

We struck up a friendship with him and now he is doing the absolute COOLEST thing for him and for the foundation. He has agreed to put the JOR Foundation logo on the hood of the car, as well as the four marks Jake used to sign his name and BELIEVE on the rear bumper.

This all came together rather suddenly last week, and Staci and Don made haste to get up to Charlotte, North Carolina, to be a part of the qualifying rounds, and now the big race tomorrow.

Be ready to see Jake Owen Raborn flying around that track in the Coca Cola 600 tomorrow night at 5pm central time on Fox! JJ will be in the number 46 car!

And there will be a super, super, super cute little boy on the hood of the car!

This national exposure is invaluable to the JOR Foundation. It may mean many more people come to learn about the foundation and potentially give to the cause; therefore, allow the foundatoin to give to even more families of kids with cancer.

See those four marks on the car above. That is what I would get on a tattoo if ever I was to get one. It is the way Jake signed his name on consent forms before any surgeries, new treatments, or other. So, to me it says, "JAKE". It also says, "11:11" to me which is my way of knowing that all is well and Jake is happy and healthy and waiting on me in Heaven.

JJ has been more than accomodating. Staci and Don have been down on the tracks, and getting the firsthand look at all the ins and outs of a major Nascar race!

Thank you, JJ. We, and lots and lots of kids with cancer, thank you for the recognition you are bringing to the Jake Owen Raborn Foundation. It will hopefully be a huge stepping stone for the charity. And thank you, PawPaw Raborn, for helping get the ball rolling for this publicity.

OK, so 5:00 central time on Fox. Watch it! ANd watch this too... our local news.

and MORE.

Mo

P.S. I LOVED all the comments. I will be announcing a winner of the random comments tomorrow! Maybe a puffy paint canvas?!