Just For Jake

Last month, we sent Jacob's 5th grade class on their 2nd annual nature inspired adventure. Casey was able to tag along and loved spending the day with his big brother's friends. They went to the Garfield Park Conservatory and learned all about a variety of plants in different climates. We absolutely loved reading about what they did, their favorite plants, and seeing their beautiful drawings. Some even shared sweet memories of Jake and why this trip reminded them of him.

One of our goals for doing this is to open the kids' eyes to the nature that is all around us. It's closer than you think and can be the calming, unplugged experience that some kids haven't been exposed to yet. Jake had such a deep connection with the wild that it only made sense to share that feeling with his classmates and hope they experience the same bond.

God's fingerprints become abundantly clear when you are emersed in nature. Knowing you are surrounded by his purest work calms the soul and brings us back to a sense of awe, respect, and inspiration. An inspiration to be a better you by respecting not only nature but everything and everyone around you.

Read. Get outside. Love school. Travel. Build a treehouse. Get dirty. Love animals. Explore. Be kind. Respect nature. Enjoy the little things.

After months of pondering a way to give back to Jacob's beloved school, an idea was sparked in our hearts. We wanted to honor Jake in a beautiful way and give his now 4th grade classmates an adventure out in nature, where he felt so connected and at peace. A few weeks ago, the entire 4th grade class went on a field trip to Lake Katherine, a local nature center. We were honored to have the opportunity to sponsor this trip. Our hope is to give these kiddos a nature inspired adventure every year through their 8th grade year, in an effort to keep Jacob with his class and to inspire them to...
Get outside, get dirty, explore, and respect nature.

One of Jacob's lovely teachers, Miss Dugan, has shared her personal connection and impact our son left with her. We recently had the honor of hearing this story performed in front of a room full of people at Improv Olympic. It's hard to put into words the impact Miss Dugan had on our Jake as well as his 2nd grade class, Team 114, that year, and our family. We are so blessed to have her in our life. Please take a moment to read the beautiful story of Jacob.
https://medium.com//jacob-55a89ef716c2 #.rg0lm9r1s
*typo in story...Build a treehouse*

Jennifer

I can't wait to see how beautiful it will be. You will always be in my heart, Jake.

Earlier this month Paul and Lauren attended the cancer kiss my cooley 5th Annual KISS IT Gala. They were supposed to be there with their boys, as they are a Kiss of Hope Family, but they had 2 great friends there to hold their hands, support them and celebrate some amazingly brave children. Please take a few minutes to watch this video to see the heartwarming memories this organization creates for families like theirs. Jacob Danny is the first one.

Watch "2015 Kiss of HOPE Year in Review - Cancer Kiss my Cooley" on YouTube
https://youtu.be/FsY9UHlYHVU

A memorial service to celebrate our Jacob Danny's life will be held tomorrow, Saturday, February 6.

9:00-10:30 - Gathering
10:30 - A service will promptly start, lasting about 1 hour

Parkview Christian Church
11100 Orland Parkway
Orland Park, IL 60467
Please park and enter from the East parking lot.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution in Jacob's memory to the Cancer Kiss My Cooley Organization www.ckmc.org

In honor of our Jacob, take some of his advice...
Read. Get outside. Love school. Travel. Build a treehouse. Get dirty. Love animals. Explore. Be kind. Respect nature. Enjoy the little things.

Heaven gained a very special little soul last week...our Jacob Danny went home to be with the Lord. This past year has made it very clear to us how many hearts Jake touched, how many people love our boy and know how very special he is. We are so blessed to have the most amazingly smart and kind hearted son anyone could ever ask for. In honor of our Jacob, take some of his advice...

Read. Get outside. Love school. Travel. Build a treehouse. Get dirty. Love animals. Explore. Be kind. Respect nature. Enjoy the little things.

Thank you for respecting our broken hearts and our privacy.

A memorial service to celebrate Jacob Danny's life will be held on Saturday, February 6.
9-1030 - Gathering
1030 - a service will promptly start, lasting about 1 hour
The Chapel at Parkview Christian Church
11100 Orland Parkway
Orland Park, IL 60467
Please park and enter from the East parking lot.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution in Jacob's memory to the cancer kiss my cooley organization www.ckmc.org

Thank you for all your love and support this holiday season...

We are speechless. The outpouring of love and support of our family, friends, and the entire community is amazing. We are humbled by how many businesses and companies donated their time, money and goods to help make the benefit a success. It was an absolute pleasure meeting everyone who has been either quietly supporting us or have been an integral part of our crew. Jacob is always at the forefront of our hearts, and was truly the center of the event. Thank you for taking the time to share yourselves with him as well as celebrate what an amazing little boy he is. We never lost sight of the focus of this event...Jake - plain and simple. Thank you for being a part of the fight with us...we truly know that we are not alone.

Today we celebrate Jacob Danny Mieszala...come and surround him with love and support.

Join him along with the Mieszala family and the Just For Jake Crew today from 2-7 at Bourbon Street.

Dominic Ritchie (@foundingcrafts13) • Instagram photos and videos

Artist who donated the Thin Blue Line Flag is also donating a Cubs reclaimed wood sign...also has a secret compartment as well as the Cubs logo is magnetized. Super cool - check him out!

FoundingCrafts

https://instagram.com/foundingcrafts13/

https://www.etsy.com/listing/251236419/american-flag-police-pride?ref=listing-shop-header-0

instagram.com Hi! I'm just an artist trying to get his work out in the world! Follow me and check out all of my handmade paintings, home decor and furniture!

Jim Venetucci (@humboldthardwoods) • Instagram photos and videos

We're thrilled to have Humboldt Hardwoods donate a beautiful Live Edge slab to be used as a guest 'log' for Jacob to be later turned into a desk for his treehouse, as well as an awesome Live Edge coffee table to auction off!

https://instagram.com/humboldthardwoods/

http://humboldthardwoods.com/

instagram.com See Instagram photos and videos from Jim Venetucci ()

It started with a drawing from a 8 year old boy...and we turned it into an event that celebrates a truly remarkable little mind. We are ready to share with you - join us in one week...next Sunday, November 8 at Bourbon Street.

Jake on his day of birth. I've loved him from the moment he was born
-Aunt Megan

Sunday - Flew into Anchorage, checked into Coast International Inn

Monday - Very early and quick breakfast at the hotel restaurant Pipers, Alaska Railroad to Talkeetna in the Gold Star Service dome car, surprised Jake with Alaska Wilderness Adventure ATV rides up a mountain, great lunch at Latitude 62, train back to Anchorage

Tuesday - Relaxing breakfast at Pipers before checking out of hotel to begin our 2 1/2 hour scenic trek down to Seward, with a few cool stops along the way....an Art Gallery off Seward Highway to check out chainsaw carvings, Girdwood to ride the Mt Alyeska Tram and had lunch atop the mountain, and the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. Checked into our house in Seward, tucked right in between the mountains.

Wednesday - Awesome breakfast at Le Barn Appetite, 6 hour Kenai Fjords boat tour, grabbed a pizza and had an early night at home

Thursday - Delicious brunch at Sea Bean, walked around town, Ididaride sled dog ride and tour of kennels, accessible hike up to Exit Glacier, great burritos at Railway Cantina, Harbor St Creamery for ice cream

Friday - Walked the boardwalk along the Seward Lagoon, Jake had a surprise meeting and hang out with a wonderful Alaska State Trooper and met an Alaska State Wildlife Trooper and went down on the dock to see his boat (he says by far his favorite activity of the entire trip was meeting these guys!), cool lunch at Red's Burgers (they cook in an old bus and have another bus for indoor seating), drove out to Miller's Landing on Lowell Point, Art Walk at the local library and walked around town, Gelato at Sweet Darlings

Saturday - Our little plane ride was cancelled due to weather, Alaska Sea Life Center, lunch at Sea Bean, Jake & Paul went back to the Sealife Center for an Octopus Encounter with Dot the Octopus (super cool!), Casey and I played at the park, walked around town and grabbed some gelato and fudge at Sweet Darlings, great Italian dinner at Apollo

Sunday - Reluctantly checked out of our little house in Seward and headed back up to Anchorage, turned off the Seward Highway to make a stop in a tiny little town called Hope (very fitting way to end our trip), fresh local grown lunch at Discovery Café, gorgeous walk across a creek, on to Anchorage Airport for our overnight flight

Monday - 3 hour lay over in Minneapolis where we got to watch the sun rise, back home to Chicago, exhausted from the most amazing trip ever!

We took advantage of every minute we had in Alaska and met some wonderful people along the way...Jake has prayers coming from all around the country. Such special memories made with our family. Kudos to our little explorer, Jake, for planning his ultimate adventure, thank you to all of the businesses for your kindness and accommodations, and thank you to the Make a Wish Foundation for making it happen.

Mobile Uploads

Jake's parents latest update-

Jacob, the little explorer that he is, has had something very big under wraps. The Make A Wish Foundation is granting him his wish to go to Alaska. Jake took his job very seriously, going into his meeting with his Wish Grantors, Mike & Stephanie, fully prepared with drawings and his detailed list of what his trip looked like to him. He is beyond excited! Take a look, I think his drawings and itinerary tell you a lot about how special of a boy we have.

Thank you for all of your continued support and prayers.

You can follow Jake's journey at Just for Jake on Facebook or www.justforjake.org

Even prior to his diagnosis, Jake has always liked to draw arrows. This was the inspiration for the Just For Jake logo. Not only do these arrows symbolize charging ahead, but they remind us to never give up the fight. Follow Jake's journey at www.justforjake.org.

Our logo was designed and created by Jake himself. Why arrows? "An arrow can only be shot by pulling it backward. When life is dragging you back with difficulties, it means it's going to launch you into something great. So just focus, and keep aiming."

Join Jake.
Join us.
We are just for Jake.

These photos are in chronological order, Jake's little body has been through a lot of transformations...

Just For Jake's cover photo

Just For Jake