Friday, October 17, 2008

Medical Leave

It was indeed a Christmas-like morning at our house. I think though my favorite moment this morning was of Bryn relaxing. Jessa's hospital bed was too narrow for her to snuggle up to Jess so I saw her lying in bed with Jess upside down with her body between Jessa's legs and her own legs on either side of Jessa's body. She lay like that for about twenty minutes just content to be next to her mommy.

I'm going to go on Family Medical Leave, so today was my last day at Young until I go back. I know it's the right thing to do and I will enjoy my time with Jess, but today was really hard for me. I've grown really, really attached to my kiddos this year and I will miss them. They were pretty cool today because they had a simple message for me today: we love you and don't want to lose you even for a little bit as our teacher, but we care enough about you to be glad you're going to take care of your wife. They also presented me with a binder filled with messages to me and Jess. They were really touching and I was glad I waited until I got home to read them. It was really, really hard not to cry today (I know if I had started-- I would have had a roomful of crying kids).

All the teachers and staff at my school have been incredibly supportive of me and my family. They have been truly family to me, and my family is pretty is awesome so that's saying a lot!

Jessa's first day of hospice care went really well. She likes her bed (even sans Roho mattress), loves her nurse, and her pain has been managed well. Prayer warriors are still meeting from 7-8 AM at Grace Covenant to pray for Jess on Saturday mornings. We of course appreciate all your prayers for us at all sorts of different times and in lots of different places.

7 comments:

Carla said...

I'm so glad you're ALL home now. What a blessing! Enjoy your time together :)

Anonymous said...

Jake, one thing we all know is how special your family is. You have been blessed with time together and will cherish every moment. Prayers are nonstop.

Love to all
Aunt janette

Anonymous said...

SO grateful you can all spend this time at home together.

Lynne said...

Jess and Jake -- So good to hear that Jess is as comfortable as possible, likes the Hospice team and best of all you can all be together.

With keep you in our thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Lynne and Dave

Anonymous said...

I met you and your family through my dear friend, Sandy McNutt. We went to high school together and recently had a wonderful mini reunion up in Washington. She shared your family's journey you are all on, and I want you to know that I have been praying for you all, and that you story has touched my heart. There were a group of 7 of us, and we were all able to pray and lift up Jess with Sandy. So just want you to know, people you have never met, are lifting prayers up for you and your family all over the place!!! So glad that Jess is home with her babies!! Much love and prayers to you (you are such a blessing of a husband and father!) and your loving family, Jeri Bryant- Proud sister in Prayer!!

Chris and Julie Medley said...

He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength when the labors increase;
To added affliction He addeth His mercies,
To multiplied trials His multiplied peace.

When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources
Our Father's full giving is only begun.

His love has no limit, His grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth and giveth and giveth again.
--Annie Johnson Flint

Anonymous said...

i am so glad that you liked the binder we love you
shelby