Disneyworld Fun!

Jacob's trip has been amazing so far!

Wednesday was a long day of travel, but Jacob handled it so well. We were so impressed with everyone at Tucson International Airport and Delta Airlines who helped getting through security and on board as easy as they possibly could. Jeff said that at each airport, they were greeted with kindness at every turn.

Thursday morning started off with a Breakfast of Champions! Jacob got to meet Miss America, several celebrities, and Disney Characters. Later that day he enjoyed a parade and seeing some of Walt Disneyworld for the first time!

One night he got to meet Bill Engvall and Mark Wills. Mark Wills gave a concert for the kids! Jacob was jamming out and singing all the words to 19 Somethin', and Mark came down to Jacob and let him sing the song with him! It was all Jacob could talk about when he called that night!

I'm loving the little updates that I get from Jeff, Caleb, and Sarah, but I can't wait to hear all the stories when they get home. I REALLY can't wait to see the video and photos!

Yesterday was a free day, and they had a great time going on rides at the park. Today was a special pinning ceremony and then more fun at the park. Tomorrow they will travel on a chartered flight to Washington D.C.!!

Thank you for all of your prayers! Jacob's health has been stable, he's tolerating these long, crazy days really well. We would love for you to continue to pray that he does well, and that the next day of travel will go as smoothly as his first one did.

I'm including a few photos, but there will be more to come! Thank you for cheering Jacob on as he represents Arizona and especially the children of Arizona who benefit so greatly from the amazing work of the Children's Miracle Network....that's what this is really all about!

Blessings,

Stacie

It's been a crazy weekend getting all of the final details set for Jacob's trip this week! He will be leaving Tucson on Wednesday, heading to Orlando until Sunday, and then on to Washington D.C.

There will be a send-off party at his school tomorrow! If you are a student or the parent of a student at Emily Gray Junior High School and would like to join us, it will take place in the cafeteria at 12:25. Jacob is especially excited about this send-off party because it will include his friends! Jacob has amazing friends have been cheering him on since kindergarten. He can't wait to tell them about the trip he is going to take and about his work with Children's Miracle Network.

We continue to covet your prayers that Jacob, Jeff, Caleb, and Sarah will have safe travels and good health for this trip. We will post updates all week!

Blessings,

The Mockbee's

2011 Arizona Champion

Send off party at Ace Hardware

We had such a fun afternoon with the wonderful folks from Ace Hardware! They gave a fun "send-off" party for Jacob's CMN Champion Child trip. They also blessed Jacob with a fun remote-control car and a gift card for a shopping spree! Jacob was interviewed by KOLD-Channel 13, so check out the news today. Stop by an Ace Hardware to see Jacob's mug and make a donation to CMN...tell them Jacob sent you!

Next week the State Capitol, the week after that, the White House! Jacob is movin' and shakin'!

Zeke

I haven't taken advantage of the CMN blog the way that I had hoped to! We've been a little busy preparing for and then welcoming our newest little blessing, Ezekiel James Paul. Zeke was born on September 14th and weighed 8lbs, 8oz. and was 20 in. long. He is a sweet little angel who has captured our hearts, and our sleep! Jacob is a VERY proud big brother!

CMN Champion Child Trip

October is here and the countdown to Jacob's trip with The Children's Miracle Network is on! On October 19th, Jacob, Jeff, Caleb, and Sarah will be heading to Orlando, Florida to celebrate with the children from other U.S. states as well as the children from Canada. It will be a full three days of award ceremonies and of course, Disney World! Then the children and families representing the U.S. will take a chartered plane to Washington D.C. to meet with Congressmen, see sights, and have a tour of the White House which usually includes meeting the President and First Lady!!

Traveling with a power wheelchair, ventilator, and oxygen is very complicated! Please be praying that
Jacob's equipment, medications, and supplies will be allowed on each plane (a total of 5), that his body will tolerate the altitude & the long days of travel, that Jeff, Sarah, & Caleb will be able to get the rest they need to care for Jacob for a whole week, that they ALL stay healthy up until and through the trip, and that God will just take care of all of the details as they travel and enjoy this amazing trip of a lifetime!

Ace Hardware Send-off Party

Ace Hardware is the leading sponsor for the Champion Child program and is planning to have a send-off party for Jacob this coming Wednesday, Oct. 5th at 1:00pm at the Sunrise & Swan location. I will get more details on Monday and would love to invite anyone who would like to join us to come.

Governor Brewer

On Tuesday, October 11th Jacob will be heading up to the Arizona State Capitol to meet our Governor, Jan Brewer. She is issuing an award to Jacob for his work with Children's Miracle Network. We are looking forward to taking the whole family up to Phoenix for this event. We are so proud of Jacob! It's so special to see him being blessed for his hard work, determination, great attitude in the midst of trials, and for the way that he inspires each of us.

Thank you so much for praying for Jacob and our family. Thank you for cheering us on, YOU are part of our story, because we could not be thriving the way that we are without your love and support! We will be doing more frequent updates as the trip nears and during the trip to share some of the exciting highlights!

Blessings,

Stacie, Jeff, Caleb, Jacob, Hannah, Rebekah, and Zeke Mockbee

Children's Miracle Network Hospitals Champions

Champions is a Children's Miracle Network Hospitals program that brings attention to the important work being done at its 170 children’s hospitals. It does this by honoring 51 remarkable kids who have faced severe medical challenges, and helping them tell their stories.

The Champions program designates a child in every state who has bravely battled a serious injury or illness. The Champions represent the nearly 17 million children treated at Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals every year. The 2011 Champions have dealt with a wide variety of injuries and illnesses including genetic diseases, organ transplants and traumas, as well as various types of cancer.

The Champions travel for a week in October, first to Washington, D.C., where they traditionally meet with their state senators on Capitol Hill, and the President of the United States during a visit to the White House. They then take a private chartered flight, provided by Delta Air Lines, to Orlando, Fla. There, champions meet Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals sponsors, hospital representatives and media partners who all convene to celebrate a year of medical miracles during the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Celebration event at Walt Disney World Resort.

Jacob's Story

Jacob
Age 13

Arizona
Tuscon Medical Center
Spina Bifida

If you’re looking for adventure, just spend a few minutes with 13-year-old Jacob. He has peered over the edge of the Grand Canyon, taken in the striking view atop Seattle’s Space Needle, and witnessed Yellowstone’s Old Faithful geyser shoot for the sky. Traveling with his own entourage, complete with high-tech wheelchair and medical equipment, hasn’t slowed Jacob down. He whizzed down alpine slides, basked on sunny beaches, fished in mountain streams, and has never met a roller coaster he didn’t like.

Jacob’s passion for life has helped him prevail through a lifetime of medical challenges associated with spina bifida and hydrocephalus. The day he was born Jacob had his first two surgeries. Now 13 years later, he has been to the operating room more than 50 times—and will likely be back again. To monitor his ongoing medical issues, he has a whole team of doctors including a neurologist, urologist and pulmonologist.

When he isn’t on a family road trip, Jacob loves to challenge his friends to Wii games, whip up the latest Food Network recipe, and play flag football with his buddies at school.