Happy 4th Birthday to our beautiful, gorgeous Deqlan Ross

11 September 2010
To Our beautiful Darling Gift from God ,
Deqlan Ross

Wishing you the most beautiful 4th Birthday today and the most healthy, happy, magical, delightful year ahead!

We continue to Thank Our Lord for showering His mercies upon you , for keeping you so happy and healthy , for helping you take Giant Leaps every single day. We thank Him for every moment with you, every breath, smile, touch , laugh, sound, word, song, cuddle. We are so very Blessed to have you as our son.
You are our everything and we adore you. We love you more then life itself and that love continues to grow every moment of every day. Our hearts swell with love and pride for you , our beautiful Deqlan

You FILL our days with joy and wonder , love and laughter. We love to try and see the world through your eyes. You have the most beautiful spirit, most loving nature, most innocent view of life. You delight in all the important things in life my boy, and you are an inspiration to us in so many ways. You are our hero and our miracle, and we love you to forever and back a zillion times again
Turning 4 is a big deal our sweet boy. The year to come is going to see you reaching many more Giant Leaps and milestones each day! We cant wait to experience them with you!

3 was an amazing year for you with so many wonderful and exciting events .
· You remain NED Praise Our Lord, and trust you always will be!
· You started school at Little leaps, which you absolutely love and adore – as the teachers do you!!!
· Its been a year of your language exploding into the most beautiful music i have ever heard. You are reading, spelling , counting, singing. Your memory is something that is a real gift to see.
· Your love for all things transport continues to grow and we loved experiencing your love for the Cobra’s . We love watching you tell us about every single car on the road and the enthusiasm you have when looking through your beloved magazines and books.
· Another prayer was answered when we saw you on stage singing in Grandparents day. Our Precious Deqlan, i will never forget that moment when you walked onto the stage and shouted ‘ YAY’ for everyone to cheer you on.
· You had your first trip to the dentist and had to go to sleep for a little while when Dr Nicky fixed your teeth, you woke up feeling much better and started eating so well again!
· Your love for Grandpa and Nanna continue to grow each day, you love playing so many special games, reserved just for them – they adore you Deqlan and there is nothing they wouldn’t do for your happiness and health
· You became a big cousin to little Khloe, whom you adore, you love touching her and stroking her and laughing at her, i know in my heart you two are going to be very close
· You have warmed up so lovingly to Keaton, even doing things together – your favourite was lying in the Thomas cushion cuddling, priceless my boy
· Watching you and Meggie connect again with Round and round the garden
· You loved your recent big walk at school , how proud we are to go to every single event we can for you to take in and experience and learn from, We just LOVE being a school Mom and Dad, you make us so very proud
· Your works of art from school , are our treasured pieces which i cant wait to show you again some day when you 16 , and to hear you say “ thats not so cool mom”

I could write all day my monkey on all the things we love you about, but i can tell you in one word to – EVERYTHING!!

We adore the things that make you , YOU! Dont let anyone ever tell you otherwise!!! Our very own night time cuddles, loves, kisses, songs , putting us to sleep to snore so you can wake us up again, are very very cherished by Dada and Mama

Watching your entire being light up with excitement when Dada gets home , is pure joy – hearing you say “ I Love Dad” is one of the biggest gifts you have given him

Watching the bond grow between you and Logan is priceless, you love involving her in so many of your games now and the two of you love to play rough and tumble together – what a joy to hear your laughter

So here is to a bright and beautiful year ahead for you and all the things you are going to do and accomplish – shine , our beautiful boy – let that little light Jesus gave you shine so brightly, He loves you so much . Be all you can be, continue loving life the way you do, make the most of everyday. Laugh , laugh and laugh some more! We cant wait to see what amazing things you are going to achieve this year and in the many many years to come, what a gift to watch you grow up into the beautiful guy you are

Happy Happy Birthday precious boy, Mama and Dada love you with all our hearts and so much more, God Bless you , keep you safe and healthy and happy always
We love you Deqlan, infinity and beyond
Mama and Dada

Its Deqlans 4th Birthday Weekend Baby!!!!!

So exicted!!!! Deqlans birthday weekend started off this morning, we took some lovely happy cupcakes and crips and sweets, hats, balloons and streamers for Little Leaps to have a lovely party for Deqlan today!!!Hoping Ash going to send me some lovely photos to share with you all!!!

I was delighted to source the most beautiful, divine gluten casein sugar yeast and soya free cupcakes in the world! I was happy to drive an hour and get very lost in some area i have never heard of, but eventually landed up in Melville at O ' Crumbs temporary premises. Deqlan couldnt believe his eyes when i gave him one yesterday - not just a plan boring muffin, or something Mama tried to bake for him that is like a brick - AN ACTUAL, SOFT, FLUFFY, LIGHT, SWEET , DELICOUS CUPCAKE- complete with decorations. They are to delicious and the proof was in Deqlan thoroughly enjoying every bite!!! I think i enjoyed his enjoyment of loving every bite more then anything in a long time.... to actually see him enjoy something that other kids eat, was so so amazing!!!

Not going to give away all the surprises for his party tommorow, but lets just say Deqlans cupcakes will look and will taste as good as the other kids are going to enjoy tommorow - i was heartbroken last year - when everyone enjoyed Thomas the train cupcakes packed with sweets and other delights, and Deqlan - pear muffins, with green orley whip for icing. He didnt like them, I didnt blame him. This year, wow , i cant wait to see his face!!!

Thank You Lord for O Crumbs!!!!!!


Cant wait to get all the festivities started, off course i am running around a little, but loving every moment!!! Had to go onto another antibiotic as my sinuses and tonsils not getting better - pray they dont make me feel 1 bit unwell this weekend! Deqlan still coughing at night, still battling with sinuses a bit in the morning, but i trust and believe he is on the mend!

Deqlan has loved the party preparations - i have had to hide some of them away or else they wouldnt last till tommorow - bless him - he has being saying "Happy Birthday" everytime we work on the party boxes and saying ' 4 years old" Nanna has taught him this in the last few days ' Deqlan is 4 years old!!"

Please dont forget to go and vote for the Pepsi Refresh everything project - Arms Wide open has moved into 7th place and with your votes, they can win, they can be a massive part of new and amazing treatments for kids fighting cancer www.refresheverything.com

Have a lovely weekend and the next time i post i will be the proudest mama in the world to 4 year Old Deqlan Ross

God Bless and lots of love
Mark Samm Deqlan Logan
REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAYS AND AGAIN I SAY REJOICE!

The Big Walk

Mark and Keaton, Isaac and "smiley" as he calls Deqlan!
Issac, or Bob, as I call him who is also part of Little Leaps helped get Deqlan started, he originally was very overwhelmed by the new place, all the people and noise, and Isaac spotted us, picked Deqlan up and away we all went !

Our little monkey FULL of allergies at the moment - and an eye infection, sinusitis and nasty cough, please pray for Deqie to feel better soon especially with his upcoming birthday on Saturday!

Resting on Nanna's lap kept Deqlan happy - towards the end of the day he really didnt feel well!

Mott a.k.a Mark, got Keaton some sherbert, blue packets of sherbert - he LOVED them!

Just Chillin....

Deqlan and his Meggie

Yay!!! All done!! The Penguin class had to complete 5 laps, which Deqlan happily did!

Crossing the finish line Ayeline and Ash waiting for us and clapping for Deqlan!!!

Our last lap!

4 laps done!

Love this photo - shadow of Deqlan and Dada

The Little Leaps Amazing Teachers Crew!!!

Candice marking Keatons last lap off!

Mark and Deqlan, Megs and Keaton

Thought this bunch was so cute, all holding hands, doing the walk together, bless them!

Keaton strutting his stuff

Dada got a real work out!

lap one done!

Getting ready for the big race

We had an awesome Big Walk with Deqlans school Little Leaps and sister school Little Christian village this passed Saturday!

It was lovely to be out on the open and getting some excercise and seeing all the kids have just a fun time, being motivated by excercise instead of tv's and computers!!!

Deqlan was a bit overwhelmed when we started, lots and lots of people, in a new place, and he wasnt feeling so well...but soon Isaac, came and took Deqlan and that was the start of the race! Deqlan did walk some of the laps, others were sightseeing on Dada's shoulders or Mammas arms, but actually enjoyed just relaxing and watching everyone . I LOVE BEING A SCHOOL MOM. I LOVE GOING TO ALL THESE EVENTS - I LOVE LITTLE LEAPS THEY MAKE SUCH A MASSIVE EFFORT TO DO THINGS LIKE THIS FOR THE KIDS - other schools may not try to get the kids on the autism spectrum involved in every day activities because they are worried how the kids would react - i say hats off for Little Leaps for giving us the oppurtunities to try and get our boys part of the main stream world to!

By the end of the 5 laps, Deqlan wasnt really feeling great and actually just wanted to sit on Nanna's lap.

Later in the evening, his eyes started watering and gunk collecting in them. His cough worse and green coming out his little nose. So off we marched to the doctor we reckons this all has to do with allergies and no antibiotic needed - he did put Deqlan on lots of other allergy stuff - this time of the year , before the rain comes is really a problem for a lot of people

We missed Ethans party :( but Deqlan got to rest and i let him go to school today (TUESDAY) , hopefully he is on the mend!

Me on the other hand...here we go again, my sinuses and tonsils , which were removed and have grown back!!! Seems to be giving me problems every two weeks, antibiotics , i think we on course 8 for the year for me!!!!! I feel terrible and it feels like i have two tennis balls at the back of my throat!!!! argggg! hate feeling like this have so much to do this week for Deqlans party celebrations!!! Going to ENT again this morning praying he can help me to get better, TODAY!!! I have gone off milk as he advised ( except for that glass of chocolate nesquick I JUST HAD TO HAVE two nights ago, and the glass of milk i JUST HAD TO HAVE 4 nights ago) I was doing so good!!!!!

Anyway, enough moaning, hope you all have a wonderful day!

God Bless love Mark Samm Deqlan Logan

REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAYS AND AGAIN I SAY REJOICE!

VOTE VOTE VOTE

Pepsi has a 'Refresh Everything' campaign in the USA and the charity with the most votes receives a $250,000 grant. A Band of Parents member has entered her foundation ‘Arms Wide Open’ with the idea to FUND LESS TOXIC THERAPIES FOR CHILDREN WITH CANCER. If it wins, the money will go directly to Memorial Sloan Kettering hospital in New York for the development of the 'Turbo 3F8'. Just click on the following link, it takes a few seconds to register then another few seconds to vote, and you can vote once a day until Sept 30th.

http://www.refresheverything.com/armswideopenchildhoodcancerfoundation

This month happens to Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, please help us spread the word and help us win this grant. We CAN do this, in one day we went from being ranked at 93 to 19 so there’s a real possibility of winning this! For you texters ( only in the usa) , please take a few seconds to vote from your MOBILE PHONE by texting 102653 to Pepsi (73774).

A change of residence

Meggie and Deqlan have become so close again in the past few weeks - he adores listening to Megs saying ' round and round the garden' and tickling him
Deqlan adores Khloe and love kissing her, touching her haid and even holding her hand - i just knew in my heart that these two are going to be best of friends - just as Logan and Keaton are

Deqlan has also become so lovingly close to Grandpa - he loves cuddling with him and 'putting him to sleep' he makes him snore to and then giggles with delight when shouting 'wa' to wake him up with a fright!

The gorgeous Khloe Rose wearing the very first thing i bought her when we heard she was a girl. Hard to believe she is nearly 4 months old!!!

Mark and Megs with Khloe and Keaton on a morning out with the kids

"Hey, whats up everyone"

'wweeeee' Deqlan says with delight as Nanna watches him go down the slide!

Mark and Khloe - Mark bought this for styling tracksuite for Khloe a few weeks before she arrived!

Precious sweet Khloe, growing up so quickly!

Dada's boy

Hold on tight Keatie!!!

Some of Deqlans latest works of art - this one 'EIFFEL TOWER' Deqlan loves saying it!

A sand zulu shield work of art!

"children of the world" Deqlan tells us

Deqie in his birthday present from Nanna and Grandpa - a frog swing - he absolutely adores it and is really happy to have access to this whenever he wants to swing or hang upside down or just chill - not only when at a occupational therapy session! Thank you Nanna and Grandpa, glad you are also getting to see Deqie enjoy this gift so much!!!

The value of a frog swing!
A child’s balance reactions and ability to concentrate is mainly controlled by the fluid in the inner ear as it is linked to the movement system and the system which controls sleep, wakefulness, alertness and ability to attend in the brain.
This system called the vestibular system develops as follows:
First a baby can tolerate up and down and side to side movement, then angular movements, then acceleration, then rotation. By the age of 2 they should be able to tolerate most of these movement inputs. The integration needs to be refined now. That is where the frog swing comes in. Your child enjoys swinging on swings, sliding on a slide and being twirled while you hold them or starting to twirl on their own.
THIS SWING OFFERS UP/DOWN, SIDE TO SIDE, ACCELERATION AND SPINNING IN ONE.

'WWWWWWEEEEEEEEEE'

Finally a few minutes to give you a long over due update on the lives of the very busy Higgins bunch!

We have moved in with Mom and Dee and have put our things at Grandpas house and more of our things here by Mom and Dee - you cant believe how much 'stuff' you accumulate so quickly! The amount of toys Deqlan has -wow - we have had to puts lots into storage and where very happy to be able to give some away to some kids whom we hope enjoy the toys!

Its a big adjustment for us - one of the adjustments is not having our doggies and cat with us, they have moved in with Marks Mom for a little while - were there is more space and lots of love and attention all the time.

Its been a much smoother adjustment for Deqlan then we anticipated, he has only asked to go 'home' once and once he saw his Dada and Mama slept with him , in our bed, with our pictures and all his things around him, he settled very quickly, our superstar!

Mom and Dee have gone all out to make things as comfortable for us as they can - it really is lovely staying here and watching Deqlan play with Nanna and Grandpa , especially at bed time! His favorite game is making us all go to sleep, we all have to snore and then wake up as surprised as we can be when he shouts 'wa'!

Thank you Mom and Dee for taking us in for a little while, we really appreciate all you are doing for us and for going out
your way to make us feel welcome and loved and happy!

Deqlan is loving being back at school after a weeks break to get him totally over his viral infection - i also was very very sick, and didnt know how we where going to move, let alone pull a surprise 30th off, work and watch my precious boy - but God never lets me down and He got us through it!

Yesterday was Spring day and Little Leaps had a lovely celebration thrown by Netcare, who have sponsored so many amazing things for the school. They also had the boys wearing bandana's we had purchased for them , to support the Sunflower fund. The fund helps those fighting leukimia and specifically this year, kids fighting leukimia . WELL DONE LITTLE LEAPS! The first Deqlan said to me when i fetched him from school was 'HAPPY SPRING DAY' Bless him

Tommorow is casual day, which is used to raise funds with persons with disabilities and i believe that the Association for Autism, here in Pretoria is one of the beneficiaries this year - so please go and buy your sticker for only R10 and support an amazing cause

On Saturday is Deqlans first big walk!!!!! I am so excited, i cant wait to see him and his buddies walking around the field, getting a stamp for each lap they complete! I hope they will all be happy to do so, Dada and Mama will also have their walking shoes on to walk with our precious boy!

Before i go:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY OUPA CHRIS FOR 2 SEP, WE HOPE YOU HAVE A LOVELY DAY AND BEST BLESSED YEAR AHEAD! THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT AND PRAYERS AND LOVE AND HELP

Have a great day everyone!
God Bless

All Our Love

Mark Samm Deqlan Logan

BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD

SEPTEMBER IS CHILDHOOD CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

No parent should ever hear those words that their child has cancer.
No child should ever be robbed of any of their childhood because of cancer.
No family should ever have their lives turned upside down because of cancer.
No parent should ever be left with a shattered heart and empty arms.

Please join me in spreading the word and creating awareness for childhood cancer, not only this September but every month of every year , a cure has to be found .

Happy Birthday!!

Dear Lisa

Wishing you a very Happy Birthday for yesterday, hope it was fantastic in every way!!! May the year ahead blossom and bloom for you in every way!

Dear Ethan

Wishing you a very Happy 2nd Birthday for today!!! We hope you are having a lovely time with all those that love and adore you! Cant wait to celebrate with you on Sunday!!!

God Bless all our love

Mark Samm Deqlan Logan