balls and bunnies, bumps & bruises and birthdays

Hello Deqlans Army

Sorry, it has been a while, i left the cord for my camera at Nanna's house over the weekend!

Where do i begin...ah...Ruans Golf Day

It was FANTASTIC to say the least - Sandvik did an outstanding job in hosting the event. It was so well organised and so much effort was put into every little detail . Each player got a beautiful ribbon to wear saying Ruan, our champion! Each player got a cap, water bottle, golf towel and the list goes on - there were 140 players for the day, a full field. There where huge sponsors involved including Sandvik and Nissan - Deqlan loved the Nissan display of cars, he wanted a turn in everyone and it took all my might to get him out the car and stop him from pressing all the buttons !

Ruan is looking fantastic - he was already hitting his little golf ball around when we arrived and greeted us with a huge smile. This family is so very special and will stop at nothing to do whatever it takes for Ruan. We heard that they have found 2 donors in the UK. Another bone marrow biopsy was done last week and we get the results tommorow to decide on the next step- please pray they are clear and they can ahead with the stem cell transplant.

Ruan loves balls ! So for his upcoming birthday we got him a golf set with balls and clubs and a little basket ball with a hoop so even if he is in hospital he can play with the ball as its a portable one - he loved both of them and didnt mind Deqlan checking them out to. Deqlan tried to grab, lets rather say pull Ruan to walk with him, but he wasnt having it ! Shame, our little soldier seems to love holding hands and walking together with his buddies.

We then caught a ride with Dada in the golf cart to the 10th tee, where Dadda, Grandpa, Frans and Bob were due to tee off from - Deqlan was very chuffed to be in a mini car and to be sitting on his Daddas lap - couldnt get better then this hey my boy! We watch the guys tee off and then watched them walk into the distance. Nanna , Deqlan and I had lots of fun and games back at the golf club while having our lunch and then decided to go past the bunny park not to far from the course.

It was lovely to walk around in the open and watch the bunnies and goats and geese and ducks but, our soldier was more interested in the dangler swings going round and round. After a quick walk around the park it was time to head home as our soldier hadnt slept yet!

We heard that the guys had a great time at the golf day and they raised over R40 000 for little Ruan! How amazing is that - the guys were so giving and generous and wanted to learn as much as they could - i think it was a fantastic idea and look forward to many more events like this - awareness awareness and funds raised !

As we waited for Dadda to arrive home after the golf day, Deqlan and i were enjoying some chocolate and he was running in circles and went boom straight into the corner of the wall! It bled a little and was very sore for our soldier. Needless to say he woke up with a huge bruise on the top and bottom of his eye and down onto his cheek. Considering this happened on the eye that is still healing, Deqlan did pretty well and its starting to look a little better today.

Saturday we had an afternoon out to Kevin and Louise to wish him for his Birthday. We thoroughly enjoyed the boerie rolls and cupcakes thanks guys and Louise you did a stunning job decorating and making it so special for Kevin. Deqlan had fun to - pressing every imaginable button he could, we had to keep saying no and no and some more no , so he started getting very frustrated. Corlien, Louises sister did a great job in disctracting him and played peek a boo with Deqlan through the chair - he loved this and even gave us a few laughs. The cold wind picked up and i decided to get our monkey home, back to pressing his buttons and climbing on our furniture.

Speaking of which....we are busy looking into jungle gyms for our monkeys birthday coming up and have found some lovely ideas - still deciding on which one and how as we need to ensure it fits into our new place , which we move into 26 July ( and no, we havent started packing yet)- but i am so excited to see him on one and I know he is going to just love it !

Grandpa and Nanna bought Deqlan the cutest little table and chairs which he just loves - he has started taking the chair and moving it to places in the house and sitting on it while he watches his stories or while we try and get some food in during the very few minutes he still still. Thank you Grandpa and Nanna i love it and cant wait for Keaton to sit with me!

Also thank you to Conrad for all the stunning gifts you brought back for us from your trip - Mark is elated with his, being the biggest brazil soccer supporter i know - and Deqlan the most stylish kid in his Gap hoodie ! Thank you so very very much for spoiling us rotten. Conrad also brought some books we ordered - LUNCH FOR LIFE - they are in aid of raising more funds for neuroblastoma research and we where so elated to see a recipe and Deqlans story i sent in last year was published in the book! So proud of you my Deqlan and we used Great Grandpa's famous cottage pie recipe!

Congrats to little Keaton on taking his first bite of food - being butternut on Saturday! Meggie says HE LOVES it and cried when it was finished , shame sweetheart, you will soon be able to eat lots more and different varieties - your Aunty Samm will even get some sweet treats in when your Mom and Dad arent looking! Ha ha ha - just joking!

Well thats all for now folks - stay warm to everyone at home and enjoy the summer to our friends up north!

Please keep the prayers going for Deqlan to continue thriving, for him to remain NED always and for Our Lord to keep him safe and give us the shoes to continue on this journey - please pray for all our friends around the world fighting nb and other cancers

God Bless and lots of love

Mark, Samm & Deqlan

BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD