Deqlans first visit to the dentist!

This event was one that i was dreading -knowing how much Deqlan dislikes sitting still in a chair with someone trying to make him keep his mouth open while they poked and proded, while i try to hold him still....well my friends, my vision of what it would be like was the furthest from what actually happened!!!!!!


The offices were so lovely and inviting and the kiddies area a definite winner for Deqlan - check one
Nicolette and her mom so friendly and welcoming and understanding to Deqlan - check two ( we even shared a few moments of tears and gratefullness when finding out how they to followed Deqlans journey and praying for him)
Nicolette has other patients on the autism spectrum so she was so understanding of Deqlans needs and what she should avoid doing to upset him - A BIG CHECK THREE ( do you know if an other dentists like this???)
Deqlan was allowed to run around the rooms, climbing on and off the chair , allowed to become familiar with the new enviroment - check four
Nicolette let Deqlan sit on my lap reading his magazine, and she very gently, without making a big deal at all, took her little mirror, and checked Deqlans teeth without him having to open his mouth as wide as a hippo! She managed to get a good idea of what needs work - and unfortunately there is quite a bit of work to be done - check five

Deqlan was so chuffed with the whole experience he gladly waved goodbye and gave high fives!!! WOW - i can recommend Nicolette to anyone, but especially to those of you looking for a fantastic dentist for your kids - you can see she is so passionate about them and so understanding! What a wonderful experience!

Now ...for the what work needs to be done part...Deqlans molars look terrible - the 2, second last from the back at each side have massive cavities. The left side is definitely worse for wear with the gum also being affected. The front teeth also have a little cavity she is going to try and repair and then when Deqlan is in theatre she can have a good look a good clean and repair anything else all at the same time

This will probably be done Wednesday next week - under anaesthetic , there is now way we could ever think of putting Deqlan, or any other little one, through that amount of trauma and holding him down , etc, no way - so this is the kindest and best way to do this .....will keep you all posted...

Deqlan is definitely in pain - he is holding his cheek and his ear time to time, bouts of moaning and crying, brushing teeth is very painful and causes the gum to bleed, and he is not eating. anything. he tries to, he maybe has one or two bites then pushes the rest away - no matter what i do to try and get him to eat - not happening. Going to try and make him a smoothie tonight and see if he will drink it ...dont know how great a gluten casein sugar yeast soya free smoothie will go down...but we haev to give it a go

Otherwise Deqlan continues to thrive and develop fantastically - he is really into songs and singing at the moment- he loves to sing all the Praise Baby songs, Old Macdonald is a big hit at the moment, even complete with E I E I O! Deqlan is also singing bits and pieces of Nkosi Sikileli ( our national anthem). The boys are learning so many new songs at school for Grandparents day on the 7th of May. Three new boys joined Little Leaps this week so now they are officially full at 16 boys! They are all GORGEOUS and they all have a massive place in my heart, every single one of them. I love dropping Deqlan off in the morning and getting kisses blown at me, or getting pulled to the trampoline to jump, or helping someone climb up a jungle gym, or one of the boys playing with my car keys or looking at my chain, or asking HOW ARE YOU? I just love them all dearly ! And when Ash tells me about something new they are doing, i celebrate their accomplishments just as i do with Deqlan. I really fell a calling to this area and who knows where the road will take me, but i just feel so called to do something to help kids with Autism!

I will be updating the blog with our Easter holiday pics next, we have been back a week already!!!! Cant believe it! Deqlan still asks for the ' Hippo Gate' at Saddle and Trout, as well as the beach and "SHAKA" ( UShaka Marine world) and the Dolphins....cant wait to go back...

Hope you all have a lovely weekend, we are so excited as we are going to see Sam and Mia and Liam again and Logan is with us, so we are sure all the kids are going to love being together!

Happy Birthday Ivan for today, 16 April! Hope its a stunning day and that the year ahead opens many doors and oppurtunities for you! Hope you enjoy all the celebrations!

P.S - Deqlan is 27 months NED today, thank You Lord, we trust that it is Your will to keep Deqlan NED forever and always - please always continue the prayers Deqlans prayer army!

God Bless lots of love
Mark Samm Deqlan Logan
BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD

How Beautiful

Our friend Loren suggested we go and visit this site for something very touching-wow, how absolutely beautiful i wanted to pass it on for you all to enjoy it as much as i did- the most beautiful music, beautiful pics and beautiful precious kids - i still have goosebumps and a smile on my face!



http://cheryl-rubyslife.blogspot.com/2010/04/beautiful.html

KEJE SETS SAIL AGAIN

A Very Proud Dad and Keje
Me, Dee, Keje and Mom

Denise, Keje and Jeran

Mom and Keje

The three cousins- boy i wish i could post photos from when we were younger and what we three used to get up to...from fashion shows to "radio broadcasts" straight out of our bedroom ' in touch in tune and independant' I KNOW YOU LAUGHING MEGS AND KEJE!

Keje cuddling Deqlan

Just LOVE this photo of Nan - she lent Jerans cap , so cute!

Grandpa, Keje and Nan

Deqlan tending to Uncle Ken and Aunty Jennis flowers - Keaton broke them off and Deqlan was trying to put them back on! He he he

My mom and her wonderful brother Ken - my uncle and godfather to!!

Keje, Deqlan and Me!

What a delicous lunch it was, what a stunning day with our wonderful family, thank you all for having us

Keje and Megs

A gorgeous photo of Keaton and Deqlan! Go Brazil and Go Bafana Bafana!!


We had a lovely Sunday afternoon lunch at Uncle Ken - Aunty Jenni is away in Germany at the mo, but we got to catch up with Jeran and Denise and Kejenne , who was visiting home for 2 weeks! Keje has been away for over a year now, sailing around the beautiful and gorgeous seas of Europe! She is mostly between France and Italy and we loved seeing her for the afternoon catching up and hearing all her very entertaining stories and adventures!

I am so proud of you Keje that you are living out your dreams and learning so much on this journey of life! You are looking absolutely fantastic, so happy and content and as always, so full of wisdom and wonderful words of advise. I wish you many happy travels, many extraordinary adventures,many life changing moments, many happy and healthy days as you travel the sea's of the world! Remember what i told you, each time you see dolphins, you will know we are thinking of you and sailing with you in spirit!

So proud of you Keje, God Bless and keep you safely and bring you back safely home when the wind blows this way again! We love you! Bon Voyage

Mark Samm Deqlan Logan

A MESSAGE FROM THE TELETUBBIES

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4g5jtGqHJEw&NR=1

Happy Birthdays!!

Dear Gill, Abigail, Grant, Adrian , Carol, Diane, Celeste, Candice

Wishing you all a very Happy Birtday over the last few days! Hope you each had a fantastic day full of love and laughter surrounded by friends and family and loved ones!

Hope the celebrations flowed and continue into the year for you!

Thank you for each having a very special place in our lives!

God Bless and lots of love

Mark Samm Deqlan Logan

8 WAYS TO CELEBRATE AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH

If you are the parent of a child with autism, you have no doubt been getting a lot of well meaning phone calls from family and friends today.

"Hi, turn on CNN quick! They're doing story on autism."

"Did you watch the Today Show today? There was a girl on with her mother. She was cured of autism. Here is what she did. Have you tried it yet?"

It's enough to send 'autism' parents into a tailspin.

Here are 8 EMPOWERING THINGS that parents of children with autism can do to celebrate Autism Awareness Month give it meaning.

1) Reach out to other parents, especially those with newly diagnosed children. Remember how you felt in the early days? Wouldn't you have loved to know someone like you? GO HERE to find out how you can help.

2) Spend a day with your child with autism doing EXACTLY what they like to do. My son wants to go to two states that he has never been to. We are going to Spokane Washington next week and then driving over the border to Idaho and back. It's going to be great.

3) Spend a day with your OTHER children in the same way. Hopefully they won't want to go to two states.

4) Go for a walk with your spouse and talk about ANYTHING except the kids.

5) Write down three goals for your child with autism for the upcoming year. Raise the bar, and celebrate each success.

6) Find a mentor/helper for your child. Your local college is a great place to find psychology and special education students who are anxious to learn from our kids.

7) PLEDGE to make time for yourself each day. Caring for a child with autism takes tremendous patience, physical and mental energy.

8) Last, but NOT least, remember how hard it must be to have autism. Show your child the admiration they deserve.

HAPPY AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH!

A BEAUTIFUL EVENING

Before our confirmation there was a display in the hall, of a coffin, everything was dark and only lit by candles - after our mass, the coffin was open and only the sheets and thorn of crowns remained, with beautiful white rose petals everywhere symbolising that Jesus has risen!
Me, Keaton and Mom waiting for the fire to be blessed before mass

Megs, Dee and Me, a very special moment!

Grandpa, Me, Mom and Megs - our guides in this journey of confirmation!

Mark, Deqlan and me just before mass started. Thank you My Love for watching Deqlan through all the classes and all the weekends and all the help you have given me to have made my confirmation possible - thank you my boy for being so patient and for letting me go and do what i needed to and learn what i needed to! I did this for you to to say thank You Lord for the miracle and blessing you are - love you both with my all

Keaton, Megs and Conrad ( and Khloe!)

Mom made Megs and I the most beautiful confirmation candles, so sorry the flash was to bright to pick all the detail up! Thank you Mom for this stunning gift, its something i will treasure always, i was so proud to be holding it as i was confirmed, knowing you created it with so much love! Thank you Darling Mom and Dee for all our other stunning gifts , which i was blown away by! Love you both so very very much

Me and my amazing Grandpa whose dream was to see Megs and me get confirmed in the Catholic faith! I was honored to have him as my sponsor and touching my shoulder at the moment of my confirmation, thank You Grandpa for inspiring and guiding me in so many ways, you are truly a saint on earth and i love you so much!

Me and Megs - after a year of attending classes every Thursday evening, after many discussions, after many hours of enjoyment and learning and questioning, we were so proud to be doing our confirmation together - thank You Megs for joining me on this journey which i will treasure always- Love you!

It was a stunning night indeed. After many months of preparation we were finally confirmed with our group of 4 other ladies on Easter Saturday. It was extraordinary to be confirmed at such a stunning mass, celebrating our Risen Lord. It was stunning to have our family with us to witness it. It was a very emotional evening and Megs and i were of course in tears of joy and pride as we watched each other being confirmed and being annointed with the oil of chrism. other photos were taken of the other moments throughout the mass, will share them with you all when we recieve them!

Thank you Sophie for your beautiful card and gift, which i am enjoying so much!

Thanks to all of you for your messages and phone calls and prayers, we are so touched that you remembered our special day and you were certainly a big part of it!