Friday, March 20, 2009

How Clever Is Our Son!






Hi All,

Hope you are all well and keeping warm in this odd weather.. One minute its raining and cold and the next we are dying of heat...

Anyway, coming back to the heading of the blog.. Ethan just amazes us.. He actually managed to get into the crawling position and he tried to crawl but ended falling on his face.. We are so proud of him for attempting this..

He is starting to sit really nicely now as well... I can't believe how quickly these little ones grow.. It feels like I am missing something because they learn so fast...

Both Hannah & Ethan are down with flu, so we are all not sleeping well at the moment but thats the joy of having kids..

Hope you all have a great and blessed weekend..
Love
Us

Monday, March 16, 2009

An update!

Hi All,

What a great weekend we had, it started really good....... We had a busy weekend but did things we enjoy, so it was not too tiring...

On Friday we went to visit some friends in Pretoria North and had pizza and just chatted and had some wine and relaxed.. The kids had an absolute ball, Hannah played her little heart out and Ethan just enjoyed all the faces chatting to him.. By round 8pm, Ethan was the first to go to sleep and at round 9:30, Hannah fell asleep while watching Madagascar.. This hardly ever happens while we are visiting and we took full advantage and visited until 12:15 pm, which I might add is very late for us, as our average bedtime is latest 10:00pm..........

On Saturday morning, we were up, bright & breezy.. My first alarm clock - Ethan - is awake from 05:00am and my second alarm clock - Hannah - is awake from about 06:00am.. So we do not have a choice to be up early.. I fetched Samm at round 9 am as we were going through to meet Gillian & Daryl (Parents of Declan Du Toit) to give them gifts and just chat... It was wonderful, fisrtly to catch up with Samm, we talk almost everyday, but can never catch up on everything, I spoke so much I am sure poor Samm was only happy to be rid of me when I dropped her back at home.. Ha ha! Meeting Gillian & Daryl was absolutely wonderful, they are absolutely amazing people and very strong - they spoke about their little warrior with so much love - man, my heart just broke for them..... I hate seeing people in pain, it must be the worst thing for me, and I always wish that I could help carry the pain but unfortunately not.. So, to Gillian & Daryl, two wonderful, strong people, thank you for allowing us to be part of Declan's life & journey and thanks for meeting us on Saturday...

While I was out on Saturday morning, Stephan watched the kiddies and I thought when I return home, I am going to return to absolute chaos, but I was proved wrong.. I returned to a very peaceful home, everyone was sleeping - even Stephan - how wonderful was that.. Thanks babe, from now on you are going to do a lot more alone baby sitting because you are so good at it - ha ha! We then had friends over on Saturday afternoon for a braai, but it was an early night, they left round 9pm and we were just too happy to get into bed and relax...

I slept really badly on Saturday night, had too much on my mind.... I rolled around all night, so was exhausted on Sunday.. Sunday was peaceful, we battled to get Hannah to take an afternoon nap but she finally fell asleep but when she woke up we saw that there was something up.. She was not happy, just sitting on Daddy's lap looking at us, she didn't want to eat at all, I offered two different meals and she just refused.. And its all the stuff she loves.. I gave her something for pain & fever and she wanted to get into bed @ 6:30pm already (that is not Hannah).. Through the night she had fever and battled to go to sleep - I was awake with her for most of the night - she finally fell sound asleep at round 03:45am this morning.....

She is still not well and I am taking her to the doc later tonight.. I am sure its her tonsils playing up again... But will post tomorrow on the details!

We had a good weekend and I really enjoyed my weekend for the first time in a long time.. Hope everyone else had a good weekend and rested...

Well have a blessed week and may God Bless you all!

Love
Us

The Awards Continue........

Hi All,



Firstly, thank you Samm for nominating me for an award, it is much appreciated!!



Here Goes:



This award acknowledges the values that every blogger shows in his or her effort to transmit cultural, ethical, literary, and personal values every day.



Here are the rules:



Step 1: respond and rework -- answer the questions on your own blog, replace one question that you dislike with a question of your own invention, add one more question of your own.



Step 2: tag - eight other bloggers to do the same.



1) What are you wearing right now? Black Pants, Purple top and black sandals



2) What is your biggest fear? being alone



3) Do you nap a lot? used to! Sleep, whats that??



4) Who is the last person you hugged? Hannah, when I left for work this morning..



5) What websites to you visit when you go online? I am a blog addict and visit loads of blogs and I visit many sites that teach me a lot about cancer....especially childhood cancer..



6) What was the last item you bought? Nappies - the story of my life, but I love it!!



7) If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go? Ireland - its just a beautiful place...



8) If you could go to the Oscars, who would you want to sit next to? Meg Ryan - I am a huge fan



9) If there was something you could do over, what would it be? Study harder



10) What is your most frightening moment? being hijacked in front of Hannah's school while I had her in my arms..



11) What was the last movie you watched? PS. I love you - A highly recommended movie



12) What is the luckiest thing that ever happened to you? I also would not use the word lucky - but blessed - my children, Hannah & Ethan.. (Luck is not normally on my side.. ha ha)



13) If you had a whole day to yourself with no work, commitments or interruptions what would you do? spend time with my family....



14) Is there a major goal you have that you haven't yet achieved? mmmmmm - I want to do my BCOM in Marketing...



15) What is the first job you had? A cashier at a supermarket



16) What is something that those in blog land might not know about you? I have shaved all my hair off before and dyed it orange!!



17) What is something simple that relaxes you and you enjoying doing? Scrap booking or cross-stitch embroidery...



18) Do you make time for yourself everyday, and if so, what do you do? If I get a gap, which is rare, I take a long hot bath!



19.)What is the last book you read? Warning!


And My nominations are:

1) Samm Higgins from Deqlan Higgins Blog - For being a true inspiration to me and for always having such positive blog posts.. Many can learn from you Samm..

2) Gillian Meiring from All-hands-on-dec site : For your true courage and inspiraton shown through this site and for always being positive and keeping a positive spirit alive on the site.

3) Megan Du Plessis from Keatons blog - You two are a true inspiration to mothers around the world, sharing your love for Keaton for the world to see..

4) Loren Stow from Malakai Stows blog - For your amazing strength and courage you show and for the way you embrace your son and show us all the true meaning of love through your blog.

5) Elriza from Caden Pauls blog - The strength and courage you showed from the day Caden was born (3 months prem) is amazing.. You are indeed a woman of faith!

6) Loren Stow from Loren Stow Photography - for bringing out the beauty of people and their personalities through your photgraphy.. For telling storys in such a beautiful way..

I only have 6 nominations - Sorry...

ENjoy!

Friday, March 13, 2009

A newborn's conversation with God!



A baby asked God, 'They tell me you are sending me to earth tomorrow, but how am I going to live there being so small and helpless?' God said, 'Your angel will be waiting for you and will take care of you.'


The child further inquired. 'But tell me, here in heaven I don't have to do anything but sing and smile to be happy.' God said, 'Your angel will sing for you and will also smile for you. And you will feel your angel's love and be very happy.'


Again the child asked, 'And how am I going to be able to understand when people talk to me if I don't know the language?' God said, 'Your angel will tell you the most beautiful and sweet words you will ever hear, and with much patience and care, your angel will teach you how to speak..'


And what am I going to do when I want to talk to you?' God said, 'Your angel will place your hands together and will teach you how to pray.'


Who will protect me?' God said, 'Your angel will defend you even if it means risking its life.'


'But I will always be sad because I will not see you anymore.' God said, 'Your angel will always talk to you about Me and will teach you the way to come back to Me, even though I will always be next to you.' At that moment there was much peace in Heaven, but voices from Earth could be heard and the child hurriedly asked, 'God, if I am to leave now, please tell me my angel's name.' God said, 'You will simply call her, 'Mommy.'

Thanks for this email Samm, its too precious!

Monday, March 9, 2009

Tears, Cansa Shavathon & Climbing!

Me & Stephan

Vanessa - After her hair was sprayed!

Deqlan Ross Higgins - Cancer Survivor!

Busy Deqlan!


Deqlan's Nanna & Grandpa with precious cousin Keaton!
Pieter - After having his Head sprayed
Brave Deqlan & his daddy Mark
Hannah, Mommy & Ethan - Cansa Shavathon



Happy Baby Boy!
Let me get down now!
What????

Hannah - Climbing the Burglar Bars


Hi All,

Hope you all had a fantastic weekend, ours was incredibly busy, but whats new!


Firstly to Vanessa & her family, we are so so sorry for the loss of your Ouma. We know she was treasured by you all. We pray that with time the pain heals and know that your Ouma no longer has pain.. (To all that don't know, Vanessa's Ouma passed away yesterday after a long battle with Cancer..) Ons is lief vir jou, Vanes!


Hannah has learn't an amazing new skill, that is to climb on everyting and I mean absolutely everything. On Friday I left her for a moment to quickly change Ethan's nappy, might I add, when I walked out of the lounge she was happily watching a DVD.. But when I returned, she was climbing up on the burglar bars, I nearly had a hear attack. I had these visions of her falling and knocking her teeth out or cutting herself so bad that she would need stitches.. I got a few pictures of her climbing back down, man and I thought only little boys do things like this!

On Saturday, we went to Centurion Mall to support Brave Deqlan Higgins and to honour and remember all the brave little ones that have lost their battle to cancer at the CANSA SHAVATHON.. We sprayed our hair all sorts of colours! Vanessa & Pieter were their and stood in Honour and support of her Ouma and Me, Stephan, Hannah & Ethan who stood in support of Deqlan (Brave warrior who kicked cancers butt) and in Honour of Declan Du Toit (Who is now a precious Angel) and in Honour of many who have lost their battle against cancer and to the many that have survived Cancer.... You are all an inspiration to our family and have taught me so many life lessons that I would never have learned should our paths never crossed... Thank you to Samm & her amazing family for allowing us to share in Deqlan's journey, it has been amazing watching him move from strength to strength and thank you to Gillian & Daryl for allowing us to share in Declan's journey, although the battle was lost, Declan managed to bring an amazing bunch of people together... To Vanessa, we know you are sad right now but time heals my friend and we will forever more stand and honour your Ouma in all we do for CANSA in the future..

We hope you all have an amazing week.... May those going through a tough time, know that you are in our prayers - for those that are greving, we are sending you lots of love & comfort and pray that God enfolds you in his love and for tose of you just celebrating life, know that we celebrate with you!

Be happy for one more day, one more sunshine, one more blue sky, one more moment on this earth and for one more day to tell all around you how much you care..

Love you all!

Love US

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

From The All-hands-on-dec site!

FROM DECLAN DU TOITS SITE:





Hi Everybody




We have to postpone the Bone Marrow Stem Cell Donor Drive. We are waiting for a date when SANBS can come to us. But in the meantime, except for the DATE, here is the information you need.


Declan’s monster could not be cured with a bone marrow stem cell transplant, but a lot of his friends at Hotel Healing and at hotels all around the country, suffering from Leukaemia and other life threatening blood disorders, could be.


The drive will take place on DATE STILL TO BE DECIDED. You do NOT need to pay anything for the Declan Donor Drive, but we are looking to raise funds to cover the costs. So please speak to your bosses and friends to find out if there are some corporates who would be willing to make a donation, anything, even R50 and of course if you want to make a donation, you can, but you are not obliged.


There is a separate bank account set up for the Declan Donor Drive and after the Drive, any money not needed for the lab tests will go to The Sunflower Fund (http://www.sunflowerfund.org.za/):


FNB Featherbrooke Village Branch

Acc name: All Hands On Dec Friends

622 157 370 42

Savings

Branch code: 250 741


In the meantime if you are committed to do this when we get a date then, STEP ONE: Call The Sunflower Fund toll free number a.s.a.p. The number is 0800 12 10 82. They will go through a list of questions with you, to pre-qualify you and will give you a reference number. You must tell them it is for DECLAN DAY.


The basic criteria is, you must be aged between 18 and 50, you must be in excellent health, you must weigh more than 50kg’s and you must permanently reside in SA and plan to be for the next 3 years and lastly but most importantly, you must be committed to help ANYONE.


STEP TWO: If the call centre “approves” you, please email me on aurasa@metroweb.co.za to let me know that you have been approved and I will email you when we finally get a date to see if you can still come.


The next very important thing is that we are doing this in Declan’s memory and to carry on his legacy. Often people join the registry cos they are carried away in the moment and in the memory of someone they love and then later, in a couple of years, they may be called as a match, and they don’t feel so strongly about it anymore. This is just horrible for the families involved and even more so people’s lives are on the line. So please think very very very carefully, before you join up and make sure that you are committed for life and committed to help anyone. This is not about Declan, this is about anonymous children in the future, whose lives you can save.


STEP THREE: On the day, when we get a date, a blood sample will be taken. Since you have a needle in already, we are encouraging people to also donate blood on the day, but you don’t have to. Your sample is tissue typed and your unique details are placed on the registry. You will also be sent a donor card.


STEP FOUR – The day comes that you are a match. The odds are 1 in 100 000 that is why we need as many donors as possible. You will have to undergo a physical exam to check that you are still in the same peak physical condition you were when you signed up. If yes, then you will have to go to the hospital where the patient is, be dripped and donate for 4-6 hours. And that’s it. The family of the patient pay all the costs of your physical and travel to the hospital where their child is.


So I hope that all makes sense. Email me if you have any questions.
CANSA SHAVATHON is THIS weekend on Saturday and Sunday. Check out their website on www.shavathon.org.za to see where you can go shave or dye your hair. Daryl and I are going to Clearwater Mall on Saturday at 11am. Come and meet up with us.


We feeling better today. It is that up and down wave thing that happens. Thank you for all the messages


Love Daryl and Gillian

Monday, March 2, 2009

Happy 6 months for Yesterday, Baby Boy!


To Our Absolute Pide & Joy, Our Son, Ethan



Happy 6 months angel baby! You are growing so fast it almost seems as if we are missing out on so much.



You are starting to sit so nicely and you love your Purity... Your toes are the highlight of the day and all the babbling going on, you constantly say bababababa and its too cute for words..



We love you so much and you have brought so much joy to our lives.. Enjoy growing up baby boy, but slow down a bit so we can capture every moment - ha ha - just joking!



All Our Love,

Mommy, Daddy & Hannah