Mile stone...

A little over 2 years ago we got some very scary news; Chris was ill. Very ill.
( if you've missed it, you can read all about it here)

At the end of that summer the medication had done it's job and Chris got 'better' pretty quick.

Life picked itself up, back to work, school and sports. Eventhough we had to go to the hospital every 3 months for check ups, and it was emotionally very hard to go back there, we always got good news and could go home..
(knowing there are lots of sick children that are not able to go home...)
And now...

He turned 18!!! A big (reasonably) healthy young man!

He is quite busy at school, going to his school every day in preparation of becoming a soldier! One week out of the month they all go to a real unit to train and practise. Sleeping outdoors; fall, winter, spring and summer!

This picture is taken last month, when they had show and tell at the 'daily' school location. They showed us what they've learned so far. When he's graduating from this school he'll get a "10-week" discount on his next training when he joins the real army!
His favorite hobby??
Riding the 'wheels' he got from the Make-a-Wish-Foundation.

For his 18th birthday he got a matching tattoo (his dad had his done a couple of years ago)
It is a reminder of his granddad... Chris' leg is the one on the right, his father had his tattoo refreshed.

We still have to go to the hospital every 3 months, they moniter him very well. Still 3 years to go, the shadow will be over all of our heads for the rest of our lives.

So far so good!!!

The cake is done by Zoet. I don't do cakes very well, best to leave that to the experts.