July 25 2017:
Lillian and Camilla July 2017 Date Day – Lunch at the park. Had the park all to ourselves. Pretty cool that it rained while we ate at the covered tables and stopped about the time we finished. Next up, throwing the frisbee.
Then to pick up dessert, head home, and enjoy it at the lodge. Birthday bar for Lillian and vegan chocolate chip and ginger snap cookie for me.
Finishing our date with a sunset walk.
**THROWBACK POST**
April 23, 2013
This young lady right here, the one holding the Sun ….
In my “Compliment” note tonight she wrote, “I like your courage to not give up.” WOW! Both of these little people in my life are so full of wisdom and are so intuitive …. They are part of my purpose and I part of their purpose … We are a Team indeed.
I’ve been sick with some kinda crud since last Thursday and these two have been awesome … Made my eyes sweat ….
July 22 2017:
Team TLC movie night: Thomas’ choice – “Return of the Jedi”
Thomas says, “Good, suspenseful, and really enjoyed it. Liked the ewoks.”
Lillian says, “Good, emotional, and musical.”
I say, “It is within you. You have just forgotten.” I usually steer clear of movies with violence, yet decided it was okay to watch the original three Star Wars. I truly enjoyed watching these with Thomas and Lillian after having not seen them in over 20 years. I actually felt the same excitement I felt as a young girl watching these for the first time with my best friend, Lillie. Although they hold a new and different meaning for me now than they did then. xoxoxo
July 22 2017:
This phrase has come up for me twice in the last few days. Thought it a great time to share this book we read several months ago …
It Takes a Village
A heart-warming story based on the African proverb, “It takes a village to raise a child.” The story takes place at a traditional open-air market as we learn the power of a close-knit community.
Wonderful section in the back of the book with additional information about African markets. Great book!
“Continue”
Create what is in your heart.
Share it with others.
You are coming home.
Yes, you are.
You may take detours,
Yet, you are on your way.
Listen to the voice of nature,
the voice of the divine.
I will not lead you astray.
You successfully live
as a human on this beautiful
Mother Earth when you
share and create from the heart.
That is love. It is good.
My voice arises
from the heart.
All that I am is Good.
All that I am is Love.
You are Good.
You are Love.
You are. I am.
Quiet the voice
of the lower self.
The more you practice
the easier it will become.
The magical day will dawn
when the lower self falls
victim to the
Divine love
which is you.
Place focus in the heart.
Go forth from this divine space.
Release the voice of the ego.
Continue dear one.
Continue,
And know that
You are never judged
And always loved.
I love you.
~2017 Camilla Downs, Lessons from Nature
July 21 2017:
Thomas and Camilla July 2017 Date Day: Great Full Gardens South Meadows Reno to go!!! Had Little Washoe Lake Beach all to ourselves.
Someone had already pulled the picnic table into the shade and we enjoyed a yummy picnic at waters edge. Another reason I enjoy this restaurant so much. Amazing messages on our food containers!!!
Bonus: Someone else had already attempted making a raft out of fallen limbs. Oh my gosh!! Thomas had fun with that. He wanted to bring it home. I’ve always said “yes” to bringing home sticks, limbs, and rocks. But I don’t think this would fit in the car!! I suggested we put it to the side so it could dry and come back for it later.
We went back just after sunset and got the package he so badly wanted to bring home. It needed to dry out a bit. And, it’s a lot longer than it looks! Almost didn’t fit!!
July 18 2017:
With Thomas at his coding class. Okay, then. He sure is learning a lot!
July 21 2017:
This just happened! Lillian and I attended Library Volunteer orientation. She’s ready to volunteer … with me as her sidekick!
I know not what I am doing.
This requires more than
self-confidence could ever provide.
This beckons a confidence not of my self.
A confidence ruled by the force
that causes the musk thistle do what it does.
Sprout, grow, bloom, wither, blow
with the wind, and re-seed.
The force that holds the stars
in the sky and the same force
that grew two beings in my womb.
This beckons a confidence not of my self.
A confidence that compels one
to put aside ones personal preferences
and what one thinks one wants.
A strong force, it is.
Nature shows us how.
Be still.
Let go.
Surrender to not knowing.
And let the One confidence lead the Way. -2017 Camilla Downs, Lessons from Nature
July 10 2017:
Picked up a load of Biggest Little Photographer books this morning! He gets to fly to Chicago tomorrow. No luggage for you Biggest Little Photographer. You are your own luggage! xoxoxo
July 11 2017:
We made it! Early morning flight. We got to see the sun rise. Now just waiting for our room. Great flight. Great ride here.
Thank you Stacey Perez for having Lovey over for a vacation at The Perez Casa. And thank you times a million for picking up Rosey from the airport. It was great to be able to drive our own car this morning!
July 11 2017:
Spinach salad with red and green peppers, red onions, mushrooms, and roasted potatoes …. with a honey mustard dressing. Thomas and Lillian had more traditional pub items. Yet, so happy and grateful this was on the menu for me!!
July 12 2017:
They communicate nearly daily. One lives in Reno, Nevada and one lives in Kentucky. I got the countdown all day as to when she would arrive this afternoon in Naperville.
Finally!! They get to be together face to face!! I think Macy Miller and Lillian Darnell are kinda happy.
July 13 2017:
He waits all year to be a crazy kid with his sibling friends. Here they are off to a sibling outing. This makes my eyes pool with sweat. Love ….
Looks kind of messy in this picture, yet it was soooooo amazing!!!! Incredibly yummy bruschetta I had for dinner last night at a local place that donated 15% from the evening to The Chromosome 18 Registry. Thank you Bricks Wood Fired Pizza!! Thomas and Lillian loved their dinner too! xoxo
July 14 2017:
Swimming with friends for Thomas. And I got to meet Kunali! He was laser focused on where his dad went. I adore his ears. So cute! Then there was sitting on the couch and chatting and being silly with friends.
Making “music” after lunch. (Thanks Kerry Connelly for taking this one.)
Wee little walk around the hotel yesterday with Lillian. Beautiful flowers and a cool accidental photo. Plus, a flowers view of the hotel. Yay!! Fresh air and bits of nature. xoxoxo …
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Favorite Chromosome 18 Conference comment so far: “I don’t think I can answer anymore questions Kati.” -Matt Miller (Debra Anne Kovacs) xoxo …. Love Ms. Kati!!
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July 15 2017:
“This is why we come to the Chromosome 18 Conference!” – Wendy Waugh
Lillian and Chris having a great conversation!
Lillian Darnell did an amazing job interviewing with Chris of Special Books by Special Kids!!!!! You go Lillian!!!
Happy, happy, joy, joy …. xoxo …..
Picture of 18p- group …. xoxoxoxo
Farewell Dinner and Dance
July 16 2017
One more with Mr. Chris last night and a farewell photo with Mary Borucki. Wonderful people! Blessed and grateful!! xoxo
July 16 2017:
Wish we’d had more time to explore the Naperville Riverwalk. So incredibly beautiful. Only got one hour there before we had to make our way to the airport. The music from the carillon is indescribably amazing. Would love to have toured it! And that’s one wide tree! If I had known it was so peaceful and soothing, I may have been MIA from the conference. Oh my gosh!!
This one called for its own post …. “What We Need” ….
This spoke to me deeply. Time disappeared, all else faded. It was only these words, nature, and me. Be still. And know. xoxoxo
July 17 2017:
Approaching the Reno Tahoe airport last night in first picture. Somewhere over Utah or Nevada in the other pictures. Nature and love are incredibly beautiful and good for us. xoxo …
July 17 2017:
Just picked up Lovey, the guinea pig, from The Perez Resort (ran by Stacey, Eric, and Mason Perez). They are so good to her and Team TLC.
They clipped her nails and fed her all kinds of yummy fruits and veggies. She graced them with many great guinea pig sounds for all their efforts!
They picked up Rosey, Team TLC’s car, at the airport last Tuesday so I was able to drive us to the airport at 4:00 am Tuesday morning. They filled up Rosey’s tank; which hasn’t been full in quite a while!! They delivered Rosey back to us at the arrival pick up area last night at Reno-Tahoe airport!!
Thank you Stacey, Eric, and Mason! Y’all are the best and we are so incredibly blessed and grateful for your kindness and love!!! xoxoxoxoxo
July 18 2017:
Most “WOW” conference moment … We traveled nearly 2,000 miles from Reno to Naperville and met a mom and daughter (with trisomy 18p) from Grass Valley, California … about an hour and a half from here. It was their 1st conference! Can’t wait to visit them in Grass Valley! Virginia was born in 1961 and was diagnosed in 2012. xoxo
Best follow up comment to a session at the Chromosome 18 conference:
“The people who created the formulas and rules were drunk.”
Comment courtesy of Thomas after he and I had a discussion about John McGing’s SSI/SSDI/Medicaid/Medicare session. It’s enough to drive one to drinking … Cheers! …. xoxo
July 19 2017:
Fifteen Biggest Little Photographer books travelled by backpack to Naperville with us. Only three came back.
Oceans and oceans of gratitude to everyone for their support, and to Thomas and Biggest Little Photographer for being the Way for Team TLC to eat while we were there!
YAY for food! YAY for inspiring creations! xoxo
