July 1 2018:
Lillian signing books at the 2018 Chromosome 18 Conference in Baltimore last month! We took 15 books with us and came home with one! We also took a handful of mine and Thomas’ books and only came back with two of those! We are super grateful!!
Go here to learn more about each of our books:
June 23 2018:
Lillian and I share that Lillian would like to have a birthday party in Baltimore so that she can actually celebrate in person with her best friends.
And we talk about Lillian selling her artwork as a fundraiser … http://lilliandarnell.com/…/fundraising-for-the-2018-chrom…/
Thanks so much everyone! xoxo
June 25 2018:
Oh, Happy Day!!! It was the perfect day to mail a “Happy World” print way, way, way down to da bayou! Happy and joyful gratitude to our helpers!!
We’re in the final stretch! Do you know anyone who would enjoy receiving a Lillian print? The Egyptian Eye, Rainbow of Emotions, Rainbow Balloon, Happy World, or Rainbow Mandala.
June 27 2018:
Sunshine directly onto LaRue as I entered to pick up additional copies of Thomas’ book. I’ll take that as a beautiful message. Biggest Little Photographer is headed to Baltimore with us Friday morning. Thanks LeRue Press!
June 27 2018:
Taking care of three tasks at once! It was volunteer day for Lillian and I at the library. Plus, we delivered “Happy World” to Theresa Garcia Grant! (You know she’s a seasoned special needs parent when she asks if it’s okay to give Lillian a hug … For those that don’t know, Lillian prefers no hugs so she’s grateful that people ask.)
Sorry we were rushed Theresa and biggest gratitude to you for supporting Lillian and her fundraiser! Plus! Thomas went with us to choose magazines for the trip. We were a Team TLC whirlwind at the library this afternoon!!
June 20 2018:
“These pages burst with Lillian’s loving attitude, kind solutions to problems, and a beautifully whimsical experience. Soak up her creative stories and poems. It will open a new window to the world.” – Kasey C., Florida
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June 22 2018:
Look what arrived yesterday! These will be flying to Baltimore with us next Friday! And she flew, and she flew, and she flew …. xoxo ….
To learn more about Lillian’s debut book, go here … Where Would You Fly …
June 12 2018:
Wilderness Adventure Camp for Thomas! His 5th year attending this camp and last year in this age group. Look how gorgeous! Just adore this place!
We are incredibly grateful to Great Basin Institute for the scholarship. He always loves these camps and enjoys the hikes! Plus, Thursday night is tent camping for a night!
June 14 2018:
Overnight camping for Thomas tonight! So happy he gets to do this!! Thanks Great Basin Institute!!!
June 16 2018:
What a treat for Thomas and I tonight. A Taste of India dinner at Moon Rabbit Cafe. This is a Pay-What-You-Can Cafe and all the proceeds stay with the center.
For starters, Alootikki with onion and mint tamarind chutneys. Followed by chicken Biryani for Thomas and veggie Biryani for me. Finishing with a sweet Basmati rice pudding and a hot cuppa Masala chai tea.
Deep gratitude to chefs Nick Purewal and Jay Modha!!! Where do these amazing chefs usually cook? Anyone know? This food was absolutely amazing!!! Thank you Reno Buddhist Center for tonight’s A taste of India dinner!!!
After our lovely dinner Thomas and I stopped by Audrey Harris Park.
Do I look like I just had a serious physical trauma? I slipped backwards on the rocks on a downhill slope while trying to take a photo and fell so dam* hard on my bottom that I nearly passed out.
Had to lay in the car until the dizziness subsided. I was going to leave once I was able to drive, yet Thomas knows that taking photos feeds my soul. And he probably sensed I needed a bit more time. Holy he**!!
Falling hard on your butt is a most excruciating pain in the butt!!! Think I may wake up with whiplash too. Oh my gosh!
Beautiful view though!!!
June 18 2018:
Second day post fall – Parts of the body that hurt when one falls backwards on a downward slope, landing hard on one’s bottom: Ankles, calves, knees, thighs, bottom, lower back, upper back, elbows, palms of hands, shoulders, upper back, neck.
And, it hurts one’s bottom when one sneezes! When one has this type of fall, sneezing should be outlawed. No more sneezing!
Plus, a PSA: Flip flops DO NOT mix well with loose rocks on a downward slope when one decides to squat so as to get the perfect photo.
However, I do feel better and by week’s end should be much, much better!! xoxo
**July 18 2018: Update – I’ll be seeing a doctor next week so as to get a referral for craniosacral therapy (OT) and perhaps a bit of PT to make sure I’m all good from the fall. I have not seen a doctor in about 10 years so this will be interesting … xoxo
June 12 2018:
See what came in the mail! Cannot wait to dive in. Thank you Lillian for all the time, effort and love you put into this book! And thank you to your mom, Camilla, for helping this manifest into reality! – Kasey Claytor, Florida
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June 12 2018:
Fly, Fly, Fly.
One Egyptian Eye
One Where Would You Fly
Departing in about 30 minutes
To Katy Texas
Fly, Fly, Fly
xoxo
“So happy to receive my book and art print this weekend!!” -Monica, Texas
June 14 2018:
Placed the order today! More flying our way! Hope I ordered enough for those who want one at the Chromosome 18 conference in about 2 weeks. Wahooo!
June 16 2018:
With much gratitude to Merrilee ….
“So many creative short stories woven together. Love her imagination! Way to go Miss Lillian!
Gave the book to our school librarian for others to enjoy!”-Merrilee B., Reno, NV …..
We are incredibly grateful for the time you took to write this! Much love to you!! xoxo
June 15 2018:
The mom had nearly given up.
The daughter would not.
The daughter held strong to the
knowing that they were going.
Now. They are going.
And it’s due to her persistence.
In the next two weeks
There’s still some
distance to cover.
The daughter enlisted her creativity
and crafted magical stories
to compliment each of
her selected drawings.
For her fundraising goals
the drawings would be offered.
Have you seen the stories
or the drawings?
The daughter knew she could.
So she did.
-2018, Camilla Downs
May 24 2018:
Tomorrow morning is the beginning of the Team Member L and Romano Duo adventure! Lillian is riding back to Surprise, Arizona with mom and Frank for a vacation for her!! Which means respite for me!
It’s been nearly 3 years since I’ve had respite from Lillian. I’d be telling an un-truth if I said I wasn’t a tad bit excited. And, I know she is too!! May the force be with The Romano Duo … And all the Angels too!! Photo from September 2015
May 25 2018:
They’re off!!! Let the “almost” respite begin for me ….. As I have Thomas here with me. 😜
Lillian’s gonna have a great time!!! Yay for her to get a vacation!! She gets to spend nearly 2 weeks with The Romano Duo in Surprise, Arizona!! Wahooo!!!
May 27 2018:
Sent an hour and a half after she left on Friday!! Ha!
I am incredibly happy she’s getting this time with The Romano Duo and I’m getting a break.
After nearly three years straight of her needing me, talking to me constantly, and being me walking buddy; I’m bouncing back and forth between thinking I should be doing something, being relieved that I don’t have to do anything for her, feeling sad because she’s not here, and feeling free because she’s not here. Crazy stuff …. Yet, all good stuff!!
May 30 2018:
I’m as excited about this as Lillian. Well, maybe almost as excited. Turns out one of our Chromosome 18 friends, The Bakers, live near Surprise, Arizona!!!!! Katie came over to the Romano Casa and spent a few hours swimming and hanging out with Lillian.
The Bakers were one of the first families we became friends with at our first conference in 2009 in Vegas and every conference thereafter. Katie deemed herself honorary big sister to Lillian. One of the major reasons going to conference is so incredibly important to Lillian. So beautiful!!!xoxo
June 3 2018:
She’s been swimming and watching movies and eating donuts!! Lillian is having a great time with The Romano Duo.
June 10 2018:
She’s back!!!!! And she’s cracking me up! “We stopped at the alien store …… “ Only driving through the Nevada desert!!! And, “Patty and Frank say a lot of cuss words under their breath.” And, telling on herself. “I stayed up all night long while I was there. I stayed up till 2:00 one morning.”
