So Begins the Week Long 18th Birthday Celebration

September 7 2019:

I remember when I was a brand new single parent when Lillian was 5 years old, hiding in the garage and sobbing, thinking how am I going to do this? How will I do this alone? Well, here we are …

Photo from Lillian’s graduation photo shoot …

Tomorrow begins the week long celebration of her 18th Birthday happening on Saturday, the 14th. She has a mile long list of things she wants to do for her birthday so we are having a week long celebration to make it all happen.

This one has an incredibly tender heart. She was sad and disappointed that many at the C18 conference were not aware she had graduated as they were asking what grade she was in now. So, if you missed the millions of posts I posted around that time, here’s your chance to get caught up! HA! Lillian GRADUATED from high school on June 1 2019!! YAY!! And, she turns 18 on Saturday, the 14th. Be ready for a deluge of posts dedicated to her.

This was the perfect spot for the first set. The little garden behind the library. We’ve been coming here ever since she was 5 years old.

I’ve taken tons of photos of the three of us in this little garden throughout the past 12 years.

Why Trees Sparkle with Water by Lillian Darnell

February 27 2018:

Ever wonder why the trees sparkle with water? Lillian wondered this and was inspired to write a story about it … She’s on a roll … Go Lillian Go! xoxo

Once long ago, there lived a family of trees in a faraway land of Tree Land. The trees names were Pine, Cherry, Apple, and Fire (also known as Delphine). They all lived happily in their home which was called the Palace of Fruit. One day, an invitation arrived at the Palace of Fruit.

The invitation had said that the Ice King was having a tree ball to find the perfect tree for him to decorate. After the family of trees read the invitation, they knew that they had to have the most beautiful dress ever.

So Cherry and Apple went to Fashionable Blooms Store to look for a gorgeous dress. Meanwhile, Pine and Fire went to Fairytale Blossoms Store for a pretty dress. Cherry and Apple realized that they were in the wrong store so they went to Fairytale Blossoms Store instead.

While Cherry and Apple were at Fairytale Blossoms Store, Pine and Fire also had realized that they had been in the wrong store. So Pine and Fire went to Fashionable Blooms Store instead.

Cherry and Apple found a ….. Go below to read more …

Why Trees Sparkle with Water

Happy 16th Birthday to Lillian Plus Camilla and Lillian September 2017 Date Day

September 14 2017:

Happy Happy Happy Sweet 16th Birthday Lillian!! She requested dark chocolate cake with cream cheese frosting sprinkled with dark chocolate. Cake for breakfast! Yum!

Today is the Lillian and Camilla September 2017 Date Day too. Be ready for bunches of pictures, a special blog post dedicated to Lillian, and she held a Facebook live “Birthday Party”.

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Sweet, fun, and short “Happy 16th Birthday” video for Lillian Darnell! Just a few Team TLC adventures using Google animated photos. I LOVE YOU Lillian!!

Press the “i” in the upper right hand corner for a link to Wish Lillian “Happy Birthday” …. Or make your wish in the comments here … xoxo

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After cake and presents we went for a swim, then to pick out a special cookie.

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Ended the birthday/date day with a candle light sunset car picnic with an amazing view.

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Biggest Little Photographer and Sibshops

January 26 2017:

“Biggest Little Photographer” and “D in for Different” left for Silver Springs Nevada yesterday afternoon. That’s a whole lotta love in that package!! May everyone who touches it on the way, feel the love!! xoxo

 Biggest Little Book and D iz for Different Mailed 1.26.17
January 27 2017:

WOW!!! What a great SibShop this afternoon! Thomas got to tour the lab, the roof (where the helicopter lands), the children’s ER, and the main ER at Renown. He also got to see a brain!

He says the energy there is very sad. Yet, the energy of his group was joyful and he had a good time.

Thank you Diana Beeghly Rovetti, Down Syndrome Network of Northern Nevada (DSNNN), and JUSTin HOPE Foundation for facilitating and hosting these amazing Sibshops!!

Thomas Sibshop 1.27.17

 

Egyptian Eye and Rainbow of Emotions – Abstract Art by Lillian

November 27 2016:

Unique abstract art by Lillian …. Collage of her at the kids business fair last month. The “Egyptian Eye” and “Rainbow of Emotions” are her two amazing pieces.

A print of Rainbow of Emotions is on its way to Victoria Australia soon and a print of Egyptian Eye is on its way to Sparks, Nevada! Go Lillian! Please visit here if you’d like a print of your own!

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I Can Do Anything

November 6 2016:

I was drawn to watch this short 3 minute video just now. Although I have moved on from some of the roles and advocacy from this time in my life, this served as a reminder for me in this moment.

This is the video journey that accompanies the book I wrote and published in 2012, D iz for Different – One Woman’s Journey to Acceptance.

I CAN do anything I decide and choose I’m going to do ….. AND …. so can YOU! And it will be a success as long as we do it from love and with love. LOVE will free us all … xoxo

May Your Heart Overflow with Love and Gratitude

October 26 2016:

Every move we make, every simple task we do for ourself is a miracle … if we choose to see it that way.

Clipping one’s nails. Simple enough. Yet, at 15 years old not something Lillian has been able to do at all. Due to fine motor issues and a slight tremor when focusing on fine motor issues she has not been able to do it. (One of my favorite pictures of Lillian from this past September. Doing something else she had not been able to do before … getting air for a great picture!)

A few months ago she said she was ready to try doing this simple task and asked how we should begin. I suggested she practice holding the clippers to her finger and toes and simply practice different positions, bending to her toes, and squeezing the clippers in that position.

She’s been doing that and yesterday she was ready to try it. I instantly felt patience fill my heart as I said, “Let’s do it.” Seriously, this was practically a half day task as she wanted to try and paint her own toenails also.

Although, she was not able to cut any nails this time, she was able to get the clipper underneath the nail as I guided (I didn’t want to chance accidentally nipping the skin). However, she did paint some of her toenails. It was incredibly hard and stressful work for her. Seriously.

May you rejoice today and let yourself feel the blessings of miracles that happen every single minute. And, may your heart overflow with gratitude and love …. for yourself and your fellow humans …. xoxo

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Nature Chatted About the Party – Lillian

October 12 2016:

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Make a wish and read Lillian’s latest blog post in the Nature Party Series … “The nature team prepared for the party. Meanwhile, Nature chatted about the party made just for them. They were all excited. “I’m so excited.” said the … ” …. xoxoxo ….

Go here to read more …. https://lilliandarnell.com/…/amazing-nature-party-the-big-d…/

Spreading the Great Nature – Lillian

October 1 2016:

She’s still at it!! (Her book is next!!) Part 2 of Lillian’s new series about Nature …

….. As the leader wrote special invitations, the leader of the nature group suggested,”I got an awesome idea. How about we spread the great nature? Would you spread the news to our good nature-loving friends with the invitations?” and the group responded,”That’s an great idea. Let’s make it happen! Sure, we would love to spread the news.” …. Go here to read the rest

Go Lillian Go!! xoxo

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She Spread Her Wings …. And Flew – Happy 15th Birthday Lillian

September 14 2016:

So this one turns 15 at 11:27 pm tonight … We’ve been celebrating all day as hopefully we’ll be asleep by that time!

… And she spread her wings …. Took a deep breath … And, just like that …. She FLEW!!! xoxo ….

For anyone who has been following all of the amazing accomplishments Lillian has made since this past July, you truly understand my comment above. They are happening so fast I cannot even keep up with posting them here.

See this picture below .. That’s a first … Taken last night on a Team TLC adventure. Jumping in the air bunches and bunches of times while I took 771 pictures of her …

4 pounds of heaven grown into a full blown fairy angel who knows she is to be a writer and helper. She has indeed done it her way … From butt scooting instead of crawling, talking different than others, eating, drinking, walking different than others …. and on and on and on … Blessed, blessed, blessed and so grateful we chose one another to teach and learn. Happy Happy Happy 15th Birthday Lillian Darnell!!!

Today is her day. After physical therapy this morning I took her to pick out sparkly headbands, then for gluten free donuts at Haven on Earth, and then home.

After resting for a few minutes, she opened her gifts, Thomas and I sang her Happy Birthday, and then we ate way too much of the gluten free chocolate cake (with oh so yummy cream cheese frosting) that we made last night.

Then we finished the celebration with a “live” Facebook birthday party!! That was interesting and fun!!!