The cake was a hit! The girls loved the frosting so much that they had seconds and all asked for the recipe! It was a perfect party of painting rocks and eating cake! They didn’t care if they left the awesome painted rocks behind but they weren’t leaving without that recipe! I have one question …. how did I get paint all over me when I didn’t even paint? HA!
And this just happened! Gluten free vanilla cake with cream cheese frosting (without powdered sugar)! Best cake I’ve ever made … only took 13 years! Can’t wait for the birthday to get started so we can eat this piece of heaven. ♡
Here’s to an enchanting, magical, adventurous 13th year of LIFE to you, Lillian! May you have a ball sprinkling your sparkle, shine, and smile on everyone you encounter! I love your soul and the way you BE YOU! Full, full, full of gratitude that we chose each other!
Just back from an adventure! Made popcorn, grabbed some jelly beans, found a perfect spot to park in Reno so as to watch the fireworks in Sparks …. Absolutely wonderful spot away from crowds and the boom, boom of the fireworks. This is how we roll with sensory issues …. What FUN! xoxo
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July 3 2014:
Don’t know whether I’m packing or unpacking lately! HA! Done packing and Team TLC is ready to head to Stamford, CT tomorrow to see our Chromosome 18 family for the 21st Annual C18 Conference! All of our stuff for 7 days is in this one cute little suitcase! Checking this one and we each have 1 carry on … YAY! Essentialism is a beautiful thang!
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More magnificent trees from a May 2014 walk in the Damonte Ranch area … ♡
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July 3 2013:
As I fall asleep tonight I will imagine me and my sweet dear high school friend Nikki Jones Luinstra on the beach at a simple little beach cottage … soaking in the peace, with our feet in the sand, digging our toes into the cool sand underneath the surface … enjoying the silence and one another’s company and surrounded by all whom Nikki loves .. It is my wish that anyone reading this takes a minute or two to imagine Nikki and I on the beach, be filled with feelings of peace and the knowing that everything and everyone is going to be okay and send those thoughts and prayers to Nikki in Shreveport, LA … You are an amazing woman Nikki with a sweet, kind and loving soul … I LOVE YOU! …. Nikki has stage 4 breast cancer …. This video is for YOU sweet friend …
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July 3 2012:
Just reserved a one way flight for Team TLC to Georgia for the Chromosome 18 Conference on July 28th! Now …. to get from Atlanta to Savannah on the 28th, pay for our hotel room while there and then back to Reno when it’s over …. Anyone near Atlanta feel like taking a leisurely drive to Savannah on 7.28?? HA! Thank you tons and tons and tons times 900 trillion to all y’all for your kindness, love and encouragement!
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On June 26 2013 I got to have fun being interviewed by Julie Pledger Fowler and Jenn Brockman of Special Needs Kids Talk Radio. We had a great time talking about “D iz for Different”, the story behind how the book came to be, Lillian and 18p-, affects of being speech impaired for Lillian, what I’m up to these days including Customized Employment Project – NCED, where this blog is headed, Thomas and how I handle it all ……. Head on over if you wanna have a listen and/or post any follow up questions …
The “D iz for Different” Video Journey has reached 150 views! This is the photo journey to accompany events and people mentioned in the book! Thank y’all for all the support, encouragement, enthusiasm, Amazon customer reviews and continuing to share!! I appreciate it tons and tons and am grateful that y’all are finding special sections in the book that speak to you!
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Treatin Team TLC to a drive in movie!!
Made it in!! First time at the drive in for Team Member T & L!! They are so excited!!!
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July 3 2011:
“Most people see what is, and never see what can be.” -Albert Einstein
May you find a moment today to be in awe, see beauty or find humor . . .
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Purge Palooza 2011 continues . . . Think I’m halfway done now!! This is awesome – Glad the garbage comes tomorrow . . . can is completely full and I’ve got about 5 or 6 loads for Goodwill! The Purge Fest moves into the house next . . . watch out stuff, I’m having a ball and I’ve got your number!
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July 3 2010:
My daddy is up from Nawlins for a visit this weekend. At NV State Museum. Kids are loving it!
TeamTLC movie night …. We love this movie! Living for a while in a tree house and on a deserted island are both on my bucket list …. What a great adventure!
FUN was had by all at Lillian’s 12th birthday party! We made bottlecap necklaces and banana splits without the bananas …. cause no one wanted bananas! HA! The bottle cap necklaces were a huge hit! YAY!
Last birthday toast and birthday celebration in this wonderful home we have been blessed with since 2008 …. All of Team TLC is overflowing with gratitude for getting to call this house home for so long! We look forward to our next home with excitement, joy and gratitude for the abundance that surrounds us every single day! xoxo
Happy Happy Happy 12th Birthday to an incredibly amazing and awesome Fairy Princess by the name of Lillian Paige Darnell. I am blessed to eternity to get to be your Mama and to have your magical presence in my life. You are PERFECT just as you were created and were created that way on purpose and for a reason.
It is crystal clear why you and I were paired together as Mother and Daughter. We have much that we have taught one another and will continue to teach each other. We had and still have some wild and crazy shifting and awakening to guide each other through …
I overflow with gratitude and HappYness that I get to dance the dance of life with YOU!! Rock on with your twelfth year of life in this beautiful and amazing world we get to call HOME!! I LOVE YOU LILLIAN!!!
We have a VIP in our house tonight!! Team Member T has been elected Vice President of his class!!! What a way to infuse this young man with excitement and confidence!!! Way to go Excelsior classroom!!!!
She began teaching me about acceptance and flexibility before I even met her … She has taught me about courage, expectations, improvising, and embracing uncertaintity … She has taught me by life lessons I choose to teach her … Because of her and her brother I choose to make my way through cobwebs and clear some crud from my own childhood and youth that no longer serve me … Because of her I am conscious of the decisions and behavior I model … Because of her I thoughtfully choose the words I use with her and in front of her as I know, she and her brother too will one day be adults and I want what they experience in childhood to benefit them … HAPPY BIRTHDAY to one amazing, beautiful, shining young lady …. Happy 11th Birthday Lillian …. I am grateful and blessed to have you in my life and to be your Mama!! ♥ ♥ ♥
Birthday treat for Miss Lillian!!!!! Happy 10th birthday!!!!
A decade . . . that’s how long ago this different journey began for me. Happy 10th Birthday to you Fairy Princess Lillian! Having you in my life and the exciting and different adventures you bring and help create leaves me in awe! My journey of acceptance and awakening are complete with you in my life!! Hope all y’all have a FUN adventurous day today in honor of Ms. Lillian’s birthday!
Wade did an awesome job in Lillian’s class this afternoon! How many 4th grader’s get to have a celebrity come visit their class AND how many 4th grader’s get to hold, touch and see a small rock that’s worth over $1,000 cause it’s got GOLD in it!! They asked GREAT questions and Wade was bombarded with kiddos wanting his autograph!! Thanks again Wade! The small rock Wade is holding in the picture is the one the kids got to hold.
Happy 9th Birthday to one of the most special, loving, intelligent young ladies in the Universe ~ Lillian Darnell! Lillian has rocked my world, turned it upside down and back again, taken me to destinations I hadn’t planned on visiting, taught me lessons I didn’t know I needed to learn, made me realize my strength, pushed me out of my comfort zone, helped me heal, made me laugh, cry, smile ~ and that’s all in only 9 years!!! Feel free to chime in with your wishes and I’ll show them to her when she gets home from school!!
