Toasting to Gratitude

**THROWBACK POST**

November 5 2015:

Lillian asked tonight as I was making dinner if we could have a toast at dinner. Thomas joined in her excitement to add this to our dinner. We kind of made it a weekly tradition for each of us to share something with one another and toast our glasses.

We kept forgetting about it during the summer. I’m so glad she remembered. I had such a blissful feeling being in our little home, warm and cozy, making spaghetti and home made sauce.

Lillian’s toast: Here’s to her reaching the one year and 100 photo mark on instagram and the fun weather we’ve been having.

Thomas’ toast: The yummy food we have to eat and this great home we have.

Mine: Here’s to Team TLC always coming back together after rough moments, sharing meals like this, toasts, reading together, growing gratitude gardens, making vision boards, and laughing.

May you share a toast with your friends, family, and/or furry four-legged loved ones often … xoxo

Closer Still – Where Would You Fly

November 11 2017:

Forward, Closing, About the Author … Done! Next: C18 Info & Book Blurb for Back Cover!

November 16 2017:

Font style chosen. Next to complete: copyright page and back of the book blurb! xoxo

Where Would You Fly Updated Cover 9.2017

Want to pre-order and help us in bringing this to life? Our goal is to have 50 books pre-ordered and we have 15 so far. We are hoping to have them in hand by the end of December 2017. Go here to learn more …. https://www.LillianDarnell.com/author

Thank you!! xoxo

 

How We Decorate for the Season in a Tiny Home

November 27 2017:

Our wee little 1 foot tree to match our wee little tiny home. The star from our old tree is way too big so I nest it in a glass bowl surrounded by lights and mini glass balls.

Going on our 3rd Christmas in an 800 square foot one bedroom, one bathroom condo. Next up is hanging our collection of handmade, sparkly, paper snowflakes. Part 1

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Learning about Mandalas – A Birthday Present

October 14 2017:

Redeemed one of Lillian’s 16th birthday coupons today – Private Mandala class. Thank you Paris Almond for such an amazing and sweet gift for Lillian.

Your sweet and beautiful spirit was the perfect fit for Lillian Darnell. She was absolutely glowing. We enjoyed being in your lovely, warm, and comforting home. xoxoxo

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Lillian Darnell Interview – Where Would You Fly Book

December 5 2017:

A very quick interview with soon to be published author, Lillian Darnell. I ask her how it feels to be an almost published author, and her most and least favorite part of the process.

**Are you interested in helping with the final leg of bringing the book to life? You can share this post, or share the website page at https://www.LillianDarnell.com/author, or pre-purchase here … https://www.LillianDarnell.com/author … Our goal is to receive at least 50 pre-orders. We’ve received 21 so far! Thank you!

Where Would You Fly Updated Cover 9.2017 #2

Pushing the Cart and Pulling Holds – Volunteering at the Library

November 16 2017:

There she is …. On our way to pull holds! She has taken over pushing the cart. Oh, and see the art gallery in the background? That’s where Team TLC will have our family art showing in spring 2018.

Thomas will have photos from Biggest Little Photographer, Lillian will have her artwork, and I’ll have perhaps my photos paired with poetry.

Lillian Pushing Cart at Library 11.16.17

Back of Book Blurb Finished and Sneak Peek – Where Would You Fly

December 3 2017:

Reviewing PDF Proof Now! Here’s a sneak peek!! xoxo

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Back of Book Blurb Finished! Reviewing PDF Proof Now! So Close! xoxo

Welcome to the radiant imagination of Lillian Darnell, a wonderful and unique human being, the kind who comes around only once in every 56,000 births, as she is missing the short arm of her 18th chromosome.

Leave this reality behind and enter enchanted lands awash in mysteries, happy endings, adventures, and inspiration. Come within and discover heartwarming and beautiful tales, woven with love and magic, brought forth from the imagination of a young woman with a different perspective. Lose yourself in wondrous adventures as you follow courageous, enchanting characters, kind animals and plant life, and graceful Mother Nature.

The delightful tales, legends, and poems within these pages were written by Lillian Darnell between the ages of four and fifteen. The stories and poems are mostly edited for spelling and grammar, yet the bulk of the stories remain as she originally wrote and published them to include a few grammatical errors and made up words.

Will a girls dream of becoming a princess come true?

What does love have to do with rainbows and why do we sometimes see double rainbows?

What do roses have to do with fairies and why don’t we see fairies during the day?

How can sad, mischievous, fearful animals help humans feel emotions?

How did the world come to have color?

What really happens in a day of the life of a young whale who lives in the Wooden Ocean?

Why should you never sleep with bears?

“You can’t help but feel happy and be inspired while reading this book. Lillian’s stories jump straight out of her heart and onto the pages in an authentic, innocent, and loving way. The world needs more positivity and happiness and her stories are bursting with both. Thank you Lillian!” -G. Brian Benson – Award-winning and best-selling author, actor and TEDx speaker.

“Let your imagination be taken away with Lillian Darnell’s writings and allow yourself to be transported to places where anything is possible with love, joy and a touch of inspiration. This collection is born from a young woman with a unique perspective on how our world could be – immerse yourself and come, see the world through Lillian’s eyes.” -Dr Veronica Wain – Award winning filmmaker, Academic, Author, Disability Advocate

**Our goal is to receive at least 50 pre-orders to help ease the final leg of bringing the book to life. We have received 21 orders so far. If you would like to help you can share this post, share the website page at https://www.LillianDarnell.com/author, or go here to pre-order … https://www.LillianDarnell.com/author … Oceans of gratitude!

Where Would You Fly Updated Cover 9.2017

Realize and Eventually

*THROWBACK POST*

November 4 2013:

Last Friday morning Thomas told me that he feels guilty about all the stuff people give to him. I asked him what kinds of stuff he was talking about and as an example he said all the things he got at the chromosome 18 conference like the blow up guitar. He said that then there wasn’t enough for everyone else.

I explained to him that if people give him something it’s because they want to and we should let ourself feel happy about it. Also that this is a world of abundance and just because he is given something doesn’t mean that there’s not enough for others. He asked why there are people who have nothing if this is the case.

I told him they just haven’t realized this yet … some eventually figure it out …. and some never do … (Great reminder for this Mama too as I navigate the “realizing” and “eventually” part!!) Tons of hugs to all y’all! xoxo

Use the Good China

November 14 2017:

Incredibly satisfying this morning …. English Breakfast Tea with a side of gingerbread cookie sticks. The combination and amounts of ginger, cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg are perfect!

Tea and Gingerbread Cookie Stick 11.14.17

Note on the cute little plate: My grandmother bought a set of dishes for each of her granddaughters. She bought them when we were still really young, kept them in her hope chest, and gave them to us as we reached adulthood.

I used to keep them on the shelf or boxed and only use them occasionally. About three or four years ago, my whole way of thinking shifted and I quit using the regular dishes and switched to using these. We’ve lost a couple of pieces due to breakage and many have chips … Just the way I like it. Well used!

Seriously, those gingerbread cookie sticks tasted even better being displayed on such a cute little dish! xoxo