**THROWBACK POST**
August 23 2014:
Today’s Blissful Moment …
Thomas and I were sitting next to each other on the couch and reading. He said, “I like squishing up against you.” …
I like me some squishing with those I love too!!!
Reading together/Squishing together = YUM! xoxo
(August 2014)
October 25 2021
Conversations with Thomas … Any of the songs in Polar Express can be sung to any of the music in the movie. They’ll obviously sound different, but it works.
I asked him if he read that somewhere or if he figured it out. He figured it out on his own.
He also says it’s one of the most underrated movies: Tom Hanks playing 5 key characters, the computer animation was superior for its time, the soundtrack is great, and the message can be applied to more than just Santa. As it’s about how our thinking changes as we get older.
I’m just now sure what I’d do if I didn’t have this amazing person in my life to have conversations with. I don’t post as much about them as I did when he was young. Yet, just about every day, we have such meaningful, deep (or sometimes just plain fun) conversations, blessing me more than I know what to do with sometimes.
October 31 2021
Thomas has been taking piano lessons since January 2021. Last night I was invited into his room for a performance to an audience of ONE … ME!
The song he played was less than a minute, and is from one of the online games that he loves. It warmed my heart, and brought much joy that he is finally comfortable enough to play for me. I’m so very proud of Thomas! xoxo
**THROWBACK POST**
September 1 2011:
Thomas to Lillian,
“Lillian, you’re the bestest friend ever!”
I swear time stood still for just a minute while I let that one soak in!!
(Thomas and Lillian – Vegas Library 2011)
**THROWBACK POST**
September 1 2014:
At the grocery store this afternoon I told Thomas to look at all the beautiful vegetables and fruits and to choose a fruit he’s never had before and a veggie he’s not had before. Told him he could look up different ways to serve/cook it later and not worry about that. He chose a radish bunch (yum) and a pomegranate. He had 1/2 a radish with dinner and loved it at first. When done he said I think my limit is 1/2 radish per serving. We’ll have the pomegranate later this week. So much fun for both of us! I’ll do this with Lillian next time!
(May 2014 Photo of Thomas on one of our walks)
**THROWBACK POST**
September 7 2012:
“My heart is full of happiness” -Thomas Darnell
Yep. Just Yep!!
**THROWBACK POST**
April 24 2013:
(A drawing Thomas made for me in 2013)
“I like using my imagination. It makes games more fun.” -Thomas (11.17.11)
“Can I help you cook dinner?” -Thomas. …. to which I replied, “You can put the dishes in the dishwasher for me” …. to which Thomas replied, “I’d be happy to. Let me take my shirt off.” (11.8.11) (Sensory issues!! He still will take off his shirt if it gets water on it!)
“I like you even when you are getting on to me.” -Thomas Darnell (11.8.11)
“I wish to be you when I grow up.” -Lillian Darnell
“These are the best grits you have ever made!” -Thomas Darnell (10.23.11)
”I like you and your the bestest Mama I’ve ever had!” -Thomas (10.21.11)
“I used the potty on the wall for the first time today.” -Thomas (10.13.11)
“These are the bestest grits you have ever made” -Thomas (10.2.11)
**THROWBACK POST**
March 9 2013:
I had to dish out a negative consequence to Mr. T last night due to a little incident.
After choosing to go to his room for some calming down and reflection and watching the “D iz for Different” video journey (he loves watching it every movie night), he had these things to say, “I love my life. Life is so happy it makes me cry. We have all we need and want. We have food. We have a house. We have a car and most of all we have each other.” Then he wrote a note to Lillian that she is very kind and he loves her and his eyes were sweating because he was so happy!
Dishing out negative consequences is no fun y’all. Yet, the rewards to the soul that receives it far outweigh the uncomfortable moments. Here’s to a day full of positive consequences!
**THROWBACK POST**
October 3 2013:
Thomas asked me earlier what time I went to bed last night. I told him and we went about our business. A little bit later he came over and helped me wash the dishes and then cleaned the stove and told me he wanted to help so I could go to bed earlier …. I am blessed times 500 million and beyond that I get to be this little person’s Mama!! xoxo
I so much LOVE seeing him embrace all the GOOD that life has to offer and my wish is that he continues to do so and never loses sight of it.
(Thomas on a May 2013 Date Day at Virginia Foothills Park)
**THROWBACK POST**
October 15 2013:
October 15 2013: Thomas says to me, “You look so young for your age” .. I tell him excitedly, “Thank you Thomas so much”. He asked me why I was thanking him and I told him that was a compliment. He said he didn’t know that …. He just wanted to tell me just because. Pure innocence and honesty … LOVE!
(Photo of Thomas from a 2013 walk)
**THROWBACK POST**
September 20 2009:
Thomas told me today that he likes my eyeballs, my nose, my ears, my mouth.
Then said “Now, tell me you like my nose, ears, & mouth”!
Love that kid!!