The 2016 Chromosome 18 Conference: Kindness and Pizza and Surprise Encounter

(This is part six of The 2016 C18 Conference Journey. Go here for part one.)

July 14 2016:

The Journey home … San Antonio to Las Cruces, New Mexico!! Had an amazing dinner at this lovely place! We got there at 8:50. They close at 9:00, yet invited us to come on inside and we had THE BEST brick oven cooked 4 cheese pizza EVER!!! …. With an amazing salad and pistachio gelato for me and lemon sorbet for Thomas!! Plus shaved carrots and prosciutto for Lillian since she doesn’t eat pizza or salad! xoxoxo

Look who we ran into!!! The Romano Duo and Team TLC got to cross paths in Las Cruces, New Mexico this morning. Spent about an hour together chatting. Now we head in different directions. xoxo

July 15 2016:

The Journey home …. Las Cruces, New Mexico to really close to the Nevada border. Was going to try to make it to Boulder City today but we spent an hour with The Romano Duo this morning since they were driving right by Las Cruces where we had stayed for the night.

Then, we hit rush hour traffic in Phoenix. The hour with The Romano Duo was totally worth it. Long drive tomorrow, yet we will be in our own beds tomorrow night!! xoxo

The 2016 Chromosome 18 Conference: Riverfront Walk With Lillian

(This is part five of The 2016 C18 Conference Journey. Go here for part one.)

July 13 2016:

Wonderful, warm, and beautiful walk with Lillian yesterday. Blessed that she, too, loves our time in nature. Looking, listening, and discovering. xoxo

The 2016 Chromosome 18 Conference: Stairs Conquered

(This is part four of The 2016 C18 Conference Journey. Go here for part one.)

July 13 2016:

Welcome to a different new … Check out these 3 sets of stairs Lillian conquered!!! You go beautiful you!!!

Lillian has had a fear of stairs since being a toddler. We have always had to use an elevator and if one has not been available; she has held tightly to me with a white knuckle grip with sweaty hands and tons of anxiety.

So exciting!

Reaching for the Stars

Lillian Going Down Stairs July 2016 San Antonio

She’s reaching for the stars … And she will have what she reaches for …. Incredible, wonderful, inspiring blog post that Lillian wrote yesterday … xoxo

“Hey, everyone! This blog post will include 2 stories (1 non fiction and 1 fiction), inspiration, and a fiction interview. Let’s start with the non fiction story.

One day, my body decided I was ready to try the ladder at my therapy place. Slowly but surely, my body had decided to try the stairs. Now I can easily walk up them alone without being scared. Ever since, I’ve been proud to have touched the stars. (If anyone wonders what’s next, it’s escalators).

Let’s move on to the fantasy version of a story. I hope you enjoyed the 1st story!

Once, a young girl named Rainbow had wanted to be able to go down stairs for a long time but her body wasn’t ready to do it. Many years past before her body started to sense that she wanted to achieve the goal. When she was probably 14, her body was able to take the hint fully. So she took her time up until Wednesday when she achieved the goal. She was very excited. She was reaching toward the stars.

Let’s move on to the interview. This is where you will find more details about the first story. Speaking of story, I hope you enjoyed the 2nd story. (If you are wondering, this blog post is inspiration based). …………. The moral is to reach for the stars.”

Go here to read the entire story

Fireworks and Popcorn and Biggest Little Photographer and Awareness

July 4 2016:

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

July 5 2016:

She’s up to 8 steps now!! This is so wonderful! She has NEVER gone up stairs without clinging to me for dear life!!!! We have always avoided stairs due to her fear and proprioceptive issues.

She made it a goal to reach the top before we leave for San Antonio. Tomorrow she’ll be going up the last 10 steps since we leave Thursday morning. Stay tuned … xoxo

Lillian going up 8 steps July 5 2016

July 6 2016:

Just wanted to share another Biggest Little Photographer update …. And since we’ll be leaving on Thursday for the C18 Conference here’s a picture that minifigure photographer took while at the 2014 C18 Conference … New York Harbor … xoxo

Our goal was to have received 100 pre-orders of Thomas’ Biggest Little Photographer book by July 1st. We didn’t reach that goal OR did we? They’re still coming in and we’ve had about 30 pre-orders for the book now. Some orders are still coming by check so not sure of the exact amount.

However, sometimes what we wish for is delivered in a different way. After calculating money we received last week … When divided by $20 (average price for book) … It comes out to 100 …. Ummmmm … WOW!!

So we actually exceeded our goal! Our goal was met in a miraculously creative way … With 2 couches, a bayou Angel and her mom, and the loving-kindness of those who shared, liked, commented and purchased. Team TLC overflows with gratitude and sends blessings and love to all … xoxo

Lego minifigure new york harbor July 2014

July 6 2016:

A State of Pure Awareness – New blog post that poured out so fast and hard I was barely breathing and two hours went by that felt like 30 minutes ….

” ……… My therapists have been the authors of the books I read. Two of my greatest teachers have been my kids, Thomas and Lillian. Other teachers have been the suffering brought on by my thoughts, beliefs, and ideas, and those with whom I have shared un-lovely moments. The friends I share absolutely everything with are nature, meditation, and my own version of praying.

I continually ask to see things differently, to question the thoughts, ideas and beliefs I have. I ask to unlearn thoughts, beliefs, and ideas that no longer serve me. In the few days before this experience, I had finally come to a point where I authentically released and let go of all that I wish for and want. I let go of it with tremendous love and with the knowing that I would absolutely receive once I let go of the longing.

Here is what I experienced ….. ……”

To read the entire post visit here  …. It’s the first post on the blog. xoxoxo

July 6 2016:

We leave first thing in the morning …. And two goals reached today!

Top of the ladder at physical therapy and TOP OF THE STAIRS … Without clinging to me!

She DID IT! Oceans of gratitude for all the encouragement!!! xoxo

Thank you oceans and oceans for the wonderful cheering for Lillian!! Yesterday, she went down 2 flights of stairs and one huge flight to get from the main level of the hotel to the Riverwalk!! Four years ago when we were here we had to take the elevators down ….. I’m so happy she listens to her intuition and body and does things as she knows she’s ready! xoxo

The 2016 Chromosome 18 Journey Begins

July 6 2016:

Rosey got a bath today to get ready for our trip!! Going through the car wash is so fun!

If it feels right we would appreciate love, good juju, prayers for our car, Rosey, and our journey. Rosey is 15 years old and we need her to take care of us and get us there and back safely and smoothly. Oceans of gratitude!! xoxo

Rosey Getting Car Wash July 6 2016

July 8 2016:

Whew!!! We made it somewhere!!! Team TLC is in Surprise, Arizona! We left Reno at 7:00 this morning and at 9:00 tonight we came upon Surprise. We said, “yes, we’ll take it!”

Sorry for our silence. I do not pay for data so we are not online again until we have wifi. Onward to Texas tomorrow. Does anyone know a good stopping overnight point between Tucson and San Antonio via I-10?

July 8 2016:

Surprise, Arizona to El Paso, Texas … We made it to Texas! We’ll be in San Antonio tomorrow late afternoon. Amazing rock formations in Arizona and New Mexico. We will come back when it’s not so hot!!

Lillian and I don’t do well in this high heat! Rosey was even getting too hot! This is a ton of responsibilities for one adult and I am learning so much! Yet, I have so much fun traveling with them. They are such wonderful teachers of living in the moment. My heart swells to overflowing with love …. xoxo

I am writing like the wind before I get this tired mind and body into bed and be ready for one more day of driving tomorrow. I am compelled. I have just got to document some of what we are experiencing and talking about.

Thomas had such amazing thoughts to share yesterday and Lillian also yesterday morning before she got a tummy ache. Although we are having a ball and laughing tons and enjoying this beautiful land as we drive by it; this has not all been fun and easy, and it was my goal to have this trip be a learning experience for me of not knowing, not planning, and just going. That’s certainly not for everyone.

Yet, I felt this was important for me. It’s a huge step out of my comfort zone. One step closer to trusting myself, trusting internal messages, and letting go of how it’s supposed to be done. I’ve never driven this far alone … Much less alone with Thomas and Lillian. Plus driving this far in a 15 year old car. Skating through this trip on less than a shoe string budget and letting go of worry that the string will hold tight …

I’m having moments when I’m so tired I’m shaking and wondering what in the hell I’m doing ….. Yet, I know. I may not know on the surface right now; but deep down, I know why I do what I do. And then we share these amazing moments together with wonderful comments from Thomas and Lillian and moments full of so much love that further each one of us. Moments where I’m so hot and exhausted, I have visions of taking an ice bath! Definitely some amazing growth for all of us happening! WOW! xoxoxo

July 9 2016:

El Paso to San Antonio! We made it about 5:30 this afternoon! Been a whirlwind since.

There is so much unexpected loving-kindness flowing my and our way … WOW!!

I just drove Team TLC 1700 miles … I did it! Now. Where’s my bed?

 (Go here for part two of the 2016 Chromosome 18 Conference Journey.)

Angels and Monarch Butterflies and Adventures and Traveling

June 27 2016:

With my respite time tonight, I made myself a grand dinner … a lovely, big bowl of popcorn. This is how I get all wild n crazy when I have a night to myself … and then I proceeded to have the most beautiful experience.

I’ve written a blog post about it that felt like I’d been writing for about 30 minutes and it had been an hour and a half. It’s still in raw form, yet I felt moved to share a snippet ..

This morning a bayou Angel and her Mom came to my assistance. One who feels I am a gift to her in how I show up and live my life. As I sat eating my dinner of a lovely, big bowl of popcorn, I simply stared into the bowl at each kernel before eating it. As I scooped up and popped the last bit of popcorn into my mouth, the bayou Angel and I exchanged our last email for the day agreeing that our having re-connected was divinely arranged.

William Blake’s “To See A World … ” came to mind and it was as if the flood gates opened. Not only to let flow tears of knowing, tears of joy, and tears of love …. It was the flood gates of my entire life flowing out around me and wrapping me in the knowing that there have been no accidents in this life of mine.

“To see a World in a Grain of Sand
And a Heaven in a Wild Flower,
Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand
And Eternity in an hour.” ~William Blake

It has been divinely laid out. Every encounter, every relationship, every friendship. I saw the synchronicity of having lived 3 years of my life in Houma Louisiana in the mid 80’s, the deep unhappiness of my family life at that time and how the friendships I formed were my saving grace. Not only a saving grace back in the mid 80’s, a saving grace in the year 2013 and 2016. Unbeknownst to me a mutual, symbiotic relationship of one inspiring the other and one becoming a messenger angel for the other.

Everything that I have experienced ….. ” More after I clean it up a bit. It was poring out of me so fast … That was some bowl of popcorn!! xoxoxo

Popcorn June 27 2016

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June 28 2016:

She’s still at it …. and she’s good! Another from Lillian … xoxo

“When you or someone else is calm, you will feel a lot better. You will be more confident and relaxed. You will be happy, mindful, grateful, thankful and joyful.

Take a moment to read this quote. If you want to, share it with family, friends, and relatives.

“Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned.” – Buddha … “ https://lilliandarnell.com/2016/06/21/emotions-with-animals-calm-monarch-butterflies/

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June 30 2016:

My words from this time last year (below) …. May the words inspire and encourage those whom it is meant for … xoxoxo

Still so meaningful to me as we are about to embark on our longest road trip so far in Team TLC history, still not knowing with certainty how we will pay for it all, and when we get back, we’ll be deciding by the end of July on the course of a new adventure …

The need to know when, how, where, and what next; can at times, be the very block that keeps us from fully experiencing life and experiencing it as our true selves … minus the ideas and beliefs of others.

words from June 2015: “Team TLC has come to the end of a chapter in our adventures and we embark on a new chapter. This chapter will be a living-in-the-moment adventure, with intentions of it being FUN and memorable.

I don’t have plans, I don’t know where we’ll live after the summer with the Romano Duo, I don’t know exactly what will happen. I am not always okay with this, but mostly I am. I feel the desire to know exactly how things will happen and the worry that accompanies this are just fears.

In the past I’ve spent a great deal of time confronting and connecting with these and other fears and they no longer have power within me. I know these fears are not the true me and as long as I live from the heart with love as the foundation of all actions, I, and the rest of Team TLC, will be blessed and affluent.

I DO know where I want to live and have much clarity about the role I am to play in being of service. That is all I need to know for now. Connecting with emotions, specifically fear, has been one of the most empowering “non-actions” I have ever taken …. May you choose to connect with any emotion that holds you back.

I know everything will be okay and worry has no hold on me. That’s not to say that worry is no longer present in my life. I am now able to recognize worries, fears, anger, complaining, the desire to be right and have someone else be wrong, as simply the ego throwing a tantrum because I am stepping into my power.

The world is a beautiful love-filled place and none of us were meant to suffer. Our suffering is self imposed with the thoughts that we consciously and unconsciously choose to think. I have chosen to go deep, clear out all the crud and live at a deeper level. xoxo”

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July 2 2016:

Team TLC will be traveling the blue route, in the attached screen shot, from Reno to San Antonio. We’ll be leaving either this coming Thursday or Friday.

Do we have any friends along this route who would be interested in letting us borrow a bed or couch for a night’s sleep? We’ll be driving anywhere from 6-9 hours each day for 3 days … depending on where we stop for the day. Oceans of love and gratitude .. xoxo

ishot-68

I Found Bad Words

Lillian misquote – What I heard, “I found some bad words yesterday.”

What she really said, “I found where I was yesterday.”

April 22, 2016

Blessings,

Team TLC
See It. Share It. BE IT … Spread Love Everywhere You Go!

Did you know Camilla wrote a book? It’s titled “D iz for Different – One Woman’s Journey to Acceptance” and you can read more about it here.

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Need You To Help

“I need you to help” – Lillian Darnell … I know, what’s so special about that? Lillian said this CLEARLY. Every single word. Said it slowly and pronounced EVERY single word! It is a time to celebrate when Lillian clearly states a complete sentence intelligibly. WooooHoooooo, Happy Dancin, High Fives and Toasts all the way around the World!! “I Need You To Help” – EVERY WORD PRONOUNCED INTELLIGIBLY!! 🙂

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