Turning Scrapes and Holes Into Sparkles

**THROWBACK POST**

October 15 2013:

These two awesome little people I know gave me a beautiful gift last night. Thomas and Lillian were playing in the backyard yesterday afternoon when Thomas got a bit too rough pulling her around and she fell. She scraped her foot and tore a hole in her brand new pants that she adores … cause they *sparkle*!!

She was pretty upset with him and he was upset that he did that and upset that he has to be so gentle with her since she falls easily. After I got her calmed down I went outside to check on him. He said he wanted to pay to buy her a new pair of pants. I told him they cost $9 and he said “Awww, that will take all my money.”

He then asked if he could pay for 1/2 of the cost. I told him that sounded fabulous. He went in and apologized to Lillian and told her of his idea. About an hour later they got together in Thomas’ bedroom, happy with one another again, and each wrote and drew something in this card for me. I think the three of us are a perfectly matched trio! xoxo

Card for me from T & L 10.15.13 #1 Card for me from T & L 10.15.13 #2 Card for me from T & L 10.15.13 #3

Rainbow Love by Lillian Darnell

Rainbow of Emotions by Lillian Abstract Art 2015
Lillian’s artwork titled “Rainbow of Emotions”

Ever wonder why we sometimes see double rainbows? … from the book, “Where Would You Fly”, by Lillian Darnell … I’m having fun editing. xoxo

Rainbow Love

This story is about rainbows and love. I hope you enjoy!

Once there lived two rainbows who didn’t want to separate for the love of nature. Their names were Candy Rainbow and Princess Rainbow. One day, Candy Rainbow was accidentally separated from Princess. What they didn’t know was the Nature fairy had split them in half.

Candy desperately looked for Princess but there was no sign of her. Meanwhile, Princess was where Candy wasn’t. She was anxious to find him but the Nature fairy wouldn’t let her. Candy got up to ask the Nature Fairy. What the fairy said, “No, I haven’t seen her. I didn’t separate you.”

Candy thought the fairy was being suspicious. Princess started suspecting the fairy. After a year past, they accidentally ran into each other. When the fairy found out, she was furious.

The fairy decided to put Princess invisible so she couldn’t be seen when they bumped into each other. Candy tried to explain to the Nature fairy that rainbow magic was more powerful than fairy magic. Since the nature fairy wouldn’t listen, Candy decided to show her what he tried to explain.

His plan was to use his magic and power to get Princess out of the invisible world. So when Princess saw he was stretching out to use his power, she decided to reach over and touch his stretched arc. Candy felt lighter somehow but he didn’t know how.

Suddenly the invisible spell broke. The fairy was shocked at what happened but the fairy had to vanish. “It was me who helped you, Candy”, said Princess softly. “Thank you, Princess!” and the rainbows’ love was returned.

Princess thought if people saw them, it would be easier to have one rainbow be invisible. Princess decided to go invisible but Candy was able to see her. Every once in awhile, Princess appeared behind Candy. That is why some people see double or triple rainbows.

(written when Lillian was 14 years old)

Would you like to help us in our goal of pre-selling 50 books? Go here …

https://www.LillianDarnell.com/author

 

 

Putting Your Shirt On and Taking Your Shirt Off

**THROWBACK POST**

October 13 2014:

Putting your shirt on, taking your shirt off, putting it on, taking it off. Simple thing really. Yet, Lillian had not been able to do it without help ….. UNTIL last week!! YAY Lillian!! Lillian can now take off a shirt and put on a shirt ALL BY HERSELF!!!! After 13 years, I am relieved of this parental privilege! Wahoooo!! You go Lillian!! xoxo

 

The Great Universe by Lillian Darnell

September 24 2017:

Working on Lillian’s debut book, “Where Would You Fly and Other Magical Stories” ….

Thought I’d share one of the stories to be included (this one hasn’t been edited yet). It’s one of my favorites!:

Where Would You Fly Updated Cover 9.2017

The Great Universe

It all started on a warm summer night in a cozy home where a girl lay sleeping until she felt a jolt and she realized she wasn’t in her home anymore. She thought, “Why is there nothing?” and she got her answer. A echoing voice said,”You are where the universe began. It’s up to you to make the planets including Earth. Once you’ve made Earth, start creating. Have fun!”

So the girl quickly discovered she could use her mind and creativity to make everything. First she designed Earth to look sparkly, clean, and rainbow colored. Second, she made other planets look like the colors of the rainbow. She went into Earth and saw she needed to make the moon and stars. So she made the moon look and taste like cheese. She made stars look like glitter.

(Want a book? Go herexoxoxo)

She made the sky look indigo when it was daytime. She exited Earth to put the blue colored sun near Earth. She went entered Earth again and realized she needed to plant some plants. Luckily, she had some seeds in her pocket. She planted them. She added orange water to Earth to help the plant. She also needed rain. So she made red rain by circling her hand. She made green clouds too.

She realized she was lonely so she added animals of different colors. She created yellow grass so she could rest. Soon the animals became bored with just the little girl. The animals spoke to the girl about being lonely. She said, “No problem. I can make humans but first, I need to set aside some land for roads, buildings, homes, shops, stores and more.”

As she spoke, she created all the other things humans needed. After that, she formed the first 2 people. She also casted a spell to make a child and make it grow. The humans were magenta. The animals were amazed at how quickly the humans formed and adapted.

She thought she was done but the voice spoke to her saying that she would have to use creativity, quick thinking, and more. So she tried casting a spell to make the years speed by but it didn’t go as planned.

She made a makeshift bed and tried to get into her cozy home. That didn’t work so she tried to get the the people and animals to help her. They saw a note on the palm tree. The girl was able to reach it. She realized it was a riddle. She realized all she had do was fall asleep.

Before she fell asleep, she cast one final spell and it was the days of the week, months, and years. She fell asleep after that. There was a surprising jolt and she woke up. She was happy to find herself back in her bedroom. She couldn’t help thinking was it all a dream. Just then, a friendly voice explained that it wasn’t a dream. It was morning.

She went to the kitchen to tell her parents the most amazing thing happened to her. Her parents explained to her she had a real vision. Years later, she grew up to become a beloved author. Her name was Morgana and she had been 11 when the amazing thing happened. She lived in Australia at the time. She loved the book Anne of Green Gables. She thought it described her life perfectly.

The End!

Last Craniosacral Session for Lillian and Library Volunteering

September 11 2017:

Lillian’s last craniosacral session since Anthem Blue Cross has decided these sessions are not helping her so they will no longer pay. We so much appreciate Christine! Lillian has been seeing her for 3 years now.

Aren’t we blessed that people who know nothing about chromosome deletions and nothing about the intricacies of pain levels that are sometimes better and sometimes worse are so knowledgable about what’s best for us?

We have not given up. We’ll try starting sessions again in 2018 after she’s had three months without them. Beautiful hibiscus to send us off ….xoxoxo

Lillian Last Cranio Appointment 9.11.17 #1 Lillian Last Cranio Appointment 9.11.17 #2 Lillian Last Cranio Appointment 9.11.17 #3

September 13 2017:

Second time volunteering at the library …. and Lillian’s last day as a fifteen year old! This time we pulled holds for two hours. Found all but three of them. Good job us!!

Camilla and Lillian Volunteering at Library Day #2 9.13.17 #1  Camilla and Lillian Volunteering at Library Day #2 9.13.17 #3

Camilla and Lillian Volunteering at Library Day #2 9.13.17 #2

One Big Step for Independence and One Huge Step for Tenacity

September 15 2017:

Walked Lillian over to the lodge about 30 minutes ago. She packed her lunch, laptop, book, artwork and other items. Working on being solo in a semi-public area ….

She had a big fall on the way over and scraped her knee in a huge way! Pain is always triple for her as would be typically.

She sat in the grass and waited for me to get a napkin and wound spray and then she continued on to the lodge. She’s in pain but still over there. Next up is walking over with all her belongings without me. xoxo

She did awesome! Yet, she’s got a baseball size scrape and bruise on her knee. The fall she took was pretty rough on concrete as she was coming down a slight slope of a grassy hill …

We have indeed come a long way as in the past this would have caused her to throw up from the pain. Oceans of love and hugs to all of you! xoxo

**Update** October 3 2017: Lillian finally left the house for the first time since the fall. We went for a short walk! YAY! Her knee is still sore, yet, we’re almost there.

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”.

Lillian 16th Birthday and September Date Day 9.14.17 #1 Lillian 16th Birthday and September Date Day 9.14.17 #2 Lillian 16th Birthday and September Date Day 9.14.17 #3 Lillian 16th Birthday and September Date Day 9.14.17 #4 Lillian 16th Birthday and September Date Day 9.14.17 #5

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

Lillian 16th Birthday and September 2017 Date Day 9.14.17 #6 Lillian 16th Birthday and September 2017 Date Day 9.14.17 #7 Lillian 16th Birthday and September 2017 Date Day 9.14.17 #8 Lillian 16th Birthday and September 2017 Date Day 9.14.17 #9 Lillian 16th Birthday and September 2017 Date Day 9.14.17 #10Lillian 16th Birthday and September Date Day 9.14.17 #11Lillian 16th Birthday and September Date Day 9.14.17 #12Lillian 16th Birthday and September Date Day 9.14.17 #13Lillian 16th Birthday and September Date Day 9.14.17 #14

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.

Lillian 16th Birthday and September Date Day 9.14.17 #20 Lillian 16th Birthday and September Date Day 9.14.17 #21 Lillian 16th Birthday and September Date Day 9.14.17 #22 Lillian 16th Birthday and September Date Day 9.14.17 #23 Lillian 16th Birthday and September Date Day 9.14.17 #24

 

I Choose Happiness …. That is What I Choose

August 10 2017:

Incredibly grateful for this young man I get to have as my son. Not because our relationship is all roses and rainbows. It’s anything but that. Yet, definitely some roses and rainbows blooming too!

At dinner Lillian choked badly on a piece of pear. She’s choked on food many times, yet always gets it out pretty quick by coughing. She has poor oral motor skills and doesn’t chew food thoroughly.

She could not get it out last night and I panicked. Watching your daughter struggle for a breath and begin to turn purple is a dreadful and draining experience. Completely forgot what I know about assisting a person choking on food. After what seemed like forever, we finally got it out.

Then I had a huge meltdown being upset about that and getting caught up in my own melodrama. Thomas said exactly the things I didn’t want to hear and exactly what I would have said to either of them in that situation.

I cannot even express in words how blessed and grateful I am that we three are traveling this life’s journey together. Thank you Thomas for helping me to learn not to cling and to let “things” move on through me rather than hanging on for dear life …. I choose Happiness. That’s what I choose … xoxoxoxo

Round and Round With Ridiculousness – Health Insurance Companies

August 3 2017:

“Those people at the insurance company are a fool’s behind.” -Lillian Darnell (I have no idea what a fool’s behind is, but in this case I’m guessing it’s not a good thing.)

Lillian’s craniosacral therapist left a message today that we need to cancel Lillian’s Monday appointment as Anthem Blue Cross has decided they will not pay for more sessions.

She’s ONLY been going for about 2 years now and looks forward to each monthly session for the relief it provides. It’s for pain management and they have been paying all this time (with disabled medicaid as back up).

Her amazing therapist only called as a courtesy so that we don’t incur a bill and to give her office time to dispute with Anthem. So grateful for her and the staff at the Northern Nevada Medical office.

As a side note, I had a lengthy conversation with a chromosome 18 dad at the conference who works for Blue Cross Blue Shield. I did not know there is a difference between Anthem and the Blue Cross for which he works. Anthem is for profit and Blue Cross Blue Shield is non-profit.

He wanted to help me so badly with an issue I gave up on with Anthem. Due to a mistake they overcharged me by $50 about 2 years ago. I tried for about a year to get the money back and eventually gave up. I have no patience in talking with the people who answer the phone.

They also have a flaw in their online system as I cannot register Lillian for an online account to pay her bill or find out which dentists take her insurance. One must be 18 years of age. Well, she’s not, but she has her own policy in her own name (grandfathered in since she already had the policy). No one seems to care about this glitch.

I am so thankful that we hardly ever go to the doctor and my heart aches for my C18 friends who go round and round on a consistent basis with insurance companies. Life is too fleeting and we should not have to worry and fuss with this … Sending so much love to all who have to go round and round for ridiculousness … xoxoxoxo

**Update** August 26, 2017:

Lillian’s craniosacral therapist had a peer review with someone from Anthem. It happened so fast I didn’t have time to get supportive documentation to her. She went round and round with them and they would only give her one more appointment with us. They said that Lillian is not getting better so these visits aren’t doing her any good ….

Next step is checking with the Research Center to see if there have been any research studies done regarding chronic pain and 18p- … Round and Round …

You Should Get These

Today was Team TLC library day. These look like exciting, juicy, intriguing books. Don’t they?

Thomas said, “You should get these.” I replied that reading them may make me crazier than I already am plus drive me to drinking.

So, Thomas checked them out so he could read them and advice me in matters relating to Lillian. Thank you Thomas!! xoxo

Social Security Books August 2017