December 29 2016:
Lillian and Camilla December 2016 Date Day – Still coming out of that crazy sickness so a very simple Date Day of dessert and a movie at The Vintage Lodge. Yummy dessert and fairies. Yes!!!
Tag Archives: 18p-
Almond Flour Cookies and Trusting Yourself and Washoe Lake
**THROWBACK POST**
June 14 2013:
I finally put the almond flour cookie recipe on my website y’all! Gluten free, dairy free and vegan and YUMMY!! Here ya go … Also, if you wanna make sure to not miss any of my blog posts you can sign up to get them as I post. I write about once or twice a week on living a natural, simple and inspired life (with a smattering of special needs parenting issues).
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When we are urged by our inner voice to share, do or say something, sometimes we don’t know the reason. Simply trusting that the reason will become clear once we let go and embrace it is all that’s needed to understand the reason. I received this comment on my website last night. I share it with y’all for anyone who questions their inner voice and chooses to ignore it. ♥
“Dear Camilla
I have only by accident come across your book and upon reading the first few pages was surprisingly ( even to myself) reduced to tears. Someone else has a daughter with 18p- … Someone else knows what that means… And the rarity involved. Someone else knows the endless parade of doctors and decisions and someone else does it as a single parent. I did not know I felt so alone in this until reading u describe my own child, Emalee, (13yrs) in your words about Lillian. I have lost a daughter to trisomy 18 and a husband to divorce. I look forward to reading your book knowing I am not navigating this alone.”
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Headed to turn in Thomas‘ summer horse riding paperwork … Making a fun little stop to get inspired and refreshed!!
A few more pictures from our quickie stop at WashoeLake today. So beautiful and inspiring!
Completion and New Beginnings
December 14 2016
Here’s to completion and new beginnings!!
Today we graduated from psychotherapy sessions with Alexa at Midtown Mindfulness.
After a trip back home to Germany beginning tomorrow, Alexa will begin her new journey helping young girls affected by sex trafficking. A beautiful heart centered new beginning for her.
We are extremely grateful for the year and a half we’ve experienced sessions with Alexa. She has seen Lillian come a long way from that first visit in 2014.
Alexa always shared wonderful comments about my style of parenting and ability to stay calm and relaxed. Of course I’m not always able to sustain this, yet how would I know the joy and peace of remaining calm if I don’t experience the opposite.
Mindfulness is indeed miraculous and has been life changing for all 3 of us. Another wonderful path in our journey together!!! Cheers!!!!!
Egyptian Eye and Rainbow of Emotions – Abstract Art by Lillian
November 27 2016:
Unique abstract art by Lillian …. Collage of her at the kids business fair last month. The “Egyptian Eye” and “Rainbow of Emotions” are her two amazing pieces.
A print of Rainbow of Emotions is on its way to Victoria Australia soon and a print of Egyptian Eye is on its way to Sparks, Nevada! Go Lillian! Please visit here if you’d like a print of your own!
A History of Thanksgiving by Lillian Darnell
November 18 2016:
The MOST comprehensive history of Thanksgiving I’ve ever seen! Lillian has been working on this for at least a month. She finally finished today. Go Lillian Go!! I am thankFULL for having this young lady in my life … May you enjoy … xoxo
“….. The traditional cornucopia was a curved goat’s horn filled to the brim with fruits and grains. According to a Greek legend, Amalthea (a goat) broke one of her horns and offered it to Greek God Zeus as a sign of reverence …. ” https://lilliandarnell.com/2016/11/18/the-history-of-thanksgiving-how-countries-celebrate-thanksgiving/
Lillian and Camilla November 2016 Date Day
November 16 2016:
Lillian and Camilla November 2016 Date Day – First ….. Dessert! Pink lemonade bar for her and chocolate covered almonds and pretzels for me.
Then home for lunch. Next, a walk at Virginia Foothills park. It snowed on us!!!! Fun!!
Finishing with window shopping and goofing off at Learning Express!
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I Can Do Anything
November 6 2016:
I was drawn to watch this short 3 minute video just now. Although I have moved on from some of the roles and advocacy from this time in my life, this served as a reminder for me in this moment.
This is the video journey that accompanies the book I wrote and published in 2012, D iz for Different – One Woman’s Journey to Acceptance.
I CAN do anything I decide and choose I’m going to do ….. AND …. so can YOU! And it will be a success as long as we do it from love and with love. LOVE will free us all … xoxo
Pumpkins and Blessings and Adventurous Eater and Sibshop
October 30 2016:
Playing with pumpkins time 🎃 ….. xoxo
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October 31 2016:
What a beautiful night! The hills and mountain in the distance were magical with a dusting of snow. Plus, there was a huge bat shaped cloud over the mountain. So incredible!!! These two blessings had a great night. 🎃
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November 1 2016:
Thomas made a vegan coleslaw to go with dinner to night. So yum!!! I enjoyed it with sweet potato noodles and he enjoyed his with wild shrimp. So happy he’s an adventurous eater.
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November 5 2016:
Sibshop day for Thomas!!! He really enjoys these and especially today as Don Meyers was facilitating! Thanks Down Syndrome Network of Northern Nevada (DSNNN) and JUSTin HOPE Foundation for hosting!!
May Your Heart Overflow with Love and Gratitude
October 26 2016:
Every move we make, every simple task we do for ourself is a miracle … if we choose to see it that way.
Clipping one’s nails. Simple enough. Yet, at 15 years old not something Lillian has been able to do at all. Due to fine motor issues and a slight tremor when focusing on fine motor issues she has not been able to do it. (One of my favorite pictures of Lillian from this past September. Doing something else she had not been able to do before … getting air for a great picture!)
A few months ago she said she was ready to try doing this simple task and asked how we should begin. I suggested she practice holding the clippers to her finger and toes and simply practice different positions, bending to her toes, and squeezing the clippers in that position.
She’s been doing that and yesterday she was ready to try it. I instantly felt patience fill my heart as I said, “Let’s do it.” Seriously, this was practically a half day task as she wanted to try and paint her own toenails also.
Although, she was not able to cut any nails this time, she was able to get the clipper underneath the nail as I guided (I didn’t want to chance accidentally nipping the skin). However, she did paint some of her toenails. It was incredibly hard and stressful work for her. Seriously.
May you rejoice today and let yourself feel the blessings of miracles that happen every single minute. And, may your heart overflow with gratitude and love …. for yourself and your fellow humans …. xoxo
Sibshop and Smores and Halfway Point
August 21 2016:
Thomas got to enjoy a Sibshop yesterday!! Something different this time … Hiking! Thomas has hiked this area for about two years now and they enjoyed that he was so familiar with it! Thanks Down Syndrome Network of Northern Nevada (DSNNN) and JUSTin HOPE Foundation for hosting!
August 22 2016:
It was a s’mores kinda night. YUM!!
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August 23 2016:
Today I reached the halfway point before getting this to the publisher! Should go much faster now. By this Friday or next Friday at the latest, Biggest Little Photographer is leaving my “hands”!! I’m so happy that we back-tracked and decided to group the photos into themes. Looks awesome!
There won’t be a ton of content in the book. It will mostly be the photos Thomas took, with a tad bit of imagination thrown in, a couple of bloopers that happened during the process and some quotes.
Here’s a sneak peak (unedited): “Hey friends! I’m Mr. Minifigure Photographer, also known as The Biggest Little Photographer. One day in March 2014, 8 year old Thomas Darnell, was inspired by an article his mom shared with him. He bought me a minifigure size camera and I travelled with him everywhere he went for 365 days straight …..”
Our continued gratitude for those who continue to pre-purchase, share, comment, like, and watch the book trailer. xoxo
