Wise Tortoise by Lillian

8.12.16:

ishot-102

Another great story from Lillian …  Carry on wise tortoise … xoxo

“Hey, everyone! Welcome back to this week’s bonus edition of Emotions With Animals. The bonus is in honor of water. This week’s edition includes tortoises and freshwater turtles. Let’s begin!

Wise tortoises live longer than average humans. So it makes them seem wise.

Wise people have many experiences. They also meditate.

How To Be Wise:

Know that you are wise from the heart …. ” Go here to read further … https://lilliandarnell.com/2016/08/12/emotions-with-animals-wise-tortoise-shy-turtles/

 

 

Wonders Of Nature by Lillian

Hey there, everyone! This post is about wonders nature can give you if you look closely. Hope this helps nature lovers and other people who want to be nature lovers or likers. Enjoy these wonders I listed below.

At Washoe Lake, Thomas, Camilla, and Lillian (which is me) found gypsum rocks. I picked a big gypsum rock to keep. Camilla had found a hand sized gypsum rock that had shimmered to catch Camilla’s attention. Camilla had said that the gypsum rock told her, “I’m yours!” and that is one wondrous thing especially if you’re a rock lover.

Also at Washoe Lake, Thomas found a piece of slate and a different mineral or rock. When we got home, he washed both and cleaned both. That is a miraculous thing to find by a lake.

At home, I found petrified wood and I was amazed by the wood turned into stone. It’s a very cool thing to have. I found out that blue goldstone and goldstone were pretty and can have healing powers.

Amethyst can look pretty and have healing powers too. Quartz is always pretty and if you look closely you can see a rainbow and it has some healing powers as well. Sandstone is our state stone and it’s amazing how sand turns into stone.

I was surprised to find out that we had hematite in our home. It’s also very pretty but it’s a natural wonder. Malachite is very pretty and almost the same as hematite.

When we were walking at Rancho San Rafael Park, we saw a hummingbird and I had never seen one before. I think hummingbirds represent nature in different ways. I also saw a blue jay that same day. I think blue jays resemble the mountains. When walking here at home, I saw a Little Egret and Egret. I think egrets represent snow and lake.

In one of our previous homes, we saw California quails. I think it was a great experience! I also think that quails represent land and sky together. Coots are amazing. I think Coots represent the night sky.

I saw a woodpecker last autumn pecking a dead tree and that was amazing. I think that woodpeckers represent dirt. I saw a hawk eating something and it attracted a crowd. I thought that was very awesome! A hawk represents fertilizer to me.

I had never seen a dove up close until 2014 to last year. I think a dove represents an angel from “heaven”. I also hadn’t seen Canadian geese up close until last summer. I think a Canadian goose represents earth.

Camilla, Thomas, and I saw two pelicans not too long ago and I think pelicans represent floppy paper. All these natural wonders remind us that natural wonders are around us all the time. Look around you and you’ll see natural natural wonders no matter where you look. I hope you visit my blog, Thomas’s blog, and Camilla’s blog.

Gorgeous Sandstone!

Nature Chatted About the Party – Lillian

October 12 2016:

lillian-blowing-dandelion-september-2016

Make a wish and read Lillian’s latest blog post in the Nature Party Series … “The nature team prepared for the party. Meanwhile, Nature chatted about the party made just for them. They were all excited. “I’m so excited.” said the … ” …. xoxoxo ….

Go here to read more …. https://lilliandarnell.com/…/amazing-nature-party-the-big-d…/

History of Art – The Play by Lillian Darnell

October 4 2016:

Lillian wrote a play this time! Go Lillian!! Check it out! xoxo

“Hey, everyone! This play will help you learn about the history of art. For those who like art will probably be interested in the history of art. You can use this play for school and other educational uses if you want to.

Narrator: Welcome to History of Art! Let the play begin.

(Princess enters from Stage A). …..” Go here to read the rest ….

camillas-heart-art-with-st-augustine-quote-july-2015

(Artwork by Camilla Downs)

 

Spreading the Great Nature – Lillian

October 1 2016:

She’s still at it!! (Her book is next!!) Part 2 of Lillian’s new series about Nature …

….. As the leader wrote special invitations, the leader of the nature group suggested,”I got an awesome idea. How about we spread the great nature? Would you spread the news to our good nature-loving friends with the invitations?” and the group responded,”That’s an great idea. Let’s make it happen! Sure, we would love to spread the news.” …. Go here to read the rest

Go Lillian Go!! xoxo

august-date-day-with-thomas-9-6-16-9

She Spread Her Wings …. And Flew – Happy 15th Birthday Lillian

September 14 2016:

So this one turns 15 at 11:27 pm tonight … We’ve been celebrating all day as hopefully we’ll be asleep by that time!

… And she spread her wings …. Took a deep breath … And, just like that …. She FLEW!!! xoxo ….

For anyone who has been following all of the amazing accomplishments Lillian has made since this past July, you truly understand my comment above. They are happening so fast I cannot even keep up with posting them here.

See this picture below .. That’s a first … Taken last night on a Team TLC adventure. Jumping in the air bunches and bunches of times while I took 771 pictures of her …

4 pounds of heaven grown into a full blown fairy angel who knows she is to be a writer and helper. She has indeed done it her way … From butt scooting instead of crawling, talking different than others, eating, drinking, walking different than others …. and on and on and on … Blessed, blessed, blessed and so grateful we chose one another to teach and learn. Happy Happy Happy 15th Birthday Lillian Darnell!!!

Today is her day. After physical therapy this morning I took her to pick out sparkly headbands, then for gluten free donuts at Haven on Earth, and then home.

After resting for a few minutes, she opened her gifts, Thomas and I sang her Happy Birthday, and then we ate way too much of the gluten free chocolate cake (with oh so yummy cream cheese frosting) that we made last night.

Then we finished the celebration with a “live” Facebook birthday party!! That was interesting and fun!!!

 

Happy World by Lillian Darnell

July 21 2016:

Lillian got inspired by a drawing she created yesterday …. This is an incredible story and looks like it will be the story of how Mr. Happy Tree came to be.

Lillian drew a tree last summer that we named Mr. Happy Tree and I told her he is going to be a great book character … The 2nd picture is Mr Happy Tree from last summer. Hope you enjoy …

“One day, a bird picked up a seed to eat. A few minutes later, the bird decided that it wasn’t the right seed. The bird threw it back down. That was the beginning of the Happy World.

As the years past, the tree grew until it had several branches and a strong trunk. The strong tree became known as the Happy Tree. The Happy Tree decided to produce a seed. The seed grew with happiness and love. One day, the seed blossomed into a young beautiful tree that didn’t grow much after that point.” Go here to read the rest … https://lilliandarnell.com/2016/07/20/a-happy-world/

Blessings,
Thomas, Lillian and Camilla = Team TLC
See It. Share It. BE IT … Spread Love Everywhere You Go!

Wonderfully exciting news! We’ve completed the first book trailer for Thomas’ upcoming book, Biggest Little Photographer. You can learn more and pre-order here.

Lillian’s Accomplishments and Goosebumps

Lillian & Camilla May 2016 Date Day #6

July 20 2016:

We shared with Lillian’s physical therapist on Wednesday, the 20th, the pictures of her using the stairs and also about one other achievement she met while on this trip. Jillian, her therapist, got goose bumps! This is good stuff!

YES!! There’s another one that was accomplished. It’s a personal and private achievement … Just know, she did it! Took 14 and a half years, yet she did it!!! Wahooooo!! We are happy to share with any other C18 parents (or other special needs parents) … Just comment here or message me. YAY, WAHOO, and Let’s celebrate!! xoxo

I double checked with Lillian’s PT for the accurate names of what she’s been working on with Lillian for the past year … Straight from her: We have been working on integrating Fear Paralysis Reflex, Moro Reflex, Galant Reflex and Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex and Body Mapping. … xoxo

The 2016 Chromosome 18 Conference: Joy in the Journey

Joy in the Journey …. Moments of Loving-Kindness During the 2016 Chromosome 18 Conference ….

Beautiful and Meaningful Bracelet

…. Then there was the mom who gave me this bracelet and said, “Y’all bust your butts to get here every year, and I want you to have this. I love you and your kids. I thought of you as I was making it.” This caused my eyes to sweat …. xoxoxoxo

C18 Trip July 2016 #122

Offered a Place to Stay + Embarrassing Moment for Me

I did not plan the driving part of our trip, except for the route we would take. I had decided that I would just drive until I was tired or about 7 or 8 hours and just get a room wherever we were at that point.

When we reached Las Vegas I thought we might make it to the Phoenix area. So I sent a text to an 18p- Mom friend who lives in the area as she had said to let them know if we are stopping there for the night.

After we left Vegas, I had no reception until we reached Surprise, Arizona which is on the outskirts of Phoenix. As I was inquiring about a room, all of her texts and messages came through on my phone (that had not come through over the past 5 hours).

She and her husband have a standing room at a Scottsdale hotel and offered to let us use it. I was so wasted and absolutely could not make a sound decision at that point as I had been driving since 7:00 am and it was about 9:15 pm.

I didn’t think I could figure out how to get there in the dark and Thomas and Lillian were so tired. It would have been 45 minutes without taking any wrong turns so I decided to take the room where we were.

I am incredibly grateful to them for offering and for texting and talking with me in my delirious state only to have me not take them up on their wonderful offer. I was quite embarrassed with myself … 😉 ….

After we were in our room, we received 2 more offers for a place for us to stay the night (which could be used on our way back through). One in Surprise, Arizona and one in Yarnell, Arizona.

National Parks Employee

There was the National Parks employee at Lake Mead … I saw that it would cost $20 for us to enter the park and drive down to the lake. I also knew we would only last about 15 – 20 minutes since Lillian has a tendency to overheat .. Big time.

Overheating so badly that she throws up for an hour. So, I explained about Lillian and she said .. “You want to go ahead and get her a lifetime pass and you can enter all national parks for free.” …. xoxoxo

Ticket Gifted for Ladies Night

The moment we arrived in San Antonio I had a message from another 18p- Mom that she was looking forward to seeing me and had bought my ticket for ladies night. She didn’t want me to miss out and wanted me to have a night out with the other moms. I had not planned on going due to the costs and had not shared that with anyone. xoxoxo

Duct Tape

Before we left I asked the hotel if they had any duct tape. And what do you know .. they had the engineering/electrical department bring some up to the room! Wonder if they’ve ever had that request? I had to make a little Rosey repair before we headed out. xoxoxo

Hotel Manager Kindness

Before the hotel ran the charge for the entire stay on my debit card, I forgot to tell them that we’d be checking out a day earlier than planned. They also added in $40 a day for incidentals. We were on this trip on a very tight budget, so I needed that extra night reversed and not to be charged the $40 incidentals.

The manager on duty went way out of her way to correct the charge. It took us two days but she got it reversed so we could run the lower amount through and they did not charge me the $40 per day incidentals.

In talking with her about parking and how I had looked online for less expensive parking while there (cost $40/day for the hotel parking), she shared with me how I could park for free for our entire stay .. just steps outside the front door of the hotel. xoxoxo

Painted Rocks

There was the mom who asked about commissioning Thomas to paint 10 rocks for her so that she can give them as “thank you” gifts. Thomas is so excited and he will save most of the money for conference next year. He’s finished the first one .. a shell with pearls on the backside! He wants to create seasonal themes. xoxoxo

Thomas Painted Shell Rock July 2016

Chatting and Veggies

During the ladies night dinner, I had a pounding headache. I rarely get headaches but something I ate at lunch didn’t agree with me. A beautiful and amazing 18p- mom sitting across from me, noticed my distress, and invited me outside onto the patio.

It was extremely loud in the room we were using due to all of our voices echoing and that was doing a number on my head! We stood outside and admired the river and chatted and took pictures. Later she ordered a plate of steamed veggies and shared half with me as everything except the rice had meat in it.

Here’s hoping you find the Joy in Your Journey. It’s there. Trust me. It is.