Can You Get Your Bathwater Ready

January 19 2017:

It’s one of those “Lillian miracle” posts again ….

Lillian and Camilla October 2016 Date Day 10.18.16 #8

Last night Lillian ran her own bathwater, turning the faucet on and off by herself (BIG deal!), readied the bathroom, pulling the heater out and plugging it in, and had a bath without calling me in to help with anything (BIG deal!!).

She did send a text in the beginning saying she couldn’t get the water to turn on …. yet, she figured it out before I even responded! At FIFTEEN years old! Hallelujah!! I was only needed for ONE task … getting her hair up. One day I will post that she is able to take care of that hair of hers!

When you take your shower or bath today, perhaps you may want to release all other thoughts and focus on the miracle happening in that moment. xoxo

I Need to Take It Easy

**THROWBACK POST**

January 11 2012:

“Listen, I need to take it easy this week.” -Lillian

{Discussing that she and I need to get to working on her math!} So hard not to crack up! I’m trying to have a serious conversation here girl!

Camilla & Lillian Rancho July Date Day 2015

(Picture from a July 2015 Lillian and Camilla Date Day)

Why We Attend The Chromosome 18 Conference Every Summer

January 8 2017:

Top 10 Countdown Continues! The Number SIX 2016 CamillaDowns.com blog post with the most views: “2016 Chromosome 18 Conference – San Antonio” ……. xoxoxoxoxo …….

2016 Chromosome 18 Conference – San Antonio

from the article … “The anticipation of and the attendance at the conference encourage Lillian to set goals and accomplishing them. At last year’s conference she got in the elevator, went downstairs, and waited in the lobby for friends .. all without my assistance or presence.

She used the hand dryer and automatic toilet also. About a week ago she walked across the foot bridge alone, without holding onto my arm. Two days ago she climbed two stairs with holding onto my arm and plans to reach the top of the stairwell before we leave for the conference. All of these are huge accomplishments for her … “

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!!!!!

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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!

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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/

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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

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A Tribute to Our Friend Heather England

August 12 2016:

I am so incredibly saddened and my heart aches. Heather is a beautiful soul we got the chance to know through our chromosome 18 family. All day yesterday your face was right in front of me dancing with me as we did at the farewell dinner just last month at the C18 Conference. Heather England, you and your family, have blessed me and all you encounter with how you shine and love. Ronda England: I send love, light, prayers and strength … My heart breaks for you … xoxoxo …

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Please send prayers, love, and strength to the England family.

From Heather’s family earlier this afternoon:

“Feeling very thankful and grateful for the tons of folks that stormed the gates of heaven for Heather England’s life over the past two days! I am saddened to tell you she has left her earthly dwelling, however, I rejoice in knowing that she has gone to heaven to party with Jesus! I will miss her infectious smile and her compassionate heart. Heather I will see you in eternity! Until then …………. Hold heaven down for me!”

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August 16, 2016:

Found some purple flowers to take a picture of for you this morning, Heather England … Beautiful shining you … You shined at the farewell dinner and dance. And you shared your shine with all you touched .. Just look at YOU!

Thank you Rick Guidotti for capturing this amazing picture. Ronda England … All my love, heart, prayers … everything to you and your family today as you celebrate Heather’s life this afternoon .. xoxo

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Thank you Mark Sogard for being there with the family in place of those of us all over the world who want to show our love and support! xoxo …#purpleforHeather 

More thoughts of Heather … Thomas made purple Heather flags to hang from his glasses … Team TLC Loves Heather England … xoxoxo …#purpleforHeather https://leaandsimmons.com/…/9…/Heather-England/obituary.html…

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One more for beautiful, shining Heather England … #purpleforHeather … Oceans of love, prayers, and strength to you and your family Ronda England…

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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!