January 10 2018:
Today was volunteer day! Staying strong at keeping with our 2 hour a week commitment! Here’s Lillian pulling holds and pushing the cart. Instead of doing them together, now we divide the hold list and she’s pulling em by herself now!
We also may or may not accidentally find books we want to check out too! (That’s what the bottom shelf of the cart is for holding!! Right??)
**THROWBACK POST**
November 25 2015:
Brushing one’s hair. Simple for most. Not so simple for those with motor skill difficulties. I was moved to share a moment of deep gratitude.
Lillian. Has. Mastered. BRUSHING HER OWN HAIR!!!! At 14 years, 2 months old she can finally do it! It takes her about 6 times as long as the average amount of time, yet she CAN DO IT!!!! …….
Sending this with oceans of strength, courage, and PATIENCE that you never give up on yourself or your loved ones. I have found there are times to let those in our care rest, and not push them; and there are those times when we say, “No. You can do it. I know you can. Once you know you can do it too, you WILL do it.”
And I know one day, yep, one day she will be able to wash her own hair. She doesn’t believe that right now. Yet, I know one day she will, one day she WILL. Love, sweet, love!! xoxo
January 4 2018:
Still following through with the once per week solo hanging out at the lodge for Lillian. I walk her over and she spends 5 minutes on the treadmill.
Still working on that darn heel toe movement when walking and standing up straight. The goal is to keep increasing the minutes. We started at 3 minutes!
January 19 2018:
YAY!!!! They are on the way!!! Who else is excited? xoxo
January 21 2018:
….. from the “Forward” … Being able to communicate your thoughts and feelings with others is an incredible blessing. And, I feel, vital for living a joyful, fulfilled life. What do you think?
**If you’d like to learn more about Lillian’s debut book, go here … https://www.LillianDarnell.com/author …. Oceans of gratitude!!
**THROWBACK POST**
November 22 2013:
Lillian’s class participated in NaNoWriMo and she chose to write a collection of short stories. Reading her notebook brought “sweat” to my eyes … xoxo … Here’s one of them:
Amelia’s Angel Visit
Written: Lillian
Once upon a time, Amelia’s prince had died and Amelia was a poor queen but one night, Amelia had been visited by Amelia’s prince angel. He had said,
“Respect all other angels like you do with me.”
And so her father, stepmother, stepsisters, and their princes’ angels came along with Amelia’s prince angel and they had said,
“Keep your confidence and hopefully you will strengthen your courage.”
Then one night they stopped visiting and left Amelia alone because she had enough courage to be super-duper happy. To this day, she’ll tell you to keep confidence and you will soon build up courage to be super-duper happy.
**Update – December 19 2017: This is an example of the stories included in Lillian’s debut book, Where Would You Fly and Other Magical Stories. You can learn more and pre-order the book by going here … https://www.LillianDarnell.com/author ….
December 18 2017:
Huge step for Lillian Monday night!
I did not feel well all weekend and spent as much of Sunday as possible in bed. We needed groceries and I had planned a date day with Thomas on Monday. I woke up Monday feeling great! I did the grocery shopping, then came home to whisk Thomas off for his date.
When he and I got home, it hit me again. I could hardly move! Lillian was doing what she does when she’s not had enough interaction with me … messing with my hair and head. I could not take it as I was aching all over.
I sensed her energy beginning to shift so made sure to stay calm in letting her know I did not feel good and needed her to stop. She got very quiet and sat with her back to me; which, many times in the past meant the switch was about to flip to meltdown mode.
Instead she said she needed to tell me something. She said she needs some attention from me and hasn’t been getting enough. Hallelujah! This is huge when she can lean into the uncomfortable feelings, halt the near immediate switch to meltdown, and put into words what she needs.
I was in the middle of working on something and suggested when I got done that we could color for a few minutes in the mindfulness coloring book we had just received from a friend. So, we did that and before bed, danced to one Christmas song. I was barely moving but knew she needed this.
Must remember to celebrate this when I feel better! So incredibly grateful for our path of mindfulness and allowing and connecting with feelings! Hugs to all who celebrate this with us! xoxo
January 7 2018:
Just placed the first order books! Arriving January 30th at the latest. It is completed! xoxo
January 8 2018:
Celebrating with gluten free chocolate macaroons. This team celebrates with what we can and however we can. It may not look like much, yet, the celebration and joy in our hearts more than make up for it.
Here’s to us! Here’s to completion! And here’s to those who support and encourage us. Here’s to everyone. All humans, animals, plant life, and Mother Earth.
January 10 2018:
Would you like to learn more about the book? Go here … https://www.LillianDarnell.com/author … Thank you!
**THROWBACK POST**
November 19 2014:
How many of you can brush your own teeth?
We have one more member of the “brush-my-own-teeth” club! At 13 years old her proprioceptive system is finally waking up along with the motor skills needed for proper brushing along with the tightness of her mouth muscles loosening some!
Go Lillian Go! Thank you Matt at Advanced Pediatric Therapies!! This calls for some happy dancing … xoxo
December 31 2017:
Issues addressed! Another proof book on its way! This time with gloss cover for comparison to the matte cover. xoxo
January 2 2018:
Look what we got! Time to start addressing envelopes!! So far, three Where Would You Fly beauties are flying internationally to Australia!! Thank you to our Aussie friends!!! xoxo
January 5 2017:
Matte vs Glossy …… I like matte. Thomas prefers glossy. Lillian Darnell likes glossy. It’s her book! Glossy it is!!
Placing our first order tonight or tomorrow. Just waiting for one wee little change to the cover. Changing font color to white on the spine so it stands out when on the shelf amongst other book lovelies!
Let us know if you want in on the first order! Incredible gratitude to all!!!
If you would like to learn more about the book or place an order, go here … https://www.LillianDarnell.com/Author …. Thank you to everyone for your support and kindness!
December 9 2017:
One more task I have been relieved of helping with. It seems so small and trivial, yet, Lillian feels she must have a dab of peppermint oil rubbed under her nose before going to bed.
There have been many times I was incredibly tired and ready for bed long before she got to this step. Doing her routine and all the steps in order is vital to Lillian …. in her mind and way of thinking.
This was the last task I was helping with that kept me from going to bed when my body and mind were ready. Best, Best, Best Christmas present Ever!!
For about the past 6 months, on the 3rd of every month, Lillian chooses one task to take over that I’ve still been helping with. I was firm that for December, this was it!!! HA!!! Hallelujah ….
