February 4 2017:
Team TLC Movie Night – Thomas’ choice: “Back to the Future”
Thomas says, “I loved it! It was really good and I want to see the sequels! Liked the music a lot and liked the plot! Can’t describe it. So good!”
Lillian says, “Good, liked the scenery, the music was okay, awesome, worth watching, great, and amazing.”
I say, “Loved watching this with Thomas and Lillian! Great testament to how one persons encouraging words can have a positive unknown effect.” xoxo
Liberty’s Voice
Emma Lazarus’ poem, “The New Colossus” became forever connected with the Statue of Liberty. Another wonderful true story of one who followed her heart, no matter what.
She overcame the barriers of her day and became one of the leading poets of the nineteenth century. She helped impoverished and poor immigrants of Eastern Europe.
She was inspired by the writings of Ralph Waldo Emerson. She ended up meeting him and he became a friend and mentor.
We all completely enjoyed this one too!
The New Colossus
Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
“Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she
With silent lips. “Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”
February 14 2016:
Art from the Heart – Thomas and Lillian joined me yesterday. Having such a good time painting and just playing around with brushes and mixing colors.
I had been waiting until I had the right materials and the money to pay for a class. No more. This is FUN! Using the brushes we have, acrylic paint we have, and using thick recycled cardboard from food packages, boxes and rocks for the canvas. Just love, love, love.
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Yum! Fresh coconut and raw honey. Plus, we had it dipped in melted dark chocolate last night during our movie! Yum, yum, yum!!!
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I just finished reading Camilla’s book, “D Iz For Different”. What a truly inspiring story! I loved every bit of it. The quote below seems to capture the essence of the journey from A-Z through the various chapters: each one of us is a “treasury” of many gifts. It is easy to forget this when our lives don’t seem to match the ever-elusive standard.
Yet, in each chapter, Camilla gives a reason and discusses a strategy for treasuring life in whatever form it might present itself in the moment, sharing her own experiences, particularly as a mother. This ranges from allowing ourselves to feel what we feel, to be present in the moment, and to not postpone happiness.
Life is not always easy, but brings many opportunities for laughter, light-heartedness, and celebration if we recognize that we have a choice in how we see and experience each moment, and the people we share it with. An absolutely beautiful book!!! -Michaela, Reno, Nevada
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February 14 2015:
Love shines brightly. It is always there, no matter if it can be felt or seen. It’s what we all are at our core. Happy day of LOVE! Picture from Autumn 2014 in Sparks, NV … “Love wishes to be known, completely understood and shared.
It has no secrets; nothing that it would keep apart and hide. It walks in sunlight, open-eyed and calm, in smiling welcome and in sincerity so simple and so obvious it cannot be misunderstood.” -from “Lessons in Love”
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The actual day is not til the 26th but The Romano Duo will be out of town. So we had an early birthday celebration. YAY and YUM!!
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Team TLC movie night … Our 1st choice, Stuart Little 3, was too damaged. In about 20 minutes it had skipped over 50 minutes of the movie. So … since it feels like Spring …..
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February 14 2014:
Here’s to Love and spreadin the Love … ALWAYS …. Cheers from Team TLC …. Apple juice/water for Thomas and Lillian and Ruby Red Chai tea for Mamma!! YUM!
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Okay, Okay. Got it! I’ve made the decision, now I’m gonna make it the right decision. Finally got to see the inside of the place we were going to move into tomorrow. Something just didn’t feel right. I spent all day yesterday trying to make the uneasy feeling go away.
Woke up this morning and decided that the feeling is there for a reason, so we will not be moving just yet. Thanks to an amazing and awesome friend I reached out to in my spiral of confusion yesterday, I’m moving forward with letting “stuff” go that does not serve me and is NOT the real me!! Thank you tons and tons B!
Now, Thomas is taking Lillian and I out to lunch with a gift he received from another amazing friend! Thank you Catherine Via Burzio!!! He’s taking us out for burger and fries at Inn n Out Burger! Happy LOVE day y’all! Show love every day, not just on this “designated” day … xoxo
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Thank you Thomas for treating Lillian and I to a burger and fries!! And thank you to my friend Catherine for giving him the means to do this! So awesome that you included a special card just for him in the Team TLC care package! Love is in the air …… Every day!
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Way cool LEGO BBQ grill Thomas made. Check out the awesome light brick creating a very realistic look!
WOW! A sky full of love …..
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Team TLC is blessed by The Romano Duo! Thank you tons for the yummy lobster and champagne dinner tonight! All dinners with The Romano Duo are special. Spread love everywhere you go, every day …. Yum ….. for the food and love!
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February 14 2013:
Happy Love Day Y’all!
Stoppin for a little park adventure!!
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February 14 2012:
“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.” -Steve Jobs
Happy Valentine’s Day Friends . . . Remember that you are AWESOME, you make a difference and NEVER let bumps in the road cause you to turn around . . .
Thomas’ homework today: Count to 100. I say to him, “Count to 100 when you finish what you are doing.” He says, “I already did, in my imagination.” That’s so good I think I’m gonna let that one slide!! Hahahaha!
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Adventure with my little sweetheart!!!!
Valentine’s dinner with Thomas …. Guinness in a champagne glass? Even better!!!
January 31 2017:
Thomas and Camilla January 2017 Date Day … First! Feeding everyone some yummy goodness!
Thomas and Camilla January 2017 Date Day …. First! Feeding these beauties and a walk around the lake. Part 1
Thomas and Camilla January 2017 Date Day …. Next – Hitting tennis balls and a couple of walks around the track. Part 2
Thomas and Camilla January 2017 Date Day …. Next – Hitting tennis balls and a couple of walks around the track at Virginia Foothills Park. Part 3
Thomas and Camilla January 2017 Date Day …. Last stop – Eating our dessert cookie with a view. Thomas and I have been coming here since he was a wee little one. Part 4
**THROWBACK POST**
February 6 2013:
One day not long ago, Thomas asked, “What if someone throws away the anonymous HappY Message we left for them?”
I told him we can’t control what people do with kindness after we share it with them and we don’t want to let that stop us from spreading happYness and kindness.
Keep on spreading it as you feel moved …
**THROWBACK POST**
February 5 2012:
A post Lillian wrote almost a year ago just came across my radar. It’s special to me, maybe it’ll warm your heart too . . .
**THROWBACK POST**
February 3 2016:
Dear Thomas,
I know how sometimes you long to have a “typical” sibling and “typical” sibling relationship …
https://themighty.com/2014/07/letter-to-the-siblings-of-a-brother-or-sister-with-a-disability/
After a huge Lillian meltdown this morning which caused him to be a wee bit late for school.
I am trying to help him notice when it’s not a good idea to push Lillian. He does try so hard, but just wants to not have to try sometimes. Lillian is making huge progress, yet, we still have those moments. Thomas’ teacher shares often with me how she enjoys his presence in the classroom as he’s so empathetic and compassionate.
I have recently pulled back from intervening when they decide to be unkind with one another. I’ve explained that I have taught them methods to use and I model those methods. It is up to them whether they use them or not.
This morning it escalated, I remained calm and not involved. It escalated and escalated and escalated. There was screaming and door slamming. I remained calm and not involved. I got scratched and pinched, I remained calm. I kept emphasizing that I’d be happy to help her get calm and to let me know when she was ready.
And. Finally, Lillian asked for help in calming down. I walked her through a meditative breathing exercise and we moved on …. I don’t always remain calm. I did this morning and it makes such a huge, huge, huge difference when I do. Mindfulness is an amazing way to live …
Yes, this. I am blessed and grateful that we are a team. I am having the time of my life on this journey with them. The joy, suffering, happiness, peace, love, and all … xoxo
**THROWBACK POST**
February 1 2016:
Thomas has declared it to be “Love Everything Day” …
Says he woke up loving everything! I’ll take that.
May you BE love and spread love today. xoxo
**THROWBACK POST**
January 31 2016:
“It’s so quiet. It’s like no one else exists.” – Thomas Darnell
Comment made by Thomas at Bartley Ranch where we ended our January 2016 Date Day.
