September 20 2018:
After 3 years, The Romano Duo are back! Right back where they lived when first moving to the area in 2004! Dayton!
We are thrilled to have them back in the same state and so close! (Picture from when they left 3 years ago … September 2015) xoxo
September 21 2018:
Lil celebration toast after dinner tonight! The last of Lillian’s birthday cake and goodies that Yvon brought to us from Deventer. Here’s to good news! Here’s to us!!
September 4 2018:
We don’t really have a first day … So, beginning of the traditional 2018-2019 academic year.
7th grade for Thomas
Senior year for Lillian
September 13 2018:
A powdered donut celebration to end Lillian’s last day as a 16 year old. Complete with a heart shape donut middle!
We each took turns sharing a wee bit about Lillian’s 16th year and then had a donut toast!!
One gluten free chocolate cake with coconut sugar cream cheese frosting ready for tomorrow! Yum!
Lillian says she can already feel her 17 year old self coming through! 🎉💞💞💞🎉
September 14 2018:
My Dearest Lillian,
I wish for you the happiest of birthdays.
I wish for you a joyful and peaceful 17th trip around the sun.
I wish for you all the experiences
That your heart desires.
Walks with you, I truly treasure.
Creating art with you, I truly Treasure.
Laughing and being silly with You, I truly treasure.
May strength, courage, peace and kindness be with you Always and forever ….
As will my Love.
I Love You!! Camilla
Mom
xoxo
(Message in Lillian’s birthday card)
My Dearest Lillian Darnell,
I am incredibly happy for you with how far you’ve come in your life. From those wee itty bitty 4 pounds and 5 ounces to the mighty powerful creator you have grown into …. Grown into physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
Your Knowing of what you want to experience in your life and letting that be Known are incredibly inspiring to me. You Know that you want to continue to write and create more stories and books. You Know that you want to travel and write about that also.
I am deeply sorry that I’m not able to facilitate the traveling portion of your Knowing. I know that both you and Thomas wish to travel more than our once a year trip to the annual Chromosome 18 conference. I, too, vision us traveling to the beautiful places we’ve all taken the time to list. We shall have this as our Team TLC goal. We shall get to this place eventually. I Know we will.
You have come great lengths in recognizing when your emotions have flared and I’m grateful that you tell me afterwards that something I did or said or a conversation we had caused you to get emotional. Noticing this is THE most important aspect of learning how to process emotions! What a GREAT accomplishment!!
I cannot wait to be a part of your 17th trip around the Sun. I look forward to this exciting time and am ever grateful that you and I chose one another for this grand adventure!!
Love you forever and always and throughout all times and dimensions,
Camilla
Mom
xoxo
September 14 2018:
The celebrations began this morning with The gifts and The Cake!
Happy 17th Birthday to Lillian!!
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For Lillian’s birthday this year, she asked for donations equaling $204 as she will be 204 months old (17 years), to The Chromosome 18 Registry & Research Society. She chose this nonprofit because their mission means a lot to her, and she hopes you’ll consider contributing as a way to celebrate with me. Every little bit will help me reach my goal.
(Group photo from the 2018 Chromosome 18 Conference in Baltimore, Maryland)
Lillian raised $265!! Go Lillian!!
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September 15 2018:
Yesterday was the Lillian and Camilla September 2018 Date Day and Celebrating Lillian’s 17th Birthday.
After presents and cake we visited Rancho San Rafael and the Wilbur May Arboretum!!
The sky, trees, flowers, and grounds were simply breathtaking!! I love you trees! Where do I begin and the tree end? Tree! Oh, how I love thee?
September 14 2018:
Following the park beauty it was time for fries and dessert! Vegan ginger cookie for me and lemon shortbread sandwich cookie for Lillian!
Last two stops! Shopping after dinner for a new pair of sunglasses for Lillian. And then soaking our feet in the pool and hot tub!! Ahhhhh …. That felt amazing!
July 10 2018:
Somewhere in the vast blue sky between Baltimore and Vegas; Lillian showed me something she had typed in her phone.
After I read it, a lump formed in my throat as sweat pooled in my eyes … Once I was able to speak, I suggested she expand it and create a story. I could tell it meant so very much to her and that this came straight from her heart. May this touch your heart and shine of the love of friendship and the love of nature.
With permission, here’s what she wrote: “Sometimes I hope Macy will travel on an airplane one day in the future so Macy could see how beautiful the sky is in the air. Maybe she could be able to see a circular rainbow or better yet a spectacular sunset, sunrise, or both if that day comes (I hope it does … )”
Here’s the story; which she wrote right then and there during the flight:
Hey, everyone! I wrote this story on July 5th inspired by a daydream I had for a year. The character’s name is based on Macy Miller (a close 18p- friend of mine). I hope you enjoy!
Once long ago, there lived a young girl named Macy Helens who was afraid to fly on an airplane. One day though, her parents who were named Hannah and William announced that they were going on a family vacation but they needed to take an airplane to their destination.
Hannah had made a smart decision to use this vacation to help Macy get over her fears of flying. So Macy was scared but she knew she had to overcome her fears eventually. So Macy agreed to go. They left the next morning.
First, they went through TFA (The Fairy Association which is similar to TSA) and Macy wasn’t even scared but she was proud of herself. Macy handled the searching for a gate number, waiting, and the walking quite easily. The hardest thing was getting on the plane but she told herself not to look down.
It worked perfectly. Once they were about to take off, Macy was afraid of the steep incline that what she did was look out the window for familiar sights. Macy saw circular rainbows, a beautiful sunset, and a gorgeous sunrise as well. She was very impressed. Finally, their flight landed and Macy was very happy and proud.
**THROWBACK POST**
July 22 2012:
Something to share from Team Member L …. Lillian took the picture and did her own editing … This was her first one so I helped on getting the text readable and in a good spot … 1st part of the quote is ALL her … I helped a little with the 2nd part of the quote … Go Lillian Go!!
June 16 2018:
Lillian wrote about her Surprise, Arizona adventure. Here’s part 1. You have got to read these. Hilarious!
“After a little while, I got bored so I took a lot of selfies. I also found out that their car had a GPS built into the car and a little cord you could plug up an old GPS with. Anyway, around 4:43 pm PDST we arrived at Beatty, NV. We spent the night at Death Valley Inn & RV Park which was nice … ”
June 12 2018:
Another awesome Lillian story … ” …. If you see a hummingbird, that may be Rebecca or Abby flying by ….. ”
May 29 2018:
The Egyptian Eye is on her way to Metairie Louisiana!!! Goin’ down da bayou! Oceans of gratitude to Stephanie for supporting Lillian’s fundraising efforts! xoxo .
Want an Egyptian Eye for yourself? Go here to learn more … https://lilliandarnell.com/2018/06/06/fundraising-for-the-2018-chromosome-18-family-conference-in-summary/
June 2 2018:
A story inspired by the Chromosome 18 Conference. ….. from Lillian … xoxo
Once many years, a little girl named Rainbow loved traveling to new places. One day, Rainbow decided to write a story. “Hello! My name is Rainbow. My family and I have been going to a conference called Party Dancers for many years”, wrote Rainbow.
One day at the Party Dancers, she faced many fears in just 1 day. Rainbow was very determined to conquer more fears. A couple of years later at the Party Dancers, Rainbow met a friend she connected with through Bookworm the previous year and had so much fun. Rainbow knew many friends and people that year.
Rainbow even tried to get in the cold pool. This year, Rainbow was pumped to go …..
https://lilliandarnell.com/2018/05/29/fundraising-for-the-2018-chromosome-18-family-conference-rainbow-of-emotions/
June 2 2018:
What happens when popsicles, donuts, and sprinkles have a party? … from Lillian …. Love this story!! xoxo