The Fruition of a Desire

Posted on January 12, 2017 by Camilla

January 6 2017:

Top 10 Countdown Continues! The Number FOUR 2016 CamillaDowns.com blog post with the most views: “Photo a Day for 365 Days – Thomas’ One Year Anniversary” ……. xoxoxoxoxo ……

Photo a Day for 365 Days – Thomas’ One Year Anniversary

This book represents the fruition of a desire. Yet, within that is the message that the steps along the journey of ones desire are what comprises life itself.

It’s sure to inspire with great quotes; almost all of which were chosen by Thomas ….. for ages eight to eighty and beyond!”

…. excerpt from the blog post …. “From Thomas’ last post on instagram … “LEGO MANS FACE!!!!! I can’t believe I’ve made it to this point. Last year I ordered some LEGO pieces including a camera. Then @CamillaDowns showed me an article about somebody who did a photo a day for a year. I said “Can I do that?”

That was a year ago, and I’ve took photos EVERY SINGLE DAY! There was a lot of times I wanted to quit, but my intuition said not to! Thanks for all of you who have followed me from there to here! I will still post often, so don’t worry!! P.S. I purposely never showed is face to make it somewhat a mystery.”

Biggest Little Photographer on the Radio and Flying to Germany

Posted on December 24, 2016 by Camilla

December 13 2016:

Thank you Terry Torpet Vasenden for buying 10 copies of Biggest Little Photographer to be sold at Sierra Family Pharmacies, including Don’s Pharmacy!! He gets a spot right up front at the counter! Your kindness, friendship, and excitement were refreshing to experience this afternoon! xoxo

So far 5 local shops are selling Biggest Little Photographer … He’s getting around! Tomorrow is post office run day so if you planned on buying a book and want it mailed tomorrow, place your order by end of day today.

_______________________________________________________________

December 14 2016:

Biggest Little Photographer gets to travel to Bavaria, Germany tomorrow with Alexa! He will permanently reside there with her Photographer Uncle!!! We are so blessed to have had Alexa in our lives for this past year and a half. xoxo … (Alexa is the wonderful psychotherapist that we’ve been seeing to help Lillian with processing emotions. Today was our last session with her! We graduated!)

__________________________________________________________

December 15 2016:

Thomas and I will be on the LRP Book Hound radio show live this coming Monday, 12.19, between 4-4:30 to talk about Biggest Little Photographer!! OKCKQ 1180 AM in Reno, NV and live streaming at https://amm.streamon.fm/….

We are so grateful to Jan for this opportunity and the entire crew at LRP for all they have done with bringing the book together. Oceans of thanks to everyone who has supported and cheered from the beginning and who continue to support Thomas’ creation! xoxo

_________________________________________________

December 16 2016:

Thank you Dave Asher at Buy Nevada First Gift Shop & Visitors Center!! Biggest Little Photographer looks amazing with all the other locally created souvenirs! It’s already time to re-stock! There’s only one left!

Thanks so much everyone!! Supporting another’s heart creation is indeed a blessing all the way around! xoxo

Craft Faire and Book Signing and Where to Find Biggest Little Photographer

Posted on December 19, 2016 by Camilla

November 27 2016:

Mr. Minifigure Photographer gets to attend the Magic of Santa Craft Faire next Saturday, 12.3! Thomas and I and the Biggest Little Photographer will be part of the Book Blast! space.

We will be there from 10-4. Stop by for a hug and a book if you’re there!

_____________________________________________

November 28 2016:

Thank you Natalie Gorden for surprising us on Saturday. I so very much appreciate you stopping by to see us and to buy a few books at the book signing! Oceans of love to YOU! xoxo

So far Biggest Little Photographer will be in five local shops: The Discovery Museum Gift Shop, Don’s Pharmacy, Buy Nevada First, Galena Creek Visitor’s Center Gift Shop, and NeverEnder.

If you know anyone, we are looking for connections to gift shops in Reno, Virginia City, Tahoe, Incline Village, and Sparks; including Nevada Historical Society, Wilbur May Center, visitor centers, casino gift shops and hospital gift shops. xoxoxo

Worlds of thanks to everyone for the connections to local shops in regards to stocking Biggest Little Photographer!” xoxo …. Blessings abound to everyone!!

_________________________________________________________________________

November 30 2016:

Wednesday is post office day for Biggest Little Photographer. Safe, quick travels Mr. Minifigure Photographer! Have fun in Carson City, Nevada; Mountain View, California; and Youngsville, Louisiana!!! xoxo

_____________________________________________________________

November 30 2016:

Thank you Coral Wilcox for coming by to see us on Saturday and buying a book. I’m incredibly happy we finally got to meet! Thanks, also, for the hugs! Oceans of love to YOU! xoxo

_________________________________________________________

December 1 2016:

Delivered books to Neverender today. What an absolutely beautiful shop! So many locally created items. I’ll be back to get some of the amazing soy candles in recycled bottles. WOW! For now, this is the place to get the book in Mid Town. Thank you Melanie Crane for your trust, kindness, and having such an awesome shop!

The other locations around town are: The Discovery Museum Gift Shop, Don’s Pharmacy (delivering next week), Buy Nevada First (delivering next week), and Galena Creek Visitor’s Center Gift Shop (delivered today).

So far that’s 6 “Yes!” and 5 “No” responses and several waiting to hear back from! Plus, one book signing. I say that’s a success.

Heck, just asking is a success. Even further, simply creating the book is a success. It’s interesting that all but one of the “No” responses were not referred and don’t know us. All of the “Yes” responses were referred or know us.

Oceans and oceans of thanks to those of you who have purchased a book or referred us. Books are certainly not a “popular” item and it’s difficult to get those who don’t know the story to not lump this in with past experiences with books.

I’m not sure I’ve seen a 365 photo a day project that was done by an 8 year old made into an actual published book with ISBN and LCCN numbers.

Every day I open my eyes and put my feet on the ground is a success. Today was a success!! xoxo

____________________________________________________

December 2 2016:

Thank you Todd Kihara for coming by to see us on Saturday and buying a book. We hope your Dad loves the book!!! Let us know!

__________________________________________________

December 3 2016:

Our magic is complete for the day! Home from The Magic of Santa Craft Faire. We were part of the Book Blast magic!

One person who bought Biggest Little Photographer is a photographer for magazines and he LOVED the book!

Thomas and I had our art fortune read and created by Pan Pantonja … our table mate. Thanks LRP Printing Publishing & Business Center for inviting and including us.

The Book Hound and Thank You and Where to Find Biggest Little Photographer

Posted on December 5, 2016 by Camilla

November 14 2016:

….. Coming soon to a radio (or internet radio) near you …. Thomas and I will be on a local radio show called “The Book Hound”; which airs LIVE on Mondays. We’ll let you know when the date is set. Wheeeee!!!!

Do we know anyone who knows anyone who owns/manages local gift shops or shops that carry locally “made” items? The book is printed here in Reno and almost all of the photographs were taken in Reno/Sparks/Washoe Valley/Virginia City/Tahoe. Thank you!! xoxo

We are also happy to offer the book for use as a fundraiser. Let us know.

________________________________________

November 15 2016:

Thank you so much Theresa Garcia Grant for lunch, wonderful company, and for supporting Biggest Little Photographer. Look how graceful you are ……. xoxo

_________________________________________________

November 15 2016:

Wonderful, fabulous, great news …..

Don’s Pharmacy will soon have Biggest Little Photographer for sale! So far in Reno the book will be sold at The Discovery Museum Gift Shop and Don’s Pharmacy …. and from us … Making the weekly trip to the post office tomorrow if anyone wants one mailed this week.

This is a picture of Thomas at a wonderful sacred Round Dance we took part in at the beautiful OdaBe!! Can’t wait for the next one!!!

Oceans of thanks and love to everyone for your support and kindness. xoxo

_______________________________________

November 16 2016:

Biggest Little Photographer is on his way to Florida and Texas …. Must be the cold front that visited us today ….. Safe travels little man!!!!

______________________________________________

November 19 2016:

The Discovery Museum is hosting a book signing for Thomas next Saturday, 11.26, from 2-4! We will be picking up our 3rd order of books next week from LRP and that will put us nearing 100 books!

The Discovery Museum Gift Shop will also be selling Biggest Little Photographer! We will be delivering 20 books to The Discovery on Monday or Tuesday.

If anyone is interested in learning more about the book, hosting a book signing, carrying the book, or personally purchasing, here’s the link ….https://www.BiggestLittlePhotographer.com

We are happy to make the book available for fundraisers also. In addition, we are available to speak at events.

Oceans of thanks to everyone!! xoxo

________________________________________________

November 19 2016:

Worlds of thanks to everyone for the connections to local shops in regards to stocking Biggest Little Photographer! We are deeply grateful!! xoxo

We’ve got another to add! YAY! Buy Nevada First will be selling the book also. Wahoo! So the three shops so far are: The Discovery Museum Gift Shop, Don’s Pharmacy, and Buy Nevada First.

We are looking for connections to gift shops in Reno, Virginia City, Tahoe, Incline Village, and Sparks.

Here are a few reviews that we’ve received:

“I got the coolest package in the mail today. Just when I was getting homesick and missing the west coast this came at the perfect time.

“This book was created by the most amazing 8 year old I know who is the perfect example of determination and going after your dreams and he’s accomplished more in those 8 years then I ever will.

Thank you for warming my heart on this rainy Texas night. This kid is going places and has a positive message to share.” ~Gloria, Texas

“The book is absolutely beautiful and literally exudes all the love that went into making it!! A real treasure!” – Michaela, Reno

“Since your book arrived last week, I have read it a couple of times thru and also just looked at a few pages and smiled!

You certainly are to be commended for taking on and completing such a big project for an entire year! It is so lovely for you to have a dream come to fruition at your young age!The quotes were just perfect and so appropriate!

The message for me is to not take life for granted. Your little photographer took pictures of the ORDINARY and made them EXTRAORDINARY thru his camera lens and your vision. ~Patricia, California

Happy 11th Birthday Thomas

Posted on November 27, 2016 by Camilla

November 13 2016:

He wanted cheesecake for his cake. So that’s what I made for him with shaved dark chocolate on top. Oh my YUM!!!

He so loves and enjoys reading National Geographic so I got him a subscription for the print edition. Lillian made a handmade card and then a “mystery box” (which he renamed a “memory box”).

With help from me she collected items from around the house to put in the box and then she handmade a coupon for one stone or crystal from Stone Age with some of her own quotes on the back. Other goodies from The Romano Duo!!

“We’re the weirdest people I know.” ~Thomas Darnell (11.8.16) …. To which we both burst out laughing and let even more weirdness ensue. It’s true. I’m not your average person, nor the average mom. But, that’s another story for another time ….This one’s for Thomas ….

Happy Happy Happy 11th Birthday Thomas!!!!

Here’s to you! As you begin your 11th trip around the sun, may you live your life to the fullest. You have blessed me with countless gifts from the moment you joined us.

Your tender heart combined with your honesty, compassion, and empathy are indeed precious. Rounded out with your true confusion as to why age seems to be such a big deal in this world, by way if its limitations; have made for interesting, fun, and life shifting adventures and conversations. Your soul knows no age and you have not forgotten that.

“It’s like I’ve lived this life before, I have nostalgia almost every day, like I’ve experienced this all before.” said often by Thomas.

Snapshot of Thomas: Some of his favorite topics are minecraft, LEGOS, coding, math, and learning about topics that interest him. He loves fibonacci numbers, bernoulli’s equation, and the law of infinite probability. Some of his most cherished things to do are reading, being outside, going on adventures, and swimming.

And as of about two weeks ago, has a PUBLISHED BOOK!!! Wahoooo!!!

He asks a billion questions, makes funny noises, teases his sister too much, has sensory processing issues, gets overwhelmed in crowds and noisy places, takes longer than the average person to process questions asked of him ….

He calls me out when I’m not “doing” as I say, he holds the biggest freakin mirror in front of me when I need it most, and he has a heart of gold.

Thomas, I love you throughout all of time and all dimensions and am blessed we chose to be mother and son in this life.

PEACE and LOVE …. PEACE and LOVE …. PEACE and LOVE ….

______________________________________________________

November 14 2016:

Birthday treat for the 11 year old this morning.

The most amazing vegan root beer float with coconut bliss ice cream and Oogave root beer. Plus a treat for me: Aztec D’oro, made with almond milk.

But first, a toast to Thomas’ 11th trip around the sun with this amazing and yummy water.

Thank you Great Full Gardens for the birthday discount … we are over the super moon thankful to you for that!!!

It IS a Book and Thank You and Ordinary to Extraordinary

Posted on November 25, 2016 by Camilla

November 6 2016:

Someone was looking at Biggest Little Photographer a few days ago and asked, “Are you going to make this into a book?”

I was a bit perplexed. So … yes! This is a real, actual, published book. Thank you to everyone for your support and enthusiasm!!! xoxo

___________________________________________________________

November 7 2016:

Beautiful message received:

“I got the coolest package in the mail today. Just when I was getting homesick and missing the west coast this came at the perfect time. This book was created by the most amazing 8 year old I know who is the perfect example of determination and going after your dreams and he’s accomplished more in those 8 years then I ever will.

Thank you @camilladowns for warming my heart on this rainy Texas night. You all should check out his book at biggestlittlephotographer.com. This kid is going places and has a positive message to share.” – Gloria, Texas

_______________________________________________________

November 7 2016:

Thank you Ms. Elyse for buying Biggest Little Photographer and supporting Thomas. And thank you Ms. Nicole for buying one too!!

Elyse was Thomas’ 4th grade teacher and Nicole was his 1st-3rd grade teacher. Such amazing, wonderful, and great people!!

____________________________________________________________

November 8 2016:

Thank you Diana Beeghly Rovetti for your enthusiasm and support!!!! We are so grateful!!! xoxo

_________________________________________________

November 9 2016:

A chocolate toast ….. from all three of us: Here’s to receiving an order of 20 books from The Discovery Museum this afternoon and confirmation of the book signing date of November 26th from 2-4 …. one of THE busiest days of the year for them.

Here’s to food, to becoming a family of authors, to Lillian’s accomplishments … And here’s to being the light in the darkness. Love and light from Team TLC to you… xoxo

____________________________________________________

November 11, 2016:

Yesterday was a good day to mail more books!! Oceans of gratitude to everyone!! xoxo

_______________________________________________

November 11 2016:

This was waiting for me in the mail today! Thomas Darnell, an amazing 9 year old, started a 365 day photography project when he was 8!!! He is now a published author with his book titled, “Biggest Little Photographer.” With a passion for legos and a determination to go from “I can do it!” to “I did it!,” Thomas has accomplished an amazing feat!

Is there a child you want to inspire to go for their dreams?? Consider this book a wonderful Christmas gift idea! – Lois, Louisiana

_________________________________________________

November 12, 2016:

Received in the mail a few days ago …. This brought on more joyful and heart opening tears …. May it carry a beautiful message to you as well …

Dear Thomas,

Since your book arrived last week, I have read it a couple of times thru and also just looked at a few pages and smiled!

You certainly are to be commended for taking on and completing such a big project for an entire year! It is so lovely for you to have a dream come to fruition at your young age!

The quotes were just perfect and so appropriate!

The message for me is to not take life for granted. Your little photographer took pictures of the ORDINARY and made them EXTRAORDINARY thru his camera lens and your vision.

Congratulations and best wishes for your future … ~Patricia, California

Biggest Little Photographer to Meg and Buttercup

Posted on November 25, 2016 by Camilla

November 11 2016:

Thank you Barbara Richmond Chastain!!!! We got to deliver three books to Barb this afternoon! She bought one for herself and one for Buttercup and Meg since they are famous now!!!!

Actually, she’s very excited to be gifting the books to her grandkids. Barb’s place has its very own section in the book. We love you Barb and Buttercup and Meg too!!

A visit to Barbara Richmond Chastain’s place is always a treat. Thomas says, “Every time we come here, you two spend more time talking then I do riding Meg.” Told him that I was sorry about that and he said, “That’s okay. I wasn’t complaining. It was just an observation.”

Barb: Your grace, patience, kindness, and acceptance of Thomas and his abundance of and nonstop questions is wonderful. Thank you. xoxo