Book Review: Liberty’s Voice

Posted on February 17, 2017 by Camilla

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!”

One Way We Use The Gift of Nature

Posted on February 16, 2017 by Camilla

**THROWBACK POST**

February 9 2016:

“I think, Lillian worries, Camilla just is.” – Thomas wisdom shared last night as we were reading in my bed before going to sleep …

He had a rough day yesterday. He made a choice at school that caused an un-lovely consequence.

On the ride home I let him know he could not use his digital time as he overused it in the morning. By the time we got home he was in much distress. He had a full blown meltdown when he got home and I knew we needed to go for a walk.

I shared how unhealthy it is to not let oneself feel and experience anger and other negative emotions. That we must find that place where we can let ourself feel it physically, being with it, and without hooking into the story of the negative emotion; which can cause us to be harsh with others.

Nature is a wonderful guide during times like these, times when we resist feeling the rawness of life. About an hour after our walk Thomas had settled into acceptance and we had a great night. May you take advantage of the gift of nature when needed. xoxo

On This Day Throughout the Years – February Fourteenth

Posted on February 14, 2017 by Camilla

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!!!

Thomas and Camilla January 2017 Date Day

Posted on February 14, 2017 by Camilla

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

I Dare You to Think Creatively

Posted on February 13, 2017 by Camilla

**THROWBACK POST**

February 6 2014:

The past few weeks I’ve been reading to Thomas a little gem of a book I came across back in the late 1990’s. It’s called “I Dare You!” written in 1953. Last week we read the chapter titled, “I Dare You to Think Creatively”.

The author shared a few stories of people who were able to interpret the usual in an unusual way and invented amazing and useful things. Like Doctor Ernest Sachs who discovered a way to operate on inoperable brain tumors and the person who changed the telephone to a device that could be heard across a continent.

Thomas stopped me and said he has so many ideas to invent things but he doesn’t know how to make them. I told him that he doesn’t need to focus on the how. Suggested he write all of his ideas in a notebook or a file on the computer.

Every once in a while, go back and read through them. Put his attention on them and then make it his intent to invent whatever it is. Then, the “how” will come to him as well as any other people needed for the how. Told him if he keeps jotting his ideas down in a year or two or five he’ll have one heck of a book of ideas!

It’s a quick read if you wanna check it out. You could read it in one sitting. We are reading a few pages every night.

Movie Review: The Shift

Posted on February 13, 2017 by Camilla

January 29 2017:

Extra movie night … “The Shift” – Third or fourth time and still as meaningful as the first. The theme of 2017 for me is “The Shift” so it seemed fitting to watch again. This movie is one big, gigantic, meaningful, love bubble … xoxoxo

“Thoroughly unprepared, we take the step into the afternoon of life. Worse still, we take this step with the false presupposition that our truths and our ideals will serve us as hitherto. But we cannot live the afternoon of life according to the program of life’s morning, for what was great in the morning will be little at evening and what in the morning was true, at evening will have become a lie.” ― C.G. Jung

Thomas says, “It makes more sense every time we watch it. It’s good and I like it.”

Lillian says, “It’s amazing and good. I agree with Thomas that it makes more sense each time we watch it.”

What if They Don’t Want It

Posted on February 12, 2017 by Camilla

**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 …

We Love Walking

Posted on February 11, 2017 by Camilla

**THROWBACK POST**

February 3 2016:

We LOVE our walks!!! W = Wonderful, A = Awesome, L = Love, K = Kinetic … xoxo

Biggest Little Photographer and Sibshops

Posted on February 11, 2017 by Camilla

January 26 2017:

“Biggest Little Photographer” and “D in for Different” left for Silver Springs Nevada yesterday afternoon. That’s a whole lotta love in that package!! May everyone who touches it on the way, feel the love!! xoxo

Biggest Little Book and D iz for Different Mailed 1.26.17

January 27 2017:

WOW!!! What a great SibShop this afternoon! Thomas got to tour the lab, the roof (where the helicopter lands), the children’s ER, and the main ER at Renown. He also got to see a brain!

He says the energy there is very sad. Yet, the energy of his group was joyful and he had a good time.

Thank you Diana Beeghly Rovetti, Down Syndrome Network of Northern Nevada (DSNNN), and JUSTin HOPE Foundation for facilitating and hosting these amazing Sibshops!!

Why I Involve My Kids in Practicing Mindfulness

Posted on February 10, 2017 by Camilla

**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

Team TLC = Thomas, Lillian and Camilla

Tag Archives: thomas a darnell

Book Review: Liberty’s Voice

One Way We Use The Gift of Nature

On This Day Throughout the Years – February Fourteenth

Thomas and Camilla January 2017 Date Day

I Dare You to Think Creatively

Movie Review: The Shift

What if They Don’t Want It

We Love Walking

Biggest Little Photographer and Sibshops

Why I Involve My Kids in Practicing Mindfulness