December 29 2017:
Thomas and I finally made it back after about 3 weeks off. Loved on some seriously amazing kitties and then spent a half hour folding litter boxes.
December 29 2016:
I love the little sleeping buds on trees. Finally got to take a walk yesterday morning and briefly played around with the macro lens I received as a gift. Thanks Momma! Can’t wait to play with it more. “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” -Theodore Roosevelt
December 25 2016:
The most cherished and beloved gifts. Part 1
Lillian created a Nature Book for me that caused my eyes to sweat.
“Grass is healthy food and beautiful.
Sky is a beautiful ocean in the sky.
Flower is a pretty thing in nature.
Trees are old wise spirits in nature.
Ocean is a reflection of the sky.
Night is a beautiful time.
Animals are people and nature like us.”
I wrote a poem for each of them and made it into a wall hanger.
Thomas: “Knowledge beyond grasp, Gentle and tender heart, Deep knowing of the soul.”
Lillian: “Beauty shining within and without, Depth and strength I know not, A light shining brightly for the World.”
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The most cherished and beloved gifts. Part 2
A handmade card from Lillian and a poster size drawing from both Thomas and Lillian.
The card is full of original Lillian nature quotes … Plus one from Thomas!
“A sunset is nature’s art.
Rainbows are nature’s fancy artwork.
Night is art to the human’s eye.
Seasons are nature’s beauty.
Wind is nature’s music.
Space is a beautiful art.
Snow and ice are nature’s quiet time.” -Lillian
“Nature is full of awesome animals.” -Thomas
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The most cherished and beloved gifts. Part 3
Lillian made Thomas a Nature Book also.
“A cat can make several sounds including purr and meow.
A dog likes a lot of outdoor exercise.
Fish are living in almost any body of water.
Mouse like a lot of food scraps including cheese.
Ducks are social.
Cows help humans by making milk and eating grass.
Humans can dress up as animals and wear animal headbands. We are animals.” xoxo
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The most cherished and beloved gifts. Last Set of Pictures
Lillian made a Christmas card for Thomas and a noisemaker for me!
Many of you know that Lillian has been working on having flexibility. Something that is extremely difficult for her. At about 9:00 pm Christmas Eve she was still working on handmade gifts. She was determined to stay up until she was done!
She decided at 11:00 that she would go to bed and finish in the morning. YAY for flexibility entering a wee bit!! I simply knew the next morning that it would be best to not even suggest waiting until after opening gifts for her to finish.
So … our Christmas Day did not begin until about 11:00 as we waited for her to be finished …… And, we were all okay with that …. xoxoxo
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There were a few non homemade gifts too!! Thomas and I can play tennis now!! And as soon as it snows he can go sledding. Plus a calendar and a sweater he just loves.
Here’s a great gift idea for someone with sensory issues ……. a soft fuzzy sweater. He asked me if he could wear it all week. Great job Romano Duo on that gift!!! Thanks to Super Owen for the great book too!
Lillian got a box of one of her favorite cookies, a great new LEGO set, some books, and a calendar. Thanks to Super Owen for the great book.
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Gifts beyond the handmade …. I received some great books, a new sheet pan, oh so comfy socks, and since I’m not able to have a real camera right now, a few awesome accessories for what I do have!
Can’t wait to read the books! Thank you Frank for this amazing pan!!! Baked rosemary fries in it last night and they were amazing.
Thank you Olivia for these yummy socks!! And thank you Momma for the lenses. I finally got to go for a walk this morning and tested the macro. Love, love, love it!!!!
November 22 2016:
For the past 3 years we have created a daily gratitude poster for the month of November; with each day adding an expression of our gratitude to the poster. I was moved to do something different this year.
This year we are working on three separate activities:
#1 – Writing a letter to our self telling our future self what we are grateful for now. We used dice to determine when we will mail this letter to ourself. These will be mailed in 5 years … November 2021.
#2 – Writing a letter to each other explaining what we are grateful for, enjoy, and love about the recipient of the letter. Again we rolled dice to determine the mailing date. These will be mailed in 6 years … November 2022.
#3 – Write a letter thanking someone for something that we neglected to thank them for previously. Meet with the person and hand deliver the letter.
I plan on adding the mailing of the letters on my calendar with a very important note to self. What’s the note to self? The location of the letters; which I’m sure I’ll place somewhere safe! HA!
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November 23 2016:
Paper strip pumpkin …. by Lillian Darnell …. with a little help from me. Pretty cool!!! YAY Lillian!
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November 24 2016:
Thomas and Lillian are still asleep and I’m feasting on a piece of pumpkin bread and dark French roast. So incredibly thankful … and …. yum!
Next up … Reading and getting The Team TLC blog caught up.
Abundant blessings, love, and peace to all.
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November 25 2016:
Hope everyone had a warm and wonderful time yesterday. We enjoyed a quiet, relaxing, and comfy day at home. Cheers! Here’s to a great weekend, blessings, and a grateful heart. xoxo
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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.
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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
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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
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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!!!!
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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
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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
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 ….
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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.
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
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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
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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!!
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November 8 2016:
Thank you Diana Beeghly Rovetti for your enthusiasm and support!!!! We are so grateful!!! xoxo
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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
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November 11, 2016:
Yesterday was a good day to mail more books!! Oceans of gratitude to everyone!! xoxo
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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
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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
November 6 2016:
Walk tonight with these two. Grateful for lessons they continue to teach me. My response is my choice. Others response is their choice. My state of BEing is up to me, no matter what. xoxo
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November 8 2016:
From my walk this morning …. such beauty. I kept getting the feeling I needed to take a picture. As I turned for the last section, this. The take-a-picture feeling is so incredibly strong sometimes. This was one of those times.
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November 9 2016:
Walk with Thomas yesterday afternoon …. Nature offers us a path to clarity when we need it most. Nature guides one back to the heart …. away from the ego. xoxo
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November 11 2016:
Walk this morning …. Love and light …… Be still my heart. Such beauty!! xoxo