Emma Jane Shill

Wow! What an intense couple of weeks it has been. After learning that I had breast cancer, I was scheduled for surgery immediately. I still had a month before the baby was due, but right after the surgery, my braxton hicks turned into real contractions. Surgery was on a Wednesday and by Saturday, I was miserable. The contractions were strong, but too spread apart to justify going to the hospital. I kept praying that either they would stop or get close together so that I could go to the hospital. At the same time, in the back of my mind, I knew that this was early for the baby and I wanted to make sure she would be alright.
Around 3:00 am Sunday morning, during a hefty contraction, my water broke ... or exploded would be more accurate. Aaaahhhh. We were going to have a baby. I was nervous and relieved all at once.
We got to the hospital, checked in, and then I labored for about an hour while we waited for the Anesthesiologist - who happened to be our neighbor. The epidural was perfect and FINALLY I could sleep. I felt like it had been months since I had gotten any real rest. It was wonderful!
(I just don't know how the pioneers did it!)
Because I was so early, they had to treat me with Penicillin for 4 hours before they could turn on the Pitosin. Once all of the penicillin was in, they turned up the Pit and at 8:01 am, our sweet little Emma Jane was born. She is perfect and a true miracle in everyway possible. She weighed 7 lbs. and was 19 1/2" long. We were astonished at her size for being 4 weeks early. We truly feel that Heavenly Father prepared her so that she would be ready to come early because of all that is going on. We are so grateful that everything went so beautifully.

Introducing...

Emma Jane Shill

Born August 29, 2010

7 lbs.

19 1/2" long

Emma and Grandpa Bart

Emma and Grandma Kathy

Emma and Grammie Nancy

And then there were five....

My Family! Wow, I am so blessed!

Facing the Truth ... Breast Cancer

Two weeks ago I learned that I had Breast Cancer. It was quite a shock to say the least. I started a blog so I could keep a journal of everything and as a way to share information with friends and family. We have seen miracles... for which I am SO thankful. It will be a tough few months, but I feel peace that we will get through this. We have had an outpouring of support, love and prayers. THANK YOU!
Here is the link to my blog: http://faithofasunflower.blogspot.com/ or Sunflower

Happy 11th Birthday Collin!

We had a fun birthday party for Collin. He was so excited to turn 11! For his "birthday dinner" he wanted to make homemade pizza's, so we fired up the grill and grilled indivdual pizzas. It was fun and tasty!

Collin at age 11:

Very loving and sensitive

Gives great hugs

Keeps his room clean :)

Enjoys reading

Earned his Webelos badge

Has an amazing memory

Loves boating with the family

The weekend after Collin's birthday, all the Shill family met up at the lake for a day of fun and celebration. We celebrated everybody that was born in August. Collin was happy to share such a fun day with all of his cousins.

First Day of School

Braden - 8th Grade

Collin - 5th Grade

Lila - 2nd Grade

Caleb - Wishing he could go to school ... Maybe

next year if we can ever get him potty trained ;)

Braden TOTALLY embarassed that his mother would come and take a picture

of him... even after the bell had already rung.

Summer Fun

This box is a hot commodity in our house right now. Everybody wants to play "robot".


The boys having a friendly game of Lacrosse.


At our family reunion this year, Caleb found a nice mud puddle to spend his day in. As messy as it was, it turned out to be perfect. He hardly wandered and I could sit and enjoy catching up with my family. Thank you mud puddle!



For our Summer Cooking Day, Braden chose to make Homemade Strawberry Sherbert. We had fun and the sherbert was a perfect way to enjoy a hot summer day. For the recipe, click here!



Lila all dressed up for our niece's wedding reception. The mother-of-the-bride bought gloves and parasols for all the little girls. They walked around like princesses. It was darling.
Lila was in heaven.

Family Reunion in Nauvoo

We just got back from a wonderful family reunion in Nauvoo, Illinois. It was amazing and so great to share this experience with family. We all flew into St. Louis and went to the Gateway Arch. We went all the way to the top - which is 630 ft.! Then we headed over to Hannibal and took a ferry ride down the Missouri River - just like Huckleberry Fin. So fun! Our next few days were spent in historic Nauvoo, Illinois. It was touching to walk where pioneers walked, to hear their stories, to see their beautiful community and to gain a small glimpse of their many sacrifices. On our last day, we went to Carthage Jail. This was truly a spiritual experience.

Our Group. We filled an entire charter bus.

Caleb at the top of the St. Louis Arch

Cousins

My amazing niece that came with us to be an extra pair of eyes and hands for our

very busy 3 year old! Thank you, "S"!!!

Collin on the Missouri

My little pioneer girl

Braden and his cousin at a game of stick pull

In front of the LDS Nauvoo Temple

With Grammie and Papa.

Showcasing my unborn baby girl.

The Nauvoo Pageant with the LDS Temple as a back drop. It was a wonderful show.

Walking down the "Trail of Hope". Such faithful and courageous people. I gained such a greater love for my ancestors and the early pioneers.

At the edge of the Mississippi river where the pioneers crossed. It was the middle of winter and they had only 4 hours notice to gather their necessary belongings to start their long trek to the Salt Lake Valley. Again, so faithful and courageous. I love them.

A statue of the Prophet Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum.

This is how Caleb spent most of his time on the trip.

Apparently I wouldn't have made a good pioneer!

Inside the room where the Prophet Joseph Smith was martyred. I love that man.

A Day at the Lake

Tal living his dream

Two little investigators

Tal taking Caleb for a ride. He loved it!

Our back-up driver.

Brothers

Lila's Painting

Lila has recently started taking art classes. She LOVES it! She is always drawing, creating, writing notes and making everything around her beautiful. This is her 2nd painting from art class. We were all pretty blown away. She wanted to have it framed and give it to her dad for Father's Day. What a treasure.

Lila's Birthday

We just celebrated Lila's 7th birthday! She has been looking forward to this day for months! We had a fun family party on her birthday and then the next day we had a friend "Lady Bug" party. We had fun.

Lila ....

LOVES art classes

learning to swim

loves Littlest Pet Shops

is excited to have a baby sister

is so kind and loving

is a hard worker

enjoys reading

and has a smile to melt your heart.

I just LOVE my girl!