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.