shill

2012-01-17T10:32:00.000-08:00

These two boys are the light of my life.

I was talking with Grandma D on the phone and discussing the conference talk that mentioned the "seasons" of life. I've been in a rut lately of mundane and monotonous days. The laundry, the dishes, the diapers. They are always there in the morning, come rain, shine, sickness or bad days! These pictures depict little angels... and they are! However, what isn't shown are the sticky syrup hands, dirty diapers, the messes, the crying.... It can be overwhelming and exhausting, as all mothers know. But, amidst the messes are sparkling little eyes, laughter, gap-filled toothy smiles and tender little moments that I know will never happen again!

My one New Years resolution this year is to

focus on "living in the moment and loving every moment."

When I purchased my first camera I always put my setting to automatic. I got a lot of really nice pictures this way. After learning how to use my camera and it's settings and knowing how to adjust each feature to harmonize together my photographs began to take life and became so much more beautiful to me! It was more work then just pressing the shutter but worth it. I notice with my boys the days I set my self to "auto" they are good days that are just missing something. But the days I sit down on the floor with them, listen to them, play with them, set aside the housework for a minute, get off the computer, look up from my phone and really be involved.... those are the beautiful days. I want more beautiful days.

2012-01-09T11:58:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to Chase and Bailey!

My baby brother is married!

It was a beautiful weekend.

Love seeing Family and friends.

2012-01-03T14:38:00.000-08:00

I'll be honest our new years was lame.

The boys and I got home from Mesa after dark, we ate dinner,

posed for some mock New Years kiss pictures and went to bed at 9.

Willie and I were both completely exhausted from the previous week and travel!

Oh well there is always next year!

Good bye 2011.

You had some tricks up your sleeve didn't you.

Thank you for the memories.

2012-01-03T13:53:00.000-08:00

Sadly, despite the fact that I have a very nice camera

I find myself capturing so much of our lives with my iphone.

What can I say I'm lazy!

None the less I can't let the iphone/instagram images go unblogged!

We did have a very wonderful Holidays!

Our first Christmas Eve spent at home and away from family and parties. It was a freeeezing day!

Willie assembled our Christmas gift from mom and dad Sevey. Vance and Hoyt played in the yard.

So relaxing and nice to be together.

Attempting to have a spiritual Christmas Eve by watching the Nativity Story. Instead Frosty the Snowman bedtime story and a wrestling match...

"The children were nestled all snug in their beds"

Santa!!!!

Christmas morning! Some happy boys and girl!

The Drive to Mesa Christmas morning.

Vance in his typical driving position. He loves to sleep and drive with the blanket over his head.

Sweet Tomatoes lunch with Sevey's the day after Christmas before heading home.

Vance loving his PaPa

DeeDee & PaPa's gift to Vance. He was in Thomas Heaven!

Grandpa Shill assembling the boys Christmas gift.

Oscar showing Vance the art of card board boxing.

Hoyt loving life as usual!

R&R Pizza buffet. Oscar was so excited to find it was "all you can eat"!

The gorgeous Gila Valley Red Knolls. So so beautiful.

BOWLING!

Lovin' some fries at the bowling alley

Oscar is such a good uncle!

New Years Eve Eve. A reception and Someburro's with the Sevey's.

Chelsie and I drove up for the weekend for Bailey's bridal Shower.

These two are little characters together.

2011-12-29T09:54:00.000-08:00

A very Merry Christmas!

Love you all and the sweet memories we have made together!

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2011-12-04T19:02:00.001-08:00

Just because we are renting doesn't mean I can't do DIY projects right???

I would love to say this little project took me all day instead of an hour...

Something called Beadboard wallpaper! I think I'm in love! $30 later a little paint still and new kitchen!

I kind of want to do my whole house. Hopefully I'll practice some restraint.

I can't wait for this kitchen to be done, just a few more items and it will be finished and I can move on to our bedroom:)

2011-11-28T08:10:00.001-08:00

weight = 19.6 - 85%

height = 26 1/4 - 50%

I've been needing to post these for almost a month!

6 Months = Sleeping in his own room, jumping in his jumper, chewing on shoes, crawling, rolling, sitting, playing with Vance. He is pulling himself up on the couch, the chairs, the desks. He's eating strained carrots, bananas, peas, green beans, turkey, beef, chicken, sweet potatoes, oatmeal/rice cereal. AND he has a tiny bottom tooth!

2011-11-26T17:56:00.001-08:00

OH MY.

It was a gobblepalooza of a Thanksgiving!

One day all inclusive. 3 towns, 2 families, 1 day.

We drove from Thatcher to Payson. Then Payson to Mesa. Then Mesa to Thatcher.

The boys were so good in the car and slept most of the way. It was a gorgeous drive and anyone who says Arizona doesn't have fall, it sure looked like a beautiful yellow and orange fall to us!

We loved seeing the Davenport Clan! It was a beautiful dinner and delicious food.

Vance loved seeing his cousins and 2nd cousins.

No eating turkey for Hoytie but he did eat up all of the attention!

Pumpkin pie just wasn't going to cut it for Vance. He tried a birthday candle in grandma's drawer...no really... he ATE the birthday candle! Then on to Mesa.

Then we hit the Shill Group in Mesa. First to Grandma and Grandpa Shill's to see the extended family then back to shills for some yummy smoked turkey by Boyd. Had a great time visiting and laughing. Vance loves the Baker kids and we loved seeing new baby Ezra! After a couple of car parts, some gas, hugs and kisses goodbye back on the road. A quick stop by Sevey's to pick up a rocking chair and on our way. Lots of rain and mileage later we were home... at 11. Great gobbly day!

Saturday Mom and Dad came to Thatcher and we had a BBQ fireside and a quick day at the park.

OH how THANKFUL we are for family. Families are what this life is made of!

love you!

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2011-11-07T11:02:00.000-08:00

It was a Super Halloween!

I wanted the boys to be "home made" super heros this year.

Mom spent lots of time making them come to life.

Every time we pulled the mask down over Hoytie's face we were dying laughing!

He didn't even complain, I think he liked it!

Vance spent the week in his outfit.

Just something about a mask and cape to make you feel cool!

2011-10-27T19:07:00.000-07:00

THANK YOU WEMA! We love our Halloween PJ's!

I love all of the funny faces these boys do. Makes me laugh every time. I sense that Hoyt is a little nervous about being wrestled around with... but he held his own.

2011-10-25T17:38:00.000-07:00

Fall is HERE!

No pumpkin for Willie this year he didn't want to but here is mine, Vance's and Hoyts. No carving pumkins this year. Can you guess which one belongs to who?!

While Mom was here we had a little BBQ. Chicken kabobs, backyard campfire, cool weather, S'mores..... We got some fun pumkin decor and mom made me a Halloween Garland! Luckily she showed up since I had NO plans to decorate for Halloween this year. Glad she did sooo cute!

2011-10-24T16:17:00.000-07:00

It's starting to become a little bit of a tradition to work on projects when Mom comes to visit.

I decided to up-cycle a few items around the house and put them to better use!

So happy to just be renting right now but the commitment I want to make to things is not the that strong.

Mom literally cleaned every window inside and out for me... obviously I didn't plan on doing it myself.

We spent a whole weekend making Pinterest recipes, painting, cleaning and having a great time.

As always I could not have done it with out her!

Now to find a great basket for this empty space

before after

Nasty dusty lamp.... Now pretty!

before after

Im bummed I didn't do a before of this but it was all white and desperately needed to be painted. I swore I wouldn't fall victim to the chevron print but here I am and I looooooove it! Just enough and when I get sick of it or move out of this rental I'll take it down... since I used contact paper! (shhhhhh don't tell!)

As soon as I finish the rest of the kitchen

and have some items for the shelves I'll be sure to take some real pictures...

this is just what I had in the house on sunday. It's starting to come together slowly but surely!

2011-10-13T13:22:00.000-07:00

scooting, rolling, rice-cereal-eating, foot-grabbing, laughing

2011-10-08T16:36:00.000-07:00

THE FAIR!!!

We have had yet to go to a fair as a family since Vance has been too small for anything.

Fall hit us hard. Last week we were in shorts this week sweaters... I love it!

We ate ourselves silly. Nachos, cotton candy, churros and hot dogs.

As an 8 year old after attending the fair I was quoted saying, "This is the best day of my life!" I've since had better days (thankfully) ... Vance didn't say it was his BEST day but it was a great day!

2011-10-06T11:51:00.000-07:00

He took to rice cereal like a champ. Obviously. It's food right!

2011-10-05T10:30:00.000-07:00

I fell in love with the cotton fields the minute we moved here.

Rows and rows of green fields in this valley. I've loved watching them change and bloom.

I'm sooo excited to do our family photos once they've dried up!

2011-10-03T10:27:00.000-07:00

09.29.11 six years.

Love him like the first day.

Sugar, iron and lilies are the symbols for #6. Since we just purchased a new car and barbecue grill we decided to just have a quick trip and not do any gifts. But, I did get some flowers and Willie had a friend make an "iron" frame! We dropped the boys at Mom & Dad's and spent the weekend in Scottsdale. We went to the iPic theater, hotel, sushi and shopping. We haven't been able to be on a date alone since I was pregnant with Hoyt... it was nice. Love my babies but Willie is my #1. Funny how the whole time we are on a trip to be alone we are thinking about and buying gifts for the boys.

2011-09-25T10:35:00.000-07:00

Busy busy week!

SOOO many birthdays in September. We went to Payson to celebrate with lots of family.

While there we had a baby shower for Jordan & Candon and little girl on the way, birthday party(s), BBQ in the park & baseball games.

We cut Chelsie's hair... 11 inches! While in Mesa I did 2 photo shoots and 5 hair appointments.

FINALLY got to the valley and was able to do a little shopping

... really tired of shopping ONLY at WalMart!

Loved staying with Grandma D! We had such a nice time visiting all day. We put Hoytie's height on the the "How Tall Wall". He wins for the shortest...for now! The grandkids love their "gwama d" and what little kids wouldn't love blue popcorn, cinnamon rolls, popsicles,chocolate, driving around "looking for animals" and playing in the backyard in the pool!

We love you G Ma thanks for having us! Hope you had a great Birthday!

Gila Valley Temple

2011-09-14T16:45:00.000-07:00

The Temple here is so amazing.

It's steeple can be seen almost anywhere in the town

and when these summer storms come they illuminate the white building and it is so beautiful.

I can't wait to print this and have it in my home as a constant reminder.

"It is my personal priority to make sure members of the

Church have access to the blessings of the temple,"

"It is here where members learn of their divine origin and destiny;

where they are strengthened spiritually as individuals and as families.

Temples are sanctuaries from the storms of life."

President Thomas S Monson

Gila Valley Temple

2011 Christmas Mini Shoots

2011-09-14T14:28:00.000-07:00

I'll be doing Mini Sessions in both Mesa and Thatcher this year. These are the ONLY dates that are available for each. I will be offering Custom Christmas cards for $25/design + cost of printing. I loooove the die cut lux cards from http://www.simplycouturedesigns.com/ and will be using the ones shown below. Can't wait for the Holidays! Can't wait to see everyone! Location TBD. If you have a specific one in mind please let me know. Thanks!

2011-09-12T09:55:00.000-07:00

It was a yummy sunday.

Yes, I did go to the gym today and on a walk with the boys.

That should take care of ONE of the nutter butter truffles.

Fried avacados.

Blue cheese buffalo chicken sourdough grilled cheese sandwich. Oh my....

Nutter Butter & Oreo truffles

all recipes from http://foodgawker.com/

2011-09-10T12:04:00.000-07:00

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Oh Pinterest....you little trixie!

For a month I've been drooling over all of your decor, styles, crafts, DIY projects, photography, parties and recipes. Eye candy that is perfectly organized at the click of a mouse. I've convinced myself that EVERYONE can do EVERYTHING.
Fool me once shame on you... Fool me twice shame on me! Now that I've come down off this visually stimulating overload lets get together and be true to ME.
Thank you for inspiring me!

I'm positive I am not a professional at anything nor do I want to be.
I'm just a mom and wife that loves to look at pretty things (especially when they are photographed beautifully) ...but girls do love to dream and create and apparently I am no different.

Have it known that anything clever, cute or delicious that appears on this blog most certainly came from someone else on Pinterest!

Like THIS little artwork I did today.

2011-09-08T12:29:00.000-07:00

drooling. smiling. laughing. rolling. eating. sleeping

weight: 16.5 80%

height: 25.5 75%

head: 16.5 50%

2011-09-05T18:41:00.000-07:00

Mom came to visit us this weekend! It was so nice to have her... live in maid, babysitter, friend! We literally sat around doing nothing but playing with the babies and watching back to back episodes of Say Yes To The Dress. Loved having her and the boys were glad to be with their "DeeDee". We worked on a few projects while she was here. I have been seeing these Anthropologie inspired coffee filter wreaths and balls EVERYwhere and had to have one. I helped her make some "floof" balls for a baby shower she has coming up as well as some napkin flowers for my house and her shower. LOVED how they turned out!

2011-08-31T09:35:00.000-07:00

2011-08-26T15:21:00.000-07:00

Cooled off and spent Willie's day off at Roper Lake with the boys

2011-08-24T20:57:00.000-07:00

I've been debating if I should take Vance to preschool yet but haven't found one that I really like. I decided to just work with him at home. Right now he knows his letters, numbers, shapes and colors. He can read a handful of words and recognizes his name as well as several family members. We practice songs, prayers, cutting, gluing, painting and coloring. He loves running in his room and putting on his backpack and asks if he can ride the bus. I know preschool would be great, but it can wait right???... I mean he's only my baby for a little while!

2011-08-21T12:18:00.000-07:00

The Shills came to town. Hallie stayed at our house and was a huge help! Boys did... shooting guns, tuning bows and hanging out at the shop. Girls did... pedicures, shopping, boutiques and babies. We had lots of fun guys, come again soon!

2011-08-17T12:33:00.000-07:00

I realize I've gone overboard photographing this little guy but I really just can't help it. He is so pleasant, so content. He makes eye contact and a smile forms on his face and yours and he's got ya! The majority of the his dark hair has grown out and been trimmed off and now is a light brown/dark blonde. When layed on his tummy in his boppy on the floor he pushes him self up and over and rolls out. When we lay him down he pushes his arms back and attempts to sit up... we have to prop him so he can see what there is to see!

2011-08-15T11:07:00.000-07:00

A few new additions since 2009 & 2010. We always love camping with this group! They came to us this time and we all went camping on Mt. Graham at Snow Flat. Gorgeous weather, rain, campfire stories, smores, good food and cute kids.... great weekend!

2011-08-11T17:48:00.000-07:00

I have lots of plans for this little house... getting to it is another story. Chelsie came and stayed with me for a week and I put her to work! We painted the kitchen and living room and spray painted a few items. Thanks again Chels! Hopefully in the next month I'll have fun things to post.

2011-07-26T21:20:00.000-07:00

Willie FINALLY had a day off! 20 minute drive from our house and we were on top of Mt. Graham. It is so beautiful, the view of the valley is amazing and the rain/weather was to die for.

It made me not miss The Rim so bad! Hoyt slept the entire way and Vance got car sick from all of the hair pin turns and threw up a few times on the way down... maybe not the best idea to stop by Taylor Freeze before heading up.

photos from iphone

2011-07-24T17:07:00.000-07:00

Hoyt was blessed Sunday the 24th in Thatcher, AZ. We had all or our immediate family in town for The grand opening of Willie's store as well as Hoyt's blessing. Willie gave him a beautiful blessing with the help of the other preisthood holders in our family. So grateful for all the support and love!

2011-07-23T17:11:00.000-07:00

Willie's store grand opening was a huge success! Hundreds of costumers, Radio d.j.'s, vendors, freebies, raffles... It was so much fun! Finally got some photos of as the day wound down. Thanks everyone who came!

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We also breifly celebrated the 24th of July (pioneer day). I missed the parade but caught a few of us who stepped out to see the fireworks.

2011-07-09T18:15:00.000-07:00

Well he had a bumpy start to life but at 2 months he isn't wasting any time getting back on track! 12.4 lbs at his last appointment and 23 inches long. He has been packing it on and is finally that snuggly, chubby baby I've been waiting for. He is a really really easy baby.. just don't let him get hungry!!! He has one cry and when he uses it, it is serious! And he had his first hair cut (just a trim). He's busy SMILING... such a smiley little guy, blowing bubbles, talking to his dad, sucking on his hand, watching his crazy brother and lots of eating and sleeping. Mmmm, mmmm, mmmm.... love him!

Of course Vance won't allow himself to be left out... his newest face.... "nice, teefers!"

3.1 years old

2011-07-08T09:53:00.000-07:00

This 3 year old has been obsessing over EVERYTHING lately.

"Thomas" (with a lisp)! "Where is Thomas!?" He has the entire Thomas & Friends set and takes each train with him everywhere we go. Since there are 6 of them he stacks them up under his chin and ends up looking a little like "Gus, Gus" from Cinderella.

Grandma & Grandpa Shill went out to eat with us and the quarter toy machines were near the register. He ended up with this tiny tiny turtle.... and so the insanity began. For 2 weeks I spent all my time looking under couch cushions and sifting through toys to find this pea sized turtle.

And lastly, "eggs & ham". A phrase that is repeated several times a day. We have to read the book daily and the dvd is on repeat. Although I love this collection of books... a person can only handle so much Dr. Seuss in one day.

I've been tempted and threatened to toss all of these items...but I'm to afraid of the consequences.

2011-07-08T08:09:00.000-07:00

Happy 4th of July!

2011-06-30T08:26:00.000-07:00

We found a cozy (when I say cozy, I mean small) little house in Thatcher close to his work. It has a cute personality and is tidy and clean. It has a yard and we can rent month to month so until we are here for a while and figure out exactly where we want to live it is perfect for us. We purged a lot of our old stuff with this last move and it felt soooo good. Now I'm ready to get motivated, organized and decorate... Anything from HERE OR HERE would due just fine:)

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A quick snap of the town.

We got an amazing rain and thunderstorm yesterday! So excited to have the new temple so close we have been fortunate to never live longer then a few minutes from a temple.

2011-06-29T16:40:00.000-07:00

ooops... we did it again. Yes moved again. That makes 15 times for me in my life so far, 5 of which since we've been married. Dad built homes for the majority of my childhood so we moved every couple of years. I've lived in the upstairs of our grandparents home while other houses were being built. The houses we have lived in have ranged from a trailer...(single wide) all the way to a custom house with a casita bigger then that trailer. All of which have become "homes" over time. I'd love to just stay put for a little while... just long enough to put down some roots get settled in a neighborhood and ward, but each house and each move has been as my mom always puts it "an adventure"!

On long drives and trips Willie & I love to daydream about what our life will be, make plans and goals and name our unborn children. When visiting family in Payson and passing through towns like Showlow we agree the small town life is intriguing and would be a great way to raise our family. When living in the trailer in chandler I spent all my 3rd grader days helping my best friend feed her pigs and chickens and riding horses, playing in fields and loving all of it! I think because of that I'm comfortable with the thought of small town life. When this opportunity to move to Thatcher came up I definitely thought twice about it and as we thought it over and over excitement started to grow. Willie spent several weeks down here before moving us down. He took to the town like he was born and raised here. I wasn't surprised! The fishing, hunting and outdoors are his passion and his job is his hobby... that makes for a REALLY happy husband! I'm excited for what this town has to offer. So far??? Easy, slow paced life, pretty scenery and really kind, helpful, good people. I'm excited to make this house a home.

2011-06-28T12:59:00.000-07:00

Oh man this post makes me want to start singing this song!

Will I wait for you?..

Why Wally Kestler you ought to be

Ashamed of yourself

I've given you the best years of my life

I've stood here through it all

Through short and fat and tall

Through thick and thin and rain and snow and ice

And now you're questioning my integrity

Is that any way to treat your future wife

Doesn't morning wait for the sun to rise

Like a birthday waits for a big surprise

Like a baby waits for a diaper change

Doesn't laughter wait for a joke that's good

Like the big bad wolf for Red Riding Hood

Like a cowboy waits to be home on the range

After all I've said and all I've done

To prove my love is true

And now you ask if I'll wait for you

Doesn't mother wait for the bread to rise

Like a burger waits for an order of fries

Like a chicken waits for the egg to hatch

Didn't Alice wait for a Wonderland

Like Captain Hook did for Peter Pan

Like the alphabet waited for the letter Z

Like a faithful girl waits for her missionary

Saturday Warriors

During our move we both made a decision... to dump the 7 binders of letters, emails, cards and packages I saved from Willie's mission. We have been lugging them from one house to the next and all they do is take up space. We have never read through them in 5 years and would rather not have anyone else read through them.. They weren't meant for posterity they were meant for us. I didn't want to but the anti-hoarder in me won! I went through and photographed some of the fun or significant items or pages so we could remember them and pulled out those really important and memorable letters. We flipped through them together for maybe an hour laughing an joking about how cheesy they were... It was a long time for me, a short time for him but important time for both of us. It has been 6 years this month since he has been home. Since we dated 2 years before he left it was tempting for us to want to be together and bypass his mission. However as has hard as it was to be apart his mission has been one of our relationships greatest advantages and blessings. But, now our correspondence can live on documented in photographs:)

2011-06-22T23:29:00.000-07:00

I took these about a month ago and came across them while editing some other photos. In our new house there is NO bath tub! I LOVE taking a bath... as does Vance. It feels so good when I'm sick or pregnant or just want to wind down and relax at the end of the day. I think I'm going to have bath withdrawal when we move:(

2011-06-19T16:12:00.000-07:00

Willie has been out of town for work during the week and home on the weekends until we all get moved down. It has NOT been fun! So glad to have him home for Fathers Day! He loves his little boys, loves being a dad and I LOVE him for it! Happy Fathers Day Daddy!

2011-06-09T18:41:00.000-07:00

Today is Vance's birthday and he is 3 and Hoyt is exactly 1 month. He has been a sweet little newborn most of it was spent in the hospital, so we are just starting to discover his cute personality! He is hungry always. The doctors warned us he would be hungry and try "making up for lost time"... and he is! But he can't be kept waiting or he gets MAD! He lost some weight in the hospital but is quickly putting back on.

2011-06-09T10:48:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Buddy!

Vance loves "aspicable me" and especially the "biggins" (minions).

Can't believe he is 3... love him so much!

party ideas courtesy of www.emiliehandmade.com

2011-06-06T13:41:00.000-07:00

No this is not a joke... We are moving again. Willie was offered a job in Thatcher, AZ. We are hoping to move down in the next month or two once we find a house. Sooooo... We need help finding a place to rent for now in Thatcher or it's surrounding towns. Anyone? Anyone?

2011-05-31T21:39:00.000-07:00

This birthday came and went. We were so excited and focused on getting Hoyt home that birthdays didn't top our list. Hoyt was able to come home Sunday night before my birthday on Monday. Getting him home was most definitely my only birthday wish! We came home from the hospital to find that Mom had the house decorated and some treats waiting. Mom and Brooklyn came over the day of and we had Cafe Rio and held our newest little babies while our older two were out of our hair for the day. While in Phoenix at the hospital Willie and I both went to a favorite of his to celebrate both our birthdays as we had spent our entire birthday month in the hospital. The sandwiches were huge as well as DElicious. Monday night Willie got sick so my birthday/date night out to sushi quickly turned into a night in with our babies...and honestly after this last month it was a great way to spend a birthday!

2011-05-26T21:24:00.000-07:00

( really, really long post)

Shortly after Hoyt started breastfeeding in the hospital he began spitting up a yellow substance. The spitting up then became a full blown throwing up. Coming through his nose and with more force then just spit up. During our four day stay at the hospital we showed this to the nurses and asked if it was normal. We were told it was. We then met with the pediatrician while still in the hospital and again were told it was normal. He still had quite a bit of jaundice and not knowing and never having seen this before I just assumed it had to do with jaundice. Possibly that he had some acid reflux or since my milk hadn't exactly come in yet maybe it was just that color from the colostrum.

After being home for three days I called the doctor and let him know I had an appointment set for the following day but that I was really concerned about this. My original pediatrician wasn't available but they said I could come in to see an associate that day. When he came in I started to ramble on about why I thought the jaundice was a problem.. he stopped me mid sentence and said, "The only reason I asked that you come today instead of tomorrow is because you mentioned his throw up was this color." He asked how often his spit up looked like this. I told him the only thing to ever come out of his mouth at all was this. He said that was his concern that he's afraid he may have a twisted bowel or an obstruction of some sort. He asked me to wait in the room and went outside the door to speak to a nurse. I evesdropped on the conversation (of course!) He instructed her to call around and see who could do a barium scan on him today and that it was STAT and if someone had a problem with doing it today to get him on the phone.

After being told that radiology was closed that they don't take anyone after 5 and to come back tomorrow we called our doctor and he contacted them. He told them he made arrangements for us to come and told us not to leave until we get the scan. We layed him on the xray table fed him a tiny bottle of barium and watched the screen as the barium traveled down his esophagus and stopped shortly after leaving the stomach. The xray tech explained, yes there is a blockage in a calm voice. Our reply, "Oooookaaaay... what does that mean." His reply, "We are going to be contacting surgery and you will be transfered to the ER until they are ready to operate." What!!! That went from 0-60 extremely fast! Of course the tears well up, Willie rubs my back and tells me it's going to be fine. He steps out to call our parents and let them know. I stay with Hoyt thinking, I was just sitting on the porch swing with Mom today watching Doogie swim holding Hoyt and enjoying the 70 degree weather! Now Im sitting at the hospital waiting for my 8 day old to have surgery!? Que the tears ..(Again, emotional having just had a baby a week prior.)

We were run through all the motions of surgery prep, the tears continue to come as he screams while they hold him down to start an IV, brief us of whats to come, the risks, the complications, potentially what they will find. After a slew of signing consent forms and waiting for the parents to arrive they are almost ready. Dad, Chase, Boyd and Willie gather around him and give him a blessing. They ask our family to leave and walk Willie and I to the surgery doors and tell us to give him a kiss and they will be done in about 2 hours. I hated having to hand him off to them. Of course all of the worst case scenarios run through my head. We kiss him and turn him over to them. They escort us out to the waiting room where the rest of our family is. They find a room where I can pump since it's been hours and bring me a warm blanket, some goldfish crackers and a bottle of water. I think they could tell I wasn't doing my best. We then waited what seemed like the longest 2 hours of my life. Our doctor came out and let us know everything went great. That he did in fact have a malrotated bowel but his intestines were still pink and healthy and none would need to be removed! Fortunately all of the best case scenarios applied in Hoyt's situation as seen below.

Intestinal malrotation occurs in 1 of every 500 live births in the United States. Up to 40% of patients with malrotation show signs of the disease within the first week of life. By 1 month of age, 50 to 60% are diagnosed. Seventy-five to 90% of patients are diagnosed by age 1. The remaining cases are diagnosed after age 1 and into adulthood. While more boys exhibit symptoms during the first month of life, malrotation occurs equally in boys and girls.

Treatment of Intestinal Malrotation and Volvulus

Malrotation of the intestine is usually not evident until the intestine becomes twisted or obstructed by Ladd's bands, resulting in symptoms. Since all of the functional intestine can die with a volvulus, this is considered life threatening.

Surgical repair is performed as soon as possible. The bowel is untwisted and checked carefully for damage. Ideally, circulation to the intestine is restored after it is untwisted, allowing it to regain its pink coloration. If the intestine is healthy, an operation called the Ladd's procedure is performed to repair the malrotation. Since the appendix is not in the correct location, and it would be difficult to diagnose a future appendicitis, it is usually removed at this time.

Long-term Outlook for Children With Intestinal Malrotation and Volvulus

When surgical repair is performed before intestinal damage occurs, there are generally no long-term problems.

We were able to see him directly after surgery while in recovery and then were told we could go home and rest for a while as he would be sleeping off the medication. It was nice to shower, wash my face, get some eye drops and lay down for a minute but after a few hours we were ready get back to him.

Days following the surgery he began to throw up bile again... this time because his intestines had not "woke up" from surgery yet and he wasn't able to pass what was in his stomach. After 2 days of watching bile coming through his nose and mouth a tube was inserted down his throat to his stomach to pump out the bile sitting in his stomach. This turned out to be the more difficult part. For several days he was strictly on clear fluids via an IV with a tube pumping his stomach. He hated the tube since it made it hard to suck his pacifier which became his only option as he was unable to eat. We were allowed to squeeze small amounts of sugar water in his mouth to keep him happy since he couldn't get the satisfaction of having a full tummy. He had multiple IV's while there and eventually a PIC line inserted at the end when his fluids changed to more substantial nutrition. My least favorite was the constant removing and redoing the IV's. He had a hard time keeping them in wanting to bend his arms all the time. I hated seeing the tape rip the skin off his arms and the fluid swell his little fingers and hands. He was given a small dose of sedatives daily to control his pain and agitation. Being hungry and in pain from the surgery made him irratable.

It started to seem like this was going to last forever! The days kept coming and the Doctor kept giving orders of no food until he pooped. A week after being in the hospital and still no poop and little signs of one to come we asked our close family and friends if they would join us in fast and prayer that Sunday. It might seem irreverent that we were "praying for poop". Although we were fasting and praying for his health and recovery in general we literally were hoping for him to poop so that he could begin the process back to eating and digesting on his own as that would be the best indication that the surgery was successful.

The following morning we were never more excited to see a poop diaper in our lives!

A lot of sleeping and a day and a half later he was able to start on pedialite and then work his way up to milk. They gave him a Koala beanie baby to hold his pacifier in place. It quickly became his best friend.

Once he was able to eat he picked it right up. He did awesome and within a day was ready to be breast fed again. After getting a little food he perked up, wanted to be awake and starting acting like a regular happy little baby! within 2 days of eating he was able to go home.

We had an amazing nurse named Maggie. It seemed like she was always there the nights we both had to go home. It was such a relief to know he was getting taken care of and loved. Thanks Maggie!

One really happy Mommy! So happy to finally get him home!

This was most definitely a trial. One of the first serious trials I've had to face in my 28 years. There was a lot of heartache and a lot of pain. However, Willie and I were able to witness the power of prayer and fasting. We were surrounded by the love and strength of our families. I kept wanting to turn to Willie or to our parents or to the doctors. I wanted them to just fix it so it would go away and we could come home. You gain a different perspective after being in a childrens hospital for 2 weeks. We saw a lot of sick children, born premature, birth defects, disabilities and children with cancer. How great are their trials? How difficult for their families and parents? Ultimately I turned to my Heavenly Father for comfort.. someone who would understand exactly how I felt. Willie and I have both grown as individuals as well as in our marriage, as parents as well as strengthened our families.

"Trials come to the strong and to the weak—to the sick and to the healthy. Yes, the trials will still be there; but with the companionship of the Spirit, our approach to trials will change frustrations and heartaches to blessings."

Adversity and Prayer, Bishop H. Burke Peterson, First Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric

2011-05-24T00:12:00.000-07:00

Here is his birth announcement I had planned to send out. But having it here on the blog will have to do.

By the time we got home from our hospital stay Hoyt was already 5 days old. I wanted to make sure I did his newborn photos while he was still brand new. However he still had a little jaundice and was sporting a yellow hue. Luckily my excitement to finally photograph my OWN newborn got the best of me. The day before we found out he would need to go in to surgery I set up a little shoot on my bed and got these photos. I am so glad I was able to get some of him with all his newborn sweetness. Glad to get photos of his perfect little body before incisions, stitches, and needle marks. His little lips, his A-mazing hair, his soft fuzzy shoulders and cheeks. Such a sweet, content and happy baby even considering everything he has been through. Truly a little tiny angel!

2011-05-23T00:12:00.000-07:00

I waited patiently behind the c-section curtain for Willie to tell me about our little boy. His first description was, "He has a ton of hair!" In our recovery room I discovered not only was there a lot of hair but CURLY hair! After the nurse washed, combed and put it all under a beanie it straightened out.. What?! Where did my curly hair baby go? We quickly discovered when it dries alone it's curly, if we comb it or play with it goes straight. I love both! I'm certain he will lose it or it will go blonde like Vance's has but for now I'm enjoying it!

Clear My Mind

2011-05-22T22:20:00.000-07:00

My first night being home and sleeping in my bed. Willie and I have been sleeping at the hospital since last tuesday. This weekend we realized Hoyt's hospital stay may run longer then we hoped. We became aware that we may be at the hospital for another week or better and that would need to make some adjustments. Willie is having to go back to work so we are having to split taking turns being at the hospital. Tonight I am home with Vance. Im feeling restless, Im missing Willie and I want to hold my baby. I've come back to a home that is basically how I left it over a week ago... clothes folded and clean laundry as we left it, a fridge full of food that hasn't been touched and baby blankets, burp cloths and a bassinet that aren't being used.

I pulled up my computer to check on some emails and pay some bills and all of the photos I've taken since his birth and his newborn photo shoot are sitting there in my iphoto file and tears start flowing. Vance has "spend the night" syndrome from being lovingly adored and cared for by both sets of his grandparents since the 9th and he is casually calling me "Wema" (chris) & "DeeDee" (my mom). Secretly it hurts my feelings.

He looks bigger, acts bigger, is saying things I've never heard and I'm feeling like I've missed out on something. I'm homesick for my bed, my home, my life before this. I'm physical exhausted. I'm emotionally exhausted. My eyes hurt from crying. The fact that my hormones are out of wack from just having a baby as well as having surgery myself is not helping. Anything and everything can bring the tears and does. I have had all these visions of what these last 2 weeks would be like and this was not it! And as much as all these things matter to me the only thing I can think about is getting my baby home and healthy. Since that time is not now, I'm finding myself sitting here doing what is therapeutic to me... blogging and editing photos and hopefully I can stay on top of all the events that have happened in this crazy month of May. I have lots and lots of photos to get through and more posts to hopefully finish.

2011-05-14T00:39:00.000-07:00

Well Willie was lucky enough for Hoyt to come 2 days before his birthday! Soooo we spent his birthday in the hospital...not so much fun for him. We had a little party a few days after getting home with his family and mine. Pistachio ice cream a top a chocolate chunk brownie with chocolate syrup, whip cream and a cherry on top.. his favorite! Happy Birthday to the greatest person I know! xoxo

2011-05-09T21:46:00.000-07:00

Our sweet little guy is here!

He came at 38 1/2 weeks. I was not scheduled for my c section until the following week. I began having some degree of contractions Sunday. I was uncomfortable the entire day enough to skip church and struggle through our family dinners. Monday morning I had my last visit scheduled with the Doctor so I struggled through the night, took a few baths, rocked in the rocking chair and timed my contractions. They weren't seeming to be very consistent so I just waited to go to my appointment assuming he would tell me that yes I was having braxton hicks and to go home and work on managing them. After examining me he said I was dilated to a 4-ish. He suggested we move the c section up a bit so I replied, "Well I have my husbands birthday Wednesday so maybe Thursday would work." He said, "Oh no you won't still be pregnant Wednesday, I'm talking about today or tomorrow at the latest." My heart leaped! I'm having the baby today?! Wait. I have 6 hair clients scheduled this coming week, a photo shoot and a birthday party! Oh well! I wasn't sure what it was like to go in to labor on my own as Vance was induced at 41 weeks and I hadn't ever dialted even slightly. So he scheduled me for 5 p.m. and asked that I check in at 3 p.m. So I went ahead and cashed in on Willie's gift card to the nail salon he had given me a few months prior and got a pedicure and manicure before going in. Midway through my manicure massage I began to think that was a mistake as I was basically doing breathing exercises through the entire thing. The ladies in the salon all asked when I as due, and looked a little confused when I replied, "Today at 5." I made it home and called willie around 1:30 and said I don't think I can make it to 3:00 I need to go now. After getting to the hospital, checking in, and being examined I was dialted to a 7 and in the nurses words, "paper thin" at which point the nurses contacted the doctor and let him know the surgery needed to be bumped up. I would describe the c section as a delight in comparison to the previous 24 hours and considered it almost enjoyable. It went flawless and quick and next thing I knew Willie was showing me our sweet little baby Hoyt!

2011-05-08T08:00:00.000-07:00

"May each of us remember this truth; 'one cannot forget mother and remember God. One cannot remember mother and forget God.' Why? Because these two sacred persons, God and mother, partners in creation, in love, in sacrifice, in service, are as one." Thomas S. Monson (Pathways to Perfection: Discourses of Thomas S. Monson)

Happy Mothers Day to all of our special Mothers!

Willie helped Vance with my mothers day card last night. He was so excited to give it to me and couldn't wait for today. Although this morning the first thing he said when he woke up was "Happy Day Mommy" accompanied by a hug.

2011-05-08T07:00:00.000-07:00

One week to go and I finally got the urge to start "nesting". I was prepared for Vance for over a month before he came. I guess that is the beauty of a scheduled C section this time:) I got his tiny clothes out of the wash after washing them in the baby detergent and all the feelings of having a newborn instantly came back and I am getting so excited! While folding Hoyt's clothes Vance thought it would be fun to try some of them on. I wanted to stop him to keep him from stretching out the tiny pants... but I grabbed my camera instead. He got so frustrated trying to fit the socks over his now toddler feet. I had a little moment (remember I'm pregnant) realizing he's my big boy now never to go back to my little baby. I spent 20 seconds being sad about it and now I'm good and soooo excited for Hoyt to arrive. We cleaned the house, made his bed, organized and washed all his fun baby stuff, packed our bag and painted my nails. Now to just wrap up this week of photos, hair clients, doctor appointments, Willie's birthday, pedicure and coloring my hair... next thing I know he will be HERE!

2011-05-05T15:49:00.000-07:00

10 days and waiting until Hoyt arrives and Vance and I have been doing some serious Relaxing. It is finally warm enough for us to get in the pool and it has felt so nice, I love feeling "weightless" while in the water it takes the pressure off for sure. You bet Vance is wearing a speedo... I searched the world over for one and apparently they are not exactly popular in the states. While in Rocky Point my mom picked one up at the local grocery store, figures Mexico would have one.

2011-04-30T18:32:00.000-07:00

Finally printed one of the 5 "blog" books I've been working on. I've been dragging my feet on actually printing and paying for them but it's time to get caught up. It was fun getting a small package in the mail and opening the pages to view all of our memories of that year. I'm glad I kept the blog. I'm glad I spent the time. For me this has been the most efficient way to document our life together. Looking back on our history makes me miss when Vance was small and the trips we took and the fun we had but makes me excited for the books to come!

2011-04-25T11:35:00.000-07:00

Lovely Easters on both sides this year. Lots of our favorite candy, dinner, nieces and nephews and time spent with family. Sunday we walked around the temple the flowers are all in bloom and Amazing. Happy Easter!

2011-04-07T21:52:00.000-07:00

(this post is just for me and my Doogie")

courtesy of my very grainy camera phone

Im "meeeesing" you right now buddy! DeeDee just came and picked you up for your weekly spend the night and I am waiting for Daddy to come home from school. You drove me insane today!!! So many times I had to tell you to "STOP", "go get that", "quit crushing cheerios into the couch!", "stop spilling your sippy cup!"... And now the house is quiet, I'm sooo tired and I'm missing your sweet face. I love hearing you come in to the room and say, "Oh. Hi Mom I meeeeesed you!" even tho you were just in your room. I'm missing my nude tricyclist, my big-brother-in-training-despite-daddys-wishes, backpack-wearing, twinkle-star-singing, computer nerd. Can't wait to see you! love you Mom.

2011-04-07T15:38:00.001-07:00

2011-03-19T18:14:00.000-07:00

After what seems like a marathon move in 4 DAYS we are moved in! Excited for what this new home, ward and area have in store for us :) If you need our new address you can email me.

camshill@gmail.com

2011-03-11T17:01:00.000-08:00

We've had a big decision to make these last couple weeks. I feel like we're on the game show LETS MAKE A DEAL. The prize we have in hand right now is great... but something else could be better for our sitiuation. We're being offered something behind door #2. It could be exactly what Willie and I have been praying for OR it could be a ZONK and we could end up with a "llama" (as seen below)...

Am I making any sense?

Why in life can you not just know what is behind door #2?

2011-02-28T15:20:00.000-08:00

Can I even say how long it has been since I've actually made my bed? 1/2 a year sounds about right. My housekeeping skills have been, well... lacking during this pregnancy. Plagued by never ending nausea, the Flu and 2 colds back to back I've been a little off my game. As someone who thrives in a cleanly environment this has been difficult. I started to wonder will I ever get back in the zone again? How do I get back on a schedule and routine like I once had? How do I get my life & home back in order? The typical depression and feelings of being overwhelmed had definitely begun to take over, however the will to do anything about it was nonexistent. Last week Willie and I spent a solid day cleaning and organizing & finally the motivation kicked in & got the ball rolling. I made the bed, opened the blinds, sat back & admired the clean house and thought, "yep, I think I've got my "groove" back." Granted in several weeks I'll be down again from the c-section & a newborn but until then I'll enjoy this!

Vance giving me the stink eye for telling him to stay off the bed.

Vance not listening, and me not caring since he was allowing

me to photograph him and his fresh buzzed hair cut :)

Hiding.

2011-02-14T17:21:00.000-08:00

Every year when Valentines rolled around I was always between any valentine worthy relationships & couldn't help but despise it just a little... Until I met Willie! Mine for Nine and still love him!

2011-02-14T16:49:00.000-08:00

Vance has been obsessed with birthdays and birthday cake lately. Every time he sees anything that resembles a birthday cake he says, "happy day" instead of "happy birthday". So cousin Bryce's birthday party was the highlight of his week! Sorry Bryce I'm sure you would have liked to blow out ALL your candles! Not to mention he LOVED his train ride and yes Mom, Chels, Alyx, Vance & I all took a spin around the park.

2011-02-10T09:07:00.000-08:00

My calendar says I have nothing to do today!

Although I could probably think of a hundred things I should be doing... What does this mean?

It means I have not appointments, not obligations, not commitments to anyone or anything.

Nice. Except now, what do to with a "nothing" day.

Well for starters I'm sitting here blogging about nothing and wasting the morning away.

Oh well! Maybe a day with Vance? Maybe clean the house top to bottom like I've been wishing I could? I think I'll go take a shower and whatever comes to mind I'll go with that.

2011-02-03T02:01:00.000-08:00

I decided to do vintage Valentines this year and thought these were sooooo cute!
They reminded me of the old Valentines sitting in my keepsakes from my grandparents when I was little.

Keep in mind I REALLY LOVE VALENTINES!

Hope everyone has a Lovely month!

2011-01-31T10:52:00.000-08:00

Chase got home from his mission on Tuesday and we all went up to Pinetop Thursday to spend some time up north as one whole fam. I want to cry because so many of the pictures from the cabin and the rest of the family got DELETED, ugh! We had a really good time and a really nice vacation from home.

2011-01-26T09:43:00.000-08:00

He's HOME!!! Chase is home from his mission to New Zealand!

The little kids were not sure exactly who he was.

2 ladies he loves VERY much!

Cousin Troy who is on his mission as well as Bishop Kerr.

It's great to have him back!

2011-01-17T14:55:00.000-08:00

Shill kids had a fund day at the park!

Pizza, Picnic, Play!

2011-01-14T16:47:00.000-08:00

Man I love this man!

Maybe it's the pregnancy hormones that have me feeling this overwhelming affection for him...

... OR maybe I just really love my sweet, big teddy-bear husband THAT much!

2011-01-14T16:42:00.000-08:00

2011-01-04T17:41:00.000-08:00

Ok here goes.

A new year, what do I want? What are my goals?

ONE

Projects... I want to be proud of anything I do, If it's not my best it's not worth doing.

I'm bothered when I rush something and then regret that it may have been lacking. No more. I don't care to take on a bunch of new hobbies this year I just want to get better at the things I do currently and be proud of what I put out there.

TWO

Where did "Camie" go. It sounds weird to even say my own name. Who's she?

I used to be so sure of who I was, knew what I wanted and how to get it.

Now Im not so sure. I want to be sure.

THREE

Say Yes....

Through this time of being pregnant and this constant feeling of nausea, fatigue, sleeplessness I've entered a world of "Hermit-dom". I've rationalized that if I stay home I can control my environment enough to avoid smells, sights and tasks that make me miserable. Hence, I have been saying NO a lot and have NOT been really "living" for the past 20 weeks. Now it is fading and I am starting to actually feel better, Yay! So it's time to start being a YES person. YES I can do that. YES I can help you. YES I can go there. YES I want that. YES I can handle this.

FOUR

Smile :) Get excited! I perceive myself as a person who has an amazing life and an extremely happy life! Problem is I really struggle expressing that. Willie and I were watching "The Price is Right", I was in awe how excited all these contestants get and how that would never be what I would look like up there. I would be jumping for joy inside but I really doubt my expressions would reflect my feelings. I got a 1965 shiny, red VW beetle completely redone for my 16th birthday. You would think when presented with that I would be acting like a price is right contestant... that's how I felt. No, just some smiles and thank you's. My poor dad...he worked on it for months! Now 27, It's still a struggle! I am drawn to people who's, laugh and smile and countenance are smiley, happy, infectious.... that's how I feel inside. Why can't I express it? Now I want it to show outside as well.

FIVE

Service. I'm craving that feeling, that high from giving yourself for something good. What I'm not sure yet, but when the opportunity arises I want to have the attitude and mindset to be ready to take it on.

I'll stop at 5. I could have an entire goal designated to following through with other goals!

This should keep me busy for the year. That and 3 boys come May all under one roof!

2011-01-04T09:30:00.000-08:00

A quick trip to Payson to see Grandma D and the snow.

2011-01-01T19:57:00.000-08:00

Welcome 2011! We're excited for all that you might bring!

A new baby boy, new experiences & new opportunities!

2010-12-27T12:27:00.000-08:00

Busy, busy Christmas! Nativity & Christmas Eve with Grandma & Grandpa Shill. Then to Sevey's to call Chase on his mission in New Zealand. Then Christmas with Sevey's. Bed. Christmas morning with Vance. Christmas morning with Shill's and breakfast. THEN, trip to Payson and Christmas dinner with Davenports!

A Very Merry Christmas to ALL!

2010-12-24T15:21:00.000-08:00

Willie's Grandpa passed away yesterday. In my short time of knowing him he was a sweet grandpa with a great sense of humor! Driving he and Grandma to dinner from the temple one evening I reached the intersection exactly as it started to turn yellow and proceeded to go safely through the light.

Grandpa said to me, "Don't you know yellow means stop... not speed up."

Extra cautious? Maybe. Extra caring? Definitely! We will love and miss you Grandpa!

2010-12-22T10:13:00.000-08:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

2010-12-17T13:52:00.000-08:00

Although Vance knows who Santa, is his interest in him is still subtle. What he IS interested in this year are trains, trains, trains. My mom let him take home a small wooden train she got in New Zealand and he is obsessed! He eats with it, sleeps with it, wants to bathe with it. It goes to church, the car... you get the idea. We nearly missed our turn with Santa because we couldn't pull him away from the giant train set and village that bass pro shop lets the kids play with. Soooo. When Willie walked him up to Santa he said tell him what you want, and he quietly had his finger pointed at the train the entire time! Thankfully we got him to look at the camera for a split second, then off of Santa's lap and back to driving the train. Sure hope Santa brings him a train set this year!