Presenting Ellison Kate Sher
After nearly twelve hours of labor, and over two and half hours of pushing, the critical decision was made to move to Cesarean Section as the vehicle to bring this bundle of joy into our lives.

Being that Heather was dilated to a 4 earlier that day at the Doctor's office, I was certain that the baby was coming soon, and probably that evening. I therefore stayed up until 1:00 A.M, and was still wide eyed awake in bed when Heather's water broke at 1:30.

Upon our arrival at the hospital, Heather was already dilated to a 6. Therefore, we never really contemplated being faced with the emergency C-Section surgery. However, once Heather was fully dilated, it became obvious, over a matter of time, that Ellison simply could not drop any more. With the calm advice of Heather's OBGYN, we agreed that it was time to move into the surgery room.

Any surgery is frightening; especially when considering it affects not only the one you have loved for such a long time, but also your future pride and joy. However, that was not the scariest part of this surgery that I was about to observe. Rather, for me, it was the very real fact, that although I walk into this sterilized room as a husband, I will walk out as a father...that thought was enough to make my heart stop.

So I went in, looking like a dufus, that was a cross between a haz-mat team and the marshmallow man from the movie Ghostbusters. And this was a step up from the fact that when I first got dressed I had both my shoe covers, as well as the white cover-alls, on backwards.

And in a few short minutes, my world was forever changed. At 1:48 P.M., Ellison Kate emerged from her mother's stomach, weighing 6 pounds 13 ounces, measuring 21 inches, taking my breath away at first sight.

Due to the surgery, we will likely be at St. John's until Monday, maybe Tuesday. But that is also time where we can turn our little princess over to the nursery for a few hours each night and get some much needed rest.

What an amazing gift children are. And what a wonderful illustration of how Big, Wonderful, and Awe Inspiring our Creator truly is. I am blessed to have begun this chapter of life.

The Eternal Embrace
Let me first thank each of you for your prayers over the past 16 months. It has been truly joyful to feel the presence of your support and encouragement that came into our lives, and into Jim's.

Wednesday night we received word that Jim's days were numbered, and may even be only hours. After hanging on for another 2 days, and his continued fight throughout the day on Friday, Heather and I made the decision to come to Norman and be by his side. Spending those 4 or 5 hours by his side were terribly difficult, but yet, a blessing that we could see him one last time. As we did, through his exhaustion, Jim gave each of his girls their own individual "love you honey."

We went to bed last night knowing that it was unlikely he would make it to morning. So through our tears we prayed over Jim and let him know how proud we were of his fight and that he could enter the Kingdom with his head held high, being a fighter until the end.

About 1:15AM we were made aware that Jim was taking his last breaths. As he did, Karen, Holly and Heather stood by his side, held his hands, and wrapped him in an abundance of love as he slipped away from our world. He was surrounded by his family, just as he wanted. To see this family chant him on to fight this cancer for many months and then watching them say goodbye, that it was okay to let go, and to take his seat in eternity, was an amazing sight. The trumpets were playing as Jim entered the Kingdom of Heaven at 1:25AM. And from that moment forward we believe that Jim is wrapped in the arms of God, and will live peacefully in this eternal embrace.

Although this clearly was not how Heather and I would have foreseen this being how we spend the days prior to our baby girl's birth; God did provide us with a peace last night. A peace that Jim was no longer in any pain. A peace the Jim now has a front row seat to the delivery. A peace that now our family can focus on the joy of new life; the life of Ellison Kate and the new eternal life of Jim Hill. Knowing that one of the greatest desires of Jim's heart was to meet his granddaughter, we firmly believe, although no longer with us now, Jim is the first to hold his grand baby, and that until her arrival here on earth she is sitting in his lap listening to her grandpa's stories.

Funeral plans are set for Monday morning, here in Norman, at McFarlin United Methodist Church beginning at 11:00 am. A lunch will follow for family members and out of town guests. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that contributions be made on behalf of Jim to the American Cancer Society or Second Chance Animal Sanctuary of Norman (http://www.secondchancenorman.info/default/Default.aspx?tabid=36)

Thanks again for taking this journey with us. Although it is the end of one journey, it is only the beginning of another, and we look forward to sharing that road with you as well!

Rob and Heather Sher

Here Comes Goodbye
These past few days have been full of emotion, confusion, and grace. As we learned that the days of Jim's treatment were behind us, and hospice was to begin, we now know that goodbye is around the corner.

It is not as surprising as it is just brutally real. I mean, being honest with ourselves, we knew 16 months ago that Jim was terminally ill; and at that time we were uncertain he would ever be released from the hospital. Interesting how time and seemingly better health tend to blind you from the inevitable.

However, when faced with the reality of what is to come, and the uncertainty of when it is to come, we find ourselves challenged all over again. Especially considering the circumstances of what is supposed to be the happiest time of our lives and the timing where we are literally just weeks away from the arrival of Baby Sher, we struggle to find God's provision in His timing.

So as we spent both last weekend and this weekend alongside of Jim, we were eager to see his pain subside but were not yet ready to let him go. We know that goodbye is coming, we just don't know exactly when. Difficult conversations about his funeral, and how he has everything in order to take care of Karen are combined with stories of the nursery, and the baby to come.

So as we prepare to say goodbye, we recognize all that will be no longer. Goodbye to years of pain and suffering; goodbye to sleepless nights; goodbye to chemo, radiation and the side effects that follow. Goodbye to the "command center," "policing the area" and telling the boys (Petie and Oggie) to "knock it off."

However, even though we know that goodbye is near, we rest assured knowing that what will remain is the legacy of Jim Hill. A legacy that entails a believer in Christ, a warrior who fought hard the battle against cancer, a man of compassion for humans and animals alike, a mentor, a friend, and a passionate OU fan. So although here comes goodbye, and we prepare ourselves for that exit, we will never forget the father, husband and soon-to-be grandfather that is Jim Hill.

As we prepare for goodbye we covet your prayers. Pray that we remain selfless in our desires for Jim, that his entrance into the Kingdom is one with limited pain and suffering, that we have the faith and trust in the Lord to let go, and that in our own saddness and grief we remember the blessings that God has poured down onto this family, especially the blessing who will be called Ellison Kate Sher.

So goodbye is coming, but only to a temporary chapter, as an eternal one is just beginning. What is "goodbye" for us, is "Welcome Home!" for Jim.

Welcome Baby Sher's Bestest Friends
Even before the arrival of Baby Sher (no, we still do not have a name), she already has two new best friends. These are two very special boys! And I can not wait to see the role they will play in her life.

Being only days apart, these two boys are also cousins to each other. Now, I am only 3 months older than one of my cousins, and only 2 years younger than another, and I know how close we have been throughout our lives; so I can only imagine being only 2 days older; or even 6 weeks older.

But that is the life that Baby Sher will be born into. Welcoming her into the world will be cousin Marshall Crawford Kerr, born May 4th 2009, and cousin Preston Ryan Clark, born May 06, 2009.

Here is Marshall Crawford:

From Babies

And here is Preston Ryan:

From Babies

Welcome boys! We are glad that you are here; safe, healthy, and already growing!

Stop Looking at My Twitter!
Today, at the office, I was asked about Twitter. And you know, had I been asked last week, I would have simply looked at the person inquiring, dumbfounded, and told her that it was probably inappropriate for her to be talking to me about my twitter, and such conversation could possibly be considered sexual harassment.

But to my credit, or discredit, I actually knew what she was talking about, and it had nothing to do with my body. Twitter, I have learned recently, is a micro-blog. (Oh, thanks Rob, that clears it up!) In fact, when one participates in Twitter (known as "tweeting") they are simply answering the question: "What are you doing" in 140 characters or less. You find folks you want to "follow" which consists of getting their updated tweets, and then others choose to follow you. That truly is all it is. So why all the rave?

Well, I can't really explain it. In fact, I was conned into joining by two of my friends just last week while I was in Los Angeles; but ever since then, I cannot seem to pull myself away from the concept. Some of my more recent posts have included:
* "Tonight I embark on my first parenting class...breast feeding 101. I am forecasting a 90% chance of awkward mixed with partly uncomfortable"
* "Getting ready for my basketball game tonight...high-tops, gym shorts, jersey, and ibuprofens"
* "Just arrived at LAX for our midnight flight; who flies this late?"
* "I have now had 4 chikfila sandwiches in 2 days...so i guess the diet is going well"

So shortly after joining, I quickly began thinking, who is going to want to follow me and why do I have this Twitter Account? Seriously, isn't it time for me to grow up? I mean what am I going to write everyday: "At work today," "Still at work," "Heading home from work." Riveting, right?

But then, not a moment too soon, I came across an Oklahoma Bar Association article that spoke about the great potential Twitter can have for professionals if used appropriately. As for the content of the article, well, I basically skimmed it, but just the fact that it was there gave me the confidence I needed to tweet away.

So for all those skeptics, don't knock it until you try it. And for those of you bold enough to join, come follow me on twitter. You never know, you may just catch me being full of twit.